Today, I Have Yet to Become a Doll

Shen Mo felt a slight tug at his heartstrings, a feeling he couldn't quite describe. After a moment of silence, he wordlessly raised his eyes, gazing with her at the dark, rainy scene outside. Their blurred reflections appeared on the glass pane.

Bai Youwei said, "The last time I cried was when I was 12, when I realized I would never walk again."

Shen Mo thought, does this mean she sees me as another pair of legs?

The rain poured outside, a gust of wind blew, and the window rattled slightly. Inside, it was quiet.

"You cried last time, too," Shen Mo said.

Bai Youwei froze slightly, looking up at him.

Shen Mo said calmly, "Once, when I took you to the restroom, you cried. I think it was at the toll station."

Bai Youwei's expression went from stunned to surprised, then to angry and embarrassed—she was utterly annoyed!

"You're talking nonsense!" She glared at him, her voice firm. "I didn't cry!"

Shen Mo: "You cried."

"I didn't!" Bai Youwei yelled angrily. "You saw wrong!"

"I didn't see wrong."

"You did! You saw wrong! I would never cry!!!"

Shen Mo stopped arguing, the corners of his mouth curling up as he looked at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Bai Youwei was furious.

Shen Mo gently ruffled her damp hair, asking with a smile, "Aren't you being childish?"

Bai Youwei raised her hand and swatted at him!

Shen Mo didn't dodge.

The blow landed squarely on his abdomen, which was rock hard. For a moment, Bai Youwei wasn't sure whether his abs hurt more or her hand did.

She stared blankly at the taut lines of his black T-shirt, hesitating whether to hit him again.

A second later, Shen Mo took her hand and said, "Let's go downstairs and warm up by the fire. Dry your hair before you sleep."

His voice had returned to its usual gentle tone.

Bai Youwei was stunned. The tension and silent treatment between them seemed to dissipate in that moment… …Forget it.

She thought: Let's just make up.

…

There were quite a few people downstairs. Yan Qingwen, Lü Ang, Li Li, Cheng Weicai, Tan Xiao, and Pan Xiaoxin were all gathered in the living room.

There weren't enough seats on the sofa, so they used cushions as floor pillows, sitting in a circle around the fireplace.

Shen Mo placed Bai Youwei in her wheelchair and pushed her over. Everyone instinctively made way, clearing a path for the wheelchair.

"Why is everyone here?" Shen Mo asked.

Yan Qingwen shook his head slightly, his tone self-deprecating. "Couldn't sleep. It felt more secure sleeping in the tent."

Lü Ang echoed, "The whole house is full of dolls. It's creepy."

Li Li laughed. "Lü Ang, when did you become so timid?"

"This has nothing to do with being timid!" Lü Ang glared at him. "I'm not afraid, but those things are unsettling."

As they were talking, footsteps came from the stairs. Su Man and Zhu Shu came down as well.

They were down to keep watch. The first half of the night was the easiest to get through, so when assigning shifts, 9 pm to 12 am was given to Su Man, Zhu Shu, and Pan Xiaoxin.

The rest would take the 12 am to 3 am and 3 am to 6 am shifts.

Seeing everyone gathered, Su Man and Zhu Shu were both taken aback.

"What are you all doing here? Are there any tasks?" Su Man asked, assuming there were.

Yan Qingwen said, "No, it's still early. We couldn't sleep."

Zhu Shu kindly reminded them, "You have to wake up for your shift later. You should rest early."

"Zhu Shu, it's not that they don't want to sleep, they can't," Li Li said, teasingly glancing at Lü Ang. "They said there are too many dolls in the rooms, it's creepy."

At the mention of the dolls, Zhu Shu also looked uncomfortable. "There are indeed a bit too many dolls here…"

Even in the living room where they were currently sitting, dolls were placed in every nook and cranny.

Hearing this, Bai Youwei said softly, "Otherwise, why would it be called the Dollhouse?"

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