Chapter 25: Turning Point

As the movie began to play, the two of them fell quiet. Watching together, Bai Renzong discovered something: she was genuinely timid.

Ten minutes into "Dead Silence," not even at the heart of the story yet, Han Jiayi was already clutching a pillow, trembling beside him. If their relationship had been closer, she would probably have buried herself in his arms by now! Yet, even though they were merely roommates sharing an apartment, she instinctively edged closer to Bai Renzong.

How could she claim watching horror films was as easy as eating or drinking when she was so easily frightened?

"May I ask, what horror movies have you seen before?" Bai Renzong asked, expressionless.

"Well... things like 'Wrong Turn,' 'The Hills Have Eyes,' that sort," Han Jiayi replied, biting her thumb nervously as she stared at the screen.

"Those are gore films, not strictly horror," Bai Renzong pressed his lips together.

"It's all the same to me!" Han Jiayi retorted impatiently, then was startled by the movie, hiding behind her pillow so only her beautiful eyes peeked out—both afraid and eager to keep watching, looking utterly adorable.

But Han Jiayi had miscalculated: she hadn't considered that Bai Renzong had already seen this movie once before, so watching it again, he naturally wasn't as scared as she was. Throughout the film, Han Jiayi kept whimpering in fright.

Halfway through, when the atmosphere became especially terrifying, Han Jiayi suddenly tugged at Bai Renzong.

"What is it?" Bai Renzong frowned and shot her a glare.

"N-nothing," Han Jiayi replied, relieved, and continued watching.

At the ending, when it was revealed the protagonist's father had been turned into a puppet and controlled all along, Han Jiayi buried her face in the pillow, let out a scream, and then glanced at Bai Renzong’s back, as if checking whether he'd been made into a puppet too.

"Alright, the movie’s over," Bai Renzong yawned. "Feeling better now? I’m going upstairs to sleep. Good night..."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Han Jiayi quickly grabbed his arm.

Rubbing his eyes, Bai Renzong grumbled, "What now, madam?"

"Aren't... aren't you scared?" Han Jiayi asked anxiously, biting her thumb, looking even more frightened.

"...This is my second time watching it," Bai Renzong replied.

"Well, then..." Han Jiayi looked around, at a loss.

"Enough," Bai Renzong sighed, gently pressing her head, "It’s just a film, fake. You're an actress, shouldn’t you know?"

"My sense of immersion is too strong, what can I do!" Han Jiayi complained, blinking her lovely eyes at him. "How about you sleep with me in the living room tonight? The sofa folds out into a bed, you take that side, I take this one, so it won’t interfere..."

"Absolutely not. Who would choose the sofa over a bed? Are you crazy?" Bai Renzong replied irritably.

"Just think of it as returning a favor! I’ve fed you for days!" Han Jiayi pleaded, clutching his hand.

Bai Renzong glared at her, reluctant, but her argument left him speechless.

"After tonight, we’re even," Han Jiayi said with a sparkling smile in her eyes.

Bai Renzong sighed in resignation, "Let me warn you, I might snore."

"No problem!" Han Jiayi replied with a cheerful laugh. "I’ll turn up the air conditioning, you grab blankets and pillows!"

Soon they each fetched their own pillow and blanket.

"I’m going to wash up," Bai Renzong announced, setting his things down. Han Jiayi immediately responded, "I'll join you!"

Bai Renzong eyed her suspiciously, "Are you just afraid to go alone, waiting for me to say something?"

"Oh, how could that be..." Han Jiayi smiled, returning to her usual gentle, elegant self. "Come on, after a late-night snack, you must brush your teeth before bed."

Bai Renzong stared at her for a moment, then headed to the bathroom to get ready.

"Why do you drag me into this?" Bai Renzong asked while brushing his teeth. "It’s one thing to torment yourself, but why me?"

"I just have stronger immersion! My experience of movies and games is deeper than yours. You should envy me!" Han Jiayi said, brushing her teeth and glaring at him in the mirror. "As a content creator, you ought to immerse yourself as I do!"

Bai Renzong frowned slightly; she had a point.

After brushing their teeth, they returned to the living room and lay down on their respective sides of the sofa.

"Why did you set the temperature so low? It’s freezing," Bai Renzong grabbed the remote, ready to turn up the heat.

"No!" Han Jiayi snatched the remote. "Air conditioning and blankets together are the most comfortable..."

Bai Renzong didn’t bother arguing. He’d been sleeping early lately, and now, with the clock past one, he was exhausted. So after settling under his blanket, he simply said, "Good night," and soon fell silent.

Han Jiayi carefully tucked herself under her blanket, then poked her head out, "You go turn off the light..."

Bai Renzong let out a heavy sigh, got up to switch off the lights, then used his phone’s torch to find his way back to the sofa.

Five minutes later, Han Jiayi whispered, "Are you asleep?"

"Zzzz..." Her question was met with a series of snores.

"Ugh, this idiot! Fell asleep so quickly!" Han Jiayi grumbled, hiding back under the blanket. Yet, in the darkness, scenes from the horror movie kept replaying in her mind.

"Why did I even watch a second one?" Han Jiayi moaned, thumping the pillow over her head.

But then, Bai Renzong’s snoring grew louder. Strangely, Han Jiayi suddenly felt a sense of security.

As long as she could hear his snoring, she knew Bai Renzong was right across from her, sleeping on the other sofa.

And his snoring wasn’t loud enough to keep her awake—just right.

"Mm..." Han Jiayi let out a satisfied sigh, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

Bai Renzong slept soundly, straight through until Han Jiayi woke him the next morning.

"Alright, you can go back to your room now..." Han Jiayi said as she woke him; daylight had already come.

"What time is it?" Bai Renzong asked groggily.

"A little after seven," Han Jiayi replied. "Do you want breakfast?"

"I..." Bai Renzong smacked his lips; after last night's pizza, he wasn’t particularly hungry and could sleep more.

"I’ll sleep a bit longer..." he answered, preparing to turn over.

"Then go upstairs. I’ll be cooking soon, and it’ll be noisy," Han Jiayi said, her brows slightly furrowed.

"That’s quick—last night you begged me to sleep downstairs, now you’re kicking me out," Bai Renzong opened one eye to look at her.

"It’s for your own good," Han Jiayi crossed her arms. "If you don’t mind the noise, suit yourself."

Bai Renzong rolled over and stretched, the blanket forming a small tent.

"You!" Han Jiayi quickly turned away, cheeks puffed in annoyance. "Go sleep upstairs!"

"Daylight makes you bold, huh? How pragmatic," Bai Renzong shook his head with a sigh, grabbing his blanket and pillow as he climbed upstairs.

Han Jiayi stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.

Despite all this, both realized, deep down, that last night had been a crucial turning point in their relationship.