Chapter 19: The Six-Month Itch (To Touch)

Jin Liwei gazed at Xie Ming, a gentle look softening his features. Despite her pale and sickly appearance, she seemed more attractive and charming than ever before. He could hardly believe that he had agreed to give their relationship a chance when he had been so adamant about divorce just a short while ago.

Her lips, though dry and chapped, held a sweetness that tempted him. Unable to resist, Jin Liwei leaned in for another kiss, but Xie Ming placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him away.

"Why?" he asked, bewilderment clear in his voice.

Xie Ming sighed, noting the dimmed brightness in his eyes at her refusal. "I'm tired, Liwei. You should go to your room and sleep. I need rest too."

Jin Liwei's expression turned stubborn. "I'll sleep here tonight," he declared.

Shock flitted across Xie Ming's face. "We just decided to give our relationship a chance," she said, her voice tinged with shyness. "Until we clearly understand each other and are sure we want to spend our lives together, we shouldn't sleep together."

Despite her new life in this modern world, Xie Ming's heart still held the values of Zhao Ming. She couldn't change her principles overnight.

Jin Liwei felt a flicker of frustration but quickly composed himself. "First of all, I am your husband," he said, his gaze intense. "It's only right that we share a room. We didn't sleep together before because our feelings weren't mutual, but now we both agree, don't we?"

He continued, his voice softening, "We have a marriage certificate. There's nothing immoral about this. Besides, you're still recovering. What if you have another nightmare or need something in the middle of the night? Who would take care of you?"

Xie Ming considered his words, her expression thoughtful. "I suppose you're right," she conceded. "I... don't want to be alone tonight." She raised her head, meeting his eyes. "We are married, after all. It's not wrong for us to share a room."

Jin Liwei's eyes brightened at her words, but her next statement dampened his enthusiasm.

"But," Xie Ming added firmly, "you'll sleep on the other side of the bed, and you won't touch me for the next six months. After that time, we'll reassess our relationship and decide whether to continue or divorce."

Jin Liwei's expression fell. "Why wait six months? We could just live like this. And why no touching? We're married, Ming."

Xie Ming's voice was gentle but resolute. "Liwei, yesterday we wanted to divorce, and now we don't. We're changing our decisions rapidly. It's possible we might not want to stay together after some time. These six months will be a test period to see if we can make this work."

Jin Liwei's brow furrowed. "But how can we test our relationship without... other things? Physical intimacy is important in a relationship, Ming. It's what makes us more than just friends living in the same room."

Xie Ming chuckled at his words. "Physical intimacy is indeed important," she agreed. "But before that, we should understand each other and establish a firm emotional connection. We'll go with the flow and see where it leads us."

She continued, her tone leaving no room for argument, "Intimacy should be consensual, not one-sided. If either of us wants to separate after six months, we'll respect that decision. This isn't up for further discussion. If you don't agree, you can sleep in your own room."

Jin Liwei quickly nodded, not wanting to be sent away. "I agree," he said, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Inwardly, he thought, 'We can establish our relationship, and then... Well, I don't necessarily have to wait six months. Xie Ming, just you wait. I'll prove we can live like any other couple.'

As they settled into bed, Jin Liwei managed to coax Xie Ming into allowing him to hold her hand as they slept. She hesitantly agreed, unaware of the triumphant gleam in his eyes.

Jin Liwei held her hand tightly as he lay on his back on one corner of the bed, with Xie Ming on the other. He was pleased with this small victory, seeing it as the first step in their new relationship.

As the night deepened, Jin Liwei found himself marveling at how quickly things had changed between them. He gazed at Xie Ming's sleeping form, noticing the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way the moonlight played across her features.

He realized that this was a chance for both of them to start anew, to build something genuine and lasting. The road ahead would not be easy, but for the first time, Jin Liwei felt a spark of excitement about their future together.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Jin Liwei finally closed his eyes, allowing sleep to claim him. The room fell silent, save for the soft, synchronized breathing of the sleeping couple, as the night continued its vigil over them both.