Chapter 20: Chapter 18 : A good night

After dinner, Lingling and Orm stepped out of the restaurant. The chilly evening air hit them immediately, and Lingling couldn’t help but notice the goosebumps on Orm’s arms. Without a second thought, Lingling removed her coat and draped it over Orm’s shoulders.

"Here, wear this," Lingling said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Orm blinked in surprise, pulling the coat closer around her. "What about you? Won’t you be cold?"

Lingling grinned. "I’m fine. You’re the one who looks like you might freeze into a popsicle."

Orm tried to protest, but Lingling gave her a raised eyebrow, the kind that dared her to argue. With a defeated sigh, Orm muttered, "You’re so stubborn."

Lingling laughed softly and walked ahead to open the car door for Orm.

Orm froze for a moment, startled. "Wait... are you opening the door for me now?"

Lingling smirked. "What? I can’t be polite?"

Orm chuckled, climbing into the car. "If you keep this up, I might get used to being spoiled."

"Well, don’t," Lingling teased, shutting the door gently.

Once inside, Lingling started the engine and began driving them home. The car ride was quiet at first, with the soft hum of the radio playing in the background. Orm leaned her head against the window, watching Lingling drive.

"Thank you," Orm said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Lingling glanced at her briefly. "For what?"

"For tonight," Orm replied, her voice warm. "It’s been a while since someone went out of their way to plan something so thoughtful for me."

Lingling’s cheeks turned pink as she focused on the road. "It’s nothing. I just... wanted to make it special."

Orm smiled softly. "You did."

After a moment, she added playfully, "Do you always plan dates like this for your past relationships?"

Lingling’s grip on the wheel tightened slightly, and she shook her head. "No... not really. I never felt the need to before," she admitted shyly.

Orm tilted her head. "Why now, then?"

Lingling hesitated for a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because it’s you."

Orm’s heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in Lingling’s tone. She leaned back in her seat, feeling an unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest.

The two arrived back home after their wonderful evening. Lingling removed her watch and gently placed it on the rack, noticing how warm Orm still looked in her coat

"I’ll go change first," Orm said, already heading toward the bedroom with a casual wave.

Lingling nodded, heading to the kitchen for a glass of water. As she sipped, she couldn’t help but smile, replaying the moments of the evening—the thoughtful conversations, the way Orm looked at her, and the way they just clicked. She makes me feel so... special, Lingling thought, the warmth spreading through her chest.

After finishing her drink, Lingling decided to head upstairs to get ready as well. She walked to their shared room, completely relaxed, and casually opened the door—

And froze.

Orm was mid-change, standing there with he, reaching for a loose-fitting shirt. Lingling’s eyes widened as she processed the scene in front of her—a mix of toned arms, a smooth back, and Orm turning around with an expression that was a mix of confusion and surprise.

"Uh—!" Lingling stammered, quickly averting her eyes and slamming the door shut. Her face turned beet red as she leaned against the door, clutching the doorknob for dear life.

From inside the room, Orm’s voice called out, half-laughing, "Lingling! Ever heard of knocking?"

"I-I didn’t know you were still changing!" Lingling replied, her voice high-pitched and flustered.

Orm chuckled, pulling her shirt on and opening the door a crack. She poked her head out, smirking. "Enjoy the show?"

Lingling’s cheeks burned brighter as she stammered, "I-I wasn’t looking! I didn’t mean to—"

Orm raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Sure, sure. I believe you."

Lingling glared, crossing her arms. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"But you like me anyway," Orm teased, stepping out fully dressed now in cozy pajama pants and a sweatshirt. She reached out, gently flicking Lingling’s forehead.

Lingling pouted, still embarrassed. "You’re lucky I’m nice, or I’d never let you live this down."

Orm laughed, ruffling Lingling’s hair as she walked past her. "Relax, it’s not a big deal. Now it’s your turn to change—and don’t worry, I’ll knock."

Lingling groaned, heading into the room and shutting the door behind her, making sure to lock it this time. As she changed into her own comfortable clothes, her mind kept replaying the brief image of Orm, and her cheeks heated up all over again.

Why does she have to look so... good all the time? Lingling thought, burying her face in her hands for a moment before finishing up and heading back downstairs.

Orm was already on the couch, scrolling through the movie options. She glanced up as Lingling entered the room and grinned.

Lingling returned to the living room, still a bit flustered from earlier. She hesitated near the couch before softly saying, “I’m sorry for, you know... opening the door while you were changing.” Her cheeks were already turning pink at the memory.

Orm, lounging comfortably, raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I don’t mind. After all,” she leaned in closer, her voice dropping teasingly, “one day you’re gonna see me fully anyway.”

Lingling froze, her eyes wide, her face quickly shifting from pink to a deep red. “W-what are you even saying!” she stammered, taking a step back while Orm burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

“Oh my God, your face right now!” Orm said, laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. “You’re too cute, Lingling!”

Lingling grabbed a nearby cushion and smacked Orm on the arm. “You’re impossible!”

Orm finally caught her breath and wiped her eyes. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop teasing. But hey, let’s be fair.”

Lingling blinked, confused. “Fair about what?”

Orm leaned back with a playful grin. “Remember when we first started living together? That time I accidentally walked in on you in the shower?”

Lingling’s jaw dropped as the memory hit her. “O-Oh my God, Orm! You saw—”

Orm smirked, cutting her off, “Your sexy abs? Yup, crystal clear image.”

Lingling covered her face with her hands, groaning in embarrassment. “You’re the worst!”

“And,” Orm continued with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “if you don’t mind... can I see them closer  this time?”

Lingling gasped, her hands falling from her face to glare at Orm. “What are you even saying?!”

Orm laughed again. “I’m kidding! I mean, kind of...” she trailed off, her grin widening.

Lingling huffed but, to Orm’s surprise, suddenly tugged up her hoodie, revealing her toned abs. “Fine! Look all you want, but don’t—”

Orm’s laughter abruptly stopped as her eyes widened, taking in the sight. What had started as teasing quickly turned into something else. “Wow,” she said softly, her voice dropping. “I mean, I was joking, but... wow.”

Lingling, now realizing what she had just done, yanked her hoodie back down. “Y-you said you wanted to see them!” she stammered, flustered beyond words.

Orm leaned forward, her gaze still locked on Lingling’s face now, a mischievous smirk curling on her lips. “I didn’t think you’d actually show me, though,” she admitted, her voice low and teasing. “You’re... really something, you know that?”

Lingling could barely form words as Orm chuckled again, reaching over to poke her side lightly. “Relax, I’m not going to do anything. But, for the record, those abs? Ten out of ten.”

Lingling grabbed the pillow again, this time aiming directly for Orm’s face. “You’re impossible! Go pick a movie!”

Orm dodged the pillow, laughing as she settled back onto the couch. “Alright, alright, but don’t blame me if I can’t focus now. You’ve got me all distracted!”

Lingling groaned but couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto her lips. Despite the embarrassment, she felt her heart flutter at Orm’s attention and playful teasing. She sank into the couch beside her, determined to get through the night without turning into a blushing mess—though with Orm around, she knew that was nearly impossible.

---

The living room was dimly lit, the glow of the TV casting soft shadows across the walls. Orm and Lingling were curled up on the couch, a big bowl of popcorn between them as they watched a popular action movie. The lead actor, shirtless and showing off his perfectly sculpted abs, was in the middle of a dramatic fight scene.

Orm, munching on popcorn, leaned forward with an impressed whistle. “Damn, look at those abs! They’re insane. I mean, who even has the time to get a body like that?”

Lingling’s eyes twitched. She tried to focus on the movie, but Orm’s repeated comments about the actor’s body were starting to grate on her nerves.

“Oh, come on!” Orm continued, throwing a piece of popcorn at the screen. “Those are like, ten-pack abs or something. Absolute goals.”

Lingling crossed her arms, glaring at the screen. “Well, I have abs too, you know,” she said, her voice sharp and cutting through Orm’s praise.

Orm blinked and turned to her, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “Ohhh, someone’s jealous!”

Lingling’s cheeks turned pink. “I’m not jealous! I just think... maybe you could appreciate what you have in front of you instead of drooling over some random movie actor.”

Orm’s grin widened as she shifted closer to Lingling. “Wait, wait, wait... are you telling me you’re jealous of a movie actor? Lingling, I didn’t know you were the jealous type of wife.”

Lingling stiffened, her blush deepening. “I’m not jealous! Stop calling me your wife!”

Orm laughed, clearly enjoying Lingling’s flustered state. “Okay, okay. But for the record, yes, you also have abs. Really nice ones, actually.”

Before Lingling could react, Orm casually placed her hand on Lingling’s stomach, resting her palm against the hoodie Lingling was wearing. “See? I remember. Super toned, sexy abs.”

Lingling froze, her breath hitching as Orm’s fingers accidentally grazed her skin through the thin fabric. The playful touch sent an unexpected jolt through her, and she quickly grabbed Orm’s wrist.

“That’s enough,” Lingling said, her voice a little higher than she intended.

Orm raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Whoa, what’s this reaction? Did I...?” Then her eyes widened slightly as realization dawned. “Ohhh... Lingling,” she said, her voice dropping into a low, teasing tone. “Are you... turned on right now?”

Lingling let go of Orm’s wrist immediately, covering her face with her hands. “Shut up, Orm! You’re insufferable!”

Orm leaned back, laughing so hard she nearly spilled the popcorn. “Oh my God, this is the best! I didn’t even do anything, and you’re all worked up.” She wiped a tear from her eye, grinning at Lingling’s mortified expression.

Lingling huffed, turning her head away. “You’re so annoying. I’m trying to watch the movie.”

“Sure, sure,” Orm said, still laughing. She leaned closer, her lips brushing Lingling’s ear as she whispered, “But for the record, your abs are way better than his. And I’d take you over him any day.”

Lingling’s heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Orm out of the corner of her eye. Her blush deepened, but this time, she couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

Orm noticed and smirked. “See? I always win.”

Lingling rolled her eyes but couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through her chest. Somehow, even when Orm was being an absolute tease, she managed to make her feel special.

The movie was nearing its climax, with explosions lighting up the screen and the sound of dramatic music filling the room. Orm was still seated comfortably on the couch, munching popcorn and occasionally stealing glances at Lingling.

She smiled as she noticed Lingling’s head nodding slightly, her eyelids drooping. Lingling had been running on fumes all day—balancing work, preparing for their special dinner, and dealing with Orm’s relentless teasing. It was no surprise that exhaustion was catching up to her.

Orm chuckled softly as Lingling’s head lolled to the side, finally resting against the couch. She was fast asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Orm paused the movie, setting the popcorn aside, and leaned closer.

“You’re going to wake up with a stiff neck if you keep sleeping like that,” Orm murmured to herself. She gently nudged Lingling’s shoulder. “Hey, sleepyhead, wake up. Let’s get you to bed.”

Lingling stirred, mumbling incoherently as she blinked her eyes open. “Hmm? What time is it?” she asked groggily.

Orm smiled and brushed a strand of hair from Lingling’s face. “Time for you to go to bed. You’ve had a long day.”

Lingling nodded sleepily, letting Orm help her up from the couch. She shuffled toward their bedroom, rubbing her eyes, and without another word, climbed into bed. She pulled the blanket over herself and was out like a light in seconds.

Orm stood at the doorway for a moment, watching Lingling’s peaceful expression. A soft smile spread across her face as she stepped closer, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Even when you’re exhausted, you look so cute,” Orm whispered, her voice barely audible.

She got up, switched off the lights, and changed into her sleepwear. When she returned to the room, she saw Lingling still curled up under the blanket, her breathing steady and calm. Orm slipped into bed beside her, careful not to disturb her.

As she lay there, she couldn’t resist inching closer. The warmth of Lingling’s presence was comforting in a way she’d never experienced before. Gently, she draped an arm over Lingling, pulling her close into a tender embrace.

Orm closed her eyes, feeling a wave of contentment wash over her. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she whispered softly, her words lost in the quiet of the night.

Lingling stirred slightly in her sleep, but didn’t wake up, instinctively snuggling closer to Orm. The simple gesture made Orm’s heart swell with affection.

With Lingling in her arms, Orm let herself drift off, feeling happier and more at peace than she’d ever felt before. For the first time in a long while, her dreams were filled with nothing but warmth and love.

_to be continue_