Warm sunlight filtered faintly through the wooden window by the time Xia Yuqing slowly woke. For several seconds, her mind remained hazy with sleep. The warmth lingering around her body and the softness beneath her made her want to close her eyes again.
Instinctively, she reached toward the space beside her. Her fingers touched cold bedding.
Xia Yuqing froze. The remaining traces of sleep vanished instantly. She turned her head quickly, only to find the other side of the bed completely empty.
There was no familiar figure beside her, no quiet presence watching over her, no warmth left behind except the faint coldness of sheets that had long since cooled. Her heart sank abruptly.
"Lu Jinchen?" she called softly.
No answer came. The room remained completely silent.
Xia Yuqing slowly sat up, her fingers tightening unconsciously against the blanket. For a moment, she simply stared at the empty room, her thoughts turning chaotic.
The bed was cold.
Too cold.
