Sleepwalking into Love: A Sweet and Steamy Romance

Chapter 1

Wen Yan had always been prone to sleepwalking, but she never imagined—

One morning, she’d wake up in her neighbor brother’s bed!

She took a deep breath.

And another. Closing her eyes, then reopening them, she was still met with the sight of Xu Yanqiu’s sleeping face.

The curtains were wide open, sunlight spilling into the room, illuminating everything.

Wen Yan swallowed hard. Heaven knew how long she’d harbored feelings for Xu Yanqiu.

They’d grown up as childhood friends, but to her, he’d always been untouchable.

She’d been a perpetual underachiever, her hobbies limited to binge-watching dramas and snacking, with a personality stuck in the throes of teenage awkwardness.

He, on the other hand, was a top law student, the renowned "Attorney Xu" of Jiangcheng—brilliant, aloof, and perpetually serious.

Plus, Xu Yanqiu seemed to already have a girlfriend.

After staring at him in a daze, Wen Yan tried to slip quietly out of bed. But the moment she pushed herself up, his eyes snapped open.

Their gazes locked. The air thickened with awkwardness.

Wen Yan forced a nervous laugh. "G-Good morning."

Xu Yanqiu studied her silently, as if dissecting the situation.

Under his scrutiny, Wen Yan’s nerves frayed. She bit her lip and blurted, "I... I must’ve been sleepwalking."

He sat up, the blanket sliding to his waist, revealing toned abs. Wen Yan’s eyes lingered on the exposed skin, momentarily paralyzed.

Finally, she snapped back to reality. Blushing furiously, she yanked the blanket up to cover him. "I-I should go home!"

She scrambled off the bed, but just as she reached the door, his voice stopped her.

"Wait."

Wen Yan froze.

Turning slowly, she found Xu Yanqiu already dressed in a crisp white shirt, buttoning it calmly. Without looking up, he asked, "About last night… What do we do now?"

Wen Yan blinked.

Last night…

Had she done something besides sleepwalk into his bed?

Her gaze involuntarily dipped lower, but they were both fully clothed.

Flustered and clueless, she stammered, "S-Sorry!" and bolted.

But outside the bedroom, she froze again.

In the living room, her mother and Xu’s mother were chatting on the sofa. The two were longtime neighbors and best friends, inseparable gossips.

Wen Yan’s abrupt exit from Xu Yanqiu’s room drew three pairs of stunned eyes—especially her mother’s.

Mrs. Wen had been raving about Wen Yan’s latest 相亲 (blind date) candidate: a "Three Virtues" man—good job, good family, good character. They’d met once, and Mrs. Wen was already planning a lunch invite.

But now, before the suitor even arrived, her daughter had dashed out of the neighbor’s son’s bedroom—wearing thin pajamas that left little to the imagination, hair disheveled, the picture of scandal.

Wen Yan gulped. "Mom, let me explain—"

Mrs. Wen’s face darkened. While she’d love Xu Yanqiu as a son-in-law, she knew her daughter’s flaws. Xu was prideful, picky in relationships—out of Wen Yan’s league.

But this? A clandestine sleepover?

Just as Mrs. Wen prepared to explode, her phone rang. The caller ID made her pale: Guan Qin—the "Three Virtues" suitor.

"Xiao Qin…" Mrs. Wen’s tone sweetened instantly, though her brow furrowed. "What? You’re coming over now?"

Exchanging panicked looks with Mrs. Xu, she dragged Wen Yan home.

In her bedroom, Wen Yan changed clothes while enduring her mother’s lecture: "A girl must have self-respect! You can’t just throw yourself at men!"

Wen Yan nodded meekly, saved by the doorbell.

Guan Qin arrived bearing gifts, all smiles. Mrs. Wen fawned over him, sharing embarrassing childhood stories as Wen Yan cringed.

The awkward "family" moment shattered with another knock.

Wen Yan opened the door—and tensed.

Xu Yanqiu stood there, towering over her. "Yan-ge…"

He handed her a silk robe, voice cool. "You left this in my bed last night."

Wen Yan snatched it, face burning. Damn it— she’d forgotten her negligee’s outer layer in her rush.

Xu Yanqiu bid polite farewells and left.

The door closed.

Wen Yan and her mother turned to Guan Qin, now red-faced and storming out.

"Wen Yan!" Mrs. Wen hissed. "Apologize to him tomorrow!"

"No!"

"Then I’ll tell Yan-ge!"

Wen Yan deflated. Her mother’s trump card—Xu Yanqiu’s disapproval—always worked. The man had tamed her wild streak since childhood.

That night, Wen Yan staged a hunger strike. She’d never marry boring Guan Qin! Her heart belonged to Xu Yanqiu, even if unrequited.

But her parents ignored the drama, dining cheerfully without her.

Hungry and defiant, Wen Yan finally drifted into dreams of Xu Yanqiu bringing her fried chicken and cola—a perfect fantasy.

Until she woke.

Her smile died.

She’d fallen asleep wrapped in her own blanket… yet now lay in Xu Yanqiu’s bed again—this time curled against his chest, her head pillowed on his arm.

Chapter 2

Time seemed to freeze.

Wen Yan bit her lip, staring at the man before her.

His brows were elegantly defined, lashes long and delicate. Even in sleep, he exuded an aloof, untouchable aura.

This was Xu Yanqiu—always distant, yet irresistibly handsome.

Wen Yan was utterly smitten. Not just with his face, but every inch of him, flaws and all.

Such perfection… yet he wasn’t hers.

Snapping back to reality, she quietly lifted the blanket, planning to sneak away before he woke. But—

The moment she shifted, his lashes fluttered. His eyes opened slowly.

Their gazes met again. Wen Yan’s cheeks flushed.

She rubbed her nose. "Good morning…"

"Mm."

Xu Yanqiu replied calmly, surprisingly composed. Sitting up, he massaged his temples, his slender fingers making even this simple motion look elegant.

"Sleepwalking again?"

He turned to her, his tone neutral, even hinting at amusement.

Wen Yan nodded stiffly. "Probably…"

He chuckled softly. "Not getting up? Should I carry you?"

"Ah?"

Wen Yan scrambled upright, but her abrupt movement caused her nightgown’s strap to slip, revealing a glimpse of pale skin.

Xu Yanqiu’s gaze flickered downward. After a pause, he averted his eyes, cleared his throat, and tossed her an oversized T-shirt from his closet.

"Put this on."

"Okay…" But before she could, the bedroom door swung open.

A sweet, shrill voice rang out: "A-Yan, time to wake—"

A young woman in stilettos barged in.

Three pairs of eyes locked.

Wen Yan sat frozen in her thin nightgown, clutching Xu Yanqiu’s shirt. The scene reeked of scandal.

The woman recovered first, storming to the bed. Crimson nails pointed accusingly. "Xu Yanqiu! Who is she?!"

"Neighbor’s little sister," he replied flatly.

"Sister?!" Her voice spiked. "The kind that shares your bed?!"

She slapped him hard. "Jerk!"

With that, she stomped out as dramatically as she’d arrived—no tears, just righteous fury.

Xu Yanqiu stood stunned, a red mark blooming on his cheek.

Once alone, Wen Yan pulled on the T-shirt, barefoot and hesitant. "Xu Yanqiu, was she…"

"Girlfriend," he answered, gaze dropping to her feet. Frowning, he fetched her slippers. "Put these on. The floor’s cold."

The gesture warmed her heart, but he stepped back immediately, walls reinstated.

"Should I explain things to her?" Wen Yan offered.

"Unnecessary." He folded the blanket with military precision. "I’ll handle it."

Wen Yan lingered awkwardly before slipping home.

Her parents were mysteriously absent. On the dining table sat lukewarm soup dumplings and a note:

Yanyan—Mom and Dad won a 10-day Yunnan trip! Leaving now! (P.S. Your dad wants "couple time," so we’re ditching you. Next time!)

Love, Mom

Wen Yan crumpled the note. Typical.

After a lackluster breakfast, her mind replayed the morning: Xu Yanqiu’s sleeping face, that slap…

Even a fake girlfriend shouldn’t hit so hard!

She’d known his "relationship" was staged—a ploy to deter her crush. But today’s theatrics confused her.

Did he feel anything for her? His mixed signals tormented her.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

Xu Yanqiu stood at her door, holding a delicate box—osmanthus cakes from her favorite bakery.

"Eat while warm," he said, watching her take a bite.

When she offered him a piece, he instead brushed crumbs from her lips, tasting them. "Sweet."

Wen Yan short-circuited. Since when did he flirt?!

That night, determined to test fate, Wen Yan drank wine to ensure deep sleep.

Dawn broke.

Once again, she awoke in Xu Yanqiu’s bed—closer than ever.

His arm draped around her waist, palm resting on bare skin where her nightgown had ridden up.

Heat radiated from his touch, spreading like wildfire across her body.

Chapter 3

By all logic, a timid "little lamb" like Wen Yan should’ve panicked—pushing Xu Yanqiu away and fleeing in embarrassment.

But Wen Yan was no lamb.

Yesterday’s shock had faded. Today, waking in his bed again, she was certain: This was all Xu Yanqiu’s doing.

Why?

Maybe… he liked her too, but was too repressed to confess.

Arrogant? Perhaps. But what else explained his antics?

Beneath the covers, their bodies pressed close. A daring idea struck.

Holding her breath, Wen Yan guided his hand upward from her waist—stopping just below her chest.

Bold move. Her heart raced.

Xu Yanqiu’s breath hitched. He was definitely awake.

So the aloof wolf is just a bashful sheep? She bit back a smirk.

Then his voice rumbled low: "Wen Yan. No one’s home."

She opened her eyes to find him propped on one elbow, gaze piercing.

"So?" She blinked innocently.

"So," he withdrew his hand, voice rough, "don’t play with fire."

He sat up abruptly. "I broke up with my girlfriend."

"What a shame," she murmured, waiting.

When he stayed silent, she prodded, "Will you win her back?"

"No." He pulled a white tee from his closet.

Ask him! Her courage failed as he stripped off his sleep shirt.

The sight of his toned torso short-circuited her brain.

Breakfast was instant noodles with heart-shaped eggs—his specialty. She stole half his sausage, giggling.

He drove her to work. All day, she floated on cloud nine, anticipating tonight’s "sleepwalking" encore.

After work, he waited outside her office, leaning against his car like a romance novel cover.

Dinner. A park walk.

"Stray cat," he claimed, leading her deep into deserted paths.

A bald man leapt from shadows, knife glinting. "Money. Now."

Xu Yanqiu shielded her. "Leave."

The thug sneered. "Or what?"

Wen Yan erupted.

Her stream of creative insults stunned both men. Enraged, the thug slashed—

Xu Yanqiu shoved her aside.

A cry. Blood bloomed on Wen Yan’s arm.

"Yan-ge…" She whimpered, clutching the "wound."

Xu Yanqiu’s composure shattered. Cradling her, he sprinted toward the exit.

"No hospital!" She protested. "Just home treatment!"

Can’t risk exposure.

The "injury" was fake. So was the thug—a hired actor.

But not her hire.

Last night, she’d overheard Xu Yanqiu planning this "heroic rescue," complete with blood packets.

So she’d outmaneuvered him—doubling the actor’s fee to switch sides.

Now, watching panic twist his usually stoic face, she hid a smile.

Checkmate, Yan-ge.

Elsewhere in the park, the bald "thug" stared at his payment notification.

"The hell?" He exhaled smoke. "First some dude pays me to fake mug them. Then the girl pays double to stab her? Rich people’s games are wild."

He crushed his cigarette. "What is this—‘Infernal Affairs’?"

Chapter 4

The hapless "thug" would never guess his fake knife swipe had sparked a real romance.

8:30 PM, Xu Yanqiu’s Apartment

Xu Yanqiu sat on the sofa, fingertips grazing his jawline, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Wen Yan emerged from the bedroom, drowning in his oversized shirt, her left arm wrapped in thick gauze tinged with fake blood.

"Done?" He guided her to sit.

She nodded pitifully. "It hurts…"

Xu Yanqiu studied her "injury," suppressing a smile. Even knowing it’s fake, why does my chest ache?

He ruffled her hair. "How to make it stop hurting?"

"Girls with boyfriends get pampered," she sighed dramatically. "But this lonely rose just withers alone."

"Correction: lonely puppy."

Wen Yan glared. "Find me a boyfriend, then!"

"No." He fetched milk, voice firm from the kitchen. "Too young to date."

Young?! She fumed. He’s the repressed one scheming all this!

When he returned, she batted her lashes. "Can’t hold the cup. Arm hurts."

Xu Yanqiu deadpanned, "It’s a scratch, not amputation."

Yet he fed her anyway, spoon hovering near her lips.

She leaned closer. "Move in. Can’t reach."

Their eyes locked. He obliged.

After a sip, she pushed the cup to his lips. "Tastes bad. You try."

Instead, he cradled her face and kissed her—stealing the milk from her mouth.

"Sweet enough," he murmured, thumb brushing her lower lip.

Wen Yan short-circuited. This wasn’t the plan!

Pinned beneath him on the sofa, she stammered, "H-How’d you know I was…"

"Flirting?" His breath tickled her ear. "You’re about as subtle as fireworks."

Her phone buzzed. A video call from "Mother-in-law Yan" lit up the screen.

Xu Yanqiu answered before she could hide.

Four eager faces filled the frame—both sets of parents.

Mrs. Wen squealed, "We knew it! Should’ve skipped the blind dates!"

Mrs. Xu added, "Yanyan’s ‘sleepwalking’ was so obvious!"

Wen Yan lunged to hang up. "Mom!"

Xu Yanqiu chuckled, pulling her close. "Admit it. You planned the first ‘visit’."

"Was real sleepwalking!" She crossed her arms. "The next two… maybe not."

He nipped her earlobe. "Then I’ll guard you every night."

Later, as Wen Yan agonized over sleeping arrangements, he loomed over her.

"Shower. Bed. Now."

She gulped. "Shower… for sleep or… sleeping?"

His laughter rumbled against her neck. "Patience, little schemer."

Chapter 5

Silence.

The moment the words left her lips, Wen Yan wanted to vanish.

Xu Yanqiu leaned over her, knees bracketing her hips, eyes dancing with mischief. "So… should I sleep," his breath warmed her ear, "or sleep with you?"

"Sleep!" she squeaked, scrambling backward.

He caught her wrist. "Too late."

Pulling her close, he murmured, "You’ve already lured me in."

Bedroom shadows stretched as Xu Yanqiu methodically unbuttoned his shirt.

Wen Yan gulped. This was her plan—so why was she the blushing mess?

Fueled by stubborn pride, she lunged.

He hit the mattress with a soft thud, her legs straddling his waist.

Now he was the one breathless.

Much later, wrapped in his sheets, Wen Yan poked his chest. "You’re mine now. No takebacks."

Xu Yanqiu chuckled, tracing her spine. "Our parents will draft the marriage contract tomorrow."

"Not tired!" She sat up, eyes sparkling. "Truth game! With drinks!"

On the bedroom floor, peanut shells and empty beer cans littered the carpet.

"I knew your girlfriend was fake!" Wen Yan hiccuped. "Heard your call from my secret balcony fort!"

Xu Yanqiu swirled his drink. "Knew you were there. That cardboard ‘hideout’ squeaked every time you moved."

She gaped. "You planned it all?"

He kissed her pout. "Our kids had better inherit my brains."