As the night grew darker, the lights were still on in the study of Cyrus’ vi.


    Wearing afy bathrobe, Cyrus climbed the stairs at a leisurely pace to check on someone engrossed in books in the study.


    He gently opened the study door and peeked at the scene behind the desk.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Noelle, resembling azy cat,y sprawled across the desktop, sound asleep.


    Cyrus, feeling frustrated, pushed the door wide open.


    He entered without bothering to muffle his footsteps.


    However, Noelle remained deep in her sleep.


    He cleared his throat and coughed, making a concerted effort to wake the drowsy Noelle.


    She rubbed her sleepy eyes and met Cyrus’ gaze.


    “Why did youe up?


    I am not done yet.


    And…” She flipped through her study materials and added, “There are just ten sections left.


    I promise to go to bed immediately after I’m done.


    ”


    Despite Noelle’s attempt to avoid the situation, Cyrus sensed it.


    He tried to persuade her with a calm yet intense tone, “Noelle, are you really so apprehensive about sharing a bed with me? I’ve assured you, I won’t touch you without your consent.


    Can’t you trust me?”


    Noelle maintained her silence.


    Her mind revisited the orphanage days when the director cautioned them about the deceptive words of men.


    Doubts about Cyrus’ proposed arrangement lingered.


    She questioned what might unfold if he couldn’t


    restrain himself in their shared bed.


    Feeling the sting of Noelle’s unresponsiveness, Cyrus probed further, “Noelle, we’re engaged to be married.


    Are you still unwilling to ept me?”


    Noelle chuckled.


    “No, Cyrus, you should go to bed.


    I really am studying.


    I’ll join you once I’m done.


    ”


    Cyrus kept mute.


    He walked over to her desk, picked up Noelle’s study materials and casually flipped through them.


    “Last night, you also imed to be reading these in the study.


    When I entered, I found you sound asleep.


    Do you think you can finish reading thest few pages in your dream?” Cyrus inquired.


    “Well…” Noelle hesitated in her response.


    Cyrus, undeterred, continued, “Some time ago, you expressed doubts about your fit for the entertainment industry, so I helped you maintain a low profile.


    You mentioned wanting to pursue an exam and tread the academic path you never dared to consider, aspiring to be a future university professor.


    I even assisted you in finding thetest and mostprehensive information about this year’s exam.


    But how many books have you genuinely read?”


    In her defense, Noelle locked eyes with Cyrus and argued, “I have been studying diligently.


    But, with my weak foundation, passing the exam this year might be challenging.


    I’ll give it another shot next year.


    As for tonight, I might have dozed off, but I wasn’tpletely asleep.


    ”


    Unwilling to entertain Noelle’s exnations, Cyrus recalled that her memory had regressed for four years.


    She was childlike, simple, and innocent, almost like an inadequately educated teenager.


    With a sigh, Cyrus grew concerned that letting Noelle continue unchecked might lead to unforeseen consequences, as he feared that he couldn’t control her actions.