Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 177: I’ll Sleep With You Tonight

Josephine Thompson stifled a laugh and waved her flashlight among the shadows of the grass, "...Oh, I was seeing things, must have been a mistake."

Julian Grant tiptoed for a better view, eyes wide as he peered into the grass, "Josephine, don’t scare me. That thing’s slippery, and could take a layer of skin off!"

Josephine Thompson burst into laughter, tugging him by the arm towards the light, "Just teasing you, there’s no snake. If we keep dawdling, something might really happen."

With a sigh of relief, Julian Grant followed her, "Alright, Josephine, you’re learning to mess with me now? If you don’t give me three kisses, my wounded heart won’t heal."

"Stop it, I was just joking with you earlier!"

"You’ve turned mischievous."

Josephine Thompson held her smile back, "Alright, alright, let’s be serious. We should hurry up."

"Okay." Julian Grant instinctively held her hand.

Josephine Thompson tried to pull away, but he held tighter.

She stopped resisting and let him hold her hand.

The wind suddenly picked up speed.

It blew the shadows of the trees, as if something were following behind them.

Josephine Thompson glanced back, and the patch of grass that had been trampled down seemed to move.

The flashlight swept over, revealing only a few falling leaves swirling down.

"Something feels off, let’s hurry up." Her steps quickened, a sense of unease swelling in her heart.

Julian Grant also sped up, "Don’t worry, I’m here."

The cloying scent of blood persisted, mixing with the smell of the vegetation in the wind, causing their scalp to tingle.

"We should quickly get back and regroup with the others."

Julian Grant also set aside his playful demeanor, listening intently for any sounds: "There seems to be noises from behind."

He abruptly turned, shining the high intensity flashlight’s beam like a sword into the darkness, "Who’s there? Come out!"

The flashlight swept through.

There was only the indistinct shadow of trees, no sign of any living creature.

"Let’s not worry about it, we should keep moving."

Julian Grant said no more, but remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings.

The two quickened their pace, heading towards the camp.

...

Fifteen minutes later.

The two returned to the camp.

Captain Zimmerman, Carter, Shane Lynch, and others had also returned.

"Where have you two been? Why did you choose to come back now?"

Captain Zimmerman approached, frowning tightly, his radio still crackling with static.

Carter squatted by the fire, turning over some half-burned compressed biscuits, looking up with evident concern in his eyes, "After dark, the mountain can be eerie. We shouted for you several times but got no response, thought maybe you..."

"We got held up by something."

Josephine Thompson freed herself from Julian Grant’s hand and quickly walked to the fire, rubbing her icy fingertips by its light, "We found grave robbers’ tools on the other side of the mountain. There was also a canvas bag with blood stains and tamped earth gray inside."

She paused.

Her gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on Shane Lynch.

He was wiping an archaeological shovel, listening to Josephine Thompson, immediately stepped forward to inspect.

"I just picked up a Tomb-Finder’s Shovel too, they must be part of the same group."

Captain Zimmerman looked solemn, "I’ve already reported it to our superiors."

"Tomorrow, a new team of archaeologists will be sent here. We need to hold an urgent meeting tonight."

"To study whether the new thief’s tunnel and Tomb No. 3 are part of the same large tomb."

"An urgent meeting, tonight?"

Julian Grant frowned, moving closer to Josephine Thompson, "Signal is intermittent here in the mountains, and it’s dark at night, what if something goes wrong..."

"It has to happen." Captain Zimmerman interrupted him.

He then shoved the radio into his backpack, his expression dark as charcoal, "The new thief’s tunnel location is very peculiar, less than a thousand meters away from Tomb No. 3 in a straight line. If it’s really connected to the main tomb, the relics inside will likely have been plundered already."

Carter sighed and replied, "I circled around the thief’s tunnel just now, the soil at the edges is still loose, likely made in the last few months. For grave robbers to be so brazen, either they have an insider showing them the way, or..."

Shane Lynch kept wiping the shovel’s blade without pausing, only raising his eyes slightly, "Carter, what are you suggesting? Suspecting someone on the team is in league with them?"

Carter: "I never said that."

"Let’s not dwell on pointless talk." Captain Zimmerman knocked on the stone slab beside him, "Thompson, did you find anything else near the canvas bag?"

"Nothing else." Josephine Thompson hesitated, but still dug out a piece of pottery, handing it over by the firelight, "This, a pottery shard with lotus pattern, matches the design described in my dad’s notes about the ’Lotus Pattern Box.’"

Shane Lynch’s gaze fell on the shard, and the cloth he was using to clean the shovel dropped to the ground with a "thud".

He bent down to pick it up, fingers trembling, took a long moment to straighten up: "This shard... I’ve seen something similar."

"Where?" Captain Zimmerman pressed.

Shane Lynch: "I saw a broken porcelain piece in Professor Warren’s office, with exactly the same pattern."

"I’ve already sent a message to Professor Warren, he should be coming over tomorrow. When he arrives, we can ask him for detailed information on the Lotus Pattern Box."

"Alright, alright."

A bit later.

Captain Zimmerman laid out a few crucial reminders.

Firstly, night-time sentry shifts are to be rotated, everyone equipped with a radio and high intensity flashlight.

Secondly, if anyone notices anything suspicious, they must report it before taking any action, under no circumstance should anyone leave the camp alone.

Julian Grant listened, seemingly distracted. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He cared little for anything else.

He was solely concerned about Josephine Thompson.

Ensuring her safety was paramount.

"Alright, we’ll leave it at that for tonight. Everyone head back and rest!"

Captain Zimmerman clapped and stood up, "Carter, you take the first shift, I’ll relieve you later in the night."

"Thompson and Grant, you’ve had a tiring day, get some rest. Shane, come with me, I want to look at the thief’s tunnel sketch you made during the day."

"Alright." Shane Lynch responded, following Captain Zimmerman towards another tent.

Passing by Josephine Thompson.

He paused with his steps, quietly advised, "Don’t lose that shard; Professor Warren has studied this pattern deeply, he might unravel some mysteries when he gets here."

Josephine Thompson looked up at him.

But he had already turned away, his silhouette appearing somewhat frail in the firelight.

"Josephine, let’s go rest." Julian Grant tugged her towards the direction of their quarters.

"Okay."

Tonight, due to unforeseen events.

The camp was on full alert, illuminated brightly.

Returning to their quarters.

The staff were nervous, unable to relax.

Josephine Thompson opened the container room’s door, "Julian Grant, you should get some sleep too."

Julian Grant followed her inside, "Don’t sleep alone tonight, I’ll stay with you."

Josephine Thompson paused, trying to free her wrist but couldn’t: "The night guard is close, it’ll be fine."

"How is it fine?" Julian Grant’s face was stern.

His gaze instinctively drifted towards the direction of the mountain hollow, speaking in a low tone, "That strange fire earlier, and the blood in the hollow, who knows if those grave robbers are still nearby? If anything happens, how could you handle it alone?"

He hesitated, then added, "I don’t doubt your abilities, but this place is eerie, having two people means we can watch each other’s backs. I’ll sleep outside, keep watch for you, won’t disturb you."

"Really, it’s okay."

Julian Grant’s eyes flashed, switching tactics, "Alright! I’m scared, don’t want to sleep alone."

"You have to protect me."

"..." Josephine Thompson’s cheeks warmed slightly.

Just as she was about to decline again.

Julian Grant had already stepped into her dorm without giving her a chance to refuse, "It’s decided. You’ve had a long day, get some rest. I’ll grab a blanket and sleep by the door."

After saying this.

He laid a moisture-proof mat on the floor.

Then, he brought his backpack and blanket over.

"See, I’m just sleeping here. I won’t cross any lines."

"If anything happens, I’m closer than the night guard and can protect you immediately."

Josephine looked at the seriousness in his eyes, and the refusal that was on the tip of her tongue suddenly couldn’t come out.

The strangeness in the mountain pass tonight, the strange fire outside the tent, and the faint sweet scent indeed made her uneasy.

She pursed her lips and said softly, "The ground is cold, how about... you go next door and bring the folding bed?"

Julian Grant’s eyes lit up, but he acted reluctant, "Is that okay? Would it be too much trouble for you..."

Saying this, he was already moving to the door, "I’ll go see if the folding bed is still there. You go wash up and rest first."

He walked quickly.

Before Josephine could respond, he was already out the door.

The camp lights were still on, and Carter, the night guard, was crouching by the campfire smoking.

Seeing him run to the next container, Carter chuckled and shouted, "What’s Mr. Grant up to? Grabbing the folding bed?"

Julian Grant didn’t look back, "Setting up a bed for Thompson. I don’t feel comfortable with her alone!"

Carter snorted but didn’t ask further, just added a log to the fire, the firelight reflecting a knowing smile on his face.

Soon after.

Julian Grant came back carrying the folding bed, the bed legs knocked against the door frame with a thud.

He immediately softened his movements, gently setting up the bed in a corner close to Josephine’s.

"Look, it’s much safer this way. I’m right here, if anything happens, just call, and I’ll wake up immediately."

Josephine had just finished washing up, her hair still wet.

She nodded at his words and took out a hairdryer from her bag, "You should rest early too; we’ll probably be busy again tomorrow."

Julian Grant agreed but didn’t lie down, just sat by the folding bed watching her dry her hair.

The warm breeze made her hair dance lightly.

She looked serene and gentle as she gathered her hair.

Julian Grant felt a warmth in his heart, not wanting to look away.

A couple of days ago, he felt this place was worse than a prison.

But now, he found being able to stay in the mountains with her, even just watching her dry her hair, quite pleasant.

"Why are you staring at me?" Josephine noticed his gaze, turned back, and glared at him, her cheeks slightly warm.

Julian Grant quickly averted his gaze, pretending to look at the map on the wall, "I’m not looking at anything, just wondering if the tunnel connects to Tomb No. 3..."

Josephine turned off the hairdryer and unplugged it, "Stop pondering. Maybe Professor Warren will have answers tomorrow."

Julian Grant frowned slightly, "I hope so."

"Get some sleep, I’m watching over you."

Josephine got into bed, turning her back to him.

The metal walls of the container made a "woo" sound in the wind, but hearing Julian Grant quietly arranging his bedding behind her, the day’s fear seemed to truly fade away.

She closed her eyes and was almost asleep when she heard him whisper, "Josephine, don’t be afraid, I’m here."

She didn’t respond, but the corners of her mouth quietly turned up.

In the dark, the breathing from the bed next to her became steadier, and the tension from the whole day finally began to ease.

In the past, she always thought of ’forever’, thought of a lifetime.

But after her divorce.

She suddenly let it go.

Plans can’t keep up with changes.

No matter how perfectly you plan ahead, fate’s wheels will always disrupt your plans.

So, let everything happen naturally.

When fate comes, cherish it well. When it ends, let go gracefully.

...

In the latter half of the night, the wind gradually died down.

The wind outside the container changed from a "woo woo" howl to a soft "sasha", as if someone was brushing leaves outside the window.

Josephine didn’t sleep deeply and was vaguely aware of some rustling in a half-dreaming state.

At times, it was the footsteps of the night guard changing shifts in the distance, at other times it was the faint creak of the bed when Julian Grant turned over.

As she slept.

She vaguely dreamed of descending into the ancient tomb again.

Then, getting trapped in the thief’s tunnel with no way out.

"Mmmm..."

Her mind was clear, but she couldn’t wake up.

She was experiencing a nightmare.

"Mmm."

Julian Grant heard her murmuring in her sleep and quickly sat up on the folding bed.

He walked over softly, gently shook her, "Josephine, are you having a nightmare? Wake up."

Josephine was sweating profusely and startled awake from the nightmare.

"Ah--"

"So scary."

The terror from the dream left her panicked, instinctively seeking protection.

Julian Grant hurriedly held her, soothing her softly, "Don’t be afraid, it was just a nightmare."

"I’m here."

It took Josephine a while to calm down and finally awaken from the fear of the nightmare.

Once her mind cleared.

She realized she was clinging tightly to Julian Grant.

And he was holding her tightly as well.

The wind continued to lightly brush outside the tent, but inside the container, it was so quiet they could hear each other’s heartbeat. Josephine’s cheeks grew hot, and as she intended to let go, Julian Grant gently held her wrist.

"Still scared?" His voice was lower than usual, filled with lingering concern, his palm pressed against her back, feeling her slight trembling.

Josephine buried her head in his shoulder, nodding and shaking her head.

The dark thief’s tunnel in the dream was too real, the cold scent of earth seemed to linger at her nose, she sniffed, her voice muffled, "I dreamed I was trapped in the tomb, couldn’t climb out."

Julian Grant didn’t speak, only held her tighter. He could feel the stiffness in her body, knowing she wasn’t overacting, but genuinely frightened by the nightmare.

"It’s okay now."

He gently patted her back, like comforting a child, "See, I’m here, whether it’s a thief’s tunnel or an ancient tomb, nothing can reach you."

Josephine gradually calmed down and only then realized how close they were.

His shirt still carried the scent of mountain grasses from the day, mixed with a faint soap fragrance, unexpectedly comforting. She

Julian Grant’s Adam’s apple bobbed, daring not to move again.

In the darkness.

He could see her forehead damp with cold sweat, her eyelashes fluttered like frightened butterflies, and his heart suddenly melted.

"How about... I sit with you for a while?" he asked softly, afraid of startling her.

Josephine didn’t respond, just leaned into his embrace again.

Julian Grant complied, sitting at the bedside, letting her half-lean against him, the other hand reached for the water cup on the bedside, unscrewed it, and brought it to her lips, "Want some water?"

The warm water went down her throat, dispelling much of her panic. Josephine took a couple of sips, then handed the cup back, her voice still a bit hoarse, "Earlier... thank you."