Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 14

As Song Yingshi stared at Huai Xu, someone beside her interrupted her thoughts, exclaiming, "Yingshi, how many years have you been dancing? You're so great at it!"

"I've been practicing on and off for about ten years," Song Yingshi answered as she smiled and turned to face the excited and blushing girl. Then, moving on from this topic, she faced the rest of the class and clapped her hands, saying, "Come on, I'll help you all practice! The instructor has left you in my hands! Don't be shy if you have any questions!"

As the music looped, everyone began earnestly practicing the dance moves and facial expression management.

Like the dance instructor's approach, Song Yingshi would individually correct those who made mistakes. However, unlike when they were dealing with the dance instructor, the trainees of Class 2 were much more relaxed when they received guidance from her, a testament to her likable personality.

Furthermore, whenever Song Yingshi's "students" managed to correct their mistakes, she would smile and offer them compliments such as:

"You're learning fast. Keep using this posture for this move."

"Great job. See, you can do it after all."

Perhaps Song Yingshi was just too beautiful, or maybe it was her sincerity when complimenting others, but many girls would blush with embarrassment when praised by her.

Regardless, Song Yingshi had thoroughly revitalized the atmosphere surrounding Class 2's dance lesson.

Even as class was about to end, the atmosphere remained lively. Song Yingshi even saw some trainees exchanging pointers with one another, and she couldn't help but be satisfied by the fruit of her efforts. She was also glad she didn't disappoint the dance instructor's expectations.

After correcting another trainee, Song Yingshi noticed Huai Xu practicing nearby. With nothing better to do, she placed a hand on Huai Xu's shoulder and whispered, "Well? What do you think of my teaching?"

Huai Xu paused her practice and stared at Song Yingshi. When she saw the expectant look on Song Yingshi, her lips curved into a mischievous grin, and she couldn't help but get the urge to ruffle Song Yingshi's hair.

Although Huai Xu didn't want Song Yingshi to get any more cocky, when she recalled Song Yingshi's mesmerizing dance earlier and the lively atmosphere Song Yingshi had created, she found herself unable to lie.

Meanwhile, seeing Huai Xu staying silent, Song Yingshi urged, "Come on, tell me, how did I do? How did I do? How did I do?"

Feeling ticklish from Song Yingshi repeatedly whispering into her ear, Huai Xu reached out and took off Song Yingshi's half-cap. Then, after spinning it around on her wrist and putting it back on Song Yingshi's head in reverse, she said, "Aren't you always confident in yourself?"

"I still want to hear you praise me," Song Yingshi replied matter-of-factly.

At this answer, Huai Xu smiled, tilted her chin at Song Yingshi, and said, "It's just so-so."

Hearing this, Song Yingshi huffed and muttered, "Hmph, stubborn mule."

…

When the dance instructor returned to the classroom and saw everyone performing today's dance routine flawlessly, he couldn't help but be elated. He originally intended for Song Yingshi to help lift the mood of the class. He hadn't expected her to help out so much with their dance as well.

The instructor was so happy with Song Yingshi's results that he suggested, "Why don't you take your future dance lessons with Class 2?"

Somehow, word reached Class 1, and Lu Xuewen came running into the classroom and said, "Instructor, you can't be biased! I'm still waiting for Yingshi to come back and continue teaching me!"

...

Ultimately, Song Yingshi managed to stay near Huai Xu throughout the afternoon lessons. By 6 PM, she had already spent 11 hours and 27 minutes near Huai Xu.

However, although Song Yingshi was close to meeting her mission's requirement of spending 15 hours with Huai Xu, she had yet to make any progress on elevating Huai Xu's mood, so she'd be lying if she said she wasn't nervous.

As soon as class ended, Song Yingshi had Tao Qin take Lu Xuewen back to Room 506 while she returned to Room 407 with Huai Xu.

Upon shutting the door, Song Yingshi handed Huai Xu her phone and said sternly, "Look through the pictures in this album. Don't skip a single one."

As Huai Xu took the phone, she took a long glance at Song Yingshi and asked, "Are you having me look at something indecent?"

"...Don't forget your virtuous character," Song Yingshi said in exasperation. With death ever so close to her, how could she possibly be in the mood for such worldly desires?

After seeing Huai Xu bring up her "virtuous" character, Huai Xu stopped teasing Song Yingshi and looked at Song Yingshi's phone, curious to see what Song Yingshi wanted to show her.

With just a glance, Huai Xu quickly realized that the so-called pictures were merely popular memes from the internet. Even swiping through multiple images, she still saw nothing but memes.

After thinking for a moment, Huai Xu said sincerely, "I have heard of wealthy people giving houses or cars to win the favor of others, but I hadn't expected Boss Song to give memes instead."

"?"

Song "Boss Song" Yingshi was never one to mind the details when dealing with a certain thorny rose. After leaning forward and glancing at the phone in Huai Xu's hand, she asked, "So, did I win your favor?"

"What do you think?" Huai Xu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Reflecting on her past life, Song Yingshi said earnestly, "I think I did."

She had bought plenty of houses, cars, and jewelry in her past life, but the joy of shopping only lasted at the moment of paying for and receiving the goods. Once the goods entered her possession, they became dull and unattractive. They could never entertain her as much as internet memes.

Not to mention, these were 100 memes she had carefully curated during class! She could barely keep herself from laughing while gathering them, so it shouldn't be possible for Huai Xu to find none of them funny!

"...."

Seeing Song Yingshi's serious expression, Huai Xu held back her exasperation and quietly fulfilled yet another one of Song Yingshi's strange requests.

As Huai Xu resumed looking through Song Yingshi's photo album, Song Yingshi quietly gave Huai Xu looks of encouragement.

Huai Xu's finger swiped across the screen repeatedly, never staying on a picture for more than a second. Her actions were methodical and detached, as if she were looking at a series of blank images. Her actions also reflected her mood, which remained at 74 points even after scrolling past dozens of images.

Curious, Song Yingshi leaned over to look at the screen again.

However, to Song Yingshi's confusion, Huai Xu was indeed looking at the memes she had saved. Even as she looked at these memes a second time, she still had the urge to laugh.

Song Yingshi quickly lost track of time as she watched Huai Xu's mechanical and recurring actions. Before she realized it, Huai Xu had returned her phone to her and said, "I've finished looking through them."

When Song Yingshi saw that Huai Xu's mood remained at 74 points, she suddenly had the urge to cry.

Scrunching up her nose, Song Yingshi pulled up the memes that made her laugh the most and showed them to Huai Xu, asking, "This, this, and this—Are none of them funny to you? That can't be, right?"

At Song Yingshi's question, a hint of amusement flashed in Huai Xu's eyes. It was as if Song Yingshi's behavior was much more interesting to her than the memes.

"They're alright," Huai Xu answered.

Liar! How are they 'alright' if your mood score is still 7— Huh? Song Yingshi blinked as she stared at the mood score displayed before her. It's back to 75?

For a moment, Song Yingshi didn't know whether to be happy or cry.

After a whole day's effort, she was finally back to square one.

This was simply…motivating…

If memes don't work, what other options do I have? Song Yingshi wondered, her mind racing under the threat of death.

Song Yingshi refused to believe anyone could remain unfazed after looking at such funny memes—she even saw Huai Xu's lips curling upward slightly earlier.

Yet, outside of their morning interaction, Huai Xu's mood had remained unchanged throughout the day. How was it possible that nothing managed to affect Huai Xu's mood?

Besides, Song Yingshi doubted everyone in Class 2 could sing better than she could. Some of them must have gone off-key during vocal lessons today. Yet, Huai Xu's mood never dropped during these instances!

At this realization, Song Yingshi concluded that she had misinterpreted how the system calculated Huai Xu's mood score. She likely couldn't raise it simply by making Huai Xu happy.

Does the mood score change only when Huai Xu experiences emotional fluctuation because of me? Could it be that the mood score is a representation of…favorability? Song Yingshi wondered. Although she didn't think Huai Xu's mood score necessarily correlated with Huai Xu's favorability for her, she felt that she might reach an answer if she proceeded in this direction.

After reaching this conclusion, Song Yingshi grabbed Huai Xu by the shoulders and said seriously, "Huai Xu, is there anything you want me to do? Anything is fine. Just tell me."

"Dismiss our contract," Huai Xu said without reservation.

"..." Song Yingshi's face twitched a little. Then, with a forced smile, she said, "Anything but that."

"What else can you offer me?" Huai Xu asked.

"Money," Song Yingshi answered bluntly.

Before Huai Xu could respond, Song Yingshi preemptively reprimanded herself, "Ah, I can't believe I'm someone with nothing but money! I'm such a dull person! You must look down on me, right? I've always felt ashamed of myself when I stand before someone as pure as you. But give me a chance, and let me do something to make you happy, okay?"

At Song Yingshi's words, Huai Xu couldn't help but stare at the other party in exasperation.

This was how Song Yingshi was—arrogant, bright, bold, and flamboyant when commanding or bullying others. However, once she decided to soften her stance and plead with others, she would put on her puppy dog eyes and whimper like a pitiful puppy, making it seem like she would suffer the worst injustice in the world if her request was denied.

Moreover, Song Yingshi could switch between these two modes effortlessly, making it difficult for others to resist her.

Even though Huai Xu knew Song Yingshi was spouting nonsense, she still found it hard to refuse the other party.

Shuffling closer to Huai Xu, Song Yingshi pleaded softly, "Please?"

"What if I refuse?" Huai Xu asked calmly.

In response, Song Yingshi asked tentatively, "Then...I'll order you to let me do something for you? I mean, you don't stand to lose anything, right?"

Song Yingshi dared not take a harsh approach with Huai Xu right now, so she could only act timidly like this.

It was past 6 PM now, and dusk was falling rapidly. As the sky turned a grayish blue, the unlit room turned dim and hazy.

Amidst the cold and gentle atmosphere, Huai Xu’s gaze traveled from Song Yingshi’s eyebrows down to her nose, then her soft lips before quickly resting on her slender neck.

After a long silence, Huai Xu asked in a subtly indifferent tone, "Are you sure?"