Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 19

The first promotional material the trainees had to shoot could be completed in the studio, and the theme was "short debut video."

The filming took place in one of Peach Tree Media's studios, and everyone was required to wear a standardized trainee uniform.

Even before seeing the actual outfits, Song Yingshi and the others had already seen anonymous leaks of the uniform a few days earlier on social media. However, whether the images were truly leaked or merely PR posts by the production crew was debatable.

Regardless, the uniforms resembled youthful and vibrant school uniforms. The top set included a white shirt, a plaid tie, and a short black blazer, while the bottom set included a pleated skirt, a pair of short suit pants, and a pair of long suit pants.

Song Yingshi nodded in satisfaction when she saw the actual outfits. After pondering for a moment, she grabbed the top set and the pleated skirt. Then, just as she was about to change, she swerved over to Huai Xu and asked, "Huai Xu, let's wear the pleated skirts together."

Since that rainy night, Song Yingshi felt that her beautiful friendship with Huai Xu had finally started to blossom, and now was the perfect time to fertilize it.

Of course, Song Yingshi also had a slight ulterior motive. She knew Huai Xu didn't care for her money. If she wanted to have an easier time completing her missions in the future, it was best if she maintained a good relationship with Huai Xu.

After saying so, Boss Song, who had adjusted her management style, looked down at her employee's legs.

While watching Song Yingshi stare at her legs, Huai Xu curtly responded, "No, thanks."

However, Song Yingshi acted as if she hadn't heard Huai Xu's answer. She kept staring at Huai Xu's legs and said, "With legs like yours, it would be a shame not to wear a short skirt."

After saying so, Song Yingshi suddenly realized that Huai Xu had only worn long pants and skirts since they met. For reasons beyond her knowledge, Huai Xu seemed reluctant to expose her body before others.

For fear of making Huai Xu uncomfortable, Song Yingshi quickly added, "But you look great in anything, so just wear whatever you like."

As Huai Xu walked toward a dressing room, she said in a low and teasing voice, "Thanks?"

Meanwhile, Song Yingshi entered the dressing room opposite Huai Xu's and said through the curtain with a reserved tone, "No need to thank me. Though, I wouldn't mind if you want to return my compliment."

As soon as Song Yingshi finished speaking, she received two system messages:

Daily Mission: Receive a compliment from Huai Xu.

Special Mission: Stare at Huai Xu's legs for 20 seconds.

?

Setting the first mission aside, what was up with the second one?

Why didn't you tell me earlier? Song Yingshi mentally complained to the system. Had the system spoken up a minute earlier, she would've insisted on Huai Xu wearing the pleated skirt. She'd be making trouble for herself if she were to ask Huai Xu to change out of the long pants now.

In response to her complaint, the system said, "Friendly reminder: Even if Huai Xu wears the skirt, you won't be able to complete the mission unless you crouch down and stare like a pervert."

"I'd also like to remind you that you're a jjwxc system. Exposing even the kneecap counts as exposing the entire thigh," Song Yingshi countered snarkily.

System: "..."

Song Yingshi felt refreshed after mocking the system. However, this state lasted no more than a second before her face turned gloomy as she contemplated how she should go about completing her missions.

…

As Song Yingshi and Huai Xu changed into their uniforms, Tao Qin and Lu Xuewen had overheard their banter outside the dressing rooms and were now having a hushed discussion.

"What are they doing? Huh? Flirting while changing clothes?" Tao Qin wondered in confusion.

"It's just the sweet nothings of a straight girl. Don't overthink it," Lu Xuewen said casually. "Hurry up and get changed."

"Let me listen for just a bit longer..." Tao Qin said.

…

Song Yingshi was the first to leave her dressing room. However, she did not walk away. Instead, she took two steps forward and stood outside Huai Xu's dressing room.

When Huai Xu finished dressing and lifted the curtain, Song Yingshi spun around on the spot, her skirt spreading like a flower and her curly hair swirling gracefully.

As Song Yingshi stopped to face Huai Xu, she revealed a smile that was even more vibrant than the uniform she wore. Simply looking at her smile could bring joy to others, and her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Huai Xu.

Tao Qin and Lu Xuewen stood somewhat far away, so they could only see Song Yingshi's lips move, unable to hear what she said.

Tao Qin didn't know what Huai Xu was feeling, but even as a spectator, she was already clutching her heart and softly shrieking, "Ah!! My baby is too cute! Is she waiting for a compliment? Huai Xu, I order you to praise her immediately!"

Meanwhile, Lu Xuewen gasped and said, "Yingshi's look makes me want to pat her head."

After sneaking a few more glances, Tao Qin suddenly grabbed Lu Xuewen's arm and asked, "Where is Huai Xu looking?! Is she looking at my baby's legs?!"

"Aren't you looking too?" Lu Xuewen questioned.

"That's different. We watch Song Yingshi practice dancing every day, don't we? Hehehe," Tao Qin said with a drooling face.

Lu Xuewen ignored Tao Qin and moved aside a bit to get a better look at Huai Xu's expression. Unfortunately, she still failed to glean any information from Huai Xu's face.

Before Tao Qin and Lu Xuewen could continue speculating about Huai Xu's thoughts, Huai Xu suddenly turned around and started walking out of her dressing room. Seeing this, they promptly ducked into the nearest dressing room to avoid discovery.

Through the thin curtain, Lu Xuewen saw two figures passing by one after the other and made out several lines of dialogue.

Song Yingshi: "Is it that hard to say something nice?"

Huai Xu: "It's not hard."

Song Yingshi: "Then, why didn't you…"

Huai Xu: "I couldn't think of something right away. Let me think for a moment."

?

Was Huai Xu implying that while it wasn't difficult to compliment someone, it was difficult to find something to compliment about her?

After a long time, Song Yingshi once again felt a familiar chill in her heart from Huai Xu's words.

However, Song Yingshi didn't let Huai Xu's harsh words get to her. Staring at the slender figure ahead, she fired two finger guns at Huai Xu and muttered, "Can't you be a little sweeter with your words?"

"If I become sweet, would you come and taste me?" Huai Xu asked lazily with a smirk.

Song Yingshi was already used to Huai Xu's out-of-character remarks, so she calmly responded, "You're breaking your virtuous character again."

This was already the... Well, it was one of the many times Huai Xu had teased her like this. Song Yingshi felt she had spoiled Huai Xu with her patience and tolerance and decided that this behavior needed to be stopped.

After catching up to Huai Xu and walking beside her, Song Yingshi said playfully, "But truth be told, I am a little interested. Since you are offering—"

"It wasn't an offer," Huai Xu interrupted, reigning in her expression.

"Why not? Are you scared?" Song Yingshi asked, following up her attack.

Huai Xu suddenly stopped walking at this question, and Song Yingshi stopped with her in confusion.

The feather lamp overhead cast a soft glow over them. However, perhaps it was a little too soft, as the light failed to reach the depths of Huai Xu's eyes.

Lowering her gaze, Huai Xu reached out to twirl a strand of Song Yingshi's hair around her finger, her movements a bit lackadaisical. Then, as she released Song Yingshi's hair, she said in a dull voice, "You're quite bold."

After saying so, Huai Xu walked past Song Yingshi and left the dressing area.

Song Yingshi stood by herself, her head slightly lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

Hidden in her dressing room, Tao Qin heard the first few lines of Song Yingshi's conversation with Huai Xu, but everything else was a blur. After waiting for a moment and hearing no more sound coming from outside, she poked her head out and saw that Huai Xu was nowhere to be seen, and only Song Yingshi was left in the hallway.

Spurred by her curiosity, Tao Qin left her dressing room and approached Song Yingshi, asking tentatively, "Yingshi, is something on your mind?"

Song Yingshi thought for a moment before answering, "I'm thinking about what Huai Xu just said."

"What did she say?" Tao Qin asked curiously.

Song Yingshi fell into thought again momentarily. Then, she looked at Tao Qin and asked, "Tao Qin, is 'bold' a compliment?"

Tao Qin didn't know how the conversation had shifted so quickly, but she still answered, "I… I guess it's a compliment?"

At this answer, Song Yingshi smiled happily and reported to the system, System, I've completed my mission! Huai Xu said I'm bold!