Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 35.2

Song Yingshi's thoughts drifted to the distant past.

It was when her first drama, a small web drama that never made it to the big networks, was about to air. She had played a guest role, appearing only three times as a decorative character.

Song Yingshi's first appearance in the drama was in episode four. When the episode's teaser aired, she waited eagerly, worrying if she might have made a mistake during filming. She also couldn't help but hope for some positive feedback.

Little did she know that most of her scenes would be edited out, leaving the audience only a fleeting view of her back.

She was only 16 years old that year.

She felt as if the world's weight had fallen onto her shoulders at the time, heavy and oppressive.

Looking back now, Song Yingshi could only regard her past self as young and naive, a stark contrast from who she was now. As a result, her former state of mind had become increasingly unattainable, and she regarded her memories of the past as precious and extravagant.

Song Yingshi withdrew from her memories and sighed ruefully.

"What's wrong?" Shi Zhi asked.

"I want to be nervous with them, but I just can't," Song Yingshi said sincerely. After all, she didn't care much about these things anymore. Additionally, with her accumulated experience, she knew how she performed in front of the camera, so she found it difficult to feel anxious.

Shi Zhi fell silent, taken aback by Song Yingshi's thoughts.

At this time, Wan Jiao ran over and asked, "Director Shi, please organize some activities for us. Everyone is just sitting around doing nothing."

How can there be nothing to do in the White Tower? Are the practice rooms there for decoration? Shi Zhi thought. However, just as she was about to criticize Wan Jiao, she remembered that tonight was a special night. Hence, she softly said, "Activities, huh… Then, everyone who tried to smuggle a phone just now, write me a 1,000-word reflection. If others want to join in, they can do so as well. How about it?"

Song Yingshi: ?

Wan Jiao gasped. Then, she turned around and walked away, saying, "Sorry to bother you, I'm going to practice."

The absurd "extracurricular activity" proposed by the production crew successfully prevented the trainees from becoming unnecessarily anxious, and the trainees all took shelter in the practice rooms. However, instead of heading to their respective practice rooms, many trainees gathered in Class A's practice room for some reason.

As soon as these trainees entered Class A's practice room, they saw Huai Xu and the other trainees of Class A practicing at the front of the room.

After dancing and singing nonstop during the day for the theme song recording, everyone was more or less exhausted. However, none of Class A's practicing trainees showed laziness or negligence. They were seemingly in their own world, tentatively refining their every movement as they danced to the music.

The trainees of other classes quickly found the motivation to practice. After all, standing before them were their classmates who were not only superior to them in skill but also worked harder than they did. It was hard not to get motivated after seeing such a silent effort.

Thus, following the music and the movements of those before them, the trainees looked at themselves in the mirror and danced according to the music's rhythm on the wooden floor. And as they gradually filtered out all distractions, the invisible weight hanging over them disappeared.

...

Song Yingshi arrived at the practice room shortly afterward.

Upon seeing the crowded room, Song Yingshi didn't try to squeeze her way to the front to join Huai Xu. Instead, she stayed behind with Tao Qin and their other co-conspirators.

After a while, everyone paused for a break.

Standing on tiptoes, Rong Yi scanned the room and muttered, "Where's Little Shi? She isn't skipping practice, is she? Ah, found her…"

Beside Rong Yi, Huai Xu was wiping her sweat. When she heard Rong Yi's words, her hand froze momentarily. However, she didn't look back and simply resumed practicing after catching a breather.

...

Tao Qin looked at Huai Xu ahead, then subtly glanced at Song Yingshi beside her.

Why was there such a large distance between these two?!

Tao Qin desperately wanted to ask Song Yingshi why she wasn't joining Huai Xu at the front. She also wanted to ask if Song Yingshi had grown distant from Huai Xu these past two days. However, she hesitated to do so.

Sometimes, it was easier to remain ignorant. Now that Tao Qin knew for certain Song Yingshi and Huai Xu weren't in a relationship, and both were now her friends, she found it slightly awkward to continue shipping them together.

However, just as Tao Qin was about to prioritize friendship over shipping, Wan Jiao faced Song Yingshi, "Little Shi, why aren't you with Huai Xu today? Did you two have a fight?"

Tao Qin: ?

Was this what it meant to be fearlessly ignorant?

Without consent from the person in question, Tao Qin dared not share Huai Xu's sexuality with anyone. She hadn't even mentioned it to Lu Xuewen and Yu Sheng, let alone Wan Jiao. Hence, she couldn't help but envy others boldly shipping Song Yingshi with Huai Xu.

Nevertheless, Tao Qin quietly perked up her ears, waiting for Song Yingshi's answer.

"It's so crowded up front, why should I go?" Song Yingshi said, putting on her knee pads again.

"Is everything really fine between you two?" Tao Qin asked cautiously.

Song Yingshi shot Tao Qin a glance, asking, "What? Is it bad that we're not glued to each other?"

Tao Qin sighed in relief. Going by Song Yingshi's casual tone, it was clear nothing serious was going on. Her conversation with Huai Xu the other night didn't affect Song Yingshi's relationship with Huai Xu.

However, Song Yingshi didn't miss the subtle change in Tao Qin's expression, and a thought crossed her mind.

Song Yingshi hadn't received any missions in the past two days, so she hadn't been clinging to Huai Xu as much. She also hadn't bothered Huai Xu with any strange requests, merely going about her usual routine.

Song Yingshi thought this was good for Huai Xu, but she never expected that by giving Huai Xu two days off, Tao Qin would suspect her relationship with Huai Xu had deteriorated.

Huai Xu wouldn't think like that…right? Song Yingshi wondered, a sense of uncertainty brewing as she looked toward Huai Xu.

After some deliberation, Song Yingshi made up her mind.

…

As everyone was vacating the practice room to retire for the day, Song Yingshi approached Huai Xu and asked, "Shall we go back together?"

Huai Xu hummed in response, picked up her water bottle, and followed Song Yingshi.

Song Yingshi walked beside Huai Xu, occasionally glancing at Huai Xu's profile while secretly speculating.

Ultimately, although Song Yingshi didn't notice anything unusual with Huai Xu, Tao Qin's question reminded her that it was time to conclude her two-day break. Otherwise, she'd have to start worrying about running out of Life Points again.

Naturally, Boss Song ended Employee Huai Xu's two-day break as well.

It's time for a new mission, System, Song Yingshi urged the system.

"Please be reminded that you must complete any mission you initiate, Host. Do you wish to proceed?" the system asked.

Song Yingshi slapped her forehead at this reminder. It had been a while since she last applied for a mission. She had completely forgotten about the increased difficulty that came with applying for missions.

I still have some Life Points left. Should I apply now, or hope for a new mission to appear tomorrow?

Song Yingshi thought for a moment.

"Five seconds have passed. Mission has been accepted," the system suddenly said.

Song Yingshi: "?"

"Special Mission: Wear Huai Xu's T-shirt and sleep in the same bed with her for one night."

…

Dormitory.

Song Yingshi sat on her bed, staring at the bathroom as she pondered her options. During this period, the sound of splashing water coming through the bathroom door stopped briefly several times, likely because Huai Xu was applying body wash or shampoo.

Regardless, Song Yingshi didn't have much time left.

Looking away from the bathroom, Song Yingshi carefully lifted her blanket and emptied a bottle of water onto the sheets.

...

Huai Xu exited the bathroom as she dried her hair. Upon entering the bedroom, she immediately noticed something was different.

Song Yingshi was sitting on the sofa, hugging her blanket, blinking her eyes at Huai Xu, looking oddly like a wet, pitiful little puppy with drooping ears.

Huai Xu lowered her gaze to avoid eye contact, then looked over to Song Yingshi's bed. Immediately, she noticed a large wet spot on the bed and an empty water bottle at its end.

"I was drinking water and…accidentally spilled it on the bed," Song Yingshi said, rubbing the tip of her nose.

Without saying anything, Huai Xu started walking out of the room.

Song Yingshi stood up, her hands clutching the blanket as she asked, "Where are you going?"

"Logistics team. I'll get new sheets for you," Huai Xu calmly answered.

After saying so, Huai Xu continued her way out the door. However, before she could leave, Song Yingshi's voice came from behind:

"It's late. We shouldn't bother them at this hour."

In response, Huai Xu stopped her feet and stated, "Logistics has people on duty 24/7."

No further sound came from behind for a while.

Nonetheless, Huai Xu kept waiting.

A moment later, Song Yingshi walked up to Huai Xu and stood between her and the door, saying, "Those spare sheets are probably used; I don't want those."

Song Yingshi's words were unreasonable and lacked basis. However, when Huai Xu looked at Song Yingshi's soft and gentle face, bright almond-shaped eyes, and delicate furrowed brows, she couldn't bring herself to feel even the slightest bit of annoyance.

The scent of citrus body wash lingered in the air.

Song Yingshi suddenly leaned in, to which Huai Xu responded by leaning back, only for Song Yingshi to give chase.

As if an invisible string connected them, whenever Huai Xu moved, Song Yingshi moved with her.

Song Yingshi gently twirled a wet strand of hair from Huai Xu's cheek. Fawningly, she said, "How about this: I'll help you dry your hair, and you let me sleep on half of your bed in exchange. What do you think?"

Huai Xu's breath faltered for a moment. In the meantime, the scent of citrus mixed with the smell of warm sunlight to create a dry yet slippery, anxious yet patchy, and strange yet harmonious fragrance.

Huai Xu turned her face away, her emotions fluctuating.

Resistance and expectation.

Fear and longing.

How could Song Yingshi always approach her so unreasonably?

Why was she the only one tossed around in the boundless waves?

More importantly, why did she relish this feeling despite having no say in this relationship?

Huai Xu took a step closer and stopped. She hesitated to speak.

Song Yingshi lowered her head slightly, closing the distance between her and Huai Xu. Then, she raised her hand and gently pressed it on Huai Xu's cheek.

"There was a drop of water on your face," Song Yingshi said, removing her hand from Huai Xu's face and showing her fingertip to Huai Xu. As she said so, her eyes shimmered, and her lips formed a playful smile.

Huai Xu suddenly raised her hand and grabbed Song Yingshi's wrist, creating a meeting between cool and warm temperatures.

Song Yingshi instinctively tried to retract her wrist, but Huai Xu tightened her grip. For a moment, Huai Xu's strength became so overbearing that Song Yingshi could feel it through her bones.

Song Yingshi furrowed her brows and looked at Huai Xu.

Before Song Yingshi could cry out in pain, Huai Xu relaxed her grip and, a second later, released Song Yingshi's hand. Then, she took two steps back, glanced at her bed, and said, "If you want to share a bed with me, so be it."

Why did that sound like…self-abandonment? Is she that reluctant to share a bed with me?

Song Yingshi felt slightly hurt. However, considering how Huai Xu had always kept her distance from everyone, it also seemed normal for Huai Xu to not be used to sharing a bed with another person.

After silently noting Huai Xu's dislike of sharing a bed with others, Song Yingshi maintained a positive attitude and made her second request, "Also…my pajamas are being washed, and I don't have a clean T-shirt. Can I borrow one from you? That white T-shirt will do."

"..."

Seeing Song Yingshi push the envelope, Huai Xu closed her eyes as unknown anger welled within her. However, whether she was angry at Song Yingshi or at herself for indulging Song Yingshi, she couldn't tell. Or perhaps she was just angry at the lingering scent of citrus.

Huai Xu dried her hair with greater force. Then, she turned around and walked away, refusing, "No."

Unfazed by Huai Xu's rejection, Song Yingshi chased after Huai Xu and stuck her head out, saying, "I promise to wash it for you. If you don't want to wear something I've worn, I can buy you a new one when we have time off."

"You've bought me many clothes, so take whatever you like, but that white T-shirt is off-limits," Huai Xu flatly stated.

"..."

Song Yingshi deeply regretted not buying Huai Xu any T-shirts before coming here. At the same time, she couldn't help but grow curious, asking, "Why not?"

Huai Xu turned her back to Song Yingshi, a layer of melancholy crossing her brows.

Song Yingshi didn't wait for an answer. After thinking for a moment, she used a different approach to threaten Huai Xu, saying, "I don't have pajamas to wear. You wouldn't want me to sleep with you in the nude, do you?"

Huai Xu responded quickly this time, even going as far as to scoff, "Do you dare do that? Go ahead if you dare."

Huai Xu hadn't forgotten how timid Song Yingshi had been before. Although Song Yingshi would often tease her, the other party would cave at the slightest pressure.

Song Yingshi was, in a sense, a glass cannon.

"..."

Song Yingshi didn't have the habit of sleeping naked, especially not with someone else. This truly was a difficult challenge.

After some deliberation, Song Yingshi changed her approach and launched another attack. However, before she could open her mouth, the system's voice suddenly rang in her head:

"You'll earn double the Life Points if you sleep without clothes, Host!"

The Special Mission already came with a reward of 72 hours of life. What did a doubling of the reward mean?

Jackpot!

An unprecedented opportunity to milk the system!

Song Yingshi made up her mind on the spot. Without hesitation, she said to Huai Xu, "Well, if you say so."

Huai Xu snapped her head around.

"It's too late to change your mind now. Even if you beg me to wear your T-shirt, I won't wear anything today," Song Yingshi declared.