Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 36.3

Rewinding time slightly, Huai Xu lay down on the bed at the same time as Song Yingshi disappeared into the bathroom, forcing herself to fall asleep quickly.

Back in school, Huai Xu had to work part-time to cover living expenses, leaving her with little time to sleep. In turn, this forced her to develop the ability to fall asleep quickly. Now, she could fall sound asleep in minutes so long as she emptied her mind of thoughts. She could also wake up refreshed and ready for the next day after only a few hours of quality sleep.

This time was no exception. The moment Huai Xu stopped thinking about Song Yingshi and ignored the sound from the bathroom, she fell asleep in no time. The only difference was that instead of waking up before dawn this time, she hoped to sleep soundly until sunrise.

Unfortunately, things didn't go Huai Xu's way.

Amidst her sleep, Huai Xu started hearing a rustling sound. This sound seemed to be transmitted directly into her mind, and she couldn't ignore it, even in her drowsy state.

As Huai Xu's mind gradually regained awareness, she remembered Song Yingshi's request to share a bed with her. Hence, she quickly connected the dots and realized Song Yingshi was the cause of the noise coming from behind her.

At this realization, Huai Xu suddenly had the urge to turn around and look at Song Yingshi.

Even without looking, Huai Xu could tell Song Yingshi was probably fast asleep. After all, Song Yingshi had always had a good sleep quality; never once had she woken up in the middle of the night.

Most likely, the noise Song Yingshi was making was a result of her turning or snuggling against her pillow in her sleep.

Hence, even if Huai Xu stole a quick glance, Song Yingshi would be none the wiser.

When Huai Xu reached this conclusion, her seemingly simple yet sentimental desire grew exponentially. However, just as she was giving in to her urges, she suddenly stopped.

…I shouldn't, Huai Xu dissuaded herself as she stared into the darkness. Just pretend she doesn't exist. The night will pass in no time, and everything will return to normal by morning.

Huai Xu took a deep but quiet breath and closed her eyes. Then, she counted the rhythmic breaths behind her to try to fall asleep.

However, as if fate had something else planned for Huai Xu, the rhythmic breathing paused a few seconds later, replaced by a series of soft, sleeping mumbling. Almost simultaneously, Song Yingshi's limbs began to kick and toss in her sleep.

Huai Xu's neatly made bed had become a mess before she could react to this sudden change. Her blanket had even been tangled and pulled off her shoulder.

Although Huai Xu did not expect this development, it finally gave her a reason to turn around. Responding quickly, she turned her upper body and asked in a reprimanding tone, "What are you doing?"

The room was pitch-black, and Huai Xu couldn't see Song Yingshi. Yet, she could envision Song Yingshi lying before her, and the thought of her sharing a bed with Song Yingshi filled her heart with indescribable emotions.

The presence of this profound emotion made Huai Xu's reprimand sound less like an actual reprimand and more like an intimate complaint. Unfortunately, Song Yingshi didn't seem to appreciate this tone, as Huai Xu only heard two soft grunts after waiting for a while.

So she's still asleep?

Huai Xu couldn't tell if she was disappointed or relieved at this realization. Her mind went blank for a second as she readjusted her posture.

This time, Huai Xu lay facing Song Yingshi.

The tightly drawn curtains plunged the room into complete darkness. Vision-deprived, Huai Xu began imagining what Song Yingshi must look like this close.

After pondering for a moment, Huai Xu found her behavior quite childish. Song Yingshi was sound asleep, yet here she was…

I should sleep.

Huai Xu turned over, facing away from Song Yingshi. But just as she was about to shut her eyes, her roommate began stirring again, and then, without warning, an arm fell heavily across her waist, dangling over her abdomen.

Huai Xu knew that Song Yingshi was still asleep. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed Song Yingshi's wrist to return it to the other side of the bed.

However, seemingly discontent with the " forceful eviction," Song Yingshi suddenly clung to Huai Xu's body like a cocoon. Her body also moved incessantly, seemingly trying to push Huai Xu off the bed.

Eventually, all the moving around pushed Huai Xu's blanket off her body completely, exposing her back.

Huai Xu frowned at this development. She also started to grow suspicious.

Is she really asleep?

Huai Xu started to doubt Song Yingshi's state of consciousness again. However, before she could verify her doubts, a different sensation interrupted her thoughts.

It was Song Yingshi's soft body pressing against hers, restlessly shifting and grinding against her shoulder blades through her thin nightdress.

Huai Xu froze. The words she was about to say vanished, and the wrist she had yet to release scorched her palm.

Huai Xu felt parched, as if all the moisture in her lips and tongue had been removed in an instant.

Huai Xu's long lashes trembled as she thought of a certain possibility. Hesitantly, she traced her fingers along the inside of Song Yingshi's elbow, moving upward inch by inch. However, even after reaching Song Yingshi's shoulder, she felt no fabric.

Huai Xu's hand jerked away from Song Yingshi's body, her fingers hanging stiffly in mid-air as if having touched a treasure she shouldn't have.

Although Huai Xu initially thought she was hallucinating, the lingering sensation on her fingertips reminded her that everything she had just experienced was real and undeniable.

Is she awake?

Does she know what she is doing?

Should I…ask her?

Before Huai Xu could ponder these questions, Song Yingshi started snuggling against her like a clingy animal, quickly filling the space between her shoulder blades.

Huai Xu blanked out momentarily. Then, as if controlled by the Devil, she shifted her body and squeezed her shoulder blades inward…

Warm and soft, these were the only descriptions Huai Xu could think of.

Huai Xu dared not move any further. Neither did she dare to turn around and question Song Yingshi's consciousness.

At some point, the sweet fragrance of citrus that lingered in the air had turned into Song Yingshi's scent.

It was similarly sweet and refreshing, but now it was also warm, inviting, and intense.

Huai Xu stared at the empty wall.

This time, she remained awake the entire night.

…

Song Yingshi slept very well.

She would even go as far as to say that it was her best sleep since she began filming for the Star of Spring. Even though she had woken up early in the morning, her body was brimming with energy.

So those research results weren't lies after all. Sleeping naked is good for the body. Maybe I should do this more often? Song Yingshi wondered.

However, when she remembered her roommate, who would avoid changing in the same room, she quickly decided to delay improving her sleep.

She'd try this new method of sleep when she went home.

Song Yingshi hadn't forgotten the important task for which she had explicitly gotten up early.

Huai Xu was a light sleeper, so Song Yingshi dared not move recklessly. Quietly, she grabbed the T-shirt from beside her pillow and put it on, and only after "erasing the evidence" did she dare to check if Huai Xu was awake.

Fortunately, Huai Xu remained on her side facing the wall, looking like she hadn't moved all night.

This sight relieved Song Yingshi, and she promptly checked the system for her mission rewards.

A full 144 hours of Life Points!

Her balance had more than doubled thanks to this single mission!

For once, Song Yingshi faced the system with a smile as she said, Make sure to hit me up when you have another good deal like this in the future.

The system's response was also exceptionally friendly, "Those able will receive more work, Host. Also, you've completed your mission perfectly this time."

For the first time, the system and its host began the new day exchanging friendly compliments.

After receiving such a hefty reward, Song Yingshi became fully awake and was no longer in the mood to fall back asleep. Lifting her blanket, she got ready to go to the gym for a morning workout before bringing Huai Xu breakfast to strengthen their roommate bond.

As Song Yingshi got out of bed, she was surprised to see that Huai Xu's blanket was quite messy. She didn't expect Huai Xu to have a habit of kicking blankets.

Has she always kicked her blanket?

Song Yingshi thought back and realized she hadn't noticed this particular habit from Huai Xu.

Nevertheless, Song Yingshi played the role of a good roommate and kindly tucked in Huai Xu's blanket before tiptoeing to the bathroom.

…

Tao Qin was dragged to the sixth floor by Lu Xuewen early in the morning.

"It's barely past six o'clock. Must you look for Huai Xu at this hour? Aren't you worried she'll beat you to death?" Tao Qin asked, yawning.

"It was Huai Xu who asked me to visit her!" Lu Xuewen answered confidently.

"How could that be?" Tao Qin asked, surprised.

"What do you know about our great vocalist?" Lu Xuewen asked, rolling her eyes.

"If you're not going to speak normally, I'm going back," Tao Qin said, shrugging.

"Wait, wait, I'm sorry!" Lu Xuewen apologized hurriedly. "Well, the thing is…cough, cough…I, too, happen to be a songwriter, albeit a half-baked one. When I brought it up with Huai Xu, she told me I could discuss my songs with her. I dreamed of an idea last night, so I decided to visit Huai Xu right after waking up. So, technically…Huai Xu was the one who asked me to come, right?"

Tao Qin: "…"

Lu Xuewen's reasoning seemed sound but also felt somewhat off.

Unfortunately, Tao Qin was too sleepy to fully process Lu Xuewen's confident speech. After racking her mind, she asked, "What does your business with your almighty vocalist have anything to do with me?"

When asked this question, Lu Xuewen's voice suddenly became quieter. "I'm worried I might get scolded if I go alone."

"...Screw you," Tao Qin huffed before turning around to leave.

However, before Tao Qin could slip away, Lu Xuewen grabbed her by the arm and pushed open the door to Class A's dormitory, saying, "Don't fret the details, don't fret the details. Since we're here already, you might as well stay."

Lu Xuewen was strong as a pig. Tao Qin, with a long face, was dragged to the door of Song Yingshi and Huai Xu's room. She gave up struggling and lowered her head, ready to be scolded.

Lu Xuewen was as strong as a boar. Despite her best efforts to escape, Tao Qin still got dragged to the door of Song Yingshi and Huai Xu's room. Seeing as there was no escaping the situation, she pulled a long face, lowered her head, and prepared herself for a scolding.

"Little Ten, Huai Xu, are you awake?" Lu Xuewen politely asked after knocking on the door.

"Who's awake at this time?"

"Who would be awake at this time?" Tao Qin said, rolling her eyes.

Unexpectedly, the door opened.

Standing behind the door, Song Yingshi asked softly, "I'm awake. Huai Xu is still sleeping. What's the matter?"

Feeling self-conscious, Tao Qin promptly answered, "It's nothing major. Lu Xuewen just wanted to ask Huai Xu a few questions…"

As Tao Qin said so, her eyes subconsciously scanned the room—

Wait a minute!

Why are there two blankets on Huai Xu's bed?!

Tao Qin's mind cleared up instantly, and her gaze quickly shot over to Song Yingshi's bed.

The bed was empty, devoid of any pillows or blankets.

At this discovery, Tao Qin turned to stare intently at Song Yingshi.