Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 55.2

The recording session began with four mentors, but only three stayed until the end.

Halfway through the session, Zheng Qiyi suddenly felt unwell and had to leave. Although his body had returned to normal after he was helped to the break room, the production crew dared not keep him on set, promptly contacting his company to take him to the hospital for a full-body check-up.

Zheng Qiyi's manager arrived shortly after the production crew's call. Since Zheng Qiyi was the head talent manager's most promising artist, and because of Star of Spring's significance, the head manager himself showed up instead of the acting manager.

Before taking Zheng Qiyi away, the head manager met with Shi Zhi.

Wearing a displeased look, Shi Zhi said, "Old Ma, we're old acquaintances, so let me be frank. Mr. Zheng has only had three recording sessions with us, and he caused an incident in two of them. Don't you find this unacceptable? It's not like we're shortchanging him on the contract and advertisement fees."

The manager called Old Ma smiled modestly and took the initiative to pour a cup of water for Shi Zhi, saying, "This time, it was due to physical reasons. I'm sure he didn't wish for this to happen. I promise there won't be a third time."

After taking a sip, Shi Zhi sighed, "Maybe it's because of Spring Star's complicated environment. You should ask him to carefully rethink how he wants to proceed."

Shi Zhi intended her words as a reminder to her old acquaintance. She recalled how, after Zheng Qiyi foolishly provoked Huai Xu again, Song Yingshi hadn't come to her, but had instead borrowed a phone to make a call. From that, she deduced that Song Yingshi had likely decided to take matters into her own hands.

Should Zheng Qiyi's side fail to handle this matter properly, he likely wouldn't even get a third chance to blunder...

...

After leaving the White Tower, Zheng Qiyi headed straight to the hospital with his manager.

Once out of sight of prying eyes, the head manager promptly asked Zheng Qiyi, "What happened today?"

Zheng Qiyi, looking lethargic, said, "How would I know?"

After saying so, Zheng Qiyi recounted what happened today to his manager while omitting Huai Xu's threats. Then, he continued, "The most important thing now is my health. Hurry and take me for a check-up."

The pain Zheng Qiyi experienced dissipated five minutes after the staff carried him out of the stairwell. However, it seemed to have left a permanent scar on his soul, and even thinking about it now terrified him.

At this point, Zheng Qiyi honestly couldn't care less what Huai Xu decided to do with his secrets. He only cared about whether he was suffering from any potentially fatal illnesses.

However...

After Zheng Qiyi arrived at the hospital and completed a series of examinations, such as an MRI, the doctor concluded that his body was perfectly healthy.

"But the pain was so unbearable that I couldn't even stand up!" Zheng Qiyi shouted in a panic.

The doctor tried to talk some sense into Zheng Qiyi, but he simply couldn't calm down. After all, how could anyone stay calm after having a brush with death?

Zheng Qiyi's shouting drew the nurses' attention outside, and someone quickly came into the examination room to check on the situation.

Zheng Qiyi sat on the patient chair trembling, completely refusing to accept the doctor's examination results. He also refused to leave, his eyes constantly darting around the room.

Frightened by Zheng Qiyi's behavior, the doctor politely suggested to his manager, "You can consider taking him to the psychiatric department next door."

Zheng Qiyi's manager: "..."

Zheng Qiyi came to the hospital in a hurry and was seen by many people, so the manager naturally didn't take him to the psychiatric department. Otherwise, even if he didn't have any mental illnesses, the label would be stuck with him for the rest of his career.

After much persuasion, the head manager managed to get Zheng Qiyi to leave the hospital. Looking at his gloomy artist, the head manager growled, "Calm down and take a break for two days. See if your symptoms reappear. I highly doubt anyone is out to harm you. The doctor wouldn't risk his job letting you die either, so stop embarrassing yourself at the hospital."

"Someone must've harmed me... Could it be Huai Xu?" Zheng Qiyi muttered.

When the head manager heard Zheng Qiyi's words, he started seriously considering taking him to visit a tight-lipped psychiatrist. Outwardly, he said, "What are you even thinking? Huai Xu's just a trainee. You're the only one targeting her. Don't cause trouble for her again, especially in your current state. The production crew has issued another warning."

Speaking up to this point, the head manager recalled Shi Zhi's words. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he had missed something.

...Did she say something about Spring Star having a complicated environment? the head manager thought solemnly. "By the way, did you offend anyone on the show today?"

When Zheng Qiyi heard this question, he instinctively recalled Song Yingshi's face and her "This is the second time you've annoyed me" warning.

For some reason, when Zheng Qiyi thought of Song Yingshi this time, he felt a sense of familiarity, with some memories gradually surfacing in his mind.

And appearing earlier than this familiarity was the origin of all his problems today—

It was the moment Song Yingshi warned him that his body began to break out in a cold sweat!

Zheng Qiyi had originally ignored this bout of cold sweat because it was insignificant compared to the pain he experienced later. It wasn't until now that he recalled it.

The car had just started, and the heat inside hadn't dissipated. Yet, Zheng Qiyi shuddered in his seat.

"Think it over carefully and tell me if you remember anything... Are you listening to me? Zheng Qiyi?"

The head manager's voice sounded more and more distant to Zheng Qiyi as the memories in his mind grew clearer. It was as if an invisible hand had brushed away the layers of fog covering his memories, allowing them to reappear in the world.

"Have...I met her before?" Zheng Qiyi muttered in a daze.

…

After the mentors left, peace gradually returned to the White Tower.

When Wan Jiao initially saw Zheng Qiyi being carried out of the stairwell and looking like a mess, she couldn't help but whisper to Wen Qingzi in a daze, "Isn't my cursing a little too effective?"

Because of this situation, Wan Jiao couldn't help but feel a little guilty for her swearing just now. It wasn't until she saw Zheng Qiyi recovering that she breathed a sigh of relief and resumed practicing with greater motivation.

When Wan Jiao resumed practicing, her teammates naturally accompanied her. Not one to be outdone, their opposition, Team "Unavoidable," also resumed practicing—

It was one thing to comfort their opponent, but that didn't mean they were about to give up the victory!

Just like today, when Hu Wan was letting Wan Jiao embrace her like a pillow, she said sternly, "Woman, I'll only allow you to cry after losing to us in the second public performance."

Moreover, there was still the "Struggle for Top and Bottom" and "Idol's Hatred for Her Anti." There were many personal grudges between the two teams, and it'd be difficult to put an end to these conflicts unless they clashed with all their might.

Like so, when the other teams decided to retire for the day, they came to learn that Teams "Lights On" and "Unavoidable" had inexplicably begun another round of intense competition.

Upon learning this, the other trainees exchanged looks with each other before deciding to pretend they saw nothing, thoroughly refusing to be dragged into a rat race.

…

At 10 PM, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu opened the doors of their respective practice rooms and announced the end of practice.

It was at this time the other members of the two teams learned that their team leaders had agreed to a fixed practice schedule. Immediately, everyone dragged their exhausted and sweaty bodies back to the dormitory.

Even after an entire day of practice, the girls merrily chatted as they walked, seemingly having an endless list of topics to talk about.

Only after saying goodnight to Wan Jiao, who lived next door, did Song Yingshi and Huai Xu finally have some alone time.

It was already past 10 PM when Song Yingshi and Huai Xu shuffled into their room. Song Yingshi urged Huai Xu to use the shower first, and it was already 11 PM by the time both of them finished washing up.

After Song Yingshi tucked herself into bed, she began her evening conversation with Huai Xu.

At some point, Song Yingshi started liking the feeling of chatting with Huai Xu before bed, especially when the lights were off and the room was quiet. In this environment, it was as if only their voices remained in the world, making everything clear and vague.

Expecting that they would have a lot to talk about tonight, Song Yingshi placed a mug filled with water on their bedside tables in advance. Her intent was so blatantly obvious that it earned her a few looks from Huai Xu.

Sitting up on her bed, Song Yingshi reached for her mug and took a sip of water to soothe her throat. Then, she called out, "Huai Xu."

Huai Xu didn't respond. Song Yingshi sighed resentfully before she murmured to herself, "You hugged me so tightly in the afternoon. Yet, now that we're in bed, you're casting aside all responsibility."

In the darkness, Huai Xu's throat rolled almost imperceptibly. A moment later, she asked tentatively, "Then...do you want me to take responsibility?"

Song Yingshi's heart skipped a beat. However, she quickly composed herself and said, "What are you talking about? I'm an upright and decent person."

Huai Xu found a sense of familiarity in Song Yingshi's aggressive yet timid behavior, and she couldn't help but chuckle at it.

Song Yingshi heard Huai Xu's laughter but pretended not to hear it. Pressing her elbow against the pillow, she spoke as if unconcerned, "Speaking of which, are you acquainted with Zheng Qiyi?"

Huai Xu instantly calmed down at the mention of Zheng Qiyi. Indifferently, she replied, "No."

No?

Song Yingshi raised an eyebrow.

According to the novel, Zheng Qiyi and Huai Xu used to be neighbors. Moreover, when they first met, Huai Xu already recognized Zheng Qiyi.

However, after seeing as the novel's female protagonist had somehow become bent, nothing else could surprise Song Yingshi. Hence, she didn't dwell on this topic and simply thought that Huai Xu might be trying to distance herself from Zheng Qiyi.

When Song Yingshi thought of Huai Xu possibly trying to disassociate herself from Zheng Qiyi, she felt better for some reason.

After blowing at the strands of hair that had fallen on her forehead, Song Yingshi muttered, "Why did you seek him out today, then? What did you two talk about? Did he scare you?"

Faced with this series of questions, Huai Xu clicked her tongue and said, "Are you a machine gun?"

Putting on a fierce act, Song Yingshi said, "I'm a rapid-fire cannon, so confess! Otherwise, I won't have mercy on you!"

Huai Xu really wanted to ask how Song Yingshi intended to not show her mercy, but she knew better than to voice such thoughts. At least, not at this juncture.

After sorting out her thoughts, Huai Xu said, "I went to him to apologize on behalf of our teams. We then talked about some of his works, and halfway through it, he collapsed."

Except for the apology, Huai Xu was technically being truthful about the rest, only blurring out some details. After a short pause, she continued, "When he collapsed, I looked at him and started feeling uncomfortable."

This was the truth. Zheng Qiyi's appearance at the time was so repulsive that it connected her to that memory and put her in a terrible state of mind.

Song Yingshi shifted in her bed and moved closer to Huai Xu, asking, "Are you still feeling any discomfort?"

Huai Xu paused.

If Huai Xu had to give a straight answer, it would be a simple 'no.' Rather than discomfort, she now felt a little full of energy, as if an invisible force was filling her body and waiting to be absorbed. She also felt lethargic, as if she had just eaten a filling meal.

Huai Xu could vaguely guess the reason—

This was also one of Huai Xu's reasons for seeking out Zheng Qiyi.

The first time Huai Xu came into a confrontation with Zheng Qiyi, she inherited some memories and abilities of an alternate version of herself. Hence, she wanted to know what would happen if she confronted Zheng Qiyi for a second time. Would she gain more memories and abilities? Or would something different happen?

By the looks of things, the confrontation this time did yield some gains, though Huai Xu still had no idea what exactly these gains were.

Facing Song Yingshi's question, Huai Xu naturally couldn't tell the truth, so she teased the other party, saying, "I'm no longer feeling unwell, but I'm not exactly feeling comfortable, either."

"Really?" Song Yingshi asked.

Huai Xu chuckled. Feeling somewhat guilty about lying, she said, "I lied."

Song Yingshi snorted lightly and said, "I thought as much. I knew you wouldn't tell me the truth."

"Little Shi is so smart," Huai Xu said.

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi shuffled in her bed again, moving even closer to Huai Xu's side. After saying a few irrelevant nonsense, she asked, "Are you really feeling fine now?"

"Did my answer just now scare you? Why don't you believe me?" Huai Xu asked, her voice sounding sleepier.

Nodding in the darkness, Song Yingshi said in a voice carrying hints of accusation, "You did frighten me this afternoon."

"Hm?" Huai Xu exhaled softly.

Song Yingshi didn't continue speaking, only thinking, You hugged me.

Song Yingshi didn't think much about the hug during the afternoon. But for some reason, under the cover of darkness, her mind recalled the scene of Huai Xu embracing her.

The hug lasted very long.

Yet, Huai Xu never offered an explanation...

Song Yingshi didn't know how to interpret her feelings. She also didn't know what kind of explanation she wanted from Huai Xu.

Thinking about it, Song Yingshi felt that lesbians nowadays had no sense of responsibility. Just because she was straight, did that mean she was free to be hugged?

The more Song Yingshi thought about it, the more she felt she had been taken advantage of this afternoon.

Song Yingshi couldn't accept this outcome. Huai Xu might be feeling well now, but it was her turn to feel unwell.

This won't do! Huai Xu must compensate me!

Coming to this conclusion, Song Yingshi opened her mission tab and looked at the mission she had originally decided not to do.

Special Mission: Touch Huai Xu's face for 20 seconds.

As Song Yingshi focused her ears, she could hear Huai Xu's breathing gradually slowing down to a rhythmic pace. After counting for many seconds, she called out tentatively, "Huai Xu?"

Huai Xu didn't respond, presumably having fallen asleep.

Song Yingshi carefully got out of her bed and crouched before Huai Xu's. Then, she crept closer and vaguely determined Huai Xu's position.

After locating Huai Xu's forehead, Song Yingshi gently lowered her fingertips like a dragonfly landing on water.

However, just as Song Yingshi's fingertips were about to touch Huai Xu's forehead, Huai Xu suddenly moved, and her fingertips landed precisely on Huai Xu's lips.

Caught by surprise, Song Yingshi shuddered, and her fingers slid down briefly, sinking lightly into the soft and moist crevice that was Huai Xu's mouth.