Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 65.1

The air was slightly intoxicating, and the rain was getting heavier.

The glass window kept the wind and rain out, transforming fierce raindrops into smooth streams that cascaded down its surface, forming a watery curtain before Song Yingshi's eyes.

The curtain of water made the night scene outside appear even hazier. When reflected in Song Yingshi's eyes, even her eyes grew blurry and sentimental.

Looking back, the first time Song Yingshi learned that Huai Xu was bent was two weeks ago. In her shock, she kept her distance from Huai Xu to avoid further misunderstandings.

However, humans were emotional beings, and adult humans were mature beings driven by self-interest. Before Huai Xu's coming out, they had already become friends. Coupled with their unavoidable daily interactions and shared interests, it was unrealistic and a huge pity for them to completely cut off contact with each other.

Later, they went through several bouts of hesitant probing, mixed with moments of ambiguity, hostility, and nights spent drinking together.

Eventually, they tacitly agreed to keep their relationship in an ambiguous phase, keeping silent about certain things. When their relationship entered a stable period, they no longer deliberately avoided suspicion nor behaved naturally intimate.

But at the same time, those things they kept silent about would occasionally quietly emerge and dominate their behavior and heartbeat.

Song Yingshi's secret research into lesbian culture and her refusal to renounce Snow-Kissed Rose were a few such examples. If pressed to explain her thoughts behind these decisions, Song Yingshi wouldn't be able to provide a valid answer.

However, Song Yingshi knew very well why, back in the practice room, Huai Xu had asked if her blood was pumping. She also knew why Huai Xu had come so close to kissing her in bed that evening. (Reference to Chapters 54.1 and 56.1)

There were many things they could only do but not say. Only by doing so could they maintain the delicate balance between them while feigning ignorance.

However, a ripple appeared in this delicate balance during their last outing to N City. When Song Yingshi repeatedly found herself subconsciously seeking out Huai Xu's figure, she realized that…she might have become bent.

Before Song Yingshi had time to sort out her thoughts, a few hours later, on the path leading back to the White Tower, Huai Xu revealed to her how much she valued her fans and wanted to concentrate on her career.

Logically, Song Yingshi should've supported Huai Xu's choice. For idols, a relationship was a fundamental error. It was a scandal that could shatter an entire fanbase overnight. Song Yingshi had always believed that, between career and relationship, young idols should always prioritize the former.

However, when faced with this issue personally, Song Yingshi didn't consider it from that viewpoint at all. The only thought that came to her mind at that time was that she wouldn't need to dwell on whether she was bent anymore.

Song Yingshi deliberately avoided answering the tough questions and chose the path of retreat she had always used, which was to continue being the straight woman she was.

Unfortunately, despite Song Yingshi's caution and attempt at feigning indifference, it wasn't easy to always escape unscathed.

When Huai Xu went on stage to perform in the second public performance, Song Yingshi found herself unable to pry her eyes away from Huai Xu, her heart pounding frantically. Then, when she lost control of her emotions and jumped onto Huai Xu, when she took Huai Xu behind the curtains, when Huai Xu asked her for a kiss and she feigned ignorance, when she pressed her palm against Huai Xu's lips, and when she secretly carried Huai Xu's lip print onto the stage, she realized that—

Everything had long since gone out of control.

Last night, Song Yingshi used the excuse of exhaustion to not think about her relationship with Huai Xu, but tonight…she couldn't refuse Huai Xu anymore.

As Song Yingshi stood in Huai Xu's arms, she could feel Huai Xu wrapping around her like a flower bud. It was only a gentle embrace, yet she could not break away.

Song Yingshi took a moment to calm her nerves. But just as she considered how she should proceed in this situation, Huai Xu's arms tightened around her, sending her thoughts into disarray.

Don't tell me she's thinking about…

As soon as this thought appeared in Song Yingshi's mind, the source of warmth behind her disappeared.

Huai Xu had stepped away.

Song Yingshi sighed in relief at this development, but she also couldn't help feeling empty deep inside. Even she herself didn't understand what exactly she wanted.

Song Yingshi closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned around to look at Huai Xu. Even though she had already seen through herself, she still found it difficult to change her attitude toward Huai Xu in just a few minutes.

Subconsciously, Song Yingshi picked up from where she had left off before, revealing a relaxed smile as she said, "Are you satisfied now? Then, I'm going back to my room. Don't open the windows again; I'm really worried you'll get sick. We have to return to the White Tower tomorrow evening. Get some proper rest tonight, and I'll take you out to have fun tomorrow. You can also tell me if there's any place you want to go."

Song Yingshi's calf muscles were knotted, and her heart was thumping like she was riding a roller coaster, but she could still chat with Huai Xu easily. She could even nonchalantly give Huai Xu a bunch of reminders, behaving as if nothing had just happened!

For a time, Song Yingshi couldn't help but be impressed by her acting skills. After all those years of working as an actress, she had truly become a master of her craft.

Meanwhile, standing amidst the dim lighting two steps away from Song Yingshi, Huai Xu tried her best to suppress her restless thoughts as she silently observed Song Yingshi's expression.

Unfortunately, Song Yingshi was still too open and straightforward. Had she shown even the slightest trace of hesitation…

Huai Xu's expression darkened. She realized she had been too impatient today.

When Huai Xu thought of Song Yingshi having secrets with others or being in a world outside her reach, she struggled to suppress the dark thoughts within her.

Huai Xu knew that the desire to monopolize Song Yingshi's mind and soul had been growing wantonly inside her. Although she had always suppressed it, she chose to indulge it tonight. However, when she saw Song Yingshi's indifference to her advances, she couldn't help but feel frustrated and disappointed. At the same time, though, she grew more patient.

Because it was Song Yingshi, Huai Xu was willing to be as patient as needed.

At the very least, they were still together right now. It was better than nothing. Much, much better.

Let's take things slowly, Huai Xu thought as she stepped aside and made way for Song Yingshi. Then, while keeping her gaze on Song Yingshi, she said in a low voice, "Okay. Good night, Little Shi."

"Good night."

Song Yingshi lowered her head slightly, lifted her stiff calf, and quickly walked out of the suite. On her way out, she didn't forget to close the door behind her, shutting it tightly and leaving no gaps.

Song Yingshi kept holding onto the door handle, her face dazed as she leaned against the door. Although her eyes were looking at the brightly lit passageway before her, her mind stayed on the dim bedroom behind the door.

…Just now, Song Yingshi got a glimpse into Huai Xu's eyes. For a moment, she genuinely thought she wouldn't be able to leave Huai Xu's suite tonight. The most concerning part was that when she considered the scenario of Huai Xu preventing her from leaving, she couldn't confidently say she would resist.

"What a terrible night…" Song Yingshi muttered in a voice that only she could hear.

After pondering for a few more seconds, Song Yingshi returned to her senses. Before returning to her suite, she looked back at Huai Xu's door with a bright smile.

It's also a beautiful and wonderful night.

…

When Song Yingshi returned to her room, her hesitant steps gradually became brisk.

Though the passage Song Yingshi traversed was short and unremarkable, in her mind, it felt like she had just completed a long journey of self-searching and arrived at her answer. Now, with her decision solidified and her future course acknowledged, she walked like she was treading on air.

Song Yingshi had already showered before, but her clothes were now a little wet, thanks to Huai Xu. After changing into a new set of nightwear, she looked at the time and felt it was still too early for bed, so she lit a scented candle and reached for her phone.

The candle flame was small but bright, and the scent of berries mixed with the smell of the forest slowly diffused in the room, allowing Song Yingshi to relax.

Leaning against the headboard, Song Yingshi scrolled through her phone. However, her mind seemed incapable of processing the words on the screen tonight, as even the internet drama she usually found interesting appeared bland.

After five minutes of browsing, Song Yingshi gave up trying to distract herself with internet drama and memes. Then, with some hesitation, she typed the keywords "lesbian," "yuri," and "budding lesbian" into the search engine of various social media platforms.

Although Song Yingshi had previously denounced the internet for being filled with dregs, as…as a novice lesbian, she still had to grasp at every opportunity to acquire knowledge, especially considering her phone would be confiscated again tomorrow evening. Not to mention, she needed to keep Huai Xu company during the day tomorrow, and there was no way she could look up these terms in front of Huai Xu.

After coming up with sufficient reasons, Song Yingshi used her various subsidiary social media accounts to conduct research without any psychological burden.

Upon arriving at Weibo, Song Yingshi saw a formerly straight woman submitting an article to a popular influencer in the lesbian circle. The woman spoke about how she got bent, and the article was over 800 words long.

When Song Yingshi finished reading the article, she sympathetically liked the other party's article. Although she didn't have the habit of leaving comments, since she didn't have anyone to vent her feelings right now, she couldn't help but add her own response to the list of 100+ comments:

Just got bent half an hour ago. I feel about the same as OP. #handshake

Song Yingshi skedaddled after submitting her comment. When she returned to Weibo after browsing other social media platforms and forums, she noticed a new DM waiting for her.

The submitter of the article had messaged her:

"Hello, sister! It must be fate for us to get bent on the same day! My girlfriend and I just joined a group for budding lesbians. Do you want to join us? Everyone's super friendly here! No pressure, though! I wish you and your girlfriend happiness forever! #heart"

Song Yingshi didn't pay much attention to the first few lines, focusing mostly on the last sentence. Immediately, she replied:

"Thank you, but she's still not my girlfriend."

The other party responded very quickly: "Did she not flirt with you? Did you bend yourself?"

Song Yingshi thought over the question and solemnly replied: "When I was still straight, she thought I was a lesbian. She even assumed we had something going on. However, I rejected her when she came out to me."

The other party: "Ohhh? What happened next?"

Wearing a sullen face, Song Yingshi replied: "Then, she stopped her advances, and I became bent."

The other party: "??? So, you're saying that she did nothing, and you still became bent??? Damn, then she must be a looker! #dogehead Be honest, are you lusting for her body?"

Song Yingshi frowned at this question, retorting: "I'm very beautiful myself. Why would I be lusting for her body?"

Song Yingshi typed this comment with confidence. After all, she was, without a doubt, a great beauty. Moreover, she had just become bent, so she didn't really lust for women's bodies. The only reason she dared not look at Huai Xu's naked body in the past was that…she felt uncomfortable.

The other party readily agreed with Song Yingshi: "Okay, okay, so she's the one lusting for your body."

Song Yingshi: ?

Putting on a serious face, Song Yingshi replied: "You are correct."

The other party: "Hahahahaha! Then, do you want to join our group? We can give you some advice. However, there's one question we need to ask you first before we let you in."

Song Yingshi was tempted, not because she wanted to receive advice but because she wanted to see what other budding lesbians were like.

Song Yingshi never talked about emotional matters with her friends in her previous life. She also didn't have any other lesbian friends besides Huai Xu in this life (presumably), so her knowledge of the lesbian community was minimal, and she was currently in a state of drifting and trying to integrate.

It was always good to have more than one method of understanding a subject. It was also easier to get a clearer picture with living examples.

After making up her mind, Song Yingshi said: "What's the question? Ask away."

The other party quickly replied: "Have you heard about our Lord and Savior Snow-Kissed Rose?"

Song Yingshi: "?"

The other party: "It's fine even if you're a tourist, as long as you're not an anti. Almost everyone in the group is part of the fandom, so you won't have a good time here if you're a hater, hahaha."

Song Yingshi: ...

When the other party saw that Song Yingshi wasn't replying right away, she passionately added: "Seriously? There's someone who's never heard of Snow-Kissed Rose? Well, I guess that's not entirely impossible. Although everyone in the lesbian circle already knows about it, you're newly bent. And if you don't watch variety shows, I guess it's no surprise you aren't in the know. In that case, let me get you up to date."

Song Yingshi's face was a little warm due to embarrassment. While trying to keep a blank expression, she said: "No need. I know about it."

After all, as one of the two protagonists of Snow-Kissed Rose, how could Song Yingshi not know about it?