Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 67.1

Huai Xu's gaze stopped on Song Yingshi's retreating feet, a feeling of exasperation building up within her. She couldn't understand the girl before her. Despite having no interest in establishing a relationship with her, Song Yingshi kept teasing her time and time again. Was this what all straight girls were like? Or was Song Yingshi a unique case?

Suddenly, Huai Xu thought of something. Looking at Song Yingshi, who still didn't dare to approach her, she narrowed her eyes and asked in a low voice, "What are you scared of?"

Song Yingshi: "..."

I'm scared of 口口.

I'm scared of you, who wants to 口口 me.

Song Yingshi didn't have time to care about upgrading the system. Passionate Love Version? It could go into the trash. While looking at Huai Xu's pressing steps, her brain went into overdrive, trying to come up with a way to break out of this situation. She might have already realized her feelings, but she wasn't about to spread her legs for Huai Xu under such circumstances.

Although Song Yingshi had developed an extroverted personality due to her experience with the entertainment industry, her core nature remained honest and gentle. Hence, she had always disliked casual romantic relationships, regardless of whether these relationships were with men or women.

Why did our conversation with Director Wu suddenly get Huai Xu into the mood? Was it because of my…acknowledgment? Song Yingshi wondered. Was it because I acknowledged our CP relationship?

When Song Yingshi suddenly considered this point, she looked at Huai Xu and asked, "Did you know about CPs long ago?"

"It's easy to find out," Huai Xu answered, her tone sounding like she was lamenting that Song Yingshi could still calm down and find clear logic in this situation.

Song Yingshi: "..." Sure enough.

Song Yingshi bit her lip.

During the first public performance, they witnessed the existence of their CP fans below the live stage together.

At the time, they were still in an awkward relationship, and Song Yingshi didn't want to make it more awkward. Hence, when Huai Xu raised the question, "What is CP," she misled Huai Xu by saying that CP simply referred to a pairing of characters, and the fans had likely concocted Snow-Kissed Rose after seeing that they were good roommates.

However, Song Yingshi quickly realized her mistake. The day before yesterday, her conversation with her mother, Xu Conghan, revealed that even the older woman knew about the meaning of CPs. In that case, how could Huai Xu possibly be unaware of it? Even if Huai Xu didn't know about it initially, she could've easily looked up the meaning after receiving her phone back.

Huai Xu always silently concealed things, carefully observing her prey in the darkness.

After realizing her blunder, Song Yingshi took a deep breath and asked, "When did you find out?"

"After the first public performance," Huai Xu answered.

"Did you look it up during the holidays?" Song Yingshi asked, her tone softening.

"I asked Xuewen about it after the rankings were announced. She explained it to me in detail," Huai Xu answered truthfully.

Song Yingshi calculated the time.

Their conversation took place after the first public performance's rankings were announced. That night, when Song Yingshi hugged Huai Xu and Huai Xu told her that she had won their bet, she was so moved that she inwardly swore to treat Huai Xu better in the future. Even if she was going to keep her distance from Huai Xu, she would do her best to maintain their present relationship.

However, Song Yingshi never considered the possibility that Huai Xu might have been messing with her and was still keeping secrets from her.

At this realization, Song Yingshi gnashed her teeth and glared at Huai Xu.

Song Yingshi's aura had always been comparable to Huai Xu's, especially when she wasn't smiling. Visually, her striking features left an even greater aggressive impact than Huai Xu's.

Taking a step forward, Song Yingshi snorted, "Don't lie to me again in the future."

Song Yingshi's gaze was stern, and she had moved so close to Huai Xu that their noses were nearly touching.

Huai Xu silently gulped, her eyes fixed on Song Yingshi's beautiful face for a long time. Eventually, facing the seemingly angry and aggressive Song Yingshi, she lowered her gaze and turned her face away as she said, "Okay."

Song Yingshi snorted again, saying, "Remember your answer."

Huai Xu's gaze wandered back to Song Yingshi's face as she softly replied, "I'll keep my word."

However, as soon as Huai Xu finished speaking, Song Yingshi responded, "I can't read minds; how would I know if you'll lie to me? So, you must promise me the following as a test."

Hmm? Huai Xu raised her eyes and met Song Yingshi's eyes.

Calmly, Song Yingshi continued, "Speaking of which, don't I still have the right to get you to do something for me? Can I ask something of you now?"

Song Yingshi was referring to the competition set up by the production crew during the outing to N City. Since Team "Lights On" lost to Team "Unavoidable," she could order Huai Xu to do one thing for her that wasn't excessive. However, as her mind had been occupied by the notion that she might have become bent at the time, she wasn't in the mood to interact with Huai Xu and never exercised her privilege.

This was a rule set by the production crew. It was different from the wager they had in the first public performance. The two shouldn't be confused. Hence, Song Yingshi felt inexplicably confident that her request wouldn't be turned down.

A moment later, Huai Xu said, "Go ahead."

Song Yingshi smiled. Gently, she extended her fingers and tapped them against Huai Xu's abdomen.

Song Yingshi's taps were light, but Huai Xu could feel every touch through her clothes. When she looked down, she noticed that Song Yingshi's nails were painted in a mesmerizing wine red.

As the tapping continued, Song Yingshi took a step forward, to which Huai Xu subconsciously responded by taking a step back. This cycle repeated several times, making it look like Song Yingshi was pushing Huai Xu back.

When Huai Xu found herself backed up against the wall, she grabbed at Song Yingshi's troublemaking hand and said in mild irritation, "Speak."

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi kept quiet, her eyelashes fluttering. This was the first time Huai Xu had held her hand since she discovered the "new world." It was just a simple touch, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through her skin and momentarily numbed her thoughts.

It wasn't an intense feeling but a subtle and unprecedented one.

Song Yingshi's heart was momentarily filled with the joy of being intimate with the person she liked. Nonetheless, she didn't forget her plan and decision.

After carefully storing this joy in a safe corner, Song Yingshi continued exuding an intense aura as she leaned closer to Huai Xu, saying, "From now on, you're not allowed to casually flirt with me. What you did just now is especially forbidden."

The temperature in Huai Xu's expression instantly plummeted, and the clarity in her eyes shattered into countless fragments. Song Yingshi immediately noticed this change and knew Huai Xu had misinterpreted her words, so she feigned nonchalance as she added, "I'm not saying that I hate you, but you should at least restrain yourself in this regard, right? Don't forget that we're still on the show."

"In what regard?" Huai Xu asked.

"In regards to flirting with me. Don't think that I didn't notice," Song Yingshi said, clicking her tongue.

"You mean just now?" Huai Xu asked.

"Mhm." Song Yingshi nodded.

Huai Xu laughed, the darkness within her dissipating.

"Why are you laughing?" Song Yingshi demanded.

"I wasn't flirting with you, Song Yingshi," Huai Xu said as she looked Song Yingshi in the eye.

Song Yingshi frowned, unable to understand why Huai Xu was staying stubborn in this situation.

Amidst Song Yingshi's confusion, Huai Xu bluntly stated, "I wanted you."[1]

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi opened and closed her mouth, unable to come up with any words. She could feel the grip over her hand tightening ever so slightly, the warm and moist feeling encompassing her wrist stealing the air from her lungs.

Meanwhile, Huai Xu kept staring at Song Yingshi.

Today marked the day when the two of them finally moved some of their unspoken agreements onto the surface. Since Song Yingshi dared to call out her flirtatious behavior, Huai Xu naturally didn't mind responding in kind.

Previously, when Huai Xu heard Song Yingshi mentioning to Director Wu the history of their commercial CP, she naturally knew Song Yingshi was spouting nonsense. However, simply the fact that Song Yingshi was willing to admit being involved with her in such a relationship was enough to instantly satisfy her possessive desire. Then, in the afterglow of satisfaction, she began to yearn for more.

Huai Xu knew she wasn't a good person. Although she had never done anything bad before, the memories that surfaced in her mind were of the darker aspects of her personality, and they caused her to have an insatiable desire. This was especially true when facing Song Yingshi.

After a short pause, Huai Xu added, "Of course, I wouldn't have forced you had you refused."

After saying so, Huai Xu smiled and continued, "In that case, I guess you could say…I was flirting with you."

Huai Xu naturally wouldn't compel Song Yingshi into anything, but in the face of her wanton flirting, how long could Song Yingshi resist?

Huai Xu was willing to bet that it wouldn't be very long.

Song Yingshi remained silent for a long time. Eventually, she asked, "Aren't you worried I won't take responsibility?"

If Song Yingshi understood correctly, Huai Xu should still be under the assumption that she was straight.

Song Yingshi saw Huai Xu giving her a leisurely glance. For a fleeting moment, she swore she saw the words "How innocent" reflected in those eyes.

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi couldn't continue arguing with Huai Xu. After all, she had long since known that Huai Xu was lusting after her body.

However, Song Yingshi didn't blame Huai Xu for such behavior. With her beauty, it would be too much to ask Huai Xu not to lust after her.

While expressing understanding, Song Yingshi reaffirmed one of her previous thoughts—she mustn't confess to Huai Xu that she was already bent. She must also keep a close eye on Huai Xu. Otherwise, there was no telling what this lecher would do.

As for when Song Yingshi would make her confession?

If a relationship's advancement could be measured by a progress bar, Song Yingshi would only be at 10%, where even the simple act of holding hands was enough to make her heart pound. Meanwhile, Huai Xu's bar was already filled to the brim, her sights set on Song Yingshi's body.

Song Yingshi felt that she should at least wait until she had caught up to Huai Xu's progress before she confessed.

Restraining her random thoughts, Song Yingshi faced Huai Xu with a frown and said, "Regardless of how you consider your actions, my requirements will not change. You're not allowed to continue having such thoughts."

Not to mention…

Song Yingshi put on a more serious expression as she continued, "We haven't even started filming for the third public performance. I know how much you value the stage. Even if we start something by accident, I'm sure you'll stop in time, so stop making such jokes. At the very least, restrain yourself until we finish filming the survival show."

Song Yingshi felt she should've caught up to Huai Xu's "progression" by the time they finished filming Star of Spring. At that time, what should happen, would happen.

Song Yingshi's words stunned Huai Xu momentarily.

Huai Xu didn't like being read like an open book, but when the person doing the reading was Song Yingshi, she felt a thrill similar to walking on a tightrope at a high altitude. Upon recovering from her shock, she pursed her lips and smiled, asking, "Since you know so clearly, why are you still so scared?"

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi didn't want to lose the ground she had just regained, so she refused to respond to Huai Xu's question. Instead, she accused, "Didn't you just say you wouldn't hide things from me? Isn't what I just mentioned something you've been keeping from me? Don't you feel guilty? I really feel like I've misplaced my trust in you, Huai Xu."

Huai Xu raised an eyebrow, asking, "Do you want me to tell you everything, then? What do you want to hear? Details? My thoughts for you? I won't hide anything from you."

"No need." In a sincere tone, Song Yingshi said, "I think it's better to keep some personal space and secrets."

Going with the flow, Huai Xu said, "I think so, too."

Song Yingshi looked at Huai Xu and said nothing.

When Song Yingshi asked Huai Xu not to lie to her again, she remembered Huai Xu lying to her about the time she had woken up to prepare breakfast. Initially, she had the urge to expose Huai Xu for this lie and demand that Huai Xu not conceal even such small matters from her, but she ultimately chose to keep this thought to herself.

Compared with the satisfaction of getting multiple inconsequential wins, Song Yingshi felt that, as the mentally older one in their relationship, she had the responsibility to protect Huai Xu's self-esteem.

Song Yingshi felt that this was how relationships should be. Rather than nitpick over every little detail, she should be tolerant and understanding.

TL Notes:
[1]I wanted you (我想要你。): I can't think of any way to translate this without being too blunt. Basically, it's a nuanced way of saying "I wanna * you."

Using a different context as an example, during lovemaking, if a woman tells her partner, "要我," which literally translates to "want me," she's essentially saying " * me."

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As a side note, I had a lot of trouble translating this chapter. Many parts didn't make sense and felt disjointed. So, if this chapter came off as weird in some parts, do forgive me.