Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 72.3

With more than half of the trainees eliminated, the sense of emptiness within the White Tower became far more pronounced.

This time, the fourth floor was thoroughly sealed off. Trainees in Class B and C would live on the fifth floor, while Class A's trainees would live on the sixth floor.

The trainees who used to live on the fourth floor began moving their belongings to the fifth floor. The sixth floor also saw Dan Silan and Bai Yuzhou moving in.

As the others were settling into their new living environments, Song Yingshi was thinking about something.

Because of a misunderstanding, Director Wu assumed Song Yingshi and Huai Xu had been secretly developing a commercial CP. Upon coming to this incorrect conclusion, he informed them that he would allow them to change rooms if they wanted to use separation as a marketing tactic, which prompted Song Yingshi to seriously consider this option.

Of course, Song Yingshi wasn't against continuing to share a room with Huai Xu. Her main concern was that…it was too tempting. She did not doubt that, given their current state, a single spark could set them ablaze.

Perhaps Song Yingshi's distracted look was a little too obvious because Wan Jiao, who was originally discussing the production crew's live broadcast, interrupted herself to ask, "Is something on your mind?"

Currently, they were helping Tao Qin pack her suitcase.

Song Yingshi initially wanted to respond with a simple "nothing," but she suddenly remembered that these people before her, from Wan Jiao to Tao Qin to Quan Yuanyuan, all thought that she and Huai Xu were a real couple. Although she and Huai Xu knew this wasn't the case, Huai Xu wasn't here right now…

After a slight pause, Song Yingshi said, "I'm considering changing roommates. It wouldn't be good for me and Huai Xu to keep living together, right?"

Everyone immediately grew excited when they heard this topic.

Wan Jiao carefully closed the door and unplugged the camera before she asked, "Could it be…that your body can't take it?"

Song Yingshi: ?

Song Yingshi rolled her eyes at Wan Jiao, saying, "Isn't it strange for two people to share the same room since the Initial Rating Performance until now?"

Realization dawned on Wan Jiao. This was equivalent to what she had said to Song Yingshi before. While it was fine to condone the act of shipping for publicity, the CP in question shouldn't take things too far. Otherwise, it could lead to potential trouble. This was especially true for a real couple like Song Yingshi and Huai Xu. Nobody could predict how the fans would react if concrete evidence of their relationship came to light.

Tao Qin gripped her heart and asked, "Are you starting the 'fan-abuse' arc?"

Quan Yuanyuan was more optimistic as she said, "I can continue shipping even if you two move to the ends of the world. I'm not afraid of anything."

"I shouldn't have asked you guys," Song Yingshi murmured, exasperated by her friends' responses.

"You should discuss this matter with Huai Xu," Wan Jiao suggested.

"I know," Song Yingshi said. When she saw that Tao Qin was nearly done packing, she decided to return and search for Huai Xu. Before she left, she added, "Also, we're just a commercial CP."

Unlike before, Song Yingshi was no longer as resolute when she made this statement, her voice containing hints of trying to cover something up.

In response, the trio nodded and said, "Mhm, mhm. Sure, sure."

Song Yingshi didn't try to argue with the trio, her lips curving as she walked out the door.

…

As Song Yingshi was on her way back, the system suddenly appeared, asking, "Host, why aren't you applying for a mission?"

Song Yingshi: "..."

"You have to understand my difficulties," Song Yingshi calmly replied.

"What difficulties?" the system asked.

"While I can easily complete missions, what if I fail to control myself and end up rolling in bed with Huai Xu?" Song Yingshi asked.

The system fell silent.

Just when Song Yingshi thought the system had given up, she heard the system reluctantly saying, "If you can achieve this outcome, I can make an exception and let you get on the bus first, then buy the ticket[1]."

"I refuse," Song Yingshi stated coldly.

Get on the bus? Setting aside the fact that they were still in the White Tower, they hadn't even officially started dating yet! Under no circumstances would Song Yingshi consent to crossing that line before they were in a serious relationship!

"How does a principled person like myself end up with a system with no bottom line like you?" Song Yingshi asked with genuine confusion.

System: "..."

"Are you sure you don't want to apply for a mission, Host?" the system asked.

"Not for now," Song Yingshi replied. She still had something to discuss with Huai Xu.

After verifying Song Yingshi's lack of enthusiasm to take advantage of the privilege assigned to her, the system promptly issued a new mission, "Special Mission: Sit on Huai Xu's lap and chat with her for 5 minutes while listening to her heartbeat. You must also express that you are concerned for her physical health."

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi had serious doubts about the system's concern for Huai Xu's physical health. After all, she was certain that the moment she sat on Huai Xu's lap, Huai Xu's heartbeat would accelerate to unhealthy levels!

While mentally spitting at the system, Song Yingshi carefully considered the mission. A moment later, she asked seriously and expectantly, "Can I have her sit on my lap?"

…

Compared with Song Yingshi, Huai Xu's social life in the White Tower was much simpler. When Song Yingshi returned to their bedroom, Huai Xu was writing the lyrics for a new song.

These lyrics were the cornerstones for Huai Xu to create music with Fu Qi. Currently, she was seriously contemplating whether a part of the lyrics needed to be modified, so she hadn't noticed Song Yingshi entering the room. It wasn't until a beautiful and well-proportioned hand appeared between her eyes and the lyric book that she realized her roommate was back.

Huai Xu rested her writing hand on the desk and asked without looking up, "What do you want?"

Song Yingshi moved her hand to reach for the pen in Huai Xu's grasp, saying, "I have something to discuss with you."

Huai Xu quickly wrote her ideas on a piece of paper before letting Song Yingshi take the pen away. Then, with arms crossed around her chest, she watched as Song Yingshi capped her pen and placed it horizontally on her lyric book.

When Huai Xu recalled Song Yingshi going to help Tao Qin move, she guessed that Song Yingshi would either tell her about something interesting that had happened or ask her to join some sort of activity later. After all, Song Yingshi was like a butterfly flying through a field of flowers inside the White Tower, and she rarely stayed idle.

However, Huai Xu didn't expect that the first sentence from Song Yingshi's mouth would make her expression uncontrollably freeze.

"I'm considering moving to another room. What do you think?" Song Yingshi frankly asked. To avoid letting Huai Xu think she wasn't asking on a whim, she put on a serious expression and added, "It's too strange for us to be living together all the time. When Director Wu suggested we could live separately, I think he was hinting that we should split up."

Split up?

Huai Xu felt like an invisible hand was gripping her heart, causing her a dull ache. Rather than carefully processing Song Yingshi's suggestion, she quickly asked, "If you're going to move out, who will you live with?"

"For now, I think I can move in with Wan Jiao, Rong Yi, Silan, and Kou Lengyu," Song Yingshi answered without much thought.

When Huai Xu heard Kou Lengyu's name, she pursed her lips, stood up, and went to pour herself a glass of water. The sound of flowing water calmed her heart. When she turned around, she found that Song Yingshi had occupied her seat.

Song Yingshi sat in Huai Xu's chair, one elbow resting on the desk, looking relaxed and natural as she said, "Who do you think I should move in with? Oh, pour me a cup too."

"Pour it yourself," Huai Xu stated flatly.

"Why?" Song Yingshi asked, confused by Huai Xu's sudden rejection.

Huai Xu glanced at Song Yingshi, her heart filled with an inexplicable rage and grievance from being abruptly abandoned.

Huai Xu's face turned cold. This time, not even the soft camel-colored clothes she wore could neutralize the sense of indifference and alienation she exuded. She was as cold as the fog on a snowy mountain, her presence deterring people from approaching.

Huai Xu's fingers tightly held onto the mug's handle, her fingertips whiter than porcelain.

When Song Yingshi saw Huai Xu's reaction, she loosened her expression and sighed. She extended a hand to Huai Xu, softly said, "We don't have to change rooms if you don't want to, so don't be angry." And don't be sad.

When Song Yingshi heard Director Wu's suggestion, she had seriously considered it. After all, she cared more about the long-term development of their relationship. She was willing to practice restraint if it meant she could avoid planting ticking timebombs.

However, if Huai Xu were against it, Song Yingshi would change her mind. It wasn't a big deal anyway.

Huai Xu was stubborn to the core. While her stubbornness was usually subtle, it was strikingly obvious right now, evidenced by her refusal to answer or get close to Song Yingshi.

Left with no better choice, Song Yingshi stood up, leaned forward, and grabbed Huai Xu by the arm. Then, she strongly tugged on Huai Xu's arm as she sat back down.

Huai Xu was caught off guard, and her feet were unstable. Song Yingshi was also deliberate in her actions. So, a second after Song Yingshi sat back down, Huai Xu fell straight into Song Yingshi's arms.

Huai Xu's expression stiffened as she sat on Song Yingshi's soft thighs. Only half of the warm water she had poured for herself remained in the mug, the remaining half spilling over her clothes and body. However, her mind barely registered the dampness as it was captivated by Song Yingshi's scent, which was currently flooding her senses.

Song Yingshi was very refined and particular, wearing a different perfume every day. Although Huai Xu couldn't tell the difference between the various perfume bottles, she could tell that Song Yingshi was wearing the scent of roses today, and she felt as if she had just fallen into a rose garden.

Song Yingshi was the first to react to the spilled water. She grabbed a tissue paper from the desk and started wiping any moisture she could find on Huai Xu's bare skin. While wiping, she drooped her eyes and said coaxingly, "Are you still angry?"

Huai Xu grabbed Song Yingshi by the elbow, staying silent for a moment before she said, "I'm not angry anymore; give me the tissue."

"Hey, I made this mess; I'll clean it for you," Song Yingshi said, nimbly moving the tissue paper out of Huai Xu's reach.

Seeing this, Huai Xu gave up. The scent of roses wasn't strong, but its fragrant smell was enough to disperse her thoughts and cause her to subconsciously respond to Song Yingshi's puppy dog eyes. In reality, she was still a little upset and didn't want to speak to Song Yingshi.

Being embraced by Song Yingshi like this, with her toes barely touching the floor, made Huai Xu feel a sense of unsettling weightlessness. She felt as if a part of her body no longer belonged to her and was controlled by Song Yingshi.

If Huai Xu was the one embracing Song Yingshi, perhaps she might've felt better about the situation… Simply put, she didn't want to have any physical contact with Song Yingshi right now.

"Let me down first," Huai Xu said, calmly indicating that Song Yingshi should release her arm. "I'm going to change clothes."

"Not much water was spilled. I'm nearly done soaking up everything," Song Yingshi said, giving Huai Xu a fawning smile and obedient like a puppy showing grievance and trying to make amends.

As Song Yingshi said so, a strange feeling appeared in her heart. With Huai Xu's soft and graceful, cool and well-proportioned body sitting in her lap, coupled with that dignified and unwilling-to-speak expression, she couldn't help but find Huai Xu even more attractive than normal. Even if Huai Xu were to berate her and tell her to get lost in this situation, she felt she might not be able to let go…

Afraid that Huai Xu might escape, Song Yingshi tightened her hold over Huai Xu's arm and asked, "Are you thinking of ignoring me? Are you going to leave as soon as I let go?"

"Where would I go?" Huai Xu frowned.

"Maybe you're thinking of moving out," Song Yingshi said, turning the tables.

Huai Xu's frown deepened. However, Song Yingshi didn't give her time to react, saying softly, "My hair's messy. Can you fix it for me?"

"Fix it yourself," Huai Xu said.

"I don't have any free hands," Song Yingshi said righteously. One of her hands was clutching onto Huai Xu's arm, while the other was wiping Huai Xu's body. Where would she find another hand to fix her hair?

Huai Xu's face was still covered in frost. As her eyes fell on Song Yingshi's delicate, gorgeous, and charming eyebrows, she pondered for a long while before she moved her free hand to tuck Song Yingshi's messy hair behind her ears.

"Thank you, Huai Xu," Song Yingshi said sweetly.

Although Huai Xu still didn't want to give Song Yingshi the time of day, her eyebrows relaxed slightly at these words of gratitude.

Song Yingshi could always find ways to make people stop being angry with her.

Huai Xu moved her lips, wanting to say something. However, just as she was about to speak, she suddenly felt something was amiss.

Looking down, Huai Xu saw Song Yingshi abruptly retract her hand, her movement so swift that her guilty conscience was left behind as an afterimage—

"Song Yingshi."

Huai Xu calmly called out Song Yingshi's name.

"Where were you wiping?"

TL Notes:
[1]get on the bus first, then buy the ticket (先上车后补票): It's a Chinese idiom that roughly translates to a 'shotgun marriage,' meaning doing something first before getting approval.

In this chapter's context, the system is hinting that should Song Yingshi "accidentally" hit a home-run with Huai Xu without a mission for it, the system will count the achievement and give Song Yingshi the corresponding reward.