Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 78

Although they had moved away from the hustle and bustle, Huai Xu could still smell the rich and intoxicating aroma of wine in the air.

Song Yingshi's eyes were filled with fragile, beautiful moisture, its presence turning her pupils into a clear amber.

Unlike the decisiveness and swiftness when Song Yingshi led the way before, she now exuded a gentleness and dependence resembling that of a household pet. This state of mind gave her an indescribable charm when intertwined with her beauty.

At this moment, many thoughts flashed across Huai Xu's mind. Yet, she did not have time to ponder over any of them.

Before Huai Xu could even process the situation, her hand had subconsciously moved to caress Song Yingshi's cheek, and her eyes fell on Song Yingshi's lips. Like a tide pulled by gravity, she couldn't suppress her desire and instinctively leaned closer to the person before her.

The temperature around them abruptly rose, their hearts thumped heavily yet lightly, their hot and humid breaths entangled with each other, and the distance between their lips narrowed.

However, at the moment of physical contact, a low, gloomy shout suddenly interrupted them:

"What are you doing?!"

Their private space was abruptly shattered, and along with it, their sensual thoughts. Huai Xu reflexively halted her advance while Song Yingshi held back her anxiety and turned to see who had rudely interrupted them.

When Fu Shu saw that he had Huai Xu and Song Yingshi's attention, he took a moment to catch his breath. Then, rather than look at Huai Xu, he focused on Song Yingshi as he said, "Song Yingshi, how dare you…"

Fu Shu had difficulty describing his current emotions.

Song Yingshi was a very beautiful woman. More importantly, the first time Fu Shu saw her on screen, he suddenly felt that the world before he came to know her was devoid of color. In that instant, he knew he must have her. Otherwise, he'd undoubtedly regret it for the rest of his life.

When Fu Shu stood on the banquet hall's stage, he quickly spotted Song Yingshi in the crowd. Although he didn't show it on the surface, his full attention was on her. He had been pleased with the production crew's arrangement of the tour guide segment, and he had planned on striking up a conversation with Song Yingshi during the tour. However, he never expected the trainees to outpace him the entire tour, preventing him from getting in even a single word. He even nearly got exposed for being out of shape.

After tidying up his appearance and returning from the washroom, Fu Shu immediately asked for Song Yingshi's whereabouts. Then, when he followed the waiter's instructors, he found Song Yingshi kissing a woman in a secluded corner!

Fu Shu's heart burned with anger and betrayal. It wasn't until he had shouted at Song Yingshi that he remembered he was still a stranger to her.

Fu Shu controlled his emotions and kept his chest from rapidly rising and falling. He couldn't afford to scare Song Yingshi when they hadn't even gotten past the introduction stage yet. So long as she stayed loyal to him in the future, he could ignore what she did before she met him. Moreover, it was common for girls to kiss each other for fun, so there was likely nothing serious going on between the two girls…

Fu Shu momentarily lowered his face to hide the darkness in his eyes. He had already recovered his warm expression when he raised his face again. He also reverted to his usual voice, even expressing a hint of surprise as he said, "I haven't been in contact with girls for a long time, so I was a little shocked by your friendly interaction. I didn't scare you, did I?"

Fu Shu decided to give everyone a way out. So long as Song Yingshi belonged to him in the future, he could pretend not to have seen this scene.

After saying so, Fu Shu glanced at the icy maiden beside Song Yingshi. When he saw that the trainee named Huai Xu had no intentions of speaking, he returned his gaze to Song Yingshi and raised the wine glass in his hand, saying, "Little Shi, right? I've watched every episode of Star of Spring, and I have to say that you are very talented in acting. If you have time, perhaps we can discuss a partnership in this regard? The next modern idol drama I'll be starring in has yet to finalize its cast…"

Fu Shu had watched all of Song Yingshi's clips before coming here. As a film emperor[1], he could be considered a senior or mentor to trainees like her. With his connections, she would have a much easier time starting a career in acting. Refusing such a tempting offer would be incredibly difficult for a trainee. Not to mention, given her acting skills, becoming an actress must be her biggest dream.

When concocting this plan, Fu Shu even contacted the idol drama's director, notifying the other party that he'd place someone into the cast.

Fu Shu never considered the possibility that Song Yingshi might refuse his offer. He was already mentally prepared to hear her surprised acceptance. However, contrary to his expectations, all he received was a derisive snort.

While Fu Shu was mentally struggling to process Song Yingshi's reaction, Song Yingshi's gaze swept across his face like a cold blade. Then, in a voice devoid of emotions, she asked, "Are you done?"

Fu Shu: "I…"

Before Fu Shu could even respond, Song Yingshi had already looked away from him, making it very obvious she didn't care for his answer.

When Song Yingshi returned her gaze to Huai Xu, she saw that Huai Xu was still looking at Fu Shu. Upset, she called out, "Hey."

Hearing the call, Huai Xu turned back to Song Yingshi.

Before Huai Xu fully faced her, Song Yingshi abruptly grabbed Huai by the collar and pulled hard. As their heads passed each other, she turned and caught Huai Xu's lips with her own.

Their lips softly pressed together, the seams aligning perfectly.

Mission completed.

With the life-threatening crisis averted, Song Yingshi gradually relaxed her tensed body. Fluttering her long eyelashes, she looked past Huai Xu and stared at Fu Shu provocatively and menacingly while keeping her lips on Huai Xu's.

Fu Shu? Who was that? Wasn't he merely one of the original novel's male protagonists?

Huai Xu could only be hers and hers alone.

After witnessing Song Yingshi kissing another person and even showing off to him in a rebellious manner, Fu Shu's face turned livid, and he couldn't help but wish he hadn't seen this scene.

How could Song Yingshi kiss another woman???

Fu Shu wanted to deceive himself by thinking Song Yingshi and Huai Xu were merely fooling around. However, with their bodies almost overlapping and their arms wrapped around each other, and their kiss still ongoing, he'd be delusional to think they weren't serious.

In that case, Song Yingshi was…dating a woman?

This was simply ridiculous!

Compared to completing her mission, Song Yingshi discovered that seeing Fu Shu's livid face made her feel happier.

Besides that…

Before Song Yingshi could concentrate on the sensation brought to her by Huai Xu, she felt a pain on her lips.

Song Yingshi hissed in pain and looked at Huai Xu. However, the distance between them was so short that she was instantly swallowed by Huai Xu's hazy eyes and nearly drowned in them.

While Song Yingshi was dazed, Huai Xu moved her lips and vaguely worded something. It took Song Yingshi a moment, but she eventually figured out what Huai Xu was conveying to her—

Concentrate.

As soon as Song Yingshi interpreted what Huai Xu had said to her, a voice came from the other side of the Roman column:

"Little Shi? Huai Xu? Huh… Where did you guys go?"

As this voice sounded, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu simultaneously stepped away from each other. A second later, Tao Qin and the others appeared around the column.

Song Yingshi subconsciously licked her dry lips before she took the initiative to call out to her friends, "We're over here."

"Huh? Why are you hiding here?"

"We've been looking for you two… Instructor Fu? Why are you here as well?"

Amidst the varying levels of "Instructor Fu," Fu Shu looked at Song Yingshi and Huai Xu in disbelief. The two girls were practically treating him as if he didn't exist. Setting aside his ulterior motives, weren't they worried he might publicize this incident? A scandal like this was enough to ruin their futures!

Agitated by Song Yingshi's calm appearance, Fu Shu suddenly wanted to speak out about this matter. However, he quickly calmed down and suppressed his urges. His goal was Song Yingshi. At present, Song Yingshi seemed to bear unfounded hostility toward him. Rather than anger her, his priority should be to ease their relationship.

Fu Shu reasoned with himself based on his desired outcome and decided to tolerate what happened tonight. After taking a long look at Song Yingshi, he gave a random excuse and walked away.

Song Yingshi didn't know what was happening in Fu Shu's head. The reason she didn't seem to care whether Fu Shu exposed her actions with Huai Xu was simple—

The trainees in the White Tower had long since grown accustomed to their intimate relationship. Even if Fu Shu exposed their actions, the trainees would only have one of two reactions: "Ahhhh" or "Hahahaha."

The former would be the response of Snow-Kissed Rose fans, who were happy to accept any fan service, real or fake. The latter would be the response of straight girls, who would likely call Fu Shu out for his lack of knowledge of interaction between girls.

In short, even if Fu Shu was foolish enough to expose them, he'd need someone to believe him first. Without concrete evidence, he might even be mistaken as a Snow-Kissed Rose fan, which was funny now that Song Yingshi thought about it.

Most importantly, could Fu Shu bring himself to say such a thing? Song Yingshi knew how much actors and actresses liked to "keep their hands clean."

Song Yingshi gradually curled the corners of her lips. Coincidentally, Wan Jiao handed her a glass of champagne, which she gladly accepted and sipped.

"Hm?" Song Yingshi hummed as she looked through the wine glass filled with light gold liquid.

"Does it not suit your taste? Should I get another glass for you?" Wan Jiao asked.

"No, that's not it." Song Yingshi shook her head. Then, she turned around and located Huai Xu.

After Fu Shu left, Song Yingshi followed Tao Qin and the others into the light. However, Huai Xu didn't do the same. Instead, she hid herself deeper into the shadows, the dividing line between light and darkness making it look like they stood in two completely different realms.

Huai Xu sat amidst a gathering of spare chairs and tables covered with crimson velvet. She was like a white rose petal that had fallen into a bush of red roses, her existence pristine yet luxurious. As a strand of hair draped over her shoulder and brushed against her collarbone, she returned Song Yingshi's gaze but stayed silent.

They had just concluded a love affair in public, and the aftertaste still lingered. Their eyes were full of spring love that only they themselves could see. It was so dazzling and apparent that it would be too cumbersome and inappropriate to describe with words.

Song Yingshi's lips felt dry again, but her heart was soaked as if someone had showered it with spring rain.

Without hesitation, Song Yingshi stepped into the darkness with the wine glass in hand, invading Huai Xu's kingdom and approaching Huai Xu's throne.

"What are you doing here?" Huai Xu asked as she straightened her posture. Her voice sounded slightly hoarse, and her pronunciation was a beat slower than usual, making her sound very lazy.

"Am I not allowed here?" Song Yingshi asked.

Huai Xu answered the question with a vague smile, her eyelids barely raising before drooping again.

Song Yingshi regarded this reaction as a sign of approval.

Song Yingshi originally wanted to sit beside Huai Xu, but after looking around, she found no chairs near Huai Xu. As she couldn't be bothered to drag a chair over, she stood before Huai Xu, leaned forward, and swirled her wine glass in front of Huai Xu.

Fine bubbles repeatedly burst and formed as the golden liquid swirled in the glass, the sight of this process sending a tingling sensation down Huai Xu's back.

"What do you want?" Huai Xu asked.

"Have you tried this yet?" Song Yingshi asked, smiling.

Huai Xu pondered momentarily before she shook her head and said, "I only drank red wine."

"Well, you won't get to know what it tastes like anymore," Song Yingshi said before taking a sip of champagne. After swallowing it, she smiled at Huai Xu again, saying, "This champagne now tastes sweeter than before."

Before.

Before what exactly…the answer need not be said.

Huai Xu subconsciously hooked her fingertips on the velvet tablecloth as she watched Song Yingshi's moist lips opening and closing, the latter unaware of just how tempting she was when drinking champagne.

Song Yingshi took another sip of champagne, a few drops clinging to her lips this time. Nimbly and swiftly, her tongue emerged to collect them, the sight sending Huai Xu into a stupor.

Amidst her daze, Huai Xu saw Song Yingshi smile. She also sensed the strand of hair resting on her collarbone being lifted and twirled in mid-air, but all she could think about Song Yingshi's red lips and the white teeth between them, the combination resembling a snow-kissed rose.

"Tell me, isn't it strange?"

TL Notes:
[1]film emperor: someone who had previously won Best Actor of the Year.