Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 83

Song Yingshi's mind went blank.

It wasn't that the dirty talk was too much. It was just that…

When did the cold but innocent little moon she watched grow up learn to talk dirty?

Song Yingshi's first reaction to Huai Xu's flirting wasn't shyness. Instead, she furrowed her brows and asked, "Who corrupted you?"

Huai Xu: "..."

Seeing Huai Xu's silence, Song Yingshi continued indignantly, "Tell me, and I'll go and deal with that person. You're only 18. How could you…"

"Alright, I was just teasing you," Huai Xu said, chuckling. After a slight pause, she continued, "If you want to talk about corruption, shouldn't you look at yourself?"

"Me?" Song Yingshi tilted her head, looking a little cute.

"At the very least, when it comes to kissing, you were the one who taught me how to, Instructor Song," Huai Xu said ambiguously as she lazily retreated by half a step.

As air started to circulate between them again, Huai Xu's forestry scent flowed into Song Yingshi's nostrils. However, Song Yingshi couldn't be bothered to savor this scent as Huai Xu's nonchalant accusation currently preoccupied her mind. Huai Xu's words made her recall not only the night of the ball but also her first encounter with Huai Xu.

During their first encounter, Song Yingshi was compelled by the system to kiss Huai Xu. Although their lips only brushed past each other, it could still barely be considered a kiss.

When Song Yingshi looked at herself from Huai Xu's perspective, she felt that she really looked like a pervert back then, becoming Huai Xu's "teacher" on their first meeting. At the same time, though, she couldn't help but feel delighted to be Huai Xu's "Instructor Song." At the very least, hearing Huai Xu use this address felt much better than when others used it in her past life.

With her mood brightened, Song Yingshi took a moment to savor Huai Xu's scent before magnanimously choosing to skip over this topic, saying, "Okay, enough messing around. First, let's focus on changing the choreography. Leave the rest for later."

This topic shouldn't have been discussed in the practice room in the first place, let alone in detail. Hence, Huai Xu let Song Yingshi off the hook for now.

However, when Song Yingshi wasn't looking, Huai Xu revealed a thoughtful look.

Previously, Song Yingshi clearly said: "You're only 18."

Huai Xu had a good memory of everything related to Song Yingshi, and she clearly remembered that after she helped Song Yingshi grab her clothes outside the bathroom, the two of them had a conversation about their ages.

At the time, the explanation Song Yingshi gave was: "I'm 18 every year."

Huaixu was almost certain that Song Yingshi would frequently and subconsciously misconceive her own age.

But why?

…

After Song Yingshi and Huai Xu stopped messing with each other, their work efficiency improved significantly. Besides rehearsing their dance, they discussed stage decorations, proposed, overturned, and reorganized various plans, and considered their feasibility and compatibility.

After coming up with a general plan, the two held a small meeting with their teammates.

Although the choreography changes this time didn't involve Kou Lengyu and the others, the changes made to the stage decorations required the others to change their stage movements and layouts. Additionally, the performance was a team effort, so everyone must agree on the changes to achieve the best results.

When Song Yingshi and Huai Xu arrived at their team's practice room, Kou Lengyu and the others were practicing their respective parts, developing their form and confidence through repetition.

…

About 10 minutes after Song Yingshi and Huai Xu entered Team Falling Asleep's practice room, Xing Huan and Wan Jiao came across each other in the hallway.

Before Xing Huan and Wan Jiao could exchange greetings, they heard a mix of cheers and laughter from Team Falling Asleep's practice room.

"Woah! What's going on?"

"They probably finished revamping their performance. Huai Xu and Little Shi sure work fast."

"Let's wait until they start rehearsing to see the effects then, hahaha."

…

After a successful internal communication, Kou Lengyu, Li Taoran, and Chen Wan resumed practice, while Song Yingshi and Huai Xu refined their plan.

The sooner they can finalize the details, the more time the prop team would have to prepare their stage decorations, which, in turn, would give their team more time to make further adjustments and improvements.

Around 1 AM, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu finally determined the general outline of their plan.

In the public lounge outside the practice room, Song Yingshi crouched between the coffee table and the sofa as she recited the details. Meanwhile, Huai Xu sat on the sofa and listened attentively, the pencil in her hand rustling as she sketched an image of their envisioned stage on a piece of A4 paper.

After Song Yingshi was done speaking her mind, she drank some water to rehydrate and looked at Huai Xu's sketch.

Huai Xu drew a simple and intuitive image. Whatever Song Yingshi said, she would put it into drawing immediately.

However, Song Yingshi never knew Huai Xu could draw.

Huai Xu's eyelashes cast shadows on her chips. Her lips, naturally straight at the corners, revealed a hint of innate aloofness in her demeanor. She was focused but not in a hurry, her composure extraordinary.

As Song Yingshi moved her gaze between Huai Xu's face and drawing, she took another sip of water and asked, "Regarding your idea…"

Before Song Yingshi could finish her question, Huai Xu asked, "Do you have any suggestions, Instructor Song? It still isn't too late to make changes."

Song Yingshi paused, her gaze scanning Huai Xu's profile.

During their earlier discussion, Huai Xu added a detail to the double-center interaction that Song Yingshi had never considered. After thinking it over, she approved the idea, which also received their teammates' approval afterward.

The reason Song Yingshi was bringing it up now wasn't that she had any problems with it. In reality, she didn't even know why she brought it up; the words had slipped out of her mouth before she knew it. Perhaps it was getting late, and her mind had become muddled after working all night.

Eventually, Song Yingshi shook her head and asked, "Do you want some water?"

Prior to this question, Huai Xu kept her head lowered, her gaze fixed on the A4 paper before her. However, upon hearing this question, she stopped moving her pencil, tilted her head to look at Song Yingshi, and nodded, "Thank you."

For these formal words of gratitude to appear between two people who had just shared a kiss yesterday, especially over something as minor as simple as a glass of water, made them appear distant. It was clear that a certain someone was feeling a little mischievous.

Song Yingshi glared at Huai Xu. When she saw Huai Xu chuckling in response, she chose not to hand Huai Xu the glass of water. Instead, she slammed it onto the table with force and said, "Drink up. Continue drawing once you're done rehydrating."

…

At 2 AM…

Plenty of eraser dust lay scattered on the table, a testament to how many times they had revised their plan before arriving at the final outcome.

Song Yingshi let out a tired yawn before she grabbed some paper napkins to clean the table. However, as soon as she started, Huai Xu snatched the napkins from her hand and took over the job of cleaning.

"Head back and wash up first. That way, we won't have to fight over the bathroom. In the meantime, I'll go and check up on their practice," Huai Xu said.

Their teammates had yet to retire for the day and were currently working hard in the practice room.

Originally, Kou Lengyu and the others had decided to end practice early today since Huai Xu was ill. This was to prevent more of them from falling sick, which would be counterproductive.

However, when Kou Lengyu and the others learned that Song Yingshi and Huai Xu would stay up late today to revamp their performance, they couldn't possibly sleep peacefully knowing their two aces were still hard at work. Thus, they decided to practice while waiting for Song Yingshi and Huai Xu to finish.

Song Yingshi couldn't find any faults with Huai Xu's arrangement, so she obediently returned to the dormitory first.

Since Huai Xu suddenly fell ill last night, Song Yingshi's spirit had never truly relaxed. It wasn't until she walked back to the dormitory by herself that she felt a sense of peace.

Wait, no, I've been as tense as a bow-string since I received the kissing mission, Song Yingshi mentally corrected herself. After all, it's a mandatory hidden mission that would cost me my life if I failed to complete it. But if I manage to complete it…

!

Song Yingshi suddenly froze in place.

I knew I had forgotten something! Song Yingshi thought.

According to the dastardly system, completing this mission would net her a very generous and special reward. Yet, even though a day had passed since she completed her mission, why hadn't she received her reward yet?

Trying to shortchange me, are you? Song Yingshi narrowed her eyes and said softly, "System, is there something you haven't done yet?"

This time, the system's response took a while to arrive:

"Congratulations, Host! You've completed the mandatory hidden mission. The plug-in required for the reward has been installed. Do you wish to receive your mission reward now?"

Plug-in? What kind of reward requires a plug-in? Song Yingshi raised her eyebrows. It would seem that the mission reward this time was indeed extraordinary.

After realizing the system wasn't trying to run away with her reward, Song Yingshi didn't rush to collect it. She resumed walking and yawned elegantly, "I'll open it once I'm done washing up."

After saying so, Song Yingshi proceeded to wash up and apply her skincare products without a care in the world.

As Song Yingshi leaned against the headboard of her bed, she forced her eyes to stay open as she used the second beauty instrument. It was also at this time Huai Xu finally returned.

"What took you so long?" Song Yingshi asked.

"Wen Qingzi came to see me and asked a few questions," Huai Xu explained.

Song Yingshi was so tired that it took her three seconds to process Huai Xu's words and respond with an "oh."

When Huai Xu saw Song Yingshi's drowsy state, the corners of her lips raised slightly, and her expression softened as she said, "Go to sleep. Sleeping early is the best care you can show to your skin."

Song Yingshi's train of thought gradually got up to speed. At Huai Xu's remark, she looked down at the operating beauty instrument in her hand.

Did Huai Xu think she was staying awake because she wanted to finish her skincare routine? Did this girl have a heart?

The only reason Song Yingshi stayed awake until now was that Huai Xu hadn't returned yet.

Of course, Song Yingshi didn't think she was waiting for Huai Xu. She simply felt that she couldn't fall asleep knowing Huai Xu was still outside.

As Song Yingshi was too tired to talk, after uttering a few complaints in her mind, she quickly completed her ongoing skin care procedure, turned off the beauty instrument, and set it aside on the bedside table.

Huai Xu was going to shower, but before entering the bathroom, she turned back to look at Song Yingshi.

Song Yingshi's eyelids drooped listlessly, and her face, framed by her curly hair, looked colder than usual.

However, as Huai Xu leaned against the door frame and looked at Song Yingshi, 'cute' and 'lovable' were the only descriptors that came to mind.

After observing Song Yingshi dozing off upright for a good minute, Huai Xu asked, "Did something or someone upset you?"

"No," Song Yingshi replied.

"Is it me?" Huai Xu asked.

"No," Song Yingshi repeated.

"Really?" Huai Xu asked, smiling in amusement.

Song Yingshi: "..."

This time, Song Yingshi shot back with her own question, "If something doesn't exist in the first place, what's the point of answering if it's real or not?"

Huai Xu was momentarily rendered speechless. After a slight pause, she said, "I'm going to shower now. Wait for me, okay?"

"I'm going to sleep," Song Yingshi said.

"Then, good night. We'll talk tomorrow morning," Huai Xu said dotingly.

Song Yingshi kept her face facing forward, but she still saw Huai Xu's slender figure disappearing into the bathroom through her peripheral vision.

Tomorrow morning? They all had to start preparing for the third public performance tomorrow. They'd be fortunate if they didn't get too busy. How would they find the time to discuss their personal matters?

Song Yingshi tucked herself under the blanket. She was exhausted and genuinely couldn't be bothered to wait for Huai Xu anymore.

As Song Yingshi relaxed her spirit, fatigue swept over her body. But just as she was entering a semi-conscious state, she suddenly heard the system saying, "Host, you still haven't collected your reward."

Song Yingshi turned around in bed, buried her head into her pillow, and responded with a soft moan. She had completely forgotten about this matter.

"Just tell me what I got," Song Yingshi said.

"Host, you have received a gachapon machine and a copy of its instruction manual," the system said. "To briefly summarize, the gachapon machine allows you to randomly obtain one item out of the following categories: 1) Items that you need; 2) Items that you want; 3) Wonderful mystery items.

"Each use of the gachapon machine costs varying amounts of Life Points. As an introductory bonus, the first use of the gachapon machine is free. Please use it as you see fit, Host."

After listening to the long-winded introduction, Song Yingshi regained full consciousness. Immediately, she propped herself up and looked into her mind.

Sure enough, Song Yingshi found a never-before-seen three-dimensional capsule vending machine in her mind. The machine was a mix of black and white. Although she couldn't glean any additional information from its simple appearance, the system's introduction was enough to let her understand its significance.

The system listed a lot of information, and Song Yingshi had trouble processing everything immediately. However, she heard the part about her receiving a free trial loud and clear.

Song Yingshi's motto was to take advantage of free things whenever possible. In her opinion, anyone who refused to partake in freeloading must have a few screws loose in their head.

Immediately, Song Yingshi turned the gachapon machine according to the vague instructions echoing in her mind. A moment later, a spherical object rolled down from the machine's outlet.

At the same time, the system said, "The item you obtained will appear in your hand in three minutes, Host. Please be prepared to receive it. I wish you a pleasant experience."

In response, Freeloading Customer Song Yingshi smiled and said, "Will do."

This was the first time Song Yingshi was receiving a physical object from the system, so she was really curious and looking forward to it.

A minute into Song Yingshi's wait, the bathroom door suddenly opened.

Song Yingshi subconsciously turned to look at the bathroom.

Huai Xu had finished showering much sooner than usual.

When Song Yingshi looked at Huai Xu, Huai Xu also looked at her, asking, "Didn't you say you were going to sleep?"

"I suddenly thought of something, so I got distracted a little," Song Yingshi said casually. However, what she said wasn't exactly false.

While drying the ends of her hair, Huai Xu looked at the clock and asked, "Then, do you want to chat?"

Song Yingshi paused, unsure if she should agree with Huai Xu's suggestion. A heart-to-heart conversation would inevitably lead to them discussing last night's events. And given the late hour right now, their conversation could potentially escalate to something much, much more.

After weighing the pros and cons, Song Yingshi laid on the bed and said, "I'll pass."

"Are you going to sleep?" Huai Xu asked.

Song Yingshi stretched out her hand and tugged on her blanket, using practical action to answer Huai Xu's question.

Just as Song Yingshi released the blanket, a solid object appeared out of thin air in her palm. As a result, this object slipped out of her palm, rolled down the drooping blanket and off the bed, and fell on the floor.

Hm?

What just fell?

Song Yingshi leaned over her bed to look at what had fallen.

The object in question was a black rectangular box. After falling down the bed, it had tumbled on the ground and stopped right by Huai Xu's feet.

Huai Xu bent down to pick up the box, her eyes immediately drawn to the two words printed on it. Subconsciously, she read out these two words, "Finger cot?"

Song Yingshi: ?

Song Yingshi: ???

Song Yingshi's first reaction was to wonder what this thing was. Then, when she realized this was the legendary item mentioned in her "research materials," she froze.

Huai Xu pinched the corner of the black box with her fingers. After scrutinizing it for a moment, she turned toward Song Yingshi, her usual cold voice mixed with a hint of amusement as she asked, "This is…?"

Song Yingshi: "..."

Under Huai Xu's scrutiny, Song Yingshi said calmly, "Oh, that's a daily necessity."

"Daily necessity?" Huai Xu repeated.

Staying as calm as a cucumber, Song Yingshi said, "Have you never used it before? Take it and use it, then. I have plenty."