Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 84.3

On the morning of July 12, the members of Team Falling Asleep gathered in a meeting room after breakfast to discuss the new stage with the chief director, the stage director, and other staff members.

After half an hour of discussion, they successfully finalized the stage's appearance.

Once the meeting concluded, everyone promptly went to work. As the rehearsal was fast approaching, besides the trainees, the production crew was also pressed for time, having to hurry up with the work that had yet to be completed.

Now that Song Yingshi and Huai Xu were done adjusting the team's positioning and choreography, practice followed. They practiced continuously until the day of the makeup rehearsal on the 13th.

…

With only 40 trainees left on the show and their styling done in batches, the large makeup room seemed much emptier.

Team Falling Asleep was the last to have their styling done. Even after Song Yingshi finished hers, it wasn't their turn to go on stage. So, they sat and chatted, watching other teams' performances from the audience seats. Surprisingly, today's rehearsal was their most leisurely time in days.

Of course, the system wasn't one to miss an opportunity to keep her host busy. As Song Yingshi was chatting with her teammates, the system reminded her, "Host, it's been a while since you applied for a mission. Please don't waste your privileges. If you still don't apply for a mission, I will assign one to you soon."

The system had only issued one daily mission in the past two days. After completing it, Song Yingshi chose not to take on any more missions for fear of distracting herself from the third public performance, and she had been relying on her Life Point balance to make up the difference in daily income and expenditure.

Song Yingshi had over 130 hours of Life Points saved for emergencies. The rest of her earnings were charged into the Permanent Life Exchange Gauge, where she had accumulated 1,023 points already. Although she was only one-tenth of the way to filling the Exchange Gauge, she was already content with her current pace. After all, it was important to enjoy life as well.

When Song Yingshi heard the system urging her to do missions, she seized the opportunity to complain to the system, Can't you see that I'm very busy? Also, the amount of Life Points these missions give out is pitiful. How long is it going to take for me to escape poverty? Haven't we known each other for a while? Can't you be more generous and increase the rewards?

"The mission rewards will neither increase nor decrease," the system refused.

Song Yingshi was a little disappointed, but this answer was within her expectations. She was merely trying her luck.

Just as Song Yingshi considered what mission she should apply for, the system said, "But as a reminder, the gachapon machine's mystery rewards can include Life Points. Up to 999 hours, in fact. Getting out of poverty overnight isn't a dream."

Song Yingshi: ?

After the finger cot incident, Song Yingshi wasn't even interested in using the second free trial provided by the system. Yet, the system still dared to use Life Points to tempt her.

Would she be tempted?

…Maybe a little.

After seriously considering this option for a while, Song Yingshi mumbled in her mind, You said before that the finger cot isn't part of the mystery item category and that the mystery items have a certain uniqueness. However, I'm certain Life Points aren't the only mystery rewards available. Then, what other things could there be…

After careful consideration, Song Yingshi decided to give the gachapon another chance.

I'll give it another try, but only after I'm back at the dormitory, Song Yingshi said to the system.

"Very well," the system replied.

Then, Song Yingshi looked at the gachapon machine's usage conditions and criticized, I've looked at your machine's rules, and I think it's incomplete and lagging behind times.

System: "?"

You don't even have a minimum guarantee for 10-pulls or a maximum pity. Isn't that too unreasonable? How stingy must you be? And what about top-up bonuses? Don't you even know how to trick your host into spending Life Points? You've really disappointed me, Song Yingshi said, reciting the rules of a few gacha games she had played in the past.

At Song Yingshi's critique, the system fell silent for a long time, realizing how much of a small-time developer it was.

Meanwhile, Song Yingshi grew delighted at the system's timid response. But just as she was about to curl her lips, Huai Xu suddenly tapped her on her arm.

When Song Yingshi turned around, she was immediately faced with Huai Xu's neat jawline and low voice, "It's our turn."

…

Team Falling Asleep's rehearsal results were neither good nor bad. There were still some shortcomings in their performance, which was unsurprising as they were still making changes two days ago. Some of the stage's lighting and camera angles also needed to be adjusted and tested for effects.

Nonetheless, everyone was satisfied with the overall presentation. It was clear that their performance was a great piece of art under development. Now, it was up to them as performers to polish it carefully with their remaining time.

After the rehearsal, everyone returned to their dorms to remove their makeup. While Song Yingshi was removing her makeup, the system made its presence known once more, saying, "As per your suggestion, the gachapon machine's rules have been revised. Please check it out, Host."

Song Yingshi raised an eyebrow in surprise. She didn't think the system would actually change the rules. Immediately, she looked through the new rules that had appeared in her mind.

1) Each one-time recharge of 100 hours of Life Points (equivalent to 10 Gachapon Coins) will provide an additional Gachapon Coin.

2) Every 10 pulls will guarantee a minimum of 1 mystery item.

3) When accumulated pulls reach 10/50/10…, additional Gachapon Coins or mystery items will be given.

…

Unexpectedly, the system adopted all her suggestions.

Since these were the benefits Song Yingshi secured for herself, she no longer had any qualms about using the gachapon machine. Moreover, who could possibly resist the allure of getting one mystery item every 10 pulls?

However, Song Yingshi quickly lost her urge to do a 10-pull on the spot after taking a look at her Life Point balance.

Song Yingshi only had a little over 130 hours available. After doing a 10-pull, she would be left with just 30-plus hours, once again testing the limits of sudden death.

Not wanting to risk another bout with death, Song Yingshi concluded rationally, I'll do a mission before pulling. Give me a mission that can be completed quickly and won't affect my practice. You can decide on the details.

Song Yingshi still had to finish removing her makeup and prepare for practice, so she couldn't be bothered to come up with a mission herself. Moreover, with her current relationship with Huai Xu, it should be easy to complete any mission the system threw at her…

As soon as Song Yingshi thought so, her new mission arrived:

"Special Mission: Sometimes, playing hard to get is a way for couples to spice things up. Arouse Huai Xu, then refuse all of her requests."

…

The third public performance's recording session was tomorrow. The trainees stopped practicing and retired to their dormitories after 9 PM to maintain their physical strength and condition.

Kou Lengyu and Li Taoran left the practice room hand in hand. Meanwhile, Chen Wan met up with her roommates before returning together. In the blink of an eye, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu were the only ones left in the practice room.

"Shall we head back?" Huai Xu asked before finishing the remaining water in her cup.

Song Yingshi hummed in response as her eyes secretly inspected the camera hanging high on the wall. Unlike the camera in the dormitory, the one in the practice room was hung very high, and nobody could reach it without a ladder.

Song Yingshi needed the camera to stay on for what she was about to do next. It would serve as a deterrent, not against Huai Xu, but against herself. She feared she might succumb to temptation if Huai Xu tried to escalate matters.

After responding to Huai Xu, Song Yingshi took her time closing the windows and drawing the curtains. She behaved like she was reluctant to leave, inspecting every corner with careful precision.

Even a stranger standing in this room could easily tell Song Yingshi's intentions to delay, let alone Huai Xu, who was familiar with her.

Relaxing her eyebrows, Huai Xu asked in a doting tone, "Why do you look so reluctant to leave? It's not like you can't come back here tomorrow."

Song Yingshi leaned against the window and looked outside. Then, she turned around and beckoned to Huai Xu.

Huai Xu thought Song Yingshi saw something, so she walked up to Song Yingshi's side and looked out the window.

It was a windy day today, the shadow of the trees outside dancing under the glow of hanging neon lights and landscaping lanterns.

After looking around, Huai Xu failed to spot anything noteworthy, so she asked, "What did you see?"

The window they were at was far from the camera. Song Yingshi reached out and pushed open the glass window, inviting a gust of warm air to rush in and lift the unfettered light blue curtains. Their hair, too, lifted with the breeze.

As the two faced the window, their backs faced the camera. Under the cover of the wind, Song Yingshi turned off the lavalier microphones attached to her and Huai Xu's uniforms.

The intent behind Song Yingshi's latest action couldn't be any more obvious. Huai Xu's gaze fell on the back of the troublemaking hand. When she raised her gaze again, her expression held a touch of haziness.

Huai Xu said nothing, quietly waiting for Song Yingshi to speak first.

Only a few things needed to be said behind the production crew's back, so it was highly unlikely Song Yingshi wanted to discuss work with her. The intricate private affairs between them were like a spider web woven outside the camera's coverage, and not a single trace could be found.

So long as Song Yingshi's conversation was within this topic, no matter what she wanted to discuss, Huai Xu had infinite expectations and patience.

Just as Huai Xu waited for Song Yingshi to speak, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Simultaneously, a strong gust of wind blew through the window, lifting the curtains and their hair.

Before Huai Xu could react, Song Yingshi stepped back, pulling her behind the lifted curtains. Then, as if on cue, the wind stopped, and the curtains fell, wrapping around them.

Huai Xu looked at Song Yingshi, who was pressing her against the glass window. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "What are you—"

Before Huai Xu could finish, Song Yingshi placed a finger over her lips.

Huai Xu was momentarily stunned.

The next second, Song Yingshi trapped Huai Xu between her arms and the glass window, leaned forward, and buried her head into Huai Xu's neck like a big dog.

"I'm so tired today," Song Yingshi said.

Huai Xu's heart instantly softened.

If Huai Xu was thinking rationally, she would've noticed something peculiar with Song Yingshi's explanation. However, with Song Yingshi embracing her, her mind subconsciously regarded that peculiarity as insignificant.

Huai Xu reciprocated Song Yingshi's embrace and gently stroked the back of Song Yingshi's head. As she rested her hand on Song Yingshi's warm neck, she tenderly said, "Thank you for your hard work, Little Shi. Let's go back and go to bed early tonight."

Song Yingshi shifted in place but didn't remove herself from Huai Xu. This was because the system indicated that Huai Xu was not yet aroused.

Why are you being so innocent when I need you to have indecent thoughts?! Stop worrying about my body! A beauty is taking the initiative to hug you, so can't you have more appropriate thoughts?! Song Yingshi inwardly complained. Then, she continued rubbing herself against Huai Xu's body like a big dog seeking affection.

Huai Xu silently smiled at Song Yingshi's behavior. She gently patted Song Yingshi's back, saying, "Alright, you can act spoiled all you want, but let's go back first, okay?"

Song Yingshi perked up her ears.

Go back?

That wasn't an option.

Who knew how far things would escalate without a camera to restrict them?

Originally, Song Yingshi didn't want to do too much since they were in the practice room, but Huai Xu's innocent mindset left her no choice. After resolving herself, she grabbed Huai Xu's hand and stuffed it under her T-shirt, saying, "I drank too much mineral water just now, and now my stomach feels cold."

The moment Huai Xu's chilly hand fell on Song Yingshi's warm belly, they froze.

Coincidentally, at this moment, a loud female voice reached their ears, "Little Shi, we're here to see you—"