Chapter 70: Snowflakes Fall and North Wind Howls
In the evening.
Young Master Sang, having relished a sumptuous meal, returned to the room with Zhang Xiaoying.
The hot water was already prepared, so Sang Zhou wasted no time stripping off his clothes and soaking in the tub.
“Ah~ so refreshing,” he sighed, stretching comfortably.
He might have spent a lot that day, but it was totally worth it. After all, what’s the point of earning money if you don’t spend it?
He had specially reserved the top-tier room at the inn, which was basically a presidential suite. Not only was it spacious, but it also boasted a dedicated bathing pool.
Young Master Sang just adored soaking in the bath.
As he was enjoying the soothing waters, the screen was suddenly pulled aside. A soft voice chimed beside the screen:
“Husband, I’m coming in.”
Young Master Sang’s face instantly turned beet red.
Instinctively, he wanted to hide, but then it struck him that they were already in this kind of relationship, so there was really no need to be shy.
He awkwardly shrank back and let out a little grunt, his embarrassment evident.
Before long, a pair of delicate feet approached the pool’s edge.
Through the hazy steam, he could vaguely see Zhang Xiaoying wrapped in only a towel around her chest, her figure perfectly proportioned, standing gracefully beside him.
“Husband… You don’t mind if I join you in the bath, do you?” Zhang Xiaoying asked shyly, her cheeks flushed.
“Um… um,” Young Master Sang replied, still feeling a little bashful and diverting his gaze.
Zhang Xiaoying slowly shed the towel and slipped into the bathwater.
The ripples spread out, and Sang Zhou could hear his own heart racing, a voice in his head urging him to stop pretending to be a gentleman and sneak a peek.
After hesitating for a moment, he was just about to turn his head when Zhang Xiaoying moved closer.
She gently sat in his lap, leaning against his arms. Drops of water glistened on her snowy skin, and her eyes sparkled with a warmth matching the steam around them.
Sang Zhou thought for a moment and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Zhang Xiaoying’s breath quickened slightly, but she didn’t resist.
They both seemed to share an unspoken understanding, enjoying this brief moment of blissful tranquility.
——
After their bath, Sang Zhou changed into his sleepwear and lay down on the bed.
Soon, Zhang Xiaoying dried her hair and climbed into bed, snuggling into his covers.
Tonight, they didn’t sleep separately.
Even though he was prepared, Sang Zhou felt a little anxious. After all, for a two-life virgin like him, this was all quite overwhelming.
I’ve heard everyone’s first time isn’t exactly ideal. Mine can’t be worse, right?
It shouldn’t… right?
What should I do next? What’s the first step?
Damn it, where’s my manual? Someone get me a manual!
At that moment, Sang Zhou was frantically searching his brain for all the knowledge he had accumulated, only to tragically realize he couldn’t recall anything useful when it mattered most.
Oh no.
What did I even read? All those tales of hand-to-hand combat with magical girls have no reference value here!
Sweating nervously, he suddenly felt a soft hand gently grasp his.
Turning his head, he found Zhang Xiaoying blushing, looking shyly up at him.
“Husband… what should we do?” she asked pitifully.
At this point, even if Sang Zhou wanted to say “I don’t know either,” he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
He thought for a second, then gently pulled Zhang Xiaoying into his arms and kissed her hair.
“Let’s go with the flow. Maybe we need some buildup.”
“Why not start with… kissing?”
He looked down at her, and she looked up at him.
Their lips naturally gravitated towards each other, slowly intertwining.
Before they knew it, their gentle kiss transformed into soft murmurs and whimpers.
It seemed, just as Sang Zhou had said.
Everything was happening naturally.
He and Zhang Xiaoying had long been standing at the threshold, just needing an opportunity.
An opportunity to hold her hand and step inside together.
Everything felt as normal as usual.
Except Zhang Xiaoying, usually quiet and expressionless, occasionally showed the cutest expressions and made the cutest sounds.
Sang Zhou wasn’t as unfortunate as he had feared.
Time felt elongated, and under the dim lights and shadows, he could faintly hear Zhang Xiaoying’s blissful sighs.
——
Shi Qingyan had no clue how the night passed.
At first, she thought it was just her imagination.
But soon she realized that thinking this way made her a clown.
On the other end of the line, she heard Zhang Xiaoying’s blissful and content voice.
She listened quietly, and suddenly, she didn’t feel the heart-wrenching pain she felt before.
As a fellow woman, Shi Qingyan truly understood.
Zhang Xiaoying was genuinely happy.
A part of her began to understand that she was the one who had foolishly clung to her own feelings, never truly entering the other’s world.
Not just now.
Even before.
She should have noticed. Zhang Xiaoying had always been alone, not because she didn’t want friends, but because no one wanted to be her friend.
She hadn’t done anything wrong, but sometimes isolation doesn’t require an explanation.
It felt like she had been naturally excluded from the circle of female disciples.
After morning classes and training, during lunch and dinner.
Everyone would pair up to chat and laugh together.
Yet she would silently clutch her books, shuttling between the Qing Ning Hall and her dormitory.
Shi Qingyan should have seen it.
Yet she selectively ignored it.
Now looking back, during the times Zhang Xiaoying needed help and company the most, she was utterly alone.
And so was she.
So now, what face did she have to shamelessly walk into her world?
That man might be truly despicable.
With his twisted humor, penchant for mischief, and love for teasing her.
But at least now, in his arms, Zhang Xiaoying was truly happy.
She seemed to have lost the right to demand anything more.
……
For an entire night, Shi Qingyan miraculously didn’t scream and shout like before.
Although she knew that if she spoke, Zhang Xiaoying on the other end would hear her.
But she didn’t want to disturb them.
Even just listening silently was good enough.
Yet amidst the sorrow, she couldn’t help but feel a little sad inside.
If only Zhang Xiaoying could remember her.
Even if just a little kindness would suffice for her satisfaction.
Time drifted into the night, and it seemed the two finally fell into a deep slumber.
However, Shi Qingyan couldn’t bear to hang up, quietly listening to their peaceful breaths.
Until morning light broke.
The first to rise was Zhang Xiaoying.
She seemed to hesitate to wake Sang Zhou, planning to call the shop assistant downstairs for breakfast first.
But as she passed by the table, she noticed the communication device was surprisingly lit up.
“Hello?” she hesitated to pick up the communication device.
“Xiaoying!?”
In that instant, Shi Qingyan perked up, joyfully saying: “It’s me, Senior Sister Shi…”
“Oh, Senior Sister Shi…”
On the other end, Zhang Xiaoying coldly replied: “Don’t call again. I’m afraid Sang Zhou will misunderstand.”
With that, she hung up the phone.
Leaving Shi Qingyan stunned, she dropped the communication device, falling to her knees, looking up at the sky and cried out:
“No—”
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