“Ha?”
Jiang Ling stared at Lin Xiaoyu’s earnest expression, utterly baffled, and let out a shocked sound.
“Have you been infected by those bad women? Xiaoyu! My dear roommate, you weren’t like this before!”
She spoke with sorrow and outrage, trying to awaken the conscience deep inside Lin Xiaoyu.
What automatic shower robot?
It’s clearly just an excuse to take advantage of me while I’m showering!
Water streamed down from the showerhead, soaking her body. Her fair skin, tinged with pink, trembled slightly from an unknown sensation. Her toes tensed, and she awkwardly steadied herself against the cold wall…
“Absolutely not!!!”
Jiang Ling almost shouted, retreating three or four steps while clutching her clothes tightly.
“Why are you so worked up?”
Lin Xiaoyu looked a little puzzled, tilting her head.
She didn’t say anything particularly outrageous, did she?
Jiang Ling stammered, pointing at her but unable to blurt out something like “You’re just after my body, aren’t you?”—a terribly narcissistic accusation. She could only press her lips together and awkwardly avert her gaze. “I’m not worked up.”
“You are.” Lin Xiaoyu took a step forward, blocking her escape route. “I only heard you say washing your hair was tiring, so I wanted to help you wash it. Where else could I be thinking?”
She blinked, her eyes clear.
Jiang Ling was left speechless.
Exactly! She didn’t say anything about wanting to shower together, right?
Realizing that, Jiang Ling’s cheeks flushed bright red. Sheepishly, she withdrew her gaze. Without even realizing it, she’d been influenced by those bad women’s way of thinking!
Besides, after all, they were just teammates. There was no way something embarrassing like that could happen, right?
At this moment, Jiang Ling firmly believed her dear teammates were just playful and had absolutely no improper thoughts about her.
After calming herself, Jiang Ling looked at the silent Lin Xiaoyu and revealed an apologetic expression: “Sorry, I was just lost in thought earlier. If you can help me, I’d of course be happy, but wouldn’t it trouble you?”
“No.”
The answer came without a second’s hesitation.
Jiang Ling blinked, lowering her eyes and nervously fiddling with her fingers.
“Then… shall we give it a try?”
In the bathroom.
Jiang Ling quickly finished her shower, dried herself with a towel, and changed into light pajamas. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger and sighed faintly, almost imperceptibly.
Though she had agreed so naturally, she still felt something was a bit off.
But who was Jiang Ling? She soon successfully brainwashed herself: friends helping each other wash their hair was completely normal!
Thinking this, she filled the basin with water, tested the temperature until it was just right, then turned and called out, “Xiaoyu, I’m ready.”
“Mm.”
Lin Xiaoyu responded, stepping into the bathroom. Seeing Jiang Ling’s slightly hesitant demeanor, she said nothing and simply stood by the basin.
The bathroom was neither too big nor too small—enough for the two of them comfortably. Jiang Ling bent slightly, dipping her head into the basin, letting the warm water soak her hair as she closed her eyes in comfort.
“Did you test the water temperature?”
Lin Xiaoyu scooped up some water and poured it onto Jiang Ling’s hair, quietly asking.
“Yeah, about right.”
Jiang Ling answered vaguely. Although she wasn’t very tall, bending over still made her neck and spine a bit uncomfortable. She shifted her feet awkwardly, and immediately felt a chill in her calves.
Unconsciously, she tilted her head and found that her leg was touching Lin Xiaoyu’s—pressed tightly together without her noticing.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Xiaoyu’s hands moved gently, rubbing fine foam into Jiang Ling’s scalp. Jiang Ling couldn’t help but hum softly in pleasure. “Nothing, nothing.”
Lin Xiaoyu didn’t ask further. After finishing the wash, she took out a towel and wrapped it around Jiang Ling’s head, rubbing it a few times, then patted her shoulder, signaling her to stand.
“Ugh…”
Jiang Ling let out a muffled sound as she stood up, water droplets dripping from her hair. Lin Xiaoyu raised her hand again, carefully massaging Jiang Ling’s scalp.
Jiang Ling leaned her head back slightly, letting her actions continue. She vaguely noticed the dark circles in Lin Xiaoyu’s eyes.
Right, she hadn’t been sleeping well lately.
“Let’s go.”
While Jiang Ling was still dazed, Lin Xiaoyu naturally took her hand and quietly led her out of the bathroom. She patted the chair. “Sit.”
Looking at the hairdryer on the table, Jiang Ling suddenly realized and quickly waved her hand. “You’ve already helped me wash, if you blow dry it for me too, isn’t that too much…?”
“Not a bother.”
Lin Xiaoyu’s tone was calm, as if it were nothing.
Jiang Ling lowered her head, twisting her fingers again. “Alright then.”
The hairdryer’s sound wasn’t loud—probably designed to be quiet. Jiang Ling placed her hands nervously on her lap, feeling Lin Xiaoyu gently comb through her hair. The mirror on the table reflected her focused side profile.
But this kind of thing… was definitely intimate!
Blowing someone’s hair—wasn’t that something only cohabiting couples would do?!
Jiang Ling’s ears burned red, her heart fluttering wildly.
But seeing Lin Xiaoyu so serious about it, Jiang Ling couldn’t voice her chaotic thoughts and just looked a little uneasy.
When it was done, Lin Xiaoyu turned off the hairdryer. “All finished.”
“Mm, thank you.”
Jiang Ling nodded softly in thanks.
Seeing this, Lin Xiaoyu went to shower herself.
Just like every night before, the two of them got into bed together, and the room fell silent.
Jiang Ling lay on her back, faintly hearing Lin Xiaoyu’s even breathing. After a moment, she turned over.
Feeling the blanket move beside her, Lin Xiaoyu curiously turned over as well. In the dark, she sensed a soft hand creeping up onto her waist, awkwardly clutching tight.
“Are you asleep?”
Jiang Ling asked softly after placing her hand there, immediately regretting it but braving on.
“Yes.”
Lin Xiaoyu’s voice was calm.
“…?”
“No, I’m not asleep. What is it?”
Jiang Ling hesitated, her voice a little uncertain. “Nothing, I just thought maybe if we sleep like this, it might be easier for you.”
After all, she’d be pulled into Lin Xiaoyu’s arms first thing in the morning, so why not just throw herself into her embrace now… Hm, that didn’t sound quite right.
But after everything Lin Xiaoyu had done for her today, being a human pillow was reasonable enough.
Jiang Ling convinced herself once more.
“Mm.”
Lin Xiaoyu didn’t hesitate much. She simply wrapped her arms around Jiang Ling and peacefully drifted off.
Jiang Ling nestled in her embrace, her face burning red.
Today was just an exception!
A week later, Xu Nuo handed over the complete documents, detailing the plans for the past six months and beyond.
“Pre-sale tickets for October 20th, 150 spots. I wonder if they’ll all sell out.”
Jiang Ling silently read the information about their first public performance. Her heart fluttered with nervousness as she tossed and turned on her bed, unable to sit still. Eventually, she decided to head to the practice room.
To her surprise, Fang Wannan and Bai Xue were already there talking. When Jiang Ling came in, Bai Xue waved her over.
Jiang Ling hurried over with small steps, just in time to hear the last thing Fang Wannan said:
“Leave maintaining the performance order to my family. Otherwise, my parents probably won’t allow me to perform here.”