Chapter 51

The hot spring hotel stood nine stories tall, its floor plan shaped like a “concave” U. The central courtyard featured a fountain, while the three outward-facing sides overlooked a garden, the hot springs, and a farm, respectively.

The hot spring area was the noisiest, bustling even late into the night. The garden served as a viewing area and was relatively quiet. The farm side housed homestay inns, where bonfire activities lit up the evenings.

These insider tips came from Lu Lingxuan, who had shared them with Lou Yixuan.

Du Heming requested a room right next to Lin Huayan’s, so they could keep each other company.

Once inside, Du Heming stood awkwardly by the entrance, luggage in hand. “Teacher He, do you want the bed by the window or the one by the door?”

He Huan had nearly said, “Either’s fine,” but seeing Du Heming’s stiff posture, she changed her answer. “I’ll probably turn in earlier than you tonight, so I’ll take the one by the window. That way, it’s easier for you to get up in the night for the bathroom.”

“Oh.”

During military training, Teacher He roomed with Teacher Lin. Is she stuck rooming with me out of necessity today?

Du Heming opened the wardrobe and stowed her bag, then asked casually, “Any living habits I should avoid, Teacher He? Feel free to tell me—I’ll strictly follow them.”

“Avoidances?” He Huan laughed in surprise. “Like what? What did you have in mind, Teacher Du?”

“Like…”

No sleeping without pajamas underneath, no exposing too much skin, no water spots on the bathroom counter, no bedtime past midnight.

“Like… not dressing too sexy?”

“……!” Du Heming’s face flushed beet red. “Teacher He, you’re teasing me again!”

“Okay, no more teasing. Then relax a bit—I’m not picky. If I had to name one thing, just keep things tidy.”

He Huan felt she’d truly turned “bad.”

She used to never tease people for fun, but now she loved watching Du Heming squirm, cracking jokes with her, even indulging in Du Heming’s quirky whims without a second thought. And she enjoyed every bit of it.

“……” Oh no, Du Heming thought. My sloppy housekeeping habits must’ve reached Teacher He’s ears.

Does Teacher He think I’m unclean?!

I love cleanliness!

Messy isn’t the same as dirty!

After half an hour’s rest, they headed out. Du Heming knocked on the next door. “Lou Lou, Teacher Lin—time for lunch.”

Only Lou Yixuan emerged. “Teacher Lin went downstairs first. Said she’d double-check the meal and lodging details with the hotel manager for the next couple days.”

“Being a leader means endless tasks. Homeroom teacher is my limit.”

Du Heming was a hedonist at heart. She didn’t crave wealth or status—just good food, comfy clothes, and a simple, happy life, day after day.

In her eyes, even being a laid-back slacker took skill.

This mindset meshed perfectly with Lou Yixuan’s.

Lou was carefree but not lazy, romantic yet free-spirited, detached from worldly concerns… yet insatiable in her desires.

For one person alone: Lin Huayan.

Lunch on the first day was set at a large round table for Chinese-style dining, letting colleagues from both sides mingle, build business ties, and bond.

Du Heming kept a tight watch on Lou Yixuan. No matter how many people raised glasses to chat her up, she turned them all down politely.

Lou downed juice after juice.

Until even her hiccups tasted like orange.

With free time in the afternoon—and prime hot spring hours—everyone behaved, skipping the booze.

Lin Huayan had sharp eyes and self-awareness. She knew how to play nice, sitting with the functional department heads so the other teachers and staff could loosen up.

With Du Heming and He Huan guarding Lou Yixuan, she wasn’t worried.

“Director Lin, that art teacher from your class sitting next to Teacher Du—she’s wearing a ring. Dating someone?”

The question came from Sun He, IT Center Director. Of the table, she knew him best.

“Personal matter. No idea.”

“You’ve worked together a semester and don’t know?”

Sun He didn’t buy it. He clinked his glass against Lin Huayan’s. “I’m not asking for myself. Just so our young hotshots don’t charge in blindly and cause a scene.”

Without sharp eyes, how could anyone hold a supervisor or director seat?

How many glances had been stolen toward Lou Yixuan? The bigwigs at their table knew full well.

“She’s…” …seeing someone.

“I can’t speak for Teacher Lou. We’re all adults—use your judgment.”

“Fair enough. Our Director Lin stays true to form, minding her own business.” Sun He took a sip. “Won’t trouble you anymore. Wouldn’t want you thinking I’m a dirty old man. Nah, I’m henpecked as they come.”

Lin Huayan’s phone buzzed. Message from Lou Yixuan: [Teacher Lin, we’re heading back for a nap. Coming with? ]

Half the dishes on the table sat cold and picked over. She replied: [On my way.]

She lifted her half-full glass of baijiu. “Sun Zong, enjoy. I’m heading out.”

Downed it in one go.

And left.

To onlookers, Lou Yixuan trailed her, glancing back every few steps, clearly waiting.

“How many drinks?”

“Three.”

“Three glasses is… how many liang?”

“Under two.”

“Oh, a light buzz then.”

“Mm.”

“So, Teacher Lin, what’s your limit?”

“……”

Du Heming halted abruptly ahead, turning. “What are you two whispering about?”

Lou Yixuan blinked. “Not telling.”

Du Heming crooked her right hand, fingers curling one by one. “One day when you fall into my clutches, I’ll have you right where I want you—ruffling your hair at will!”

“Ooh, I’m so scared.”

Lou sidestepped behind Lin Huayan, clutching her clothes, voice playfully coy. “Teacher Lin, monster!”

“……” Monster?! Hmph.

“Teacher Du, lunch wasn’t just us four today.” He Huan chuckled, pulling the kid along like a child.

At He Huan’s reminder, Lou Yixuan instantly let go.

She quickened her pace ahead, putting distance between her and Lin Huayan, ignoring her entirely. “Teachers Du and He, what time for afternoon spa?”

“Let’s see…”

Du Heming calculated swiftly. “Dinner at seven, so three o’clock? Three hours till six, shower back at the room, then farm for roast whole lamb. Perfect.”

Lou Yixuan nodded. “Sounds good. Three it is.”

Back in their room, Lin Huayan sank into the sofa, scrolling the teacher group chat. She replied to questions needing her input, one by one.

The hotel’s soundproofing was top-notch. Once inside, the outside clamor vanished; hallway noise was faint.

Seeing Lin busy, Lou Yixuan quietly grabbed pajamas from her bag and slipped into the bathroom to change.

With the heat on, she wore a long-sleeved, long-pants autumn set—creamy yellow cotton pajamas.

She favored bright, vibrant colors.

Truth be told, she hadn’t always. After leaving Lin Huayan, she’d forced herself to purge anything reminiscent of her—including colors.

Force it long enough, and it stuck. She genuinely liked them now.

The world brimmed with colors; she could love countless. But the one that captivated her? Only Lin Huayan.

Lin Huayan looked up only after Lou Yixuan emerged in her pajamas.

She’d seen Lou in sleepwear countless times—bra or no bra underneath.

But today…

Her gaze lingered on Lou Yixuan’s chest for the first time. Did she wear a bra?

“Teacher Lin, I’m napping.”

Ignoring the look, Lou Yixuan kicked off her shoes between the beds, knelt onto one, set her earbuds case on the nightstand by the balcony side, then slipped under the covers.

Before settling, she glanced at Lin Huayan on the sofa at the bed’s foot. “I fall asleep fast and sleep like a rock. Do whatever—you don’t need to tiptoe around me.”

“Mm. Sweet dreams.”

“You too.”

Lou Yixuan’s heart wasn’t as calm as her face suggested.

First flat on her back, then left side, then right—in one minute, three positions.

“Is the bed uncomfortable?”

“No.”

These past years, her go-to was left-side sleeping.

Finally, she rolled back to it, facing the bathroom, and settled comfortably.

When Lin Huayan asked about the bed, she’d already stood. Seeing Lou finally settled facing the bathroom eased her mind a touch.

……

An hour and a half later, in a drowsy haze, Lou Yixuan was nudged awake.

Sleepy-eyed, she frowned, long lashes fluttering. Peering through slits, she saw Lin Huayan and bolted upright, eyes wide.

To Lin Huayan, she looked adorably dazed and soft.

Lin stood by the bed. “It’s 2:40. Wasn’t sure if you set an alarm—didn’t want you oversleeping and rushing.”

She remembered our plans.

Alarm?

Lou Yixuan had forgotten.

“Thanks, Teacher Lin.” She rubbed her eyes, lazy with lingering sleep.

Her long hair was a tousled mess, strands falling over her forehead. She brushed them back—making it worse.

Lin Huayan watched, unblinking. I want to cup her face again. Kiss her lips once more.

Oblivious, Lou Yixuan’s mind still booting up, reached instinctively for the left nightstand for earbuds. Touching cool wood snapped her alert.

System loaded. She withdrew her left hand, grabbed phone and case from the right.

“Time to get up.”

She shoved off the covers. Seeing Lin Huayan fully dressed, unchanged, she nearly asked about her nap—”Teacher Lin… oh, right, you’re skipping the spa. Plenty of afternoon to rest.”

“Mm. You girls go—winter soaks are good for you.” Lin Huayan’s eyes and lips curved faintly.

“……” Good for you, but you’re skipping?

Afraid I’ll stare, Teacher Lin? Such teasing worked on Du Heming, not her.

Even if said, Lin Huayan likely wouldn’t play along. Worse, she’d scold: Did you learn nothing but painting and loose talk in eight years in Australia?

No more kid-or-student lectures from Lin Huayan.

Good that she wasn’t going.

If Lin went, Lou couldn’t relax in the springs.

She sat up, shaking off sleep, ready to stand.

But Lin Huayan didn’t budge—like a tree stump. Tilting her head mischievously, Lou Yixuan fibbed, “Teacher Lin, lift those noble feet—you’re on my slippers.”

……

The hot spring area offered mixed-gender large pools, separate men’s/women’s small pools, a swimming pool, and kids’ pool—catering to all ages and genders.

Lou Yixuan had braided her hair into a fishtail before heading down.

The trio entered changing cubicles separately.

Lou’s swimsuit was a two-piece: ginger-yellow halter-neck one-piece skirt with lining panties, plus a light yellow cover-up.

Du Heming’s bun paired with the most “modest” suit: three-piece black-with-white-trim sports bra top, short skirt-pants, and white high-waist crochet shirt—like gym wear.

He Huan’s was a neck-tie one-piece in pale blue, dotted with tiny daisies.

Figures: Lou Yixuan’s softest, most curvaceous; Du Heming’s tallest, most toned; He Huan’s fullest, curviest.

“Don’t stare—I’ve got a little pooch.” He Huan looked down shyly, hands hovering over her belly.

But from Du Heming’s view? Just those enviable cleavage peaks.

Gulp. Another gulp.

Loud enough that Lou Yixuan to her right blushed.

Couldn’t blame Teacher Du. Beauty was a feast for the eyes—especially for one’s crush. A twinge of sexual hunger? Pure instinct for mortals like them.

Mere mortals, born with emotions and desires. How to escape “love and lust”?

Just degrees of depth.

“Not so little, Teacher Du’s tummy.” Lou Yixuan poked mischievously at the pale, bare midriff on display.

It wasn’t that she actually had a little belly pooch; Du Heming just wanted to help ease Teacher He’s embarrassment.

Teacher Du would surely be delighted.

“Lou Lou!” Du Heming exclaimed, clutching her stomach as she sucked in her belly again and again. “Why’d you pull a sneak attack like that?”

“…”

Lou Yixuan merely smiled without a word.

If I didn’t sneak attack you, she thought, your drool would be dripping down already.

She mused further, Good thing Lin Huayan didn’t come, or else it would’ve been both her and Du Heming drooling. The image of that slobber is just comical.

A cold wind whistled through the valley, but the hot spring pool deep within felt like a slice of paradise on earth.

Steam misted through the air, shutting out the chill.

A thin layer of fog floated on the surface of the hot spring pool, the water temperature just right. As soon as one stepped in, warmth spread from the soles of the feet throughout the body.

The rising heat opened every pore, and Lou Yixuan leaned her head against a rock at the pool’s edge, slowly closing her eyes with a look of pure contentment on her face.

Winter days were often overcast, and by the time they soaked until evening, dusk had already deepened.

Back in the room, Lou Yixuan’s first order of business was to wash her hair and take another bath, using her own shampoo and body wash.

She rinsed her swimsuit with clean water, then hung it on a hanger beneath the rack in the bathroom.

“Teacher Lin.”

She poked her head out by the glass door and called, “I’ve hung the clothes in the bathroom first. I wrung them out as best I could, but they might still drip a bit and wet the floor. Be careful of the water and don’t slip when you use the restroom.”

“Okay.”

While Lou Yixuan showered, Lin Huayan stared blankly at the frosted glass wall several times. She really didn’t dare imagine whether Lou Yixuan would do the same when she showered that night…

Though she couldn’t see clearly inside, that hazy silhouette, the graceful posture, the motions of scrubbing every part of her body…

It was hard not to let her imagination run wild, hard not to feel a stir of agitation—or even outright flustered.