Chapter 39

Shen Jingsong withdrew the hand she had placed amid the orange hair, the strands slowly unwinding from her fingertips. Xia Zhuxi suppressed the heat rising deep in her throat and heard her own voice ring out clearly.

It must have been the bathwater from earlier—too hot, leaving behind too much lingering warmth. She couldn’t grant the smart water heater that much authority; the power setting needed to come down.

“Anything else?” Shen Jingsong snapped the script shut and tossed it aside, turning her full attention to Xia Zhuxi.

Xia Zhuxi shook her head. She had only wanted to bring up the fashion show tickets, so Shen Jingsong murmured softly, “Good night, then?” Xia Zhuxi nodded.

She flipped back the covers and slipped into bed, reassuring herself that nothing had happened. Thank goodness she had brought an extra blanket. Knowing Sister Jingsong had the temperament of a Bad Squirrel, she shouldn’t have let her imagination run wild. The trial marriage contract stipulated just one year—short enough as it was. If she did something outrageous and made Sister Jingsong unhappy, it would all be over.

Drawing closer to someone was like cramming for exams, with a perfect score of 100. Climbing from a failing grade to 60 was a breeze, but inching from 70 to 80, 80 to 90, and beyond… it only got harder, slower.

If Xia Zhuxi had to score her current relationship with Shen Jingsong, she’d boldly give it a 75. How to leap from 75 to 80? As a former problem student, Xia Zhuxi was utterly stumped.

Shen Jingsong had been the one to pull up her grades, after all. Who was she supposed to learn advanced romance from?

Xia Zhuxi had burrowed halfway into the bedding when Shen Jingsong tucked in the edge of the covers. The mysterious pill box that had vanished from the table moments ago now rested in her palm.

Shen Jingsong narrowed her eyes. “Xiao Xi, your breathing sounds a little heavy. Did you catch a chill from training in the cold wind these past couple of days?”

In her hand lay the peeled Fragrant Pill.

Had she ever caught a whiff of a scent so potent it made her knees buckle? That was the one Shen Jingsong held.

Xia Zhuxi figured it was meant to be swallowed.

“Nope.”

“The forecast calls for heavy rain in a few days, with temperatures plunging below freezing. You need to stay warm and take care of yourself.”

As she spoke, Shen Jingsong cupped the Fragrant Pill and brought it toward Xia Zhuxi’s body.

Xia Zhuxi stared at the pill, a complicated chuckle escaping her lips. She had no choice but to ask Shen Jingsong, “Is it sweet? Got honey in it or something?” She truly hated bitter flavors.

Sister Jingsong’s kind gesture was impossible to turn down.

Or could Shen Jingsong possibly not know the Fragrant Pill’s true effects? Unlikely. The renowned miracle healer from Hometown wouldn’t palm off aphrodisiacs on Jing Girl as cold medicine, would she?

Whether she was playing innocent on purpose or genuinely clueless, if they crossed that line, no one could renege on the intimacy points.

Shen Jingsong pinched up the Fragrant Pill. “No sugar, probably. It doesn’t stick to the tongue—no sweetness, but that’s okay.”

“Hm?” Xia Zhuxi glanced down as Shen Jingsong lifted the covers, then peeled back her sleepshirt. The soft pill brushed against her flawless belly, the skin contracting on instinct, its subtle textures flexing with sensual tension.

Ah? In…side?

Xia Zhuxi went rigid. Shen Jingsong parted two fingers, and the pea-sized Fragrant Pill rolled neatly into the dip of Xia Zhuxi’s navel.

Startled, she looked up. Shen Jingsong beamed with radiant warmth, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “What does it feel like?”

Xia Zhuxi hesitated. “A little hot?”

It turned out to be a Navel Pill—something Xia Zhuxi had only seen in period dramas. Her first encounter in real life felt intriguingly fresh. The Fragrant Pill’s aroma packed a punch when sniffed, but applied to the skin, it unfolded gently, a warm glow kindling from her lower abdomen.

Shen Jingsong studied the pill nestled in Xia Zhuxi’s navel as if it were a priceless gem, her gaze lingering there.

Xia Zhuxi’s limbs grew heavier, more languid. Out of wifely duty, she prompted, “This is really cold medicine? I feel like I’ve been had. It doesn’t seem like the legitimate sort.”

“Oh? Just piecing it together now, or have you been playing dumb from the start?” Shen Jingsong’s gaze turned sultry, her legs pressed together as she sat sideways on the bed. The satin nightgown clung to her curves like a mermaid’s tail.

Her pale cleavage rose and fell in gentle waves, the fabric shimmering with soft light.

Something stirred in Xia Zhuxi’s chest. She seized Shen Jingsong’s wrist and drew her near, her voice turning gravelly. “Sister Jingsong, should we add this little activity to the trial marriage contract?”

“Ha-o…” Shen Jingsong leaned in close to her ear. Xia Zhuxi felt the fragrant heat from her navel surging toward her ears. She had barely caught the first syllable of “good” when Shen Jingsong abruptly pulled away.

She reached down, plucked the Fragrant Pill from Xia Zhuxi’s navel, and turned her back. Her voice, drifting into Xia Zhuxi’s ears, sounded strangely distant. “No need.”

The warmth blooming at the center of her belly cooled in a rush, her exposed skin prickling colder than before the pill.

Colder still were those two words from Shen Jingsong—straightforward, unequivocal, a clear boundary drawn.

Perhaps it was Shen Jingsong’s uncharacteristic gravity, forsaking her usual teasing. Perhaps it was the sudden chill after the charged intimacy. In the heavy silence of the room, Xia Zhuxi felt a sharp pang of distance.

She pulled the blanket up over herself and cautiously watched as Shen Jingsong stowed the Fragrant Pill away. Shen Jingsong wrapped it carefully in a piece of embroidered cloth and tucked it into the deepest part of the storage cabinet.

“If Mom asks about the Fragrant Pill tomorrow…” Shen Jingsong said.

Xia Zhuxi shrank half her face into the blanket. “I know. We’ll say we used it.”

“Mm.”

Shen Jingsong gently tugged the blanket down from her nose, exposing a small gap. Cool, crisp air rushed in.

Silence enveloped the room, broken only by the soft flicker of a Snow Pine Romance candle burning at the bedside.

“Won’t you have trouble breathing if you keep yourself covered up like that?” Shen Jingsong asked softly.

Xia Zhuxi shook her head. She didn’t say a word, simply gazing at her with eyes brimming with affection before turning her face away and closing her eyes.

A faint rustling came from beside her. Even through the layer of blanket, Xia Zhuxi knew Shen Jingsong had slipped under the covers of the other bed.

Shen Jingsong’s scent remained as captivating as ever—clean and subtle. Xia Zhuxi pictured herself wandering through a vast pine forest, looking up to find a canopy of lush, jade-green needles stretching endlessly overhead.

Sister Jingsong…

“Xiao Xi, my mom came to Shengjing this time to visit her old teacher, along with some classmates from back in the day. A few of those aunties really like to stir up trouble.”

“Mm, I get it.” The social circle Xia Jie used to run in was even more gossipy.

“I’m guessing they said something to hurt my mom’s feelings. Probably Sui Sui’s Mom.”

“You can even figure that out?”

Shen Jingsong let out a soft chuckle. “We all used to live on the same street, so there was always some back-and-forth. Every New Year’s back home, that auntie loved showing off her grandson—parading him up and down the street for all the neighbors to see.”

She rolled over, and Xia Zhuxi sensed her gaze. She turned toward her as well.

The dim glow of the aromatherapy candle cast a hazy light on Shen Jingsong’s clear eyes.

Xia Zhuxi’s breathing slowed.

“Xiao Xi, Mom might say some things that come off as too forward lately. I hope you can bear with her.”

Xia Zhuxi nodded vigorously. “I understand. It’s no big deal, Sister Jingsong. Don’t worry about it.”

Shen Jingsong smiled warmly and blew out the candle.

A faint pine fragrance lingered, carrying the subtle smokiness of the extinguished wick as it silently diffused through the air.

“Will you come with me to see Mom off in the morning?”

“Of course.”

“And watch the fashion show with me after?”

“Mm.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

Shen Jingsong turned away, facing the outside of the bed. Xia Zhuxi did the same, and soon they lay back-to-back.

Shen Jingsong lay still and silent, her eyes open in the darkness, lost in thought. After a long while, she quietly rolled back over, gazing at the bundled shape of the figure beside her—the back wrapped in blankets, orange strands of hair melting into the night.

—How can someone your age share a bed with Xia Zhuxi and actually fall asleep?

Fine then.

Sleepless night.

~~~

They deliberately slept in a little and headed downstairs together.

After breakfast, they drove Qi Peijun to her old homeroom teacher’s ninetieth birthday celebration.

Qi Peijun leaned forward eagerly. “Xiao Xia, how were the pills?”

Shen Jingsong, seated beside her in the back, pulled her back gently. “Mom, don’t distract the driver.”

Qi Peijun waved it off. “I know the traffic rules. We’re at a red light right now.” She craned her neck forward again. “Xiao Xia, what do you say?”

Xia Zhuxi kept her eyes on the road. “The pills? Oh, they were great!”

Qi Peijun clasped her hands together in delight. “Mom will mail you two more boxes when I get home!”

Shen Jingsong ducked her head. “……”

Xia Zhuxi’s hand slipped on the steering wheel. “G…good…”

On Friday, they dropped Qi Peijun off to rejoin her old classmates. The elderly mother was in high spirits, boarding the train with a cheerful wave.

The two unmailed boxes of Fragrant Pills carried all her fond hopes for a sweet and blissful marriage between her daughter and daughter-in-law.

Once they got home, Shen Jingsong only cleared away the bedding, leaving some of her clothes in the master bedroom. Just in case Qi Peijun visited again someday.

Xia Zhuxi set the fluffy Squirrel plush back on the bedside table. She had slept lightly the night before, staying ever vigilant. In the dead of night, she hadn’t clutched it and rolled over to Shen Jingsong’s side. When she woke in the morning, it lay innocently in her own little nest of blankets.

Hoping it might redeem her image as a sound sleeper in Sister Jingsong’s eyes.

~~~

Saturday morning at ten o’clock, the Fairy Art Center buzzed with industry heavyweights. The exhibition visitors brimmed with style and sophistication.

Xia Zhuxi prided herself on her decent fashion sense, but stepping into this true hub of trendsetters left her marveling at the fashion world’s dazzling allure.

None of it, however, could hold a candle to the stunning beauty of the woman beside her.

One true beauty outshone ten trendy outfits.

As Xia Zhuxi had anticipated, Shen Jingsong loved the show. One of the designers was a master she’d followed for years. Thanks to the prime tickets from Lu Guanlan, they had excellent seats up close. Shen Jingsong beamed as she secured an autograph and photo.

When the fashion show wrapped up, Lu Guanlan invited them for a group photo. The designer complimented Shen Jingsong’s refined aura and expressed keen interest in collaborating—perhaps even custom-designing a gown just for her.

As they left the venue, Shen Jingsong hummed a cheerful little tune, stars practically dancing in her smiling, curved eyes.

“Thanks to Xia God for bringing me to the show,” Shen Jingsong said. “I’ll treat Xia God to a lavish meal.”

Xia Zhuxi pondered seriously. “Then I need to think carefully about what to eat.”

Shen Jingsong tilted her head. “Anything spicy is fine~”

Spicy is fine? Haha~ This was the real happy Squirrel!

She could never bear to let Shen Jingsong eat anything spicy.

Xia Zhuxi mulled it over and decided to take her to the new Thai restaurant that had just opened. Their air-shipped shrimp and crab were incredibly fresh, and the tom yum goong was authentic. If they toned down the spice level to the minimum, it would be just the fresh, tangy flavor Shen Jingsong loved.

As they strolled through the Art Corridor with its sleek gray-and-white tones, a woman approached them head-on and stopped right in front of them, as if she had been waiting for some time.

“Jingsong, I had a feeling it was you.” The woman had a slender figure and wore crisp one-piece pants paired with striking alien-shaped earrings and flawless makeup.

Her gaze shifted to Xia Zhuxi, her smile unwavering even as the light in her eyes dimmed slightly. “Xia God, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Jingsong’s friend, Ding Jia—also her makeup artist.”

Xia Zhuxi hadn’t met many of Shen Jingsong’s friends and knew little about her social circle, so she greeted Ding Jia with extra warmth and curiosity. “Hello, hello!”

Ding Jia turned back to Shen Jingsong, her tone shifting with a playful edge. “Jingsong, so this is what you meant by not having time—you came to the show with Xia God?”

Shen Jingsong answered honestly. “I originally had other plans, but I changed my schedule at the last minute to come.”

Ding Jia nodded. “We were all at the same show. You could’ve just told me—I had two tickets that would’ve been perfect for you both. In the end, I couldn’t find my companion and wasted one.”

Shen Jingsong smiled. “I really did decide last minute. Besides, if I was coming to the exhibition with Xia Zhuxi, I couldn’t possibly tell you and take both your tickets.”

Ding Jia laughed along with her.

They chatted lightly for a few moments before parting ways at the entrance to the Art Center.

Ding Jia took a few steps, then doubled back. “Jingsong, I almost forgot to give you this.”

Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong turned around together as Ding Jia approached. She opened a pastel-colored box and lifted out a platinum bracelet adorned with a pendant of porcelain and jade.

Shen Jingsong recognized it immediately. “Teacher Yaoyao’s new piece.”

Yao Yao was the designer who had posed for a photo with Shen Jingsong at the show. Not only did she design clothing, but she also dabbled in jewelry—though her jewelry pieces were quite rare.

“Yeah, there was a preview exhibition for the fashion show yesterday, and you were always talking about wanting some of Yao Yao’s jewelry. It was on sale, so I snapped it up right away.”

Ding Jia undid the clasp and pulled it open.

Shen Jingsong drew her hand back slightly. “I can do it myself.”

Ding Jia shook her head. “This is Teacher Yaoyao’s exclusive patented Fated Buckle. It has a special way of clasping and unclasping—you have to see it done once to get it.”

“Oh, thanks.” Shen Jingsong extended her arm, laying her hand flat.

Ding Jia slipped the bracelet around her slender wrist.

Shen Jingsong watched the process closely. “This clasp really is unique.” She curved her lips into a smile. “Ding Jia, send me the price on WeChat. I’ll transfer it to you in a bit.”

“Sure.” Ding Jia handed her the pastel jewelry box as well, then turned to Xia Zhuxi with a slight smile. “Sorry, Xia God. I didn’t expect to run into you, so I didn’t prepare a gift. Next time, I’ll make it up to you.”

Ding Jia mimed a phone with her hand. “Hit me up before you join the crew~”

Shen Jingsong waved. “Bye bye~”

They went their separate ways.

Xia Zhuxi’s gaze fell on Shen Jingsong’s wrist.

She frowned.