Chapter 37.1

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Qiao Ziman enjoyed a nice, relaxing bath. Humming a little tune, she stepped out of the bathroom and called, “Chi Yin.”

Chi Yin sat by the window, her back to her, as still as a monk in meditation.

Curious, Qiao Ziman glanced at her still figure before turning to the bedside table to grab the hairdryer. “Chi Yin, where did you put the flowers I gave you?”

Chi Yin remained silent.

Qiao Ziman raised an eyebrow. What’s going on? She called again, “Chi Yin?”

“Go take a shower. After that, we’ll go to bed,” Chi Yin responded, her voice slightly shaky. She quickly lowered her head, pretending to be preoccupied with something.

Now fully intrigued, Qiao Ziman set down the hairdryer and walked around to get a better look. “Why are you trimming your nails?”

Chi Yin: “!!!”

Panicked, Chi Yin shifted her posture and quickly picked up a nail file with two fingers, vigorously filing her middle finger. Her hands moved so fast they were a blur. “Cleaning,” she blurted.

Oh, right. I almost forgot about her cleanliness obsession.

“Alright,” Qiao Ziman said, but her gaze suddenly froze. She grabbed Chi Yin’s wrist. “Where’s the bracelet?”

A heavy weight pressed down on Qiao Ziman’s chest as her voice dropped to a dull, frustrated tone. “You didn’t like the bracelet I gave you? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

Chi Yin spun around, ready to defend herself, but her eyes accidentally landed on a flash of bare skin. Why isn’t she wearing pants?!

Crap.

The heat that had just subsided flared up again, racing up Chi Yin’s neck and igniting her cheeks. Her rationality seemed to burn away under the intensity. She forced herself to look away, taking deep breaths—one after another.

Meanwhile, Qiao Ziman’s grip on her wrist tightened, a slight tremble beginning to show.

Chi Yin’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly dismissed her wandering thoughts and met Qiao Ziman’s eyes directly. “It’s not that. It’s not that I don’t like it.”

“Then what is it?” Qiao Ziman pouted slightly as she let go of Chi Yin’s hand.

“Well, since we’re out and about, and it’s crowded, I’d feel bad if it got bumped or scratched. I’d be heartbroken.”

The negative feelings building in Qiao Ziman’s chest melted away the moment she heard heartbroken. A smile spread across her face as she stood up and began pacing back and forth, her mood instantly lifted. Her long, pale legs swung in rhythm as she walked—capturing Chi Yin’s helplessly following gaze.

“Then how about I help you put it on later?” Qiao Ziman turned around, catching Chi Yin’s face flushed red, her neck veins faintly visible.

“What’s wrong with you?” Qiao Ziman asked. When she’d touched Chi Yin’s wrist earlier, it had felt unusually warm. Could she be sick?

Concerned, Qiao Ziman rushed over and squatted in front of her. “Are you feeling unwell?”

However, in her haste, her movements were a bit too large, revealing a glimpse of skin beneath her collar. The sudden flash sent all the blood rushing to Chi Yin’s head.

“No!” Chi Yin blurted out, her body now burning hotter than ever.

Qiao Ziman frowned. “Then why is your voice hoarse?”

Chi Yin gave her a complicated look, then reached for a nearby blanket and wrapped it tightly around Qiao Ziman.

Startled, Qiao Ziman pulled off the blanket in one swift motion. “Why are you covering me? I’m not cold! But you—are you having an allergic reaction from mosquito bites or something?”

“Could it be you were bitten by some poisonous bug?” The more Qiao Ziman thought about it, the more scared she became. She pressed her hand to Chi Yin’s forehead. “Why do I feel like you’re burning up? Are you dizzy? Let’s go to the hospital.”

Chi Yin sighed inwardly, giving her another complicated look. “I’m really fine. I put some ointment on.”

Qiao Ziman still looked unconvinced.

Chi Yin, completely exasperated, squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth. “I’m just… embarrassed.”

Qiao Ziman blinked, stunned. Embarrassed? She hadn’t even done anything. It was just a little “punishment,” right? Could I really be that powerful? Even the little innocent can’t handle it…

Her confidence swelled. Qiao Ziman proudly pinched Chi Yin’s chin, her thumb gently stroking those “punished” lips. “Innocent little flower, do you admit defeat?”

Still think you can be so bold? Always trying to kiss me… Who do you think you’re teasing?

Chi Yin lowered her eyes and obediently replied, “I admit it.”

“From now on, be humble, got it?”

“Got it.”

Satisfied, Qiao Ziman released her. “Go take a shower.”

Chi Yin shot up and rushed into the bathroom without another word.

Qiao Ziman stretched out on the bed, grabbing her phone to continue reading Master White Fox. Before long, she was completely absorbed in the story, losing track of time.

Who knows how much time passed, but suddenly the mattress beside her dipped. A sudden chill made Qiao Ziman shiver. Instinctively, she pressed her feet against the person next to her. Even colder.

She cried out in surprise, “My goodness, why are you so cold? Come here, let me warm you up.”

Chi Yin didn’t move. She lay there staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Qiao Ziman clicked her tongue and tapped Chi Yin’s calf lightly with her toe. “Are you disobeying me again?”

Chi Yin scooted a little closer to her but still stared blankly at the ceiling. Without hesitation, Qiao Ziman pulled her into her arms. The person in her arms stiffened. Qiao Ziman tore her gaze from her phone and looked at her with suspicion. “Chi Yin, you’re acting strange. You’re not still embarrassed, are you?”

Chi Yin nodded firmly. “Yes!”

Qiao Ziman: “…” She really is that innocent.

With the softness and warmth beside her, no number of cold showers could calm Chi Yin’s restless heart. She had to change the subject. “Is the new project not going well?”

Qiao Ziman responded absentmindedly, “Mm, the proposals we submitted weren’t very well received by the author. And I can’t get in touch with the original creator. In short, the world-building and emotional plotline are a mess, so I’m rereading everything from the start.”

Chi Yin asked, “So, what stage are you at now?”

Qiao Ziman, too busy laughing to recall the exact stage, thought for a moment before responding. “I got to the part where the master bound her to a tree, her soft waist arched like a bridge, while the master knelt on the ground, gazing reverently up at the towering, sacred mountain.”

Chi Yin: “!!!!”

She quickly interrupted.

“What’s wrong?” Qiao Ziman glanced over, noticing Chi Yin’s ears turning red. “Embarrassed again? Such an innocent little flower, always so pure.”

Chi Yin: “…”

“Do you need me to teach you?” Qiao Ziman clicked her tongue and lightly tapped Chi Yin’s ear with her finger. “Didn’t I tell you to be humble, little flower?”

Chi Yin narrowed her eyes slightly. “Do you really think you can teach me when you don’t even understand this stuff?”

Qiao Ziman raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Chi Yin lowered her head in thought, then tried a different approach. “How about I assist you instead?”

“Assist me? How?”

“I’ll help you sort things out with Shi Qiansui and assist you in designing a character style that she’s satisfied with. But…” Chi Yin paused, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “If I help you, you have to help me too.”

“Give and take, fair and square.” Qiao Ziman nodded, thinking it over. “What’s your condition?”

Chi Yin looked at her with innocent eyes. “You see, I’m so pure, and I don’t know how to say no… I even get shy from just a kiss. What am I going to do in the future?”

For a moment, Qiao Ziman felt a twinge of worry. That’s true… What will she do if someone takes advantage of her?

“You’re so skilled. Why don’t you become my teacher?” Chi Yin suggested, her tone light but firm.

Qiao Ziman stared at her, momentarily speechless. Then, a sly smile spread across her face. “Fine. As your teacher, I’ll make sure you learn everything. But don’t regret it later, little flower.”

Chi Yin: What have I just agreed to?