Chapter 37.2

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“Am I really that amazing?” Qiao Ziman felt her confidence soaring. She nodded decisively. “Alright, but from now on, you have to listen to me.”

“Deal.” Chi Yin’s gaze dropped to Qiao Ziman’s lips. “Teacher, can we start the lesson now?”

Qiao Ziman’s throat tightened as she leaned in, gently pressing her lips against Chi Yin’s. The touch was fleeting, just a brief connection before she pulled back. “Today’s punishment was too intense. You need to recover. We’ll continue the lesson tomorrow.”

I really should take it easy, Qiao Ziman thought. Since I’m so amazing, and the little innocent flower can’t handle it, I need to pace myself.

Chi Yin obediently agreed, “I’ll listen to everything the teacher says.”

***

The next day, the sun shone warm and gentle. Despite not getting much sleep, Qiao Ziman was dragged out of bed by Ji Yun, along with Chi Yin.

“Let me tell you, that Jiang Zaozao… she’s something else,” Ji Yun said with a thumbs-up. “I’ve never seen someone who can drink like that. We really battled it out all night. Look at me—reek of booze and check out these two huge dark circles under my eyes.”

Qiao Ziman and Chi Yin yawned simultaneously. “Then why don’t you sleep a little longer?”

“Do you think I could?” Ji Yun exclaimed. “Jiang Zaozao was acting so strange. As soon as she lay down, she started groaning non-stop. Either something hurt or something ached. My God, I had to escape! With the soundproofing in our room, what if someone gets the wrong idea? Where would I put my old face if they think I’m after younger women? And even if I was, doesn’t she, a modern-day college student, care about her dignity?”

Qiao Ziman and Chi Yin exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

“What are you two laughing at?” Ji Yun asked, puzzled. “Are you communicating some secret language?”

Qiao Ziman shrugged casually. “Nothing.”

It’s a secret between me and my little innocent flower, she thought, unwilling to share it with Ji Yun.

“Alright then,” Ji Yun huffed, clearly annoyed. I see through you two—darn couples!

***

The three of them made their way to the stream, where their coworkers had already gathered to cool off. Some, in high spirits, started a water fight and played on rafts.

Because of her injury, Qiao Ziman couldn’t join in the water activities. She found a shady spot, picked up her phone, and resumed reading her novel. Meanwhile, Chi Yin dozed off beside her.

Ji Yun, feeling bored, dragged Qiao Ziman off to a corner and started gossiping. “So, what’s going on with you two now?”

Qiao Ziman tilted her chin up proudly. “I’m her teacher now.”

Ji Yun: “???”

Ji Yun was baffled. Wait, isn’t this supposed to lead to some grand showdown after we got back? But instead, she had spent the whole night drinking with Jiang Zaozao. What a waste! Are they just playing around now?

Qiao Ziman added, “She doesn’t know anything. Of course, I have to teach her personally.”

Ji Yun: “…” Well, looks like I misread the whole situation last night.

Still feeling frustrated, Ji Yun grabbed Qiao Ziman by the arm. “Come on, let’s do something else. We didn’t come all this way for nothing.”

“Where to?” Qiao Ziman asked as Chi Yin quietly followed behind.

“Bungee jumping. Qiaoqiao, are you up for it?” Ji Yun challenged.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Qiao Ziman replied confidently, though her heart was racing.

The three of them arrived at the bungee jumping spot and took an elevator up to the platform. A staff member helped Ji Yun into her safety gear, and she seemed completely unbothered, even smiling.

“Qiaoqiao, are we doing the tandem jump or going solo?” Ji Yun asked with a smirk.

Qiao Ziman hesitated, her uncertainty starting to show on her face.

Ji Yun noticed her pale expression and asked with concern, “Qiaoqiao, you’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

“I can do it myself,” Qiao Ziman replied quickly, digging her nails into her palm to suppress her racing heartbeat. “This height? It’s nothing.”

A staff member handed her a safety agreement and began explaining the procedures, but Qiao Ziman couldn’t focus. Her legs started trembling the moment she glanced down at the ground far below.

“Are you sure you want to do this? If so, please sign here,” the staff member said.

Qiao Ziman’s hand shook as she held the pen. Chi Yin, noticing the nervous look on her pale face, softly suggested, “Maybe your foot isn’t up for this?”

“What do you mean ‘not up for it’?” Qiao Ziman snapped back defensively. “It’s just a little scrape!”

She straightened her posture, a spark of determination in her voice. “I have to take this step.”

Chi Yin had the strange feeling that Qiao Ziman wasn’t just talking about bungee jumping.

“Then I’ll go with you,” Chi Yin offered.

“You’re afraid of heights, aren’t you?” Qiao Ziman asked, her hesitation flickering briefly.

Chi Yin leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I lied to Jiang Zaozao.”

Qiao Ziman: “!!!” Too sneaky!

Watching the two being so sweet with each other, Ji Yun felt her heart crying old, bitter tears. “Are you ready yet? Can I jump now?” she called out impatiently.

The staff did a final check on the safety equipment and waved, “Go ahead!”

Without another second of hesitation, Ji Yun jumped off, shouting, “I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!” Her voice echoed through the valley, followed by a long scream: “Ahhhh~~~”

Curse those lovey-dovey couples!

Qiao Ziman’s heart clenched as her hand trembled on the safety rope. Chi Yin wrapped her arms around Qiao Ziman’s waist and said softly, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

That simple reassurance steadied Qiao Ziman’s panicked heart. She glanced down once more at the hundred-meter drop beneath her, then with renewed determination said, “Let’s do it. I want to try.”

Chi Yin nodded at the staff member and, with one hand, gently pushed Qiao Ziman’s head down against her neck, readying her for the jump.

As the countdown reached zero, they leaped into the air. A powerful sense of weightlessness swept over them, sending Qiao Ziman’s heart leaping into her throat. The arm around her waist tightened.

Through the rush of the wind, Chi Yin’s voice reached her ear. “Open your eyes.”

Slowly, Qiao Ziman obeyed. Above her, birds circled in the sky. Below, the breathtaking landscape blurred and shifted rapidly. And close enough to feel was the steady rhythm of a heartbeat and the sweet scent of lily-of-the-valley.

Suddenly, Qiao Ziman’s heart calmed. She reached back, wrapping her arms around Chi Yin, her cheek resting against her chest. “Chi Yin, I’m not scared anymore.”

When they finally descended, they met up with Ji Yun. The three of them started walking back together, though Ji Yun remained sullen and silent the entire way.

As they passed through a bamboo grove, a movement caught Qiao Ziman’s eye. Curious, she glanced into the grove, only to see two long-haired girls tightly holding each other, locked in an intense, passionate kiss.

Their mouths emitted some indescribable sounds.

Qiao Ziman: “…”

Chi Yin suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“Teacher.”

Qiao Ziman: “???”

“I think they’re really exciting. Can you teach me?”

Qiao Ziman turned to Ji Yun, her expression serious. “I need to give a lesson. You head back first.”

So that’s how it is. How intriguing. 

Ji Yun quickly left. That left just the two of them.

Qiao Ziman kissed Chi Yin on the lips, gently sucking on her lower lip. “Is the teacher impressive?”

“Impressive.”

“Can I use my tongue?”

“Yes.”