Chapter 14

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Volume 2 + Chapter 14: The Third Showdown

Night in Xijiang City.

The night in Xijiang City was bright with a full moon. This bustling city during the day became quiet at night, like a passionate musical piece encountering a rest symbol.

At this moment, Bai Yuxuan was sitting in her study reading a book about finance. “Rustle…” 

Since only Bai Yuxuan lived in this spacious apartment, the entire place was eerily silent—so quiet that even the sound of her turning pages could be heard clearly.

Yet despite the surrounding silence, Bai Yuxuan’s heart was extremely agitated.

“If you keep this up, Ouyang Qianxue might drift further and further away from you.”

Though Bai Yuxuan tried hard to focus on the book, the words Ning Caiwei had said during the day lingered in her mind like stubborn rain clouds.

“Damn it!” Finally reaching her limit, Bai Yuxuan threw the book at the bookshelf in frustration. After venting, she fell into deep thought.

She remembered when she was a child. Due to her family background, many children, at their parents’ urging, would actively approach her to curry favor. At first, Bai Yuxuan got along well with them. But after discovering their true motives, she drove them away with harsh words and attitude.

From then on, Bai Yuxuan stopped trusting anyone who took the initiative to befriend her. Whether they were after her status or genuinely wanted to be friends, she would respond with hostility. Over time, everyone kept their distance from her.

“All I’ve ever done is hurt others. That’s why I didn’t dare get too close to you until I fixed my twisted personality—I was afraid you’d hate me.”

“But if this ends up pushing you further away, what should I do?!” Bai Yuxuan slammed her fist on the desk.

—

Meanwhile, at Ning Caiwei’s home, Ning Caiwei was lying on her bed chatting with Ouyang Qianxue on her phone.

“Qianxue, you mentioned before that you wanted me to help you deal with Bai Yuxuan. What was that about?”

“Oh, that. It’s because we made a bet once, and after I lost, he did some really terrible things to me.”

“Terrible things? Don’t tell me he did something beastly to you—”

“Of course not! Don’t jump to conclusions. What he did was insulting to my spirit and dignity. I’ll never forget that humiliating feeling. So we agreed that in the next competition, I’d set the terms, and the loser would have to unconditionally fulfill one request from the winner. I’ve been struggling to decide what to challenge him to.”

“I see.”

“So rather than asking you to help me deal with Bai Yuxuan, it’s more like I need your help figuring out what to compete in.”

“Then obviously pick something you’re good at and he’s not.”

“But Bai Yuxuan is practically excellent at everything.”

“Then pick something boys usually aren’t good at—like cooking, singing, or dancing.”

“Absolutely not! That’d make it seem like I could only win by cheating. Beating him that way wouldn’t satisfy me at all!” 

(In truth, Ouyang Qianxue felt that if she won using “feminine” skills, she’d lose all remaining dignity as a man.)

“What about piano? I heard your piano skills are surprisingly amazing, and piano isn’t particularly gendered.”

“Right! Why didn’t I think of that?”

—

The next morning, as soon as Bai Yuxuan sat down, she noticed Ouyang Qianxue giving her a mischievous smile.

“What’s up? You seem unusually happy today.”

“That’s because I’ve finally found my chance for revenge. Remember our agreed-upon competition? I’ve decided what we’ll compete in—piano!”

“Piano?”

Bai Yuxuan hesitated. She wasn’t particularly skilled at piano, and she’d heard about Ouyang Qianxue sweeping the Xijiang Piano Competition recently. She wasn’t very confident about winning.

“What? You told me to decide the competition. Having second thoughts now?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Bai Yuxuan never goes back on her word. I accept the challenge. But how will we arrange the judging and venue?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already asked the music club’s advisor to handle all that. She’ll take care of the preparations. How about right after the last P.E. class this morning? You’re free during lunch break anyway, right?”

“Mm, fine. After P.E., I’ll meet you in the music room.” With that, the two fell silent.

—

By noon, the two immediately headed to the music room. Since today’s P.E. class had focused on long-distance running, both were drenched in sweat.

“You two should shower first. Your condition matters when playing piano—you won’t perform at your best soaked in sweat like this,” the music advisor sighed.

“But the dorms are too far from the music room. If we go back to shower now, there’ll hardly be any lunch break left.”

“That’s no problem. Across from the music room is a hot spring bathhouse for faculty. If you go there, it won’t take long.”

“But we’re students. Isn’t it inappropriate to use the teachers’ bathhouse? If other teachers see us there…”

Both Ouyang Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan hesitated. Since they were hiding their true genders, they could only enter bathhouses meant for the opposite sex. If another teacher walked in, it would be an unprecedented disaster for both.

“No need to worry. The bathhouse is closed during the day, but I’m friends with the manager. Just mention my name, and you’ll be the only ones there.”

“In that case, we’re relieved.”

“One thing to note, the bathhouse is under maintenance, so the men’s and women’s sections aren’t clearly marked. Just make sure you enter separate baths.”

“Got it. Let’s hurry, Bai Yuxuan. I can’t wait to get my revenge!” The two headed to the hot spring bathhouse, entering different bathing areas and beginning to undress.

—

As they stepped into the baths, a shadow quietly slipped into the bathhouse—none other than Ning Caiwei.

“Though I doubt Bai Yuxuan can beat Qianxue at piano, I’ve prepared a little insurance just in case.” She pulled out a small bottle from her pocket.

“Specially prepared chili powder for you. Once I sprinkle this in your underwear, when you sit down to play later, you’ll feel like you’re on fire. Bai Yuxuan, today you’re destined to lose.”

“But which bath did Bai Yuxuan even enter?” Faced with two unmarked entrances, Ning Caiwei hesitated.

“Oh right—I can check the clothes!” She tiptoed into one changing room.

“No way… What now?” Seeing the sports uniforms in the basket, Ning Caiwei was stumped again. Since both boys and girls wore the same P.E. uniforms for running, there was no way to tell whose clothes these were.

Then, a pair of boxer briefs in the basket caught her eye.

“These are clearly men’s underwear! Hah, Bai Yuxuan, prepare yourself!” With that, she sprinkled the chili powder onto the underwear.