CH 34

Luo Xi felt a wave of relief when she saw Cheng Qing. Even though it was all for the show and Cheng Qing wouldn’t be in any danger, no one would probably understand the worry and anxiety she felt.

Cheng Qing, still in the water, looked up at Luo Xi and asked, “Why are you smiling?” The evening sun made Luo Xi’s smile shine brightly.

In response, Luo Xi tilted her head and reached out her hand, saying, “I’m happy. Can I help you up?”

Cheng Qing shook her head and said, “Silly, there’s no grip here. If you try to pull me up, you’ll end up in the water with me.”

Though comforted and happy in her heart, Cheng Qing didn’t take Luo Xi’s hand. Instead, she pushed herself up from the water using the edge of the dock and leaped ashore.

Water splashed down like a waterfall, and the sunlight reflected off the droplets, creating a sparkling sight. The scene was beautiful, but as they emerged from the water, the cool evening breeze made them shiver.

Even though it was early autumn, the wind felt desolate, almost like the cold winter breeze.

Luo Xi quickly handed Cheng Qing a down jacket she had brought. Cheng Qing was surprised but smiled helplessly, saying, “I’m still wet!”

“Don’t worry, Kong Mingyan prepared this jacket. He’ll take care of it!” Luo Xi reassured her.

Just then, another staff member approached with water and towels. Cheng Qing only took the towel to dry her hair, while Luo Xi took the water and followed along. When Cheng Qing turned and saw Luo Xi still there, she hesitated for a moment before saying, “Go back to the recording! I’ll take a shower later.”

Whether swimming in a pool or in the wild, it’s important to take a shower and disinfect for hygiene.

Luo Xi frowned, “The recording is done.”

Cheng Qing chuckled, looking a bit helpless. She squinted at Luo Xi and said, “The werewolf killing game just ended, so why isn’t there any recording?”

Luo Xi was annoyed, “I’m not recording anymore. I’ll talk to Director Kong about it later.”

“Mm~” Cheng Qing didn’t argue immediately, but asked, “Why didn’t you refuse to play the game from the start?”

Luo Xi was surprised. Cheng Qing smiled at her and playfully tapped her forehead, “Back then, were you ready to lose and swim back?”

Luo Xi fell silent. Yes, she was indeed prepared for that.

With the radiant glow behind Cheng Qing, her beautiful features were enchanting. She wore the gentle smile that Luo Xi loved the most and softly said, “Luo Xi, you signed the contract, and I signed it too. Before coming here, I had already read the contract.”

Cheng Qing’s words had a hint of teaching, but she was so charming, with a lovely smile and a beautiful voice, that Luo Xi couldn’t stay angry.

Yet, she still felt upset. Even though the contract had stated it from the beginning, she still didn’t like it.

“I can handle endurance swimming well, but all I get… is this salary,” Cheng Qing said firmly, leaving no room for argument. She turned her head slightly to look at Luo Xi with her resolute eyes.

“Fine! I’ll go. You can find me after my shower,” Luo Xi reluctantly agreed, even though she still felt dissatisfied in her heart.

Cheng Qing reached out and tousled her hair, messing up her beautiful locks. She smiled and said, “Thank you.”

Luo Xi softly replied, “Mm.”

The setting sun cast their long shadows, and in the distance, fans screamed in excitement.

Cheng Qing looked over and couldn’t help but laugh. “We played all afternoon, and they’ve been waiting all afternoon?”

Luo Xi glanced in that direction and gave Cheng Qing a complicated look. She couldn’t help but think that Cheng Qing probably had no idea how many of those fans supported them as a couple!

How long can they keep their patience while secretly shipping us day and night?

***

After Cheng Qing swam back, Kong Mingyan had everything prepared for her: disinfectants, eye drops, bathing supplies, and he even arranged a hot spring reservation for her.

Cheng Qing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but she accepted everything he offered.

Feeling a bit apologetic for asking Cheng Qing to take a shower, Kong Mingyan had booked an expensive hotel for her. Cheng Qing wore the down jacket on her way to the hotel. When she changed her clothes, she found the outfit prepared by Kong Mingyan to be quite stylish.

Black sports shoes, black jeans, a white long-sleeved shirt, and a black shawl to go with it.

Cheng Qing: “…” Not my style.

Cheng Qing wasn’t used to it, but she didn’t have high demands when it came to clothes. She made a playful comment and then put them on.

Being naturally tall, the outfit emphasized her elegant figure, with a hint of coolness and sophistication.

After blow-drying her hair, Cheng Qing opened the door and saw not only the cameraman but also Luo Xi outside.

Seeing her dressed in all black, looking handsome and elegant, Luo Xi couldn’t help but smile.

Cheng Qing handed her things to the staff and said, “I don’t need these anymore.”

After the staff took them, Cheng Qing turned to Luo Xi and asked, “Weren’t you supposed to be recording? Why are you waiting here?”

Luo Xi turned her head and didn’t respond. After all, even if she did, she would still be lectured by Cheng Qing! So, she didn’t care!

Cheng Qing shook her head. Although she felt helpless, she didn’t bother to lecture Luo Xi. After all, compared to the trivial matter, Luo Xi’s genuine concern for her was what mattered. On this point, Cheng Qing was grateful and happy.

The two followed the team to the parking lot. Along the way, the cameraman explained, “Kong Mingyan and the others went to reserve a private room. I’ll take you there now.”

Cheng Qing nodded and got into the car with Luo Xi.

The car slowly left the Ai Qing Lake parking lot, and the driver played some soft music. Feeling a bit tired, Cheng Qing leaned back against the seat and was almost falling asleep.

Luo Xi glanced at her and leaned close to her ear, whispering softly, “Can you sleep leaning on me?”

Luo Xi got a little too close, and the warm breath hit Cheng Qing’s ear, making her feel a strange tingling sensation.

Cheng Qing reached out and pushed her head away from her ear, then turned to look at her with a gentle smile. “Sure, then let me rest for a while using you as a pillow.”

Saying that, she rested her head on Luo Xi’s thigh, closed her eyes in a drowsy state, and reminded her, “Wake me up when we arrive.”

Completely unaware of how her sudden action had left Luo Xi stiffened and breathless, Cheng Qing drifted off to sleep.

The cameraman in front turned back to record, and Luo Xi quickly placed her index finger on her lips, then whispered, “She’s sleeping, don’t film.”

Feeling upset, the cameraman turned his head away. After all, the princess’s mood today was really bad, so it was better not to provoke her.

With soothing and melodious music playing, Cheng Qing’s sleep drifted deeper.

Luo Xi looked down at Cheng Qing’s sleeping face. When she was asleep, her expression would become calm, giving off a feeling of being distant.

She couldn’t help but reach out and touch Cheng Qing’s hair. Why did she look so different when awake and asleep? She was such a gentle person!

Unconsciously, Luo Xi’s expression softened…

The cameraman, who saw this scene through the rearview mirror, slowly put away his equipment and sighed as he looked outside the car.

Everyone could see how much the princess cared about Teacher Cheng today, but because of this, as a cameraman, he was also a bit worried.

***

The nanny car smoothly entered the hotel and stopped at the entrance.

Luo Xi nudged Cheng Qing, and Cheng Qing quickly opened her eyes and sat up.

However, because she had slept deeply this time, even after waking up, she still seemed a bit dazed. Luo Xi had noticed before that Cheng Qing had a slight morning grumpiness, and the deeper her sleep, the slower her reaction time during this short period of waking up.

Luo Xi’s mischievous side emerged, and she leaned close to Cheng Qing’s ear, chuckling, “Teacher Cheng, pinch your own face.”

Cheng Qing turned to frown at her and slowly raised her hand…

Luo Xi was delighted, “Hehe.”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Qing directly reached out and pinched Luo Xi’s small but fleshy smiling face.

Luo Xi was taken aback by the pinch, and Cheng Qing burst into laughter, saying, “Who do you think you’re teasing?”

Luo Xi got angry, “Let go of me.”

Cheng Qing relaxed her grip slightly but didn’t let go. Instead, she leaned in closer and asked, “Will you tease me again next time?”

Luo Xi was defiant, “You’ve teased me so many times, what’s wrong with me teasing you once?”

“Oh, really?” Cheng Qing smiled gently, “Are you playing along with me?”

As she spoke, Cheng Qing reached out and playfully pinched Luo Xi’s waist. Luo Xi was extremely ticklish, and just this one touch made her collapse into the leather chair, laughing, “Hehehe.”

“Teacher Cheng, you’re too much! No more tickling, hahaha…”

Luo Xi exclaimed, but Cheng Qing playfully tickled her a couple more times, causing her to twist and turn on the chair with laughter.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Seeing that Luo Xi was enjoying herself, she suddenly pounced on Cheng Qing to tickle her back.

Though Cheng Qing was toppled, she couldn’t let Luo Xi have her way, so she grabbed both of Luo Xi’s wrists.

Luo Xi couldn’t help but admire Cheng Qing’s cleverness and quick reflexes; she had managed to control herself in such a short time.

Feeling dissatisfied, Luo Xi suddenly realized her hand was caught, and without any leverage, she couldn’t support herself, causing her to directly fall onto Cheng Qing.

Cheng Qing was taken aback when Luo Xi fell on her, and she quickly turned her head to avoid any further contact.

As a result, the kiss landed on Cheng Qing’s cheek.

Both of them could clearly feel that touch, as if it had landed on the tip of their hearts.

The car fell into silence, with everyone remaining speechless and motionless.

After maintaining that position for three seconds, Luo Xi quickly withdrew her hand and sat up, holding onto the back of the seat.

Feeling awkward and not daring to look at Cheng Qing, her face flushed, she glared at the driver and the cameraman through the rearview mirror, then pushed open the car door and ran away.

Cheng Qing covered the side of her face that was kissed and asked the cameraman, “Will this scene be cut?”

The cameraman stared at her for a while and then said, “I’m just recording, not the editor. But I think, most likely…”

Cheng Qing felt a bit anxious, unsure whether this “most likely” meant the scene would be edited out or not.

When she sat up, Luo Xi was already gone. Cheng Qing was momentarily stunned, then muttered in pain, “I went too far, is she angry?”

She hadn’t noticed when Luo Xi got up and left, so she had no idea about her current mood.

The cameraman’s feelings were complicated as he glanced at Cheng Qing several times. Finally, he could only say, “You’ll know once you go inside.”

Cheng Qing hesitated for a moment and then nodded, “You’re right.”

Saying that, she pushed open the car door and got out.

***

At this moment, Kong Mingyan had already reserved the largest private room, and everyone had taken their seats.

He had kept the main seat for Cheng Qing, and in his words, “She swam 1500 meters for you all, so let’s raise a toast to her.”

Everyone had no objections and took their seats in other positions.

Cheng Qing hadn’t arrived yet, so the dishes hadn’t been served. Only some appetizers and snacks were on the table. The director grabbed a handful of melon seeds, cracking them open while asking, “Why haven’t these two arrived yet?”

Lin Shandie smiled and said, “Is Cheng Qing tagging along to buy some food?”

Kong Mingyan immediately replied, “No way. The last time I found her hiding pocket money at the supermarket, I made her hand it over.”

Lin Shandie: “…” You’re really something.

Liu Suoyu added, “I have a feeling that Cheng Qing must have hidden some money somewhere else. If she wants to hide money, she’ll find a way.”

Kong Mingyan, still munching on melon seeds, thought it made sense and said, “Is that so? I’ll search again when I go back tonight…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Luo Xi kicked open the door and walked in.

Kong Mingyan thought she came to argue, so he quickly said, “Okay, forget it, forget it.”

However, after Luo Xi entered, she forcefully closed the door with a loud “bang.”

Then she leaned against the door with a cold expression.

Everyone: “…” Uh-oh, who did she get mad at?

Kong Mingyan had a hunch that she was mad at him and immediately blinked at his assistant, signaling to call her manager.

But before the assistant could fully understand Kong Mingyan’s intention, everyone noticed that Luo Xi, leaning against the door, had visibly turned red in the face.

Red?

Her face grew even redder, so red that it looked like blood was about to drip, and her embarrassment seemed to spread to everyone in the private room…

Then, everyone was shocked!!!

“Oh my gosh!!! Could it be…”

“Luo Xi, did you lock the door?” Cheng Qing’s voice, gentle like a flowing stream, came from outside the door, sounding a bit muffled through the barrier.

Upon hearing Cheng Qing’s voice, Luo Xi’s whole body tensed up, and she quickly reached out to lock the door.

Yes, she locked it.

Cheng Qing outside the door: “…” Oh no, she’s really angry.

Everyone inside the room: “…” Well, it must be because of Cheng Qing.

“Luo Xi?” Perhaps Cheng Qing sensed that Luo Xi was truly upset, so she called out her name in an even gentler tone.

Just her name, but to Luo Xi, it sounded like sweet words and tender whispers.

She instantly shouted in anger, “Don’t call me!”

Both inside and outside the room, everyone held their breath!

Cheng Qing hesitated for a moment and could only continue asking, “Then, can I… eat?”

This time, it was Luo Xi’s turn to be stunned. She turned her head to look at the over 20 people inside the private room, who were all in a state of shock.

Luo Xi became furious again, “What are you all looking at!!!”

Everyone immediately averted their gaze, reaching for some melon seeds and bowing their heads to crack them open.

However, their eyes couldn’t help but sneak a peek…

How thrilling!!! (OvO)