38 taking a bath together

◎They only know how to say pretty words to coax me◎

Lu Shutian didn't think she had done anything wrong.

In the first timeline, she was fighting against the world's consciousness and opposing He Chenyu.

At that time, Jian Liyun fawned over He Chenyu, not only obeying him in every way, but even before the outcome of her relationship with He Chenyu was decided, Jian Liyun committed suicide because of love.

Since Jian Liyun wants that scoundrel so badly, wouldn't it be better for her to push He Chenyu towards her?

With He Chenyu by her side, Jian Liyun will also return to Yan Sui's side, and everyone will be happy.

Instead of the current situation, where Jian Liyun is clearly devoted to He Chenyu, yet still maintains an ambiguous relationship with Yan Sui, thus taking away the love that should belong to Lu Shutian.

Yan Sui looked at the woman in front of her in disbelief. "Miss Lu, how can you say that about Li Yun? She's had a hard time too. Since you know there's more to the story than meets the eye, haven't you considered that Li Yun actually..."

They had their reasons.

Unfortunately, Yan Sui didn't get to finish her sentence.

Lu Shutian's chest heaved violently, and her face twitched. "Li Yun, Li Yun, Li Yun... You always call her so intimately! Just call me Miss Lu! What, would it hurt you to call me Tiantian?! What's wrong with her?"

Lu Shutian approached Yan Sui, her eyes filled with malice. "She's just fallen for a rotten man. If she wants to rot with that man, can I stop her? Maybe in her eyes, He Chenyu is the best man in the world, and I..."

"Enough!"

This was the first time Yan Sui had used such a fierce tone to sternly stop him.

Disappointment was evident on her face. "Miss Lu, that's enough."

Lu Shutian was still able to laugh for some reason, her dimples showing on her face. "Not enough, sister, far from enough. Jian Liyun is not a good person, but of course, I will give her what she wants. That way, you can also see her true colors."

“We appreciate Miss Lu’s kindness, but there’s no need to waste any more time on this matter,” Yan Sui said politely but distantly. “Miss Lu should focus on herself. With your talent, I’m sure you can achieve great things in the entertainment industry.”

Lu Shutian gritted her teeth, "Call me Miss Lu again, and I'll tell Jian Liyun the truth about this world."

After saying this, Lu Shutian regretted it a little. She didn't know why she always got emotional when facing Yan Sui.

Yan Sui's expression didn't change; she even smiled gently. "Tian Tian, ​​what are your conditions? Not to bother Li Yun."

Lu Shutian fiddled with the hem of her skirt, "Tell her to change her manager and stay far away from you. Then, I'll become your artist, and you'll live with me."

Yan Sui calmly analyzed, "I'm afraid that won't work. You know my mission is to save her, and I can't completely ignore her. Living with you isn't impossible, but I can't live with you every day. Li Yun's mental health needs my constant attention, and I can't be too far away from her. I hope you understand."

Yan Sui thought for a moment, "Why do you want me to live with you?"

Lu Shutian pouted, her eyes glistening with moisture: "Sister, you always favor her like this. I really don't know what I did wrong."

They were having a normal conversation, so why did they start crying again?

Yan Sui sighed helplessly, her voice softening, "It's not favoritism, it's a mission, a responsibility. I treat you the same way."

Lu Shutian turned her head away. "I don't see how it's the same. If you treat me even a tenth as well as you treat her, I should be thanking my lucky stars."

“I could give my life for you, even burn my soul. Even so, do you still think I’m being biased?”

Yan Sui spoke in a light tone, but the content of her words was weighty.

It took Lu Shutian a long time to respond, "...Sister, are you just saying nice things to me to coax me?"

Yan Sui thought, I never say pretty words.

But she didn't deny the other person's point of view, "Did those nice words make you any happier?"

Lu Shutian was really easy to coax. Although she looked unhappy, she still nodded honestly.

Yan Sui pressed her advantage, "So what can I do to make you happier?"

Lu Shutian, all coy and ready to take advantage, said, "Of course, I want to hug you more, kiss you more, and ideally, cough cough, be even closer."

Yan Sui listened attentively, and then uttered a shocking statement.

"So your ultimate goal is to sleep with me?"

Lu Shutian's cheeks instantly turned bright red. "Sister, you...you...why are you suddenly speaking so directly?"

"So that's how it is?" Yan Sui asked, tilting her head.

Lu Shutian didn't speak, but sometimes silence is also a form of response.

Yan Sui understood. Her tone was as serious as if she were discussing an academic issue. "But I have no experience in matters of the heart, and I don't know how two women should do this. But I can learn. I will do my best to give you a good experience, as long as you need it."

“You don’t need to learn!” Lu Shutian interrupted loudly.

Tears welled up in Lu Shutian's eyes again. She tried to look away to stop the tears from falling, but the more she did so, the more pitiful she looked.

She's so pitiful that it makes you briefly forget she's actually a white-faced, black-faced sesame-filled glutinous rice ball.

"It's not that I have no experience..." Lu Shutian said softly, then let out a sob.

Jian Liyun next door sneezed. She looked at the air conditioner in confusion. The temperature wasn't low, so why did she sneeze?

"What?" Yan Sui didn't hear clearly.

She mentally called out to the system, "System, what did the female lead just say?"

She didn't hear Jian Liyun's words clearly last time, and it was the system that gave her a prompt.

[Host, I didn't hear that either. You probably just feel wronged.]

The sweating system: Actually, I heard it, but I dared not say it.

Lu Shutian couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and one tear after another fell down her cheeks. "Sister, these kinds of things should be done with someone you like. What you just said was just like doing business, but this isn't work."

Saving the female supporting character was a task assigned by the system, while saving the female lead was because the female lead had once saved Yan Sui as well.

Therefore, Yan Sui's view of saving the female lead as a responsibility, a favor, or a mission is not wrong.

She didn't know how to explain it, because in her view it was simply a way to make Lu Shutian happy.

As for how she felt during this process, that's not the point.

Yan Sui's silence further provoked Lu Shutian, who stood up with a pitiful expression, facing the wall with her back to Yan Sui, "I hate my sister... Waaah..."

I've been so accommodating to your every whim, and now you're starting to dislike me?

Yan Sui was at her wit's end. She sighed and came up behind the other person, tugging at their sleeve. "Don't cry. You have to record a show later. Swollen eyes won't look good on camera. Okay, calm yourself down and contact your makeup artist to touch up your makeup."

Lu Shutian shook off Yan Sui and said in a very nasal voice, "Isn't that perfect? ​​That way no one will bother your Jian Liyun anymore."

Yan Sui frowned and corrected, "She is first and foremost herself. She doesn't belong to me, nor to anyone else."

Lu Shutian burst into tears, "You're always so gentle and kind to her, I'm so sad I want to die..."

“Don’t say that,” Yan Sui interrupted quickly. “You and she will both be fine, living happily and freely. I promise you.”

She forcefully turned Lu Shutian's shoulders, forcing her to face her.

Lu Shutian cried so hard that her makeup was ruined, but the smudged makeup only added to her pitiful beauty.

Lu Shutian already had a height that didn't match her appearance; she was 173cm tall without shoes, and today she was wearing 8cm heels, so Yan Sui had to look up to see her.

"Lower your head," Yan Sui commanded curtly.

Lu Shutian bit her lower lip, sobbing as she lowered her head.

"How did you grow so tall from eating all this?" Yan Sui muttered as she took out a tissue from her pocket and gently wiped the other person's face. "Okay, really, stop crying. If you keep crying, even the makeup artist can't save you."

Lu Shutian looked aggrieved, but took the opportunity to put her arms around Yan Sui's waist.

Yan Sui didn't stop the other person's little actions. She said softly, "Everyone has a hard time. Let's be considerate of each other, okay? If you have any requests in the future, you can tell me directly, and I will try to fulfill them."

Lu Shutian did not answer.

Yan Sui gently poked the other person's soft cheek with her index finger. "Did you hear that? If you heard it, make a sound."

Lu Shutian whispered, "Squeak."

She said cautiously, "Sister, I'll be good, please don't be angry."

If you could really behave yourself, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Yan Sui thought to herself, "Hmm."

"So, is there a reward for good children?" Lu Shutian asked hesitantly.

Yan Sui hooked her arm around Lu Shutian's neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed the other's lips.

Until Yan Sui left, Lu Shutian was in a state of mental lapse.

She pulled out her phone and shakily contacted the makeup artist, not even knowing what she had said on the phone when the artist arrived.

The only thing she could recall was Yan Sui's incredibly gentle kiss just now.

It's strange. Even though Yan Sui's movements were very gentle, Lu Shutian felt that the other person had already left a mark on her heart that was even heavier than that scar.

[Host, you're amazing.]

With just one kiss, the female protagonist, who was on the verge of an emotional breakdown, was completely tamed.

Yan Sui smiled wryly, "Am I amazing?"

I didn't see it.

After returning to Jian Liyun's lounge, Yan Sui sat down directly on the sofa.

Seeing this, Jian Liyun also came over, "Is the matter resolved?"

Yan Sui leaned closer to the other person, "Yes. Miss Lu shouldn't make things difficult for you anymore."

Lowering her eyes, Jian Liyun's voice was devoid of emotion, "She doesn't seem like someone who would compromise easily. What did you promise her?"

Yan Sui thought for a moment, "It's not really a promise, it's just a little bit of coaxing."

An overwhelming bitterness welled up inside her, and Jian Liyun slowly lay down, resting her head on Yan Sui's lap.

"Hey, stop now, your hairstyle will be messed up later." Yan Sui tried to stop her.

Jian Liyun whispered, "Don't try to coax her."

Yan Sui gently stroked Jian Liyun's arm and said softly, "It's just a little coaxing to make you two get along better. Liyun, it hasn't been easy for you as an actress. I hope you can shine brighter and brighter."

Jian Liyun remained silent.

Yan Sui helped the other person sit up, hugged them, and patted their thin back. "Okay, don't overthink it. How about thinking about how you want to celebrate your birthday the day after tomorrow? Do you want to go out for a nice meal, or do you want to do something fun? But if you go out, you should choose a place with good privacy, otherwise..."

I want to spend my life with you.

After saying that, Jian Liyun added, "I want to celebrate my birthday with you, Sui Sui."

Yan Sui was stunned for a moment, then agreed, "Okay."

But she's a very boring person. Wouldn't it be boring to have her celebrate her birthday with Jian Liyun?

The intermission passed quickly, and Jian Liyun adjusted her state and rushed to the recording studio to record the second half of the program.

Yan Sui also made a phone call.

"Hey, Director Kong..."

The phone call lasted a full hour, and Yan Sui's throat became dry from talking so much before she finally convinced the other party.

Even she, who is usually very clever, rarely showed a silly smile.

"System, aren't I amazing? Li Yun will definitely love this birthday present."

[Host is truly amazing! But actually, the best birthday gift for her would be if you were willing to spend it with the female supporting character.]

Yan Sui put down her phone, thinking to herself, "System, we're practically family, why are you being so polite with me?"

This is not just polite talk.

The second half of the recording ended at 10 p.m., and Lu Shutian's driver was still "busy," so she took Yan Sui and Jian Liyun's car home.

The good news is that Yan Sui had Director Kong arrange for a replacement car, and the blood-stained car was sent for cleaning.

The three people in the back row were still crowded. Even though there was plenty of room next to them, Lu Shutian insisted on squeezing into Yan Sui's spot in the middle.

Although Yan Sui didn't say anything on the surface, her body language betrayed her by moving closer to Jian Liyun.

Instead of showing any impatience, Jian Liyun gently said to Yan Sui, "Are you sleepy? If you are, lean on me and sleep for a while."

Yan Sui shook her head honestly, "I actually slept quite a bit during the day, even though I had some naps here and there." "I'm not sleepy."

It just feels a bit cramped and a bit hot.

"Sister, I'm a little sleepy," Lu Shutian said shyly.

Yan Sui's lips twitched. "Then, you can take a nap?"

Even with her eyes closed and no one able to see the happiness radiating from them, Lu Shutian's upturned lips revealed that she was in a state of extreme joy.

She said shyly in a low voice, "Sister, then I'll sleep next to you."

"Um."

After Yan Sui agreed, she chatted with the system in her mind, "System, actually the female lead is also quite suitable to be an actress, to play roles with a lot of contrast."

【for example? 】

"For example, she may appear to be a cute and sweet girl on the surface, but her mood is unpredictable. If something displeases her, she might kill someone without hesitation."

If the female lead knew you said that to her, she'd probably start crying like crazy again.

Yan Sui was still arguing with the system when a pair of warm hands suddenly enveloped her left hand.

It's Jian Liyun.

Yan Sui's first thought was: It seems that Jian Liyun is dressed very warmly today, her hands are not cold.

Nine times out of ten, when I had physical contact with Jian Liyun, her hands were ice-cold.

Yan Sui looked at Jian Liyun with a smile on her lips, and blinked to indicate that she had something to say.

Jian Liyun mouthed, "Are you cold?"

Yan Sui scratched Jian Liyun's palm with her fingers, and Jian Liyun shook her head slightly to indicate that she was not cold.

Having received a reply, Jian Liyun closed her eyes to rest. As long as Yan Sui wasn't cold, that was fine. If she was cold, she could turn up the car's air conditioning and bring out a blanket.

As for whether Lu Shutian is cold or not—

Ah, Jian Liyun felt a little sleepy, so she went to sleep first.

When the car pulled into the parking lot of the residential area, Yan Sui felt completely numb.

Of course, the most numb areas are the shoulders.

After Jian Liyun fell asleep, she leaned her head on Yan Sui's shoulder. Yan Sui felt that she had been carrying too much on her own.

Clearing her throat, Yan Sui spoke in a slightly louder voice: "Well, we've arrived."

The two slowly opened their eyes, but Jian Liyun's acting was better; her eyes were still full of sleepiness, and she really looked like she had just been woken up.

In contrast, Lu Shutian's eyes were clear as soon as she opened them, showing no signs of having just been sleeping.

The three returned to their residence, and Yan Sui smiled slightly at Lu Shutian who opened the door: "Shutian, see you tomorrow."

Lu Shutian felt that she was the happiest person in the world.

She waved with a bright smile, "See you tomorrow, sister."

After returning home with Jian Liyun, Yan Sui took off her coat and said, "Liyun, tomorrow is the last day of filming for the show. The ten non-celebrity guests will also be here. Let's have a meal with Jinlan after filming is over."

Jian Liyun took Yan Sui's coat and skillfully hung it on the coat rack. "Okay."

Yan Sui stretched her still sore and numb shoulders, "When you were recording the second half of the show today, I also spoke with Director Kong on the phone. She and Jin Lan's team have confirmed that filming for the new drama will start in three days—"

"That is, the day after your birthday."

Jian Liyun was somewhat surprised, "So fast? Is the production team assembled quickly enough? And have all the actors been confirmed? After confirmation, won't we have a script reading session?"

Yan Sui hummed in agreement, "Jin Lan is a very efficient person. She had already taken care of most of it before she even participated in the recording of the show, and she continued to follow up during the recording, so it was very quick. I don't know anything about the script reading session either. We'll get the script for your role tomorrow, but in that case..."

Yan Sui's voice trailed off, "It's your birthday the day after tomorrow, so you probably won't be able to rest all day. You'll have to spend at least half a day reading the script."

Jian Liyun wanted to say that it was okay, but when she saw Yan Sui's guilty face, she couldn't help but tease her.

“Oh, that’s such a pity,” Jian Liyun sighed, “Sui Sui promised me she would let me rest for a day that day.”

Yan Sui coughed lightly, "Plans can't keep up with changes, I'm sorry, it's my fault. But I have something to make up for, and I promise you'll like it."

"Does compensation mean a birthday gift?" Jian Liyun quickly guessed.

“Yes,” Yan Sui nodded repeatedly, assuring him, “you will definitely like it.”

Jian Liyun then gave up and turned to walk towards the bedroom. "Would you like to wash up first, or should I?"

Yan Sui smiled and followed, "Together, please."

"Okay, then I'm going to take a bath too, want to come along?"

Yan Sui's smile froze on her face. "That won't be necessary."

The two walked into the bathroom. Before Jian Liyun could speak, Yan Sui held a cotton pad in one hand and a bottle of makeup remover in the other.

"Li Yun, let me remove your makeup!"

Jian Liyun didn't refuse Yan Sui's offer, and she chuckled, "You seem to be very happy."

Yan Sui didn't even know what she was so happy about. "Removing the makeup of our future Best Actress, I wonder how many people will envy me if word gets out."

Jian Liyun was amused. "Okay, go ahead and remove it."

Yan Sui soaked a cotton pad with makeup remover and carefully wiped Jian Liyun's face: "Liyun, close your eyes."

Jian Liyun closed her eyes. Her eyeshadow today was similar to smoky eye makeup, but she only deepened the inner and outer corners of her eyes. It wasn't too dramatic, but it still exuded a strong and aloof aura.

The cool, damp makeup remover pads rubbed against Jian Liyun's eyelids. Yan Sui sighed, "I don't understand why I always have to do this kind of makeup on you. You look fierce. You're clearly a very gentle person."

Jian Liyun closed her eyes and said, "Maybe it's because in the public's eyes, even if I don't act, I'm still a fierce person."

“I wasn’t fierce at all. That,” Yan Sui racked her brains to recall those fan circle terms, “it’s called the sense of distance created by being aloof and broken.”

"But to me, I feel that Li Yun and I are not distant at all."

Yan Sui only needed a few words to make the aloof beauty smile again.

[Host, you're not only good at Go, but you're also incredibly skilled at charming people.]

The system uttered a heartfelt exclamation.

Yan Sui didn't care about anything else and carefully removed Jian Liyun's makeup. "You should wash up and take a bath first. I'll go to the refrigerator and get a face mask. You can put it on before you go to bed."

Jian Liyun grabbed her arm. "No need. Come take a bath with me."

The beautiful woman's voice was gentle yet irresistible.

Yan Sui was somewhat hesitant, but she still agreed.

...So why did I agree just now?!

As Yan Sui soaked in the bathtub with Jian Liyun, she let out a desperate cry in her heart.

With a beautiful woman by her side, and the slightly warm water constantly steaming, even someone as wooden as Yan Sui could sense a hint of ambiguity.

[Host, you're currently behaving exactly like a desperate straight woman.]

The system didn't laugh, but it really enjoyed watching the drama unfold.

“I’m not straight,” Yan Sui corrected.

[So, host, you're gay too? No wonder you can handle both the female supporting character and the female lead so well.]

While staring straight ahead with an air of righteous indignation, Yan Sui responded in her mind, "I'm not gay. I didn't even have any friends in my original world, let alone anyone I liked. The only person who truly cared for me... never mind."

Besides, she no longer has the ability or the right to like someone else.

Describing Yan Sui as asexual would be more apt.

Thinking of the little bird, Yan Sui felt a pang of sadness and sorrow.

Fortunately, the misty fog concealed her disheveled state.

At least that's what she thinks.

"Sui Sui," came the gentle female voice, accompanied by Jian Liyun's fingertips resting on her collarbone, "What scented bath bomb do you like? Jasmine and lychee scents."

...Why are there only these two flavors?

Yan Sui thought for a moment, "How about we put them all in?"

"There will be lots of bubbles," Jian Liyun said, but her actions betrayed her words as she placed two bath bombs in the tub.

Two colorful balls touched the water's surface, instantly producing a sizzling sound. Two fragrances intertwined, making Yan Sui feel a little dizzy.

The two sat or lay in the bathtub, which, although a large single bathtub, was still somewhat cramped for the two of them.

In the water, Jian Liyun reached up to Yan Sui's thin back, "Sui Sui".

Yan Sui tried hard not to think about the little bird right now, afraid that she would lose control of her emotions again. "What's wrong?"

You look a little sad. Why?

Jian Liyun asked very directly.

Yan Sui took a deep breath; she really wanted to control her emotions.

In fact, even in the original world, after she entered university life and was able to live and socialize like a normal person, there was a time when Yan Sui herself wondered if she had already let go.

Let go of the little bird, and let go of that painful memory.

Actually, no.

In the stillness of the night, or at some random moment, Yan Sui would think of that little white bird countless times.

The fire took the little bird away, and it also left her soul forever consumed by the flames, suffering endless pain.

With her moist fingers touching the corner of Yan Sui's eye, Jian Liyun said with heartache, "Why are you crying?"

"I didn't..."

Yan Sui was about to deny it when she found her throat was already tight and blocked.

She sniffed and turned her head away. "Don't look at me, I'm ugly."

Jian Liyun insisted on getting closer, and the two equally soft faces drew closer and closer. Finally, she rubbed her cheek against Yan Sui's equally wet face.

The wet liquid was hard to tell whether it was water from the bathtub or Yan Sui's tears.

“You’re not ugly at all,” Jian Liyun comforted softly. “If you’re sad, just cry. In front of me, you can laugh or cry. It doesn’t matter how loudly or how pathetic you cry.”

Both of them had long, black hair that cascaded into the bathtub, rippling and intertwining with the water, never to be separated.

Yan Sui finally turned to look at Jian Liyun, her eyes brimming with tears. "Liyun, I miss it so much. Everyone says it's not important, that it's unnecessary, but for me, it will always be an inseparable part of my life."

More than wanting to know who it was, what occupied Jian Liyun's heart first was a feeling of heartache.

“If you think it’s important, then it’s important.” Jian Liyun’s voice was gentle yet resolute. “You don’t need to care what others think.”

Yan Sui covered her face with her hands, but the clear liquid continued to flow from between her fingers.

"Li Yun, I miss it so much."

Jian Liyun hugged Yan Sui and stroked her back.

Two naked bodies embraced, feeling each other's heartbeats, trembling, and burning, painful emotions.

Yan Sui finally burst into tears.

She choked up, her voice extremely hoarse.

"If only I had been the one who died back then."

[Author's Note]

Xiao Yan: I could hold it in at first, but she asked if I was sad, saying that I could cry and be pathetic in front of her. I... I'm really sad, sob sob sob [bursting into tears]

Xiao Jian: I don't even have time to eat my vinegar, my darling is breaking my heart [cheek resting on hand]

Xiao Lu: What happened? [question mark] (Still grinning, completely unaware)

Happy weekend, dear readers! Thank you to everyone who sent me nutritional supplements! Time to drink and start writing! [milk tea emoji]