Chapter 101 Bathing Together in Passion

Tan Mu was quite satisfied with Xu Zhe's bloodthirsty frenzy.

"Very good, be a good boy and listen to me, I will never treat you badly."

As he spoke, Tan Mu raised his hand to signal the two trainees who were holding Xu Zhe to release him.

Tan Mu wrapped his arm around Xu Zhe's neck and pulled him to the innermost corner.

"Listen to me, you're doing this..."

-

When it was time to gather, everyone waited and waited, but Xu Zhe did not return.

"What's going on? Is that kid really so badly upset that he's not coming?"

"Nobody provoked him, so who is he trying to impress? He's been like this in the previous qualifying rounds, always accusing the mentors of favoritism. It's ridiculous. Does everyone have to fawn over him to be considered fair?"

"Don't blame me for being blunt, Xu Zhe is just jealous. He participated in three talent shows but failed to debut successfully, so when he sees someone more outstanding than him, he always sees that person as a rival."

"I noticed it too. He keeps talking about unspoken rules, as if everyone else got ahead through connections and he's the only one who's clean. But what happened? Among our group, he's the one who fawns over Tan Mu the most! He's really a lousy person with a lot of fuss."

"To be honest, the person I'm most afraid of in team competitions right now isn't Jian Cheng, but Xu Zhe. If he pulls any crazy moves, we're all doomed."

As the group was discussing this, Xu Zhe pushed open the door and entered.

His gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, and he changed his previous attitude, jogging back.

"I'm sorry everyone, I'm late and I've kept you waiting. I'm really sorry."

No one expected Xu Zhe to react this way.

For a moment, the words of complaint were swallowed back.

“Join the team,” Song Ying glanced at Xu Zhe, clapped her hands, and gestured for everyone to stand in line. “Come on, find your positions. Let’s try walking through the formation first.”

This time, Xu Zhe became extremely obedient.

Not only that, but they also raise their hands to ask questions when they encounter something they don't understand.

Everyone was a little confused.

I don't understand why he suddenly became so diligent and inquisitive.

But then again, compared to their previous nitpicking, Xu Zhe's behavior isn't necessarily a bad thing for them.

-

The entire training session did not end until 10 p.m.

The formation and movement, as well as the dance steps, have been basically determined from beginning to end.

"That's all for today's training. Before you go to sleep tonight, go over each part in your mind and come to practice early tomorrow."

"There are only two days left. Let's all work hard and try our best to get good results."

"I have something to do tomorrow morning, so I won't be back until the afternoon. You guys practice hard first. If you have any questions, ask in the group chat, or I can help you solve them when I get back. Then, we'll go through the individual and team stages again, and then, as planned, we'll go on stage for a rehearsal and go over the choreography."

"Okay, that's all!"

Song Ying clapped her hands, announcing that today's training was over.

The trainees thanked them one after another, but none of them left. They all said they wanted to practice a little longer.

—They haven't slept before midnight for a while now.

The competition is getting tighter and more difficult, and everyone is trying to make the most of every second.

Song Ying understood, gave a few more instructions, and then left with Qin Shu and the others.

The training room door closed again.

In the corridor.

Lü Nianwei sighed and shook the paper in her hand.

That was the stage that Song Ying had modified for her during a break.

"I even offered to help you! But after you arrived, I realized I was just showing off my skills in front of Guan Yu, and I finally understand why the production team invited you—I think you are the real all-rounder, there's nothing you can't do, from composing and choreographing to stage design."

Song Ying smiled and raised an eyebrow: "What, are you going to admit defeat already?"

"I will not admit defeat!" Lü Nianwei said. "I am truly grateful to you, but I also truly want to have a serious competition with you! Teacher Song, see you on stage! Putting aside everything else, I will at least live up to the value of this picture you created."

"Alright, let's line up and wait."

Watching Lü Nianwei leave, the little deer beside her pouted.

"Sister Ying, Lü Nianwei is our opponent. If you help her like this, what if you give her the chance to win?"

Song Ying shook her head: "A real stage is not just a picture. The formation is static, but the people are dynamic. A truly strong team can win even with an ordinary formation; a weak team can't win even with a good formation or a great stage design."

The little deer seemed to understand, but not quite, and thought for a moment.

Puzzled: "Sister Ying, why do I feel like you're subtly criticizing us? Right now, the worst team is the seven people you're leading, isn't it?"

Song Ying: "..."

If you put it that way, you're not wrong.

but.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing—Lu Nianwei's original stage design wasn't bad at all. Don't forget, she's a professional talent show host, and she's served as a mentor on many talent shows over the years. What she said just now was just politeness."

After saying this, Song Ying lifted her foot and walked forward.

The little deer quickly caught up.

Qin Shu shared the same thoughts as Song Ying.

Lü Nianwei is a person worth befriending; helping her with such a small favor is worthwhile.

Most importantly, Song Ying's willingness to help shows that she has confidence in winning.

At least it won't cause my teammates to suffer losses by helping with this.

He believed her.

but……

"That Xu Zhe is problematic; things might go wrong later," Qin Shu whispered a warning.

"You noticed it too?" Song Ying looked up at her.

Qin Shu said, "Something must be amiss. Something must have happened while he was out. His questions afterward didn't seem like he was being diligent and eager to learn; it seemed more like he was deliberately trying to find out what was going on."

Song Ying laughed, her clear, bright eyes blinking mischievously.

"Therefore, this is where the importance of Plan B becomes apparent."

The reason why Jian Cheng's plan was used first was partly because his plan was indeed good, and Song Ying also wanted to encourage him.

On the other hand, it's also to prevent changes from happening, so at least there's a backup plan.

Qin Shu was relieved. "It's good that you were prepared."

The restroom was just ahead. Song Ying handed her handbag to Qin Shu, saying, "Wait for me a moment."

"Go."

-

When Song Ying came out after washing her hands, she looked up but only saw Xiao Lu.

"Hey, where is he?"

“Jian Cheng just came over. Brother Qin called him over and said he had something to say.”

The little deer pointed to the end of the corridor next to it.

Qin Shu and Jian Cheng stood on either side of each other.

Qin Shu, who was taller, stood with his hands in his pockets, speaking with a cold and stern expression.

Jian Cheng stood to the side, looking somewhat weak, with her head slightly lowered.

Suddenly, he stepped forward, grabbed Qin Shu's wrist, and spoke.

Qin Shu frowned and removed Jian Cheng's hand.

Because they were quite far apart and their voices were low, it was impossible to hear what they were saying.

Xiao Lu glanced at Song Ying with some concern.

"Sister Ying, did Jian Cheng and Brother Qin have some kind of conflict?"

Actually, Xiao Lu really wanted to ask if Qin Shu was jealous.

After all, Qin Shu had been staring at Jian Cheng the whole time during rehearsals.

When one man stares at another, there are generally only two possibilities.

First, be wary of him.

Second, I like him.

It's impossible for him to like her anymore; Qin Ge only has Ying Jie in his heart.

So all that's left is jealousy.

"Don't talk nonsense. Go up there and you'll see."

Song Ying felt that Qin Shu wouldn't be so unreasonable.

He was so proud that even if he really had a problem with Jian Cheng, he wouldn't do it this way.

As expected, when the two approached, Jian Cheng almost knelt down, but Qin Shu stopped her.

"Mr. Qin, thank you!"

Jian Cheng's voice was trembling with tears.

Qin Shu heard footsteps and looked towards Song Ying, but didn't have time to respond.

Jian Cheng also noticed Song Ying.

Then he turned to Song Ying and asked to kneel down.

"Thank you, Teacher Song!"

Song Ying: "...??!"

Song Ying was startled and quickly moved aside.

Qin Shu pulled the man upright, saying, "A man's knees are worth gold, get up."

Jian Cheng's eyes reddened. "No matter what, you are both my benefactors. I, Jian Cheng, swear that if I have the chance, I will definitely repay you both!"

By this point, Song Ying had already guessed what had happened.

"We rescued your sister not just for your sake. It's just that Xu Lanyan did many unjust things, and everything else was just a side effect. So you don't need to be so agitated. From now on, focus on preparing for the competition. Don't worry too much about Tan Mu. Protecting yourself is the most important thing."

Jian Cheng nodded firmly: "Professor Song, please rest assured. Mr. Qin just told me that I will definitely work hard during this period of time! I will not let you down!"

Song Ying said, "Okay, I'll be waiting to see you on stage. Go back and get some rest, see you tomorrow."

The little deer beside him: "..."

Things seemed to be quite different from what she had guessed.

It wasn't jealousy, but rather helping out?!

Hmm, she was being petty...

-

The three parted ways at the entrance of the building.

After Song Ying called a car for Xiao Lu, she went home with Qin Shu.

Speaking of what happened that evening, Song Ying glanced at Qin Shu and asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to tell Jian Cheng those things?"

Qin Shu drove without looking to the side:

“When you went to the bathroom, Wen Yize called me. He had just flown back to China and was at the hospital with Jian Yunlan. He asked me to thank you on his behalf.”

"Following your advice, I had Jian Yunlan transferred to the First Hospital of the Capital. She is now out of danger and can receive further treatment."

“Jian Cheng happened to come over at that time. I knew you were worried about him, so I thought I would talk to him about this matter to prevent him from being manipulated by others and affecting your competition.”

"I just didn't expect that kid to be so clingy, a grown man crying like a little girl."

Recalling Jian Cheng's insistence on kneeling before, Qin Shu didn't hide her disgust and used her left hand to pat her right arm that had been pulled.

"Pretentious."

He can't stand seeing others like that.

It's so awkward.

Song Ying was amused by Qin Shu's appearance.

She rested her chin on her wrist, tilted her head to look at him, and gave him a teasing look.

"If I remember correctly, wasn't someone jealous of other people's kids this afternoon? How come they suddenly became a different person by evening?"

"Hmph ╭(╯^╰)╮"

Qin Shu snorted, "Am I that kind of petty person? I would never stoop so low as to attack a weakling!"

Most importantly, his own wife said that he's the only one in her heart.

Qin Shu felt that if he continued to be petty, he would be too unmanly.

Basic trust is still necessary!

but……

"So, do you think I should tell him about this?" Qin Shu asked.

Song Ying propped her head up with her hand.

"You've already told him. I was going to tell him anyway, but I had lunch in the afternoon and was busy with training, so I forgot. It's good that you told him now, so he can focus more on preparing for the competition."

Qin Shu laughed, and felt more energetic while driving.

The two exchanged a few more words, and Song Ying's voice gradually lowered until she finally fell completely silent.

Only steady breathing could be heard inside the car.

Qin Shu glanced at her, turned off the car's air conditioning, and slowed down the car.

Smoothly heading towards home.

-

Song Ying was carried home by Qin Shu.

Even in his dazed state, he still muttered to himself.

"I'm covered in sweat, I need to take a shower..."

Seeing how exhausted she was, Qin Shu could only carry her into the bathroom and fill the bathtub with water.

The humid steam dampened the bathroom glass, enveloping it in a layer of mist that, under the dim light, shimmered like a soft veil.

—To avoid glare, Qin Shu deliberately only turned on the floor lamp to prevent waking his sleepy wife.

Qin Shu carefully helped his wife remove her clothes and tested the water temperature himself before slowly placing her in the bathtub and gently washing her.

-

Song Ying, who was covered in sticky sweat, was already feeling quite uncomfortable.

But suddenly, it felt as if I had fallen into a warm and soft bed, as soft as clouds.

The water rippled around her, as gentle as a lover's caress, bringing a soft and tender warmth.

In a hazy vision, she seemed to see Qin Shu's face.

Enveloped in a layer of damp mist, it casts layers of illusory shadows under the dim yellow light.

Like in a dream, I want to see it, but I can't see it clearly no matter what I do.

Was it a dream?

"husband……"

Song Ying let out a soft moan and raised her hand to stroke that face, as if she had actually touched something.

"I've got you..."

She chuckled softly, her delicate, watery hand gently stroking Qin Shu's sharply defined face.

"These are eyes..."

"nose……"

"mouth……"

"Adam's apple..."

-

For a normal man, bathing his wife is an extremely demanding test of his patience.

This is especially true for Qin Shu.

When you put someone into the bathtub, the heat rises into your chest along with the surrounding steam.

He tried hard to control himself.

Aying has been busy all day and is already exhausted. Tomorrow morning she has to meet Li Zhong's wife, Huang Lei, and she really can't take any more hardship.

But who would have thought that the impulse that he had finally managed to suppress would be stirred up again by her soft moans and caresses.

It rose again like fire.

"Honey, be good, don't make a fuss, take a shower and rest well."

Qin Shu gently took Song Ying's hand and put it back in the water, while continuing to wipe her legs and feet with his other hand.

It will be over soon.

Alas...

Her straight, slender legs suddenly bent and emerged from the water.

The pool water, flowing like a waterfall, drips down her smooth skin like a curtain of rain.

His small toes gently drew circles on his chest.

To prevent water from wetting his clothes, and also because he needed to wash himself, Qin Shu was completely naked at this moment.

The flames burned and rose. Those shimmering fox eyes suddenly became deep and unfathomable.

Grab that disobedient foot and put it back in the water.

"Wife, stop it..."

His voice was already hoarse.

-

Song Ying is very angry now.

In reality, Ash was very obedient to her, but in her dreams, Ash was always disobedient.

He's as wooden as a monk.

Even though she took such the initiative, he remained as still as an old monk, unmoved.

Another foot popped out of the water.

This time, it was placed directly on Qin Shu's chest.

Am I not pretty?

Her voice was like a kitten's, fierce yet tender.

Qin Shu chuckled.

"nice."

"Am I not good-looking?" Song Ying pouted and huffed.

"good."

"Then aren't you my husband?" Song Ying looked up, her eyes misty and bewildered.

"It's your husband."

"Then you must have changed your mind and don't like me anymore."

Song Ying snorted again, pressed her foot against Qin Shu's chest, and kicked him backward.

There was water under her feet, and Qin Shu was wearing slippers.

He lost his balance and landed hard on his bottom.

Qin Shu: "..."

After finally managing to get up, Song Ying's toes were already pressing against his chin, forcing him to look up.

It felt like a gentle knife held to the neck.

"Hands up."

She said.

Her gaze was haughty and alluring, her movements seductive and seductive.

Half-closed, half-hidden, half-revealed, the clear eyes of the mountain sparrow, shrouded in mist, took on a charming and wild quality.

Like a queen blooming in the water.

Qin Shu had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender.

But I was puzzled, since that person hadn't been drinking today either.

"Hands behind head."

Qin Shu did as instructed and cooperated fully.

"Now tell me, have you changed your mind? Do you have another dog on the side? Hmm?"

Song Ying continued to threaten and interrogate her.

The prisoner, Qin Shu, confessed honestly.

"I haven't changed my mind, and I don't have any other dogs. There's only one person in my heart."

Who is it?

"you."

Who am I?

"Song Ying, my wife."

"Then do you like me?" Song Ying frowned and hummed in a childish voice.

"like."

I like it so much it's almost unbearable.

Qin Shu's Adam's apple twitched slightly.

"Then why..."

As Song Ying spoke, she sat up straight, then leaned forward and pressed herself against the tub wall in front of Qin Shu—the temperature-controlled bathtub wasn't cool.

Water churned around her, surging and overflowing the surface, and the sensor-activated faucet continued to add more hot water.

Song Ying rested her head on her arm, her alluring, mesmerizing eyes gazing at Qin Shu.

He repeated it again, completing the second half of the sentence.

"Then why...don't you kiss me?"

-

Qin Shu did want Song Ying to get some rest.

Love is restraint.

It's not about being unrestrained regardless of the occasion or situation.

He was genuinely worried that his wife wouldn't be able to get proper rest.

But now it seems that if he really becomes a monk, then neither of them will be able to get a good rest tonight.

So he sighed, put his hands down, gently cupped Song Ying's tender, rosy cheeks, and kissed her smooth, spring-welcoming face.

Separated by the bathtub, one inside and one outside.

The surging water, like a trailing fish tail, lingered beneath Song Ying.

Lost in the hazy dream, I felt like a small boat swaying on the sea, drifting and sinking.

Song Ying's consciousness also became somewhat dizzy.

But those slender little hands were not behaving properly.

She hooked her arm around Qin Shu's neck and slowly pulled him closer.

Qin Shu was originally squatting on the ground.

With his neck being held by his arm, he could only squat up little by little, controlling his squatting posture according to his wife's movements.

Until the very last moment, she was taken into the bathtub.

After her body went limp and she lost her strength, Song Ying, who had initially held the initiative, suddenly gave up and slammed her head into the bathtub.

At the critical moment, Qin Shu reached out a hand to support the back of her head and the other hand to hold her slender waist, kneeling in the bathtub.

The violent impact caused a sharp pain in his knee.

He let out a muffled groan.

Fortunately, the person was caught in his arms.

There was no bump or knock.

Qin Shu gasped, about to gently put the person down.

Only then did I realize that the person in my arms was breathing long and steady.

Qin Shu: "..."

The person who started the fire ran away, leaving behind straw to put it out themselves.

What do people do?

"Only you would do something like causing trouble and then running away."

With a soft sigh, Qin Shu slowly got up, changed his position, and picked the person up horizontally.

He grabbed a bath towel from the side and carried the person back to the bedroom.

She went back into the bathroom and didn't come out for a long time.

-

That night, Song Ying slept very soundly.

I just had a strange dream.

In her dream, she seemed to have met an extremely aloof Qin Shu.

She is very different from Xiu Gou Shu in real life, who is clingy, loves to act cute and gets jealous.

The man was ascetic as a highly virtuous monk.

But he insisted that she was her husband.

"Outrageous, absolutely outrageous."

Song Ying patted her face and shook her head to wake herself up.

What kind of dream is bad?

Why do I have to have this kind of dream?

Moreover, Qin Shu was lying right next to her!

Looking at the time, Song Ying realized it was still early. She yawned again, tugged at the blanket, and prepared to cover Qin Shu, who had kicked it aside, with it.

However, a quick glance out of the corner of my eye.

But then they noticed that Qin Shu had two bruises on each knee.

Song Ying yawned, her brows furrowed slightly, and she subconsciously leaned over to take a closer look, even pressing the spot with her finger.

Qin Shu felt a pain in his leg and instinctively reacted with a knee jerk, his calf snapping open and waking him up.

"young married woman……"

Qin Shu squinted, peeking through a crack in his eye. He was half asleep, and his voice was hoarse. "What are you doing?"

"What happened to the injury on your leg?"

Song Ying pointed to the two bruises and asked.

Which one?

Qin Shu yawned, and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, making them even harder to see.

"This one on the knee."

Song Ying pointed, then touched it with her finger, much lighter than before.

"Oh, you mean that one? It was last night..."

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.

Song Ying then pressed further, "What happened last night?"

Qin Shu suddenly came to her senses.

He pondered for a moment.

“I dreamt last night that I saved a stray cat, so I accidentally bumped into it.”

Song Ying didn't believe it: "Nonsense, how could I have an injured knee in real life if I was saving a cat in a dream?"

"We'll have to ask the cat to see what's going on."

Qin Shu lay on his side, his left arm behind his head, looking at Song Ying with a half-smile.

Whenever Qin Shu showed this expression, things were never simple.

Song Ying felt a pang of guilt.

"...Could it be me who did it?"

After saying this, she suddenly remembered her outrageous dream.

The abstinent Qin Shu.

She boldly flirted with him.

The tug-of-war in the bathtub.

The blossoming of caress at your fingertips.

The water seemed to spread all around again.

The waves rose and fell, carrying her along with them...

"That, that wasn't a dream?"

Song Ying's face flushed red instantly.

What do you think?

Qin Shu asked with a smile.

Song Ying: "..."

It's all over.

That's so embarrassing.

This is terrible.

"I...I'm getting up now."

At this moment, she was no longer the arrogant woman she had been the night before.

The way she was rushing away made it seem like she was the one being bullied and teased.

Qin Shu reached out and grabbed Hao's wrist.

With a gentle pull, she was drawn back into bed.

One arm went through her neck, and the other embraced her, Qin Shu nuzzled his head against Song Ying's neck.

"What's the rush? You made an appointment with Huang Lei for 10 o'clock, and it's only 6:30 now. Stay with me and sleep a little longer."

Song Ying: "..."

Okay then (* /ω＼*)

——

Although there's only been one chapter these past few days, each chapter is over 6000 words. You can tell by counting the pages, so don't ask why there are fewer updates, because there haven't been any fewer ┐('-｀)┌... If you think there aren't enough chapters, then I'll just release them separately in the future... (By the way, it's the same as being fickle, there's no difference in essence ┐('-｀)┌)