TIMO - Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Fu Zhao’s mind was a blank.
Things were developing much faster than she had imagined.
In the blink of an eye, her relationship with Shi Nan had taken a monumental leap forward.
However, although she was still a bit dazed, she knew a joyful emotion was welling up from the bottom of her heart, bubbling up like gurgling, boiling water.
Like a hot spring you could see right through.
But there was one small difference: if the bubbles rising from her heart had a color, it would probably be pink.
An inexplicable metaphor popped into her head.
Fu Zhao came back to her senses, her expression unconsciously turning a little strange. She found it hard to believe that she had become the kind of person who would have such odd thoughts.
Pink bubbles?
How could she have come up with a metaphor like that?
“What are you thinking about?”
A lazy, tender voice sounded by her ear, interrupting Fu Zhao’s thoughts. She looked at Shi Nan beside her—wet hair, dark eyes, full red lips glistening with a bright sheen of water, soft and supple.
Her gaze unconsciously fell to a place it shouldn’t have.
Fu Zhao shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts away, and silently averted her gaze. “Nothing, I… I was just spacing out.”
“Is that so…” Shi Nan tilted her head to look at her, a smile in her eyes. “We should go back to the room. Soaking for too long can make you dizzy.”
Fu Zhao hadn’t felt dizzy before, but now that Shi Nan mentioned it, her head started to feel muddled. It seemed she really was a bit dizzy, and her vision was a little blurry.
So she subconsciously agreed and slowly, unsteadily stood up from the hot spring pool. The thin yukata, soaked with water, clung to her body with a certain stickiness, and the way it clearly outlined her curves brought a sense of… shame.
Fu Zhao pressed her lips together, quickly grabbed the towel from the rack, and draped it over herself before daring to look back at Shi Nan. But the moment their eyes met, her gaze couldn’t help but tremble slightly. “I… I’ll go back first.”
Perhaps because her mind was in turmoil, she even stumbled over her words.
This was not normal.
Shi Nan just watched her, the corners of her lips gently lifting. Her eyes shimmered slightly, and her voice was light and lazy.
“Okay.”
She had only said one word and hadn’t made a move, but Fu Zhao suddenly spun around, her back to Shi Nan, her eyes fixed straight ahead—the wooden door was shut tight, a retro design with an arched shape and a golden handle…
She tried to focus her senses on the “pure and clean” wooden door before her, rather than on her impure and unclean imagination.
Although she wanted to block out all her senses, the sounds from behind her poured into her ears with perfect clarity.
A loud splash of water—that must be Shi Nan standing up from the pool.
After putting on non-slip slippers, soft footsteps sounded, and it seemed water droplets were falling onto the floor. Then came the rustling of fabric as it slowly slid over the wooden clothes rack. The next second, all the sounds grew quieter.
She must be drying herself, so the sound of dripping water became softer, less frequent.
The footsteps slowly drew nearer, and the soft, long breaths were amplified in the room.
It felt as if hot breath was fanning the back of her neck, making it start to burn.
Amidst these rising and falling sounds, an Alpha’s innate sensory advantage left her with almost nowhere to hide.
Fu Zhao bit her lower lip, her fingers quietly clenching at her waist. Perhaps she should make some noise to break the charming atmosphere created by these sounds.
This feeling right now was not very pleasant.
But the moment she opened her mouth, it was as if she was scalded by her own breath, and she couldn’t say a thing.
Until a person appeared beside her, standing there quietly. The distance wasn’t very close, not even as close as when they were shoulder to shoulder in the hot spring pool, but with a bit of space between them.
Polite and proper.
And yet, it was incredibly scorching, as if the heat from the hot spring still lingered on their bodies, allowing them to feel the warmth radiating from each other even from a step away.
This heat muddled Fu Zhao’s head, making it almost impossible for her to think.
“Let’s go~~”
The voice by her ear was light, lazy, and charming. Fu Zhao didn’t dare turn her head to look, only feeling her face was hot enough to cook a pancake. She managed to force out an “Mm” from her throat.
Her “Mm” was rather lacking in quality.
So Shi Nan laughed, a soft, gentle laugh mixed with breaths that continuously radiated warmth.
Fu Zhao didn’t dare to look, nor did she dare to listen anymore.
So she reached out to grab the handle, but in the next second, a slender white arm beat her to it. The wrist was delicate, the fingertips a faint pink, and the nails were neatly trimmed. The palm covered the handle.
The fingertips moved slightly.
With a “click,” the golden handle turned. The fair fingertips released it, even leaving a few water stains on the handle.
The door was slowly opened. Every action before her seemed to slow down, and everything took on a hazy filter due to her deliberate focus.
“Where… is your room.”
She finally managed to say something, but her voice was unexpectedly dry and hoarse, not at all like her usual voice.
The person beside her didn’t answer, just stood there quietly, but Fu Zhao couldn’t shake the feeling that Shi Nan must be smiling.
Before she could react, a wet, slippery, soft, and hot palm slipped into the space between her fingers. It was just a simple, innocent act of holding hands, but Fu Zhao could feel an unusual heat from the tightly pressed palms and the residual moisture.
“My room is on the second floor.”
Shi Nan’s voice sounded, tender and lazy, yet it answered her question concisely.
Fu Zhao shook her head, trying to slow her quickening breath, but she was still in a daze, muddled.
It must be from soaking in the water for too long earlier.
She should have gotten out sooner.
Along the way, Fu Zhao’s gaze never once landed on Shi Nan’s face. She would either sneak a few furtive glances before quickly looking away, or she would stare openly at everything in front of her, just not at Shi Nan.
It seemed that from that moment on, she could no longer look at Shi Nan with an open and honest gaze.
Even her breathing had become cautious.
It was all because she had soaked in the hot spring for too long, or…
A thought popped into Fu Zhao’s mind: she had heard that before an Alpha’s Susceptibility Period, they would experience occasional dizziness and disordered thoughts. Could it be that her long-overdue first Susceptibility Period was finally coming?
But she didn’t know for sure yet.
Perhaps she should ask Kong Weiyan and Jiang Wenqing later if her current reaction was indeed due to the impending Susceptibility Period.
At this thought, Fu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.
In that case, there were only two reasons for her strange behavior: one was soaking in the hot spring for too long, and the other was the Susceptibility Period—both were normal physiological reactions, not uncontrollable psychological ones.
She remained in this daze, lost in thought, until she walked into her own room and realized Shi Nan had followed her in. Only then did she snap back to reality.
“Is there anything else?” Fu Zhao looked at Shi Nan blankly.
Shi Nan was casually drying her hair. Strands of wet hair fell down, making her already fair skin look even more translucent and delicate. The yukata was wrapped around her slender waist, and a clean white towel covered half of her body, but it didn’t cover the loose collar. The exquisite lines of her collarbone and her fair skin were exposed, a bit dazzling to the eyes.
“Can’t I stay with you even if there’s nothing?” Shi Nan asked, her eyes fluttering as she looked up.
Fu Zhao paused for a few seconds, her eyelashes moving. “…You can.”
“What is our relationship now?” Shi Nan leaned against the bathroom door, her eyebrows slightly raised.
Fu Zhao pressed her lips together and tentatively said, “The relationship of girlfriend and girlfriend?”
“Uh-huh~~” Shi Nan seemed very satisfied with her answer. She walked over, stood on her tiptoes, and patted her head. Her tea-brown eyes seemed to hold a gurgling spring of clear water. “Then is it too much for a girlfriend and a girlfriend to stay in the same room for a while?”
Fu Zhao was at a loss for words, her voice softening. “It’s not too much…”
“Shh~~”
A warm, soft finger was placed on her lips. She looked up and met a gentle, tender gaze filled with a soft smile. “Don’t look for excuses.”
“We have to leave to see the sunrise in four or five hours. Before we meet up with the others, as girlfriends who have just confirmed our relationship, shouldn’t we spend more time alone and cherish it?”
Fu Zhao froze, her voice growing even softer. “You’re right…”
“Then be good~”
Shi Nan released her finger, the corners of her eyes curving down. She picked up her pajamas. “I’m tired. I’ll take a shower first. We can talk later.”
The warm touch vanished from her lips, yet it seemed to linger for a long, long time.
Fu Zhao stood frozen in place, watching Shi Nan walk into the bathroom. After a long while, she finally managed to pick out an urgent matter from her complicated thoughts—she had to find Jiang Wenqing to ask about the Susceptibility Period.
She asked for Jiang Wenqing, but both Jiang Wenqing and Kong Weiyan came.
The moment she opened the door, two heads tried to poke inside, jostling each other as if trying to find some clue within the room.
Fu Zhao pushed them both out, decisively shut the door, and said calmly, “You two ganged up to trick me just now, didn’t you.”
Jiang Wenqing looked a little guilty and shrank back. “Weren’t we just seeing how conflicted you were and thought we’d help you out?”
“Exactly!” Kong Weiyan chimed in, crossing her arms with composure. “This is called adding a brick to the wall of your love, sacrificing the small for the greater good. How is that tricking you?”
She did have a point.
Fu Zhao’s gaze swept over the two of them. After a long silence, she finally spoke.
“I heard that dizziness is a sign before the Susceptibility Period?”
“Are you sure you didn’t just soak in the hot spring for too long?” Kong Weiyan said casually, as if making small talk. “That’s what they say, but it’s not like every dizzy spell is a sign of an impending Susceptibility Period.”
“Don’t worry so much~~” She waved her hand, but then, as if remembering something, she stroked her chin and began to think. “But your first Susceptibility Period has been delayed for so long, so it’s possible.”
“Are you still dizzy now?” Jiang Wenqing waved five fingers in front of Fu Zhao. “You can take some medicine before your first Susceptibility Period, just in case.”
“Right, I forgot about that,” Kong Weiyan said to herself. “Did you bring inhibitors?”
“Is the medicine for soothing?” Fu Zhao looked up. “I brought inhibitors.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about,” Kong Weiyan added. “Since you have inhibitors, it’s fine. Besides, we’re going back tomorrow, so there’s no rush. If you feel seriously dizzy later tonight, you can take some medicine if it gets too bad.”
“I happen to have some.” Jiang Wenqing pulled a white box of medicine from her pocket and tossed it to Fu Zhao. “Legit and reliable, safe with no side effects. If you’re really not feeling well, you can take one, especially since we have to go up the mountain later.”
Fu Zhao picked up the medicine box and looked at it. It had proper manufacturing labels, and inside were white pills in sealed packaging. It should be fine.
Although her dizziness wasn’t severe right now, it was better to be prepared.
“Thanks.”
Fu Zhao put the medicine box away. “Rest well. See you later.”
“Mm-hm, got it.” Jiang Wenqing waved, yawned, and turned to leave.
Fu Zhao turned to go back inside, but Kong Weiyan grabbed her arm. She turned her head and was met with Kong Weiyan’s winking expression.
“What do you want to say now?” she asked with a frown.
Kong Weiyan cleared her throat. “As the organizer of this event, I am warning you.”
“There are only four hours left before we head up the mountain.”
“You and Shi Nan…” Her lips moved a couple of times, and she spoke with some shyness, “Even if you’re, you know, like dry wood and a raging fire… don’t overdo it.”
“Slam-”
As expected, the door was shut coldly and mercilessly.
Kong Weiyan almost got hit. She rubbed her nose and muttered a few words. “She’s not a seventeen or eighteen-year-old kid. She’s a grown-up, so why can’t she listen to this kind of talk?”
With that, she sighed softly, shook her head, and turned to walk back to her own room.
At this rate, there wasn’t much time left.
She had originally thought she could play around for a few more years… now she had to put that plan aside.
The thoughts in her mind grew heavier. Kong Weiyan walked a few steps, then slowed down and looked back at the corner she had just passed, pursing her lips thoughtfully.
White walls, wooden floors—it looked no different from usual.
The curtains were gently stirred by the wind. There seemed to be a flow of air, creating faint ripples.
Kong Weiyan glanced over, then nonchalantly withdrew her gaze. A casual smile played on her lips as she stuck her hands in her pockets and leisurely returned to her room.
Sure enough, after she went in, a woman with black hair was standing by the window. Her tall, straight figure was wrapped in a black trench coat, her waistline alluring, her posture graceful. Every inch of her exposed skin was luminously pale.
Hearing the noise, the woman turned her head to look over. A strand of hair by her forehead was gently lifted by the wind. Her long, narrow eyes were lively and intelligent, a red tear mole at the corner of her eye hidden in the shadows. The lines of her profile were exquisite, but the bright moonlight made her appear translucent and hazy. She looked even more ethereal than the moon hanging in the sky.
Stunning at first sight, and every subsequent glance made it impossible to look away.
The woman didn’t speak.
Kong Weiyan closed the door, naturally poured a glass of water, and started drinking it herself. “Didn’t you always dislike this place?”
The woman didn’t answer her question. She tilted her head, her gaze reflecting the bright moonlight. Her voice was clear and warm, her tone light and cool, sending ripples through the air.
“Kong Weiyan?”
“It sounds better than your own name.”
Just as Fu Zhao closed the door, she saw the bathroom door open. Steamy vapor billowed out, and a tall, slender figure emerged, wrapped in the surrounding warmth.
“What’s this?” Shi Nan was drying her hair, her gaze fixed on the white box in Fu Zhao’s hand. It lingered for a few circles before moving away. “Did someone else come by just now?”
Fu Zhao was momentarily dazzled and subconsciously lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly. “It was Jiang Wenqing and Kong Weiyan.”
“I asked them something about the Susceptibility Period,” she answered in a soft voice, then casually placed the medicine box on the table. “It’s just some soothing medicine, for the anxiety before the Susceptibility Period arrives.”
“I’m going to wash up first,” she added.
Shi Nan didn’t say anything. Her gaze shifted to the medicine box, then moved away without a trace. “You go ahead. Don’t catch a cold later.”
Fu Zhao pursed her lips. Shi Nan seemed very concerned about this medicine. She thought for a moment and explained while gathering her things, “It’s nothing. They said it’s very safe, with no side effects.”
“Jiang Wenqing carries it with her, so it should be somewhat useful.”
“Uh-huh~~”
Shi Nan was drying her hair, and her voice sounded a bit nonchalant. “After all, it’s your first Susceptibility Period. It’s good to be more careful.”
“But it’s better not to take the medicine.”
“Taking medicine isn’t very good for your body.”
Fu Zhao paused her movements. After some thought, she agreed. “Okay.”
She hadn’t planned on taking it anyway. After all, the dizziness wasn’t severe. Maybe getting some fresh air outside later would help.
It wasn’t a big deal.
She went to take a shower with a relieved heart. But perhaps because she was steamed by the hot water for a while, the dizziness didn’t lessen, though it didn’t worsen either.
“Still dizzy?”
Shi Nan frowned slightly as she looked over. “Should we go to the hospital?”
“It’s fine.” Fu Zhao shook her head. “It’s probably just from soaking in the hot spring for too long, plus some signs of the Susceptibility Period. But it’s not serious, just a little discomfort.”
Shi Nan stared at her fixedly. After a moment, her gaze trembled slightly, as if accepting her explanation. She patted the spot beside her. “Come here, I’ll give you a massage.”
Shi Nan was sitting on the carpet, right above the floor heating, so it wasn’t cold.
Therefore, Shi Nan was wearing very little—a white silk pajama set in a loose style. The top was a cropped design with smooth fabric. With a lift of her arm, the light material would rise, revealing her slender, delicate waist.
On the bottom was a short skirt that barely covered the tops of her thighs, leaving her long, delicate, and fair legs completely exposed.
Fu Zhao’s throat moved unconsciously. “No need, we should rest early-”
Shi Nan raised an eyebrow. The rest of her words got stuck in her throat, and she didn’t know how to react, just stood there in a daze.
“What is our relationship now?” Shi Nan asked patiently. Seeing no reaction from Fu Zhao, she chuckled softly. “Why aren’t you answering, hmm?”
Fu Zhao snapped back to her senses, her eyelashes fluttering. Her fingers unconsciously clutched the corner of her clothes. “It’s the relationship of girlfriend and girlfriend.”
“So, do you have any objection to me giving you a head massage?”
“No objection.”
Fu Zhao obediently walked over and sat down next to Shi Nan. The sense of security from their shoulders touching made her feel a little better. She added, “I just don’t want to disturb your rest. We have to go up the mountain in just over three hours.”
“I can only rest well if you listen to me.”
Shi Nan’s lips curved. She took Fu Zhao’s palm and gave it a soothing scratch. “Lie on my lap.”
It was a light and airy sentence, but it floated around in Fu Zhao’s mind for a long time. She subconsciously followed the words and glanced at Shi Nan’s legs—hmm, the skin was fair and glossy, the shape was smooth and beautiful.
But…
She nonchalantly withdrew her gaze and answered without a hint of hesitation, “I’d rather not.”
“I don’t really dare.”
Her honest answer made Shi Nan laugh. Her shoulders shook gently, and a faint, rich fragrance wafted out, stirring the air in the room.
The scent of lychee…
Fu Zhao’s nose twitched slightly, and she caught the familiar scent. She remembered that before she differentiated, she could always smell this fragrance around Shi Nan.
Could it be the scent of Shi Nan’s pheromones?
No.
She hadn’t differentiated before, so how could she have smelled pheromones?
Fu Zhao shook her head, dismissing the thought. But in any case, she couldn’t just directly ask Shi Nan what her pheromone scent was.
So she sat there quietly, waiting for Shi Nan to finish laughing.
“Dummy~~” Shi Nan used that nickname again, her voice still carrying the remnants of laughter, her eyes shining with a bright light. “If you don’t lie on my lap, how can I give you a massage?”
“Besides, you’ll have to get used to it.”
“Situations like this will happen often in the future.”
Shi Nan looked at her fixedly, her eyes curving down. First, she took her hand, their fingers intertwining. “Holding hands.”
“Hugging.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the fingers in her palm loosened, and then a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders. The palms slowly climbed up to embrace her neck. The gaze that met hers was filled with a deep smile, their breaths mingling.
“And…”
Her vision went dark, and a light, soft touch landed on her lips.
Their lips and teeth touched, their breaths intertwined.
Fine strands of hair fell onto her neck and chest, releasing a tingling sensation with every slight movement.
Her breathing started to become a little ragged.
Before she was completely out of breath, Shi Nan released her. Her eyes, bright as stars, shimmered with a gentle light, and her voice softened.
“Kissing.”
“These are all situations that will happen at any time.”
Fu Zhao was stunned, looking at Shi Nan before her, her eyes curved in a smile.
The last bit of her unease instantly dissipated. She unconsciously followed Shi Nan’s lead, her lips curving into a smile. She took the initiative to take Shi Nan’s palm, their fingers intertwining.
“Then I think I’m already getting a little used to it.”
“Really?” Shi Nan raised an eyebrow.
Fu Zhao pressed her lips together, silent for a moment. Then she stood up, got a towel, and covered Shi Nan’s legs, avoiding eye contact the entire time.
“Step by step,” she explained in a light tone.
Shi Nan tilted her head, looking at Fu Zhao’s serious and proper expression. She found the person before her more and more adorable. Who takes things step by step like this? They had already kissed, yet she was being shy about lying on her lap.
She could never figure out what kind of order constituted “step by step” for Fu Zhao.
Fortunately, this kind of order was also quite suitable.
A barely perceptible curve appeared on Shi Nan’s lips. She adjusted the towel on her legs and cleared her throat. “Then come on.”
‘Then come on’—it sounded like she was getting ready for something.
Fu Zhao couldn’t help but think this, but she still obediently lay down. The feeling of the pillow was softer than she had imagined, and the light scent of bath soap lingered at the tip of her nose.
It was comfortable, she thought.
Slightly warm fingertips rested on her temples. The pressure was just right, the movements gentle and comfortable.
“Is this pressure okay?” A soft, gentle voice sounded by her ear.
Fu Zhao opened her eyes and met Shi Nan’s gaze, blinking lightly. “Mm, it’s very comfortable.”
Shi Nan smiled, her lips curving. She looked down, and the hair tucked behind her ear fell forward, charming and graceful. “I told you a massage would make you feel better, and you were still being so shy.”
“Cherish this opportunity.”
“Next time you beg me to do it, I won’t.”
Fu Zhao could tell she was just saying it out of pique. She smiled. “Then I’ll beg you.”
“How many times will you beg?” Shi Nan looked down at Fu Zhao, her eyes full of amusement. “If you don’t beg a few more times, I won’t agree.”
“Hmm…” Fu Zhao felt her dizziness had improved, and her whole body felt much more relaxed. She drew out her voice, and when she spoke again, there was a hint of contentment in it. “A hundred times?”
“Or ten thousand times?” She couldn’t help but laugh.
“Three times is enough,” Shi Nan answered softly.
Fu Zhao looked up, a little puzzled. “Why three times?”
“Because…” Shi Nan blinked, her tone dragging lazily. “Third time’s the charm?”
“I don’t know.” She smiled again and answered her softly. “Maybe that’s not the reason. If you beg me, the first time I refuse is because I need to be reserved. The second time I refuse is because it’s still not quite right.”
“The third time is just right.”
Fu Zhao was stunned for a few seconds before she came to her senses. “Okay, I’ll remember that.”
Shi Nan’s rule of three.
“Close your eyes and rest well.”
Shi Nan lowered her head, leaning in closer.
Fu Zhao’s vision went dark. A light, soft touch came from her eyelashes. It was very comfortable, very gentle.
She obediently closed her eyelids. Her head was massaged with a gentle pressure—her forehead, her temples, in a few circles. The feeling of dizziness eased considerably.
This therapy was indeed much better than taking medicine.
As Fu Zhao thought this, her consciousness gradually faded, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
When she opened her eyes again, she was in a daze, not quite realizing whether she was lying on a bed or some other soft place.
It was like lying on a cloud, light and soft.
Until she saw Shi Nan.
She must have fallen asleep too, leaning against the side of the sofa. Her slender, curled eyelashes were lowered, casting a shadow.
Realizing this, Fu Zhao carefully got up from Shi Nan, afraid of waking her.
The towel was crumpled, and parts of her leg were exposed, showing faint red marks—probably from her head pressing down on them.
She looked up at the time. It was less than two and a half hours before they had to leave.
She had actually slept for over half an hour.
A wave of guilt washed over Fu Zhao. Her movements became even gentler as she lifted Shi Nan into a princess carry. The person in her arms was very light and didn’t wake up, just slept peacefully.
She gently placed Shi Nan on the bed, covered her with the blanket, and tucked in the corners.
Shi Nan wasn’t woken by her movements, only her eyelashes trembled slightly before she automatically found a comfortable position and went back to sleep.
Her sleeping posture was elegant, like Sleeping Beauty.
That metaphor popped into Fu Zhao’s head again.
However, she had never seen Sleeping Beauty.
Shi Nan was probably… more beautiful than Sleeping Beauty.
A smile unconsciously bloomed on her lips. Her gaze fell on Shi Nan’s face, and a few other thoughts began to stir.
The moonlight outside the window was bright, and the dim yellow night light was hazy.
Under this dim light, Fu Zhao bent down almost without hesitation and gave Shi Nan a light peck on the lips before pulling back.
Then, content, she sat down on the carpet by the bed, reached her hand under the blanket, and took Shi Nan’s hand. Her movements were not presumptuous; she just rested her hand lightly on her wrist.
Hugging, kissing, holding hands.
She had done all three steps.
She was just trying to get used to it.
As Fu Zhao thought this, the smile on her lips grew wider. Then she whispered something, softer than the rustling of the swaying curtains.
“Good night, Nannan.”
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