Another knock sounded at the door, sending Shen Liuyu into a panic as she hastily hid inside the closet—only to find Shui Yue'er already concealed within. Before she could utter a word, Shui Yue'er yanked her inside.
"Yue'er, you—"
"Shh~"
"Brother Fu Ye, it's Yu Hairou. There are some things about cultivation I don't quite understand..."
Two and a half minutes later—
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Brother Fu Ye, it's Shui Bing'er. I'm having trouble with my yoga practice and was hoping you could guide me."
Hearing the new visitor, Yu Hairou quickly scrambled toward the luxurious closet—only to discover Shui Yue'er and Shen Liuyu already crammed inside.
"Hurry in! My sister's coming!"
"O-okay!"
At this point, aside from Fu Ye in the open, six people were hidden in the room.
"Click."
Fu Ye opened the door to reveal a girl who bore a 70% resemblance to Shui Yue'er, though her features were sharper where Yue'er's were softer.
"Bing'er? It's late—why aren't you resting instead of dropping by?"
Fu Ye sighed, running a hand through her ice-blue hair.
Shui Bing'er had always been the composed one around him. While he could understand Shui Yue'er and the others visiting for casual chats, Bing'er seeking him out so late at night was… unexpected.
"Hehe, Bing'er was worried Brother Fu Ye might be lonely staying in his room alone." She smiled sweetly, her usual stern demeanor entirely absent. "Um… may I come in?"
Fu Ye: ("▔□▔)
'These sisters really do share the same excuses…'
"Of course, have a seat."
Easier said than done. Aside from Wu Ling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong—who were too young to participate—nearly every member of Tianshui Academy was packed into the room: three under the bed, three in the closet.
Once seated on the bed, Shui Bing'er boldly took Fu Ye's hand, her icy fingers intertwining with his. Her cheeks flushed slightly, her gaze flickering with hesitation.
"Brother Fu Ye… could you teach me yoga properly? There are some details I still don't grasp."
With that, she positioned herself in front of him, placing her fair hands obediently at his sides.
"Sure."
Fu Ye remained proper, offering no untoward advances. If she wanted instruction, he would teach her earnestly.
Under the bright moonlight, their movements flowed together—graceful, intimate.
(Abridged segment)
The session lasted about fifteen minutes. Hidden in the closet, Shui Yue'er and the others watched their captain and teacher practice yoga beneath the silver glow.
[Shui Bing'er's current favorability: 98%]
By the end, Shui Bing'er was breathless, her favorability spiking to ninety-eight.
'Hah… hah…'
After steadying her breathing, the fatigue ebbed away, leaving her body feeling lighter, clearer—something she'd never achieved practicing alone.
"Hehe, as expected of Brother Fu Ye. Doing yoga with you is completely different from doing it by myself."
Then, like a spoiled child, she nestled into his arms, refusing to pull away.
"Rustle."
A faint sound came from under the bed. The Shui Bing'er turned, now face-to-face with Fu Ye.
Inside the closet, Shui Yue'er, Yu Hairou, and Shen Liuyu held their breaths.
'This would definitely be dinner gossip for weeks!'
Their ever-strict captain—caught in such a moment! And worse… it seemed she was making the first move!
"Brother Fu Ye…" Shui Bing'er's voice was soft but firm. "The dean always warned us that men are no good, that we shouldn't date… but I think you're different."
Her deep blue eyes held emotions too complex to voice.
For two years, Fu Ye had selflessly shared cultivation techniques, martial arts, even resources from the Juxiang Pavilion—where their sponsor, Liu Erlong, worked.
The icy walls around her heart, built by the dean's warnings, had melted in his presence, leaving only warmth.
Her left hand cupped his cheek. Then her right brushed against something—her face burned, her gaze faltering.
"Brother Fu Ye…"
Before he could react, her lips met his.
Fu Ye's mind blanked.
(Σ(っ°Д°;)っ)
'Is this really Shui Bing'er?! She wouldn't—I didn't—'
When they finally parted, her cheeks were scarlet, her eyes hesitant yet determined.
Under the bed, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuyun, and Xue Wu exchanged glances, barely containing their excitement.
Fu Ye's restraint was fraying—but with an audience present, he forced composure.
"Brother Fu Ye… can you give Bing'er a little more time?"
Relief washed over him. 'Thank goodness she's rational.'
"You little… ah, fine. Go rest now."
Yet as he spoke, she kissed his cheek again.
"Mwah!"
"Hehe, consider this a promise. From now on… I'm yours."
[Shui Bing'er's favorability has reached 100%—maximum level locked. Congratulations, Host, on successfully winning Shui Bing'er's heart.]
With that, she dashed out, leaving only the faint scent of orchids behind.
Once the coast was clear, the closet trio emerged.
"Mwah!"
Shui Yue'er copied her sister, whispering mischievously in Fu Ye's ear: "Hehe, Brother Fu Ye… my sister and I will both come for you later~"
Next, Shen Liuyu pecked him.
"Mwah! Brother Fu Ye, Bing'er's so sneaky! We agreed not to compete… but Liuyu won't lose!"
Yu Hairou followed, pouting.
"They're all cheating! But Hairou will get to you first!"
Then—thump—Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuyun shoved a flustered Xue Wu onto the bed.
"Sis Xue Wu, we promised you'd go first!"
"Teacher's orders—you're leading the charge today!"
Xue Wu: (Σ(っ°Д°;)っ)
Xiao Wu: (≧▽≦)
Zhu Zhuyun: (¬‿¬)
Fu Ye: ("▔□▔)
…
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