After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 38

So what if she is the first love? I will never hand Qingqing over to anyone else.

A surge of intense possessiveness flared within Xu Linqiu. Her smile vanished unconsciously, but before she could speak, a familiar and stirring voice rang out beside her.

“No, thank you. I’d rather go with Xu Linqiu.”

At that moment, Xu Linqiu turned to meet Yi Chenqing’s gaze. Although those eyes were as calm and rippleless as ever, Xu was moved to the core.

Yi Chenqing coolly retracted her gaze, her fingertips curling slightly. Although she was furious that Xu had been touchy-feely with others—even using such doting language—she still had her principles.

Beside them, Shi Ji’s eyes widened. She bit her lip and turned to glare at Yi Yanbai, feeling a blockage of suffocating air in her chest. Could this woman learn something from her sister? Yi Chenqing agreed to bathe with her partner in a heartbeat, but Yanbai acts like she’s never seen a woman before. What does that make me…?

Yu Shu, undeterred by the rejection, maintained her smile and turned to Shi Ji. “Then, Sister Shi Ji, would you like to join me?”

“Of course,” Shi Ji agreed instantly, tossing a triumphant, haughty look at Yi Yanbai. Hmph, I’m going to soak in the hot spring with your ‘White Lotus,’ see if that makes you jealous.

But Yi Yanbai seemed completely indifferent. She looked away and walked toward the service desk, asking the attendant, “What do you provide here?”

When she saw the familiar intimacy between Xu Linqiu and Shi Ji—just like in the past—she had reached a realization. This marriage was a contract, a union in name only. Even if they had become intimate, the hearts of certain people were something she could never hope to possess. Since that was the case, it was better to act indifferent or proactively keep her distance to minimize the pain.

“Ah, it’s like this.”

Now that they were paired off, the group gathered around. The attendant glanced at them and introduced with a smile: “We provide bathrobes, towels, toiletries, water, and drinks. The spring water is changed for every guest, ensuring it’s completely natural, safe, and hygienic.”

“Which package would you like?”

“Three two-person packages,” Xu Linqiu said, then pointed at the director behind her with a grin. “The director is paying.”

“Understood. Please register here.”

After registration, Xu Judong and Yu Shu asked the staff for their suitcases. One by one, the group walked behind the curtain marked for the women’s hot spring.

Their phones had been turned off and handed over earlier, as requested by the production team. Xu Linqiu instinctively glanced back.

To her surprise, the director spoke up with a hint of bashfulness: “Rest assured, we have principles. You all have a good rest; we’ll wait outside. But don’t take too long—don’t forget we’re still livestreaming.”

“How can one rush a hot spring soak?” Xu Linqiu laughed as she stepped behind the curtain.

The area served as a dressing and self-service zone, thoughtfully equipped with many curtains for privacy. Doors on the left led to the “1” series rooms, and doors on the right led to the “2” series. The attendant had given them room numbers: 18, 19, and 20.

Xu Linqiu let the others choose first, eventually leaving her with Room 20.

With the cameras gone, she immediately took Yi Chenqing’s hand. Each carrying a small basket with robes, towels, and disposable toiletries—plus two bottles of water—she pulled Yi toward the right-hand door. She didn’t forget to call out a cheerful, “Have fun, you guys~” to the rest.

The atmosphere among the remaining four was delicate as they slowly took their items and retreated behind curtains to change.

Xu Linqiu truly hadn’t expected the hot spring room to have a bed. If we don’t use this, wouldn’t it be a waste?

She closed the door. The room was filled with swirling steam, and there seemed to be a ventilation system in the ceiling. The theme was vintage; there was even a rockery beside the spring, and pink gauze curtains fluttered around the circular bed as the heat rose.

Before they reached the bed, however, Yi Chenqing shook off her hand.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been off all day. Why? Do you regret coming here? Are you unhappy?” Xu Linqiu placed the basket on the floor and turned to face her, beginning to shed her clothes one by one.

She was completely unashamed. Yi Chenqing, on the other hand, averted her gaze, her ears turning a suspicious shade of red. “I’m not angry.”

Once Xu was wearing nothing at all, she stepped forward and cupped Yi’s face, forcing her to look at her. “Can you tell me the truth?”

“Put on your robe first.” Yi Chenqing stood stiffly, not daring to move. She was forced to meet those wide, searching eyes, sensing a hint of danger.

As a woman who had spent years in the business world and seen it all, she refused to lose this encounter. Gritting her teeth, she gripped Xu’s waist, trying to turn her around as she repeated: “I’m really not angry.”

Xu Linqiu refused to budge, staring at her stubbornly. Yi didn’t dare use too much force, and eventually, the contact with Xu’s cool, smooth skin began to scramble her thoughts. She wanted to let go, but Xu’s hand pressed down on hers.

Xu suddenly laughed, her gaze dropping to linger carelessly on Yi’s lips. Even without makeup, Yi had applied lipstick. Despite having finished a meal, the color remained—faded but still making her lips look vivid and sensual.

“Is my waist slender?” Xu raised her eyes to meet Yi’s, a flicker of sincerity in her gaze.

Two seconds later, Yi Chenqing’s tightly pressed lips finally opened. “Yes.”

She felt the room was too hot; beads of sweat began to form on her brow. But in that instant, Xu Linqiu lunged forward. Barefoot, she stepped directly onto Yi’s feet, wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing her.

The kiss was deep from the start. Taking advantage of Yi’s parted lips, Xu pushed inside to entwine with her. Those soft lips savagely tasted every inch of Yi’s, and a faint, elegant fragrance spread between them.

Yi Chenqing couldn’t help but wrap her arms around Xu’s waist, responding fervently. Their heavy, mingled breathing made the heat between them nearly unbearable.

The feeling of coarse fabric against her skin spurred Xu Linqiu on. She suddenly exerted force, lifting herself so her legs hooked around Yi’s waist. She pulled back slightly, breathing against Yi’s lips with a smile: “Shall we get in the spring?”

Without waiting for an answer, she kissed her again—this time starting shallow and growing deeper, meticulously grinding against her lips. Yi Chenqing supported her weight, her heart hammering so hard she felt she might suffocate. She carried Xu slowly toward the edge of the pool.

Xu Linqiu suddenly jumped down, slowly squatting until she stepped into the hot water and sat. The scorching temperature made her let out a sigh of pleasure. Her hands cupped Yi Chenqing’s face, continuing the passionate kiss.

Yi Chenqing followed her movements, lowering herself until she was leaning against the edge of the pool. Her face was flushed from the steam, and her long lashes trembled over closed eyes. She slowly shed her jacket and unbuttoned her shirt, her movements carrying a slight, trembling urgency.

The faint sound of kissing echoed in the room. Finally, the clear sound of someone entering the water covered everything else.

Xu Linqiu finally released her lips, her eyes dark with emotion. She pinned Yi firmly against the side of the pool, the spring water reaching their shoulders. She pecked Yi’s lips once more and laughed. “I still can’t tell what the flavor is.”

“They say it’s the scent of fresh lotus,” Yi Chenqing said, her mouth slightly open as she tried to catch her breath. At this moment, the temperature of her skin seemed even higher than the spring water.

Xu Linqiu hugged her neck, drawing her closer. “I’m so happy you came.”

“However,” her tone shifted as she met Yi’s eyes. “Is it because it’s your first time on a livestream that you acted like that? Or… did I do something to upset you?”

The hot water made one’s body relax, but Yi Chenqing’s face turned even redder. A mist rose in her cold eyes, and her lips pressed together as if she were suppressing something.

Xu Linqiu pressed closer. Her hand, having slipped beneath the water, was also pressuring her. She lowered her voice until it sounded like a demonic melody, yet her face remained innocent: “Tell me, okay? If you tell me, I’ll stop teasing you, and we can play properly.”

Yi Chenqing rested her head against the edge and closed her eyes to hide the blurred desire within. One hand gripped Xu’s arm, squeezing slightly. She wanted to retaliate—to make Xu experience this agonizing sensation of touch and withdrawal—but she felt weak. It was as if the moment she touched Xu’s body in the water, her essence was being drained.

She had no choice. Her cold exterior cracked, and when she spoke, it came out as a heavy pant. Her ears looked as though they were dripping blood. Turning her head slightly, she whispered: “Because I can’t stand you being so good to others. You pat her head, you hold her hand… and because those netizens all think you two are a couple.”

Hearing the answer, Xu Linqiu burst into laughter. Her hand slid further through the hot water as she touched Yi’s face mockingly. “If you’re jealous, just say you’re jealous. Why hide it? I get jealous, too.”

“Mmm~” Suddenly, Yi Chenqing’s eyes flew open. She was mortified by the sound she had made, yet she bit her lip to retort: “It’s not jealousy. It’s because I care about you… that’s why I’m like this.”

“If you say it’s not, then it’s not.” The smile on Xu Linqiu’s face grew more radiant. She pulled Yi into her arms and kissed her flushed cheek. “If you care that much, I’ll hold your hand when we walk out later. I’ll let everyone know that we are the couple.”

The water surface rippled, small bubbles rising. Xu lowered her gaze, her eyes infinitely tender. “Does it feel good?”

Yi Chenqing unconsciously hugged Xu’s neck, leaning onto her shoulder. She closed her eyes to feel it. The callus on Xu’s hand, combined with the heat of the water, made her…

“Mmm~” she responded softly. She turned her head, unable to resist kissing Xu’s neck, sucking and lingering on the skin.

Xu Linqiu’s breathing grew heavy, her fair skin flushing pink. In the dimly lit room, the steam from the spring gradually obscured the two figures clinging to each other. Sweat dripped from their skin into the water, and the ripples around them grew larger and larger.

A long time later, Yi Chenqing lay against the edge of the pool with her eyes half-closed, the water covering her shoulders. Xu Linqiu hugged her gently from behind. Yi turned her head, their lips meeting once more. They breathed into each other, sucking passionately. Xu’s hand remained submerged in the water in front of her.

“I can’t… anymore.” After a long while, the mist in Yi Chenqing’s eyes swirled. She bit Xu’s lip softly, but Xu refused to let her go, her tongue pushing back in, lost in the moment.

It wasn’t until the person in her arms suddenly went limp that Xu snapped out of it.

Oh no, I’ve exhausted Qingqing.

She nudged Yi Chenqing with her head, intending to release her and carry her to the shore. But suddenly, Yi moved. Her hands violently gripped Xu’s hands, and her voice carried a tone of indignation:

“How could the Grand Preceptor play such a stimulating hot spring position with Sister Qingqing? You’ve never played like this with me!”

Xu Linqiu: “…”