Dating My Drama Queen Girlfriend On A Slow-Paced Variety Show - Chapter 44

Wu Xuezhen placed the prepared drinks on the coffee table and looked out toward the yard through the closed door.

For the filming, lamps had been hung all around the perimeter, bathing the entire courtyard in a warm, bright glow. The three young guests were squatting by the water basin, busily scrubbing pots, pans, and dishes with great enthusiasm.

Pi Dajun had been obsessed with showing off his grilling skills that afternoon and was covered in the smell of barbecue. The moment he stepped inside, Wu Xuezhen had shooed him off to shower. Seeing him emerge so quickly, she asked in surprise, “Did you even get yourself clean?”

“I just wanted to let you get to your shower and bed sooner,” Pi Dajun smiled. “Tired?”

A gentle smile appeared on Wu Xuezhen’s face as she whispered, “Not tired. You and Yueyue did all the heavy lifting during water volleyball.”

“Help me bring these drinks out to Xiao Yuo and the others first.”

“Will do.”

The three guests in the yard were nearly buried in soap bubbles, playing and splashing as they scrubbed. Suddenly, they heard Wu Xuezhen’s voice behind them.

“Are you tired? Do you need our help?”

Before she even looked up, You Shiyi quickly said, “Not tired, not tired! We can handle this ourselves. You two teachers should go rest!”

“A bet is a bet, we’re going to scrub these until they’re sparkling clean!”

“Exactly.”

The other two guests chimed in harmony.

Wu Xuezhen stood by and watched for a moment. Pi Dajun brought over the hose he used for his flowers, much to the delight of the guests, who began rinsing the grill while playing around again.

“Well, leave it to the youngsters, they have so much energy. Let’s head inside,” Pi Dajun said with a sigh of sentiment, ushering Wu Xuezhen back into the house.

By the time Wu Xuezhen finished tidying up the bedroom an hour later, the guests had finished washing the equipment and left it to dry in the yard.

The moonlight cast a shimmering, wet reflection across the ground.

Coming out of the kitchen, Wu Xuezhen shifted her gaze from the yard to the silent second floor. She murmured, “Come to think of it, I’ve only seen Yueyue and Mingzi once since we got back. There hasn’t been a peep from them, are those two children still not done washing up?”

Wu Xuezhen looked at the freshly brewed tonic she had made to nourish Qi and blood. Just as she was wondering what to do, she saw You Shiyi coming out of the communal bathroom on the second floor in her pajamas. Her eyes lit up, and she called You Shiyi down to eat.

Feeling a bit shy, You Shiyi walked down, only for Wu Xuezhen to press a bowl into her hands without hesitation. “This is good for the skin,” she smiled. “Eat up; you’re actually helping me out by finishing it.”

“I stewed this at noon, but I only made enough for three people,” Wu Xuezhen said with a smile. “Xiao Yue and Mingzi have probably turned in for the night. Since I ran into you, help me finish a portion. Thank you.”

You Shiyi thought Teacher Wu was truly a wonderful person giving her supplements and thanking her for it. She immediately promised to finish every drop. Her eyes drifted to the other steamed bowl on the tray, then back to Wu Xuezhen.

At that moment, Wu Xuezhen looked away from the stairs and smiled. “Xueren (Snowman) isn’t feeling well and I heard she took some medicine. I won’t give her this to avoid any medicinal conflicts. This bowl can go to Dajun, let him nourish himself a bit too.”

You Shiyi joined Wu Xuezhen in a hearty laugh.

On the second floor, behind the door adorned with a “No Disturbing the Doggie” sticker, all was dark.

That was until the bathroom door opened a crack, letting out a burst of bright light that stretched across the soft bed.

A figure emerged slowly, very slowly, from the gap and drifted forward. Barefoot on the wooden floor, she knelt down slowly as she reached the bed, her upper body collapsing onto the mattress.

Her long hair spilled out instantly, and a flushed ear peeked through, painted with color by the bathroom light.

Luo Mingzi was still a bit dazed. Her rosy lips were parted, and she let out low, soft chuckles from time to time.

Li Yue finished cleaning up the bathroom and stepped out, switching on the bedroom light. The bright glow immediately illuminated the girl kneeling in her nightgown. She looked like a delicate flower drenched by a heavy rain limp and powerless. The long curve of her back was perfectly visible, as were the fine lines on the soles of her white, curled toes.

“…”

Li Yue looked away, walking to the bedside table to grab a glass of water.

Luo Mingzi tried to raise her hand to scratch her face, brushing away an itchy strand of hair. She turned her head, looking up with wide, longing eyes at the woman drinking water.

The light reflected in her eyes, making her pupils look as clear as amber but within that clarity gathered a deep thirst. It was unclear if she craved the water or the woman drinking it.

Luo Mingzi blinked, but before she could speak, a shadow fell over her. The moment she looked up, a scent identical to her own approached. Whatever the craving was, it fell upon her along with the fragrance, delivered directly to her lips.

“Whoosh.”

The air conditioner on the wall hummed, sending a cool breeze that fluttered the curtains.

The intersecting shadows cast upon the curtains moved in rhythm.

The bathroom had been sweltering; now, the two women practically “cooked” through from the steam were exposed to the cold air. Their skin prickled with goosebumps from the chill, forcing them to press tightly together. Even their lips and tongues sought each other out, drawing warmth from one another amidst the cool air.

A long while later, the shadow kneeling against the wall straightened up. Li Yue reached back to tuck her black hair behind her, lowering her legs from their kneeling position. The predatory look in her eyes faded, replaced by her usual gentle calm.

“Do you want more water?”

Luo Mingzi exhaled a puff of warm air and sprawled out on the bed. In a very intense tone, she said, “Yes!”

But to Li Yue’s ears, it sounded like a kitten meowing for affection. She smiled slightly, leaned over to grab the water cup, and propped Luo Mingzi up to let her drink.

They couldn’t continue.

Both of them were well aware.

There was work tomorrow.

Still, it was nice to be clingy like this for a while.

Luo Mingzi leaned into Li Yue’s arms. Li Yue leaned against the headboard, pulling a soft pillow behind her. Before showering, she had put both their phones on the nightstand to charge now, she reached for her phone to check her messages.

Luo Mingzi swallowed the water slowly, watching her from the side. “You’ve been checking your phone a lot lately,” she whispered.

“Hmm?” Li Yue immediately reached out to stroke Luo Mingzi’s face with the back of her hand, explaining with gentle patience, “I’m discussing the recording for the second episode of Inspiration Explosion with the ‘Owl Monkeys.'”

Luo Mingzi didn’t feel ignored or dissatisfied, but being touched by Li Yue made her happy. She leaned entirely against Li Yue, her long legs under the nightgown pressing against Li Yue’s, their feet occasionally bumping.

“I still want to record with you guys. It’s really fun. Owl Monkeys hahaha!” Thinking of the people in the Huaguan Music Department, Luo Mingzi burst into laughter. She had been signed with Huaguan for three years and never knew there was such an interesting group of people there. Fate was a funny thing just like how she met someone as interesting and “just right” as Li Yue at the perfect time.

Li Yue confirmed the recording time and location, set her phone down, and hugged Luo Mingzi, burying her face in the other girl’s shoulder to nuzzle her firmly. Luo Mingzi had a petite frame slender bones and though she was thin, she still had plenty of soft spots that made her great to hold.

But if she were just a little bit chubbier, she’d be even better to hold, Li Yue thought, nuzzling her again.

Counting it up, she and Luo Mingzi didn’t actually get much time together. They would have to separate again tomorrow evening. That was why she had been a bit “excessive” in the bathroom earlier. Whenever she acted out or got moody in certain times or places, Luo Mingzi always indulged and tolerated her just as Li Yue indulged Luo Mingzi in their daily life.

Outsiders only saw Luo Mingzi’s arrogance; they didn’t see her tenderness. But it was enough that this tenderness was shown only to her.

Li Yue’s lips pressed kiss after kiss onto Luo Mingzi’s shoulder. She really wanted to open her mouth and take a little bite, but reason turned her impulses into mere kisses. Before she could lose control, Li Yue looked up, resting her chin on Luo Mingzi’s shoulder to change the subject.

“I heard ‘Mom’ say during the day that acting in plays requires physical stamina too. I think this is a good chance to exercise,” she said softly.

It was hard for Li Yue to make Luo Mingzi do things she didn’t like. Since being together, they spent more time apart than together, and Luo Mingzi was always busy like a spinning top. The moment she got a break, she wanted to turn into a puddle, exercise was the last thing on her mind.

“After the recording of Late Village ends in September, you’ll officially join the theater troupe with Sister Xuezhen. She goes for a run every morning; you can join her.” Li Yue gave Luo Mingzi’s small arm a little wiggle.

Luo Mingzi took a breath and said hesitantly, “What about you?”

Li Yue chuckled, tilting her head to look at her, her dark eyes filled with mirth. “If you want, I can start exercising with you tomorrow.”

Luo Mingzi said calmly, “I need a few days for psychological preparation. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with my body, you know that!” Her annual physical reports were always healthy, except for being slightly underweight, but everything else was perfect!

Exercising is so exhausting!

But joining the troupe and going on tour later would definitely require stamina. Exercise was imminent!

Luo Mingzi thought about it seriously while taking the opportunity to feel Li Yue’s abs.

When not tensed, the muscles were soft. Li Yue tightened her core. Luo Mingzi giggled, her fingers starting to wander until Li Yue decisively caught her hand and pulled her down onto the bed.

“Go to sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow,” Li Yue said easily, pinning Luo Mingzi down.

Luo Mingzi struggled like a tiny ripple jumping in the ocean, then gave a sigh.

Exercise!

I definitely have to exercise!

If I don’t even have the strength to struggle, it’s just not romantic enough!

Unaware of Luo Mingzi’s thoughts, Li Yue covered her with a blanket and got up to turn off the light.

The next day’s filming was different from previous days.

The Late Village courtyard kept sheep, rabbits, and ducklings. The guests got to experience herding sheep. Compared to the previous day, it was very relaxing, living up to the show’s name.

Recording officially ended at 4:00 PM. Both the flying guests and the regulars had to leave.

Surprisingly, it was Luo Mingzi the one who had acted most repulsed by the chickens, ducks, and sheep who asked an anxious question. She felt relieved when she heard someone would stay behind to look after them.

“As long as they don’t starve to death,” Luo Mingzi said solemnly.

Li Yue glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, and teased, “You seemed a bit distracted today. Don’t tell me you thought the production team wouldn’t let us leave until we cut a week’s worth of grass for them?”

“I’m not that stupid!” Luo Mingzi pouted, saying huffily, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have weeded the yard back then. We should have just let them graze in the back.”

You’re actually upset about that?

Everyone looked surprised, but then they remembered it was Luo Mingzi and let it go.

Li Yue’s lips curled into a smile. She hooked her pinky with Luo Mingzi’s and leaned down amidst the busy wrap-up of the set. She whispered:

“See you next week.”

Luo Mingzi paused. The fire in her heart and her messy emotions vanished instantly at the thought of parting from Li Yue.

Compared to before, they now had a definite date to look forward to.

She finally broke into a smile, swinging their hooked hands.

“See you next week. Remember to miss me.”