I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 69

Nan Xi heard her own voice again, sweetly saying, “Mm… Anyway, it won’t scald me, right? As long as it doesn’t scald me, it’s fine.”

She often blurted out a few suggestive remarks that left Mu Xi at a loss, but the timing and context were always just right, leaving Mu Xi unable to criticize her on moral grounds.

Not only that, but Mu Xi also found that when she wanted to respond with a few equally bold words without losing her composure, not a single word would come out.

With little talent for sweet or suggestive talk, Mu Xi had no choice but to stick to being a woman of action, using her deeds to prove that she wasn’t exactly a prim and proper person either.

This was difficult. She had to ensure that her movements were satisfying without letting Nan Xi choke on the water. Nan Xi’s hair was already soaked with the hot spring water and the pervasive steam, clinging to her neck and back in an especially alluring way.

Water was her language and her bargaining chip. Nan Xi was fragile enough to be easily killed by water, but at this moment, she merely swayed carelessly in it, creating ripples.

Just as Mu Xi reached the only island in the vast expanse of water, Nan Xi stirred up a wave. She began to rain down on this traveler who showed no reverence, quickly soaking Mu Xi’s originally calm hair and cheeks.

Mu Xi had to steady her hips, trying to communicate:

“Don’t move around…”

“I’m not moving around,” Nan Xi’s voice trembled slightly at the end, but her tone remained earnest. “I can’t help it. Even though the water temperature here won’t scald me, it’s still quite hot…”

Even so.

If Mu Xi really had a way to lower the temperature of the pool, Nan Xi certainly wouldn’t have wanted it.

Mu Xi silently raised her other hand to wipe the water from her face, restoring her clear vision.

She continued to explore the island, the only warm and tranquil place amidst the turbulent waves. Nan Xi persistently continued to create trouble for her, but Mu Xi took it all in stride as part of the fun.

When she first reached the highest point of the island, she leaned down and kissed the two trembling lips before her.

Nan Xi scratched her back and tightly gripped her hair, refusing to let go. Mu Xi knew she had no other recourse, enduring the pain of her scalp being tugged while firmly continuing to kiss her.

Both of their lips were soaked with moist steam, tasting sweet and delicious, the perfect thirst-quencher. After savoring it for a moment, Mu Xi entwined her tongue in a dance, all the while continuing her exploration, ensuring she lingered at the peak a little longer.

Practice makes perfect in all things, and Mu Xi increasingly felt she was becoming more adept and at ease, very satisfied with herself.

Oh, and one more thing.

Nan Xi, catching a moment to catch her breath, sat on Mu Xi’s lap to rest, their foreheads pressed together.

The steam concealed their hurried panting, and the swirling currents not only washed away the sticky traces but also slightly muffled the sound of their voices.

Even so, Nan Xi still heard Mu Xi suddenly speak those words:

“I love you.”

For a moment, Nan Xi even forgot to breathe. Disregarding her exhaustion and the need to gasp for oxygen, she abruptly tightened her grip on the shoulders she was clinging to.

Unable to believe it, her next reaction was to question: “What did you say? Did I mishear?”

Hadn’t they always been competing, refusing to say it? How could it be spoken so casually now?

“I should have said it a long time ago,” Mu Xi also let out a soft sigh, not entirely muffled by the water, reaching Nan Xi’s ears. “It might seem a bit strange to say it now, but I mean it.”

“It’s just so strange!” Nan Xi exclaimed loudly, her tone filled not only with grievance. “Why confess all of a sudden afterward? It makes you seem like some kind of scumbag who sweet-talks just to deceive someone for physical pleasure, saying those things to charm someone just so you can keep doing bad things next time… In short, it doesn’t feel sincere at all.”

Mu Xi still had the leisure to joke: “Then I should confess beforehand…?”

“Isn’t that even more like a scumbag?!”

Seeing Nan Xi visibly bristling with agitation, Mu Xi quickly set aside her playful mood and pulled her properly into an embrace.

“I’m truly serious.”

“That day on the school playground when I had a headache, even though you were right by my side, I couldn’t say a single word to you. It felt like there was an immense distance between us.”

“I was really scared then, the most frightened I’ve ever been in my memory. I was afraid I might actually die there without even being able to leave a final word.”

“That’s when I thought, this rivalry between us… if it drags on for too long, it might turn into something we’d regret.”

“We should immerse ourselves fully in enjoying this time together. Before the next headache comes, I want you to know I love you, even if you already know it.”

“Especially after seeing your sister and Bai Ran, I suddenly realized how unpredictable life is. Every day we can say ‘I love you’ is something to cherish.”

Mu Xi buried her face in Nan Xi’s neck and murmured.

“You’re right, I love you too.” Nan Xi kissed the top of her head, then grew serious again. “But why do your words sound so ominous? Don’t compare our situation to your sister’s. At most, we just get headaches and can recover with proper rest. How could it ever turn out like theirs?”

Mu Xi almost laughed.

It wasn’t that Nan Xi, who wasn’t into science, talking about so-called “auspiciousness” was funny, but rather that no matter how close Nan Xi was to her sister, she always held a negative attitude toward the complicated relationships surrounding her, as if afraid of being tainted by even a hint of it.

“Alright, we’re different from them.”

Only then did Nan Xi seem satisfied.

She gazed at her lover with a thick, sticky, love-filled look.

For Nan Xi, the best aphrodisiac wasn’t some stimulant, not even Mu Xi’s pleasant bitter-orange scent of pheromones, but her love.

Every time Mu Xi looked at her with tender affection, Nan Xi felt she could reach climax without any physical stimulation.

Nan Xi knew many people had different views on sexuality, but from her personal perspective, she could only accept Mu Xi and only if she loved her, absolutely loved her.

It wasn’t as if there hadn’t been other opportunities. Back when that person named Du Sha sat beside her, Nan Xi felt nothing but discomfort. She resisted that person’s proximity, overriding the natural attraction between an omega and an alpha.

Nan Xi had also had extreme, pessimistic thoughts. When Mu Xi was in too much pain to speak, she was scared too, but what she thought was:

If Mu Xi were to die here today, then she would go with her.

No one but Mu Xi.

“Let’s continue,” she said.

“Continue…?”

“What we were doing earlier… let’s continue.”

Of course it had to continue, it was in keeping with Nan Xi’s usual habits. Mu Xi just hadn’t expected that someone who usually needed a long break after moaning and groaning would recover so quickly this time.

Seeing her hesitate and not make a move, Nan Xi simply grabbed her by the shoulders and neck, leaned in, and provocatively flicked her tongue over the flushed area.

“!”

Mu Xi was simultaneously embarrassed, shocked, and furious. She never imagined Nan Xi would take advantage of her moment of contemplation to do something so audacious!

…It seemed she had no choice but to teach Nan Xi a proper lesson!

Flustered and annoyed, she caught the misbehaving Nan Xi. Her original plan to cuddle and whisper sweet nothings after their mutual confession was completely ruined, all because Nan Xi insisted on it.

…

The advantage of getting up to mischief in the water was that even if you were too exhausted to take a single step, you didn’t have to worry about cleaning up.

In the end, Nan Xi lost due to the physical disadvantage determined by biology, she couldn’t even lift a finger and had to rely on Mu Xi to bathe her.

All she had to do was lie on her back by the hot spring pool, gazing leisurely at the deep blue winter sky of City Z, lost in thought.

The resort was fully equipped, and meals could still be ordered and delivered to the courtyard, just like in a hotel. Moreover, compared to upscale chain hotels, this locally-run resort offered more of City Z’s regional specialties. The locals had a preference for sweet flavors, and Nan Xi adapted to it quickly.

Four or five years ago, when Mu Xi was studying in City Z, she never would have imagined that this boring place would one day leave her with such beautiful memories.

After dinner, Mu Xi wanted to go for a walk, but Nan Xi couldn’t move. Even though she couldn’t walk, Nan Xi still wanted to go out and insisted that Mu Xi borrow a wheelchair to push her around.

Mu Xi was horrified, but Nan Xi said it had always been a wish of hers, she wanted to experience being pushed in a wheelchair just once, and it would be even better if Mu Xi was the one doing it.

With things put that way, it would have been impolite for Mu Xi to refuse.

Still, she felt too embarrassed to ask the resort for a wheelchair, able-bodied people borrowing one would be taking up public resources. Fortunately, Nan Xi was straightforward and immediately paid a hefty sum to have a brand-new wheelchair delivered to the mountainside resort. All Mu Xi had to do was push her.

As Mu Xi wheeled Nan Xi out, passing resort staff cast pitying glances, thinking what a shame it was that such a lovely young couple had one member with disabled legs. At least her partner was responsible enough to push her around.

Some well-meaning people offered to help, but Mu Xi repeatedly declined, bowing apologetically with a flushed face, wishing she could dig a hole and bury herself out of embarrassment.

She’d have to bury Nan Xi along with her, this woman was truly wicked.

When kind-hearted strangers came over to express concern, Nan Xi didn’t clarify the situation. Instead, she pitifully thanked them, making them feel even sorrier for her and almost wanting to take the wheelchair from Mu Xi to push her another mile themselves.

Mu Xi hurriedly pushed Nan Xi around the mountain for a couple of laps before rushing back. Any longer, and they might have ended up in the local newspaper under headlines like “Inspiring Disabled Woman and Her Devoted Partner.”

The next morning, the two sat together in the courtyard when it suddenly began to snow. City A was located further south, and this was Nan Xi’s first time seeing such a magnificent, beautiful snowfall. Forgetting her earlier claims of exhaustion, she dashed into the curtain of snow, spinning around and marveling at how such breathtaking snow could exist in the world.

Mu Xi, fearing she might catch a chill, suggested soaking in the hot springs while enjoying the snowy scenery, romantic, warm, and not as overwhelmingly hot as the day before. Nan Xi readily agreed.

The moment they undressed and slipped into the water, restlessness began to stir, and it was precisely then that Nan Lian’s call came.

To be honest, the sight of Nan Lian’s name on the caller ID immediately filled Nan Xi with a sense of foreboding.

If it weren’t something critical or urgent, Nan Lian shouldn’t have had the time to call her right now.

Nan Xi and Mu Xi stared at the incoming call for a full thirty seconds, waiting until the ringtone was about to cut off before finally answering, bracing themselves for what Nan Lian might say.

Nan Lian told Nan Xi:

“I’ve found out what Su Wen was doing before she died.”

That was good news.

But why call her…?

“It might also involve Mu Xi. I’m sending someone to bring you both back.”