What Should I Do If My Ex-Girlfriend's Pheromones Smell Too Good? - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Boldness

Yan Xiangyu held her cake but didn’t take a bite, looking as if she had something to say: “You…”

Shu Qiong wiped the cream from the corner of her mouth: “I don’t know anything.”

Yan Xiangyu paused: “I was trying to ask, how are you feeling today? Any lingering discomfort?”

“…Quite good, actually. There was no real need to take the day off,” Shu Qiong replied seriously, pulling her thoughts together.

She spent the rest of the afternoon and evening productively alone in the dorm. It wasn’t until nearly 10:00 PM, when her teammates returned one by one, that she finally set aside her work.

However, before everyone could wash up and rest, the base’s broadcast system blared the assembly alarm.

“Let’s go, assemble at the field.” He Xuchou’s expression turned grave. She immediately led them out, quickly pulling on her outerwear.

This was the first time Shu Qiong had heard the assembly bell since entering the training base. Unsure of what was coming next, she sprinted out with the others.

By the time they reached the assembly point, more than half of the cadets had already arrived, as many were still lingering in the training hall near the field. On the field, hundreds of bulging backpacks were lined up neatly. Once everyone arrived, the instructor scolded the latecomers for a few moments before commanding: “Now, grab your respective gear bags and follow me!”

Shu Qiong took the large backpack nearest to her and unzipped it to take a look.

Chang Xichun frowned: “Tent, water, nutritional supplements, insect repellent, sleeping bag… it’s quite complete.”

Jin Yan let out a yawn: “No way, a midnight long-distance march?”

Shu Qiong weighed the bag; it was at least ten kilograms. If the distance was far, walking would be brutal.

Everyone sighed, but despite their reluctance, they formed ranks and followed the instructor out of the base gates.

The Military Academy group was unfamiliar with the geography of Base Star because they weren’t allowed to wander. This was their first time stepping outside the base since training began. Initially, there was a sense of novelty, but after a while, the scenery became monotonous.

In the dead of night, with dim light all around, Shu Qiong and the others pulled out night-vision goggles from their bags and followed the pace of those in front. The surroundings were silent. The landscape of Base Star consisted of vast plains with few tall trees or man-made structures—a sharp contrast to the skyscraper-filled, brightly lit Capital Star. If one stood here during the day, they could probably see for miles.

The group marched for a long time, covering several kilometers, until Shu Qiong began to huff and puff, her shoulders and neck aching from the weight. Finally, they heard a command that shone like a ray of hope.

The instructor announced at the front: “Stop. We camp here tonight. We continue at 6:00 AM tomorrow. Understood?”

Shu Qiong sighed, checked her wristband, and saw they had been walking for about two hours. The campsite chosen by the instructor was flat, with the only structure being a simple small building meant for personal hygiene needs.

The backpacks contained tents and sleeping bags. As soon as the instructor gave the word, Yan Xiangyu unzipped her bag, picked a clean spot, and began quietly setting up her tent. Shu Qiong jogged over to set hers up beside her.

Suddenly, Yan Xiangyu’s movements stopped. Shu Qiong heard her let out a sharp, soft intake of breath.

“What’s wrong?” Shu Qiong leaned over.

Yan Xiangyu pursed her lips and showed her a palm-sized hole in her tent.

Shu Qiong gasped. “I’ll go ask the instructor for a replacement.”

She jogged away and returned a moment later, shaking her head regretfully. “The instructor doesn’t have any spare tents.”

In the short time she was gone, Yan Xiangyu had actually finished setting up Shu Qiong’s tent. Though the conditions were Spartan, it looked sturdy and clean.

“What should we do then?” Yan Xiangyu tilted her head at Shu Qiong. “I’ll have to trouble Xiao Qiong. You don’t mind, right?”

Shu Qiong stammered for a moment, trying to think of a poised way to agree, but saw that Yan Xiangyu had already taken out both their sleeping bags, shook them out, and laid them neatly inside the tent.

Shu Qiong: “…” I shouldn’t have even bothered asking!

The bags contained disposable toiletries. After a quick cleanup, the two said goodnight to their teammates and prepared to enter the tent.

Jin Yan looked back and forth: “Wait a minute! You two are sleeping in the same tent?”

Yan Xiangyu replied flatly: “Yes, my tent is broken.”

Jin Yan looked at Yan Xiangyu suspiciously and grabbed Shu Qiong: “Daughter, you sleep with me tonight! We grew up together, sleeping in the same bed is fine, but you must be wary of others!” She felt Yan Xiangyu was highly suspicious; there was no guarantee she wouldn’t try something.

Just as Shu Qiong was about to speak, Yan Xiangyu’s gaze snapped toward them.

“No,” Yan Xiangyu said directly. “If you sleep together, it will affect your rest.”

Jin Yan was skeptical: “And the two of you squeezing together won’t affect yours?”

Yan Xiangyu said naturally: “No.”

Shu Qiong patted Jin Yan’s shoulder helplessly: “Don’t worry, Miss. I’m a grown woman! Besides, Yan Xiangyu isn’t a bad person…”

Jin Yan’s brow remained furrowed. Her eyes darted between the two before she leaned into Shu Qiong’s ear and whispered: “So you two have rekindled the ‘dead ashes’ (old flames)?”

“What dead ashes…” Shu Qiong choked on the wording, thinking she should at least use ‘rekindled old feelings’! “Ugh! I can’t explain it to you. Just go to sleep, Miss! See you tomorrow morning!”

Jin Yan watched them crawl into the tiny tent with an “I smell a scandal” look, lamenting how the youth these days forget their “mothers” as soon as they get a partner.

Inside the tent, Shu Qiong moved nimbly, sliding into her sleeping bag like a flexible fish. Yan Xiangyu unhurriedly closed the tent flap and doused the light.

Shu Qiong suddenly felt the world go dark. Then, she heard the rustle of fabric. She couldn’t help but swallow, feeling an inexplicable nervousness. Given their current relationship, being alone together was still a bit awkward.

The sound came from very close by; Yan Xiangyu had entered her own sleeping bag. Shu Qiong could only vaguely see her silhouette—the other girl seemed to be propped up on one arm, looking toward her.

“…” Shu Qiong immediately recalled their “intimate interaction” in the dark last time. Her fingertips curled unconsciously. She suddenly realized: Is this woman seducing me?

Dammit, she really has some moves.

Shu Qiong tried to guess Yan Xiangyu’s next move. Based on the other’s usual behavior, she would likely seize this grand opportunity to gain ground and then push for more unreasonable demands.

Yan Xiangyu stayed propped up for a while before moving. She lowered her arm and shifted her body as if preparing to lie down. Shu Qiong clearly felt the proximity. The distance between them vanished rapidly until she could hear the other’s breathing.

However, Yan Xiangyu did nothing. She seemed to actually intend to sleep, tucking her hands back into her sleeping bag.

Shu Qiong felt a sudden sense of emptiness. But she also knew this was the logical development; Yan Xiangyu must be exhausted and needed rest.

With complex emotions, Shu Qiong rolled over to face Yan Xiangyu. The tent was a standard single-person size, making it quite cramped for two. Even through the sleeping bags, their arms and legs were pressed against each other. Shu Qiong’s movement wasn’t large, but it sent an unignorable vibration through the bags. Yet, the tent remained silent.

Did she fall asleep that fast?

Shu Qiong blinked and slightly lifted her head. In the cramped space, she could vaguely see Yan Xiangyu with her eyes closed, seemingly already in deep sleep.

Suddenly, a flashback hit Shu Qiong—the time she “forcefully kissed” Yan Xiangyu. Afterward, she had a dream where the other mocked her for having terrible kissing skills. Well, she had been a bit hasty that time.

Come to think of it, they had already bitten each other’s necks and shared intimate gland contact, but they had almost never shared a proper, formal kiss. Shu Qiong thought about it, and her heart began to stir with impulse.

Since she’s asleep, it wouldn’t be too much to “harass” her a little, right?

“What are you thinking about?”

A laughing voice broke the silence. Yan Xiangyu had opened her eyes at some point, looking at Shu Qiong teasingly, with an “I’ll wait and see what explanation you come up with” look of leisure.

Shu Qiong jumped, snapping back to reality only to find that she had spaced out and was almost pressed against the other’s face!

“Why were you faking sleep?” Shu Qiong grumbled, shrinking her neck back.

Yan Xiangyu rolled onto her side to face her, suddenly propping herself up again: “I was asleep. I dreamed of Sleeping Beauty. Do you know that story? The protagonist received true love’s kiss, and so she woke up.”

Shu Qiong gave a dry laugh: “First time I’ve seen someone so shameless as to compare themselves to Sleeping Beauty.”

Yan Xiangyu actually hummed in agreement: “But that’s not the point. The point is the true love’s kiss.” Her tone remained teasing. “So what was our Xiao Qiong thinking just now? You didn’t think you could take advantage of me while I was asleep, did you?”

Her thoughts exposed, Shu Qiong paused for a few seconds. Then, she simply sat up and looked at Yan Xiangyu.

Yan Xiangyu asked cooperatively: “Do you need me to close my eyes again?”

“…No need.”

It had to be said that darkness always breeds more courage and ambiguity than usual. Shu Qiong leaned her upper body forward, propping her arms on either side of Yan Xiangyu, effectively pinning her in the narrow space.

Yan Xiangyu said: “Really don’t need me to close my eyes? Since when did Cowardly Qiong become Bold Qiong?”

Shu Qiong almost lost her temper, nearly blurting out “Forget it, then!” She steadied her emotions and leaned down, kissing Yan Xiangyu on the forehead.

Yan Xiangyu wanted to laugh. As expected, still Cowardly Qiong…

Then, something warm, cool, and soft pressed against Yan Xiangyu’s lips, wiping the thoughts from her mind. She opened her eyes in surprise in the dark.

Shu Qiong had crawled out of her sleeping bag at some point and was now straddling Yan Xiangyu, leaning over her and sitting on her waist. Yan Xiangyu tilted her head up cooperatively, letting Shu Qiong wrap her arms around her neck. After a moment’s hesitation, she gently parted her lips.

Shu Qiong froze, her face pulling back slightly.

Yan Xiangyu sat up as well, her hands wrapping around Shu Qiong’s hips, stopping her from pulling away.

“Retreating already?” she asked.