When Spring Awakens - Chapter 10

Before heading out in the afternoon, Wen Wanbing sent back all the gifts Hailing had given her. After the courier packed the boxes and hauled them away, she slowly closed the door while sending the tracking number to Hailing.

He Xiuying was about to take Wen Xing to the autism intervention center for a session and was leading the child to the entryway.

Peering through the still-open door crack, she watched the courier turn the corner. He Xiuying pursed her lips and, after a pause, said, “Tell Hailing not to send anything next time. If we need something, we’ll buy it ourselves, right? It’ll save us the trouble of mailing things back and forth and wasting money on shipping fees.”

A flicker of light flashed in Wen Wanbing’s eyes before dimming even deeper.

In the past, no matter how much she expressed her dislike for accepting others’ favors for no reason, He Xiuying would turn a deaf ear either urging her to accept Hailing’s well-intentioned gifts or earnestly persuading her to try accepting Hailing as a person.

Perhaps influenced by last night, He Xiuying had actually changed her stance.

If so, it meant He Xiuying hadn’t forgotten the unpleasant incident.

“Uncle Zhang said if it doesn’t rain tonight, the public movie screening will go on as usual. Finish your diving practice early and come back to help him set up,” He Xiuying said as she helped Wen Xing into a raincoat. Turning around, she noticed Wen Wanbing clutching her phone, staring blankly at the screen whether reading something or lost in thought was unclear. She gave her a gentle nudge. “Got it?”

Wen Wanbing snapped out of it. “Got it.”

She held her phone out to He Xiuying.

“What?” He Xiuying was puzzled.

“You tell Hailing. It’s no use coming from me.” Wen Wanbing pressed the voice message button and extended the phone further.

“Hailing, it’s Auntie here. Please don’t send any more gifts, it’s too extravagant,” He Xiuying said before adding, “But thank you all the same. Come over for a meal sometime.”

Wen Wanbing’s brow twitched, and she instinctively released her finger sending the message.

“Sent it? Let me hear.” He Xiuying leaned over and played the voice message back to herself.

The last part had been recorded after all. Hailing replied instantly: [Got it, thank you, Auntie. I’ll definitely visit when I have time.]

A dull ache throbbed in Wen Wanbing’s head. She sincerely hoped this was just politeness.

He Xiuying, standing beside her, noticed her displeased expression. “What’s wrong?”

Wen Wanbing rubbed her temples, closed her eyes, and exhaled a long, weary sigh before picking up her bag from the shoe cabinet. “Nothing. I’m heading out now.”

When she arrived at Solo, Fu Junxue was already waiting at the water bar counter. Today, she wore a white cropped top with bold lettering, paired with high-waisted denim shorts featuring ripped designs.

At her waist, the hem of her top was tied into a bow, cinched with a wide belt adorned with sparkling lettered rhinestones, accentuating her slender, delicate figure.

Her wavy long hair cascaded loosely, with a glittering snowflake-shaped clip pinned to one side, reflecting tiny, dazzling lights utterly beautiful. Her head was slightly lowered, her exquisite face etched with focus, the tiny mole on the tip of her nose lending a touch of tenderness and charm.

A simple outfit, meticulously styled as eye-catching as ever.

Wen Wanbing’s steps suddenly felt as heavy as lead. She regretted last night’s decision all over again.

Their current relationship was ambiguous and undefined. She didn’t even know what expression or attitude to adopt when facing Fu Junxue.

But she still had to learn to dive.

Taking a quiet, deep breath, Wen Wanbing steeled herself and pushed through the awkwardness as she walked forward.

Before Fu Junxue sat a glass of ice water, its surface misted over with condensation. A relatively clear trail of water meandered down the side facing her, wiped there by the pad of her finger.

Wen Wanbing stopped beside Fu Junxue, watching as she traced a cube on the table with her damp fingertip.

In the photo Fu Junxue had taken at Starbucks yesterday, there had been a similar cube on the table.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Wen Wanbing asked, “What is that supposed to be?”

“An ice cube,” Fu Junxue replied without looking up, her tone casual, as if it were just an offhand remark, just a random doodle nothing more to it.

Like a passing breeze.

Only the listener could truly feel the light, fleeting brush of that breeze. Wen Wanbing’s brows twitched ever so slightly.

Fu Junxue shifted her fingertip and pointed at the already faint water stain beside the cube she had just drawn. “See?”

“What?” Unable to make it out clearly, Wen Wanbing leaned in closer. As she bent down, her chestnut-brown hair slipped from her shoulder and draped softly over Fu Junxue’s wrist. Fu Junxue’s fingers curled slightly. Wen Wanbing lowered her gaze and, without a word, gathered the stray lock and tucked it behind her ear.

At that moment, Fu Junxue tilted her body slightly, turning her head to look at her. Her red lips parted. “The ice cube I drew earlier, it evaporated while I was waiting for you.”

Another light, breezy remark, rippling tiny waves across the surface of the heart.

Wen Wanbing straightened up, sidestepping to avoid eye contact, and stiffly changed the subject. “Should we go change for class now?”

“Sure.” Fu Junxue picked up her bag from the chair beside her and stood, stepping close to Wen Wanbing. She tilted her head, studying her with amusement. “I thought you might be blushing.”

Wen Wanbing pressed her lips together and said nothing, her expression cool as she cast Fu Junxue a sidelong glance.

Though she maintained a composed facade, the teasing had its effect, the ear exposed when she tucked her hair behind it had reddened. Her fair skin made even the slightest flush obvious.

Fu Junxue’s gaze drifted over leisurely, but she didn’t call it out or tease her further. Instead, she curved her lips into a smile. “Let’s go, Wen.”

The changing rooms at Solo were all private cubicles, ensuring full privacy for customers. Finding two empty ones, Wen Wanbing and Fu Junxue went to change separately.

When Wen Wanbing stepped out, Fu Junxue was standing outside tying up her hair, a hair tie clamped between her lips. She wore a one-piece wetsuit with a front zipper, the cut flattering her figure exquisitely.

True sensuality was something that felt comfortable and refined to behold and Fu Junxue embodied it perfectly.

Nearly every girl who emerged from the changing rooms stole a glance at her.

And at Wen Wanbing too.

“You’re just missing a face mask to cover up completely,” Fu Junxue remarked with a laugh as she twisted her hair into a bun, teasing her.

“Prolonged exposure to water isn’t good for women’s health. It’s important to stay warm,” Wen Wanbing explained seriously. She had opted for a full-length wetsuit and diving socks, covering herself from head to toe.

“You’re absolutely right,” Fu Junxue said, her lips curving as she led the way. “Come on, Comrade Wen.”

Teasing her again.

Wen Wanbing pressed her lips together and followed Fu Junxue at a leisurely pace.

They took the elevator up to the third floor, stopping first at the service counter to collect their fins. Fu Junxue also grabbed a pair of diving socks before guiding Wen Wanbing to the training pool, which had a maximum depth of six meters.

After finishing the stretches, Fu Junxue had Wen Wanbing enter the water first to get accustomed to the feeling of swimming.

It had been over three years since her last swim, but muscle memory remained. Wen Wanbing swam a lap and returned to the poolside, where Fu Junxue was sitting on the edge, bending forward with her knees tucked as she pulled on long diving socks.

Wen Wanbing averted her gaze uncomfortably.

Just as she was about to swim another lap, Fu Junxue entered the water and said, “Let’s start with breathing techniques and ear pressure equalization.”

Wen Wanbing responded with a quiet “Mm,” her expression neutral, but beneath the water, her hands fidgeted nervously, her fingertips rubbing together unconsciously.

However, she soon relaxed because Fu Junxue was very professional during the lesson no teasing, just serious, gentle, and patient instruction.

Fu Junxue said, “Being underwater gives you a very unique sensation.”

Wen Wanbing was practicing walking in the shallow end with fins on, which wasn’t easy she could only move sideways or backward. The relaxed atmosphere made her unusually at ease, and her response was less rigid than usual: “Like a duck?”

Fu Junxue laughed. “Then you must be a Psyduck.”

“Why?” Wen Wanbing was puzzled.

“Because,” Fu Junxue replied, smiling as she watched her awkward movements, “you look a little silly.”

“…” Wen Wanbing let out a soft huff before steering the conversation back. “So what does it feel like underwater?”

“Peaceful, exhilarating, and free,” Fu Junxue said. “The whole world goes quiet and slows down. You can even feel the subtle movement of the water, washing away the chaos inside you.”

Listening to her description, Wen Wanbing tried to focus on the sensation but lost her balance. Her long fins tangled, and she uncontrollably lurched forward.

Instinctively reaching for support, her flailing hands grabbed Fu Junxue’s arm. Amid the splashing water and rippling waves, she pulled Fu Junxue into her embrace.

She thought she could hear her own heartbeat, loud as a drum.

Fu Junxue seemed momentarily stunned, her expression blank for a few seconds. Her long, thick eyelashes fluttered faintly.

Unconsciously, Wen Wanbing blinked, and when she looked up again, her gaze locked directly with Fu Junxue’s.

Deep and luminous, those eyes reflected her own image.

The deliberately suppressed tension between them surged like a Mentos dropped into cola fast and unstoppable.

Once steady, Wen Wanbing immediately let go and grabbed a pool noodle, clinging to it as she tried to calm her racing heart.

“No need to rush. Take it slow,” Fu Junxue said with amusement. “Most people turn pale with fright, but you’re different.”

Wen Wanbing lifted her gaze.

“You turn red instead,” Fu Junxue enunciated slowly, the corners of her lips curling deeper.

Wen Wanbing: “…”

After that, Wen Wanbing would rather fall into the water than reach out to Fu Junxue for support.

Fu Junxue noticed but only smiled, nudging the pool noodle closer to her.

When the lesson ended, they returned to the classroom for a written test. Instead of grading Wen Wanbing’s paper, Fu Junxue tucked it into her bag.

Standing nearby, Wen Wanbing asked, “Aren’t you going to check it?”

“Let’s make changes in the car. Once we’re inside, you’ll need to carefully review our relationship contract first. I’ll have to find something else to look at to distract myself.” Fu Junxue stood up with her bag in hand, walked to Wen Wanbing’s side, and tilted her head slightly. “Otherwise, if I keep staring at you and make you blush again, what if you change your mind? That would be such a waste of time, right, Wen?”

Her voice carried the enchanting allure of a mermaid’s song.

Wen Wanbing swallowed hard. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

When she looked up, she saw Fu Junxue bloom into a radiant smile, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents.

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