Ling Yan’s Lap

My head had been resting on Ling Yan’s smooth thighs for a while. I hadn’t spoken to her during that time, instead turning my head to watch the club members bustling about, packing things up.

Because my head was turned, my cheek pressed against Ling Yan’s soft, boneless thighs. It was cool and comfortable, and with the fragrance filling my nostrils, I felt another wave of drowsiness.

“Zhou Chen, you can’t sleep now.”

A hand gently tousled my hair, giving me a sense of security. Ling Yan’s gentle voice softly reached my ears, dispelling my faint drowsiness.

“Ah, sorry. It’s just that lying on Ling Yan’s lap is so comfortable, I couldn’t help it.”

I laughed awkwardly, habitually raising my arm to touch my head, but realized my hair was being played with by Ling Yan and I was still on her lap. My hand, halfway up, came down sheepishly.

I hadn’t expected that after sorting out my thoughts, I could talk to Ling Yan so naturally. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

“…Mm, it’s great that Zhou Chen can think that way.”

Ling Yan’s voice came after a moment of silence, and I could hear a soft sigh of relief.

That caught me off guard. I turned my head back to see Ling Yan with one hand on her chest, a relieved expression on her face.

The warm sunlight fell on Ling Yan, making her seem dazzling and radiant. I stared dumbly for a few seconds before coming to my senses and averting my gaze slightly.

So Ling Yan had been bothered by my rejection all along, but I hadn’t noticed.

“Ling Yan, can I get up now?”

I asked, filled with shame, wishing I could immediately leave Ling Yan’s side and reflect on my actions.

“…Mm, if Zhou Chen wants to get up, you can now.”

Ling Yan hesitated for a moment, then withdrew her hand from my hair and gently nodded.

“Alright, I’ll get up then.”

Seeing her agreement, I prepared to stand, but suddenly a somewhat displeased, crisp voice came from nearby.

“Hey, Chenzi, how long are you going to lie on Little Yan’s lap? If no one came to call you, would you just keep lying there?”

Xiao Lu walked over quickly, glaring at me fiercely.

“And, Little Yan, you can’t indulge Chenzi like this, or he’ll just take advantage.”

After speaking to me, Xiao Lu turned to Ling Yan with a helpless expression.

“It’s fine. If Zhou Chen wants to lie down a while longer, there’s no harm.”

Ling Yan shook her head, looking at me tenderly.

“No, no, I’d better get up.”

Feeling Xiao Lu’s increasingly terrifying glare, I scrambled to get up from Ling Yan’s lap, and she even gently supported me midway.

“Hmph, that’s more like it.”

Seeing me up, Xiao Lu’s expression softened. She rolled her eyes at me and handed me the key to the swimming pool gate.

“Here. We’ve finished everything for you. You lock the gate at the end.”

“Understood.”

I was taken aback, then took the key with a flattering smile. Xiao Lu nodded with satisfaction.

“Little Yan, leave the rest to Zhou Chen. Let’s head back to the classroom first.”

Xiao Lu stepped forward, linking her arm with Ling Yan’s, speaking to her with a hint of intimacy.

Though unintentional, seeing Xiao Lu’s firm chest pressed tightly against Ling Yan’s delicate arm, I couldn’t help but look away slightly.

But perhaps my guilty reaction caught her eye. Xiao Lu shot me another fierce glare, then seemed to think of something. She glanced at Ling Yan beside her and gave me a sly grin.

“Hey, Chenzi, what were you staring at? Don’t tell me you have designs on me?”

As she spoke, Xiao Lu pressed her chest even closer against Ling Yan’s arm, accentuating its softness.

“Wha—? No, no! How would I dare have such thoughts about Xiao Lu!”

Startled, I quickly waved my hands in denial.

(Damn it! I thought Xiao Lu’s anger would have subsided by now, that she’d calm down. But she suddenly attacked again.)

I secretly glanced at Ling Yan’s reaction, afraid she might show disgust. Instead, she just shook her head helplessly and withdrew her arm from Xiao Lu’s embrace.

“Don’t joke with Zhou Chen like that.”

Both Xiao Lu and I were stunned. Xiao Lu chuckled and said nothing more, while I silently thanked Ling Yan for her understanding.

“I’ll go to the storage room to check the inventory. If you two are done, you can head back first.”

I gave Xiao Lu, who wore an unreadable expression, an apologetic look and prepared to leave for the storage room.

The club members had probably just dumped my things in the storage room without organizing them. But checking inventory after every training session was a routine step—first, to ensure no shortage for the next session, and second, to prevent misappropriation of club funds. So we had to submit a report of consumed and remaining items to the school.

Since joining the swim club, I’d heard the members joke that I was an angel sent by heaven to save them. That gave me a sense of just how dire their situation had been.

“Mm… Mm!”

Ling Yan nodded to me and tried to stand, but as soon as she lifted her bottom, she let out a pained grunt and sat back down.

“Ling Yan, what’s wrong?”

Alarmed, I quickly went over to her with concern.

“It’s nothing. My leg is just a bit numb.”

Ling Yan said softly, her head slightly lowered. Her fair, delicate ears tinged red, clearly embarrassed.

I sighed in relief, then realized that I had lain on her lap for too long, causing this.

“Um, Ling Yan, I’m sorry.”

I touched my head awkwardly, looking at her apologetically.

“It’s okay. It’ll be fine once I sit for a while.”

Ling Yan shook her head, seeming unconcerned.

Ling Yan really is gentle. If I kept dwelling on this, I’d be wasting her kindness.

“Alright, I’ll get going. If you can walk, come to the storage room and let me know.”

Without saying more, I reminded Ling Yan and Xiao Lu.

Checking the inventory would take some time, so I was usually the last to leave.