A Bathhouse Interrogation and a Morning Escape

The bathhouse gatherings occurred every three days, and since one had just taken place on Thursday, today was certainly not the time for another.

Moreover, with no classes to attend, they were free to arrange their bathing schedules as they pleased.

Thus, when Xi Yao and Jiang Li entered, the bathhouse was rather deserted, with only the occasional patter of a shower echoing through the space.

“When you used to gather with them,” Jiang Li inquired, her gaze drifting towards the central area of the bathhouse, where an exceptionally large pool resided, “was it always held there?”

“Indeed,” Xi Yao affirmed with a nod, adding casually, “It’s every three days; not exactly frequent.”

‘Infrequent it might be, but still…’

‘Jiang Li mused, ‘Even as a straight woman, I don’t quite grasp the dynamics of you lesbians.

Yet, this kind of collective pool party behavior bears a resemblance to that scandalous ‘silver something’ she couldn’t quite recall.’

“A bath, a proper bath at last,” Xi Yao sighed contentedly.

Xi Yao inserted her water card, relishing the sensation of the warm water cascading over her body, washing away any lingering traces.

Once cleansed, she felt utterly pristine, as if nothing untoward had ever occurred.

Jiang Li, however, was far too perceptive; she immediately caught a whiff of a familiar floral scent.

Standing behind Xi Yao, her hands gently scrubbing her back, she abruptly posed a question, “Xi Yao, what did you go out for today?”

“Oh, I had… some business to attend to,” Xi Yao replied casually, luxuriating in the service provided by her personal back-scrubber. “It’s all taken care of, no need to worry.”

‘It was precisely *because* she had ‘taken care of it’ that Jiang Li worried—worried that someone else had taken care of *her* quite thoroughly.’

“But you seemed utterly exhausted today, falling asleep the moment you returned and staying unconscious for hours.”

“That’s because the fatigue from the past few days had all accumulated, not just from today’s events,” Xi Yao explained.

“Think about it: I only gave that speech yesterday, and my mind was so tightly strung, stretched all the way until today.

So, the moment I finally relaxed, I crashed into a deep sleep.”

From Xi Yao’s cherry-red lips, explanations tumbled out in a rapid cascade.

‘Jiang Li understood then: Xi Yao wouldn’t reveal the truth unless she herself…’

“Speaking of which, Jiang Li, you haven’t scrubbed my back in a while, but your technique has become quite good now; where did you learn it… Eek!”

Xi Yao suddenly felt something amiss, swiftly raising her hands to cover her chest.

The soft slopes of her chest had already been claimed by Jiang Li’s grasp.

“Jiang Li, what are you…”

Turning her head, she met the girl’s emotionless, sky-blue eyes, which held a profound, lingering gaze.

“You said you were very tired,” Jiang Li stated calmly. “Just scrubbing your back isn’t enough; you need more of a massage.”

“Thank you, Jiang Li, I appreciate your kindness, but truly, there’s no need.”

Xi Yao finished speaking, but after a long pause, Jiang Li’s hands remained firmly cupped around the sides of her chest.

“Jiang Li…”

“What did you go out for today?” Jiang Li repeated her question.

A jolt went through Xi Yao’s heart; she knew that such persistent questioning meant Jiang Li had definitely discovered something.

‘Could it be… the scent?’

“Alright, you’ve caught me,” Xi Yao replied tentatively. “Actually, I went out today to find a quiet place to reward myself.”

Jiang Li was indeed taken aback. “Reward yourself? Why did you have to go out today then?”

‘Hadn’t she always done so in the dorm room before?’

“Because I disturbed you last time, and seeing you planning to read today, I was afraid I’d bother you again,” Xi Yao explained, her pretty face etched with earnestness.

“So, I specifically went out today to find my own place, so as not to interrupt your reading.”

Jiang Li was truly stunned, and after a long moment, she stammered out three words: “You don’t have to.”

“…What?”

Her voice was too soft; Xi Yao hadn’t heard clearly.

“I said, you don’t have to go out; staying in the dorm is fine, I’m used to it,” Jiang Li continued, her voice gradually fading. “Besides, it’s not exactly a profound book requiring quiet study…”

Xi Yao’s lips twitched, her face showing a touch of emotion. “Jiang Li, you’re so gentle.”

‘She’s truly too gentle; I could just cry… But please, don’t get used to it! Be bothered by it!’

‘Now, whenever she went out on weekends, she’d have to invent a new excuse.’

Jiang Li, mistaking Xi Yao’s reaction for genuine emotion, smiled happily. “It’s alright, we’re good friends.”

Xi Yao’s gaze was complex. “Then, could you please remove your hands from your dear good friend’s Tuantuan (TL Note: An endearing term used here as a euphemism for breasts)?”

“…My apologies.”

She hadn’t noticed, her hands still resting there.

After showering, upon returning to the dorm, Xi Yao immediately collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Li, meanwhile, sat on her bed, pondering for a moment.

The book stated that if a legitimate reason was given, there was a high probability of someone else being involved outside.

But here was the problem: the excuse ‘going out to claim a prize’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘chūmén kāijiǎng,’ often a euphemism for masturbation or sexual activity) was anything but legitimate.

‘Did that mean there was no problem then?’

The book offered no guidance on such a scenario, and she couldn’t afford to be dogmatic; in any case, she decided to calm down and get some sleep first.

Jiang Li lay down, just about to drift off, when she suddenly felt as though she had forgotten something important.

‘Ah, right, her sit-ups!’

However, glancing at the sweet, soundly sleeping girl with long, straight white hair on the opposite bed, she held back, refraining from making any noise.

‘Never mind, tomorrow it is.’

****

Sunday mornings typically belonged to those who indulged in sleeping in.

Xi Yao, however, rose exceptionally early, tiptoeing out of bed and donning yesterday’s attire, preparing to leave.

Having slept excessively yesterday, she had woken early today; if she were to sleep a little longer and wait for Jiang Li to wake up, she would inevitably be dragged along for a morning run.

Therefore, Xi Yao took a preemptive step: after getting ready, she left a message for Jiang Li.

[I’m going to meet Aileen today to discuss tactics for the student council president election; I’ll be back this afternoon!]

Aileen had arrived even earlier than Xi Yao; at the bus stop outside the school gates, the blonde girl lifted her beautiful eyes and silently glanced at her.

“Good morning, Aileen,” Xi Yao greeted, waving a small hand. “How did you sleep last night?”

“Not well, and it’s not early anymore,” Aileen replied, checking the time on her phone. “You’re 15 minutes late.”

Xi Yao chuckled with sweet innocence. “Well, you haven’t caught your bus yet either, have you? That’s what they call ‘better to arrive opportunely than early’.”

“That’s because I was waiting for you! I’ve already missed three buses!”

Aileen rolled her eyes, an air of captivating charm about her. “If I had gotten on the bus and left, would you even know where to go?”

Xi Yao’s delicate face tensed slightly, and she dutifully moved to stand beside her. “Alright then, we can get on the bus now.”

No sooner had she spoken than the 520 bus they were waiting for pulled into the station.

“Aileen, look, this bus number is the same as my dorm room number.

What a coincidence!”

“Get on the bus!”

Outside the school, Aileen was in ‘iceberg mode,’ or perhaps simply in a foul mood due to yesterday’s events.

She found a seat in the back row of the bus and sat in silence, as if sulking.

Xi Yao sat beside her, her posture remarkably demure.

The early morning bus was nearly empty.

Two beautiful, large-chested girls settled into the back row, one with white hair, one with golden, a lovely sight for no one to appreciate.

The silence was profound, and the bus drove so smoothly that it made Xi Yao feel drowsy.

To rouse herself, she struck up a conversation with Aileen. “Why did you insist on taking me to your home?

If it’s for *that* reason, couldn’t we have just found one of your usual spots?”

That Houde Zaiwu Hall (Hall of Great Virtue Carries All Things) from yesterday was quite good; Xi Yao had even contributed her most significant ‘elemental burst’ there on the floor, the largest numerical output in her life to date.

It felt rather intimate.