Even though Hu Tao had said "just do whatever," Qin Yu struggled for a while to decide what to do. Hu Tao, meanwhile, lay on the bed, staring blankly, showing no interest in conversation.
I'll just read a book then.
Qin Yu went to the bookshelf and scanned the titles. She randomly pulled out a novel and sat on the floor beside the bed.
"What are you reading?" Hu Tao's voice drifted down from above.
"A novel."
"Don't you want to read some poetry?"
"No."
Qin Yu only read when she needed to understand something. She preferred novels with compelling narratives, as they were better at passing the time.
Passing the time... She had come to accept Hu Tao's help, yet here she was, trying to kill time. This unexpected turn of events made Qin Yu sigh inwardly.
Well, keeping things simple isn't so bad.
"Heave-ho!" Hu Tao hopped off the bed and sat down beside Qin Yu.
Qin Yu felt a surge of nervousness as the distance between them narrowed. She couldn't exactly say, "Move further away." Wait, Hu Tao said she wanted to express her feelings, so it should be okay.
After a few hesitant seconds, Qin Yu said, "Could you please sit a bit further away?"
"I am far away."
Huh? Qin Yu glanced at the distance between their shoulders—roughly the length of an outstretched palm. This is hardly far enough!
"That's not far."
"It's far enough for me! Don't be so cold," Hu Tao said, brazenly pressing closer, seemingly oblivious to personal space.
More than nervousness or annoyance, Qin Yu felt deeply unsettled.
"Am I... being cold?" she asked.
"No, just a passing thought. Don't take what others say too seriously," Hu Tao murmured, leaning closer.
Feeling Hu Tao's weight against her, Qin Yu's heart sank. The word "others" grated on her, but she also couldn't bring herself to acknowledge that Hu Tao wasn't just an "other"—that they shared a more intimate connection.
Because that would be too embarrassing.
At this point, relying on her character persona to earn Points through physical affection with Hu Tao was no longer viable.
Though Points would continue to accrue, Qin Yu couldn't bring herself to speak her mind even when reluctant, like she used to. At least, not for now.
Yet Qin Yu still craved Points. They were her guarantee of self-preservation.
But now that Hu Tao had removed her Crystal shoes, torn off her mask, and forcibly altered their relationship, Qin Yu had to consider more than just how to continue interacting with Hu Tao. She also needed to figure out how to continue earning Points.
How can I be likable and earn Points without playing a role? Qin Yu found herself pondering this for the first time.
The problem was, she couldn't come up with an answer.
Qin Yu figured Hu Tao must also be contemplating how to navigate their new dynamic. Both of them would need time to explore and understand how to resolve the various issues that would arise.
Lost in these complex thoughts, Qin Yu mechanically flipped through the pages of her book.
Not a single word registered.
"Hu Tao..." Qin Yu began.
"What's up?" Hu Tao replied.
But... Qin Yu thought uncertainly, I should at least be a little more honest.
The experience she'd gained while playing her role hadn't become useless now that she'd shed it. At least she knew what she could say, what she couldn't, what she should say, and what she shouldn't.
Hu Tao had told her to let her true self come up for air, to avoid being swayed by falsehoods.
Just as actors become subtly influenced by the roles they play, a part of Qin Yu had already fused with her persona, impossible to separate entirely. All she could do was prevent further encroachment.
Qin Yu met Hu Tao's gaze directly, but her eyes quickly shifted slightly away.
"Um... thank you for accepting me. I just wanted to say that," she said candidly.
With that, her ears flushed as she turned her gaze back to the book.
Of course, she still couldn't focus on the words.
Evaluation: B+
Hmm... not bad, I guess, Qin Yu thought, feeling slightly reassured by the evaluation that popped up.
Hu Tao froze for a moment, then unconsciously touched her chest. An unprecedented cacophony of heartbeats reverberated within her.
This was the first time she had seen this side of Qin Yu.
She had initially believed the cold, indifferent Qin Yu she'd encountered before was her true self, but now she wasn't so sure. Could that have been another act? Did Qin Yu believe "that version of herself was her true self," and that's why she had behaved that way?
"How fascinating."
Evaluation: A
"Eh?"
Hu Tao removed her hat, leaned her head on Qin Yu's shoulder, and playfully poked Qin Yu's thigh with her finger while beaming with delight.
"Fishy Treasure, you always bring me new surprises! I'm so glad I struck up a conversation with you that day!"
Stop poking my leg. After a moment's hesitation, Qin Yu slapped Hu Tao's hand away.
Qin Yu glanced over.
Hu Tao still seemed to be in high spirits.
"I didn't do anything," Qin Yu said, her eyes fixed on her book.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm."
Hu Tao's perfunctory reply irritated her slightly, but she decided to ignore it and continue reading, even though she wasn't understanding a word.
"I'm doing this because you're my good friend, Fishy Treasure. I wouldn't bother with just anyone," Hu Tao said, twirling her hat with a raised finger.
Qin Yu felt a flicker of warmth in her heart.
"Normal friends don't kiss," she grumbled anyway.
"Then let's be unconventional friends. Speaking of which, I've always wondered what it's like to have a girlfriend. Maybe—"
Before Hu Tao could finish, Qin Yu cut her off firmly: "No. Absolutely not."
"Aren't you even a little curious?"
It was impossible not to be curious, but letting curiosity run wild would be disastrous. Besides, Qin Yu didn't want their relationship to become more complicated.
So, no. Absolutely not.
Qin Yu shook her head. "Not curious at all."
"How disappointing."
"Not disappointing at all."
Hu Tao felt the stiffness in Qin Yu's shoulder and the faint warmth through her clothes, finding it all novel. As she pinched Qin Yu's thigh, she posed another question.
"Not planning on dating anyone?"
"Nope, not planning on it."
Hu Tao nodded gently.
"Hmm, then what kind of person do you like?" Hu Tao asked.
"I don't know. I don't care," Qin Yu replied, her answer a stark contrast to her previous one.
"Last time, you said you liked someone with tolerance, right?" Hu Tao pressed.
Qin Yu was secretly amazed by Hu Tao's memory, and the conversation stirred her own recollection of that day. Hu Tao's earth-shattering statement had overshadowed everything else, leaving the other details hazy.
Qin Yu replied softly, "That was... the standard answer. Everyone says it so no one thinks it's strange. It's like saying 'You're a really nice person'—when you can't think of anything else to compliment, you just say they work hard or are a good person."
"Fishy Treasure, you're amazing!"
"Don't use that on me," Qin Yu snapped, annoyed.
At least I have another good quality, she thought.
"At least you could compliment my looks."
That was universally acknowledged, and Qin Yu herself agreed.
"No, no, I genuinely mean it!" Hu Tao insisted.
Hearing this, a flicker of joy bloomed in Qin Yu's heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by confusion and bewilderment. Perhaps Hu Tao just doesn't know me well enough yet, she thought. Her perception of me hasn't changed yet.
With that in mind, Qin Yu could only offer a vague, "Hmm."
This feeling shouldn't be expressed, she concluded. It would only make things awkward.
Just as she had anticipated before coming, this was merely an attempt. She couldn't reveal all her innermost thoughts—besides, even without so many complex reasons and circumstances, it wasn't appropriate to do so in ordinary life.
Shenhe was different.
Shenhe was different; she was pure. Her expressions conveyed only pure goodwill.
Qin Yu thought, feeling time stretch out endlessly.
How long should I stay?
"How long do you want to stay?" Qin Yu asked.
Hu Tao replied, "I'd love to say, 'Stay as long as you want!' but we should at least have a minimum. An hour should be enough, right?"
"That works."
Qin Yu agreed that this was best.
After all, giving herself too much leeway might make her lose the motivation to come back at all.
Just like exercising, gradual progress and consistency are key... Simplifying the matter, Qin Yu concluded that coming again in the future wouldn't be a problem.
Hmph, it's no big deal!
Just then, Hu Tao seemed to feel a stiffness in her neck. She straightened up and stretched languidly.
Then, she stared intently at Qin Yu's profile.
Slender, beautiful eyelashes, captivating amber eyes, flawless skin... Hu Tao once again marveled at her friend's exceptional beauty, her gaze drifting downward involuntarily.
As always, Qin Yu's lips captivated her the most.
Recalling the earlier touch, Hu Tao felt her heart race, her cheeks flush, and her breath grow heavy. She couldn't help but call out,
"Qin Yu."
The sudden shift in address startled Qin Yu, who reflexively turned her head, falling right into Hu Tao's trap.
Before she could react, she felt Hu Tao's warmth on her lips again. The book slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor.
Evaluation: S
Qin Yu's face burned like fire as she pushed Hu Tao away.
"Y-you... didn't I tell you not to do weird things?!" she stammered, her breath ragged with embarrassment and indignation.
Hu Tao licked her lips. "Consider it a thank-you gift," she said.
"Ha?!"
"I think this better expresses your gratitude, Fishy Treasure."
Enraged, Qin Yu glared at Hu Tao before impulsively standing up and striding toward the door.
"I'm never coming back."
Hu Tao grabbed Qin Yu's hand, awkwardly apologizing, "Sorry, sorry, my fault. Calm down."
Hu Tao's attitude only fueled Qin Yu's anger.
"Is that how you apologize?" she demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry!"
Though their arrangement seemed like a transaction—Qin Yu came here for Hu Tao's help, and in return, she was expected to accept Hu Tao's advances—Hu Tao didn't want Qin Yu to leave like this.
Qin Yu's anger cooled slightly, but she still couldn't shake off her resentment.
"Why... why did you do that? Just to see my reaction?" Qin Yu asked.
"Exactly, exactly!" Hu Tao replied eagerly.
"... I see."
Qin Yu deliberately gave Hu Tao an out, and Hu Tao seized it.
Even though Hu Tao had kissed her, and she was still sulking, Qin Yu didn't want their relationship to sour because of it. But she couldn't help but glare weakly at Hu Tao.
"...You lecherous ghost."
Evaluation: SS-
Seeing Qin Yu scold her with a flushed face, Hu Tao let out a small "whoa."
She's cuter than ever right now, Hu Tao thought.
She wanted to kiss Qin Yu again, to feel more. But considering Qin Yu might actually explode this time, that wouldn't be good. So she restrained her impulse.
"Don't do it again," Qin Yu said.
"Mm-hmm."
"Good to know."
Qin Yu picked up her book, sat back down, and casually flipped through the pages.
Hu Tao leaned her head against Qin Yu's shoulder again. Qin Yu's body tensed up, but seeing that Hu Tao was merely skimming the book, she relaxed slightly.
What Qin Yu couldn't voice was that her anger wasn't about the kiss itself.
It was about Hu Tao breaking their agreement.
A kiss alone wouldn't have made her so upset. But with the agreement as a premise, it was different.
In truth, Qin Yu hadn't disliked the kiss at all.
Even more indescribable was the fact that, in that fleeting moment, she found it... quite pleasant. Because along with that warm, gentle touch came a certainty: at least for that instant, Hu Tao could never hate her.