Chapter 67

Apart from shooting videos for advertisements, Xu Heran had also been shooting underwater posters for a long time. When she returned to the boat, she was exhausted, and her fish tail had to be helped off.

“I demand that Xin Nuo help me take off my clothes!” A girl who was pale from being in the water lay on a wheelchair, too tired to raise her hand, so she raised a single finger to express her determination.

Cui Qi laughed when she saw this and looked at Xin Nuo.

Xin Nuo was already standing behind the wheelchair, asking, “Where to?”

The crew on the boat immediately led the way. There was a changing room on the boat, equipped with Xu Heran’s clothes.

“Do you need the makeup artist to help with removing makeup?” a crew member asked.

Xin Nuo’s tone was casual. “We can handle it ourselves.”

“Alright, I won’t disturb you then. I’ll be outside. If you have any problems, just call me,” the crew member said as they closed the door behind them.

The changing room had a single bed and a bathroom, with Xu Heran’s clothes hanging on a rack.

“Hurry up, let’s get busy in the bathroom!” Xu Heran said excitedly, even using her tail to pat the ground back and forth.

Xin Nuo asked her with a smile, “Aren’t you tired?”

Xu Heran spread her arms wide. “Dead tired.”

“I need Nuo Nuo to carry me in,” Xu Heran lazily remarked.

Xin Nuo’s dark gaze swept up and down Xu Heran. She was slouched in the wheelchair, wet from head to toe, like a fish caught and brought ashore.

“Do you think… I can carry you?” Xin Nuo said, then felt a slight tinge of excitement, “Let’s give it a try.”

Xu Heran had been swimming in the sea for a long time, her body exhausted. She imagined herself being carried by Xin Nuo, then dropping to the ground with a thud. Her pupils constricted slightly. She raised her weak hand to intercept Xin Nuo’s.

“I was wrong, sister. It’s enough if you just push me in. Could you help me rinse off, please?”

Xin Nuo chuckled and opened the bathroom door.

The bathroom door was flat, and Xu Heran’s wheelchair fit right in. She was facing the showerhead, arms outstretched.

“Come on, don’t hold back,” she closed her eyes.

Xin Nuo was a bit puzzled, and just then, someone knocked on the door. She hurriedly stepped out. It was a crew member who brought them makeup remover and two cups of milk tea.

“Thank you,” Xin Nuo held the small package of makeup remover and went back into the bathroom. Xu Heran still had her hands outstretched, but her eyes were closed, and her hands hung by the sides of the wheelchair.

“Zhuzhu, are you hungry?” Xin Nuo asked softly.

Xu Heran struggled to lift her eyes. Before she could look at Xin Nuo, a pale arm extended from the side, a cup of milk tea pressed against her face. She saw Xin Nuo smiling, her finger pointing downwards, indicating she should take a sip.

“Carry on,” Xin Nuo’s voice was gentle.

Xu Heran raised her hand, touching the milk tea cup. The slightly sweet liquid rushed into her mouth, the fresh fruit pulp playing between her lips and teeth, sliding down her soft tongue. Xu Heran drank the entire cup of milk tea, a refreshing breath escaping her lips.

“Coming back to life!”

Xin Nuo was pouring makeup remover onto a cotton pad when she glanced at Xu Heran from the corner of her eye. She saw her sitting in the wheelchair, beginning to… take off her clothes?

“Xu Heran!” Xin Nuo instinctively averted her gaze. “What are you doing taking off your clothes?”

Xu Heran laughed and said, “This tail is too bothersome. I want to take it off and do some stretching.”

“…”

“Wait a moment…” Xin Nuo hadn’t finished speaking when something wet fell to the ground. A damp fabric gently brushed against her ankle.

Xu Heran’s fish tail and top were separate. She had on a strapless chiffon top that matched the color of her tail. After removing the tail, she revealed a snug pair of shorts underneath.

Xin Nuo’s newfound tension gradually dissipated for some reason, and she suddenly felt relieved.

Xu Heran smiled and turned her wheelchair around, shifting forward and opening her arms to embrace Xin Nuo’s thigh. She guided her closer and then tilted her head up.

“Close your eyes.”

The girl with black hair had a puzzled expression as she pressed two cotton pads against her eyes.

The makeup covering her face was slowly removed bit by bit. It was like wiping away the dreamlike colors from the gods in the clouds, the mysteries in the water, revealing the parts of her that belonged to the mortal world, slowly coming into view in Xin Nuo’s eyes.

With this thought in mind, Xin Nuo’s mood became even more relaxed, and her movements became gentler and more meticulous.

The silver-haired girl sitting in the wheelchair quietly opened one eye and stared directly at Xin Nuo. Xin Nuo was wearing a swimsuit underneath, covered by a loose white lace maxi skirt. When she raised her hand, the lace patterns piled up around her elbow.

The sleeves of the beach skirt were wide, making her naturally slender arms look even more delicate. Xu Heran’s gaze followed down from Xin Nuo’s face, tracing the soft fabric to her elbows, where the fabric gently swayed with her movements.

Her gaze was like a butterfly, stopping amidst the white lace.

Without realizing it, a certain pearl’s eyes opened wider. Xin Nuo lowered her gaze, observing the slightly dazed expression on Xu Heran’s face. A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes.

“Tired—”

Huh?

Xin Nuo’s words abruptly stopped on the tip of her tongue.

A slightly cool hand gripped her wrist. Someone’s index finger extended straight and pressed against the pulse point at the center of Xin Nuo’s wrist, while the remaining four fingertips sank into her fair skin.

Xu Heran gently pinched the skin beneath Xin Nuo’s fingertips. Her palm was warm, and the hot blood flowed to her fingertips, igniting like sparks in dry tinder where her skin met Xu Heran’s touch.

The warmth surged upwards, moving in two directions.

Xin Nuo lowered her gaze, her fingers still pressed against Xu Heran’s face. She stared intently at her forehead, where a strand of silver hair lay against her skin.

Suddenly, that warm palm followed her wrist downward, moving slowly yet so tangibly, slipping unexpectedly beneath the lace sleeve. The loose cuff easily enveloped that mischievous hand, and the lace quivered, revealing the traces of the wandering fingers.

Xu Heran’s ears blushed slightly, unable to control her own actions. The young girl’s skin was like boiled milk—hot and scalding, itching her fingertips. But she couldn’t let go, over and over, until her fingertips landed on the flat of Xin Nuo’s shoulder. Xu Heran’s hand lost its sense of direction, her mind seeming to emit a white mist. In the end, it stayed there dumbly, her index finger delicately lifting the strap beneath.

Xin Nuo: “…”

“What are you… doing?” Xin Nuo asked softly.

Xu Heran’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, but her positioning wasn’t quite right. So she cleared her throat, tilting her head slightly to the right.

“Mm.” Xu Pearl pretended to be casual. “Just, trying it out.”

Xin Nuo’s voice remained gentle. “Trying what?”

“Trying out your body wash, to see if it’s any good.”

“And so?”

“Hmm, it’s very good.” Xu Heran slowly withdrew her hand, placing it on the armrest of the wheelchair. She rubbed her fingers together with a calm expression. “I think the effect is quite impressive. Should I buy a few more bottles for you?”

“Sure.” Xin Nuo smiled faintly.

“It’s even better to buy more, pour them all into the bathtub at home.” Xin Nuo’s voice turned a bit chilly as her fingers gripped Xu Heran’s cheek. “And then toss a certain mischievous little pearl in there, let it soak for eternity, okay?”

Xu Heran: “…”

A certain mischievous little pearl raised her hand. “I want to apply for, ‘soaking with you’.”

Xin Nuo: “…”

“You can bathe on your own!”

The flushed girl turned and rushed out of the bathroom, lifting her hand to cover her face.

Inside the bathroom, Xu Heran lowered her head, glanced at the ceiling, and then used her right hand to support her face. After calming her emotions, she smiled and asked the person outside.

“If we’re bathing together, we don’t need to wear swimsuits, right?”

“…”

On the railing, a neat row of people lay propped up. Six girls held cups of milk tea and exchanged glances with their reflections in the sea. Jian Yueyin raised her phone, took a selfie with everyone, and recorded a video.

“Ah—”

From the dressing room behind came a miserable scream from a certain pearl.

In the video, the six individuals maintained unchanged expressions, as if they were accustomed to it. Jian Yueyin put down her phone and asked, “Haya and Ranran are done shooting. Does anyone have a shoot scheduled for the afternoon?”

Lin Weining raised her hand. “I’m done shooting in the afternoon. I’ll catch a flight back and meet up with Sister Ruan  and the others in the evening. I also have to participate in a program.”

“Hard work.” Haya raised her hand and pinched the back of Lin Weining’s neck.

Lin Weining held her milk tea cup with both hands and grinned. “A working fairy is a happy fairy.”

The others had expressions of shock that said, “The fairy is broken.”

As the ferry was returning, Xu Heran also changed her clothes and came out with dry hair. She blew her silver hair into a disheveled state, earning some laughter from others. In the end, she borrowed a hat from Xin Nuo, who remained expressionless.

“Oh? Little Pearl, you’ve provoked Nuo Nuo’s anger this time, huh? You’re not even appeasing Nuo Nuos fury after getting beaten up.” Jiang Qiong relished the commotion and mercilessly teased Xu Heran.

Xu Heran touched the brim of her hat, took out sunglasses and a mask from her bag, and put them on, presenting a cool and indifferent appearance.

If her ears next to the silver hair weren’t so red.

The others from SGS were puzzled, looking at Xin Nuo one after another.

Xin Nuo put on a black mask, her exposed eyes as cold as stars. She swept her gaze across the people. The group, led by Jiang Qiong, immediately turned away to appreciate the sea waves behind them.

Xin Nuo sneered, raised her hand, took the sunglasses off Xu Heran’s face, and put them on herself.

“Fine.” Xu Heran chuckled and embraced Xin Nuo. “Nuo Nuo can do anything, alright?”

“Hmph.”

Xin Nuo sneered and raised her hand, poking the hat on Xu Heran’s head, the meaning clear without words.

The little pearl wearing someone else’s hat had no right to point fingers at her wearing the sunglasses.

In the afternoon, everyone headed to the studio.

The remaining few began to put on makeup.

Jian Yueyin’s theme was urban style. She wore a trench coat and Martin boots, sitting by the roadside under the lights. A guitar lay beside her, and a bottle of white perfume was placed not far from her.

The director said to Jian Yueyin, “Please look more cold and express your disdain for this world.”

“Wow, Sister Yueyin, you look so scary like this.” Jiang Qiong whispered, “Even scarier than my high school teacher.”

Xu Heran immediately chimed in, “Sister Yueyin, Jiang Xiaoqiong said you’re scary, said you’re like a headteacher, and said she’ll never dare to talk to you again in the future!”

Jiang Qiong: “???”

Jian Yueyin raised an eyebrow, her playful smile not fully formed before the photographer’s rapid shutter sounds echoed.

“Report, Xu Pearl is exaggerating! I never said I won’t talk to you!” Jiang Qiong’s voice was loud.

Jian Yueyin stood up, ready to move to the next studio. She said to Jiang Qiong, “Okay, I got it. Can you please say it looking into my eyes?”

Jiang Qiong: “… Hehe.”

Xu Heran and Haya finished shooting, and the two of them roamed around the entire area. The theme of the shoot was the perfume. The studio was set up very large. Jiang Qiong, wearing a red dress and curly hair, stood on the stage of the ballroom. Her character was a beauty in chaotic times, a captivating singer.

“I see the chaotic times, but where’s the beauty?” Haya said playfully.

“A fake person, huh.” Xu Heran said, “Jian Er smiles so fake.”

Jiang Qiong angrily chased the two away.

Haya dragged Xu Heran to look at Lin Weining. They were familiar with Ning Ning’s look. She wore a snow-white cheongsam, standing gracefully by the window.

Xu Heran touched his chin. “She looks like both a young lady and a madam.”

“…Who gave you the pearl necklace on your neck?” Haya asked with a smile. “You look more mature than before.”

Lin Weining turned her head, curving her lips. Her expression instantly became lively like she had come to life from a magazine, transforming from a mature and dignified young lady to something adorable.

Haya raised her hand and touched her nose.

“Is it good looking?” Lin Weining asked with a smile.

Xu Heran and Haya immediately gave her thumbs up.

When they arrived, the two little pearls went on their own search.

“It’s probably because Sister Liu’s team is on vacation; otherwise, she would definitely chase after us and make us shoot a bunch of things.” Xu Heran said to the assistant.

The assistant smiled knowingly and told her, “Up ahead is Fenghua.”

“Wow, Little Fenghua,” Xu Heran immediately said, “I wonder what the theme of Little Fenghua is.”

“It’s Peking Opera.” Song Fenghua’s voice was cold, and she asked Xu Heran with some embarrassment, “Is it not quite suitable?”

Xu Heran stared with her blue-purple eyes and immediately shook her head.

“Wow!”

“Little Fenghua, you look too stunning!” she exclaimed in astonishment.

Song Fenghua was dressed in traditional opera attire, standing on the stage. Her head was adorned with green ornaments, her face painted white, and the corners of her eyes highlighted with red paint. With her classical features and phoenix-like eyes, she stood on the stage, her cold gaze shining like gemstones.

“Wow!” Xu Heran sighed again, “I initially imagined you as a beauty from ancient times, but this style suits you so well, Little Fenghua. You really need to keep trying new things, you’re fantastic!”

Xu Heran applauded like crazy.

Song Fenghua’s once white-painted skin slowly turned red. She wore a headdress adorned with ornamental hairpins and nodded slowly.

I’ll try it on more, okay.

“Go for it!”

Xu Heran waved to Song Fenghua. It wasn’t until her figure disappeared into the studio that Song Fenghua shifted her gaze.

At the next stop, Xu Heran found Laurel. With her long hair tied in a high ponytail and a Tang sword at her waist, Laurel portrayed an image of an ancient female warrior.

“The designer believes that Laurel is a very distinctive girl. Her consistent image aligns well with the chivalry and righteousness of Hua Country. Based on these two aspects, they designed this promotional video,” the director told Xu Heran.

Laurel was in the midst of shooting, and Xu Heran didn’t want to disturb her. After a few words with the director, she hurriedly left.

“Hey, I like to save the best for last,” Xu Heran whispered. Her fingers lightly traced the wall, and her gaze turned toward the studio in front of her.

“Dingdong.”

Someone provided their own voiceover as they entered the dimly lit set.

The white snow engulfed the forest, creating a harmonious scene of green and white.

In the jungle, the figure of an elf grew closer and closer. Her bare feet stepped through the snow.

Xu Heran, standing outside the crowd, held her breath.

Snow fell onto her soft hair and landed on her slightly red nose. The innocent elf opened her wide eyes, raised her head, and looked at the sky.

As the wind blew, soft snowflakes drifted with the breeze, like living snow spirits urging the elf to chase them. The black eyes of the elf instantly lit up. She lifted her skirt and ran through the forest, resembling a carefree deer.

Finally, the elf born in the woods stopped by a clear pond. White flowers grew here, their petals filled with snow and dampness. A pure drop of water fell. The snow-covered pond water rippled instantly, revealing a clear pool beneath. The scent of perfume hidden in the cold water was now evident.

The elf bent down, hands on the chilly ground. Her rosy lips approached the blooming white flowers.

In the frame, the elf held the white flowers steadily, and her reflection shimmered in the water, as if separated by the water’s surface, kissing the perfume.

“Very good, cut!” the director shouted, and everyone applauded.

Xin Nuo smiled, sat up straight, her gaze unexpectedly met the crowd, and she hugged her arms, her expression turning somewhat indifferent as she looked at Xu Heran.

The silver-haired girl’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then fell beside her skirt onto the fake flower that the elf had kissed.

What’s the point of kissing a flower?

Xu Heran thought irritably, can’t a little pearl be kissed? Nuo Nuo never kissed me so gently!

The studio began to bustle as everyone packed up, preparing for the next shoot. Meanwhile, the female lead sitting in the forest scenery smiled softly. She lowered her head, plucked the white flower, pinching the stem between her fingertips.

The girl with pitch-black eyes lifted her gaze, looking at Xu Heran, and the flower approached her cheek.

A gentle kiss once again landed on the clean petals of the flower.

It was intentional.

She raised her eyelashes, her cold gaze locking onto Xu Heran’s.

Good or bad, there’s Nuo Nuo.

Xu Heran thought, smiling gently.

She shook her head at Xin Nuo, released the hand hugging her chest, and raised her left hand.

The fingertips of this hand, at a certain moment today, had gently caressed someone’s soft skin, slid delicately over her arm’s inner side, lingered for a while on someone’s slender shoulder.

Little Pearl slowly rubbed her fingers together, looking at Xin Nuo.

Another equally gentle kiss landed on her warm fingertips.

The author has something to say:

(Flattening) This tyrant is updating again… I’ll owe it for now. There’s a high probability that I’ll make it up tomorrow. If there’s no update tomorrow, then there’s no update tomorrow (playing innocent).

---

Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

Please support us on Ko-Fi.

---