Chapter 44: Let’s Take a Dip in the Hot Springs

Chapter 44: Let's Take a Dip in the Hot Springs

As the staff ushered the audience in, energetic performances quickly elevated the atmosphere.

Ying Li sat in a secluded corner, surrounded by staff members. Throughout the evening, he was engrossed in his phone. The cold light illuminated his delicate features, his thin lips pressed tightly together.

Two hours later, the phone screen still displayed the search results for stem cell transplantation.

For leukemia patients, the odds of finding a perfect match donor unrelated by blood are incredibly slim, almost one in a hundred thousand.

If they're fortunate enough to find one, there are various post-operative complications and sequelae to face. In the worst-case scenario, the survival rate of the transplanted stem cells might be too low, necessitating a second donation from the donor. This is agonizing for both the patient and the donor.

The evening gala ended amidst blessings. Fireworks erupted, colorful streamers flew everywhere, and all the celebrities who had performed came on stage to show their gratitude. Among the crowd, Ying Li spotted Xie Wen Shi waving at him, his long golden hair standing out conspicuously.

While removing makeup backstage, Xie Wen Shi discreetly pulled Ying Li aside and whispered, "I have something for you."

Ying Li asked, "What is it?"

"Magic!" Xie Wen Shi clasped his hands together and, as if performing a magic trick, revealed a little panda pendant.

Every half hour during the gala, there was an interactive session with the audience. The panda pendant was a prize for guessing a riddle correctly. It was delicately made and could be hung on keys or phones.

Ying Li looked pleasantly surprised, "Is this for me?"

Xie Wen Shi nodded, "Of course. I had one of the staff save it for me earlier, thinking you'd like it."

That morning, Song Ji Mo gave Ying Li a panda pillow which was so adorable that he didn't want to use it for resting. Instead, he carried it all the way back to the hotel. Xie Wen Shi had teased him about it, but if he loved pandas that much, he certainly wouldn't turn down a panda pendant.

Ying Li was indeed delighted, his eyes sparkling, "Thank you, I really like it."

This made Xie Wen Shi even happier. He suggested, "Why don't you hang it on your phone?"

"Sure."

As Ying Li reached for his phone, he accidentally pressed the power button. Xie Wen Shi noticed that Ying Li's screensaver was a picture of him sticking out his tongue. He blushed, "You haven't changed your wallpaper?"

Ying Li glanced at it and replied, "No, I haven't."

His previous wallpaper was the default one. During a game of 'Truth or Dare', he'd changed it to a picture of Xie Wen Shi. The rule was to keep it for just a day, but he had inadvertently forgotten to change it back.

A flutter of excitement stirred within Xie Wen Shi, and he gazed at Ying Li with a goofy grin.

From the mirror's reflection, Shen Yao noticed his overly joyous expression and coughed, "Aren't you going to remove your makeup? We'll be waiting just for you soon."

Snapping back to reality, Xie Wen Shi replied cheerfully to Ying Li, "I'll go remove my makeup now."

While Ying Li was waiting for them to remove their makeup and change clothes, he received a message from his mother. She informed him that Ying Tao's chemotherapy session for the day was successful and that she was now resting.

The child who successfully matched with Zhou Zi Yan was indeed fortunate. Ying Li hoped that this same fortune would befall Ying Tao. He believed that there must be more good people in the world than not.

One of the hotel's elevators was under maintenance, resulting in a large crowd waiting for the available ones. It was quite congested. As Ying Li was nudged by someone and unintentionally stepped on another's foot, he was about to apologize when suddenly a shadow loomed over him.

Qi Xie turned to face him with an icy stare, asking, "Not watching where you're going?"

His voice was soft, barely audible amidst the clamor. Ying Li leaned in, asking, "What did you say?"

Qi Xie glanced at the swaying phone pendant and turned away without a word.

Ying Li's thoughts shifted to Qi Xie: Had he taken his medication that night? Likely not, and it seemed he hadn't in the morning or afternoon either.

Since arriving in the capital, their rehearsals had been non-stop. They had rushed through dinner. Zhang Shao Ling had specifically reminded Ying Li to ensure Qi Xie took his medication. Realizing he hadn't done so weighed heavily on Ying Li with a pang of guilt.

As they entered the elevator, Ying Li instinctively pressed the button for their floor. Just as the doors were about to close, someone shouted.

"Wait, please hold the door!"

Three young men hurried over, and Ying Li pressed the door open button for them.

"Thank you, thank you."

All nine individuals were quite tall, making the already snug elevator feel even more cramped.

Ying Li was squeezed into a corner. He suddenly remembered that Song Ji Mo suffered from claustrophobia and inquired, "Are you okay?"

Song Ji Mo glanced at him and whispered, "It's intermittent."

Oh, that means he's not having an episode right now. Understanding dawned on Ying Li, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

How can someone be so naive? Song Ji Mo couldn't help but smile. Ying Li was perhaps the most guileless person he had ever met. Believing almost anything said to him, Song Ji Mo felt torn between not wanting to deceive him and wanting to win him over as quickly as possible.

A hostile gaze reflected on the elevator's walls caught Song Ji Mo's attention. Meeting that glare were a pair of dark, intense eyes - those of Shen Yao.

Ever since Song Ji Mo had shown interest in Ying Li, Shen Yao's eyes seemed to be perpetually fixed on him. At any hint of provocation, he would bear his teeth and snarl, much like a dog guarding its food.

Remembering the exasperated tone of Shen Yao from the night before over the phone, Song Ji Mo's mood lifted considerably.

Straight guy?

I'm afraid he might be bending more than one would think.

Seeing the sardonic smile on Song Ji Mo's face, a chill ran down Shen Yao's spine. It was an unmistakable challenge.

Shen Yao was inexplicably irritated. Why had Ying Li held hands with Song Ji Mo that morning? Was it due to some kind of 'suspension bridge effect' from being trapped in the elevator?

It's always depicted that way in dramas — a crisis leads to the main characters falling in love. Perhaps this was their turning point.

Meanwhile, Shen Yao made a silent vow to be more vigilant of Song Ji Mo. Whether it was pure desire to protect Ying Li from Song Ji Mo's influences or something deeper, Shen Yao didn't have time to ponder. His singular thought was to thwart Song Ji Mo at every turn.

Ying Li felt squeezed. Even with many people in the elevator, did they all have to cram into one corner? He was practically plastered to the wall.

The hotel was strategically located, offering a panoramic view of the entire street below. The broad avenue was bustling with traffic, and the sidewalks teemed with people.

After taking a warm shower, Ying Li turned on the room's heater. Just as he was about to dry his hair with the warm breeze, the doorbell rang.

He hastily wiped his hair and answered the door.

It was Shen Yao and Xie Wen Shi.

Ying Li stood there with a towel draped over his shoulders, water dripping from his damp hair. Steam from the shower had flushed his face a rosy hue, making him resemble a freshly ripened peach — soft pinkish-white, fragrant and dewy.

Shen Yao's heart fluttered at the sight, and he asked with a grin, "Done with your shower?"

With moist eyes, Ying Li responded, "Yes, what's up?"

Xie Wen Shi exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Li, Director Li has invited us to the hot springs!"

Throughout their group tour, cameras had been following them, live streaming whenever possible.

Towel-drying his hair, Ying Li asked, "Are we live streaming even at this late hour?"

Shen Yao scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed, "The hot springs idea was mine. This hotel is renowned for them. I thought it might help everyone relax after a tiring day. Director Li just added the idea of live streaming it..."

Hot springs, huh? Revealing skin, after all, is always a crowd-pleaser.

Leaning against the door frame, Xie Wen Shi said, "We tried calling you earlier, but you didn’t pick up, so we came up."

During the party, Ying Li had set his phone to silent and later forgot to switch it back. Upon checking, he indeed had two missed calls. "But I didn’t bring any shorts."

All he had in his suitcase were clean underwear and pajamas. Neither was suitable for hot springs; when wet, their thin fabric would be practically translucent, hardly different from going bare.

Shen Yao laughed, revealing his pearly white teeth. "I've got an extra pair. You can borrow mine."

Xie Wen Shi turned to look at him, eyes wide. "What?"

Shen Yao shot back, "They're clean, brand new, never worn. Did you think I'd offer Ying Li a used pair?"

Xie Wen Shi's gaze shifted between the two, a perplexed sensation growing within. "The size might not be right, though. It'd be...oversized."

Shen Yao overlooked the difference in their builds. Regular workouts had sculpted his physique, making him considerably more muscular than Ying Li. Shen Yao’s hand alone could cover half of Ying Li's waist. If Ying Li wore Shen Yao’s shorts, they would probably reach his knees. Not to mention, the waist would be too loose and could fall off any moment.

Ying Li pursed his lips, "I've already showered. I'll just watch from the side if that’s alright."

Shen Yao looked visibly disappointed. He had suggested the hot spring session specifically because Ying Li seemed down...

Oblivious to the underlying emotions, Xie Wen Shi chimed in, "Of course, that's fine."

After changing, Ying Li went downstairs with them. The others had already arrived, though none had changed into their swimwear yet.

The hot spring was outdoors, surrounded by faux rock barriers, creating a tranquil and elegant ambiance. Water continuously flowed from these rock formations into the pool. Ying Li touched the water, and it was still warm.

The pool area was vast, with four cameras set up around it. The live broadcast had already begun, filling the screen with thick steam while the comment section buzzed with activity.

[I knew it! Staying up late always brings surprises!]

[Are they about to hop into the hot springs?]

[Whoa, it's past 10 PM. Doesn't anyone sleep?]

[Lol, the video's lagging like a slide show. All-nighters, assemble!]

[Aren’t they here for the hot springs? Why is everyone so bundled up?]

The evening air was cool, and there was quite a walk from their rooms to the hot springs. Everyone wore jackets, but now, with the warmth of the springs enveloping them, they began to feel overheated.

Song Ji Mo asked, "Where do we change?"

The staff member pointed to a distance and said, "The changing room is over there."

Everyone went to change, and a comment on the live feed asked, [Why aren't the beauty and the assistant going?]

Ying Li and Bian Qiao sat still on the chairs by the pool, watching the others head to the changing room.

[If you're hoping to see Bian, the beauty, strip down for the hot spring, you might as well wish for Mars to collide with Earth.]

[Maybe she's too self-conscious about her figure and fears being overshadowed by others.]

[I was blown away the moment I saw it. Haven't you seen the beauty's performance? That waist, those abs, that explosive energy would scare you.]

[Relax, the beauty is a clean freak. She surely wouldn't share the bath with everyone else.]

[In this lifetime, I guess we won't see Bian Qiao bare-skinned. How frustrating!]

Bathing in hot springs can be dehydrating. Bian Qiao ordered fruit and drinks for them. Seeing Ying Li not changing, he asked, "Aren't you joining?"

The camera turned to him, and Ying Li, looking uncomfortable, shook his head: "No, thanks."

[The assistant looks so nervous.]

[True, he always seems awkward whenever the camera is on him.]

[If I were him, I'd be nervous too! Being around a huge celebrity, no matter how long, would always be nerve-wracking.]

In addition to the fruits and drinks, the waiter brought over a chess set.

Bian Qiao asked him, "Do you play chess?"

"Chinese chess?" Ying Li fluttered his eyelashes, "A little."

"I know a bit too. Fancy a game?"

"Sure."

Simply sitting there made Ying Li feel awkward. Playing chess was a good distraction, so he wouldn't be too self-conscious about the camera.

At first, Ying Li was uneasy when the camera focused on him, but gradually he became too engrossed in the game to notice.

Ying Li felt that Bian Qiao was being overly modest. It wasn't as simple as "knowing just a bit." Bian Qiao made his moves with minimal hesitation, effortlessly, even predicting Ying Li's next moves accurately, leaving Ying Li struggling to counter.

Before he made his move, Bian Qiao looked up to see Ying Li furrowing his brows deeply, his delicate features wrinkling together in intense concentration, contemplating his next move.

At this point, the outcome seemed almost certain. Yet, until the very last moment, Ying Li was determined to make a comeback, showing an adorable tenacity.

[Oh my gosh, whose legs just entered the frame?]

[Recognize the idol by the leg hair. Thick and coarse—it's definitely Shen Yao!]

A pair of strong, long legs stepped into the frame. The camera panned up, revealing tanned skin and distinct abdominal muscles.

As the camera hovered over a potentially awkward area, Shen Yao playfully shielded himself, joking, “Camera crew, preserve my dignity!”

He was bare-chested, wearing only a pair of loose black shorts. They couldn't conceal much—simply couldn't.

[Must be fake, right? I'm about to nosebleed.]

[Such a perky behind! The cameraman deserves a bonus today!]

[Up next, we have young Xie!]

[Xie: Who are you calling young?!]

Xie Wen Shi also wasn't wearing a top. His holiday-themed shorts were quite flashy. After all, he was only eighteen, with a physique transitioning from teen to young adult, yet more robust than most had imagined.

[Despite being so slender, he keeps talking about losing weight.]

[Honey, you're too thin. Eat more; health is paramount.]

[Foreign moons are indeed rounder; our 18-year-olds are different.]

[I truly didn’t want to get the joke, but I can't help being naughty.]

"Hi there," Xie Wen Shi greeted the camera and leaned in to observe their chess game. "Wow, you guys are playing Chinese chess. Why is the knight placed there?"

Though he didn't fully understand, it didn't prevent him from getting involved: "What stage of the game are you in now?"

"True gentlemen remain silent while observing a chess game."

Song Ji Mo's voice echoed softly.

[Song Ji Mo is drop-dead gorgeous!]

Song Ji Mo and Qi Xie approached together, one following the other.

The camera first focused on Song Ji Mo. His face bore a gentle and delicate appearance, but unexpectedly, he had a six-pack, eliciting screams from fans.

[Captain, Captain, Captain, Captain!]

[Ah! Help, Captain's legs are longer than my lifespan.]

[The Captain is so awesome!]

[Again, who on earth is dating such men?]

Among the five, Qi Xie was the tallest, even taller than the 190 cm Shen Yao. However, he wasn't as bulky as Shen Yao. Each of his muscles was perfectly toned—tall and slender, broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, with fair skin—meeting the contemporary beauty standards.

[Everyone in this group has a killer physique! I'm desperately seeking a fitness training session.]

However, Qi Xie didn't greet the camera before diving into the water. The ripples concealed the underwater view. He leaned against the poolside, eyes closed, displaying an indifferent demeanor.

[Qi Xie is so stingy! Such a miser, only letting us get a glimpse.]

[Such a grumpy face, but I love it (licks screen).]

The others began to dive in, while Ying Li remained engrossed in his chess game, oblivious to his surroundings.

Perhaps due to the proximity of the hot spring, Ying Li felt overwhelmed by heat, with sweat forming on his forehead.

After much hesitation, a chess piece was finally placed. Bian Qiao's expression slightly changed, stating, "It's a draw."

He looked at Ying Li with surprise, seemingly astonished that Ying Li managed to turn the tables and end in a draw.

Ying Li let out a slow breath. His back was nearly drenched. His knowledge of chess was truly superficial. In the past, he'd only played a few casual games with the elders in his dorm and was consistently defeated.

Earlier in the game, Bian Qiao had been dominating, but later became gentler, allowing Ying Li to find an opening. It was a nail-biting match. Ying Li took a sip from his beverage, trying to calm his racing heart.

"Have you finished your game?" Xie Wen Shi noticed they were starting to put away the chess pieces and eagerly shared his discovery with Ying Li, "Brother Li, come look! There are little fish in the water."

[I'm that fish! I've seen you all from the water!]

[Won't this high temperature scald the fish?]

Xie Wen Shi exclaimed with excitement, "Come quickly, I've caught one!"

Ying Li set his drink aside and walked over, squatting by the poolside. Xie Wen Shi scooped up a handful of water, revealing a small red fish swimming within his palm. Its fiery-red scales looked particularly striking.

"It's beautiful. Are there fish even in such hot water?" Ying Li was curious, having felt the water streaming down from the artificial hill was quite hot.

Song Ji Mo remarked, "This is a hot spring fish, which can survive in waters as hot as forty degrees Celsius."

"Catch it," Xie Wen Shi said, approaching him.

The cobblestones lining the pool's edge became slippery when wet. As Ying Li reached out to catch the fish, he lost his balance. His eyes widened in shock, and before he could react, he plunged straight into the water.

A massive splash erupted in the pool. The scalding water rushed into his mouth and nose, choking him, and the elevated water temperature prevented him from opening his eyes underwater. Panic welled up within him.

Just as he felt he was about to suffocate, someone abruptly grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him out.

[Damn, did he slip? Is he alright?]

[He went straight in, must've inhaled quite a bit of water.]

[My focus might be a bit different, but he looks so pale and tender! So attractive!]

[Wait, since when did the young caretaker have such a good physique?]

[One, two, three, four... he even has abs!]

Ying Li isn't just a bookworm; he exercises regularly. With his low body fat, even a bit of exercise shows. His drenched cotton t-shirt clung tightly to his body, revealing every curve of his physique. The comments were going wild.

[He's divine! Absolutely divine!]

[Forgive me, but he's so tempting! I feel so guilty!]

[Slender muscled boy is the best!!]

Ying Li took a few gulps of air, his face reddening from choking. He couldn't stop coughing.

Qi Xie pressed his head down gently, patting his back, "Spit it out."

Everyone's attention had been on Ying Li's abs and face just a moment ago, only now realizing half his back was exposed.

Ying Li's delicate white neck was tucked in Qi Xie's arm, his body arched with a slight curve to his spine, the shoulder blades protruding like a blooming magnolia, pure and pristine.

[Damn, how hard did the captain pull to tear his clothes like that?]

Author's note:

I've been busy with a recent scientific expedition... I have to pull myself together to update!