After Confessing To My Childhood Friend - Chapter 34
Chapter 34: Hot Springs
◎ Our Mumu is amazing ◎
The hot spring resort was large, with pink walls and dark-tiled roofs nestled halfway up the mountain, hidden in dense trees, only the corner eaves decorated with Chiwen peeking out.
On Christmas Day, the temperature plummeted, and the resort was bustling with people seeking warmth. On the way to the private courtyard villa that Tang Jingxue had booked for them, Chen Mengyin passed by several noisy kids running around with their parents.
She instinctively stepped aside to avoid one child crashing into her while shielding Xie Zhirou behind her. A staff member quickly apologized and offered a complimentary fruit platter as compensation, hoping it wouldn’t affect their holiday mood.
Chen Mengyin, not wanting to make things difficult, accepted the offer.
After walking through two more covered corridors, they finally arrived at their accommodation for the next two days.
Originally, Tang Jingxue had wanted to book them into another hot spring resort she frequented—exclusive to members, quieter, but further away. Xie Zhirou declined; she didn’t want a repeat of their last trip to the beach where half the time was spent on the road—even if, in a certain way, it had been fun with Mengyin.
Respecting her daughter’s wishes, Tang Jingxue chose this closer resort and booked a small private courtyard to ensure peace.
“Ah~ It’s got a private hot spring!” Chen Mengyin slid open the door to find an open-air natural hot spring in the yard. A light sulfur scent drifted with the steam. She took a whiff, scrunched her nose, and quietly shut the door.
“Want to go hiking later? It’s not far to the top, and the view’s really nice.”
Mengyin was a regular here—her parents brought her every winter break. Soaking in a steaming spring while sipping iced fruit tea in the cold winter was her idea of paradise.
She knew every fun spot in the area.
Unfortunately, Xie Zhirou always spent winter breaks at the member-only hot spring resort with her mother, so they’d never visited together.
“Sure,” Zhirou replied.
They dropped off their luggage and exited through the small gate, looping around the yard and heading up the stairs by the main entrance.
It was peaceful in the forest. Even during snowy winters, Yonghuai’s trees stayed lush. Today, without snow, the thick canopy blocked out the noise from the lower mountain. Only the soft rustle of leaves and their footsteps could be heard.
Mengyin regretted forgetting her camera—she wanted to take more pictures of Zhirou and print them for her photo album.
Zhirou comforted her, saying phone photos were fine. Mengyin shook her head. “Not the same,” she sighed, taking out her phone and fiddling with the settings to try and mimic a DSLR feel.
“Why’d you always go hiking here?” Zhirou asked as she stood on a wooden path, posing for a few pictures. Ahead, the trail became steep stairs, and Zhirou stopped the photo session, worried Mengyin might stumble.
Mengyin pocketed her phone and followed closely, ready to catch her if needed.
“I was bored. My parents would come here and go on their own dates, telling me to do whatever I wanted. I’d join others to hike, collect leaves and branches to kill time,” she explained, bending down to pick up a thin, straight stick. “Like this.”
She twirled the stick and grinned. “No one can resist picking up a perfectly shaped stick to swing around. No one!”
Zhirou didn’t quite see the appeal, but she clapped and said, “Amazing.”
“That’s too perfunctory,” Mengyin teased at her deadpan tone, then tapped the stick against a tree trunk. “Let’s keep going. There’s another wooden path ahead after this stretch.”
“Okay.”
The mountain wasn’t tall. After two wooden walkways, they reached the summit. The winter sun was hidden behind clouds, the sky overcast, and the city below shrouded in a gray haze.
“Whew, made it!” Mengyin lifted her arms, inhaled the crisp air—then quickly winced. “Ah, it’s freezing!”
“Don’t move. Let me see.” Zhirou gently pulled down her hand and lifted her chin to inspect her nose. “You’re okay—no nosebleed.”
“Guess I’m lucky, haha.” Mengyin sniffed again. The pain had dulled, and she perked up to take more photos with Zhirou.
They stayed at the top for about half an hour. As the temperature dropped, Zhirou’s face turned pale. Mengyin wrapped her scarf around her, stopping her from taking it off. “Be good, wear the scarf. Let’s head down—looks like it might snow tonight.”
Zhirou sighed, knowing Mengyin’s stubborn streak. She obediently bundled up and followed her down.
Descending was faster. Back at the villa before noon, Mengyin poured Zhirou a warm drink, worried she might catch a cold.
“Sorry, I didn’t expect it to get so cold,” she apologized.
Zhirou took her hand. “It’s okay. You even gave me your scarf. I didn’t feel cold.”
Mengyin hugged her tight like a teddy bear, resting her chin on Zhirou’s shoulder. “I feel guilty. I knew you hated the cold but dragged you up anyway.”
Zhirou hugged her back. “Don’t stress. Think of it as exercise. Want to soak in the spring a bit, then eat lunch?”
“Mmhm.” Mengyin, reluctant to let go, waddled like a penguin while still hugging her all the way to the suitcase.
They changed out of their bulky clothes and into swimsuits, wrapped in robes, and headed to the hot spring.
The closer they got, the stronger the sulfur scent. Mengyin tested the water with her toes before sliding in fully, only her head visible.
The steamy water was crystal-clear and soothing, relaxing their tired muscles and making them both feel lazy and warm.
Zhirou joined her once she adjusted to the heat. Her hair was in a bun, exposing her swan-like neck and slender shoulders. Her pale skin glowed soft pink under the mist. Mengyin, half-asleep, snapped back to attention the moment her eyes landed on Zhirou.
Swimming over, she cupped spring water and poured it over Zhirou’s delicate collarbone. Droplets clung to the groove there, and Mengyin planted a red kiss on it, earning a coy glance in response.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around Zhirou, pressing a long kiss to her lips. Her agile tongue parted Zhirou’s lips, twining together like two little fish playing in water—only each other in sight.
“Was that better?” Mengyin asked breathlessly, a thin string of saliva still connecting them, a drop sliding down her chin.
She had always been self-conscious about her kissing skills, secretly Googling how to improve. She practiced diligently just for the day she could fully please Zhirou.
Zhirou’s long fingers lightly caressed Mengyin’s waist as her alluring fox-like eyes locked on hers.
She gently nibbled on her lips and whispered, “Our Mumu is really amazing.”
Mengyin blushed at the nickname “Mumu.” She wanted to protest but was silenced by Zhirou’s constant kisses. Every time she tried to speak, her lips were captured again. In the end, she clung helplessly to Zhirou’s shoulders, enduring the overwhelming affection.
“Mumu…”
“Mumu…”
Each breathy murmur from Zhirou made Mengyin shudder. Ripples spread across the water.
Their bodies were pressed tightly, breath hot, lips tangled. Mengyin’s eyes were misty, cheeks flushed, her nose beaded with sweat. Her expression was pure yet seductive—pitiful but tempting.
Zhirou cupped her face, kissing away her tears.
“Why are you crying again?” she murmured, brushing against Mengyin’s cheek.
Mengyin couldn’t answer. Her heart ached with yearning, craving something to fill the hollow inside.
“Hold me… please…” She hugged Zhirou tightly, pleading.
“I’m here.” Zhirou embraced her warmly.
Her empty chest slowly filled with comfort. Mengyin buried her face in Zhirou’s neck, savoring the moment.
“Alright, we should head up now. Soaking too long can make you dizzy.” Zhirou gently patted her back.
Mengyin let go but accidentally met Zhirou’s gaze before leaving the embrace. Her red face deepened to crimson. Under Zhirou’s teasing eyes, she hurriedly turned away, muttering, “L-Let’s get out.”
She fumbled to grab her robe, hastily putting it on and leaving a flustered figure behind.
Zhirou chuckled softly and leisurely followed her back to the room.