After Marrying the Aloof Beauty, I Totally Fell for Her - Chapter 31

Chapter 31:  I’m Done Bathing

“Do you admit defeat?”

By the edge of the pool, the woman parted her thin lips and uttered four words.

Admit what defeat?

An Ning’s brain was already overwhelmed by embarrassment, practically incapable of rational thought. Her lips trembled as she asked, “W-what did you say?”

Seeing her confusion, the woman curled her lips slightly, clearly displeased with her reaction. “You were so bold in the snow just now—forgot already?”

“Uh, uh, oh, oh!” An Ning finally remembered saying something like that earlier and immediately understood what Mu Yan meant.

At this point, if she didn’t quickly admit defeat, who knew what Teacher Mu—still smarting from the loss—might do.

She hastily shrank further into the water, clasped her hands together, and tried to look and sound as sincere as possible. “I was wrong, Teacher Mu. I admit defeat. I won’t dare to do it again. Please be generous and let this go.”

Desperate times truly bring out hidden talents—An Ning didn’t know she could be this eloquent.

Cowering in the corner of the pool, only her head and hands above water, her wide eyes were full of sincere remorse.

She looked just like an otter begging for food.

Mu Yan couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle but quickly recalled that she was in the middle of getting revenge. Her face quickly straightened again, and she nodded as a sign of acknowledgment.

“As long as you know.”

With that, she no longer pressed the issue—perhaps because An Ning looked ready to transform into a full-blown otter—and gracefully stepped out of the bathroom.

In the midst of An Ning’s hopeful gaze, the bathroom door finally shut again.

Still shaken, she clutched her chest and slowly made her way toward the pool’s edge.

Her limbs felt like jelly—not from the hot water, but from the scare that Mu Yan had just given her.

After resting her arms on the pool’s edge for a bit, An Ning finally caught her breath.

Thinking back on what had just happened, she felt both bashful and amused.

Teacher Mu was just too adorable.

Even when she was eight, she wouldn’t have held onto something so trivial.

An Ning realized that liking someone really was a mysterious thing. In the past, she might not have had the courage to be completely honest with Teacher Mu, but she certainly wouldn’t have been this embarrassed either.

She glanced at the corner she had been hiding in and imagined how she must’ve looked. Only now did the shame catch up to her.

That said, she didn’t dare hold it against Teacher Mu—especially since she really was the one at fault to begin with.

After drying off again, she went to the rack and found that Mu Yan had even brought her pajamas—a soft, white cotton set with undergarments tucked inside.

An Ning stared speechlessly at the little bear printed on her underwear and silently covered her face.

It was still kind of embarrassing.

Hopefully, her blush wasn’t too obvious.

“Teacher Mu, I’m done bathing.”

After a thorough round of mental prep, An Ning opened the bathroom door and mumbled like a mosquito.

“Mhm. I’ll go wash up now. If you’re hungry, call the service center and have them send up some food,” Mu Yan replied calmly. Compared to An Ning, she was composed as ever, her usual serenity fully returned. Before heading into the bathroom, she even reminded her of the food.

It was as if the playful, threatening Teacher Mu from just moments ago had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

Somehow, An Ning felt a bit disappointed.

As long as they weren’t both naked in a bathroom, she actually liked that more animated version of Teacher Mu.

Not that there was anything wrong with Teacher Mu normally—but that side of her gave An Ning a unique sense of joy, like it belonged to her alone.

After all, she had never seen Teacher Mu show so many emotions to anyone else.

As she thought this, her eyes unconsciously drifted back to the closed bathroom door.

In the billowing steam, the woman’s pale, delicate back was faintly visible—like the finest white jade in the world…

“Smack.” An Ning gave herself a sharp slap across the mouth.

What was wrong with her? Staring at a bathroom door for ages was one thing—but now she was spinning full-on fanfiction in her head?

She dared not look anymore. She dared not even think.

Instead, she sat down on the sofa by the fireplace and opened her phone to chat with her roommates.

I’m Not Jealous: Snowy scenery.jpg I’ve arrived. It’s nice here. Once it officially opens, you all should come too.

His Majesty Has Arrived: Sneaky grin.gif I’m more curious about your progress with Miss Mu. Spill a little, I need some material. You two are hot right now—the prices they’re offering are insane.

An Ning: “…”

I’m Not Jealous: I did not expect you to sell out this fast.

Could it be that the ones she’s been reading were actually written by Huang Lu?

Boo Hoo Hoo: Don’t mind her. Didn’t we say we wouldn’t write about friends? But seriously, how are things with you and Teacher Mu?

I’m Not Jealous: That’s basically the same question she asked!

Luzhou Moon: Everyone’s got a bit of gossip in them. But I’m different. Ning Ning, next time Teacher Mu comes to visit, you have to call me. I need to snap a picture to prove I live in Room 302. Determined.jpg

An Ning couldn’t help but laugh at the group’s gossip storm. But she didn’t want to tell them she might actually like Teacher Mu.

Especially after everything that had happened—even Chen Ying, who knew the truth, probably thought they were faking a relationship that had turned real.

Love was like drinking water—only the person involved knew whether it was hot or cold. Even if others could offer advice, it was ultimately a path she had to walk herself.

After chatting a bit, An Ning’s emotions finally settled down.

Just then, the bathroom door made a soft sound.

She looked up instinctively—and couldn’t look away.

Mu Yan stepped out in a deep red bathrobe. Maybe it was because she had soaked for a while, but her usually calm eyes now carried a trace of drowsy haze. No longer sharp or distant, they were like a sleepy, pretty cat’s—making people want to reach out and stroke her still-damp, slightly wavy hair.

The robe cinched at her waist, and the loose neckline revealed her delicate collarbones and fair, smooth skin. Under the light and fabric, it glowed like flawless white jade, stirring a deep yearning.

“What is it?” Mu Yan asked, noticing her gaze.

Her voice, usually cool and crisp, had now taken on a lazy, languid tone from fatigue—like a mild wine that burned warmly once it reached your stomach.

“N-nothing.” An Ning quickly turned her head, trying to calm her racing heart.

She only hoped the firelight could hide the blush on her cheeks.

“Mm…” Mu Yan must’ve been too tired to question her further. She gave a low reply, walked over to the counter, turned on the coffee machine, and asked casually, “You didn’t order food?”

“Oh! I’ll do it now.” An Ning fumbled for the guest manual and hurried to call room service.

After placing the order, she couldn’t help but sneak another glance.

Mu Yan stood with a coffee cup in one hand and a metal milk pitcher in the other, slowly pouring the milk into the dark coffee.

As the liquid flowed, it was like a paintbrush tamed to perfection, sketching delicate white patterns across the surface.

Soon, a beautiful flower began to take shape.

“That’s amazing!” An Ning blurted out in awe.

Even without knowing the technique, it was clear this was something she could never do herself.

Mu Yan casually set the pitcher down, sipped the coffee, and frowned slightly—apparently dissatisfied with the flavor.

Then her eyes caught An Ning’s sparkling gaze.

The girl’s expression was full of genuine admiration, as if she had done something incredible.

Mu Yan’s lips curved slightly, and her mood—which had been soured by the coffee—instantly lifted.

She raised the cup slightly. “Want some?”

“Yes!” An Ning shot up from the sofa and ran over. “Can you draw a flower for me too?”

Her round eyes were filled with hopeful anticipation—like a puppy waiting to be fed.

“Heh…” Mu Yan chuckled. What kind of child is this? Who drinks coffee just for the art?

Though she thought this, she still took another cup, poured the coffee, and began to carefully draw the image.

She didn’t notice An Ning’s eyes quietly shifting to her face.

With her eyes lowered in concentration, Mu Yan’s soft profile was lit gently by the warm light, forming the picture of a perfect beauty.

An Ning wasn’t a child anymore. She wasn’t drinking coffee for the latte art.

But watching that focused side profile, she thought to herself:

She’s doing this for me.

I’d drink a hundred cups.

But Mu Yan didn’t draw a flower like she said. Judging by the lines, it looked more like a smiling little girl.

It was a complicated image and took time to complete, but Mu Yan executed it with stable, precise hands—until the very end.

Whether from holding the cup too long or for another reason, her hand suddenly trembled.

A jarring line appeared on the girl’s hair.

“Tsk.” An Ning saw Mu Yan’s brows knit tightly together. She looked frustrated and was about to dump the coffee into the sink.

“No!” Without thinking, An Ning reached out and grabbed the cup.

Mu Yan stopped her movement the instant she reached out—probably afraid of burning her—and let her take it.

“It’s no good. I’ll make another one,” she said, no longer frustrated but still clearly unhappy.

“No need. I think this one is perfect.” An Ning carefully held the cup. The little girl’s face was already smudged, but to her, it was still beautiful.

More importantly, she didn’t want Mu Yan to feel upset over something like this.

She wasn’t sure why, but Teacher Mu had reacted strongly to the mistake.

Was it an artist’s perfectionism—or…

Suddenly, An Ning remembered the craft knife she had once stolen.

Her heart tightened. Holding the coffee with one hand, she gently tugged on Mu Yan’s sleeve and said softly, “It’s really good. Please don’t make another.”

Right then, the doorbell rang—room service had arrived.

“Perfect timing. I’m starving. Let’s eat.” An Ning seized the moment to change the subject.

Mu Yan looked into her eyes for a moment. Her furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and she nodded.

An Ning let out a quiet sigh of relief—but still felt a faint unease. Maybe I should learn more about Teacher Mu’s work when we get back.

After dinner, there was still time before bed. The two of them sat in front of the warm fireplace, quietly enjoying the peaceful evening.

An Ning scrolled through her phone, doing her best not to sneak glances at the woman beside her.

Mu Yan, now relaxed, lounged in the armchair—chin resting in one hand, the other idly flipping through a brochure for Ice City. Her eyes paused occasionally on the beautiful photographs.

Because of her posture, the hem of her robe slipped slightly, revealing glimpses of her slender, pale legs—glowing against the firelight and robe.

One glance was all it took to send An Ning’s imagination spiraling into more fanfiction.

She was starting to find it harder and harder to look at Miss Mu normally.

But Miss Mu still seemed to have no defenses up around her.

Was she betraying her trust like this?

The bitter coffee filled her mouth as she savored her tangled, unspeakable feelings with frustration.

Even so, she didn’t want to leave just yet. Time like this—quietly spent together—was too precious.

Time passed silently.

By the time she finished her now-cold coffee, it was already nine in the evening.

“Teacher Mu…” She remembered that Mu Yan had seemed very tired earlier and wanted to remind her to go to bed.

But when she turned around, she saw that the woman had already fallen asleep on the sofa.

At some point, the brochure had slipped to the floor. Sleeping peacefully, Mu Yan looked especially delicate and defenseless as she curled up in the seat.

“Teacher Mu, Teacher Mu.” An Ning called softly, but there was no response.

Waking someone abruptly can be unpleasant—so she didn’t raise her voice.

No way I’m carrying her to bed, right?

She shook her head, rejecting the idea that made her heart pound wildly.

Instead, she walked over and gently nudged her shoulder.

“Teacher Mu, why don’t you go sleep in your room?”

The woman frowned slightly, slowly opened her eyes.

Her usually sharp and distant gaze was now veiled in a soft haze of sleep.

“Ning Ning…”

An Ning heard her call her name—so softly, so intimately, a tone she’d never heard before.

Then a pale, gentle hand reached up and caressed her cheek with infinite tenderness and affection.