After Marrying the Aloof Beauty, I Totally Fell for Her - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Just Bear With It

After the New Year, when An Ning returned to school, she received good news: due to her outstanding performance in the provincial league, the Yun City Badminton Club extended an invitation for her to join this year’s summer training camp.

The Yun City Badminton Club—often referred to as the “Yun City Badminton Division”—was a private club with many official partnerships. It ranked 62nd in the International Badminton Federation’s club rankings, making it one of the more well-known clubs in the country. Every June, the club hosted a summer camp as a major method for selecting young talent.

For An Ning, who didn’t plan to pursue the national team path and preferred to stay in Yun City, this was undoubtedly a great opportunity. Signing with the club would officially make her a professional athlete, and with some notable achievements under her belt, it wouldn’t be hard to stay on as a coach at school later on.

Her friends and coach all congratulated her warmly, and An Ning immediately shared the good news with Mu Yan. The woman replied with a simple doodle of flowers and streamers, saying she’d drive her there when the time came.

An Ning felt happy, but also a little disappointed. In order to perform well at the summer camp, she had to intensify her training. Even weekends were taken up, leaving her with no time to go home—let alone go on a date with Mu Yan. Though they lived in the same city, it felt like a long-distance relationship.

And just when summer vacation finally arrived, she had to attend a two-month semi-closed training camp. She wasn’t even sure if they’d get to see each other.

The days during New Year, waking up each morning to see Mu Yan, had spoiled her like a jar of overly sweet candy. Now, even though she was worn out from training and studies, her nights still felt like endless years in Mu Yan’s absence.

Yun City’s June afternoons were like those of most northern cities—scorching sun hanging high in the sky, relentlessly baking the earth. The roadside weeds drooped lifelessly, covered in a thick layer of dust kicked up by passing vehicles.

The summer camp was located in the western suburbs of Yun City, at the West Suburb Sports Complex.

Due to geographical factors, the western suburbs were the least developed part of the city. After nearly an hour’s drive out of town, the scenery outside visibly turned desolate. The area was sparsely populated, with only a wide road stretching endlessly westward into the unknown.

An Ning stared out the car window for a while until her eyes started to hurt. She quickly turned her gaze back inside the vehicle.

As soon as she did, she couldn’t help glancing over at the woman in the driver’s seat.

Mu Yan was wearing a white, knee-length floral dress. Her fair and slender arms were strikingly radiant even in the car’s interior. She was driving with a calm expression, showing not even a trace of sorrow over their upcoming separation.

Was Mu Yan really not upset at all?

An Ning felt a little aggrieved. They hadn’t seen each other for a month, and that brief hug and kiss when she got into the car had done nothing to ease her longing. And now came two more months apart.

She licked her lips, trying to draw out the lingering sweetness and softness Mu Yan had left behind—but it only made her more anxious about the impending separation.

A faint bitterness rose on her tongue as she spoke in a hoarse voice, “Teacher Mu…”

“Mm?” The woman responded softly, as if still unaware of An Ning’s gloom.

“…Nothing,” An Ning turned her face back toward the window, afraid she’d cry if she looked at Mu Yan any longer.

How was she any different from that little kid who once clung to the coffee table leg and refused to go to school?

Mu Yan was the top painter in the country. An Ning might not achieve such dazzling success, but she couldn’t just remain a child living under Mu Yan’s protection.

How else could she ever become someone Mu Yan could rely on?

She tugged at the strap of her backpack and forced down the tears in her eyes.

Don’t cry. Don’t be pathetic. It’s not like Teacher Mu is abandoning you.

The white SUV sped down the empty road. Occasionally, one or two cars would pass by from the opposite direction, likely returning from the West Suburb Sports Complex.

After another half hour, a massive, modern building appeared in their view. The white architecture stood in stark contrast to the surrounding wasteland, looking like a mirage that didn’t belong there.

Despite its name, the West Suburb Sports Complex was actually a multi-purpose training base. Besides badminton, it reportedly hosted a number of other sports programs.

Following the road signs, the car pulled into the parking lot. At the exit, two security guards were checking identification.

This was where they’d part.

An Ning reluctantly said goodbye to Mu Yan. In the end, she didn’t manage to kiss her again like she’d wanted—afraid that if she did, she wouldn’t be able to let go.

Dragging her suitcase behind her, she joined the line at the end of the group, too gloomy to even look around.

The sweaty smell of the boy in front drifted into her nose, made worse by the heat, and An Ning felt a bit nauseous.

She suddenly remembered the enticing scent of Mu Yan’s body—so sweet, even when mixed with sweat, like melted ice cream.

Was she missing her so badly she could almost smell it?

“Hello, welcome to the West Suburb Sports Complex. Please present your ID,” the staff greeted her politely.

“An Ning, here for Yun City Badminton Club’s summer camp.” She handed over her ID.

“Alright,” the staff checked the list, glanced at her face, and then looked behind her with a puzzled expression. “Is this person with you?”

Who could be with her? Teacher Mu had already left…

An Ning was about to shake her head when a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Yes, I’m her assistant. Here’s my ID.”

The clear, cool voice was like a splash of icy water in the summer heat—instantly refreshing.

An Ning’s eyes widened as she turned around.

There stood Mu Yan in a white floral dress, holding a small suitcase and wearing a soft smile. When she saw An Ning’s shocked face, she winked. “Right, Student An?”

“Y-Yes!” An Ning could only nod at this point.

The staff studied the pair skeptically. The tall, athletic girl looked like a new trainee, albeit a bit dazed. But the woman behind her—she hardly looked like someone meant to run errands. With her looks and bearing, she could’ve passed for a celebrity.

Still, the assistant’s ID was valid and brand new—clearly just obtained.

Maybe this older sister didn’t feel comfortable letting her younger sibling attend alone and got certified to accompany her, the staff speculated. Touched by the imagined sisterly bond, he handed back the IDs. “Please proceed to Room 109 on the second floor of the East Building to complete your check-in.”

Mu Yan casually pulled her suitcase and entered the complex, then turned to look at An Ning—who was still frozen in place. “Aren’t you coming?”

“Oh… oh.” An Ning dragged her suitcase inside like a zombie.

Teacher Mu isn’t leaving. She’s staying with me. We’ll be together for the next two months!

Right after the joy came anger.

Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’ve been anxious for so long.

She snatched the suitcase from Mu Yan and muttered, “When did you get your assistant certification?”

Mu Yan wasn’t mad at being robbed of her suitcase. She just smirked playfully. “It arrived two days ago.”

“Oh,” An Ning replied sullenly, stomping ahead without a word.

Smiling so gleefully, was it that fun to watch her all miserable? Bad Teacher Mu.

Even as she thought that, her eyes kept flicking to the hem of Mu Yan’s white dress, and a smile crept onto her face.

Angry but happy—such was the paradox of a young person’s world.

The interior of the complex was far more modern than its desolate exterior. Polished marble tiles lined the floor, neat rows of shrubs flanked the paths, giving it the feel of a university campus.

Scattered young people hurried about with forms in hand, occasionally casting curious glances at the two.

It wasn’t surprising. Aside from Mu Yan’s obviously striking appearance, their dynamic was also… unusual.

The supposed athlete hauled two suitcases up front looking sullen, while the supposed assistant followed leisurely behind, empty-handed and relaxed.

The second floor of the East Building wasn’t far. After about five minutes, they arrived. As soon as they stepped inside, a blast of cold air made An Ning shiver. She instinctively took off her jacket and handed it to Mu Yan.

“I’m not cold. You wear it,” Mu Yan said, frowning at the thin T-shirt underneath.

But An Ning just turned to look at her, draped the jacket over Mu Yan’s shoulders, and walked off.

Her already round face puffed up like an angry pufferfish, practically screaming—I’m still mad, come coax me.

Mu Yan: “…”

Not seeing each other for a while, and the temper’s grown too, huh?

She smiled and put on the jacket, trailing behind the girl.

In Room 109, after verifying their identities, the staff asked, “Would you like to stay together or in separate rooms? If together, we’ll assign a double in the athlete dorms. If separate, you’ll each have a single—one in the athlete dorms and one in the assistant dorms.”

An Ning was about to say “together,” but Mu Yan interrupted.

She spoke to the staff, but her eyes were on An Ning, teasing, “Separate.”

Message received: Keep being mad, I’ll just go stay alone.

Fine, you win.

An Ning promptly said, “Together.”

The staff looked between them, confused. “Uh…”

Are they here to train or show off their relationship?

An Ning, still fuming, said firmly, “I’m the athlete. I decide.”

Her opponent, having achieved her goal, smiled sweetly, “I’m just the assistant—I’ll listen to her.”

Why did that still sound so sarcastic?

The athlete dorms were on the fifth floor of the East Building, a bit of a walk away. An Ning pulled both suitcases, storming ahead.

You won’t comfort me? Fine. You think I can’t bear to be apart from you, huh?

I…

She tried to rant to herself, but realized she couldn’t even use harsh words on Mu Yan. That made her even angrier.

Wait… Why don’t I hear Teacher Mu’s footsteps anymore?

She stopped and looked back.

There stood Mu Yan in front of a building, pointing at the words “East Building 5.” She smiled, “Where are you off to?”

An Ning: “…”

She silently walked back.

Can’t even throw a decent tantrum. How embarrassing.

Though it looked like a typical college dorm from the outside, the athlete dorms were far superior—more like upscale apartments with spacious rooms and full amenities.

An Ning put Mu Yan’s suitcase down and began unpacking her own absentmindedly.

Normally, she would’ve been clinging to Mu Yan by now.

She still wanted to—but after acting so mad just now, throwing herself at Mu Yan would be shameless. Even An Ning couldn’t flip her attitude that fast.

Why wasn’t Teacher Mu saying anything?

She gloomily pulled out a pack of underwear, then put it back. She regretted showing her anger so clearly earlier.

Mu Yan got certified and came here for her, and yet she still threw a fit and made things awkward…

Wasn’t that immature?

Mu Yan, watching her from the couch, saw An Ning’s face shift from sulky to regretful to sad—her eyes even starting to redden.

That should be enough.

She stood, opened her suitcase, pulled something out and hid it behind her back. “Still mad at me?”

Her voice was gentle. And just hearing it made An Ning’s long-held tears fall like rain.

She wiped her face messily, sniffling, “No… no…”

Then she felt a cool hand lift her face, and a tissue gently wiped her tears.

She saw Mu Yan’s beautiful face—no more teasing in those black eyes, only a trace of apology and helplessness.

“I didn’t know if the certification would come in time, so I didn’t tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve told you earlier,” Mu Yan explained calmly.

As for the late-night studying and repeated trips to the office just to get the assistant license early—she didn’t mention any of it.

Seeing the redness around An Ning’s eyes, Mu Yan could only scold herself internally. It was understandable that An Ning got upset. But what was she doing, sulking back? Was bullying a kid really that fun?

“I’m sorry, Teacher Mu.” Now calm, An Ning noticed the faint dark circles under Mu Yan’s eyes—and immediately felt worse.

And she claimed she wanted to grow into someone Mu Yan could rely on. Yet here she was—what kind of example was this?

Mu Yan, watching the girl hiccuping through tears while trying to apologize, felt her heart melt completely. She lowered her gaze, then looked up again.

“I was wrong too. Let me apologize.” She smiled. “Turn around.”

An Ning was about to refuse, but then heard the next part.

Confused, but obedient, she turned to face the window, staring at the hazy view through the curtains. She felt her hands pulled behind her—then gently tied together with something soft and elastic.

“Teacher Mu!” she yelped.

What was she doing?

Mu Yan didn’t answer. Instead, she turned An Ning by the shoulders to face her.

Avoiding her eyes, she whispered, “This place isn’t convenient. Just bear with it.”

An Ning was about to ask what that meant when the woman’s lips pressed against hers.

A soft, sweet tongue brushed against the roof of her mouth.