After the Soul Swap Between Love Rival AO - Chapter 36

Cheng Luanxin was taken aback, “How would I know? That’s way too hard to guess. Even if I got it right, you could just say I’m wrong… Oh, I know! You’re definitely thinking about how to weasel out of something now!”

Song Qiuchi flicked her forehead in exasperation, “Wrong.”

Cheng Luanxin protested, “Then tell me, what are you thinking?”

Song Qiuchi walked straight to the tea table, “Not telling. Figure it out yourself—you know me so well, don’t you?”

She poured herself a cup of tea and sipped leisurely.

Cheng Luanxin scratched her head in frustration, “What else could you be thinking about? Just tell me, give me a hint—who’s it related to?”

Song Qiuchi glanced at her but stayed silent.

Cheng Luanxin widened her eyes, “It couldn’t be about me, could it? Are you sure what you’re thinking is broadcast-appropriate?”

Song Qiuchi was speechless, “…What between us isn’t broadcast-appropriate?”

Of course, things like body-swapping and temporary marks. Cheng Luanxin realized her words had been ambiguous and flushed red, “That’s not what I meant… I just… Never mind, forget I asked if you don’t want to say!”

Comments:

Ahhh! What isn’t broadcast-appropriate? What secrets do these two have?!

Qiuchi keeps digging holes for herself and then jumping right in.

I love the push-and-pull between them!

Song Qiuchi could already imagine the barrage of comments flooding the screen. She sighed helplessly, “I was thinking about you—wondering when you’d get a little smarter.”

Cheng Luanxin stammered, her face still red, “I’m not smart enough? I think I’m plenty smart.”

Perhaps sensing the odd atmosphere, both fell into a tacit silence.

At some point, a light drizzle began to fall over the mountains. A few raindrops drifted in with the wind, bringing a cool, damp freshness indoors.

The two carried the teapot and cups to sit under the eaves, enjoying the rain.

Cheng Luanxin stole a glance at Song Qiuchi and whispered, “I think this place is really healing, don’t you?”

Song Qiuchi: “Mhm.”

With all activities completed, their hot spring trip to Chishan officially came to an end. At three in the afternoon, they boarded the car back.

Before leaving, they wandered through the antique market near the hotel. Cheng Luanxin bought several wooden bracelets to give as gifts later.

Finally free from facing the camera, she got into the car and immediately started assigning tasks to Song Qiuchi: “Take these. The agarwood one is for my grandma. These two are the same—one for Wenwen and one for my sister Yinyin. I’ll keep the rest for myself. What do you think about giving this small sandalwood bracelet to Zhi Ruo? I think it suits her vibe! This rosewood one is also nice—maybe give it to Duan Mengshu…”

Song Qiuchi couldn’t take it anymore: “Why does even Duan Mengshu get one? Are you two that close?”

Cheng Luanxin: “Hmm, not really, but she likes you. Shouldn’t you bring her a little gift when you go out? See how good I am to you? I’m securing your future happiness here.”

Song Qiuchi frowned: “What about me? You’re so nice to everyone else—did you get me anything?”

“Huh?” Cheng Luanxin was stunned. “You need a gift too? You came along yourself—why should I buy you one? Do you know how many rose tokens these cost?”

Song Qiuchi: “…”

She didn’t want to engage with Cheng Luanxin anymore and lowered her head to read her e-book.

She’s upset again. Cheng Luanxin sighed inwardly—Song Qiuchi was getting harder to please. “You’re unhappy again? Don’t be. Here, you pick first. Whatever’s left can go to the others, okay?”

Song Qiuchi pointed directly: “I want the sandalwood one.”

Cheng Luanxin hesitated: “I only bought one sandalwood bracelet. I was planning to give it to Zhi Ruo…”

Song Qiuchi shot her a glance and went back to her e-book.

No choice. Cheng Luanxin took out the sandalwood bracelet and handed it over: “Here, it’s yours.”

Song Qiuchi took it without a word and slipped it onto her wrist.

Cheng Luanxin exhaled deeply, marveling at how increasingly unpredictable Song Qiuchi had become—her moods were so mercurial, it was impossible to keep up.

Back at the dorm.

After saying goodbye to Song Qiuchi, Cheng Luanxin swiped her keycard and entered.

She had assumed Du Zhiruo would be out on a date with someone else since she wasn’t around, but to her surprise, Du Zhiruo was inside, revising sheet music.

Seeing Cheng Luanxin return, she stood up to greet her: “You’re back. How was the hot spring trip? Fun?”

Cheng Luanxin thought back to the two-day, one-night journey—equal parts pain and pleasure—and nodded: “The activities were pretty varied, but the masseuse was way too strong. I still ache all over if I move too much. Oh, I brought you a gift!”

She pulled out a padauk bracelet from her bag: “Try it on—see if it fits?”

Du Zhiruo’s face lit up: “Did you buy this just for me?”

Cheng Luanxin, never good at lying, scratched her head: “Actually, I originally wanted to get you a sandalwood bracelet, but Luanxin liked it and took it. This padauk one is also really pretty—nice scent, clear grain, and it’s one-of-a-kind too. Do you like it?”

Du Zhiruo didn’t seem bothered that the bracelet meant for her had been claimed. She took it and wrapped it around her wrist, still gentle as ever: “Of course I like it. But the beads are too long—they loop around my wrist six times. I was thinking of splitting it into two bracelets—one for you, one for me. Is that okay?”

Cheng Luanxin widened her eyes: “Sure, but do you know how to restring and knot them? You won’t ruin it, will you?”

Du Zhiruo smiled: “Did you forget? I’m good at crafts.”

The two gathered under the lamp and began taking the bracelet apart together.

Du Zhiruo cut the elastic cord into two segments, then carefully threaded each wooden bead one by one. After securing them with several diamond knots and sealing the ends with heat, two brand-new rosewood bead bracelets were quickly completed.

The pearwood bracelet fit perfectly around Cheng Luanxin’s wrist, wrapping around three times with delicate beauty.

She couldn’t help but sigh in admiration, “Zhiruo, your hands are so skilled. You could totally make a living with this craft!”

Du Zhiruo smiled. “Now we have matching bracelets.”

Cheng Luanxin nodded, her face flushed. “Mhm.”

Du Zhiruo took a photo of their wrists together, applied a soft, nostalgic filter, and posted it on Weibo:

“Received the pearwood bracelet from Qiuchi and turned it into two—one for each of us ❤️ @Song Qiuchi”

Soon, reposts and comments poured in:

“Both of your wrists are so fair and elegant—simple yet refined. Love it!”

“Zhiruo can even make bracelets? So impressive!”

“It looks so delicate—you can’t even tell it was modified.”

Of course, Song Qiuchi came across the post, and her expression darkened once again.

Suddenly, the small-leaf sandalwood bracelet she had practically demanded felt ridiculous wrapped around her wrist.

Frowning, she pulled it off and tossed it onto the table, startling Su Ling, who was in the middle of applying makeup. The eyeliner she was carefully drawing swerved an extra two centimeters.

Su Ling glanced at her cautiously. “Luanxin, are you upset?”

Song Qiuchi realized she had lost her composure. “Sorry, didn’t mean to disturb you. Are you heading out?”

Su Ling nodded. “Yeah, there’s a theater performance at the Othello Theater tonight. I’m planning to ask Liang Shengxia to go with me.”

Song Qiuchi paused. “The production team arranged a date for tonight too?”

Su Ling blushed. “No, no. I just wanted to invite her myself. I have feelings for her, but the competition’s fierce, so I have to step up my game.”

Song Qiuchi was slightly taken aback. “That intense?”

Su Ling gave a helpless smile. “If you, Qiuchi, and Zhiruo are a solid love triangle, the rest of us are just a chaotic mix of pairings. And…”

She glanced at the camera to confirm it wasn’t recording before whispering, “I think I’ve offended Bian Ning. She seems to like me, but I turned her down. Ever since, no matter who I try to ask out, she swoops in to compete.”

“You know my reputation isn’t the best. She comes off as sweet, innocent, and clingy—compared to her, I don’t stand a chance.”

“Luanxin, do you like Qiuchi? If you do, you should act fast. I get the feeling Qiuchi and Zhiruo are getting pretty close.”

Seeing that Song Qiuchi remained silent, Su Ling didn’t press further. “I should finish my makeup, or I’ll miss the show.”

Song Qiuchi lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

If what Su Ling said was true, then Du Zhiruo and Bian Ning had strikingly similar tactics—both using their innocent, adorable appearances and affectionate personalities to charm Cheng Luanxin into a daze.

What about her? Her position seemed somewhat similar to Su Ling’s.

But…

Su Ling was going all out to secure a date with Liang Shengxia because she liked her. Then what about herself? Had she impulsively invited Cheng Luanxin to the hot spring resort because she liked her too?

Did she… like Cheng Luanxin?

The therapist’s words echoed in her mind: “Can you try looking at it from a different angle? Understand it, and be kind to it?”

…A different angle.

Could it be that the frustration she had been feeling wasn’t due to annoyance at Cheng Luanxin’s naive personality, but rather an intense possessiveness over her?

Song Qiuchi shuddered.

That conclusion was terrifying.