After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Turned on Easy Mode - Chapter 18

The heavy snow had finally ended. The ice was beginning to thaw, which meant this was the coldest time of year. By all rights, Wu You should have been curled up in bed, refusing to get up. But Zhao Qingzi didn’t give her that chance.

Wu You sighed inwardly. Sure enough, Zhao Qingshu was no match for this so-called villainess—if she wanted to go out, her brother couldn’t possibly stop her. Curiosity pricked at her; just how had Zhao Qingzi managed to sneak out this time? Asking directly would give her away, but perhaps she could probe indirectly.

Feigning casualness, she asked, “Where’s your brother today? He really lets you come out on your own like this?”

Zhao Qingzi had been peeling an egg. At the question, she looked up with a small smile. She hadn’t snuck out at all. The disaster had passed, and her brother had to return to his post at the Imperial Academy.

She set half-peeled egg on the table. “The snow’s eased. My brother’s back at his duties.”

Wu You rubbed her nose in embarrassment. Right—unlike her, not everyone could stay idle at home with no office to attend. Well, not everyone… the young lady before her was also free as a bird.

That thought softened her gaze, and she looked at Zhao Qingzi with sudden warmth. The other girl, unsettled by the intensity of her stare, dropped her head and quickly finished peeling the egg.

When it was done, she held the egg to Wu You’s lips. The meaning was obvious. Wu You leaned forward, took a bite, then hastily accepted the rest before she accidentally nipped at Zhao Qingzi’s fingers.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Zhao Qingzi’s heart, though she concealed it well. Glancing out the window at the bright sun, she thought Wu You hadn’t exercised in a long while. She knew this house had a small training yard and an armory. Perhaps she could coax her into moving about—lazing around all day was no good.

With that decision made, she spoke up, “The sun is lovely today. I’ve never actually seen you practice. I was wondering if—”

Before she could finish, Wu You cut her off with surprising eagerness. “Of course! No problem at all.”

Without hesitation, she pushed Zhao Qingzi’s wheelchair toward the door. At the threshold, the wind bit at her skin and she quickly darted back inside to grab a cloak, wrapping it around Zhao Qingzi’s shoulders. She also tucked a hand-warmer into her lap before leading her out to the training yard.

Once Zhao Qingzi was settled, Wu You went to the armory. This time she was cautious, checking carefully before opening the door. She rummaged around before finally choosing a red-tasseled spear.

The name Little Red was carved beneath the spearhead. Wu You could only roll her eyes—apparently the original owner had exquisite taste in weapons but appalling skill at naming them. Still, the weapon felt good in her grip. After a few practice swings, she carried Little Red into the yard.

Zhao Qingzi’s eyes lit up. The girl in crimson with a crimson spear seemed to glow with brilliance. Of course, Wu You looked good in anything—but this, this was breathtaking.

Wu You saluted her briefly, then began. The spear danced, shadows flashing, the air filled with the sharp whistle of steel.

To anyone else, her movements carried killing intent. To Zhao Qingzi, it was only the sight of red silk and red spear, and the thunder of her own heart in her ears. The scene was so beautiful she longed for a way to capture it forever.

After half an hour, Wu You stopped—not because she was tired, but because she worried Zhao Qingzi might grow uncomfortable if she went on too long. Wiping a light sweat from her brow, she put Little Red away and went to wheel Zhao Qingzi back inside.

But just as her hands touched the chair, Zhao Qingzi caught her fingers. Turning her head, she said softly, “Don’t rush back yet. You’re sweaty. Let me wipe it for you. Squat down.”

Obediently, Wu You knelt before her. Zhao Qingzi drew out a handkerchief and dabbed at her forehead. Wu You’s breathing was still quick from exertion, and her eyes, fixed so intently on Zhao Qingzi, made her heart pound.

Her hand traced lower, over the bridge of Wu You’s nose… then lingered near her lips. She froze, the soft press of the fabric making her thoughts swirl wildly. The face she dreamed of was so close. Inch by inch, she leaned in.

Wu You sensed something was off. The distance between them shrank until—if she came any closer, their lips would meet. Startled, she blurted, “A-Azi, what’s wrong?”

The question snapped Zhao Qingzi back to herself. Though her heart raced, her face stayed composed. She touched the cloth lightly to Wu You’s lips, then leaned back.

Smiling, she said, “I thought I saw something on your mouth, that’s all.”

Wu You’s pulse hammered. For a moment, she’d thought the villainess was about to kiss her! Instead—it was just a crumb? Probably that egg yolk from breakfast. Mortified, she groaned inside: My image! Completely ruined!

Forcing a laugh, she said, “How embarrassing… Let’s head in. It’s freezing out here.”

Zhao Qingzi nodded, the tips of her ears red. Wu You didn’t notice—had she, she would only have blamed it on the cold.

Back in the room, Wu You asked the maids to prepare bathwater. She felt sticky from sweat and longed for a proper soak. Worried Zhao Qingzi might get bored while waiting, she thought of giving her some books… but there were none, only a few martial manuals. Finally, she set brush and paper before her instead.

“Azhi, I’m going to bathe. I couldn’t find any books, but here’s some paper—you can practice writing or sketching.”

Bathing?

Zhao Qingzi’s face grew hot, though Wu You didn’t notice. Soon the maid brought steaming water, setting up a wooden screen for privacy. Wu You stripped off her clothes in a rush, tossed them over the top, and slipped into the tub with a sigh of bliss.

Outside, Zhao Qingzi’s ears burned at the splash of water, her imagination running wild. She clamped her hands over them, but it didn’t help. Flustered, she grabbed the brush.

Focus. Draw. Record what you just saw in the yard.

Her strokes steadied her heart. She outlined Wu You with careful lines, recalling her poised stance with the red spear. But then the sound of water changed. Wu You had stopped—was she getting out? No, the splashing resumed.

Her focus faltered. Without thinking, the figure on the paper lost its clothes. Shocked, she quickly blotted it out in a mess of ink, her face scarlet.

This little fox spirit is doing it on purpose, she thought wildly. She confessed to me once already, and now she bathes right beside me without a care. She must be teasing me on purpose!

If Wu You could read her mind, she would have cried out in protest: Innocent! I swear I’m just a clueless blockhead!

After her soak, Wu You toweled herself dry and dressed, even washing her hair. Still rubbing it with a cloth, she walked out, smelling faintly of soap.

Zhao Qingzi froze when damp droplets fell warm against her neck. The scent of herbs and soap drifted over her. She grit her teeth—fox spirit!

Curious about what Zhao Qingzi had drawn, Wu You leaned over… only to find a sheet covered in one giant blot of black ink.

That wasn’t right. In the original story, Zhao Qingzi had been a talented painter. Could her memory have been wrong?

“What’s this supposed to be?” she asked.

“It’s you,” Zhao Qingzi snapped, shooting her a glare.

Wu You blinked. This? Me? In her past life, she’d been called a campus beauty—yet now she was reduced to a blob of ink. Still, she dared not argue. If the villainess said it was her, then it was.

“Ah, I see. You drew me beautifully, Azhi.”

Zhao Qingzi widened her eyes. Then, looking from Wu You to the incomprehensible smear, she thought bitterly: She must have soaked her brain in bathwater. Hopeless.

Snorting, she ordered her maid to take her home.

Wu You watched her leave, baffled. Had she done something wrong? Why did Zhao Qingzi look so unhappy? Unable to figure it out, she sighed. Villainesses really are hard to please.

But at least, she reminded herself, Zhao Qingzi bore her no killing intent. That thought comforted her, and she quickly forgot the matter, humming to herself as she dried her hair.