The Cold Queen is My Exclusive Little Snack - Chapter 9

The sound of water trickled from the shower. Though the warm spray was clearly falling on another person, it flushed Zuo Xingning’s entire body crimson.

She wasn’t trying to listen, but the fluctuating rhythm of the water—sometimes soft, sometimes loud—insistently burrowed into her ears.

The sound softened when the water cascaded over a body, forming a thin, shimmering veil that slid down in layers to pool at her feet.

The sound intensified when droplets splashed directly onto the tile floor, suggesting Chu Shiyin was lathering up with body wash. The dense foam clinging to her skin looked like… frosting on a cake.

Frosting… cake?

“Xingning?”

“Yes!” Zuo Xingning jolted upright, her mouth responding before her brain could catch up. “Jiejie…”

Chu Shiyin stood before her, wrapped in a bath towel. Her bare skin glowed with a delicate pink from the steam, radiating an unguarded vulnerability. With her hair bundled in a towel and her arms raised, the towel hitched higher, allowing beads of water to slip from within and trickle down her slender, glistening legs, leaving winding trails of dampness.

Gulp—

Zuo Xingning’s eyes glazed over.

“I’ve called you several times,” Chu Shiyin said, lowering her arms after securing her hair. “What were you thinking about so intently?”

“Frosting… ah, no!” Zuo Xingning snapped back to reality, as if a spring had been released beneath her. She leaped up, grabbed her pajamas, and bolted toward the bathroom. “I’m going to change first!”

“……”

“Frosting?”

After hastily changing into her pajamas, Zuo Xingning’s face burned even redder than before.

The bathroom, still warm from recent use, reeked of rich milk bath gel, mingling with Chu Shiyin’s unique scent—a fragrance only she could detect. Each breath seemed to pull her imagination in strange, forbidden directions.

My brain is going to explode! Aaaaaah!

The little person inside her mind knelt down and screamed. Zuo Xingning stumbled out of the bathroom, her heart pounding wildly.

Fortunately, Chu Shiyin was in the bedroom blow-drying her hair, giving Zuo Xingning time to compose herself.

As she folded her discarded clothes, Zuo Xingning inwardly berated herself for her lack of self-control.

I should have changed in my room first! Why did I bring my pajamas over here like a fool, as if Chu Shiyin might change her mind if I took too long? I was overthinking everything!

Chu Shiyin had treated her like a spoiled child, completely oblivious to any sense of danger.

She doesn’t even see me as a grown woman!

With that thought, Zuo Xingning tugged at her collar and glanced down.

What exactly makes me look like a child?!

Could Chu Shiyin’s impression of me still be stuck on our first “meeting”? That was ages ago!

Releasing her grip, Zuo Xingning huffed in frustration and reached out to grab something nearby—

“Where’s her blanket?”

A few minutes later, in the master bedroom of the executive suite, Chu Shiyin was sitting at the vanity, applying skincare products. Hearing the question, she gestured behind her. “Over there.”

Her nails weren’t manicured, but they were neatly trimmed into a rounded shape, radiating a healthy pink. The tips of her fingers were coated with a layer of moisturizing lotion, and Zuo Xingning found herself unconsciously staring for a couple of seconds longer than necessary.

“Are we… sharing a bed?” On the pristine white mattress lay the blanket Zuo Xingning had brought from her own room.

“Didn’t you insist on sleeping with me?” Chu Shiyin chuckled softly. “You said you wanted to keep me company or something.”

That was exactly what Zuo Xingning had meant, but she still had to play it cool.

Her ears flushed slightly as she feigned politeness. “I toss and turn a lot in my sleep. I might disturb you. Should I just sleep on the sofa?”

“Oh, really?” Chu Shiyin drawled, her tone teasing. Zuo Xingning’s heart fluttered with anticipation, hoping she would be persuaded to stay. Instead, Chu Shiyin twisted open her lip balm, applied it leisurely, pressed her lips together with a soft pop, and casually uttered two words:

“Sure, why not?”

Should I just sleep on the sofa?

Sure, why not?

Wait! How could she just agree?!

Zuo Xingning felt like she’d been struck by lightning, wishing she could go back half a minute and knock herself unconscious.

Why did I have to ask?! This isn’t some New Year’s red envelope situation!

It was too late to say anything now. Zuo Xingning sniffled, lowered her head dejectedly, and picked up a blanket. As she walked to the door, she turned back, her eyes pleading. “I’ll be right outside, Jiejie. Call me anytime if you want someone to talk to.”

“Mm,” Chu Shiyin nodded, offering no further comment.

“Good night, Jiejie.”

“Good night.”

So it really was hopeless. Zuo Xingning tossed the blanket onto the sofa and resigned herself to making her “bed” for the night. The hotel sofa was quite large; even after removing all the cushions, it was long enough for her to sleep on. It wasn’t too bad, all things considered.

But if there was a next time, she would definitely skip the polite nonsense!

After spreading out the blanket, the overhead light glared down, almost blinding her. Just as she was about to turn it off, she glanced up and saw Chu Shiyin leaning against the bedroom doorframe, watching her for who knew how long.

“Jiejie!” she exclaimed in surprise.

“Won’t sleeping on the sofa be uncomfortable?” Chu Shiyin asked.

“It should be fine, it’s pretty soft.” Ugh, my mouth moved faster than my brain again! Zuo Xingning wanted to slap herself. “I mean, it might be a little, but it’s okay.”

“Enough. We have work tomorrow. Stop fussing and bring the blanket over here.” Chu Shiyin walked into the bedroom, glancing back as she added, “Or are you afraid I might do something to you?”

“No, I’ll come right now.”

Zuo Xingning’s face flushed crimson as she grabbed the blanket and hurried after her.

I should have said the opposite!

The next morning, Chu Shiyin woke up before her alarm went off. Her first act was to gently remove Zuo Xingning’s arm from around her.

This girl, she thought, calling herself a restless sleeper is an understatement. Despite having two blankets on the bed, Zuo Xingning’s had somehow ended up on the floor, leaving them huddled under the same one. She had Chu Shiyin pinned down with her arms and legs.

She must have been a sloth in her past life.

Chu Shiyin’s leg, which had been pressed against Zuo Xingning’s for who knew how long, felt numb and tingly as she pulled it free. Annoyed, she poked Zuo Xingning’s cheek, just to vent her frustration.

After washing up, Chu Shiyin went to the hotel gym for a half-hour jog. She returned to take a quick shower before waking Zuo Xingning.

“Xingning?”

…Liar.

“Wake up, it’s time to get up.”

You’re all liars!

What’s she muttering about?

Chu Shiyin pressed harder on her shoulder. “Xingning, are you having a nightmare?”

The voice from her dream merged with reality. Zuo Xingning’s eyes snapped open, and the words she had repeated countless times in her dream burst out: “I told you, I’m not a liar…”

“What aren’t you?” Chu Shiyin asked, her voice barely audible.

“Nothing,” Zuo Xingning replied, shaking off her grogginess. She wiped her mouth before continuing, “Just a weird dream. It’s nothing. Am I late?”

“No, you have time to wash up and eat breakfast. Just hurry.”

“Okay—”

Zuo Xingning yawned, dragging out the word, and slipped into her slippers, her eyes still half-closed. As she opened the door to return to her room to wash up, Yu Siya stood outside. She greeted her, “Morning, Sister Siya.”

“Morning… wait, why are you coming out of this room? Hey!”

At that moment, Zuo Xingning’s movements suddenly became swift. She retreated into her room before Yu Siya could finish speaking and headed straight for the bathroom, squeezing toothpaste onto her toothbrush.

Come to think of it, did I dream something this morning?

What was it about again?

Zuo Xingning wiped the toothpaste foam from her chin as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

She couldn’t remember a thing.

Sleeping with Chu Shiyin was clearly a major challenge to Zuo Xingning’s sleep quality. She barely closed her eyes for the first half of the night, only drifting into a deep slumber as dawn approached. To stay awake, she pinched her nose and gulped down a large cup of black coffee.

Yu Siya watched her drink, her gaze unnervingly intense, making Zuo Xingning’s skin crawl.

Zuo Xingning rubbed her arms, unable to resist asking, “Sister Siya, why are you staring at me like that? Am I bloated?”

“You don’t know why I’m watching you?” Yu Siya’s tone was icy.

Should I know?

Zuo Xingning had completely forgotten their morning encounter, falling silent and trying to shrink into the background.

When the makeup artist arrived, Yu Siya finally withdrew her gaze, turning to Zuo Xingning with a warning: “Director Meng hired Shiyin to boost ratings. Her screen time and the buzz around her will be significant, so the only one you need to worry about is yourself.”

“I’ve already taught you the tricks—using voiceovers, angling for camera time through sponsorships, and so on—so I won’t repeat myself. The highlight of Escape to Freedom is the final chase scene. Remember to play smart and avoid elimination too early. Survive as long as you can.”

“Okay~” Zuo Xingning turned, gauging that Yu Siya’s anger had subsided. She flashed a radiant smile, coaxing, “Thank you, Sister Siya! I’ll do my best!”

“……” As if dazzled by the sudden brightness, Yu Siya averted her gaze. “Don’t fidget during makeup.”

Zuo Xingning gave a “roger that” gesture, then immediately turned to apologize to the makeup artist, flattering her until she was giggling uncontrollably.

The laughter drifted over, and as Yu Siya watched, her unease deepened.

She really knows how to exploit her youth…

Could this be how she tricked Chu Shiyin?!