They hadn’t prepared a trash can but had provided foldable oil paper garbage bags for disposing of fruit pits and the like.
Bai Jinyan touched his forehead. “Soaking for too long isn’t good. Let’s stay for another ten minutes and then get out.”
Qiao Huaiyao replied, “Okay.”
A hot spring soak typically lasts fifteen to twenty minutes. If you want to continue soaking, it’s best to get out and rest for a while before going back in. Prolonged soaking isn’t advisable.
When the time was up, Bai Jinyan got out first. As soon as Qiao Huaiyao left the water, Bai Jinyan draped a bathrobe over him. “Feeling better?”
Seeing the concern in Bai Jinyan’s eyes, Qiao Huaiyao chuckled softly, pulled the bathrobe around him, and kissed him. “I’m really fine.”
It wasn’t a big deal to begin with, and Bai Jinyan’s attention with the hot spring and massage seemed a bit over the top. Any discomfort was just some soreness that would pass with a bit of time. Besides, the hot spring and massage had indeed worked wonders. Qiao Huaiyao didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore.
Bai Jinyan held him and led him to the bathroom. “There’s also a sauna and a screening room. Which one do you want to go to?”
The hot spring facility was quite large, offering many relaxation options, including a gym. Bai Jinyan had reviewed the list and was only asking about the activities Qiao Huaiyao liked.
Qiao Huaiyao thought for a moment but couldn’t think of anything specific he was interested in. “Let’s take a look around later.”
“Okay.”
…
They had stopped by the dormitory on their way here to grab two sets of clothes for changing after the hot spring. Since Bai Jinyan moved into the dormitory to live with Qiao Huaiyao, they had checked out of the hotel room. All their clothes and daily necessities were kept in the dormitory, making it convenient.
The lower floors didn’t have hot springs but were filled with electronic devices. Since they probably wouldn’t come back to the hot springs later, Qiao Huaiyao dried his hair in the bathroom before coming out.
Bai Jinyan was standing by the window, talking on the phone.
Qiao Huaiyao glanced at him, pointed to the door, and signaled that he was going downstairs to start up the electronics.
Bai Jinyan nodded and waved him over.
“What’s up?” Qiao Huaiyao mouthed silently.
Bai Jinyan kissed him lightly. “Go ahead.”
Qiao Huaiyao pursed his lips. “Okay.”
Before entering the elevator, there was a long glass corridor, offering a view of the snow-covered landscape outside.
There hadn’t been many people when they arrived, but now the ski slope was crowded, with people gathered together, almost jostling.
Lu Lu emerged from the elevator, looking anxious, and ran into Qiao Huaiyao. “Brother Qiao, it looks like students from two schools are fighting on the ski slope.”
Having spent some time with Qiao Huaiyao, Lu Lu could guess his character and knew he wouldn’t get involved in such matters. After a pause, he added, “I recognized them. They seem to be your roommates.”
Lu Lu often went to pick up Qiao Huaiyao with the driver, so he had met Qiu Shufeng and the others many times. While he couldn’t remember everyone clearly, he had a good impression of them.
The ski slope was now devoid of skiers, with people gathered in a crowd.
Lu Lu had gone down to check and saw the staff handling it. Not intending to join the fray, he recognized familiar faces and thought of calling Bai Jinyan. When he couldn’t get through, he came up to report.
Qiao Huaiyao frowned. Earlier in the group chat, Qiu Shufeng and the others mentioned going skiing. “Let’s go check it out.”
Seeing this, Lu Lu followed a step behind and pressed the elevator button. “Brother Qiao, do you want to change into ski clothes first? Director Qian prepared them.”
Qian Yibin had made thorough preparations, with new sets ready for use in case Bai Jinyan needed them.
“No need,” Qiao Huaiyao said coolly. “We’ll take the staff car.”
“Alright.”
Lu Lu responded just as the elevator arrived. He had taken the staff car earlier, so no special arrangements were needed now.
Qiao Huaiyao sent a message to Bai Jinyan to prevent him from worrying after finishing his call and not finding him.
The ski slope had railings on both sides and various inclines front and back.
The staff, familiar with the ski slope, took a shortcut to the scene.
Other staff members were already there, but due to the large number of people involved and the ongoing argument, they couldn’t resolve the situation.
Acting as mediators, the staff tried to calm both sides, but it was exhausting and ineffective.
Qiu Shufeng stood in the middle, with his goggles pushed up on his forehead, glaring angrily at the person in front of him.
Wang Zhan was standing with his hands on his hips, swearing, while the usually calm Yu Xingfan looked visibly upset.
Qiao Huaiyao circled the crowd and tapped Qiu Shufeng on the shoulder. “What’s going on?”
Qiu Shufeng, still angry, turned to speak. Recognizing the familiar voice, he paused. “Study god?”
“What’s up?” Qiao Huaiyao glanced at the red-haired student with a snowboard and repeated, “What happened?”
“They wanted to race,” Qiu Shufeng began. “I was skiing just fine when this guy came out of nowhere and crashed into me. I lost my balance and fell.”
Thinking back, Qiu Shufeng couldn’t help but feel a bit scared. It was a great spot, but any accident could have resulted in serious injuries.
The red-haired student immediately retorted, “Don’t accuse me! It’s not like anyone can control skiing perfectly. You’re making it sound like I hit you on purpose.”
He curled his lip in contempt. “Besides, you were in front of me. You were skiing so slowly that I accidentally bumped into you. Studying must have made you stupid. If you can’t ski, don’t come to the advanced slope and make a fuss. And you have the nerve to race me? I don’t even know how you got into Qing University.”
Wang Zhan pointed at his nose and shouted, “Who do you think you are? What does getting into Qing University have to do with you? Jealous because you couldn’t get in?”
The red-haired student snorted. “Jealous of you? What a joke. A bunch of bookworms who only know how to study. I don’t know if you’re good at studying, but you’re terrible at skiing. You’re weak and still want to play.”
Qiu Shufeng raised his snowboard, “You—”
Qiao Huaiyao lifted his hand to stop him. “Are you good at skiing?”
This guy seemed to have a grudge against Qing University students. It wasn’t exactly disdain, more like resentment that he couldn’t get in while others could.
The red-haired student looked at him closely, recognizing him. “Qiao Huaiyao?”
He sneered. “Oh, you’ve come to defend your classmate? This has nothing to do with me, understand? It was a normal race. He wasn’t good at skiing, and I accidentally bumped into him. Besides, he’s fine, isn’t he?”
Qiao Huaiyao looked at him coldly. “Did you get into Ming University with that mouth?”
The red-haired student was stunned. “What?”
Qiao Huaiyao said indifferently, “Your mouth runs a lot.”
The red-haired student bristled. “Hey, who do you think you are?”
“Like racing?” Qiao Huaiyao raised an eyebrow. “Race with me.”
The red-haired student hesitated. “Do you even know how to ski? The advanced slope isn’t a joke. Don’t regret it later…”
Qiu Shufeng immediately wanted to hit him with his snowboard. “Even if he just learned, he’d still be better than you.”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Qiao Huaiyao said, frowning. “If you lose, you apologize and take Qiu Shufeng to the hospital, covering all medical expenses.”
The red-haired student gritted his teeth. “Fine. But I should warn you, I’ve had professional training. If you lose in a simple race, don’t blame me for embarrassing you.”
He was quite disdainful of all the hype surrounding Qiao Huaiyao.
A Qing University student who didn’t focus on studying, but participated in variety shows and live broadcasts, making a big deal out of his exam results.
It seemed like someone was deliberately hyping him up for a debut.
“Study god…” Qiu Shufeng was worried. The other guy wasn’t clean. In a fair race, he might not lose, and he didn’t think Qiao Huaiyao would either. But if that sc*mbag kept bumping into him, who could stand it?
Wang Zhan grumbled, “Let’s just fight them. A bunch of sc*mbags.”
Collisions on the ski slope made it hard to assign blame, and since Qiu Shufeng was lucky not to be seriously injured, it was hard to deal with.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t say much, turning to leave. “I’m going to change.”
The red-haired student’s companion pulled his arm. “Du Weihuan, can you handle this? There are so many people watching.”
Du Weihuan rolled his eyes. “Of course, I can handle it. Don’t be scared off by a name. Who knows if it’s true? Even if it is, I’ve never heard anyone say he can ski. I could beat him in a simple race with one leg.”
Yu Luofan sneered, “If you use your head to ski, it might fly through the air since it’s so empty.”
His head was completely empty.
After saying this, Yu Luofan didn’t waste any more words on him and turned to follow Qiao Huaiyao.
Qiu Shufeng was still worried, “Study god, maybe you should wear something thicker. I have a feeling he’ll try to bump into you again.”
Where there’s one, there’s bound to be another. Besides, Du Weihuan had a lot of hostility towards Qing University. Qiu Shufeng suspected this guy had failed to get into Qing University and became twisted after being rejected. He didn’t want to admit he couldn’t make it, so he thought those who did didn’t deserve it.
Other students from various schools were also at this ski resort, but none were like him.
When they first came up and suggested a friendly match, Qiu Shufeng didn’t have any guard up. Who would have thought they’d be so malicious?
When skiing, Qiu Shufeng realized something was wrong but couldn’t dodge in time.
Luckily, he had good fortune, but even so, his elbow still hurt.
Qiao Huaiyao refused the suggestion, “No need.”
Lu Lu brought out all the ski gear the director had prepared, but when Qiao Huaiyao went in to change, he felt uneasy again.
Isn’t this a bit dangerous?
But persuading him seemed useless.
Hmm…
Lu Lu scratched his head, wondering whether to inform Brother Bai. Should he ask Qiao Huaiyao first? But if Qiao Huaiyao forbade him, should he still tell or not?
Being an assistant was so difficult.
In just a short while, Qiao Huaiyao had already come out.
The snowboard the director prepared might not be the perfect fit, but it was the most expensive one available, even pulling out a prized piece from his collection.
Qiao Huaiyao adjusted his goggles and said softly, “Don’t tell my brother yet.”
A simple race, over in a few minutes, he could still go back and find Bai Jinyan afterward.
Speed skating had its risks.
To be safe, it was best not to tell him just yet.
Lu Lu was stunned. Here it came, the most terrifying multiple-choice question scenario.
Should he help Qiao Huaiyao? But he was Bai Jinyan’s assistant.
Help Brother Bai? But it seemed that Brother Bai often listened to Qiao Huaiyao.
Lu Lu suddenly felt that his year-end bonus was not going to be easy to earn——
Standing high on the ski slope.
Qiao Huaiyao calmly brushed the snow off his clothes.
Du Weihuan said, “From this pink flag to that green flag over there, whoever crosses first wins.”
To be fair, a staff member would call out the start.
Before waving the flag, the staff member reminded, “Safety first. This is not a professional racecourse. Stop when necessary.”
Du Weihuan didn’t even respond, “Isn’t it normal to fall and bump into each other while skiing?”
His words were laced with sarcasm, clearly not aimed at the staff member, and he impatiently added, “Just get on with it.”
The staff member sighed and began counting down.
“Three, two…”
At the final count, both of them shot down the slope simultaneously.
Qiu Shufeng’s tense heart relaxed the moment he saw Qiao Huaiyao glide down.
Whether it was the stance or the speed, Qiao Huaiyao was exceptionally precise.
This level of precision, Qiu Shufeng had only seen in textbooks. Even his ski instructor wasn’t this precise; experienced skiers generally didn’t obsess over form.
Qiao Huaiyao’s form was like textbook instructions brought to life.
Qiu Shufeng couldn’t help but shout, “Go, Study god—!”
The surrounding Qing University students, watching Qiao Huaiyao leave Du Weihuan far behind, also cheered enthusiastically, “Go for it!”
Du Weihuan gritted his teeth, constantly adjusting and attempting to collide with Qiao Huaiyao, but he was too far behind to even get close.
It was just the beginning, and he was already struggling to catch up.
However, Qiao Huaiyao stopped just before sliding down the next steep slope.
Du Weihuan was stunned, his face turning extremely sour.
Standing at the top, Qiao Huaiyao looked back at the pursuing Du Weihuan.
Behind his goggles, his expression was unreadable.
But Du Weihuan was so angry his heart nearly stopped!
Yet he couldn’t stop himself, so he had to keep charging forward, looking like an idiot under Qiao Huaiyao’s impassive gaze.
Du Weihuan then charged headlong, aiming straight for Qiao Huaiyao without any hesitation.
Qiu Shufeng saw something was wrong and shouted, “Study god, watch out! That jerk is going to hit you!”
In an instant, everyone’s nerves tightened.
“D*mn! That’s disgusting!” one of the Qing University students couldn’t take it. “His intent is so obvious!”
“If you can’t play fair, just leave!”
…
However, Qiao Huaiyao didn’t give him the chance. As Du Weihuan charged forward, Qiao Huaiyao calmly started sliding down and then suddenly turned his snowboard sideways.
Du Weihuan shot over the slope, finding nothing but empty air before him. Instead of colliding with Qiao Huaiyao as he expected, he panicked for a moment. As his snowboard hit the ground and wobbled, Qiao Huaiyao easily glided past the flag from the side.
Qiu Shufeng shouted, pounding the nearby railing, “Study god, you’re awesome!”
Du Weihuan, already unsteady, lost his composure seeing Qiao Huaiyao win. Before he could try another collision, his snowboard lost balance entirely, and he fell to the ground like a beginner, flailing helplessly.
Snow flew everywhere as he crashed.
For a moment, apart from the cheers of the Qing University students, there was silence.
Qiao Huaiyao slid over to him, unhurriedly. Looking down at him with a cold voice, he said, “Apologize.”