Xie Wenxing had been splashing his feet in the water for a while when he happened to look up and saw Xu Huai’an by the pool.
He was crouched right at the edge, no more than half a meter away. With that posture and that angle, Xie Wenxing’s pupils contracted sharply. He jerked back with a short yelp, and before he knew it, he had toppled straight into the water.
A soft chuckle escaped into the air, followed by a splash.
A dozen or so seconds later, Xu Huai’an emerged from the water with Xie Wenxing in his arms.
Xie Wenxing gasped for air, his lungs compressed to their limit, and broke into a violent coughing fit.
Still shaken, he panted heavily, his vision blurry. Wiping the water from his face, he finally registered the situation.
He was clinging to Xu Huai’an’s shoulders, their chests pressed together, heartbeats seemingly transmitting through flesh.
The sensation of an arm around his waist was unmistakable. Xie Wenxing stared blankly at Xu Huai’an, his grip on the other’s shoulders tightening instinctively.
Xu Huai’an guided him toward the poolside, and Xie Wenxing quickly scrambled onto the edge, pulling himself up.
Now Xu Huai’an was the one floating in the water, looking up at him with a piercing gaze, scanning him carefully. Once satisfied that he was fine, he teased, “Am I that terrifying? One look at me and you jump into the water.”
Snapping back to reality, Xie Wenxing only then realized that if Xu Huai’an hadn’t rescued him in time, he might have drowned. He quickly expressed his gratitude. “Thank you!”
After a pause, his slow-moving brain finally processed what had been said earlier. “You’re great. You’re not scary at all. It’s my own problem.”
Yeah… if it weren’t for his impure thoughts, he wouldn’t have been so startled.
Sigh. Why am I so dumb!
Xie Wenxing smacked his forehead in frustration. Xu Huai’an said calmly, “Don’t do that to yourself. You’re already not that smart. What if you make yourself even dumber?”
Xie Wenxing pouted. “I’m not dumb.”
Xu Huai’an raised an eyebrow, as if asking, Are you sure?
Before they could chat further, the teacher hurried over.
“Xie Wenxing, are you okay? Do you need to go to the infirmary and rest?”
If a student had an accident during his class, he would be held responsible.
Xie Wenxing shook his head. “No, I’m fine. Xu Huai’an got me out in time. I just swallowed a little water.”
“Are you sure?”
Xie Wenxing nodded. “Yeah.”
“Alright, but if you really feel unwell, don’t hold it in. Make sure to tell me, okay?”
With that final reminder, the teacher left.
Song Yuan walked over, clutching his chest with a look of lingering fear. “Xingxing, you scared me to death.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Xie Wenxing glanced at Xu Huai’an. “It’s not like you were the one drowning.”
Xu Huai’an was resting by the poolside, arms crossed on the edge, the muscles in his shoulders and arms taut and powerful. Xie Wenxing’s gaze seemed to turn into little sprites dancing across his body.
So handsome.
Song Yuan: “How can you say that? You’re my best friend.”
Xie Wenxing: I want to turn into water and flow all over him >_<
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Xu Huai'an cast a subtle glance his way, then leaned back and disappeared into the pool, stretching out and swimming effortlessly underwater, as if he were born to live in the water.
Song Yuan: "So, isn't it only natural that I'd worry about you?"
Xie Wenxing was completely captivated by the figure beneath the water, murmuring under his breath, "That's amazing… so cool!"
Song Yuan didn't catch it. "Huh? What did you say?"
Xie Wenxing quickly shook his head. "Nothing. You're right."
Satisfied, Song Yuan sighed. "Xingxing, you're great in every way, so how come you can't swim?"
Before Xie Wenxing could respond, Song Yuan lowered his voice. "Xingxing, look to your right front."
Xie Wenxing followed his gaze. Chen Yun was sitting there, staring directly at them.
Song Yuan spoke in a hushed tone. "I feel like she's got some kind of grudge against you…"
Xie Wenxing didn't believe it. He and Chen Yun barely had any interactions. "No way, you're seeing things."
Still, maybe her eyes were just naturally intense. When she looked at someone, it always seemed fierce.
Xie Wenxing hugged himself.
He'd rather just focus on Xu Huai'an.
At that moment, Chen Yun was indeed in a terrible mood, feeling deeply humiliated.
Both of them had drowned, so why was she rescued by Zhou Yuan while Xie Wenxing got saved by Xu Huai'an? And to make it worse, she had overheard that Xu Huai'an was the one who kicked Zhou Yuan into the water to save her. Anger ignited inside her like dry hay doused in oil meeting a spark.
This mission target was the most difficult she had ever encountered. Chen Yun slowly curled her lips. The more challenging, the more she liked it. This was getting interesting.
Xu Huai'an swam several laps with ease before climbing out of the pool. Xie Wenxing accidentally glanced at a certain area, then quickly averted his gaze, only to catch a glimpse of Chen Yun's expression.
Xie Wenxing: Uh, she looks pretty when she smiles, but why does it feel so chilling?
Xu Huai'an sat down nearby, wrapped in a towel. Xie Wenxing hesitated for a moment, then stood up to walk over.
But halfway there, he saw three girls approaching Xu Huai'an. He paused, uncertain whether to get closer, until he heard a single word: "Come here."
Xie Wenxing looked over. Xu Huai'an was gazing at him, crooking a finger.
His hesitation vanished. He strode over and sat down beside him. He didn't notice the sharp, cold look Xu Huai'an shot at the three girls, a clear warning to stay away.
Glaring at the oblivious Xie Wenxing with envy, the girls reluctantly backed off.
The air hung in silence for a few minutes before Xu Huai'an spoke again, amused. "What did you want to say earlier?"
Xie Wenxing nervously picked at his fingers. "Uh… you're really good at swimming."
Xu Huai'an: "Mm-hmm. You just wanted to compliment me?"
If I don't take a step forward, how am I supposed to chase him!
Xie Wenxing took a quiet breath, but the moment he turned his head, all his preparation crumbled. So close. They were so close. He could almost feel the warmth radiating from Xu Huai'an.
He stammered, "Well, you saw it, I don't know how to swim."
Xu Huai'an looked thoughtful. "So?"
Xie Wenxing found it increasingly hard to speak, but Xu Huai'an's gaze seemed to encourage him. "So… you… could you…"
His voice trailed off into a mumble. Xu Huai'an tilted his head, leaning in closer. "What?"
Xie Wenxing bit his lip, struggling to squeeze out two words: "Teach me…"
Xu Huai'an heard him, but he found the little rabbit's current state far too amusing. Suppressing a smile, he said, "I didn't catch that. Say it again."
By now, Xu Huai'an had leaned in completely, his ear just inches away. Xie Wenxing swallowed hard, a loud gulp escaping him. Instantly, as if a volcano had erupted, his neck and cheeks flushed crimson, but his voice came out as faint as a mosquito's: "Could you… teach me… how to swim?"
Xu Huai'an raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at his lips. "Louder. Did you skip a meal? I can't hear you."
Xie Wenxing's lips, now vividly red from being bitten, trembled. He took a deep breath, and as he opened his mouth, he seemed to brush against something cool. His mind went blank for a moment. He repeated the words again, but this time his voice was even softer.
This time, Xu Huai'an heard him clearly.
He cleared his throat twice. "It's not that I can't teach you, but I don't do it for free."
Xie Wenxing let out a small "Ah!" and immediately responded eagerly, "I'll give you anything you want!"
Xu Huai'an said calmly, "It's a deal."
Xie Wenxing nodded happily. Class was almost over, and Xu Huai'an stood up to head to the showers. Xie Wenxing sat where he was, watching his back.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he thought he saw Xu Huai'an's ears turn a faint shade of pink.
Xu Huai'an's steps faltered almost imperceptibly before quickening, as if he were in a great hurry.
Author's Note:
P.E. teacher: Great, I don't exist, right? If you want to learn to swim, just come to me!