Chapter Twenty-Seven: What Misunderstanding

"Tsk tsk, my words of comfort were useless; only you stepping in could help. You, too—never listen to me, but when Shuran speaks, it matters," Qin Liubei mused. "Your friendship is like a gentle stream, so deep and steady. When did it grow so strong, and how did I not notice?"

Fu Yiqing glanced at him lightly. "So who made us search for rooms in the dead of night?"

Qin Liubei shrugged, closed his eyes, muttering, "Sleep, sleep," as he nervously turned his body toward the edge of the sofa, completely avoiding Fu Yiqing's gaze.

Effetinia was nothing like Shuran had imagined. Far from aloof, she was quite talkative, endlessly curious about Shuran's costume in the exhibition skate. When she learned that the music mix was sourced from a film, she became even more excited, urging Shuran to tell her the story.

"I've heard of this tale, but it doesn't seem quite the same as the version I know," Effetinia remarked.

Only after Fu Yiqing insisted she watch the movie did Shuran discover its original novel was a reinterpretation. She explained both stories to Effetinia.

These ancient legends thrilled Effetinia, who clapped her hands eagerly and vowed to watch the film after the competition.

They chatted about everything; only two years apart, both were simple at heart, and quickly became good friends, reaching the point of exchanging contacts.

Upon learning Shuran didn't have an Instagram account and couldn't access foreign websites easily at home, Effetinia made a significant decision. "So what apps do you use to interact with friends online, like Instagram?"

"Weibo."

Effetinia's eyes sparkled. "Then I'll download Weibo and follow you!"

"But I don't have Weibo," Shuran replied.

"You don't either?" Effetinia had a flash of inspiration. "Let's register together. You're Chinese, you understand the language—you can teach me."

Most of their time was spent coming up with names. Effetinia's name was already taken, and so was Shuran's; after half an hour, they finally managed to register.

Effetinia's fans had dubbed her "Ice Butterfly," so she called herself "Ice Butterfly Effetinia."

Knowing Shuran had no fans, Effetinia joked and gave her a name on the spot. "Your performance yesterday left the deepest impression on me. You'll have fans fighting to name you soon. Why not call yourself 'Fairy'?"

Shuran could never choose such a name—how narcissistic would that be?

She typed "Shuran ICE" on the keyboard.

"Do you know why I refuse to room with my coach?" Effetinia said, as if sharing a secret.

Shuran lay on the bed by the window, curiosity in her gaze.

"Because Kelly snores too loudly. I once shared a room with her; after that, I refused to let her book just one room again."

So that was the reason. Shuran burst out laughing.

Their laughter, perhaps too loud, coupled with poor hotel soundproofing, soon attracted Coach Kelly, the "dorm supervisor," who knocked and reminded Effetinia it was late; only then did the girls settle down to sleep.

The sound of blades slicing across the ice echoed sharply. Fu Yiqing watched Shuran, sensing something was wrong with her complexion. Under the gaze of the crowd, she suddenly halted, collapsed onto the ice. Fu Yiqing was the first to rush forward, scooping her up—she was covered in blood.

"Coach Fu!"

Fu Yiqing shuddered awake from the nightmare. The hall was silent, only the faint sound of the receptionist's breathing on the sofa and Qin Liubei resting against his chair.

Worry seeped from his heart.

Effetinia truly was a figure skater, but wherever there's competition, harm is inevitable.

What if, after seeing Shuran's performance yesterday, Effetinia saw her as a threat and tried to trip her up?

Poison would be too extreme—what about stimulants? Or perhaps deliberately causing Shuran to fall and injure her foot?

Fu Yiqing was startled by his own suspicion. Though he'd warned Shuran to be cautious, she was so naïve—wouldn't it be easy to deceive her?

Unable to sit still, Fu Yiqing stood and headed upstairs.

The double room was on the sixth floor. The elevator would draw attention, so he chose to walk.

He lingered outside the room, sent Shuran a message: "Asleep?"

No reply for a long while.

It seemed she was asleep.

But the other party might act when Shuran was sleeping. Fu Yiqing decided to stay outside the door, ready to help at the slightest sound.

After pacing back and forth for ages, he heard nothing from inside, but a commotion outside instead.

The police arrived.

The woman across the hall from the double room, as if rescued, excitedly opened her door and ran toward the officers, pointing at Fu Yiqing. "It's him! He's been loitering outside my room."

Fu Yiqing couldn't explain himself and was taken away.

The police worked quietly, and Fu Yiqing, with a clear conscience, didn't disturb the other guests.

Qin Liubei arrived at the station to vouch for Fu Yiqing, confirming he was indeed the ISU Vice Chair, not a suspicious individual.

But the woman insisted, "Just because he's the Vice Chair doesn't mean he's not suspicious! Then tell me, why was he outside my door?"

Qin Liubei was curious too, glancing at the silent Fu Yiqing. "I say, why weren't you sleeping in the lobby? What were you doing at her door?"

Fu Yiqing looked up at the woman, somewhat impatient.

The woman: "See, he's threatening me with his eyes!"

Fu Yiqing sighed. "I wasn't at her door."

The woman: "You're lying—everyone saw you at my door, 611!"

"611?" Qin Liubei quickly realized, "Shuran's in 612, that's right across from 611!"

The woman was stunned. "You're sure your friend is across from me? Unless you bring her here, that's just your excuse."

The receptionist, a bit embarrassed, confirmed the three arrived together and explained the situation. Only then did the woman realize her mistake, apologized, and left.

By the time they left the station, it was seven in the morning.

Standing outside, Qin Liubei rubbed his aching temples. "How does it feel, being mistaken for a criminal and sent to the station for the first time?"

Fu Yiqing glanced at him, said nothing, and strode ahead.

This was the most discomposed Qin Liubei had ever seen Fu Yiqing; being caught like this delighted him. "Hey, pal, why were you at Shuran's door in the middle of the night? Don't tell me you were sleepwalking."

Fu Yiqing stopped. His expression swept over Qin Liubei's face, calm as water. Just when Qin Liubei thought he wouldn't answer, Fu Yiqing suddenly said, "Don't let Shuran know about this."

"Pfft—"

Fu Yiqing: "..."

"Alright, alright, I understand. Gotta protect what's left of your coach's dignity."

Shuran slept straight through until ten in the morning. Turning over, she saw Effetinia freeze mid-motion as she dressed; their eyes met and they exchanged a smile.

"Did I wake you?"

Shuran shook her head. "No, I'm already awake."

She glanced at the time and woke fully, springing upright. "Oh no!"

She said this in her own language; Effetinia didn't understand, but looked at her with concern.

Shuran rushed to dress and wash. "My coach said we have to get up for breakfast at eight."

Seeing her move so quickly, Effetinia said, "Being late once isn't a big deal. And... wait, was the person who spoke to us yesterday your coach?"

"Yes."

"And the other?"

"He's also sort of my coach."

"Wow, they're both so handsome—the most handsome Eastern men I've ever seen."

"I'll thank them for your compliment."

Effetinia had training today too; their tasks differed, so they split up after leaving the room.

Shuran ran toward the elevator, checking her phone as she went.

Countless messages from Fu Yiqing and Qin Liubei flooded in.

First, from Fu Yiqing:

"Asleep?"

"Awake?"

"It's already seven. Did you forget your habit of rising early?"

"I brought breakfast back for you, still warm. Hurry down."

"Never mind, last night was late. Just this once, not again."

Then Qin Liubei:

"Wake up, let's have breakfast."

"Hurry up, your Coach Fu is about to lose his temper."

"He said never mind, but I had to get your breakfast. He's scary."

...

Shuran felt she might soon be reduced to an ellipsis, too speechless to describe herself.

The elevator chimed. Shuran stepped out to find Qin Liubei sitting idly in the lobby, holding two buns.

She walked over. "Where's Coach Fu?"

Qin Liubei's smile faltered. "First thing you ask is Coach Fu. Have you considered your Coach Qin's feelings?"

"How do you feel, then?"

"Hard to say."

He stopped joking, handed the now cold buns to the receptionist to be heated, then answered her original question. "He's looking for an empty room."

Shuran eyed him up and down, hesitating.

"I know what you want to say—why didn't I go? For once, I really wanted to redeem myself, but your Coach Fu wouldn't leave you alone here, so he made me wait for you to wake up." Qin Liubei mimicked a palace eunuch, bowing solemnly. "Consort Shu, at last you've arisen."

Shuran looked at him as if he were mad. "How do you have time to watch palace dramas with your busy schedule?"

"Do I need to? That fool Xu Jingyu reports the plot to me every day—it's driving me crazy."

A moment of silence.

Qin Liubei suddenly felt a gossipy stare. "Hey, don't get ideas. I just asked about her mother's situation."

"Oh?" Shuran teased, her tone rising and falling.

Qin Liubei coughed. The microwave beeped; he tossed the bun to Shuran. "Eat your breakfast."

Shuran's face was full of mischief, even as she bit into the bun, watching Qin Liubei with a wicked smile.

"What are you two up to?"

Their laughter stopped. Shuran turned to see Fu Yiqing, looking unwell, dark circles heavy under his eyes—clearly he hadn't slept well. This realization made her even more guilty.

"Coach Fu, did you not sleep well?"

Fu Yiqing's gaze swept between her and Qin Liubei, about to speak when the woman from last night's misunderstanding walked by, paused, and looked at Shuran. "So you were waiting for her."

She turned to Shuran. "Sorry for misunderstanding your friend yesterday."

With that, her friend called her from outside, and she quickly left.

Shuran was puzzled. "What misunderstanding?"

Fu Yiqing: "..."

Qin Liubei pretended to look at the stars.