Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Twenty-Five: The Allure of a Towel!

Zhang Qishan gazed at the young man before him, scarcely in his twenties, his eyes full of admiration. He himself respected soldiers above all others. Perhaps others hadn’t thought of it, but he had. Previously, he’d served in the military—meaning he no longer did. For someone as promising as Chen Jing to retire at the height of his prospects, what reason could there be?

It couldn’t have been for offending anyone, since Chen Jing was also a well-known singer. Eliminating that possibility, the answer became obvious. A thought flashed through Zhang Qishan’s mind: retired due to injury.

With this realization, Zhang Qishan’s gaze toward Chen Jing brightened; he saw a story within him.

After watching the replay of the scene, Liu Manqiang approached Chen Jing and said sincerely, “Ah Jing, thank you for saving me just now.” He glanced at Lin Xi and Lin Zitan beside Chen Jing, feeling a little awkward and lowering his head.

He hadn’t expected Chen Jing to actually know these two beautiful women, which made things rather embarrassing.

Chen Jing smiled and replied, “No problem. It was my duty.”

Liu Manqiang struggled to express his gratitude, wanting to invite Chen Jing to a meal but too shy to ask. He’d just learned that his acquaintance, Ah Jing, was merely here to experience life as an extra. Chen Jing knew the director personally and had two stunning assistants—clearly well-connected.

Given that, Liu Manqiang felt it inappropriate to insist on inviting him to dinner; it might seem like he was trying to curry favor.

After hesitating, Liu Manqiang finally mustered his courage. “If I get the chance, I’ll definitely repay you.” Perhaps Ah Jing didn’t need it, but Liu Manqiang believed in remembering those who helped him; that was his principle.

Seeing Liu Manqiang’s earnest expression, Chen Jing smiled gently and didn’t deflect; instead, he said, “Next time, invite me for a meal. And tell me more about your experiences acting as an extra.”

Liu Manqiang was stunned for a moment, then excitedly nodded, “Alright.”

Even now, most of the crew believed Chen Jing was a military scion out to experience life, while only a handful from the director’s team knew that this Chen Jing was the most popular musical talent in the industry.

With the unexpected incident, Zhang Qishan decided to end filming for the day and let everyone rest in the afternoon, resuming tomorrow. The explosive rescue scene had sparked ideas in Zhang Qishan’s mind, and he resolved to spend tonight sorting them out.

Originally, Zhang Qishan intended to invite Chen Jing and his companions to dinner as an apology, but Lin Xi and Lin Zitan, having been left somewhat disheveled by the earlier events, preferred to return and freshen up first. Thus, they postponed the meal with Zhang Qishan to the evening, which he readily agreed to.

On the way back, Chen Jing drove, with Lin Xi and Lin Zitan in the back seat. Lin Zitan leaned listlessly against the seat, her spirits depleted after the emotional upheaval.

“Ah Jing, you really shouldn’t take dangerous roles anymore. It’s far too risky,” Lin Zitan said, still shaken.

“Alright. Don’t worry, I’ll be more careful next time,” Chen Jing replied with a smile. He knew well that filming was full of unforeseen hazards.

Unless it was an idol drama—no fights, just posing and playing cool—there wouldn’t be much danger.

Speaking of idol dramas, Chen Jing remembered a viral video from the past: “Stop fighting, you can’t kill anyone like this,” a parody that made waves across the internet. Thinking of those two “dance-off” idol actors, Chen Jing couldn’t help but laugh.

Lin Zitan remained worried. “Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital? Maybe you should get checked out.”

“Really, there’s no need,” Chen Jing replied wryly. “I don’t even have a bruise. The explosion didn’t shake me into internal injuries. Trust me, I’m fine.”

“Alright then.”

Since they needed to wash up and change, Chen Jing drove Lin Xi and Lin Zitan to their residence. It was his first time taking them home, so he didn’t know the route.

After Lin Xi gave him the address, Chen Jing realized their place was close to the company.

“Oh, so you two live together,” he said, only now learning that Lin Xi and Lin Zitan shared a home.

Lin Zitan perked up a little, smiling, “Yes, sister Xi is my cousin. I call her mom auntie, hehe.”

So that’s why Lin Zitan always called Lin Xi “sister”—they truly were relatives.

After dropping them off downstairs, Lin Xi looked at Chen Jing and said softly, “Would you like to come up for some tea?”

Lin Zitan giggled, “Yes, yes, Ah Jing, you haven’t been to our place yet. Want to come up and take a look?”

Faced with this tempting invitation, Chen Jing naturally declined. “I’ll pass. I’m heading to the company; there’s a shower at the gym, so I’ll wash up there.”

Lin Xi didn’t insist, nodding, “Alright, we’ll freshen up and then head over this afternoon.”

“OK! I’ll check how Sister Ruohan’s album is coming along.”

“See you at the company,” Lin Xi said as she got out.

“Bye, Ah Jing. See you this afternoon,” Lin Zitan waved and followed.

“Bye.”

Returning to the company, Chen Jing went straight to the gym.

It was already noon, so the gym was deserted.

He retrieved a clean set of clothes from his private locker and headed toward the showers.

The gym’s showers were separated by gender, with the entrances facing each other.

Chen Jing approached the men’s shower room, about to enter, when he heard a female voice from the women’s side.

“Is anyone out there? If there’s someone, please answer.”

Hmm… If Chen Jing wasn’t mistaken, it was his fitness coach Qin Xueyao.

“Is someone there? Please answer me,” Qin Xueyao’s voice called out again.

Chen Jing hesitated, then replied, “Yes, it’s me, Chen Jing. Is that you, Sister Xueyao?”

Upon hearing Chen Jing’s voice, Qin Xueyao’s tone became excited. “Ah! Ah Jing! Is it really you? Thank goodness!”

Chen Jing was certain it was her. “Sister Xueyao, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Yes, yes, Ah Jing, come in quickly. I need your help.”

“Uh…” Chen Jing looked at the entrance to the women’s showers, uncertain. “Sister Xueyao, this is the women’s shower room… Isn’t it inappropriate for me to go in?”

“Oh, never mind that, just come in! I’ve been calling out for ages and no one answered. There’s no one else in here,” Qin Xueyao’s anxious voice insisted.

Chen Jing hesitated, but decided to go in. He couldn’t just leave Qin Xueyao stranded. It was lunchtime and everyone else had gone home; there was no way to find another woman to help.

“I’m coming in, Sister Xueyao,” Chen Jing called as he entered. The layout was familiar: a row of lockers for clothes, and opposite, the individual shower stalls, just like the men’s side.

“Here, over here,” Qin Xueyao’s voice called from the third stall. Chen Jing saw its door was tightly shut.

He approached, somewhat embarrassed. “Uh, what’s wrong, Sister Xueyao?”

“I came in to shower, but afterwards found the door was broken—I can’t open it from the inside. I didn’t bring my phone, and with the gym empty at this hour, I’ve been shouting for help to no avail. Luckily you came by,” Qin Xueyao’s frustrated voice explained; she’d clearly been stuck for some time.

After hearing her explanation, Chen Jing tried the handle experimentally, discovering it was locked from the inside and wouldn’t budge from the outside.

“Sister Xueyao, it won’t turn out here either—the inner lock must be broken. Should I call someone to fix it for you?”

“No! Don’t call anyone!” Qin Xueyao’s voice rose sharply, immediately rejecting the suggestion.

Chen Jing shrugged, having only mentioned it on a whim. Not to mention waiting for help would take ages—even if someone did come, no woman would want a strange man to see her right after a shower.

Inside the stall, Qin Xueyao hesitated, then finally made up her mind. “Ah Jing, how about you kick the door open for me? It opens inward, so it should be easier from outside.”

Chen Jing naturally agreed; it was the simplest solution. The lock could be replaced later.

“Alright, Sister Xueyao, step back against the wall. I’m about to kick.”

“Ah—wait a moment, just a sec,” Qin Xueyao’s flustered voice came from inside.

After a while, she shyly said, “Okay, Ah Jing, go ahead.”

“Alright, here goes.” Chen Jing made sure she was ready, stepped back, and with a strong kick—

Bang! Thud!

The shower door flew open and hit the wall.

“It’s done, Sister Xueyao, you can—” But as Chen Jing took in the scene inside, his words died on his lips, and he stood frozen.

Qin Xueyao stood there, bare, holding a towel pressed to her chest, her face blushing with shyness as she gazed at him.

Despite her efforts to cover herself, the tiny towel could scarcely conceal the tumultuous curves or the mysterious radiance below…

Author: Surely this scene won’t be censored, right?