Truly Dedicated to Art (Lily ABO) - Chapter 17

The capital had gone two straight days without sunlight. The muggy heat of the overcast weather left people with no desire to go outside.

After dinner, Yu Shuinao spent two hours reading the script in her room. She glanced out the window — night had fallen, but tonight’s moon was exceptionally bright. She suddenly remembered Aunt Zhou mentioning there was a swimming pool in the courtyard. Feeling the urge, she decided to take a dip and wash away the day’s stuffiness.

She picked out a white halter-style swimsuit from the wardrobe, draped a bath towel over herself, and headed out.

The evening breeze rustled through the grass. She walked slowly along the garden path, the dim yellow low ground lamps illuminating the cobblestones. Nearby, mint and rosemary had been planted; their fresh herbal scent mixed pleasantly with the floral fragrance — not too cloying, yet not overpowering.

The faint sound of water grew clearer as she approached.

Splash— splash—

A rhythmic…

…water sound?

Yu Shuinao subconsciously lightened her steps and stopped at the end of the path.

The LED strips along the pool edge cast a soft yellow glow on the light gray marble tiles of the deck. The rippling pool water shimmered gently. Exceptionally bright moonlight poured down, enveloping the figure in the center of the pool.

Slender arms broke through the water’s surface, sending up strings of droplets and slicing the once-calm water into ripples. Beautiful body lines appeared and disappeared beneath the surface. Moonlight outlined the flexing and relaxing of muscles, full of power and aesthetic beauty. Her legs kicked up fine white waves that were quickly smoothed away by the water.

Moonlight flowed across her porcelain-like skin. Contrasted with the black swimsuit, she looked like a flawless piece of pure white jade.

The summer night breeze was light, carrying a hint of coolness like water at night, yet she felt hot.

Yu Shuinao’s fingers loosened slightly on the edge of her bath towel.

Her disordered heartbeat was almost deafening, but fortunately the water sounds were loud enough to cover it.

She secretly felt relieved.

The moon hung high, its clear light spilling everywhere. The pool water looked like flowing mercury.

The moon tonight was truly beautiful.

Unconsciously, that figure swam to the edge of the pool. She stood up, casually pushing her soaked black hair back, revealing a full, smooth forehead. Her eyes were closed, lips slightly parted as she breathed gently. Water droplets slid down her jawline, rolled over her collarbones, and finally disappeared back into the water.

She looked completely different from her usual cold and noble appearance.

Beneath that sharp exterior was a vibrant, powerful heartbeat, warm body heat, and a wild, flourishing, life-filled body.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the person in the pool had already scanned her body several times.

“Aren’t you here to swim?” Xie Yixuan’s voice broke the silence.

Yu Shuinao snapped out of her daze. “Ah… yes, I am.”

“I thought you came to practice standing posture.” With that, she placed both hands on the pool edge and gracefully leaped out of the water in one fluid motion.

All that remained was her dripping wet back, narrow waist, long legs, and black hair still shedding streams of water.

No wonder Meng Zhao had said it — she really was dream-lover level.

It would be better if she didn’t have a mouth.

Yu Shuinao immediately recalled more of the woman’s embarrassing and infuriating words.

Sometimes it was better when someone’s appearance and personality matched.

She loosened the bath towel, placed it on the rack, and was about to enter the water when she realized Xie Yixuan hadn’t left.

The woman was sitting in the small pavilion beside the pool, wiping her hair while slowly sipping an amber-colored wine. When she saw Yu Shuinao looking over, she lightly raised her chin, signaling her to swim as she pleased.

Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, Yu Shuinao secretly felt competitive.

Fine, she’d swim. Who was afraid?

She stepped barefoot across the cool marble tiles, dipped her toes into the water, and slowly slid in. The cool pool water instantly enveloped her, washing away the day’s muggy heat and the earlier flush in her heart. Yu Shuinao shrank her shoulders slightly to adjust to the temperature, then relaxed, her brows and eyes softening. She slowly leaned backward, letting her body float on the surface. Her raven-feather-like black hair spread gently in the water, making her skin look even more lustrous and jade-like.

Her hands gently paddled at her sides. Her flexible waist and abdomen tightened slightly. Her legs naturally came together and extended straight, toes pointed. Her small ears were half-submerged in the water. The whole world seemed to consist only of her own heartbeat and the soft murmur of flowing water. She stopped thinking about the person on the shore and that scorching gaze.

She slowly moved her arms, stretching backward in a relaxed motion, creating crystal-clear currents that then fell back down. Her leg kicks were small and gentle, producing almost no visible waves — only fine ripples on the surface. Each kick was like a mermaid lightly swaying her tail, elegantly undulating in the water.

Moonlight bathed her face. Her brows and eyes relaxed as she immersed herself in the tranquil atmosphere. Her already extremely beautiful appearance, bathed in the clear, bright moonlight, looked even more pure and flawless, so beautiful it struck straight to the heart and made everything else hold its breath.

The woman tilted her head back and finished the wine in her glass. Her throat moved gently as her fingertips unconsciously stroked the cool surface of the glass.

The water tenderly caressed her body, flowing over her slender neck and across her delicate collarbones. Yu Shuinao’s swimming wasn’t fast. Her breathing was steady and long. Her chest rose and fell gently with each breath. The rhythmic arm strokes and leg kicks fully displayed the elegance of backstroke.

Xie Yixuan silently watched the graceful figure swaying in the pool. She poured herself another glass of wine, her gaze never leaving.

Yu Shuinao swam several laps, then slowly headed toward the side of the pool closer to Xie Yixuan. She placed her hands on the edge. Water droplets rolled continuously down her soaked body, leaving seductive wet trails. The swimsuit clinging to her skin vividly outlined her beautiful curves.

She breathed lightly, her lashes lifting. Her gaze was clear and bright as it met the woman’s directly.

Suddenly, the corners of her lips curved up gently.

In the flow of her eyes, a silent, alluring, and teasing charm rippled outward.

Xie Yixuan set down her wine glass, walked slowly to the pool edge, and squatted down in front of her.

Her fingertips curled almost imperceptibly, but ultimately did not rise. She simply lowered her eyes, intently tracing the painting of a beauty emerging from the water.

“Very beautiful.”

Her voice was extremely soft, but clear enough for the person in front of her to hear.