The loud beeping from Jiaqi’s phone pulled Xueer out of her deep slumber. Half-awake Xueer noticed two things: she was entangled in a warm embrace, and two alarm clocks are evil.

Eventually, Xueer made a feeble attempt to grab the phone while trying to detangle her limbs from the dancer’s. The hotel sheets were unhelpful in aiding Xueer since they managed to pile themselves into a mountaintop, blocking her view of the phone.

Jiaqi let out a small yawn, clung tighter to Xueer’s waist, and threw her leg over Xueer, successfully trapping her in a bed belt. Doing her best fox impression, Jiaqi buried deeper into Xueer’s hair in hopes of blocking out the sunlight that flooded their room.

Chuckling at the childish antics, Xueer turned around and left a brief kiss on Jiaqi’s head before valiantly flailing her long arms to turn off the phone alarm. “Kiki, time to wake up,” Xueer whispers as she finally flops over to face Jiaqi and nuzzles closer to her shoulder.

Jiaqi only hums in reply, seemingly being pulled back to dreamland. Xueer rolls her eyes at the older girl. Seeing that it’s still early, Xueer relaxes into the embrace and begins drifting off herself.

Sadly, Jiaqi’s phone began to ring, and the ballerina ungracefully tumbled out of bed. While Xueer reluctantly left her cozy spot in bed to get ready. Jiaqi scrambles across the carpeted floor to find her phone and put on clothing for the day. Finally finding her phone, Jiaqi winces upon seeing Jisoo’s name dance across her screen before answering.

As Jiaqi took a seat at the hotel work desk, she couldn’t help but watch as Xueer reemerged from the bathroom with a toothbrush hanging out of and her red locks pulled back into a messy ponytail. Jiaqi felt her chest righten and wanted nothing more than to tackle Xueer and go back to sleep forever.

Instead, she settled for a kiss on the cheek and a soft “Good morning, Xuexuezi.” Smiling at the familiar nickname, Xueer shot her a dopy smile before sauntering over and giving Jiaqi a minty kiss on the cheek before pulling her in for a sultry kiss. 

Letting out a mocked gasp, Jiaqi stands up and decides two can play games, eyeing the sash on Xueer’s robe Jiaqi teasingly began to tug at the knot. Jiaqi enjoyed hearing Xueer's breath hitch as she started to undo the knot.

“XU JIAQI!” Jisoo's powerful vocals boomed through the small phone speaker. Jiaqi thought Jisoo could be a vocalist with lung capacity like that.  

/

“Rival dance companies have released statements saying you bribed your way into the company! It’s ridiculous, I was the one who scouted you!" Jiaqi scowled; she couldn't believe that people thought she'd bribed her way into the company and that her years of training meant nothing.

“I’m working on damage control; in the meantime, try to meet with Jieqiong. It might help steer attention away from your current false scandal.” Letting out an annoyed huff, Jiaqi silently nodded her head.

“I can't ing believe someone would say that about me. Please keep me posted, Jisoo. I hope whoever started this comes forward.”

“Me too; bye; I’ll see you soon."

Letting out an irritated groan, Jiaqi put her hands behind her head, trying to figure out who could have started the rumor.

/ 

Xueer rents the room in a puff of steam while drying her hair with a towel. Quietly paddling against the carpeted floor, she made her way to Jiaqi. “What’s wrong?” Xueer loops her arms around Jiaqi while leaning against the back of the chair. 

“It’s noting; don’t worry about it.” Jiaqi tries to focus on the smell of Xueer’s rose shampoo instead of her scandal. Xueer pulled away gently, cupping Jiaqi’s face, and watched the corners of twitch upwards. 

“Jiaqi, I think we both know that’s a lie. What happened?” Letting out a huff, Jiaqi reached up to hold one of Xueer’s hands. 

I never could get much past you, Xuexuezi. 

“Jisoo wants me to meet with my fiancé.” Jiaqi feels Xueer stiffen and watches her eyebrow twitch at the mention of Jieqiong.   

“Why...?” The insecurities from the previous night were laced in the tone of Xueer's voice. 

Was this just a cruel joke? What if Jiaqi had caught feelings for this Jieqiong? 

Pulling Xueer into her lap, Jiaqi watched as the gears in Xueer’s head began to turn.  “It’s just work required from the company.” Jiaqi's voice seems to fade into the walls of the hotel, while Xueer’s face is painted with doubt. 

Deciding Xueer need to be shown she was still very much loved, Jiaqi’s nimble fingers toyed with Xueer’s robe for a second time. 

/

“I can’t believe someone would do that to Jiaqi; that is ridiculous.” Jiaqi watched as Xueer paced around their hotel room while she packed her suitcase. 

“I know, I can’t believe they think I scammed my way into the company.” Jiaqi huffed from her spot on the bed, where she had comfortably spread out like a starfish, and trapped the remainder of Xueer's clothing under her. 

/

"Jiaqi, where have you been?! I was so worried!” Jisoo’s voice cut through the crowd like nails on a chalkboard. Jiaqi fondly rolled her eyes at her friend and manager.

“Maybe if someone bought my plane tickets, I wouldn’t be so late.” Jiaqi tried to stay mad at her manager, but Jisoo's dorky grin made it hard to stay mad at her.  

"Yes, okay! I'm Jisoo, it's okay." Jiaqi's physique cracked, and she couldn't help but smile at her manager, it was good to see her familiar eye smile again.

"Now, let's get our captain back to her team." Jisoo said as she happily drags Jiaqi to the waiting company car.

/

Xueer couldn't help but breathe in the smell of the chilly Jiangsu winter air. Finally spotting her blonde manager admiring a goldfish in a historical garden, Xueer made her way over to Rosé, intrigued by what she was doing. "Chaeyoung, what are you doing?" 

"Everything I need is on the ground... or in the water." Xueer giggled at her airy manager's personality as she watched a goldfish swim back and forth. Finally registering that Xueer was standing next to her, Rosé bolted up and tackled Xueer in a side hug.

"It's so good to see you, I'm glad you're safe, let's get you to your concert rehearsal!" Washing goodbye to the goldfish, Rosé went into manager mood and pulled Xueer into a taxi before speeding off towards the concert venue. 

/

Xueer made her way to the dressing room after a long night of rehearsal. As she turned the corner, she saw a hooded figure disappear into the crowd of stagehands. Xueer stiffened her instincts, urging her to stay on guard. Slowly nudging the door open, she found an envelope on her table.

Kong Xueer, follow the instructions, and no one gets hurt. 

Inside the envelope was a familiar small fox charm. The cold feeling of terror clawed its way up her back.