Chai Xiaomi took a quiet breath, barely managing to suppress the erratic fluttering in her heart.
She then composed her expression and called out toward the other side of the folding screen, Did you fall asleep?
If you keep soaking like that, the water will go completely cold. Hurry up and come out to dry off, or you will catch a cold.
...Alright.
Just as she thought, he had just woken up. He was surprisingly docile.
Normally, he would probably give a half-smile and mock her for worrying over nothing, then boastfully declare that his physique was strong and impervious to the cold, unlike her, who was so weak and frail.
Resting her chin on her hands as she leaned against the table, Chai Xiaomi listened to the splashing of water and rustling sounds, feeling a bit sentimental.
She did not know since when she had come to understand Wu Li's temper so thoroughly.
Holding onto the edge of the tub, Wu Li slowly stood up from the water.
He himself did not know when he had fallen asleep.
Perhaps his internal injuries were too severe. Within a single day, he had first suffered a backlash from forcefully interrupting the Earth Vein Gu, and then used Gu again, resulting in a palm-sized patch of dark purple toxic bruising on his chest that refused to fade.
Water droplets slid down his firm muscles and dripped back into the tub.
He raised a hand to wipe the moisture from his body with a dry towel. A few white jasmine petals clinging to his skin drifted down, floating leisurely on the surface of the water.
As the ripples gently swayed, a very faint, refreshing fragrance quietly spread.
He stared quietly at the petals and suddenly understood. No wonder she always carried that tranquil, subtle fragrance; it turned out she loved soaking in these when she bathed.
He immediately recalled how, along their journey, she always loved to pick various flower petals, carefully wrapping and keeping them.
Next to the inn, there just happened to be dozens of jasmine bushes planted.
It seemed they had fallen victim to her as well.
Just now, soaking in the warm water, surrounded by this familiar, elegant scent, for some reason, he felt as if he had sunk into that soft, warm embrace in the pitch-black night.
His consciousness blurred, and then he slowly closed his eyes.
That was probably when he fell asleep, he guessed silently.
As his thoughts drifted, he had already put on his inner garments and tied the sash.
He was just reaching out to grab his outer robe when he heard a hurried shout from outside the screen: Don't get dressed yet! I have a treasure to show you.
... Wu Li paused, silent for a few seconds, wondering what that had to do with whether he wore clothes or not.
He scoffed coldly, What kind of treasure could you possibly have? Is it steamed cake or taro pastry?
The familiar mockery, the familiar recipe.
Chai Xiaomi was now certain that this guy was completely awake.
An absolutely genuine treasure!
A voice came from behind him, revealing a hint of unconcealed triumph.
Wu Li looked up and saw her poking her head out from the edge of the screen. Her hair was loosely pinned up, clearly done casually after her own bath, but it made her face look even more charmingly naive.
Chai Xiaomi had originally judged from his shadow that he was already wearing his inner garments before she dared to peek.
But with this look, she froze:
You! Why didn't you ask the waiter to change the water?
The tub full of floating jasmine petals... it was clearly the bathwater she had just used!
Her heart pounded wildly, and she instantly felt a rush of heat straight to her cheeks.
It's clean enough, no need to change it. What's all the fuss about? Wu Li glanced at her. Her almond eyes were wide and round, filled with disbelief.
The corners of his lips lifted imperceptibly, and he said softly, The streams and springs in the mountains, who knows how many people have stepped in them or how many beasts have drunk from them, yet don't we still use them to wash? I didn't even mind you, so what are you getting so worked up about?
It's not about whether it's dirty or not! Chai Xiaomi flushed red, her chest heaving slightly.
Besides, the water wasn't dirty to begin with. She had washed once, then filled the tub again with clean water before scattering the petals.
When she finished soaking and brushed aside the petals, the water was still crystal clear.
But, but the thought that the warm water that had just bathed her was now wrapping around his entire body... the feeling inexplicably brought a sense of shame, as if a secret territory had been violated.
Damn it!
Why was she feeling so bashful!
Now, it's your turn to be embarrassed, you stinky brat!
Chai Xiaomi grabbed his hand and swaggered toward the bed, pulling him along: Come here!
Wu Li, not understanding her intentions, let her lead him and push him down to sit on the bed.
He leaned casually against the headboard, waiting to see what she was up to and what this so-called treasure was.
Take off your clothes, she commanded calmly.
A crack suddenly appeared in the young man's calm and indifferent expression: What are you doing?
Did you forget the oath you swore? She lifted her chin, gesturing for him to take the initiative. Right now, let me touch. Are you going to take them off yourself, or should I help you?
As she spoke, her slender, fair index finger had already hooked onto the sash of his inner garment, twirling it leisurely around her fingertip twice.
His breath hitched slightly, his eyelashes dropped, and his hand resting by his leg unconsciously tightened.
What, do you want me to help? Seeing him stay silent, Chai Xiaomi took a step forward, bending down slightly but still maintaining a downward gaze.
Usually, she always had to look up at him. At this moment, this angle brought an inexplicable, subtle sense of pleasure to her heart.
The young man had just bathed, and his body was still enveloped in moist vapor. His deep, alluring eyes seemed to have absorbed the lingering tenderness of the night, shimmering with a hazy, affectionate light.
He looked up at her just like that, with his handsome nose and delicate chin. A drop of water quietly fell from the damp hair scattered by his ear, sliding down into his collarbone.
And then, it just stopped there.
A sparkling drop, trapped in the hollow of his collarbone, like a hidden shard of light.
Chai Xiaomi stared in a daze, but her fingertips were suddenly and gently grasped by him.
Why must I take off my clothes? He looked up, his eyes dark and deep. Earlier, why didn't you strip the shopkeeper's clothes?
How is that the same? She raised her eyebrows righteously. That was in broad daylight in front of everyone. Now I've taken a step back and agreed to settle this with you in private. What's wrong with taking off an item of clothing? I just have this little quirk. Since you've already sworn an oath, don't tell me you want to go back on your word?
As she spoke, her fingertips gently scratched his palm. Her tone was half sly and half urging: A word spoken cannot be taken back, Lili. You're not someone who breaks his promises, are you?
Wu Li gripped her fingers tightly, stopping that faint tickling sensation from causing further mischief.
His expression was a bit strange. He hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, Can we do it another day?
Chai Xiaomi refused: I want it today.
Not today.
Why not today?
I said no, so it's no.
The young man's tone grew a bit colder and harder, giving no room for negotiation.
Fine then, I won't make things difficult for you. Chai Xiaomi pulled her fingers away and nodded.
She turned around, muttering softly as if talking to herself:
I'll go discuss it with Escort Leader Yan. The big brothers in his escort agency are all strong and burly, full of solid muscles. Don't they all go bare-chested when moving goods? If they don't mind—
She had only taken a single step when her wrist was suddenly grabbed. The grip was incredibly strong, so tight it felt as though it might crush her bones.
Chai Xiaomi was yanked back hard, and caught off guard, she tumbled right onto his lap.
