Wen Zhan’s voice came from above: “Yes, it’s settled. Next Monday at the Municipal Funeral Home.”
Today was Friday, meaning the day after tomorrow.
“You need to get better quickly. Grandpa was most worried about you before he passed. When the time comes, don’t visit him while still sick.” Wen Zhan lowered his gaze to the woman in his arms, his tone soft and measured.
Mu Wanqing nodded.
When they reached the master bedroom, the man placed her on the bed.
Aunt Zhou followed them in to remind her: “Madam, you’re still weak. You should have the Third Young Master accompany you when bathing to prevent falls.”
Mu Wanqing: “…”
How could she possibly let Wen Zhan accompany her in the bath!
This was simply…
Afraid they might feel embarrassed, Aunt Zhou left after speaking.
Wen Zhan stood by the bed, watching her flushed face, feeling somewhat awkward himself.
Seeing he wasn’t leaving, Mu Wanqing gathered her courage and looked up at him, stammering: “I… I can manage myself. You must be tired after a long day, you should go wash up and rest.”
Meaning she would bathe alone, suggesting the man use the other bathroom.
Wen Zhan frowned uncomfortably, raising his hand to scratch the bridge of his nose.
This was an unconscious mannerism he displayed when nervous or unsure.
“Since we both need to wash up, let’s do it together. I’ll keep an eye on you so you don’t faint from the steam and get hurt again.”
This had happened before during her postpartum confinement.
About a week after giving birth, while washing her hair and bathing, she had stayed in the bathroom too long. The steam made her dizzy and she fell straight down, bruising her forehead and knees.
When she remained silent, the man added quietly: “Let’s hurry, it’s getting late.”
Mu Wanqing wanted to refuse further, but when he leaned in to carry her again, she frantically pushed him away: “Don’t carry me! I… I can walk myself.”
Seeing her get up and head toward the bathroom, Wen Zhan straightened up and followed while unbuttoning his shirt.
But Mu Wanqing truly couldn’t accept this.
For normal couples, sharing a bath might be playful and romantic.
But what was their relationship…
Entering the bathroom, she stood there with one hand clutching her collar, her fair, beautiful face turning tomato-red.
“Um, could you wait… just stand there, turn around, and I… if I need help, I’ll call you.” Blushing deeply, she managed to stammer out these words.
Wen Zhan had just taken off his shirt, tossing it casually into the laundry basket.
Looking at the woman, his expression remained neutral, unreadable. “We’re married. Do we need to be so formal?”
“We…” She wanted to say they had no feelings between them and their marriage would soon end.
But the man seemed to read her mind, interrupting: “Before Grandpa passed, I promised him I would treat you well from now on.”
So these past few days, amidst his busy schedule, he had seriously considered their relationship.
He had once loved Lu Kejun, and she had her “new flame”—in a way, they were even.
Wen Zhan convinced himself to accept this, planning to have a proper talk with her after Grandpa’s funeral.
Since they remained married, what was wrong with bathing together? Any intimacy was within their rights and obligations.
Mu Wanqing was rendered speechless by his words. Before she could formulate a refusal, he was already striding toward her with his long legs.
“Wen Zhan, you… don’t be like this…” She grew frantic, facing the man’s imposing chest so close that the intense masculine scent left her unsure where to rest her gaze.
The man remained silent, reaching up to remove the showerhead and turning on the water.
The initial water was cold, and he thoughtfully moved aside to avoid splashing her.
Yet Mu Wanqing still flinched backward in surprise. Just as she thought to flee, she heard a low murmur behind her: “I’ve been overwhelmed with work these past few days, too preoccupied to do anything to you. Let’s wash up early and get some rest…”
His words made her feel that any further hesitation would seem affected and artificial.
Moreover, the husky weariness in his voice carried not just exhaustion but also the suppressed grief of losing a loved one, softening a corner of Mu Wanqing’s heart instantly.
“The water’s warm now. Will you undress yourself, or shall I help you?” He brought the shower closer, steam immediately billowing around them.
“I-I can manage myself.” The woman was thoroughly alarmed, hurriedly bringing her hands to her chest.
Earlier that evening, Aunt Zhou had called a Lactation Massage Therapist to help with massage. While it provided some relief, it left her skin flushed red, the marks still visible.
Furthermore, after giving birth, her abdomen stretched by twins hadn’t fully recovered, leaving her waistline looking unappealing.
She didn’t want the man to see any of this, so she turned away.
Wen Zhan watched her movements, his eyes dark and profound, but he said nothing.
The woman’s jade-smooth skin gradually revealed itself, gleaming under the light and stirring his hungry gaze.
Frowning slightly, he averted his eyes and let the warm water cascade from her neck downward…
Originally intending only to help her bathe, the sight before him would stir any physically normal man.
Wen Zhan’s breathing deepened, one hand lifting involuntarily to rest on her shoulder.
“Ah…” Mu Wanqing jumped, instinctively turning sideways. “You—”
“Sorry, I…” He apologized reflexively, yet couldn’t find an excuse.
Flustered and awkward, his gaze fell upon something, and he suddenly asked urgently, “What happened to your chest? A skin allergy?”
Otherwise, why would it be so red?
Mu Wanqing quickly covered her chest, blushing to the tips of her ears, and stammered, “No… it’s from clogged milk ducts. I had a fever from Mastitis, so the Lactation Massage Therapist helped with clearance…”
Clearance caused this?
“Does it hurt?”
“Very much…”
She had only recently learned how agonizing it could be to clear blocked milk ducts from Mastitis, the pain nearly rivaling that of childbirth.
The sweat covering her head and body were cold sweats from the pain during the massage and clearance.
Hearing her say “very much” while visibly flinching, the man’s heart clenched, and he couldn’t help but say, “I’m sorry, I’ve been too busy these past few days, neglecting things at home.”
Mu Wanqing lifted her eyes, her clear, shimmering gaze meeting his, her heart pounding restlessly.
That day by his grandfather’s bedside, what he had said—she had taken it as a kind lie to ease the old man’s passing.
But now, witnessing the tenderness and care he showed her, she began to entertain the illusion—that he seemed to have genuinely changed, reformed, starting to devote attention, even affection, to her.
Wen Zhan leaned slightly forward, his eyes locking with her upturned gaze.
The water rushed, steam swirled, and the atmosphere between them subtly shifted.
When Wen Zhan lowered his head to kiss her, Mu Wanqing knew she should evade it, yet as if bewitched, she stood frozen and motionless.
In the meeting of their lips, two wounded hearts momentarily merged and connected, healing one another.
But just as Wen Zhan wanted to go further, the woman in his arms suddenly went limp and collapsed.
“Careful!” Startled, he quickly tightened his embrace to steady her.
Mu Wanqing, fighting against her dizzy mind, leaned on him to stand steadily and said apologetically, “My legs went weak…”
She had just recovered from a fever and was undoubtedly weak and exhausted. Wen Zhan set aside his chaotic thoughts and picked up the showerhead again.
“I’ll help you wash quickly. Staying too long in a steamy room can also cause oxygen deprivation.”