Her voice seemed to have a hook, pulling the man’s mind irresistibly to the image of her lying on a bed, completely bare, her graceful body fully exposed…
The intensity of that mental picture shocked Lu Yunyang awake. He staggered back two steps, his cheeks burning red.
Yutao’s eyes flickered with a hint of uncertainty, but she quickly stepped closer, a playful smile in her gaze as she pressed, “Am I right?”
The streets around them were crowded, and the sales clerk kept staring at him. Lu Yunyang swallowed lightly and murmured an almost inaudible “Mm.”
Still unwilling to lose face, he fixed his gaze on the mischievous girl and said in a deep voice, “But that outfit in your hands looks really nice too.”
The sales clerk, though unaware of their previous conversation, was sharp-eyed and immediately realized that this man intended to propose.
She hurried over to Yutao with a smile. “This outfit sells very well. All the girls planning to marry like this set. With your figure, it’ll look perfect on you.”
Though she knew the clerk’s words were just sales tactics, the mention of marriage stirred something in Yutao. Her eyebrows lifted slightly, and she glanced back at Lu Yunyang, blinking playfully. “Should I buy it?”
“Buy it!” he replied without hesitation. “It’ll look great on you.”
Yutao shot him a teasing look, pinching the fabric in her hands. “But we’re not getting married. Why buy it?”
Lu Yunyang looked at her intently. His voice was soft but serious: “If you buy it, as long as you want, I can do it anytime.”
Yutao had been a fox spirit for a thousand years and never knew shyness, but as a human, hearing him say that so suddenly in public made her feel unexpectedly bashful.
She let out a soft hum and shyly glanced at him. “I didn’t say I’d marry you.”
His deep eyes locked onto hers. Then he suddenly smiled, leaning down, turning his head to whisper in her ear, “I’ve already touched you. If you don’t marry me, who will?”
The brazen remark caught Yutao off guard. She coughed lightly and hurriedly handed the clothes back to the sales clerk. “Then get me the smallest size, please.”
The clerk didn’t care how the young couple flirted; she quickly fetched the smallest size. Yet Yutao’s figure had grown rapidly—full chest, slim waist—and the bright red dress either had a too-large waist or a too-small chest. Nothing fit her properly.
Yutao wasn’t disappointed. She thought that if they were to marry, they could order the right size later. In the end, she only picked an apricot-colored and a pale yellow dress before leaving the department store.
They went to the county restaurant for a meal and then rushed to the bus station by four. By the time they returned to the commune, it was nearly six, and the village shuttle had long since left.
The street, bustling in the morning, was now quiet and empty. Yutao tugged lightly at the man’s shirt. “What should we do? It’s almost dark, I can’t go back.”
Lu Yunyang looked at her, about to speak, when the girl’s watery eyes blinked, softening as she said, “Or… maybe I can sleep in your dorm tonight?”
The sudden suggestion startled him. He grabbed her hand, teeth gritted, and said slowly, word by word, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get home safely.”
“But I’m so tired. I don’t want to walk anymore.” Yutao pouted.
“No problem. I have a bicycle,” Lu Yunyang said firmly. “I’ll get you home safely before dark.”
Yutao saw his serious face and thin, straight lips, realizing there was no way around it. She only spoke casually, having expected the outcome.
“Got it!!!”
Seeing her give in, Lu Yunyang didn’t argue further. He led her to the hospital to pick up the bicycle, and they hurried home.
The sun was setting, painting the sky in the fiery hues of late summer.
Yutao sat on the back of the bicycle, hands slenderly clutching the man’s shirt. The wind blowing toward them carried the heat and the faint fragrance of flowers and grass, along with the subtle scent of soap from him.
The bicycle moved steadily. Yutao looked up; the man leaned slightly forward, his fitted shirt highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
The lines were perfect, drawing her thoughts irresistibly.
She swallowed, loosening her grip slightly, then leaned forward, resting her head against his back, and slowly wrapped her arms around him.
The sudden hug startled Lu Yunyang, and he tensed. The bike wobbled, and Yutao let out a surprised “Ah,” clutching him tightly. “What are you doing? I’m going to fly off!”
Lu Yunyang gripped the handlebars firmly and quickly steadied the bike, though the girl held on even tighter.
He clenched his teeth, unable to stop, glancing back to say firmly, “Don’t worry. I’m steady on this bike. You don’t need to hold so tight.”
“I’m scared!” Yutao tightened her slender arms, hugging him closer. “You almost threw me off just now!”
Lu Yunyang’s jaw tightened, thinking that if not for her sudden movement, he wouldn’t have faltered.
“I won’t this time,” he promised through gritted teeth. “Listen to me. Loosen up a little.”
“No!” Yutao bit her rosy lip, tilting her small face at him. “What if I fall? I’ll get hurt.”
The red sunset and warm breeze carried her coquettish words, sweet like honey, impossible to refuse.
She truly feared falling, hands gripping his body tightly, igniting a fire from her back to her entire body.
Lu Yunyang was speechless.
Even though it was evening, the heat felt more intense than midday. Sweat beaded on his forehead, breath quickened, and a vague, restless heat spread through him.
He was a normal man with natural instincts. Seeing her like this, he knew there was no point arguing.
Tense and holding his breath all the way, he finally found a moment to exhale as they neared home.
The sky had darkened. On a quiet side road, Lu Yunyang stopped the bike and looked back at the girl. “Go inside. I’ll wait until you’re safely in before leaving.”
Yutao jumped off the bike, hands behind her back, looking at his face in the warm light, admiring his tense muscles, her thoughts wandering again.
“Lu Yunyang…” she called, tilting her head with a playful smile.
He hummed. “Yes?”
Looking at him standing tall by the bike, she teased, “Has anyone ever told you your abs feel really nice?”
At that, the heat inside him surged. From five parts, it became seven. The fire in Lu Yunyang almost flared uncontrollably.
Had anyone else? Of course not—only she had ever touched them.
“No one else,” he said, jaw tight, voice low. “Go inside quickly. Your mother will worry if we stay out longer.”
Yutao blinked with a hint of satisfaction, her honeyed voice laughing softly. “Will you think of me tonight?”
In the dim dusk, her face was delicate and charming. His narrow eyes, predatory, traced her lips. His mouth twitched. “Yes. Definitely.”
Unsatisfied, she leaned closer, whispering, “Then remember to imagine me without clothes.”
Lu Yunyang felt a buzz in his ears. Her face, so close, looked like a peeled egg, her triumphant gaze clear. He had been holding back all this way.
Stimulated, he gritted his teeth, cupped her chin, lowered his head, and claimed her lips inch by inch.
After a moment, he held her tightly, as if wanting to merge her into himself, voice rough from between his teeth: “Fine. I’ll think of you without clothes.”
As if cursed, from that moment until she left, Lu Yunyang’s mind couldn’t stop painting her bare image. The heat in his body grew, and when he finally saw her figure disappear, he went straight to the river he knew so well.
The river water was cold at night. He soaked for a long time, finally washing away the restlessness in his body.
He returned home in the dark.
Lu Yunyang occasionally came home at night before, so his sudden appearance didn’t surprise the Lu Family. After dinner, Song Meihua took the opportunity to ask about his progress with the girl.
Lu Yunyang knew his family well. His father and grandfather wouldn’t oppose him being with Yutao. His mother only wanted him to find a working girl. Once work was settled, other matters were minor.
“I’ll ask her again in a few days,” he said slowly.
“Honestly,” Song Meihua mumbled, “you should’ve asked sooner. I need to prepare mentally—maybe buy some fabric for clothes or bed sheets.”
Just mentioning clothes and beds made his mind wander uncontrollably.
That night, he slept uneasily, dreaming again about everything he and Yutao had done, especially her riding behind him on the bicycle.
The soft touch of her back felt like cotton, enveloping him in a way he had never felt before. He wanted to touch her again, but when he reached out, he grasped nothing and woke up.
The early summer sunlight poured through the window, hot and bright. He squinted, throat burning, body aching.
He needed another shower.
Early in the morning, Song Meihua found her son carrying a full tub of water to shower, staying in there for an hour. On top of that, he was washing clothes at home!
The spring at the production team was a bit far, and fetching water was troublesome. Showering and doing laundry at home was pure waste.
“Leave the clothes there. I’ll take them to the river later,” she exclaimed. “Don’t keep wasting the water at home every time.”
Lu Yunyang rinsed the clothes, expressionless. “I’m done.”
Lu Zhongzhan, noticing Song Meihua about to scold again, intervened. “There’s still some water in the tub. Just have a simple breakfast of noodles.”
He cast a warning glance at his son and whispered, “You’re a doctor. Why not keep some cooling herbal teas at home?”
Lu Yunyang: …
“Son, it’s not what you think…”
“Enough. I know,” Lu Zhongzhan said, thinking everyone has youthful moments. “It’s time to get married.”
Lu Yunyang couldn’t argue.
After breakfast, he pushed the bicycle out for work. Thinking of Yutao, he secretly turned into the small path to the Su Family again.
Soon, he arrived. Yutao’s window was wide open, but she wasn’t in the room.
He initially thought the Su Family had gone to work, but listening carefully, he could hear Yutao being scolded from the main hall.