She had a small private en-suite bathroom in her room fully equipped with everything needed for washing up and showering something her father had installed later on just to make things easier for her.
Jiang Chiye’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he spoke three words “You go first.”
Xu Zhaozhao’s face flamed bright red. Grabbing her clothes in a flustered hurry she darted into the bathroom. Staring back at her in the mirror was someone entirely flushed her heart thudded wildly out of control. Only when the warm water cascaded over her did the frantic rhythm slow. She lingered in the shower far longer than usual. Jiang Chiye waited in the bedroom for a full hour before the sound of running water finally cut off.
A soft click. Xu Zhaozhao stepped out wearing a nightgown her damp hair draped over her shoulders water droplets still trickling down. Perhaps from staying in the warmth so long her fair skin glowed with a delicate pink hue her cheeks rosy and full.
Jiang Chiye stood facing her a flicker of genuine wonder crossing his eyes. His wife was wearing a purple spaghetti-strap slip that barely reached her mid-thighs showing off legs so long and slender they seemed to go on forever. Only two thin straps held the fabric up over her shoulders. His gaze drifted lower settling on the swell of her chest and the tips of his ears burned instantly. So full like a ripe peach he thought too full to fit in one hand.
Warm liquid trickled from his nose and he didn’t even notice until Xu Zhaozhao gasped.
“Jiang Chiye! You’re bleeding from the nose!” Eyes wide she rushed to fetch a towel from the bathroom and pressed it gently to his nose concern written all over her face. “What’s wrong? Is it too hot in here? Have you got internal heat?”
Jiang Chiye stood slightly bowed from where he stood the view before him was laid bare and his eyes darkened a heat coiling low in his body. Holding the towel he turned his head aside. “Must be the heat. I’ll go wash up.” He strode firmly into the bathroom and shut the door tight. Glancing down at himself he let out a helpless sigh. Pathetic.
He pulled the towel away the bleeding had stopped but his palms were slick with sweat. Staring at his dishevelled reflection in the mirror he couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
Outside Xu Zhaozhao stood bewildered. Why on earth would he get heatstroke? Then she looked down and her face went scarlet. She dove straight under the covers. Aaaaah!!! What had she been thinking? No wonder he’d started bleeding any man would have lost his composure!
The nightgown had been made for her by her mother designed to be cool and airy with barely any fabric. She’d found it laid out on her bed that morning and had put it on without a second thought. It was fine normally but not tonight not with a man here not with her husband the one she’d just married. It was mortifying. Her mother must have done this on purpose!
She stared nervously at the bathroom door. The water ran and ran half an hour until she was fighting to keep her eyes open. Why does he take so long?
At last the water stopped. Jiang Chiye then realised he had nothing to change into. A slow wicked smile curled his lips. “Wife~”
Xu Zhaozhao stiffened under the blanket. “What is it?”
“I don’t have any clean clothes.”
What?! Her breath caught. Her mother so thoughtful leaving out her nightgown couldn’t be bothered to prepare anything for him?
When she stayed silent he teased “Honey what if I just come out like this? It’s not like we haven’t seen each other before.”
“No!” She scrambled out of bed at once. “Wait there I’ll get you something!”
She raced to her parents’ door and knocked. “Mom! Mom!”
Her mother opened the door flustered. “What’s all the shouting about?”
“You forgot to leave clothes for Jiang Chiye!”
Her mother waved a hand dismissively. “Oh that.”
Xu Zhaozhao’s eyes went wide. “Mom! How could you forget something so important? Go find something now!”
Her mother smirked leaned in and whispered in her ear “I didn’t forget. I did it on purpose.”
“Mom!”
“Listen you’ve been worried he’ll make you run laps or do squats haven’t you? This is your chance. Show him a little sweetness tonight and he’ll agree to anything you want. Men are easy to handle especially when he’s already head over heels for you. Look at your father I’ve got him wrapped around my finger! Go get him I’m rooting for you!” She gave her daughter a playful pat on the backside and shut the door.
Xu Zhaozhao returned to the bathroom cheeks burning biting her lip. After a long pause she spoke softly through the wood “Jiang Chiye I couldn’t find anything. What if you wear yours again? I won’t mind I promise.”
Jiang Chiye laughed in disbelief. That was the best she could come up with? He pulled on his trousers opened the door and caught her hand before she could step back. Before she knew it her back was pressed against the wall his warm breath fanning her neck light shivery making her knees go weak.
“Jiang Chiye let me explain.”
“Go on.”
“Then stop touching me! How am I supposed to talk like this?”
He chuckled. “I’m not touching you with my hands.” I’m using my mouth he meant.
She took a deep breath and met his gaze squarely. “Jiang Chiye we barely know each other. I don’t think you love me. You married me out of duty. So let’s make some rules. If you won’t agree we’ll just be a marriage of convenience.”
His expression hardened. “Who says I don’t love you?”
She stared. “What? Don’t tease. We haven’t seen each other in years. If it weren’t for the accident you’d never have married me.”
“I’m not teasing.” He looked at her earnest and steady. “And as for a convenience marriage don’t even think about it.” Now that they were married he had no intention of being merely a gentleman.
“Then what do you want?” she pouted.
He arched an eyebrow. “Tell me why these rules?”
“You’re not allowed to make me run five kilometres. No squats. No sit-ups. And you’re never allowed to speak sharply to me.” She blurted it all out in one breath watching his face anxiously relieved when he didn’t seem angry.
He wrapped his arms around her and laughed softly. “When did I say I’d punish you?” A wife was meant to be cherished. If he ever punished her it would be behind closed doors and in bed. She wasn’t a recruit he’d never have the heart.
“But you did it to your sister!” she protested. “I saw you.”
“You’re not her.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Her eyes brightened. He wouldn’t punish her? That was wonderful! “Just to be safe write it down. A promise note. If you break it we get divorced.”
He gritted his teeth. “No divorce. I’ll write it.”