Jiang Liao paused for a moment, then turned his head. His dark eyes fixed on her, his breathing still a little heavy from exertion.
“You can wash? With that foot of yours, you can barely squat steady. Even by nightfall, you wouldn’t finish this whole basin!”
His gaze, against his will, flicked again to her chest rising and falling in panic.
Jiang Liao’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Stay put. Or do you want to draw everyone over to watch?”
That threat worked.
Lin Suier cast a nervous glance around. Though she couldn’t see anyone, she could indeed hear voices in the distance.
Helpless, she could only crouch there, watching as Jiang Liao beat the clothes as if he had a grudge against them.
Water splashed continuously, soaking his trouser legs and flecking onto Lin Suier as well. The cold river water made her shiver slightly.
Jiang Liao worked quickly, his strength immense.
After pounding the clothes, he rinsed them briskly in the river, wrung them dry, and tossed them aside onto a clean stone.
Lin Suier watched his silent, fierce profile, and the glimpse of his solid chest beneath his open collar…
Her face burned, her thoughts in complete disarray.
This man—rough, domineering—but somehow…
At her most helpless moments, he kept appearing before her.
The summer breeze carried the strong scent of sweat and river water from him.
For some reason, Lin Suier suddenly recalled the heat and strength of his hand when he had held her calf that day.
And that fleeting, trembling touch when he shoved the crutch into her arms…
Her legs suddenly felt weak, a strange warmth rising quietly within her.
The unfamiliar sensation filled her with both shame and fear. She hurriedly pressed her legs together and lowered her head even further, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
Though Jiang Liao continued pounding the clothes, the corner of his eye never left her.
Seeing her small movement, his throat went dry, and that restless heat in his lower abdomen stirred again.
Damn it.
This woman—crouching there, clothes damp, cheeks flushed, looking like a startled little rabbit.
And yet she stirred something in him like claws scratching at his heart.
He struck the clothes even harder, as if venting that fire.
Soon, the pile in the basin dwindled rapidly.
Jiang Liao reached in again and pulled out something small and soft.
When he looked, it was a water-red undergarment.
A small piece of fabric, soaked, clinging to his large, veined hand.
The bright color carried an unmistakable intimacy.
Lin Suier’s mind went blank with a buzz. All the blood rushed to her head, her face burning hot, shame crashing over her like a wave.
“That one—no!”
Forgetting everything else, she lunged forward to snatch it back.
Her pale fingers brushed against his rough, heated ones in her panic.
They both froze.
Jiang Liao looked down.
His mind roared, certain heated, indistinct images flashing uncontrollably.
That vivid red—what kind of soft, smooth body did it wrap around?
Those thin ties—how deeply would they press into flesh?
And beneath it…
His breathing grew heavier, his gaze darkening.
Instead of letting go, Jiang Liao tightened his grip, clutching the small garment firmly in his palm.
“Let go. It’s just a scrap of cloth—what, I can’t wash it?”
“No… not that! Please, Brother Jiang, give it back… I’ll wash it myself!”
Lin Suier’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling as she shook her head desperately.
Her other hand tried to pry open his fingers, but her strength was nothing against his.
Jiang Liao stared at her tearful face—flushed cheeks, wet eyes, slightly parted lips.
A harsh, almost cruel satisfaction tightened in his chest.
“Keep shouting, and I’ll really call everyone over—let them watch me wash your personal things. Let them all see this wild man scrubbing your underclothes.”
That silenced her instantly.
Lin Suier released him at once, biting her lower lip hard.
Her mixture of shame and helplessness only made the heat in Jiang Liao surge stronger.
He didn’t use the beater on it. Instead, he gripped it tightly in his hand, dunked it into the clear river water, and rubbed it roughly a few times.
Then he wrung it dry quickly, droplets falling from between his fingers, and tossed it aside onto the stone as if it burned him.
That bright red stood out sharply among the dull gray clothes.
Lin Suier kept her head down, not daring to look again.
Jiang Liao said nothing more, lips pressed tight.
Soon, the entire basin of clothes was washed.
He set the beater aside and shook the water from his hands and arms.
Standing up, his tall figure once again enveloped Lin Suier.
Still overwhelmed with shame and confusion, she tried to stand as well—but her foot gave way, and she nearly stumbled.
Jiang Liao reacted quickly. His arm shot out, wrapping around her waist and pulling her firmly against him.
Damn—
The waist under his palm was even slimmer, softer than he had imagined.
His hand was large and hot, gripping her like iron. The heat seeped through the fabric, making her whole body tremble.
“What’s the rush? Trying to fall into the river?”
His hoarse voice sounded above her head.
He didn’t let go immediately—instead, his arm tightened, drawing her closer.
Their bodies pressed together.
Lin Suier could feel the heat of his hard chest, and the pounding of his heart like a drum.
His fingers even unconsciously squeezed lightly at her waist.
She froze completely, unable to move, her mind blank.
The place he held felt like it was on fire, the heat spreading through her whole body, leaving her dizzy, her face burning.
That unfamiliar feeling surged even stronger…
“Th-thank you… Brother Jiang…”
Her voice trembled, almost breaking.
Jiang Liao stared at her flushed neck and trembling lashes, his Adam’s apple rolling hard.
He wanted to—
He really wanted to pull her fully into his arms, just like this.
To test whether her soft voice was truly as intoxicating as he imagined in his dreams…
But in the end, he clenched his teeth and suddenly released her, the force making her stagger back.
Without looking at her again, he bent down, picked up his wooden fork and the string of fish.
He pulled off the two fattest crucian carp and tossed them down beside her.
“Take them. Make some soup when you get back. You’re so skinny a strong wind could blow you away.”
With that, Jiang Liao hoisted the fork and the remaining fish onto his shoulder and strode off.
His steps were fast, almost hurried—as if something dangerous were chasing him.
His tall figure quickly disappeared behind the thick willow trees, leaving only the sound of rushing water.
Lin Suier collapsed onto the cold stone, sitting there for a long while without moving.
Her whole body felt weak.
That flash of red still lay there, painfully conspicuous…