The man’s low voice came: “Do you need hot water?”
“The kitchen already boiled some. I’ll bring it to you.”
Lin Yuqiu gave a soft, languid “Mm.”
Then she heard his footsteps leave, and soon after, a knock sounded at the door.
She opened it and saw him carrying two large aluminum buckets filled with hot water.
His gaze skimmed over her briefly before dropping to the floor. His Adam’s apple rolled slightly as his voice, calm yet husky, spoke with understated steadiness:
“I cleaned the bathtub many times.”
“There’s a new wooden tub in the corner as well.”
“I thought you’d probably be uncomfortable going to a public bath, so I had someone prepare a tub at home for you.”
After speaking, he looked at her calmly, waiting for her to choose.
Lin Yuqiu pointed at the wooden tub. “I’ll use this one.”
He didn’t glance at her again, walking straight to the tub. First, he ran cold water, rinsing the tub once more, then bent down to pour in both buckets of hot water.
He turned for more cold water, one hand steadying the tub, the other holding a ladle to mix gradually.
Once the water reached the right temperature, he straightened and suddenly stepped beside her.
“Give me your clothes. I’ll take them out so they don’t get wet.”
Lin Yuqiu nodded and went to retrieve the neatly folded clothes on the chair. She misstepped and stumbled forward.
With a dull thud, her chest pressed hard against the man’s solid chest. The sudden force made the “two soft rabbits” of her chest curl inward reflexively, burying their heads into her rounded form.
Quick and sharp, the man grabbed her waist with one large hand, pulling her firmly into his embrace so she wouldn’t fall.
“Be careful,” he said, his voice low, tinged with genuine worry. “You’re my newlywed wife what if you got hurt?”
Lin Yuqiu wasn’t doing it on purpose. Heat rose to her ears, and she quickly withdrew from his embrace, pushing him away. She slammed the door behind her, leaning against it, her heart racing.
The hot water washed over her, easing the fatigue of the day.
But in her mind, Zhou Runqing’s face appeared unbidden.
His coldness, his reticence, the rare flashes of gentle allure, his words “This is mine” and the possessive heat in his gaze.
She finished her bath, towel-dried her damp hair, and opened the bathroom door.
Zhou Runqing was in the room, making the bed. The instant he saw her, his eyes darkened subtly.
Lin Yuqiu wore her white cotton pajamas, hair wet and clinging to her cheeks.
Her flushed cheeks bore the warmth of the hot water.
Her eyes were bright and clear, like a spring.
Long eyelashes, like two tiny fans, quivered slightly.
What struck the man first, however, was how the pure white cotton seemed to have absorbed the remaining moisture from her body, wrapping her slender frame tightly.
The formerly loose fabric now clung like a thin veil, outlining every curve of her body.
As she stepped forward, the faint scent of soap floated in the air, mingling with a pure, girl-like fragrance.
To a man used to the smell of sweat and tobacco from years around other men, it was like a refreshing spring, irresistibly drawing him closer.
His Adam’s apple rolled rapidly as he restrained himself from looking directly, fingers curling slightly. His voice was low, husky, and controlled:
“The bed’s ready. You sleep first. I’ll wash up.”
Lin Yuqiu nodded, watching him leave with his pajamas and close the door.
Her gaze fell on the large red quilt spread on the bed. Her heart, momentarily relaxed, felt suddenly gripped again an unknown anxiety but she had no choice but to bravely step into this unfamiliar territory.
She lay on the bed, staring at the moonlight outside. At that moment, an unexpected calm settled in her heart.
She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep. After some time, the door opened and she heard his footsteps.
Suddenly, the quilt behind her was lifted.
Before she could react, before even turning her head, the bed sank slightly, the soft click of the lights switching off echoed, and he lunged at her, steam rising from his hot body.
Like a hunter executing a mission fast, precise, merciless.
Without warning, when she opened her eyes, darkness swallowed everything.
All her visual senses were obliterated, leaving only his hands precisely gripping her wrists with a force that felt as if it could pierce bone, yet miraculously without pain, asserting absolute control.
Lin Yuqiu’s heart jumped into her throat, the name she wanted to call out stuck in her throat as his lips pressed fiercely against hers.
The heat of his kiss was overwhelming, not soft but a consuming, destructive embrace, searing her delicate lips, sending shivers through her scalp and even her teeth.
She could feel the subtle tremor beneath his controlled exterior, each awkward yet predatory touch sending electric shocks through her body.
His overwhelming presence swallowed her whimpers, leaving her defenseless.
With her vision gone, she felt as if cast into a bottomless abyss, able to grasp only his breath, his touch, his fire.
She was like prey caught by a dormant beast, dragged into its lair, forced to endure its raging, possessive hunger.
His deep, husky groans resonated with her chest, vibrating in tandem.
She stared, stunned, her chest tightening with each breath.
Though she saw nothing, she felt with shocking clarity the blazing desire of this usually cold, composed man upon her.
She felt consumed, yet oddly validated the unprecedented sensation of being needed eased the deepest vulnerabilities in her heart.
She stopped struggling, letting herself be consumed by his heat, consciously surrendering.
Suddenly, a crackle of static from a radio came from outside the door, followed by the clanging of an old opera battle scene.
Amid the noise, Zhou Wanyi’s voice rang out: “Brother, did you and Sister-in-law sleep?”
The intimate atmosphere shattered instantly.
Lin Yuqiu could feel the man freeze on the spot.
A second later, with a crisp “click,” he reached out and turned on the bedside lamp.
The warm yellow light flooded the room. Lin Yuqiu squinted reflexively, and when her eyes adjusted, she was met with a scene that made her burn with embarrassment.
The man was bare-chested, wearing only dark navy military trousers.
As he rose, his body was broad, tall, exuding sheer masculine strength.
His chest muscles were clearly defined, radiating imposing power. His arms, sculpted and taut, seemed to contain endless strength, exuding a wild, irresistible aggression.
Earlier, she had been restrained, unable to struggle. Now, seeing his body so clearly, her gaze slipped downward, her ears ringing, her cheeks flaming red.
She quickly closed her eyes, heart pounding wildly.
The latent beast within him was even more terrifying than she had imagined.
He immediately stepped back, never daring to look at her.
His movements were fluid and swift as he got out of bed, grabbed the shirt draped over the chair, and quickly put it on.
Cool and controlled, as if a different person from the one who had just burned against her.
Once he faced away and regained composure, he walked to the door, face dark, and opened it.