Upon hearing this, Chi Zaiqing walked up to Shi Xi, revealing an understanding expression. "Aran, you go and rest. I'll take care of the washing."
Standing to the side, Sheng Yingpu glanced at Chu Yao, then held out his hand to Shi Xi and said, "Give it to me, it'll wash with mine."
Shi Xi looked down at her gloves. After all that work, they were covered in dirt and blood, and probably wouldn't be easy to clean.
Chu Yao, this germaphobic Alpha, suddenly changing his mind must have been intentional.
After all, in his eyes, he was just a scheming beta who had stolen his childhood omega.
Shi Xi declined their offer, saying, "No need, I'll wash myself."
"Okay, I'll listen to Aran." Chi Zaiqing said, glancing at Chu Yao, who had suddenly changed his mind. His expression remained unchanged, but the smile in his eyes did not reach his eyes.
Chu Yao seemed oblivious to Chi Zaiqing's hostility and walked straight to Shi Xi's side.
So the scene became that it was the middle of the night, and Chu Yao, Shi Xi, and Sheng Yingpu were standing in a row at the entrance of the cave, all diligently washing their gloves.
Chi Zaiqing pushed Chu Yao aside and squatted down next to Shi Xi with great interest, watching Shi Xi wash her gloves as if she were watching something interesting.
—This was probably the first time the pampered young master had ever seen someone wash clothes by hand.
Shi Xi glanced at Chi Zaiqing and pondered to herself.
...
When Jiang Yichen returned from outside after gathering information, the first thing he saw was a splash of white. Shi Xi's silver hair was particularly eye-catching in the darkness, and Jiang Yichen's gaze lingered on it for a few seconds.
He frowned as he looked at this bizarre yet harmonious scene.
"Are you all sleepwalking?"
"No." Chi Zaiqing shook his head, his azure eyes looking at Shi Xi. "Aran is washing Chu Yao's gloves."
Jiang Yichen looked at Chu Yao, "You made him wash it?"
"...?"
Sensing the displeasure in Jiang Yichen's tone, Shi Xi was puzzled.
It's not like you should be angry about washing a small item.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Yichen was quite protective of his savior.
"I borrowed his gloves and got them dirty," Shi Xi said.
"..." Jiang Yichen frowned upon hearing this, seemingly not expecting Shi Xi to speak up for Chu Yao.
Just then, Shi Xi felt she was clean, so she handed the items to Chu Yao, "Here, your gloves."
There was nothing he could do about it because it was dirty; it was too dark outside, and he couldn't see very well.
As long as the meaning is conveyed, that's fine.
Chu Yao paused, glancing sideways at Shi Xi. His fingers, rubbed together, were slightly red at the tips, creating a stark contrast between his fair skin and black leather gloves.
He wasn't wearing gloves at the time and didn't really want to take it. He looked at it for a few seconds before raising his hand to take it. His fingertips accidentally touched Shi Xi's fingertips. It was slightly cool and damp... but the touch was fleeting.
Chu Yao silently put the gloves back in his pocket, paused for a moment, and then explained, "I have a slight case of mysophobia, so I usually wear gloves. I only brought these few pairs with me this time."
I didn't mean to make things difficult for anyone.
Upon hearing this, Shi Xi gave a perfunctory "hmm".
She silently rolled her eyes in her mind.
Why bother explaining this to him? He's just wasting his time.
Three seconds later, Sheng Yingpu handed the items to Chu Yao. Chu Yao looked at the gloves, frowned, put his fingers together, took a deep breath, picked them up, and held them in his hand.
After the cleaning activity was completed, everyone entered the cave.
Jiang Yichen walked at the front, followed by Shi Xi and Chi Zaiqing walking side by side.
Behind them was Cheng Hao, who was exchanging information with Sheng Yingpu, and the green-haired boy he was carrying on his shoulder.
Sheng Yingpu deliberately slowed his pace, then suddenly turned his head and, unsurprisingly, saw Chu Yao throwing his gloves.
And what he threw away was the pair of shoes he had just washed.
Sheng Yingpu's emerald green eyes darkened as he gave Chu Yao a deep look, but he remained silent.
...
Back in the cave, Jiang Yichen glanced at the renovated cave and the two unconscious people in the corner, and immediately understood what had just happened.
Looking at Jiang Yichen's expression, Shi Xi knew she couldn't hide it from him.
"He's not dead, he's still alive," Shi Xi said.
"It's alright." Jiang Yichen looked at Shi Xi, "It's okay even if she dies..."
Cheng Hao nodded upon hearing this. "The Marshal is right."
If they had stayed put, Shi Xi would have been too lazy to bother with them, given her personality. But clearly, they seized the opportunity to escape, which is why they ended up like this.
If those two pirates were to escape back, they would be the ones to die.
"You can sleep here." Jiang Yichen walked up to Shi Xi and handed him a tiger skin, which looked fluffy and comfortable to sleep in.
"You two are different; it's not appropriate for you to sleep together."
"Okay." Shi Xi took it, deliberately chose an open space some distance away from Chi Zaiqing, and without asking where it came from, lay down and fell asleep.
Chi Zaiqing stared at Shi Xi with resentment for a while, and seeing that he really had no intention of changing his mind, he glanced coldly at Jiang Yichen.
"A-Ran." Chi Zaiqing ran up to Shi Xi, squatted down, and poked Shi Xi's cheek.
Shi Xi didn't want to talk to him.
If the pool clears, keep poking.
One blow after another, but with little force, as if it were just teasing someone.
Unable to bear it any longer, Shi Xi opened her eyes and looked at Chi Zaiqing, "Young Master, is something the matter?"
Oh dear, this spoiled young master, why is he making a fuss again in the middle of the night?
Chi Zaiqing knelt down, bracing his arms on either side of Shi Xi, and slowly leaned down to whisper in Shi Xi's ear, "Aran, this tiger skin has an unpleasant smell. Wash it before you sleep."
"Hmm?" Shi Xi asked, puzzled.
Does it smell? How come he couldn't smell it?
Moreover, he felt that Chi Zaiqing's action was a bit too intimate.
If it weren't for the gentle and weak expression on Chi Zaiqing's face, Shi Xi would have pushed him away.
"This tiger skin has just been washed; it's brand new," Jiang Yichen suddenly said.
Cheng Hao said, "Brother Gao, you can sleep soundly!"
He thought to himself.
It's not new, is it? The marshal personally skinned the tiger he went to kill.
"Really?" Chi Zaiqing looked up, her eyes slightly darkening, at Jiang Yichen. "But why do I smell a foul odor..."
The tiger skin was filled with the pheromone scent of mint and tobacco.
Jiang Yichen did it on purpose!
Taking advantage of the fact that Aran is a beta and cannot smell pheromones, he acts recklessly.
"Don't think so much." Shi Xi patted Chi Zaiqing's head. "Young Master, go to sleep."
Chi Zaiqing covered her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and looked at Shi Xi. After hesitating for a long time, she said shyly, "...Then I want to sleep next to Shi Xi."
Ah Ran can only smell of his plum wine.
He noticed that the gazes of the Alphas around him were almost piercing through him.
Shi Xi was silent for a moment, feeling that Chi Zaiqing was like a child who hadn't been weaned and just had to stick to him.
"Aren't you an adult? Do you still need someone to sleep with you?" Chu Yao frowned, looking at the distance between the two of them, and asked.
They were so close that if Chi Zaiqing lowered his head, he could kiss Shi Xi's cheek.
"Hmm," Chi Zaiqing said, "but I'm not a good sleeper, and I can't fall asleep in unfamiliar places."
Shi Xi sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Fine, you can sleep next to me."
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