When Xie San came out of his grandmother's room, Cheng Yaoyao was the only one left in the yard. She was half leaning on the bamboo couch, her long hair hanging down, emitting a satin-like luster in the moonlight, and her white feet were put together, as charming as the spirits in the Liaozhai stories.
Xie San stood on the steps, and for a moment his breathing became lighter, as if if he spoke, Cheng Yaoyao would disappear in the moonlight.
Cheng Yaoyao heard the voice and looked up at him, with a teardrop glittering under his eyes: "Xiao Fei went to take a shower. Come and drink the soup quickly."
Xie Fei's bowl was empty, leaving only two bowls of steaming pumpkin soup on the table. Xie San picked up a bowl that was slightly hot.
There were no lights on in the yard, only the endless moonlight. Cheng Yaoyao didn't feel anything just now, but after Xie Fei left, he felt a little scared. Now Xie San came back, and Cheng Yaoyao gradually relaxed and leaned lazily on the couch.
I don’t know what grandma said to Xie San just now, but Xie San didn’t look strange, so grandma shouldn’t have asked him to chase her away, right?
The faint sweet aroma of pumpkin soup lingered at the tip of his nose. Cheng Yaoyao blinked his eyes. Xie San held a bowl of pumpkin soup in front of him, with a deep light in his narrow eyes: "Drink it."
"..." Cheng Yaoyao didn't answer and stared at the bowl of soup.
Xie Da held the bowl steadily with his hands and whispered, "Don't boil it anymore."
Cheng Yaoyao came over and took a small sip from Xie San's hand on the edge of the bowl. His warm breath brushed against the back of Xie San's hand, causing his wrist to tremble slightly.
Cheng Yaoyao raised his eyes with satisfaction, and sure enough, the food was no longer hot. Then he stretched out his hands and took the bowl.
The old pumpkin was not very watery, and it was soft and fluffy, with a strong aroma and a hint of sweetness. Her rosy lips slowly curled up, and she drank it happily in small sips.
It is indeed a cat's tongue and cannot withstand the slightest heat.
Xie San stared at her cute and adorable eating posture, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up. He still remembered the day when they roasted beggar chicken, Cheng Yaoyao also stared at the chicken in such a coquettish way, and would blow on it for a long time before he was willing to take a bite.
Cheng Yaoyao drank the sweet soup slowly, one spoonful after another. The bamboo bird's nest was cooked until it was soft and the soup was thick. After drinking it, he felt that his skin was also filled with collagen.
Cheng Yaoyao touched her cheeks gently. They were as soft and tender as tofu. She didn't know if it was due to psychological reasons or the spiritual spring was really effective, but she felt that her skin was getting better and better.
Xie San blew the pumpkin soup carefully for Cheng Yaoyao for a long time, but when it was his turn, he didn't even need a spoon and drank a large bowl in just a few gulps.
Cheng Yaoyao laughed at him: "You have to savor sweet soup slowly. Look at you, you are drinking corn porridge like that. Can you taste the flavor?"
Xie San drank happily, and after Cheng Yaoyao said that, he wiped his mouth with a little embarrassment: "Sweet."
"Stupid." Cheng Yaoyao turned over, leaving Xie San with a slender and soft back. There was no sugar in the pumpkin soup, so how could it be sweet?
As she was talking, Xie Fei came out with a basin in her hand and her hair loose: "Sister, I'm done, you go ahead and wash."
"Yeah!" Cheng Yaoyao immediately turned over and got up.
Xie Fei took Cheng Yaoyao to the bathroom. It was a small side room next to the kitchen, with a small table built with bricks, just the right size for a washbasin, hooks behind the door for hanging clothes, and a drain on the floor.
There is a small skylight on the ceiling of the bathroom, and the moonlight shines in, so you can see clearly.
Xie Fei carefully instructed Cheng Yaoyao: "Sister, hang your clothes over here, don't get them wet. I've heated up the water in the pot for you. Do you want me to bring it in for you?"
Cheng Yaoyao quickly refused. Xie Fei looked weak and there was no reason for her to leave Xie San alone and ask her to fetch water.
Cheng Yaoyao also had some unspoken thoughts: the steam in the bathroom was filled with the smell of soap from a fresh bath. Cheng Yaoyao had been spoiled since childhood and never wanted to use the bathroom that others had just used.
She planned to wait until the heat in the bathroom died down a bit before taking a shower, so she said, "I haven't finished my sweet soup yet."
Xie Fei yawned and picked up the empty bowl to wash it.
Xie San stopped her: "I'll take the shower, you go to sleep."
It was already late today. Xie Fei had never played so late before and was already sleepy. She smiled sweetly at her brother: "Thank you, brother."
Xie Fei put her dirty clothes by the well again and said to Cheng Yaoyao, "Sister, put your dirty clothes together with mine. I will wash them tomorrow morning."
After saying that, Xie Fei rubbed her eyes and went to sleep.
Xie San cleared the bowls, washed them with clean water and sent them back to the kitchen. He also fetched water for Cheng Yaoyao, and brought hot water and a large bucket of cold water to the bathroom. Cheng Yaoyao carried the washbasin himself, which contained a towel, soap, and a bag of clean clothes.
Xie San hung the clothes on the hook for her. Inside was a soft bundle, and only a soft white skirt could be seen on the top. Xie San suddenly turned his eyes away.
"...I'm in the yard. Call me if you need anything." Xie San's voice was a little hoarse and he hurried out.
A cool breeze blew in the yard. Xie San gathered his thoughts, took apart the broken half of the basket, and started weaving it again.
Xie San was always very focused when he was working. His fingers moved back and forth, and the soft bamboo strips were as docile as reeds in his hands. A light basket was quickly formed in his hands. Xie San picked up the file and carefully polished the edges of the basket where they might cut his hands.
The bathroom door suddenly opened, and Cheng Yaoyao stepped out. Xie San held his breath for a moment, and looked up, but Cheng Yaoyao was still wearing the same clothes as before, and had not showered at all.
Xie Sanxian's long eyes revealed a trace of doubt: "What's wrong?"
Cheng Yaoyao bit her lip, her expression coquettish, but also a little aggrieved and helpless: "It's too dark."
"..." Xie San put down the basket in his hand and said, "I forgot. Let me light a kerosene lamp for you."
Xie San found a kerosene lamp and a piece of candle. No one in the countryside would light a lamp when taking a bath, and their bathroom had a skylight, so they could see clearly even in the moonlight.
Cheng Yaoyao remained motionless, staring at his toes in slippers with a groan. His small, round toes twisted nervously: "... and there are mosquitoes and geckos."
To be honest, the bathroom conditions in Xie San's house were many times better than those in the educated youth dormitory. However, the bathroom was always damp, and the corners near the ground were covered with moss, which naturally attracted mosquitoes and insects, and also attracted geckos that ate mosquitoes and insects.
When Cheng Yaoyao was hanging clothes just now, she looked up and saw a gecko, which scared her so much that she almost screamed.
She heard Xie San sigh softly: "Is it okay to take a shower in the utility room?"
Cheng Yaoyao asked, "Is it okay? Will it make the floor wet?"
"It's okay." Xie San said, "I'll get the water out first."
The utility room was an empty, shabby room, with a clean floor and walls made of polished blue bricks. There were only a few miscellaneous items in the corners, including wooden boards, straw raincoats, bamboo baskets, and some old medicinal herbs, which gave off a bitter and old fragrance.
Xie San carried the two large buckets of water back to the utility room, and brought in two stools, one for the washbasin and the other for the dry clothes.
A kerosene lamp and a candle stump were lit, illuminating the storage room with a dim glow.
Cheng Yaoyao stood on tiptoe, and the kitten also looked around the house vigilantly, checking for mosquitoes and geckos.
Xie San whispered, "There are herbs hanging in the house, so there won't be mosquitoes."
"Okay then, you go out. I want to take a shower." Cheng Yaoyao crossed the river and dismantled the bridge, then hurried Xie San out.
Xie San walked to the door, and she followed him to close the door, but she leaned against the crack of the door and said to him, "I...you...are you going to sleep?"
"Not yet." Xie San said.
Cheng Yaoyao closed the door hesitantly. She looked at him with her peach blossom eyes as if she wanted to say something, and her little mouth seemed to be pouting.
Xie Sanfuzhi reacted as if by telepathy and said, "I'm at the door."
"Don't peek!" Cheng Yaoyao suddenly became arrogant again and closed the door gently. Xie San even heard the sound of her bolting the door from inside.
Do you think you can really peek?
Xie San took the basket, leaned it against the door, and carefully polished the edge of the basket with a razor and his fingers, polishing the sharp lines that hurt his hand one by one.
There was a rustling sound in the room, and Xie San realized for the first time that his hearing was so good. The fabric slipped off the body and fell to the ground, and the fingers splashed water, and the water droplets kissed the skin and fell to the ground.
…
Xie San felt a sharp pain in his finger and came to his senses. He realized that the file had pierced into the flesh at an angle, leaving a cut that was neither deep nor shallow.
The basket fell to the ground, and Xie San pinched his fingers, only to find that he was sweating all over.
A series of warm blood drops dripped down. Xie San wanted to find something to staunch the wound, but he was afraid that Cheng Yaoyao would be scared if he left. As he was hesitating, he suddenly heard a strange noise coming from the room, like the muffled sound of soap falling into a washbasin.
There was also a faint sound of Cheng Yaoyao sounding like he was crying but not quite crying.
"What's wrong?" Xie San's face turned pale and he asked in a low voice while leaning against the door.
Cheng Yaoyao did not answer, and there was a strange silence.
Xie San knocked lightly on the door with his knuckles and asked in a low voice, "Yaoyao?"
There was a faint soft moan, and Cheng Yaoyao seemed to be crying.
Xie San's forehead was bulging with veins, and he said in a deep voice, "What's the matter? Yaoyao, if you don't say anything, I'm going in."
“No…it’s okay.” Cheng Yaoyao’s voice sounded strange, as if she was about to cry. Her voice was low and soft, and the hint of charm in the ending tone made Xie San’s heart skip a beat.
Cheng Yaoyao suddenly became angry again: "Are you bleeding?"
How do you know?
Before he could even finish his question, Cheng Yaoyao angrily shouted, "Go wash yourself! Bandage the wound!"
Xie San was confused: "But you..."
"Go quickly! Don't you listen to me?" Cheng Yaoyao said fiercely. Xie San seemed to see her fierce and coquettish expression, stomping her feet.
There was the sound of a washbasin clanging, and Cheng Yaoyao seemed like he was about to cry.
Xie Sankou was so dry that he dared not say anything more. He quickly ran to the yard to fetch some water and washed the wound on his hand.
There was no need to bandage such a small wound. Xie San soaked the wound in cold water for a while, and when the bleeding stopped, he wiped it clean and walked back to the door of the utility room.
There were some anxious noises coming from the room, as if someone was getting dressed.
He knocked gently on the door and said, "I'm still at the door. Don't worry."
The movement in the room slowed down a bit. After a while, the door was opened and a warm scent of peach blossoms mixed with the unique sweetness of Cheng Yaoyao wafted out and splashed all over Xie San's face.
Boom, boom, boom.
His heart was beating wildly, and every beat made his mouth dry.
Cheng Yaoyao had her black hair tied up behind her head, and her cheeks were so tender that they looked like they were about to drip with water. She was wearing a pure white cotton skirt with thin straps hanging on her shoulders, revealing a pair of small and deep collarbones. Her calves were also straight and slender, and her snow-white feet were stepped on slippers, with round and well-behaved toes.
The first thing she noticed was the wound on his finger: "How did you get hurt?"
"It's nothing, just a cut from a file." Xie San raised his hand. The wound on his fingertip was not deep.
Cheng Yaoyao suddenly covered his nose, frowned, and said in a strange voice: "You...take your hand away!"
Xie San quickly put his hand down. The wound was ugly, and it scared Cheng Yaoyao?
Cheng Yaoyao's eyes trembled, and after a long while he handed him a wet handkerchief: "This is clean water, bandage your finger to prevent infection. Bandage it now!"
"...Hmm." The wet handkerchief was snow-white and clean, with the same peach blossom scent as Cheng Yaoyao. Xie San hesitantly wrapped his fingers. The fingers that were originally a little dull and painful were wrapped in the cool handkerchief, and they gradually became comfortable.
Cheng Yaoyao put her hands down, her cheeks flushed, and she said a little embarrassedly: "The room is wet, do you want to clean it up?"
"You go to sleep." Xie San didn't dare to look at her, and said, "I'll clean up."
"But your hands are injured." Cheng Yaoyao turned around, the soft fabric sticking to her body, bending to outline her graceful curves. She exuded a warm fragrance that penetrated into Xie San's nose.
Xie San frowned patiently and said, "It's okay, I want to take a shower too."
"Okay then." Cheng Yaoyao finally felt relieved and said to Xie San, "Good night."
"...Good night." Xie San said in a deep voice.
The room was filled with warm steam, mixed with the scent of peach blossoms and Cheng Yaoyao's unique aura. Cheng Yaoyao's clothes were still thrown in the washbasin, with a soft pink blouse on top. Xie San stared at the clothes, sweat coming out of his palms.
…
Cheng Yaoyao returned to the house, blew out the candles, and let out a long breath.
While taking a shower, she smelled Xie San's blood through the door, and the emptiness in her body almost made her fall to the ground. Fortunately, she had a handkerchief stained with Xie San's blood in her pocket, so she didn't make a fool of herself.
The yang energy was sufficient in the past two days, so she didn't feel anything. Maybe she used more spiritual spring water when bathing, and the little lotus leaf began to become restless again. Cheng Yaoyao also vaguely felt the anxious and empty feeling. Just after taking a bath, she almost rushed over to bite Xie San.
Little Lotus Leaf didn't taste the blood, so she trembled and scattered wildly, forcing Cheng Yaoyao to go out and find Xie San.
Cheng Yaoyao ignored it and drank a large cup of cold tea, and the burning feeling in her chest slightly dissipated. She walked to the bed in the dark and lay down tiredly. The little lotus leaf suddenly trembled.
Cheng Yaoyao's five senses suddenly became very sharp, and a breath belonging to Xie San slowly surrounded her. This bed was where Xie San had slept for many years, and it was soaked with Xie San's breath, which gradually penetrated into Cheng Yaoyao's body, causing the feeling of anxiety to slowly fade away.
The little lotus leaves swayed gently in comfort.
Cheng Yaoyao drank half a cup of the spiritual spring in one breath, and felt the burning heat and stuffiness in her chest disappear, and her whole body was relaxed. Her snow-white toes curled up, and she tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Xie San seemed to be still in the yard. She wondered if he had finished his shower. She got up, put on her slippers, and tiptoed to the door to see if Xie San was still in the yard.
She gently pushed the door open and looked. There was no one in the yard. Instead, the light was still on in the utility room opposite. The door was ajar, and she could see Xie San's shadow on the opposite wall, trembling slightly.
Still taking a shower?
Cheng Yaoyao had no choice but to climb back into bed. This time, she hugged the little pillow and fell asleep quickly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
