NOVPUBChapter 224: Chapter 224 Affection
Chapter 224 -224 Affection
During the meal, the two ate in silence. Bai Xiao had learned her lesson from An Zhiyuan’s tidy ways and was on her best behavior, not daring to stir up any trouble. Ironically, despite being a teacher herself, she found herself outmatched by her student, who had left her figuratively laid out on the beach.
After eating, Bai Xiao intended to wash the dishes, but An Zhiyuan had already begun to tidy up the kitchen. Bai Xiao had been clamoring to wash her hair and bathe, but the weather made going to the public baths out of the question, and the staff baths had already closed for the night.
An Zhiyuan had anticipated her needs and heated water on the stove for her.
“Go ahead and wash. I’ll take care of the dishes,” he said.
An Zhiyuan had already begun washing the dishes, and with only a few to clean, it would be a quick task.
Bai Xiao looked at the way An Zhiyuan worked and felt a tender sweetness in her heart. Encountering such a man was probably her good fortune. It was as if the heavens had compensated her for her hardships in a previous life by sending her An Zhiyuan from above to be by her side right from the start.
Perhaps, An Zhiyuan’s ability to restrain the side effects of her “special ability” was heaven’s own arrangement.
“Alright then, I’ll go wash up!” Bai Xiao carried the large pot to the bathroom, filled the basin with water.
An Zhiyuan took one look and quickly took over. “Let me do it. The pot’s quite hot. What if it scalds you?”
“I’m not that fragile. Even back in my rural hometown, I did all these chores. I can’t let you spoil me to uselessness now that I’m here,” Bai Xiao complained sweetly.
“What was necessary at home is different. Now that I’m here, I’ll handle these tasks. Once we’re married, I’ll be the one doing housework. I’m marrying a wife to cherish, not to have her toil away,” he declared imposingly.
Bai Xiao squinted and smiled, “You said it. You’ll be taking care of the housework from now on.” Her coquettish demeanor made An Zhiyuan itch with an urge to hug and nibble on her.
Bai Xiao quickly noticed the look in An Zhiyuan’s eyes, promptly tousled her hair, brought over a stool, and placed the washbasin on it, trying the water temperature to diffuse the awkward tension.
An Zhiyuan glanced at Bai Xiao, “Let me wash your hair for you. It’s not easy to do it yourself.” He pulled her over to the sink, fetched a scoop from the kitchen, and mixed the pot’s hot water with cold to make it comfortably warm before filling the scoop.
Bai Xiao understood An Zhiyuan’s intention but still tried to decline, “No need, I can manage on my own.”
“Hurry up before the water cools,” he urged.
Bai Xiao had no choice but to lower her head into the basin. The warm water flowed over her head, and she gently massaged her scalp, soaking her waist-length hair, which she could not bring herself to cut short like in her past life.
She applied shampoo and worked her hair into a lather. Nowadays, everyone used “Seagull” brand shampoo and “Bee & Flower” brand conditioner. That was city life for you; in the countryside, being able to wash one’s hair with soap was a luxury.
“I’m ready to rinse!” Bai Xiao called from below.
An Zhiyuan, looking down at the little woman with affection, thought about how she would soon be his wife.
He scooped up water and carefully rinsed the suds from her hair, occasionally using his hands to bring the remaining foam to the front from spots that the water couldn’t reach. His large knuckles gently massaged her scalp, prompting Bai Xiao to drop her hands and enjoy the comfortable technique.
Her delicate fingers curved slightly as she rested them on the edge of the washbasin, lost in a multitude of thoughts.
She marveled inwardly, An Zhiyuan’s hair-washing skills were indeed professional.
Having washed her hair quickly, An Zhiyuan wrapped her hair with a towel and gently wiped it dry. Bai Xiao did not reject his efforts, nor did she attempt to take over the task. She half-closed her eyes, standing in front of An Zhiyuan, the two of them very close. Like an obedient rabbit, she let An Zhiyuan handle her effortlessly.
He carefully dried her hair, her soft strands occasionally brushing across his face, filling the air with a hint of their fragrance mixed with the sweet scent of shampoo. It made him feel warm all over, and he suddenly found himself a little distracted. Regaining his composure, he said, “That should be about enough. Find another dry towel and wipe a bit more. I’ll clean up here. Then I’ll boil some more water for you, so you can wash your feet and face afterward.”
Without needing Bai Xiao to say anything, he had already tidied up the bathroom neatly and then carried the big pot outside.
Bai Xiao gently wiped her hair with the towel and peeked into the kitchen.
An Zhiyuan had wiped the washed dishes and utensils with a cloth, and was now boiling water on the stove. His earnest demeanor warmed Bai Xiao’s heart. No man had ever been so good to her; to say she wasn’t moved would be a lie.
Sitting in the living room, she turned on the television, where “The Legend of the Condor Heroes,” a well-known series, was airing.
Bai Xiao’s eyes rested on the TV screen, but her mind wasn’t there.
An Zhiyuan’s affectionate gaze, his gentle gestures—they were branded onto her heart, indelible and unerasable.
Ah, this man was now becoming more and more involved in her life.
Soon after, An Zhiyuan brought the big pot of water into the bathroom and adjusted the temperature for her, then spoke as he carried the pot out.
“Go wash your face and feet. The water’s nice and warm; you’ll sleep comfortably afterwards.”
Bai Xiao enjoyed the feeling of being taken care of, not having to lift a finger, realizing she could really get spoiled by him this way.
She walked slowly to the bathroom, only to see An Zhiyuan coming out and picking up his coat to put on. “What are you doing?” she asked.
An Zhiyuan glanced outside; it was already past ten and the night had set in. Moreover, he could hear the howling of the cold wind rampaging outside.
“Just go to sleep after you’ve washed up. I’ll be heading back now.”
Bai Xiao paused, looking outside. A strong wind had picked up, and it seemed like the weather forecast had mentioned snow.
She felt unease at the thought of sending him out into such weather after he had busied himself so much for her.
After a moment of thought, she said, “You should stay over tonight.”
There was no ulterior motive in her words; she simply didn’t want him to travel back in such weather, fearing it might be dangerous for him.
An Zhiyuan hesitated, understanding that Bai Xiao didn’t mean anything else, just concerned about him. “Alright then, I’ll sleep on the sofa. You go wash up; don’t let the water get cold.”
Bai Xiao nodded and quickly washed her face and feet inside, even specifically leaving some water in another basin for An Zhiyuan.
She found a face towel and a foot towel and handed them to An Zhiyuan. “You should go wash up too! I’ll go find a blanket for you in the room.”
An Zhiyuan did not demur, taking the towels and entering the bathroom. Sitting on the stool, he soaked his feet in the basin, inhaling the lingering scent of Bai Xiao still present in the bathroom. A smile curled the corners of his mouth, subtle, yet enough to convey his contentment.
