"Why do you always lie to people!"
There seemed to be... a hint of delight in that voice?
Having received a satisfactory answer, those small hands finally released his poor body. But Chu Chu still hadn't told him to open his eyes, so Xiao Jin Yu kept them closed and waited a while longer. Chu Chu showed no intention of helping him into the bathtub.
What is this girl up to now...
Xiao Jin Yu frowned and opened his eyes, nearly fainting the moment he did.
☆、34 Sweet and Sour Ribs (Part 14)
Chu Chu stood right in front of him, no more than two steps away, having removed all her clothing except for a belly band. She was currently turned sideways to him, trying to undo the small knot tied behind her back with her hands reversed.
He had always thought this girl was young, very young—like a half-opened flower bud that hadn't yet developed any charm or grace, purely delicate and adorable. Just looking at her warmed his heart, making him always want to spend more time with her.
But seeing her smooth side profile so closely and clearly now, Xiao Jin Yu realized this small body that had thrown itself into his arms several times actually had curves—full and rounded like pearls, fair skin glowing with healthy color. She resembled a lotus flower blooming in midsummer, so tender and moist it seemed one squeeze could produce a pool of water. Every inch of her flesh and bone appeared so plump, so vibrant, so exquisite...
Wait... He was supposed to be taking a bath, so why was she undressing?!
Xiao Jin Yu suddenly came to his senses, quickly closing his eyes and turning his head away. A conspicuous red flush spread from his face down to his chest, his breathing becoming uneven. "Chu Chu..."
Still struggling with the knot that had somehow become a tight tangle, Chu Chu turned her head toward Xiao Jin Yu, whose eyes were tightly shut. "Almost, almost done!"
Xiao Jin Yu wondered if he hadn't made himself clear earlier. "Chu Chu, I meant for you to take off my clothes... Only mine, you don't need to take off yours..."
To his surprise, Chu Chu suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! You opened your eyes!"
Xiao Jin Yu's face turned as red as a ripe cherry. "I'm sorry..."
"You... keep your eyes closed. Don't open them until I tell you to look!"
"Okay..."
Wait... What did she want him to look at?!
Xiao Jin Yu had to ask, though he dreaded the answer. "Chu Chu... why are you taking off your clothes?"
"To help you bathe! You have no strength at all, and the water is so cold. If you can't sit steadily and fall into the water, that would be terrible. I need to hold you."
Xiao Jin Yu nearly choked on his breath.
Why hadn't he steeled himself earlier and let the guards arrest her!
"No... Put your clothes back on immediately!"
"Don't worry, I know all about it! My grandmother told me when I was little—a woman shouldn't let a man see her body before the wedding ceremony. Only after entering the Nuptial Chamber is it allowed. Otherwise, she won't be able to marry. So keep your eyes closed for now. I'll hold you from behind later, and you mustn't turn to look at me."
Xiao Jin Yu was going insane. Couldn't this family teach their daughter everything clearly in one go?!
Xiao Jin Yu put on a stern face and lowered his voice. "Chu Chu, this isn't appropriate..."
"Well..." Chu Chu hesitated for a moment, pursed her lips as if making a major decision, then said, "If you want to look, then go ahead."
Xiao Jin Yu's face turned from red to nearly purple.
"No... The water is too cold, you won't be able to bear it. I can bathe by myself..."
"If you can bear it, so can I!"Xiao Jin Yu was practically begging her, "I've soaked many times before, I'm used to it... You'll get sick like this..."
"I'm not afraid!"
She wasn't afraid, but he was!
"If you get sick, who will take care of me..."
This sentence worked better than any before. Chu Chu looked at the half-filled tub of water floating with ice chunks, then at the terribly weak Xiao Jin Yu, biting her lip, "Then... then I'll just stay by your side watching over you."
"Alright..."
Chu Chu quickly wrapped her clothes around herself, carefully helped Xiao Jin Yu into the bathtub. Before she could even settle him properly, she felt his body tremble violently.
Chu Chu frowned with worry, "Is it too cold?"
"Just right..."
Sitting in the tub, the cold water reaching his chest, the piercing, bone-chilling cold mercilessly devoured Xiao Jin Yu's already faint body warmth. So cold he could barely breathe. "Don't be afraid... When Jing Yi comes, listen to what he says..."
Chu Chu tightly grasped Xiao Jin Yu's icy, trembling hand, "When will Brother Jing arrive?"
"Soon..."
"Okay, I'll listen!"
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly, closed his eyes, letting this tub of ice water freeze through both his body and consciousness.
When consciousness returned, the first thing he felt was a scalding, sweet metallic taste surging up his throat, so uncomfortable he had to turn his head and spit it out. But as soon as he spat one mouthful, another would surge up. He didn't know how many times he vomited before it finally stopped. His internal organs felt twisted into knots, the pain nearly making him pass out again.
This feeling was familiar - it meant he had once again escaped from the King of Hell.
This time... was truly fortunate...
Before he even opened his eyes, he felt a warm, damp towel wiping his face, carefully cleaning his cheeks, the corners of his mouth, his chin. Then a gentle force lifted his upper body, leaning him against something soft and warm. Comfortably warm water was slowly fed into his mouth.
Xiao Jin Yu couldn't swallow it all at once and began choking and coughing.
That soft warmth wrapped around his upper body more tightly. A small hand patted his chest, and a familiar, clear sweet voice sounded by his ear, "Wang Ye, don't rush, drink slowly..."
Xiao Jin Yu coughed as he opened his eyes, "Chu Chu..."
The small hand on his chest paused, "Wang Ye! You're awake!"
"Mmm..."
Chu Chu hugged the person in her arms tightly and burst out crying, "Wang Ye, you're finally awake! You scared me to death! Why did it take you so long to wake up!"
"Sorry..."
Suddenly Chu Chu stopped crying, released Xiao Jin Yu, carefully helped him lie down, reached out to touch his pale face, staring at him distractedly while murmuring to herself quietly, "I must have fallen asleep and am dreaming again... Wang Ye, you sleep well, I won't disturb you. Once you've slept enough, you'll get better..."
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