Chapter 68 – Washing Back
It turned out that she had misunderstood.
Long Hao’s previous actions were not about disliking her.
Yan Xiaosi was not the kind of person who was unreasonable. Since Long Hao didn’t dislike her, she had nothing to argue about. She carried the bowl of rich rice back to Long Hao and handed it to him again, “It’s already autumn, and the nights are long. You should eat something. You’re a tall and big man; those five meat buns won’t last long. Besides, your injuries haven’t fully recovered yet.”
Tall and big!
Long Hao’s mouth twitched slightly. Couldn’t this kid say something nice when he was concerned about him?
Although he felt that Yan Xiaosi’s words were a bit unpleasant, he was still grateful in his heart, reaching out to take the bowl and chopsticks, “Thank you.”
Seeing his good attitude, Yan Xiaosi remembered that during the day, she saw a young man in Daxing Town who seemed to be inquiring about his news, and said, “Brother Long, there is something that may be related to you. I want to tell you.”
Long Hao thought Yan Xiaosi had encountered a Rongdi spy in Daxing Town today, and his chopsticks suddenly stopped. He raised his head and looked at Yan Xiaosi with a serious and slightly concerned expression.
“Is your family okay after going to Daxing Town today?”
Yan Xiaosi saw his nervous expression and knew what he was thinking.
“Don’t worry, we’re all fine.”
Only then did Long Hao breathe a sigh of relief, but the seriousness in his eyes did not disappear.
Yan Xiaosi continued, “The man I met in Daxing Town today was about eight feet tall, wearing a green robe, and had a prominent black mole on his chin. I saw him enter Deyun Inn in Daxing Town.”
Hearing Yan Xiaosi’s description, Long Hao’s eyes suddenly brightened.
“Xiaosi, are you saying that the man had a prominent black mole on his chin? Are you sure you didn’t see it wrong?”
Yan Xiaosi had suspected that the man was inquiring about Long Hao’s news when they met in Daxing Town, so she had paid special attention to him. She couldn’t have remembered the man’s features incorrectly.
She thought for a moment and answered confidently, “I’m not mistaken, Brother Long, do you know that man?”
Long Hao didn’t want Yan Xiaosi to know too much, lest it bring unnecessary trouble to her.
“I don’t know him. It’s not very peaceful in Xize County recently. If there’s no important matter, it’s better for you not to go to Daxing Town.”
Since he didn’t want to talk about it, Yan Xiaosi didn’t ask anything further.
As long as Long Hao had no ill intentions towards their family, she didn’t care about knowing certain things. “I bought you a robe. I’ll bring it to you after dinner. You’ve seen the conditions in my house; it’s not suitable for you, a grown man, to take a bath here. If you feel uncomfortable, I’ll bring you some hot water later. You can wash your body and then change into the new clothes.”
The aroma of the food wafted from the kitchen, and the smell of potato-braised pig intestines was rich.
Yan Xiaosi felt her stomach rumble as she watched Long Hao enjoy his meal while sitting on the broken wooden bed. She swallowed her saliva.
“I’m going out to eat. If you need anything, just call me.”
She turned and walked briskly to the kitchen.
Long Hao watched Yan Xiaosi’s hurried figure, his lips curving into a faint smile.
This kid was really starving to death.
After dinner, they cleaned the pots and dishes, and Ms. Zhong boiled a large pot of hot water.
Yan Xiaosi first brought the robe she bought in Daxing Town today to Long Hao’s room, and then went out to fetch a basin of hot water, panting as she carried it back into Long Hao’s room.
Seeing her wobbling form while carrying the water, Yan Shuqin stepped forward to help.
“Xiaosi, let me bring this basin of hot water to Brother Long.”
“No need, I’ll do it myself. Big sister, you can continue with your own work.”
At this time of night, it was somewhat inappropriate for Yan Shuqin to bring water into Long Hao’s room for him to wash himself. Yan Xiaosi urged her to leave, and with great effort carried the large basin of water to Long Hao’s room.
“Brother Long, I brought you the hot water.”
Because the light was dim, she couldn’t see clearly the situation inside the room as she walked in. When she reached the wooden bed, she looked up and realized that Long Hao was sitting on the bed with his upper body bare.
The faint daylight seeped through the broken window, illuminating Long Hao’s body.
Long Hao’s naked upper body was fully exposed to Yan Xiaosi’s eyes.
Although Yan Xiaosi had seen many naked bodies in her previous life as a military doctor, she still hesitated for a moment when she suddenly saw Long Hao sitting there so exposed.
Seeing her struggling with the basin of water, Long Hao quickly got up to help her carry it.
They stood face to face, both holding the basin.
At such a close distance, Yan Xiaosi could almost smell the manly scent on Long Hao – no, it was the smell of sweat.
This man hadn’t taken a bath for several days.
Long Hao reached out, and she handed the basin to him. She then turned to the window, took Long Hao’s black broken robe from the wooden shelf by the window, and brought it back to him.
With a crisp sound, Long Hao watched as she tore a square piece of cloth from his black robe.
His mouth twitched again at the sight.
The most famous embroiderer in the Great Chu had made that robe, and it was now torn apart by this clueless kid. If she knew the value of this torn robe, she would definitely regret it.
Yan Xiaosi handed the torn cloth to Long Hao and said, “We don’t have any spare towels at home, so if you want to wash yourself, you’ll have to use this.”
These past two days, Long Hao had washed his face in the morning by pouring hot water on it. However, since his wounds had not yet scabbed over, he couldn’t wash his body the same way. Yan Xiaosi could only think of tearing some cloth from his black robe.
Worried about her thriftiness, Yan Xiaosi had no idea of the robe’s value, but Long Hao didn’t say anything. He took the cloth Yan Xiaosi handed him.
“You take your time washing. I’ll go out first.”
Yan Xiaosi, hearing the splashing water, turned around to leave. In other people’s eyes, she might appear as a man, but she still had a woman’s body. Watching Long Hao wash himself made her feel embarrassed. Besides, she didn’t know if Long Hao would take off his pants to wash his lower body, so she thought it was best to leave quickly.
“Xiaosi, wait a moment.”
But as soon as she turned around, Long Hao called out to her.
She had no choice but to stop and look back at Long Hao with a half-twisted head.
Long Hao was trying to wash his back with the cloth, but his movements seemed stiff, possibly due to the injuries on his arm.
“Brother Long, is there something else?”
Long Hao tried several times but couldn’t reach his back with the cloth. When he applied a little more force, the open wound hurt. “Xiaosi, don’t leave yet. Help me wash my back.”
