Only a woman who is cherished could have such a look in her eyes, such an expression on her face.
In her past life, she’d only experienced this in the final years of her life. But now, she had it all so young, and it was all because of Hua Yusen—the man she loved down to her very bones.
Meeting the best him in the prime of her life!
This, too, was a form of happiness!
Zhao Nuanyue smiled, and the reflection in the mirror smiled back, a smile so sweet!
Noticing that Zhao Nuanyue was taking a while, Hua Yusen, who had already boiled more water outside, called out, "Nuanyue, your water must be getting cold. Do you want me to add some more hot water for you?"
"No, it’s fine," Zhao Nuanyue replied in a clear voice. "I’m already done. I’ll be right out."
Before she stepped out, Zhao Nuanyue emptied the tub. She wanted to avoid Hua Yusen actually using her bathwater to wash up. ’How mortifying would that be!’
The Hua Yusen of this lifetime wasn’t as prim and proper as the one from her past life. He was much more unrestrained, with a "no-holds-barred" attitude, capable of saying or doing anything. Zhao Nuanyue had no intention of giving him an opportunity to do something so outrageous.
When Zhao Nuanyue came out, she saw Hua Yusen standing at the door, his gaze burning with intensity.
Hua Yusen’s heart leaped with joy as he looked at Zhao Nuanyue, who was as lovely as a lotus rising from clear water. He reached out to embrace her, but she had just bathed and playfully recoiled from the unwashed Hua Yusen, dodging his arms.
"You go take your bath! I’ll get your pajamas," Zhao Nuanyue said, wrinkling her nose at him in mock disgust before running off with a flirtatious giggle.
Looking a bit embarrassed at being "rejected," Hua Yusen quickly poured the hot water into the tub and started his bath.
However, thinking that Zhao Nuanyue would be bringing his pajamas soon, Hua Yusen didn’t close the door. ’Anyway,’ he thought, ’her little brother and sister have been especially well-behaved today, staying in their rooms. Soon, I’ll be able to do as I please.’
Zhao Nuanyue went to the bedroom and took a set of cotton underwear, cotton pajamas, and a thick robe from the wardrobe—all of which she had made for Hua Yusen. She had prepared a change of clothes and sleepwear for him ever since they got married, knowing he would be staying here.
The clothes were tailored to Hua Yusen’s measurements, so they were sure to be a perfect fit.
When Zhao Nuanyue reached the washroom door with the pajamas, she heard the sound of SPLASHING water from within. She didn’t dare get any closer and called out to the person inside, "Hua, I’ve brought your clothes. I’m leaving them on the stool by the door."
Hearing this, Hua Yusen was suddenly struck by a mischievous impulse. He chuckled, "The door isn’t closed. Why don’t you bring them in for me?"
"You scoundrel, come get them yourself!" Zhao Nuanyue retorted, feigning anger. ’He’s utterly shameless! Does he really expect me to go in there while he’s naked?’
’Heh... in her past life, she had seen the middle-aged Hua Yusen naked. Although he was well-proportioned with firm muscles, you could tell he was no longer a young man.’
’But the Hua Yusen of now was in his twenties, the prime of a man’s life. His naked body right now... would surely be... incredible!’
At the thought, Zhao Nuanyue felt her nose begin to itch. She quickly rubbed it, trying to shake the indecent images from her mind.
When Zhao Nuanyue didn’t come in, Hua Yusen grew impatient. "Little Nuanyue," he called out urgently, "don’t you care about me anymore? It’s winter! If I open the door without any clothes on, I’ll catch a cold!"
Hmph!
’What a liar,’ she thought. ’A man like Hua Yusen, who used to go on missions and lie in ambush in the snow for an entire day—and not just once or twice—never seemed to catch a cold.’
’Still, they were husband and wife now. Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t be this shy forever!’
A bit of shyness could enhance a woman’s demure charm, but a bit of boldness could sometimes stimulate a man’s most primal urges. With that, Zhao Nuanyue stopped hesitating. Taking the clothes, she opened the door.
Although the light in the washroom was dim, Zhao Nuanyue could still see Hua Yusen sitting in the tub, facing her directly.
"I’ve put your clothes here. Finish washing up quickly so you don’t catch a cold." After speaking, Zhao Nuanyue lowered her head. Just as she was about to leave, Hua Yusen’s hand shot out and grabbed her arm. "What do you think you’re doing? Can’t you just take your bath properly!"
Hua Yusen caressed Zhao Nuanyue’s small, soft hands, which felt as if they had no bones. He chuckled. "Little Nuanyue, my back is a little itchy. Could you scrub it for me?"
Zhao Nuanyue paused, then her face flushed. She nodded. "Alright, I’ll scrub your back. Seeing as you’ve worked so hard, I’ll let you play the master for a little while!"
Zhao Nuanyue grabbed a towel from the side and began to scrub Hua Yusen’s back.
Hua Yusen’s back muscles were firm, but his skin was crisscrossed with countless scars, both large and small. Looking at them, Zhao Nuanyue could only imagine how many injuries he had sustained and how much danger he had faced.
But he never spoke of such things in front of her; he was the type to only share good news and never the bad.
Zhao Nuanyue knew Hua Yusen didn’t want her to worry, but her worrying wasn’t something that would simply disappear because she wasn’t told. Whenever her beloved man was out on a dangerous assignment, her heart was in her throat, and she would pray to every deity she could think of for Hua Yusen’s safe return.
Sensing the shift in Zhao Nuanyue’s mood, Hua Yusen asked softly, "What’s wrong, Nuanyue?"
Zhao Nuanyue lowered her head, gently tracing a scar on Hua Yusen’s shoulder. "Did it hurt?" she asked softly.
Hua Yusen paused, realizing she had seen his scars. He let out a wry chuckle. "I’m a man, not a god. Of course it hurt when I got injured. But I know that injury is sometimes unavoidable, and for the sake of my family, my lover, and my friends, it’s all worth it."
"From now on, I’ll cherish you," Zhao Nuanyue said, tracing another scar on his body. "I love you, Yu Sen!"
As she spoke, a few tears of heartache fell from her eyes onto Hua Yusen’s skin.
Feeling the teardrops land on his back, Hua Yusen was filled with a mix of complex emotions, but above all, a profound warmth spread through his heart.
Not wanting Zhao Nuanyue to keep dwelling on his scars, Hua Yusen quickly finished washing and stood up from the tub.