Chapter 41 Trouble

She shook her head helplessly, her opinion of Leng Mohan solidifying once more: he was a complete barbarian! He had access to hot water, yet he chose to take a cold shower, pushing the limits of human endurance. Luo Jiaojiao found his behavior both surprising and frustrating.

She glanced at the man, quickly removing her underwear, leaving only her outer clothes on.

She decided to sleep far away from him; she didn’t want to catch a cold. But remembering his apparent displeasure at her earlier avoidance, she worried that further distance might anger him even more.

Luo Jiaojiao’s thoughts drifted like a night breeze towards the wardrobe.

She remembered a soft blanket inside. Although the summer night was warm, the blanket seemed superfluous. Nevertheless, Luo Jiaojiao decided to retrieve it.

Her movements were light and practiced, like a silent dance. She laid out two blankets, one inside and one outside.

She had already planned: she would sleep under the inner blanket, while Leng Mohan, the man who made her heart race, would sleep under the outer one. This arrangement was simple and practical, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Luo Jiaojiao was filled with curiosity and anticipation. She noticed that Leng Mohan was taking significantly longer in the bathroom than he had at noon.

He had already used seven buckets of water, the sound of the water growing louder each time. She listened quietly, a slight confusion growing in her heart, but she didn’t dare disturb him.

Finally, the sound of water stopped, replaced by the sound of him washing clothes. Luo Jiaojiao remembered her intention to learn how to wash clothes from Leng Mohan, but he didn’t seem to be dressed yet, making her feel awkward and uneasy.

She fidgeted on the bed, hesitating whether to approach him. She knew this was a rare opportunity to show Leng Mohan her diligence and eagerness to learn.

Gathering her courage, she got out of bed and walked towards the bathroom, each step cautious, afraid of disturbing the busy Leng Mohan.

Standing at the bathroom door, Luo Jiaojiao felt her heart beating faster. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. After all, she was here to learn how to wash clothes, and although the situation was unexpected, she didn’t want to give up.

She gently knocked on the door and tentatively asked, “Brother Leng, I want to learn how to wash clothes from you.” Her voice was soft, but unusually clear in the quiet room.

Leng Mohan’s slightly hoarse voice came from inside, “Jiaojiao, but I didn’t bring any extra clothes in here.”

Luo Jiaojiao’s mouth twitched. She thought, Taking a shower without washing clothes? This Brother Leng is a strange person. But she didn’t show it.

Leng Mohan seemed to sense Luo Jiaojiao’s question. He casually explained, “Jiaojiao, I live alone here, so I don’t keep extra clothes. I usually shower and then get dressed.”

Luo Jiaojiao felt a little embarrassed. She felt like she was intruding, that her presence was preventing Leng Mohan from leaving.

“I’ll get you some clothes,” Luo Jiaojiao said, understanding that he was probably still adjusting to her sudden arrival.

“Mm, the clothes are in the closet,” Leng Mohan’s hoarse voice replied, as if suppressing something.

Luo Jiaojiao opened the closet, about to get his shirt and pants, when Leng Mohan said, “On the top shelf, just get me a pair of underwear.”

Luo Jiaojiao paused, her hand reaching for the shirt. Finally, she blindly reached for the underwear, taking a pair and placing it behind her back, hardly daring to look.

Luo Jiaojiao knocked on the door. Leng Mohan slowly opened it, and she shyly handed him the underwear.

“Your underwear,” Luo Jiaojiao said softly.

His hair was wet, as if just pulled from the water, each strand dripping. He wore a large bathrobe, the collar slightly open, revealing his strong chest, water droplets sliding down his skin with a hint of sensuality.

His face showed fatigue, the mark of long hours of work or thought, but his eyes remained firm, like the North Star in the night sky, guiding the way no matter how dark.

Seeing Luo Jiaojiao standing at the door, uneasy and avoiding his gaze, he smiled slightly, a warmth and kindness in his expression.

He softly said, “Are you sure you want to come in and learn to wash clothes, now?” His voice was low and magnetic, like notes dancing on a string, making her heart race.

Luo Jiaojiao was stunned. She thought she could learn anytime. Was there something inconvenient now? She looked at him questioningly, her clear eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

She noticed the droplets on his chest, like glistening pearls, slowly sliding down his skin. She quickly looked away, secretly relieved by the door’s presence, otherwise, she would have been staring.

She took a deep breath, calming her racing heart, and looked at him firmly, nodding. She decided to ignore any distractions and focus on learning how to wash clothes.

“Is it inconvenient for you to teach me how to wash clothes now?” Luo Jiaojiao asked cautiously, her gaze lightly sweeping over him.

Leng Mohan gently shook his head, looking directly into her eyes, “I’m only wearing shorts. If you don’t mind, come in and learn.”

The shorts were quite short, only reaching his thighs, but Leng Mohan’s words made Luo Jiaojiao realize his upper body was bare, making her uncomfortable to look at him directly.

“I can learn by watching your hands,” Luo Jiaojiao suggested awkwardly.

Luo Jiaojiao’s words surprised Leng Mohan slightly. He expected her to be scared off by his words, considering her background and education, she should have avoided such menial labor.

However, Luo Jiaojiao’s reaction was unexpected. Her cheeks and ears flushed, clearly showing her shyness. This stubbornness and persistence made Leng Mohan look at her with new respect.

A playful smile curved his lips as he looked at Luo Jiaojiao, his tone teasing, “Since you’re so interested, come in and take a look. Are you trying to learn how to wash my clothes?”

Luo Jiaojiao was momentarily flustered. In her understanding, housework like washing and cooking wasn’t a woman’s responsibility. She hoped to prove her worth through her efforts.

Taking a deep breath, she looked firmly at Leng Mohan and nodded. Seeing her determined gaze, Leng Mohan was moved. He knew Luo Jiaojiao wasn’t someone who gave up easily; she had her own persistence and aspirations. This made him even more curious and eager to see what she would do next.