Chapter 15 Foot Washing Fun

Night had fallen over the island, and moonlight filtered through the thin clouds, spilling into Jiang Qingzhou and Fang Yingyue’s small courtyard. Fang Yingyue returned from her shower and noticed that the curtains had already been hung. The pale blue fabric fluttered gently in the breeze, adding a touch of softness to the cozy little house.

She padded over in her slippers to the table, scooped some elegant cream, and lightly applied it to her cheeks and neck. A delicate fragrance drifted into the air. After finishing her routine, she lazily climbed into bed, letting out a long sigh.

“I’m exhausted,” she murmured.

Jiang Qingzhou had finished his shower. Moving efficiently, he brought a basin of hot water and set it steadily beside the bed. Kneeling partly, he gently held Fang Yingyue’s slender ankles and slowly immersed her fair feet into the water.

The moment the warm water touched her skin, Fang Yingyue instinctively let out a soft hiss and tried to pull her feet away. Jiang Qingzhou quickly held them in place.

“Don’t rush. Just get used to it,” he murmured.

After a short while, the warmth spread from her feet throughout her body, melting away the day’s fatigue. She relaxed, wiggling her toes. Jiang Qingzhou’s skilled hands massaged her soles and the tops of her feet, pressing just right to ease every tense muscle.

Fang Yingyue enjoyed the comfort, her eyes curved like crescent moons. Suddenly, playful, she flicked her feet in the water, splashing small droplets, some of which landed on Jiang Qingzhou’s face.

He looked up, his gaze blazing with intensity. Fang Yingyue met his eyes, her face flushing crimson, and hurriedly tried to withdraw her feet. Jiang Qingzhou, quick as ever, grabbed a towel and carefully wiped her feet, his fingers brushing across her soles inadvertently.

Their eyes met again. Jiang Qingzhou swiftly removed his water-soaked shirt. Fang Yingyue, sensing what was about to happen, nervously clutched the blanket. He saw her reaction and chuckled lowly, then wrapped his hands around her tiny waist and leaned in for a kiss.

She could hardly resist; her mind went blank. Jiang Qingzhou noticed and pulled away, letting her catch her breath. Her chest heaved violently, and before she could fully recover, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her neck teased him unbearably, making it impossible to restrain his desire. His breath trailed from the corner of her mouth along her jaw…

Fang Yingyue felt her whole body weaken, her consciousness becoming hazy, unaware of the passing time… Jiang Qingzhou pressed close, his husky voice whispering in her ear,

“Is this okay?”

Her voice barely audible, like a tiny murmur, she replied, “Mm.”

In that instant, desire blazed in Jiang Qingzhou’s eyes as he gently soothed her. Fang Yingyue felt like a small boat tossed in stormy waves, tossed and swayed without finding a safe harbor.

It wasn’t until the first light of dawn peeked through the curtains that he finally paused, brought hot water, carefully wiped her sweat-soaked body, brushed her tousled hair behind her ear, and held her tightly in his arms as they both drifted into a deep sleep.

In the morning, the shrill wake-up call shattered Fang Yingyue’s dreams. She frowned, still groggy. Jiang Qingzhou, on hearing the sound, sprang up efficiently. Seeing her sleepy face, he smiled tenderly and planted a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead.

“Sleep a little longer,” he whispered, then swiftly got dressed and washed up, stepping out the door in no time.

Fang Yingyue slept in until late morning. Feeling refreshed, a warm sense of affection rose in her heart. “He really cares,” she thought. Slowly rising, her legs felt like noodles, and she nearly collapsed to her knees.

At that moment, Jiang Qingzhou entered with a steaming breakfast. He dashed forward and steadied her, wrapping his strong arms around her waist.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Do I look okay to you?” she retorted, half annoyed, half amused.

“My fault, my fault,” he said earnestly. Fang Yingyue chuckled softly and tried walking a few steps.

Sitting down at the table, she gazed at the carefully prepared breakfast. Jiang Qingzhou sat beside her, continually serving food into her bowl.

“Eat more. You need energy,” he said.

After they ate, Fang Yingyue leaned back, letting her meal settle. Noticing her comfort, Jiang Qingzhou quickly fetched a soft pillow to support her back. She relaxed, half-closing her eyes, picking up a sketchbook and pen, immersing herself in her art.

Seeing her so at ease, Jiang Qingzhou efficiently stripped the bed linens, gathered the clothes from last night, and carried them to the yard to wash. Thankfully, the courtyard had a solid door, keeping prying eyes away.

Once the laundry was done, he carefully hung the sheets and clothes on the line. Then, focused on adjusting the grape trellis, he muttered, “I had someone bring a sewing machine from Longcheng recently.”

Fang Yingyue first made a soft “ah” sound, then realized what he meant. Just then, a knock at the door sounded.

“They’re here!” she said, hurrying to open it. Standing there was Aunt Liu, smiling warmly. She wore a light blue cloth shirt and carried a bamboo basket filled with fresh, crisp vegetables.

“Xiao Jiang, what are you up to? Let me give you a hand!”

“Aunt Liu, it’s nothing, just setting up a grape trellis—really simple,” Jiang Qingzhou said.

Liu Jin Hua stepped closer, “Oh, this will be great! In the summer, you’ll have nice shade. I don’t have much today, just picked some vegetables from my garden for you two to try fresh.”

“Aunt Liu, we can’t accept this!” Fang Yingyue protested.

“Nonsense! I have plenty,” Liu Jin Hua insisted warmly. Fang Yingyue stopped refusing and accepted the vegetables.

Soon after, she hurried out with a handful of White Rabbit candies.

“Aunt Liu, please don’t be shy. These candies are for the kids—they’re really sweet.”

“This is too generous. I can’t take it,” Liu Jin Hua replied.

“Aunt Liu, if you don’t take the candies, I’d feel bad taking your vegetables, so don’t refuse,” Fang Yingyue said. Liu Jin Hua hesitated a moment, then accepted. “Alright, then I won’t hold back. I’ll go now. You two focus on your work.”

By noon, Jiang Qingzhou returned from the cafeteria with lunch and ran into Commander Zhu’s mother, Mrs. Han. Seeing him, she immediately assumed a lecturing tone:

“Deputy Commander Jiang, your wife is with the troops, yet she’s still eating in the cafeteria every day? She’s too lazy! Wives need proper guidance, and you can’t just let her be!”

Jiang Qingzhou’s eyes darkened instantly, glaring fiercely at Mrs. Han.

“What’s it to you? I can take care of her!” he snapped, striding home in long, purposeful steps.