Chapter 16: Helplessness

“Luo Jiaojiao, I need to use the restroom. Can you hurry up and come out?” Leng Mohan said helplessly, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed bathroom door.

“If you don’t come out soon, I’ll just break the door down.” Leng Mohan’s voice carried a hint of doting helplessness. He thought to himself, Does this little girl really need to be this shy? I wasn’t bothered by her seeing me, but she’s hiding.

Luo Jiaojiao heard him clearly inside. Her little face was already as red as a ripe apple. She was indeed shy. Being suddenly seen by Leng Mohan while she was looking at his body had left her flustered.

She worried he might think she was improper. Leng Mohan’s gaze seemed as if he wanted to devour her, but his calm expression still made her heart race.

“I… I’ll be out right away!” Luo Jiaojiao’s voice trembled slightly. She hurriedly tidied herself up and opened the bathroom door.

Leng Mohan, seeing her adorable appearance, couldn’t help but chuckle softly. He reached out and gently ruffled Luo Jiaojiao’s head. “Okay, I won’t rush you. Take your time, I’ll wait for you outside.”

“Didn’t you say you needed to use the restroom?” Luo Jiaojiao asked awkwardly.

“Would you have opened the door if I hadn’t said that? Look, it’s just that you saw my abs. Forget seeing them, even if you wanted to touch them, you’re welcome to. What’s mine is yours.” Leng Mohan looked at her playfully.

Luo Jiaojiao blushed even more. “Then you go to the toilet first. I’ll go tidy up some things.”

Luo Jiaojiao, looking at his gentle eyes, found her inner turmoil difficult to calm. She nodded and quickly walked to the table to look through the things she had bought, trying to distract herself and avoid thinking about what Leng Mohan had said.

She knew she needed time to adjust to all this.

Leng Mohan watched her back, a hint of depth in his eyes.

He knew Luo Jiaojiao wasn’t someone who easily adapted to new environments. But he was willing to give her time, though seeing her like a turtle, he knew he’d have to take the initiative.

Leng Mohan genuinely needed to relieve himself, so he went into the restroom without hesitation.

When he returned, he saw Luo Jiaojiao still rummaging through things, but her mind was clearly not on the task. She was still immersed in the previous scene. This shy wife made Leng Mohan feel somewhat helpless.

Luo Jiaojiao’s appearance was undoubtedly outstanding. In a crowd, she was like a blooming flower, delicate and charming. Her figure was perfect, with graceful curves, a slender waist, as if she were a masterpiece carefully crafted by nature.

However, in stark contrast to her appearance was her innocent and shy personality. This contrast made her even more like a captivating fairy.

Leng Mohan was surprised by her naiveté, and it also aroused a strange curiosity. However, he had to admit that this was precisely what pleased him. He was fond of Luo Jiaojiao because of her pure heart, like a blank sheet of paper.

Leng Mohan had already endured enough suspicion and speculation in the outside world. He didn’t want to face a scheming wife when he returned home.

Home, for him, was a place where he could let down his guard and relax. Luo Jiaojiao’s simple personality perfectly matched his expectations. He could protect her without worrying about her being hurt or bullied.

Leng Mohan took clean clothes from the closet and changed. He put the dirty clothes in the bathroom.

Luo Jiaojiao, no longer preoccupied with shyness, entered the bathroom with the newly bought clothes. Seeing Leng Mohan diligently washing clothes, she mustered her courage and asked, “Can you teach me how to wash clothes? These are new clothes and need to be washed before I can wear them. Besides, this is something I should be doing anyway, and it won’t trouble you too much.” Luo Jiaojiao looked at Leng Mohan nervously.

“I promise you, I’m very smart and will learn quickly. I won’t cause you too much trouble.” Luo Jiaojiao bit her lip lightly and spoke softly.

In the Luo family, Luo Jiaojiao had always been raised as a young lady from a prominent family. Luo Jiaohui hoped she would marry into a wealthy family to help the Luo family rise further. Washing and cooking were naturally tasks she never had to do. However, now, she was determined to learn these life skills to adapt to her new life.

Now, Luo Jiaojiao knew she was no longer Luo Jiaohui’s daughter. She hadn’t married into a wealthy family as he expected, but instead, she had married an ordinary officer. In this new family, she had to take the initiative and shoulder many responsibilities, from washing and cooking to managing household chores.

Luo Jiaojiao was happy to take on these responsibilities, after all, taking care of Leng Mohan was her duty and obligation.

Leng Mohan’s eyes were as deep as the stars in the night sky. Hearing her softly say she wanted to learn to wash clothes, a complex emotion surged within him.

He turned to look at her. Her slender, white hands were like exquisitely carved porcelain under the moonlight, crystal clear and beautiful, clearly untouched by any rough work.

He remembered that she had once been a pampered young lady. In those days, her hands were always well-protected and never touched anything rough.

Yet now, she was willing to take the initiative to learn to wash clothes. Leng Mohan saw the worry in her brow and understood her attempt to please him.

He gently extended his hand. Luo Jiaojiao was a little confused but still placed her hand in his.

However, Leng Mohan quickly pulled away, preventing her hand from touching his soapy hands.

“You don’t need to do it. Just give me the clothes, and I’ll wash them. I’ll handle all the laundry and cooking from now on.” Leng Mohan looked at Luo Jiaojiao, his eyes full of determination and tenderness.

“You’ll be very tired. You have training during the day, and you have to work when you get home. I don’t have anything to do at home, and if I can’t even do laundry and cooking, I’ll feel bad.” Luo Jiaojiao still wanted to struggle a bit, hoping he would agree.