Chapter 40: Hot Water

Night fell, the moonlight like silver. Leng Mohan hurried back to the room carrying a bucket of hot water, a hint of concern in his eyes. He gently knocked on the door and said to Luo Jiaojiao inside, “Jiaojiao, I’ve brought the hot water back. You can go take a bath now.”

Luo Jiaojiao, hearing the sound, responded with a touch of shyness and joy, “Thank you, Brother Leng. I’ve already prepared my clothes.”

Leng Mohan put down the water, and Luo Jiaojiao went inside. She took the hot water from Leng Mohan, smiling, “You’ve worked hard.”

Leng Mohan sat on a stool nearby, holding a book, trying to mask his inner turmoil.

He listened to the sound of Luo Jiaojiao showering in the bathroom, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

The bathroom door was made of transparent glass. Through it, he could see Luo Jiaojiao’s blurry figure and curves.

Leng Mohan’s gaze involuntarily fell on that figure; the book in his hand was somehow upside down.

His heart beat faster, his mind filled with Luo Jiaojiao’s figure and that shy smile. He struggled to control his breathing, trying to calm his inner turmoil.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment. In Leng Mohan’s eyes, there was only that figure and the surging emotions in his heart.

On the other side of the bathroom, Luo Jiaojiao was also silently feeling this unique warmth and care.

Luo Jiaojiao’s current joy was like the earth receiving life-giving moisture after a long drought.

A feeling of hunger brought her an unusual comfort, because she knew she could finally get rid of the unbearable dirt and fatigue and enjoy a refreshing bath.

Yesterday’s endurance, though agonizing, now seemed worthwhile. Even if it wasn’t the bath she had hoped for, this simple shower was enough to make her feel satisfied and relieved.

However, at the same time, Luo Jiaojiao was completely unaware of the torment Leng Mohan was undergoing behind her happiness.

His eyes were filled with pain and struggle, as if tightly bound by invisible shackles, unable to break free.

Deep in his heart, it was as if a fire was burning fiercely, yet suppressed by the cold reality, unable to be released.

He endured the pain outside, all so that Luo Jiaojiao could enjoy her long-awaited comfort and happiness in this small space.

Leng Mohan’s gaze, when it touched the direction of the bathroom, involuntarily deepened.

From the moment he met Luo Jiaojiao, he had made up his mind to spend the rest of his life with her. For him, marriage was not just a contract, but a deep fusion of two souls. He longed to become a true husband and wife with her, achieving perfect harmony in both life and spirit.

Leng Mohan understood his own needs; he was not someone who easily suppressed himself.

However, he also understood that in marriage, both parties need to give and receive satisfaction. He was willing to provide Luo Jiaojiao with everything she desired, doing his best to meet her needs. Correspondingly, he also needed her to satisfy his desires as a husband from the bottom of her heart.

This desire was not a simple physiological need, but an emotional attachment. He longed to see love and dependence in Luo Jiaojiao’s eyes, to feel the warmth and happiness of family in their intimacy. He believed that only in this way could their marriage be like a gentle stream, lasting forever.

In the bathroom, Luo Jiaojiao secretly rejoiced. After a whole day of interaction, she keenly sensed that Leng Mohan’s attitude towards her did not seem to go beyond the boundaries of ordinary friends.

Although she wasn’t sure of Leng Mohan’s true thoughts, at least on the surface, he didn’t show any further interest in her. This made her relieved and also felt a little smug.

She knew that if Leng Mohan really had feelings for her, she couldn’t refuse; after all, it was her responsibility and obligation as his wife.

She didn’t want to break the current peaceful and quiet atmosphere; this mode of interaction made her feel comfortable and secure. So, she decided to maintain the status quo for now, keeping the relationship between them at an appropriate and safe distance.

Luo Jiaojiao knew it was getting late, and Leng Mohan might be waiting for her to finish showering. She didn’t want to delay any longer, so she quickly got up, wiped the water off her body, changed her clothes, and walked out of the bathroom. In a short while, she finished showering, put on the new clothes she bought today. She tried to maintain a natural and calm expression, hoping to hide her inner nervousness and anticipation.

She walked to the bed and softly said, “Brother Leng, I’m done.” Then, she sat on the bed, waiting for Leng Mohan’s reaction.

Her heart was beating a little fast, but she tried to appear calm and composed. She hoped everything would go as she expected, maintaining this peaceful and harmonious state.

Leng Mohan glanced at Luo Jiaojiao sitting in the distance, as if only just realizing her presence. Then he slowly got up and walked towards the bathroom.

As he passed Luo Jiaojiao, she slightly moved aside. This action seemed polite and gentle, but it was more about avoiding contact with him. Leng Mohan noticed this, and let out a soft hum, his voice revealing a hint of dissatisfaction and sarcasm.

Luo Jiaojiao’s body stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered, nonchalantly grasping the bedsheet and carefully untangling her hair. She looked up at Leng Mohan, noticing that he had taken off half his shirt and was about to enter the bathroom.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Leng, aren’t you going to get some hot water? The water is still very cold at night.”

Leng Mohan stopped, looked back at Luo Jiaojiao, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He said coldly, “I’m not a delicate missy like you. I’m used to taking cold showers.” With that, he turned and slammed the bathroom door shut, as if emphasizing his determination and dissatisfaction.

Luo Jiaojiao heard the sound of the door, and her heart couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. She knew Leng Mohan was a solitary and unapproachable person, but she didn’t expect that her slight avoidance would lead to such a cold and sarcastic attitude from him. She sighed softly, her heart suddenly beating nervously, unsure how to get along with him.

Sitting on the bed, Luo Jiaojiao caught a familiar sound of water, “Whoosh… whoosh…”, the sound growing louder, as if an unstoppable force was driving the flow of water.

Her gaze followed the direction of the sound, her eyes twitching slightly.

The sight before her shocked her. This man, he was utterly insane! He had turned on the faucet, pouring bucket after bucket of cold water relentlessly onto himself.

Luo Jiaojiao clearly remembered that she had touched some cold water earlier and knew that the water from the faucet was as icy as water taken from an ice cellar.