Chapter 125 : Hot

On the day the college entrance exam results were announced, the important task of checking the scores was handed over to me without much discussion. I was busy at home revising drafts and finishing up tasks. It was natural for me to focus on writing until the end.

The province was holding a speech contest, and the first place prize was a thousand yuan, with the second and third places receiving half of that amount. Additionally, winning could enhance my resume for future job prospects. This was a significant temptation, and most of the broadcasters in our bureau had signed up for it. Given their strong abilities, I needed to prepare well, or I might be eliminated in the first round.

While I was finishing up, I heard a commotion outside the bedroom and then Ma Xiuzhi’s frantic scream, “Qingqing! Qingqing! Where are you?”

I rubbed my ears, trying to get up to open the door. Before I could act, the bedroom door was opened from the outside, and Ma Xiuzhi rushed in, immediately hugging me. Then, I heard crying.

This scared me out of my wits. I quickly embraced Ma Xiuzhi and anxiously asked, “Mom? Why are you crying?”

Ma Xiuzhi wanted to respond but was sobbing and laughing at the same time, leaving me dumbfounded. I quickly turned my confused gaze to Ma Xiuzhi, who had just entered the bedroom, and asked, “Mom, what’s going on?”

“I’m so happy!” Ma Xiuzhi’s face was filled with joy, and with excitement, she dropped the bombshell “Qingqing, you’re the top scorer in the province!”

“What?” The news stunned me. I blinked in disbelief and repeated, “Top scorer in the province?”

“Yes, the top scorer in the province! Qingqing, you’re amazing!” Ma Xiuzhi said as she walked over, grabbing her hand.

Ma Xiuzhi held her hand with tears in her eyes. “You don’t know how happy I am. Who said that girls can’t study and that studying is useless? Look at this, the top scorer in the province! No boy in the province could beat you! My daughter is truly outstanding. I need to go back and offer a sacrifice to our ancestors.”

“I didn’t even expect it myself,” I noticed Ma Xiuzhi’s disappointment and grabbed her hand before she could fully retract it. “Let’s celebrate tonight.”

Ma Xiuzhi held my hand again, her lips lifting in a controlled smile. “Then I’ll go buy some groceries.”

“I’ll stay with you,we absolutely have to celebrate! Oh, and I haven’t told your father about this big event yet. I’ll go back first thing tomorrow morning,” Ma Xiuzhi said, already busy making plans and grabbing a basket for groceries.

In the room, only the couple was left.

“Qingqing, I’m so proud of you,” Fan Yanxing said, squeezing my palm with admiration in his eyes. His voice was heavy with emotion, making me shiver slightly.

“Your the top scorer in the province,” I replied, glancing at him with a quick, affectionate kiss on the lips. I lowered my voice and asked, “What about tonight, are you free?”

Hearing this, Qingqing felt a flush of embarrassment and almost choked on her own saliva. She glared at Fan Yanxing and said, “Go buy groceries.”

Just then, Ma Xiuzhi’s urging voice came from outside, interrupting Fan Yanxings teasing remarks.

That evening, Fan Yanxing and I prepared a feast at the table. In addition to celebrating, we enjoyed a bottle of white wine with Qu Anming. By the time everything was done, it was already past nine.

Fan Yanxing didn’t drink too much, so I asked him to help Qu Anming and Xiao Jinhua back to the guesthouse first, and then I helped Ma Xiuzhi clean up and cover the children with blankets before taking a bath myself.

As I filled the bathtub with water, Fan Yanxing returned.

“Take off Jiayu’s clothes,” I said, testing the water temperature. After getting it right, I directed Fan Yanxing to undress the child. Little Jiayu, who had been energetic after a long nap, thought I was playing with him. He giggled and splashed around, making a mess of the bathroom. Naturally, I was the one closest to the water and ended up soaked.

I wiped my face dry and felt frustrated. I slapped Jiayu’s chubby little bottom and said, “Be quiet, Grandma is trying to sleep.”

The light slap was more like a gentle tickle to Jiayu, who only splashed more vigorously, opening his mouth and babbling incomprehensibly. He seemed to enjoy the attention.

“I’m giving you a bath, and you’re driving me crazy,” I said, covering Jiayu’s head with a towel and glaring at Fan Yanxing, who was watching with amusement. I coughed and then squatted down, gently wiping Jiayu’s body with the damp towel.

As I bathed him, I pretended to scold him sternly, saying, “Jiayu, why don’t you listen to Mommy? Don’t you know that Mommy is the most important person in the house?”

Jiayu tilted his little head, absorbed in playing with the water and not understanding a word of what I was saying. He continued splashing, and seeing me drying off the water with a towel, Fan Yanxing couldn’t help but laugh. He said, “What are you telling him? Nonsense.”

“What nonsense?” Qingqing raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity. “Which word did I say wrong?”

Hearing Qingqings question, I thought for a moment and realized I couldn’t find a counterargument. I could only silently close my mouth. In this house, it’s true that I’m the second in command, with Qingqing being in charge of everything, except for the bed.

“take him back to the room.” Qingqing said, seeing I hadn’t responded, and nudged me with her knee, “What are you thinking about?”

“Huh?” I jumped in surprise, snapping out of my daze, and turned to ask, “What did you just say?”

Qingqing looked at my reddened face with suspicion before repeating her words.

I glanced at Jiayu, who was lying comfortably in Qingqings arms, his eyes tightly closed. His thick lashes cast a shadow on his soft cheeks. After playing for so long, even the most energetic child would be exhausted.

“You should take Jiayu back to the room. I’ll shower first,” she said, shifting my gaze back to Qingqing.

She took this opportunity to give me a quick kiss on the lips, and as I felt my throat tighten, and I said in a low voice, “I’ll wait for you.”

“Who’s waiting for you? Hurry and take Jiayu back to the room. If he catches a cold, I’ll see where you’ll cry,” Qingqing said.

Fan Yanxing glanced at Jiayu, wrapped snugly in the blanket. But then he hesitated, thinking it might upset her. With a sigh, he nodded and said, “I’ll get Jiayu dressed.”

“Go quickly,” I urged, pushing Fan Yanxing out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me, and locking it with a click. My  fingers brushed the cold doorknob as i bit my lip, hesitated for a moment, and then turned the lock back.

I decided to treat myself to a reward for helping with the baby’s bath.

I removed my sweater, which was damp from Jiayu’s splashing, and tossed it into the dirty laundry basket. After unfastening my underwear and taking off my pants, I was soon naked, feeling the chill as I prepared to shower.

I put on a sweater after Jiayu splashed water on me, but it was still damp and uncomfortable. I took off the wet clothes and tossed them into the laundry basket, then removed my underwear and pants, leaving myself completely exposed.

I first emptied Jiayu’s bathwater and moved the large tub to the wall, then brought another bucket of hot water into the empty bathroom. The city was larger than the village, so there wasn’t enough room for a full bath tub, and since there were no water heaters at the time, I had to use a bucket and towel to wash.

With the autumn chill in the air, I wanted to finish quickly. Just as I was halfway through, the door was suddenly opened, letting in a cold draft. I instinctively covered my chest with a towel and looked up, meeting Fan Yanxings deep, dark eyes.

“So well-behaved? Waiting for me?” Fan Yanxing came in, expertly locking the door behind her. He then removed hIS sweater with one hand, revealing his toned, fit body. His muscles were defined but not overly exaggerated, each part was perfectly proportioned.

His sweater and pants were casually tossed onto the sink, and the thin black fabric clung to his body, highlighting his strength.

I was startled by Fan Yanxing actions and turned away, trying to avoid looking at him. But before I could react, Fan Yanxing had undressed completely and approached me.

He picked up the soap, lathered it in his hands, and then pulled me into his embrace. With a husky, seductive voice, he said, “If you’re cold, come closer.”

The distance between them was so close that their breaths were palpable.Fan Yanxing’s body was warm compared to Jiayu, who was always like a hot furnace even in winter.

“Already close enough,”Qingqing said, tilting her chin up, her breath touching Fan Yanxing neck, making the sensation of their proximity even more intense.

Fan Yanxing slowly applied soap to Qingqing’s body, and with each stroke, the scent of the soap grew stronger in the air. They continued until every part of Qingqing’s body was covered, then rinsed off the foam with hot water.

During this process, neither spoke, but the atmosphere was filled with an inexplicable, lingering intimacy. Their breathing grew heavier, and Qingqing’s gaze fell to the soap bubbles dancing around her legs. She was getting anxious, about to speak when suddenly, her whole body was lifted and placed on the sink.

Despite being exposed to the cold, Qingqing’s body began to tremble uncontrollably, a stark contrast to Fan Yanxings warmth.

Fan Yanxing said, “We can get even closer, Qingqing.”