Volume One, Chapter 19: Helping with the Bath Rub

Behind each kitchen, there was a patch of open ground; some had toilets built on them, while others served as vegetable gardens.

Since I was a bachelor and had only just arrived a few days ago, my kitchen’s backyard was empty except for two large jars filled with water, which I used to bathe.

Seeing Liu Ting follow me in, I suddenly felt extremely awkward, standing there unsure whether to undress or not.

“Yanfeng! Are you planning to bathe with your clothes on?” Liu Ting asked irritably, noticing my hesitation.

“Sister-in-law Liu, why don’t you go back first? I can manage on my own,” I said with a forced smile.

Without warning, Liu Ting boldly began pulling off my clothes, quickly yanking off my shirt.

When she reached for my pants, I panicked, fearing she might pull them down too, possibly even my underwear.

I grabbed my trousers tightly, dodging her grasp, and said, “Sister-in-law Liu, I’ll handle the pants myself.”

Seeing my embarrassment, Liu Ting chuckled and teased, “You men are all the same—just different in size and shape. What’s there to be shy about?”

“Female hooligan!” I muttered inwardly as she looked disdainful. I then slipped off my pants, leaving only my boxer shorts, and began washing myself.

“Yanfeng! You’re really strong,” Liu Ting remarked, her eyes softening as she gazed at my muscular frame.

Men liked slender women, and women appreciated strong men.

She picked up a towel and came behind me, starting to scrub my back.

Feeling her warm hands on my back, I tensed slightly. It was the first time a woman had helped me wash like this, and it felt strangely unfamiliar.

“Yanfeng! Do you like your cousin-in-law?” she suddenly asked.

Caught off guard, I froze briefly and nervously replied, “Sister-in-law Liu, don’t say such things. Cousin-in-law Su Wan is my cousin’s wife. How could I possibly have feelings for her?”

Liu Ting scoffed, “Su Wan is only your cousin’s wife, not a close relative. Besides, Zhao Fei is dead and gone. Even if you liked Su Wan, it wouldn’t be immoral.”

Though her reasoning was sound, I wasn’t about to admit my feelings for my cousin-in-law in front of her. I shook my head and said, “No matter what, she’s still my cousin-in-law. I can’t have such thoughts.”

My words sounded forced, and Liu Ting looked scornful, dropping the subject.

However, her hands grew bolder, moving from my back to the front.

Married women were certainly daring; her hands pressed against my chest as her teasing voice said, “Yanfeng, you’re so strong. You must have had many girls falling for you before. Be honest—how many girls have you messed with?”

“Sister-in-law Liu, I’ve never even had a girlfriend,” I retorted, rolling my eyes at her.

Feeling her hands cling to my chest, a flush of heat spread through me. I spun around and gave a heavy slap on her pert backside. “Sister-in-law Liu, stop scrubbing. You’ll wear my skin off.”

I bent down, scooped water with a dipper, and rinsed the soap off my body.

“Ah!” Liu Ting shrieked, caught off guard by the slap, her cheeks flushing deep red.

The slap had clearly stirred her emotions; her eyes were dreamy as she looked at me.

But all I wanted was to wash off the soap quickly, escape her grasp, and go to sleep, so I didn’t notice the change in her expression.

“Sister-in-law Liu, I’m done,” I said, drying myself with a towel.

Snapping out of her daze, Liu Ting smiled seductively and asked, “Yanfeng, I can’t sleep either. Come keep me company for a chat?”

“Sister-in-law Liu, maybe another time. I’m very tired and want to sleep now,” I refused without hesitation. What a joke—it would be like walking into the tiger’s den. I wasn’t about to lose my virginity like this.

“Hmph! Coward,” Liu Ting huffed in mock displeasure and stormed off.

I shook my head with a wry smile, dried myself, and went straight to bed.

The incident with the Eleventh Squad at night spread quickly by daybreak. Su Wan was deeply worried.

But since I was still asleep, she didn’t dare disturb me and could only wait anxiously.

I slept until noon, finally awakened by hunger. Having skipped breakfast, my stomach growled uncontrollably.

“Yanfeng! You’re finally awake?” my cousin-in-law approached from the kitchen as I opened the door.

She looked at me with concern and hurriedly asked, “Yanfeng, are you alright? Were you injured?”

“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I’m fine,” I smiled warmly, grateful for her care.

Still uneasy, she scrutinized me from head to toe. Seeing no injuries, she finally relaxed, placing her hands on her full, proud bosom.

“I heard someone opened fire on your squad last night. Hu Yong was injured and taken to the hospital, and his condition was unknown. I was so worried...” she confessed.

“Sister-in-law, don’t believe the rumors. Brother Hu just has some injuries—not serious,” I reassured her.

Rumors could be terrifying—Hu Yong’s injuries were minor, yet people said his life was in danger.

“Really?” she looked skeptical, clearly aware that rumors were often exaggerated.

“Of course! I was right there and even carried Hu Yong out myself. No one knows the truth better than I do,” I recounted the event in detail.

After hearing my account, she looked shaken and said solemnly, “Yanfeng, I’ll try to pull some strings and get you transferred to the forest ranger team. You shouldn’t be doing such dangerous work.”

“Sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry. Being a forest ranger isn’t as dangerous as you think. There’s no need to ask for favors to transfer me,” I said with a wry smile, trying to comfort her.

Seeing she wanted to say more, I quickly changed the subject, rubbing my belly. “Sister-in-law, have you eaten? I skipped breakfast and went straight to bed. Now I’m starving.”

“You really are something—going to bed without breakfast,” she scolded playfully, then headed toward the dining table. “Lunch is ready. Come eat.”