40: Notes from a Paranoid Educated Youth 9

Half an hour later.

The flames in the stove flickered, and Wen Ci sat in front of the kang, clutching a handful of dry kindling, her brows tightly furrowed.

“The fire… it’s out again?” she muttered softly, a black smudge from the soot on her cheek making her look like a calico cat.

Zhou Linchuan leaned against the head of the kang, his shoulder and arm wounds already bandaged. Though he was sitting, his gaze uncontrollably followed Wen Ci’s figure.

She truly was a capitalist young miss, unable to even start a fire.

Yet, despite being so clumsy with fire, she insisted on boiling him brown sugar water.

He let out a rare, soft chuckle.

Unfortunately, Wen Ci didn’t see it.

Zhou Linchuan watched as she stuffed too much kindling into the stove for the third time, causing a thick plume of smoke to erupt, making her cough and her eyes turn red.

“Let me,” he said, propping himself up, his voice slightly hoarse.

Wen Ci immediately turned, glaring fiercely at him, “Don’t move!”

She naturally patted her chest, her full bosom rising and falling slightly with the movement, “Don’t underestimate me! Give me a little more time, I can definitely do it.”

Zhou Linchuan froze, his gaze uncontrollably landing on the spot she had patted.

The curve beneath her cotton jacket was soft and full, visibly bouncing with her patting motion. A button on her collar had come undone from her busy movements, revealing a stretch of pale collarbone.

Like the flesh of a peeled lychee.

Tempting to bite into.

His Adam’s apple bobbed violently, and he abruptly turned his face away.

His earlobes were flushed crimson.

Crazy.

What was he thinking?

This time, he didn’t speak first, nor did he dare to look in Wen Ci’s direction again.

Wen Ci’s joyful voice echoed in the room, and soon a sweet fragrance permeated the air.

When a steaming bowl of brown sugar water was finally handed to him, Zhou Linchuan was stunned.

Undissolved sugar lumps settled at the bottom of the bowl, and a few suspicious bits of kindling floated on the surface, but the steam warmed his face, sweet and comforting.

Just like her.

“Drink it quickly!” Wen Ci’s nose was still smudged with ash, but her eyes sparkled, “I boiled it for so long!”

Zhou Linchuan pursed his lips and took the bowl, his fingertips brushing against hers unintentionally.

Slightly cool.

He frowned, “Why are your hands so cold?”

Wen Ci rubbed her hands indifferently, “I don’t know, maybe I’m naturally cold-bodied… Oh, hurry and drink it while it’s hot.”

He glanced at her, then lowered his head and took a sip.

So sweet.

He wasn’t actually used to drinking these kinds of things.

But when he looked up and saw her expectant eyes, he inexplicably uttered two words, “...It’s delicious.”

Wen Ci smiled brightly, “Isn’t it delicious? I made it, aren’t I amazing?”

His heart was warmed by the smile and pride overflowing in her eyes, Zhou Linchuan smiled faintly, his voice deep and magnetic, “Yes, very amazing.”

Wen Ci hadn't expected him to actually praise her, and her eyes immediately lit up. She lowered her head and couldn't help but ask again, “Did you just praise me?”

Zhou Linchuan pursed his lips and continued to drink, not answering her again.

But Wen Ci’s intense gaze remained fixed on his face, making his earlobes gradually feel warm.

He finally finished drinking with some difficulty.

Wen Ci took the bowl, went out to wash her face again, then yawned and got into bed, pulling the covers over herself.

She was indeed feeling a bit sleepy.

“I’m going to sleep now, Captain Zhou. If you need anything, you can call me anytime.”

After Wen Ci finished speaking, she closed her heavy eyes.

The night deepened.

Moonlight streamed through the window paper, illuminating her sleeping profile.

Zhou Linchuan looked at her, remembering the swaying curve when she patted her chest, the reddened corners of her eyes when she coughed, and that bowl of brown sugar water that was sweet yet slightly bitter.

So clumsy.

But so adorable.

So this was what it felt like to be clumsily cared for.

And the high and mighty capitalist young miss would make herself look like a little calico cat for him.

His heart stirred slightly.

Wen Ci liked to bury half her face in the quilt when she slept, only revealing a small portion of her pale forehead and a few strands of loose hair.

Completely defenseless.

As if she was certain the man beside her wouldn’t harm her.

This realization inexplicably softened Zhou Linchuan’s heart, yet also made him inexplicably angry.

He inexplicably reached out, stopping abruptly just as his hand was about to touch her hair.

What was he trying to do?

Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Wen Ci suddenly turned over in her sleep, her cheek unconsciously brushing against his palm.

Soft, warm.

Like holding a soft, warm cloud.

He couldn’t bear to let go.

He froze for a few seconds, then slowly curved his thumb and gently caressed her face.

A touch he yearned for.

Soft, smooth.

His dark eyes grew even deeper, reflecting her sleeping face.

His breathing gradually became heavier.

After a long gaze, he finally just sighed softly and carefully withdrew his hand.

Tonight, he was destined to be sleepless again.

Ever since she arrived, he seemed to have not had a good night's sleep.

Yet she, on the other hand, slept soundly.

Zhou Linchuan shook his head and smiled wryly.

This was truly a development he had never imagined before.

He lay with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling, listening to the shallow breathing beside him, his heart gradually settling into peace.

Wen Ci was not a peaceful sleeper; in the middle of the night, one arm unconsciously slipped out from under the covers.

He stared at her long, beautiful exposed hand for a long time, then inexplicably slowly reached out and held it.

The moment he held it, he trembled all over.

Then he quickly pulled her hand and tucked her arm back into the quilt.

He quickly withdrew his hand.

Wen Ci mumbled something then, unconsciously snuggling closer to him.

Zhou Linchuan thought he had been discovered, stiffening and not daring to move, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Until she rolled over and into his embrace.

Zhou Linchuan’s breath hitched.

He should push her away.

But his raised hand ultimately just hovered in the air, and then,

Gently landed on the top of her head.

Just once.

She wouldn’t know anyway since she was asleep.

Outside the window, the cold wind howled.

And the temperature on the kang was warmer than any other night.

Zhou Linchuan had initially thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but gradually, his eyelids grew heavy.

He, too, drifted into dreamland.

That night, he had an incredible dream.

In the dream, Wen Ci not only snuggled into his arms but even… even unbuttoned his clothes, then her own, and pressed against him.

The moment their skin touched, his soul trembled.

This dream had no struggle sessions, no cowsheds, no familiar farm work.

It was all her.

The scene shifted.

“Captain Zhou…” Wen Ci stood in the misty hot spring, water droplets clinging to her eyelashes, her red lips sweeter than brown sugar, “The water’s so cold~ Come and hug me~”

He knew he should turn and leave, but his legs felt like lead, and he walked straight towards her.

The warm spring water covered his legs, and she smiled as she pressed against him, her voice soft and sweet, “Captain Zhou, are you afraid of me…”

Zhou Linchuan suddenly opened his eyes.

It was just dawn, and the crowing of early roosters came from outside the window.

He was burning hot all over, sweat beading on his forehead.

For the first time in over twenty years.

He had a wet dream.