"Adding more water now."

She had lost count of how many times he'd said it.

Every time he came over, he would pour the water and then walk away. There wasn't even a hint of greed in his eyes, as if he were doing something utterly mundane.

Soaking in the medicinal bath, Shen Zuimo gradually felt changes in her body. Compared to before, her skin seemed more sensitive, and every pore felt like it was opening up to absorb the undetectable medicinal effects.

"Hey, Ye Xiaofan..."

She couldn't remember when she stopped calling him by his name so frequently.

"Just wait a bit, let me finish pouring this pot first. The water is almost full, so let me empty some and then add more. Use your inner strength to sense the expansion of your meridians. Don't try to resist it, just let it happen naturally. Also, if the water temperature gets too high, let me know. I'll help you open the first meridian, so pay attention and don't..."

He rambled on, ignoring why she'd called him, chattering on like a nagging aunt, incessantly. It was strange for a man to talk so much, like a chatterbox.

Yet, this oddity didn't annoy Shen Zuimo. Instead, she looked at him with curiosity, feeling unexpectedly comforted by the scene.

"Before..."

"Huh?"

"You and I... what were we like?"

"What do you mean?"

Only this man knew the details, Shen Zuimo reminded herself. She just wanted to understand how she could have fallen for such a nag.

"Are you doing it on purpose?" Her words turned cold as Shen Zuimo shot him a glare.

And that glare nearly knocked his soul out of place—a soul-stealing gaze.

"As expected, even when angry, you're still so captivating."

"Forget it if you don't want to talk about it." With Shen Zuimo's pride, she naturally wouldn't press the matter further.

"Back then, when we first met, you were just as cold. Like a witch who didn't belong to this world."

"Witch?" Shen Zuimo didn't seem to mind the term.

"Yeah, a witch, always ready to put a knife to my throat. Not even blinking when you took a life, like it was nothing. Back then, I figured you were big trouble. If I kept you around, surely there'd be trouble. But you were injured and had lost your memory, and if I left you alone, who knew what might happen..."

"Pitying me?" Shen Zuimo asked slowly.

"Don't joke. How many people in this world have the right to pity others? Life's mostly disappointing. You're an assassin, and whatever befalls you is of your own doing, nothing to do with me. I could use some pity myself."

Hearing Xiaofan's words, Shen Zuimo wasn't angry at all, because what he said was true—undeniable.

"Then why..."

"Because you're beautiful."

Eights months later, the words left Ye Xiaofan's mouth again, but this time, he was more natural than his initial awkwardness.

Silence. Shen Zuimo fell silent. Was this really the reason he saved her when she was injured?

"And then?" She still wanted to know what happened next.

"And then? You became enchanted with my heroism, always caring for me. Eventually, we fell in love, went through the traditional rites, and almost ended up in the bridal chamber."

A chill ran down her spine, and Xiaofan felt it. Shen Zuimo's killing intent rose again, though only briefly this time.

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll..."

"Cut my tongue out, right? Some things never change. Yeah, you always threatened me like this. If I saw your body, you'd dig my eyes out; if I made any improper move, you'd chop my hands and feet off. Yet here I am, still lively as ever. Besides, you used to be so strong, those words might have scared me, but things are different now. I'm stronger, you can't intimidate me anymore, hahaha..."

A mischievous and cheeky laugh escaped from Xiaofan. It was infuriating, yet she couldn't genuinely get mad at him.

But if what he said was true, what really happened between them? Why did she feel compassion for him?

What were the details? She wanted to know more.

"On ordinary days..."

"Don't ask. Even if I tell you, you might not believe it. But I'm telling the truth. I thought I'd score a beautiful wife eventually. You know, where I come from, marrying a wife is expensive. But the ready-to-marry duck flew away, so frustrating. Anyway, let's change the water. Cover up, block the view. After this, I'll needle you."

Wife? Duck? What was with this guy? So lowbrow. Strange words just popping out of his mouth.

The water in the large barrel was slowly being emptied, dropping to Shen Zuimo's smooth shoulders. Her fair skin shimmered just above the water's surface, barely hidden, threatening to reveal itself with each ripple.

"Enough." Seeing Xiaofan still pouring water out, Shen Zuimo quickly shouted. If he continued, she'd have nowhere to hide.

"Huh? Oh. Oh."

"Ye Xiaofan, don't pull any tricks, or I'll really kill you."

"Caught me, huh? Okay. I'm just building immunity towards you. Look, with more exposure, I won't get nosebleeds anymore. You don't know, but before, you almost had me sent to the hospital for blood transfusion—the nosebleeds just wouldn't stop."

Xiaofan teased as he slowly refilled the large barrel.

Though his words were exaggerated, they stayed mostly rooted in truth.

And was Shen Zuimo really going to let this guy win? His seemingly innocent teasing, in front of him, felt almost brazenly natural.

How did she ever live with someone like this? Now he was getting on her nerves, almost causing internal injuries from anger.

So, Shen Zuimo decided that if he ever spoke disrespectfully again, she'd definitely take action to teach him a lesson, maybe even seriously.

"Move a bit out, getting ready to open your first acupuncture point." At this moment, Xiaofan spoke softly.

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