Chapter 17
Lin Zhao tugged at her clothes, looking at Chu Xihuan a bit bashfully.
“What if I don’t grow any taller?”
Will Chu Xihuan look down on me for being shorter than her?
“If you don’t grow, we’ll just alter the clothes again,” Chu Xihuan said, raising an eyebrow.
Lin Zhao immediately felt a pang for the clothes. She quickly took two steps back, afraid that Chu Xihuan’s clutches would reach out with a pair of scissors. “I’ll try my best to grow taller!”
Seeing her like this, Chu Xihuan nodded in satisfaction. In truth, Lin Zhao’s height wasn’t bad at all; she was probably over 1.65 meters (approx. 5’5″). Although she likely hadn’t eaten well, she wasn’t confined like the daughters of ordinary families. Spending her days running wild outside, she was actually a bit taller than most women.
“You can wear this for the homecoming visit tomorrow.” Chu Xihuan was very satisfied with her handiwork and felt she had good taste; the clothes she had chosen suited Lin Zhao perfectly.
“Mm-hm,” Lin Zhao nodded repeatedly, stroking the clothes she was wearing. She loved them so much that if she didn’t have to wear them again tomorrow or sleep tonight, she wouldn’t have taken them off at all.
“I’ll alter a few more sets for you to have for daily wear.”
Lin Zhao looked at the pile of clothes Chu Xihuan brought out and hesitated. “No… that’s not necessary, is it? This one set is enough. If I’m going to be working, it’s a waste to wear such nice clothes. Besides, they’re not very durable.”
Clothes like these clearly weren’t meant for heavy labor.
Chu Xihuan shot her a look. “Less talk. Just agree to what I say.”
If I’m willing to go to the trouble of altering clothes for her, she should just be happy about it. There’s no need to say things that ruin the mood.
Lin Zhao pouted, puffed out her cheeks, and really did fall silent. She shot Chu Xihuan an aggrieved look, thinking how bossy this person was.
She even tries to control if I speak and what I say.
Chu Xihuan ignored her look and said instead, “The sweet soup you brought back was delicious.”
The change in topic was abrupt, but it was a welcome one. All of Lin Zhao’s resentment vanished in an instant, and her eyes curved into crescents.
“I’m glad you liked it! If you did, I’ll bring you more again~”
Her tone was so lilting and soft, and the way she drew out the last word sounded to Chu Xihuan like she was trying to be endearing.
How was Lin Zhao so good at it?
And it wasn’t even annoying.
Chu Xihuan took a slow, deep breath. “Go and dry your hair. It’s not good to leave it wrapped up like that.”
“Okay~”
Lin Zhao obediently went to do as she was told.
After she left, Chu Xihuan slowly let out a breath, only then realizing how tense her nerves had been. She rubbed her forehead with a wry smile.
Perhaps it was because so few people were as endearing as Lin Zhao or acted this way with her that she was a bit unaccustomed to it.
In the past… only her second sister would occasionally act this way with her.
**
Meanwhile, after returning to her room, Lin Zhao first changed out of the new clothes and folded them carefully. Only then did she let her hair down and begin to rub it dry, bit by bit. Her mind kept replaying the image of Chu Xihuan helping her with her hair and straightening her clothes earlier.
How can there be such a wonderful person~
At this moment, Lin Zhao had completely forgotten that her initial impression of Chu Xihuan was that she was too fierce.
Happily, she dried her hair until it was half-dry and then went to prepare dinner.
Dinner was also simple, using the other half of the ingredients she had intentionally saved from lunch. However, thinking that she probably shouldn’t make Chu Xihuan eat the same meal as lunch, she had to think of a different way to cook it.
In the end, Lin Zhao fried the tofu before cooking it with the meat and stir-fried the vegetables separately. Looking at the dishes she had made, she was filled with a sense of accomplishment!
Although the tofu is a bit too crumbly, it’s not like it’s being sold in a restaurant. It should be fine for us to eat, right?
“Xihuan! Time for dinner!” Lin Zhao trotted to the study door to call for her.
Chu Xihuan heard her and got up, walking with her into the kitchen. When she saw the dish that was practically minced tofu mixed with meat, a thought of “as expected” popped into her head.
Looks like not having any expectations was the right call.
Lin Zhao didn’t know. She happily served her a bowl of rice and looked at her expectantly.
Chu Xihuan maintained a composed expression, first picking up a piece of the more presentable-looking vegetables and putting it in her mouth. After swallowing, she said, “Not bad, the taste suits me.”
It was just that the vegetables were probably cooked a little too long, losing some of their crispness. But Chu Xihuan didn’t say this, so as not to discourage the person whose eyes were practically begging for praise.
The smile on Lin Zhao’s face grew a little brighter, and only then did she pick up her own chopsticks and sit opposite Chu Xihuan to eat with her.
Later, Chu Xihuan did try the minced tofu dish. Although it didn’t look very appealing, the taste was still passable, not strange at all.
After dinner, Lin Zhao didn’t let Chu Xihuan lift a finger. She washed the dishes herself and then heated water for Chu Xihuan’s bath.
Chu Xihuan watched her bustling about. Even though she had worked so hard outside, she still took on these chores when she came back.
How can there be such a foolish person.
So foolish that… Chu Xihuan’s heart softened a little.
Soaking in the bathwater Lin Zhao had prepared for her that evening, Chu Xihuan closed her eyes and leaned back, relaxing. She had spent the entire afternoon with her head bowed, altering clothes, which had made her neck a little stiff.
In a daze, Chu Xihuan thought she was still at the Chu residence.
“Simeng, help me massage my shoulders,” Chu Xihuan murmured.
However, there was no response.
Chu Xihuan opened her eyes, only then realizing where she was. She sighed softly, a hint of fatigue in her eyes.
There was a sudden knock on the screen, followed by Lin Zhao’s cautious inquiry.
“Xihuan, did you say something just now?”
Chu Xihuan’s hand, resting on the edge of the tub, tightened. She lowered her gaze slightly and slowly let out a breath.
“Lin Zhao, come in.”
Chu Xihuan’s eyes darkened, and her grip on the edge of the tub tightened.
Since she was already married to Lin Zhao, and with Lin Zhao’s clingy nature, she had to get used to her more quickly.
Lin Zhao, who had been waiting outside, was slightly stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief, wondering if she had misheard.
Chu Xihuan is calling me in?
While she’s bathing?
“Lin Zhao?”
Chu Xihuan’s slightly questioning and urging voice came from inside.
Lin Zhao suddenly snapped back to her senses, her face slowly turning red. She shuffled slowly toward the screen.
As she rounded the screen and saw the scene inside, Lin Zhao’s gaze hastily darted away. She stood there stiffly, at a complete loss.
“W-what’s wrong?”
Lin Zhao’s words were jumbled. She didn’t dare to recall the fleeting glimpse she had just seen, afraid her face would explode from the rush of blood.
Although she could only see from the shoulders up, it was stimulating enough.
Chu Xihuan lowered her gaze slightly.
“Come here and massage my shoulders.”
**
Author’s Note:
Zhaozhao: [Please][Please]
