Chapter 97: You Can’t Escape Your Mother
Even her way of addressing him had subtly shifted, from the playful “Little Brother Yan Zhen” to the more formal “Yan Zhen.”
After a while, he realized her mother had left. “Senior Sister Xue’er, you can stop now. Your mother’s gone.”
She gracefully tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushed. “I might as well finish what I started. This is my first time bathing someone. It’s quite… interesting. Besides, you’ve helped me so much, Little Brother Yan Zhen. It’s only fair that I repay you~”
He preferred it when she called him “Little Brother Yan Zhen.” It felt more familiar, more comfortable.
“Thank you.”
She continued bathing him with care, but ultimately, she couldn’t bring herself to wash his entire body. After finishing his upper body, she discreetly retreated.
He quickly finished bathing and emerged from behind the screen.
She had intended to take her turn in the bath, but her eagerness was too obvious. She summoned the servants to refill the tub.
Just as she was settling into the warm water, her mother reappeared, her expression darkening as she saw Yan Zhen sipping tea at the table while her daughter’s silhouette was visible behind the screen.
“Yan Zhen, my future son-in-law, are you going to accept Xue’er’s devoted service without offering anything in return?”
He froze, bewildered by her words. “Of course not, Aunt. I’m grateful for her kindness, and I’ll repay her in the future.”
“‘In the future’? Only irresponsible men use that phrase. Why not repay her now? Go bathe her.”
“But…”
He was speechless.
Her logic seemed sound, but something felt off. She was a master of sophistry!
As a seasoned keyboard warrior, he had never encountered such a formidable opponent!
Under normal circumstances, he would have engaged her in a heated debate, but he was currently in the middle of a crucial plot point. He couldn’t break character. He had to yield.
“Aunt, I just didn’t want to make Xue’er uncomfortable. That’s why I didn’t offer… We might be dating, but I don’t want to overstep my boundaries and offend her.”
She replied calmly, “So she doesn’t like you touching her? You really are a fake couple, aren’t you?”
“—Of course not!” Mi Xue’er’s voice came from behind the screen. “We just think it’s better to take things slow.”
“What do you mean ‘take things slow’? You’re nineteen, he’s seventeen. You’re both adults! As long as you haven’t produced a child, nothing is considered ‘too fast.’”
“But… I’m shy.”
“Shy about what? You’ll get used to it eventually.” Her mother’s logic was impenetrable. “You should be good to each other. That’s how a couple should be. Constantly giving or receiving isn’t healthy for a relationship. Love is about action.”
Holy shit!
Her words struck him like a bolt of lightning. Even Mi Xue’er, with her knowledge from her previous life, was speechless.
As the saying went: Ginger gets spicier with age. You can’t escape your mother!
“Yan Zhen, my future son-in-law, I just want you to treat Xue’er well. Not just with words, but with actions. Start with the small things.”
She turned her head, gesturing for him to approach.
His scalp tingled. Under her intense gaze, he slowly shuffled back behind the screen.
“Senior Sister Xue’er… ahem, I’m here to bathe you. If you’re not comfortable with this, just tell me. I don’t want to upset you.”
Mi Xue’er, her entire body submerged in the water, mumbled a weak agreement, her face as red as the setting sun.
“Y-you can… come closer, Little Brother Yan Zhen. I’m fine~”
Seriously? He wanted to facepalm. Didn’t you hear what I said? I was giving you an out! A chance to escape your mother’s meddling!
— She’s usually so clever. Why is she being so clueless now?
He stood beside the tub, gazing down at her. Her skin, flushed pink from the warm water, was incredibly alluring.
Her hair was piled atop her head, revealing her slender neck, her delicate earlobes, and the enticing curve of her collarbone and shoulders. Her breasts, though not as ample as some, were pert and shapely, like water droplets. Her long, slender legs were pressed tightly together, her knees drawn up, concealing her most private parts.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, do I… do I look pretty?” She covered her chest with her arms, her eyes gazing up at him shyly, her expression a mixture of innocence and seduction.
He choked, nearly spitting out his tea.
— Don’t ask questions like that! I can’t handle it!
“Ahem, yes, you’re… you’re beautiful.”
She beamed.
He quickly composed himself. “Well, I’ll… scrub your back. It’s only fair.”
“Okay.”
She turned, offering him her back.
With her permission granted, he rolled up his sleeves, wet the washcloth, and began gently scrubbing her back.
Her smooth, firm skin flushed a delicate pink under his touch, like a ripe peach, tempting him to take a bite.
Mi Xue’er had never imagined she would experience the pleasure of being bathed by him. Her heart overflowed with happiness.
“—Yan Zhen, my future son-in-law, that’s not how you do it.”
Her mother’s voice startled them. She had returned.
“Mother! What are you doing here?! This is so embarrassing!” Mi Xue’er quickly covered her chest, unwilling to expose herself to her own mother.
“As if I haven’t seen it all before!” her mother retorted, then turned to Yan Zhen. “Xue’er’s skin is very delicate. You need to be gentle when you scrub her back. Otherwise, you’ll hurt her… Give me the washcloth. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
She held out her hand, and he obediently handed her the washcloth. She dipped it in the water and began gently scrubbing her daughter’s back.
“Mother, stop it!” Mi Xue’er whined, burying her face in her arms, mortified. She squirmed, trying to escape her mother’s touch, but a swift slap on her backside silenced her.
“Don’t move.” Her mother’s voice was firm. She began instructing Yan Zhen. “Don’t just focus on her back. You need to clean her neck, her armpits, under her breasts… Those areas are often neglected. A woman’s body is different from a man’s. It requires more attention… Do you understand, Yan Zhen?”
I understand nothing! He wanted to scream, but he forced himself to endure, maintaining his persona. “I… I think so.”
“Good. Now you try.”
She returned the washcloth, her gaze fixed on him, as if to say, “I’m watching you.”
He couldn’t fathom her motives. She was his elder, after all. He couldn’t resort to violence. He had no choice but to follow her lead.
He resumed scrubbing Mi Xue’er’s back. However, her mother’s voice, sharp with disapproval, interrupted him.
“You’re done with her back. Move on to other areas. Xue’er, turn around and let your beloved take care of you.”
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