TSWPF -Chapter 308 Exhausted

After returning home, Mr. Luo went straight back to his room to rest. Li Qingling and the others, meanwhile, forced themselves to endure the heaviness in their hearts and stayed to eat with the villagers. Only after seeing them off did they finally have time to sit down and catch their breath.

Li Qingling gently thumped her back. She hadn’t done this kind of work in a long time, and for a moment she really couldn’t take it—she was utterly worn out.

She slumped into a chair, pouted at Liu Zhimou, and said that next time she wouldn’t be hosting a feast anymore. It was simply too exhausting.

Liu Zhimou reached out and rubbed her head, lowering his voice as he said, “Then how about we go back to the room and I give you a massage?”

The moment she heard that, Li Qingling shook her head vigorously and said no. She had tried it several times before—every time this fellow said he’d give her a massage, the result was…

You really couldn’t trust a man’s words like that. Otherwise, the one who’d suffer would definitely be herself.

Liu Zhimou could tell at a glance what she was thinking. He pinched her cheek and laughed helplessly. “What are you thinking about? Am I really that beastly?”

Ahem… before… before those times were accidents… Right now he was so tired, he definitely wouldn’t make a move on her.

Li Qingling shot him a sidelong glance and raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t he?

“If I’d known you’d be this tired, I should’ve had them come and attend to you.”

By “them,” Liu Zhimou meant the maids by Li Qingling’s side. This time, when they returned to the village, they had the guards and maids stay at an inn in town instead of following them back. If they had come along, the villagers would surely gossip behind their backs.

Better to avoid trouble when possible. They didn’t want to stir up unnecessary complications.

When they went to Ninghua County, they would bring them along. In Ninghua County, having maids and servants with them wouldn’t draw any criticism. On the contrary, if they didn’t bring any, the people there would look down on them, thinking their family couldn’t even afford a servant or maid.

Different situations called for different arrangements.

This time, they didn’t bring the guards and maids back because the village conditions simply didn’t allow it.

Li Qingling gently shook her head and said it wasn’t necessary. She just needed a bit of rest.

“Then I’ll go heat some water for you. A hot bath will make you feel more comfortable.” Feeling truly sorry for her, Liu Zhimou stood up. Without waiting for her response, he strode out.

Li Qingling didn’t put on airs with him. She smiled and thanked him.

That man was her husband. Him heating some bathwater for her was nothing strange.

It was just that back in the capital, she wouldn’t dare order Liu Zhimou around like this in public. Otherwise, who knew what rumors people would spread about her?

Here, though, she could be completely at ease letting Liu Zhimou do chores. No one would say anything—if anything, they’d just envy her for having such a good husband.

Sometimes she felt that living in the countryside was actually quite nice. At least she didn’t have to scheme against others all day long, or live so exhaustingly.

But she also knew this wasn’t possible. She had to get used to that kind of life and make herself stronger, so Liu Zhimou wouldn’t have to worry about the household.

The situation now was the complete reverse of before—he handled matters outside, while she took charge inside.

When he was out doing real things for the common people, she absolutely couldn’t drag him down. Not only that, she had to become his support.

There were many things she needed to relearn. She would have to consult Mr. Luo and let herself be exposed to things she’d never dealt with before.

Surely Mr. Luo would be more than happy to teach her.

When Liu Zhimou returned after heating the water, he saw Li Qingling already asleep, leaning against the table. His heart ached, and he sighed softly. He tiptoed over, bent down, and lifted her into his arms, intending to carry her back to the room to sleep.

As soon as he moved, Li Qingling groggily opened her eyes. She snuggled against his neck in a coquettish way and mumbled, asking if the water was ready.

Her little movement made Liu Zhimou’s heart melt. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. “The water’s ready. Do you want to sleep first and bathe after you wake up, or bathe first and then sleep?”

After waiting a moment with no response, he looked down, thinking she had fallen asleep again.

Unexpectedly, she murmured faintly, “Bathe first, then sleep.”

Her body felt sticky, and she thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep like that. It would be better to bathe first.

“All right, then I’ll go fetch the water.” Liu Zhimou gently set her back down on the chair, kissed the corner of her lips, and then turned to bring in the hot water.

Li Qingling sat for a bit longer before standing up and going back to the room to get her clothes.

By the time she had her clothes ready, Liu Zhimou had already carried the hot water in and thoughtfully mixed in some cold water for her.

“Do you want me to scrub your back?”

“No.”

Li Qingling shot him a coy glare and refused decisively. If he scrubbed her back, she’d be bathing for nothing.

Liu Zhimou chuckled and flicked her forehead. “Really don’t want me to? My technique is very good.”

Li Qingling couldn’t be bothered to argue. She simply pushed him out of the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

“Wife, is it really okay for you to burn the bridge after crossing it?”

“Very okay.”

Liu Zhimou helplessly rubbed his nose. Such a good perk gone—he’d have to wait for next time.

Just as he was about to leave, he turned around and saw Li Qingning tilting her little head up, looking at him curiously.

“Ningning, what’s up?” When had this little girl arrived? He hadn’t heard a single footstep.

“I came while you were talking to my sister. Is my sister bathing?”

Liu Zhimou actually blushed a little—a rare sight. He gave a soft “mm” and said her sister was bathing, and that she could come back later if she had something to ask.

Li Qingning nodded, then looked at Liu Zhimou a few more times, until his ears were burning. He asked her what was wrong.

“Brother-in-law, are you very hot? Why is your face so red?”

“…You little rascal.” Liu Zhimou reached out and patted Li Qingning’s head, saying he had just heated water for her sister and got overheated.

“Oh.” Li Qingning nodded again and said she’d come back to find her sister later. With that, she turned and ran off.

That child…

Liu Zhimou let out a soft breath, fanned his face a bit, and only when he felt it cool down did he head to the study to read.

Inside, Li Qingling heard the exchange between Liu Zhimou and Li Qingning and couldn’t help laughing. Let’s see if he’d still dare to harbor improper thoughts next time.

Fortunately, Ningning hadn’t said anything too embarrassing. Otherwise, her brother-in-law’s tall, dignified image would have been completely ruined.

Having a clever, mischievous younger sister at home was also a bit of a headache—those “one hundred thousand whys” could drive anyone crazy.

Leaning against the tub, Li Qingling tilted her head back and sorted through everything about their upcoming trip to Ninghua County. That way, if she ran into any emergencies, she wouldn’t panic.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never be defeated—that principle was deeply ingrained in her.

At present, her understanding of Ninghua County was only superficial. The details would only become clear once they actually arrived.

“Wife, you’ve been bathing for a long time. Why aren’t you out yet?” After nearly half an hour with no sign of her, Liu Zhimou couldn’t help coming to check on her.

He was worried that silly girl might have fallen asleep in the tub. It wasn’t the first time she’d done something like that.

Hearing Liu Zhimou’s voice, Li Qingling snapped back to her senses. She tapped her head in annoyance—she’d been so absorbed in thinking that she’d lost track of time.

“All right, I’m getting dressed now.”

“Okay. Hurry and get dressed—don’t catch a chill.”

Li Qingling answered again and quickly climbed out of the now-cold bathwater, dried herself off, and put on her clothes.

She didn’t dare let Liu Zhimou come in to drain the water. If he found out, he’d definitely lecture her again.

She ran to the tub and forcefully pulled out the wooden stopper. The bathwater rushed out with a loud splash. The tub had been designed by her personally; when the carpenter saw how convenient it was, he’d been ecstatic and even asked if she would sell him the design.

At the time, Li Qingling needed money, so she agreed without hesitation.

“You—did you fall asleep again?” Liu Zhimou helplessly tugged at her cheek. She had a habit of being a little foolish now and then, which left him both exasperated and amused.

Li Qingling absolutely refused to admit she’d fallen asleep. She frowned and said no—she’d just been a bit too absorbed in her thoughts.

“All right. Go back to the room and rest. I’ll go drain the water for you.”

“I already did. You don’t need to go.” Li Qingling reached out and held his hand, sighing helplessly. “I can handle little things like this. You don’t have to worry so much. I’m not a child.” Being pampered like this would really spoil her.

Liu Zhimou looked at her knowingly, took her hand, and led her back to the room. Turning around, he wrapped his arms around her, rested his chin on her head, and rubbed gently, saying sweetly, “I like pampering you. A husband who likes to spoil his wife is a real husband.”

“…”

This man had evolved to the point where sweet talk came effortlessly. If others saw him like this, their jaws would drop.

In front of everyone else, he was so serious and composed. In front of her, he became like a child—a child eager for her praise.

If they had a child of their own someday, would he get jealous of the child?

Thinking about it, it really seemed possible.

His possessiveness was far too strong.

Li Qingling lightly patted his back and urged him to hurry and take a bath, then go to sleep early. Tomorrow they’d rest properly, and the day after, they’d have to set out at dawn.

All things considered, their schedule was tight, with very little time to spare.

Liu Zhimou lifted Li Qingling up again, carried her to the bed amid her soft protests, personally took off her shoes and socks, tucked her in, and only then felt at ease enough to go bathe.

Li Qingling watched his retreating figure and smiled happily. Before long, she yawned and fell asleep.

She must have been truly exhausted—she didn’t even wake up when Ah Huang came with Ah Bai to look for them.

She slept straight through until dawn. When she woke up, she had the vague feeling that she’d forgotten something, but with her mind still groggy, she couldn’t recall what it was.

Only after washing up did she suddenly remember—Ah Huang had said he’d bring Ah Bai back last night. Had she missed it?