Chapter 56: Soaking in the Hot Spring

Tonight, I Must Properly “Teach a Lesson” to This Little Girl

She could even see the bottom of the clear pool.

“Look over there.” Following Sheng Zexi’s direction, Gu Jianing spotted a spring bubbling up from the bottom.

So, this was a living spring.

Gu Jianing truly hadn’t expected that there would be a hidden hot spring in these mountains.

In such a cold winter, being able to soak in a hot spring—Gu Jianing could hardly imagine anything more blissful.

“I stumbled upon this place once when I was hiking up the mountain. I’ve soaked here before,” Sheng Zexi explained.

So, there wasn’t any danger here, nor would anyone else come by. It was safe to relax.

“Hurry up and get in. We’d better head back before it gets dark,” he urged. After all, this was the mountains—who knew what dangers might come after dark.

“Okay.”

Soaking in a hot spring naturally meant taking off your clothes, but…

Gu Jianing glanced at Sheng Zexi, biting her lip. “Aren’t you going to get in?”

Sheng Zexi crossed his arms and smiled at her, raising an eyebrow. “What, you want me to join you? I mean, I could. After all, we’re married—we’ve got the certificate and even held the banquet…”

As he spoke, Sheng Zexi put his hand on his buttons, as if about to start undressing.

Gu Jianing’s face flushed bright red, and she felt a bit at a loss.

She had to admit, they were indeed married, but they hadn’t consummated the marriage yet.

Without that, she felt like something was missing.

Soaking in the hot spring together now just felt a bit awkward and embarrassing. But Sheng Zexi wasn’t wrong—they were husband and wife, already sharing a bed. What was the big deal about a hot spring?

Fine, let’s just do it together.

Gu Jianing tried to mentally prepare herself, but then she heard Sheng Zexi burst out laughing.

He reached out and patted her head. “Alright, I’m just teasing you. You go ahead and soak first, I’ll keep watch. When you’re done, I’ll take my turn.”

With that, Sheng Zexi turned, walked a few steps away, and sat down with his back to her.

Gu Jianing stared at his tall back, momentarily stunned and a little touched. Sheng Zexi really did understand her feelings.

He was so considerate.

His gesture made her relax quite a bit.

“Okay, I’ll go first. Then I’ll keep watch for you.”

With that, Gu Jianing stopped hesitating and started undressing…

The soft rustling of clothes came from behind. Sheng Zexi, absentmindedly drawing patterns in the dirt with a stick, unconsciously gripped it tighter. He didn’t turn around.

But if you looked closely, you’d see his cheeks and ears were turning red and hot.

Especially when Gu Jianing slipped into the hot spring and let out a soft, contented moan—Sheng Zexi’s face turned scarlet. Who knew what he was thinking, his eyes growing a little hazy, as if he were drunk.

In fact, Sheng Zexi was remembering the time he’d stayed at the Gu family’s house, recovering from an injury, posing as her cousin.

That time, it was just him and Gu Jianing at home.

The little girl was bathing in the washroom, while he was chopping wood in the yard.

But suddenly, he heard her cry out in fright, then call for him in panic.

Worried something had happened, and with Gu Jianing already in his heart, he rushed in.

He found Gu Jianing sprawled on the floor.

Without thinking, he hurried over and carried her to her room.

That’s when he realized her clothes were half-off, and she kept clinging to him, her eyes seductive and inviting—clearly trying to tempt him.

The moment he realized this, Sheng Zexi felt like his mind was on fire, burning so hot he could barely think.

So how did Sheng Zexi react back then?

Oh, caught in a tangle of emotions, he scolded her on the spot—nearly making her cry—then stormed out.

After that, the little girl never tried to seduce him again. Even when she saw him, she kept her distance. Sheng Zexi knew that her attempt had been deliberate—she’d seen him always teasing her, acting unmoved by her beauty, so she’d tried to provoke him on purpose.

After being scolded, she probably thought he truly didn’t care, and was afraid of him because of it.

But how could this silly girl know the torment he’d felt inside? That alluring image had haunted his dreams, making him secretly wash his underwear countless times.

Even now, thinking about it, Sheng Zexi still gritted his teeth.

Sheng Zexi swore that tonight, he’d properly “teach a lesson” to this little girl, and make up for what he’d missed before—with interest.

Meanwhile, Gu Jianing, blissfully soaking in the hot spring, had no idea the man sitting ahead was plotting how to “teach her a lesson” tonight.

She just felt that, in such a cold winter, soaking in a hot spring was pure bliss. She’d even brought soap and a towel so she could bathe properly.

Three days and two nights on the train had left her feeling pickled. Even if Sheng Zexi hadn’t noticed any smell, Gu Jianing herself couldn’t stand it.

So, she definitely needed a good wash.

“Don’t stay in too long, especially your first time. If you start feeling dizzy, get out right away,” Sheng Zexi reminded her, still facing away.

“Okay, I know.”

It was her first time, so Gu Jianing didn’t dare soak too long. After about ten minutes, she got out.

She quickly slipped on her underclothes, then glanced at Sheng Zexi, who was still sitting with his back to her. Seeing that he hadn’t turned around, she quietly took a bottle of body lotion from her system’s storage space.

“I’m not dressed yet!” Gu Jianing warned.

Sheng Zexi massaged his forehead. You’re not dressed, and you have to announce it? Are you trying to make my imagination run wild?

But with his sharp hearing, Sheng Zexi could tell Gu Jianing was rubbing something on her skin. Thinking of his pretty wife’s love of beauty, he figured she was just applying some cold cream.

Gu Jianing slathered herself with fragrant, silky body lotion she’d bought from the exchange shop for just 0.5 points.

It was a huge bottle—five liters—so she didn’t hold back.

She could guess what might happen tonight, and she didn’t resist the thought. In fact, she was a little excited.

So, since she could use the hot spring to bathe, she made sure to make herself smell wonderful. Her skin was so soft and smooth, even she couldn’t help admiring it.

“Can I wash my hair too?” Gu Jianing asked.

After applying the lotion, she realized she’d forgotten to wash her hair.

Once they returned to the military district, it would be much harder to wash it.

“Sure,” Sheng Zexi replied.

While Gu Jianing washed her hair in the hot spring, Sheng Zexi gathered some firewood and built a small fire.

“I’m done,” Gu Jianing called, having secretly used some shampoo from the exchange shop. It took her about ten minutes to finish.

“Come here,” Sheng Zexi said, beckoning her over.

The steam from the hot spring swirled into a hazy mist, and through it, the rosy-cheeked, delicate-featured beauty walked toward him, as if a fairy had stepped out of a dream."