Chapter 57: Brother’s Waist—A Deadly Weapon

Sheng Zexi stared in a daze for a moment before snapping back to reality. He quickly called Gu Jianing over to sit on a smooth, round stone by the campfire.

He took the towel from her hands and gently started drying her damp hair.

“It’s cold out. Before we leave, it’s best to dry your hair by the fire. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold easily.”

“Okay.”

So, he built the fire just to help her dry her hair. Now he was even helping her towel it off. Sitting by the fire, draped in a military coat, Gu Jianing felt her heart fluttering and warming, just like the dancing flames.

She could feel how gentle Sheng Zexi’s movements were, as if he was afraid of hurting her.

In her previous life, Wen Zhuqing had never treated her with such care.

Maybe… this was the difference between love and mere use.

Only when you truly love someone, when you hold them in your heart, do you treat them so tenderly.

Of course, there was another reason—Sheng Zexi was just a genuinely good person.

Sheng Zexi, oh Sheng Zexi, you treat me so well. My heart isn’t made of stone. It’s possible I’ll slowly fall for you.

Gu Jianing sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, chin resting on her arms. Behind her, the tall man half-knelt, gently drying her hair. The flickering firelight illuminated the happiness on her face.

Sheng Zexi, on the other hand, wasn’t thinking much—he was just focused on carefully drying her hair. Being so close, he could smell the faint fragrance from her hair and body.

Hmm, what a sweet-smelling little wife.

He’d smelled perfume on other women who tried to get close to him before, but for some reason, he always found those scents harsh and unpleasant.

He couldn’t stand even a whiff.

But the scent on Gu Jianing was different—rich, not too light, not at all cloying. When he got close, it felt like it enveloped him completely.

And yet, he didn’t find it unpleasant at all. In fact, he was a little addicted to it.

As he kept drying her hair, he found himself unconsciously leaning closer. By the time he realized it, his face was nearly at her pale, slender neck.

Startled, Sheng Zexi quickly pulled himself together and continued drying her hair.

“All right, it’s almost dry. I can finish the rest myself. You should go wash up in the hot spring. It’s getting late, and we need to head back soon.” Gu Jianing remembered Sheng Zexi had said they needed to return before dark.

“Okay.”

As soon as Gu Jianing took the towel from him, Sheng Zexi started taking off his clothes.

He stripped so quickly that by the time Gu Jianing realized what was happening, his upper body was already bare.

She stared blankly at his solid chest, those eight-pack abs, the faint V-line… Her face, already warm from the fire, grew even hotter.

“Well? Do you like what you see?”

“Yeah.”

Gu Jianing answered instinctively. When she came to her senses, she saw Sheng Zexi laughing heartily, and immediately grew flustered and annoyed.

“Sheng Zexi, you—you’re shameless!”

“We’re husband and wife. What’s shameless about it? Not to mention looking, even if you wanted to…”

As he spoke, Sheng Zexi stepped forward, and before Gu Jianing could react, he grabbed her hand and pressed it to his abs.

“How about that? Feels even better, right?”

Gu Jianing’s cheeks turned crimson. Embarrassed and angry, she stomped her foot. “Ahhh, Sheng Zexi, you’re so annoying!”

Sheng Zexi just laughed, then turned and stripped off the last of his clothes, leaping into the hot spring.

“No need to turn away. I don’t mind you looking.”

Gu Jianing gave a little huff and muttered, “Who wants to look at you anyway?”

But even as she said that, her hand twitched, and inside, she was screaming.

Ahhh, those abs felt amazing—so firm and warm, full of strength. My hand is itching to touch them again!

No, no, Gu Jianing, you have to control yourself. You can’t be a lecherous wolf-girl!

She tried to restrain herself, but when Sheng Zexi finished bathing and started getting dressed, she still snuck a peek.

Tsk tsk, all that masculine charm and hormones—so irresistible.

Especially that lean, powerful waist… Brother’s waist is a deadly weapon!

I’m doomed. After tonight, I probably won’t be able to get out of bed tomorrow morning!

Wuwu, but… why am I actually looking forward to it?!

Gu Jianing, you really are a pervert!

Oh well, so what if I am? He’s my husband—what’s wrong with looking?

Gu Jianing felt completely justified.

Just one more look. Just one!

As a soldier, Sheng Zexi was extremely sensitive to being watched. Of course he noticed Gu Jianing’s sneaky glances.

Catching her gaze on him, Sheng Zexi felt fireworks exploding inside—he was thrilled.

He knew he had a great body.

How could Ningning not like it? He was definitely better than that scrawny scholar she used to like.

Without realizing it, Sheng Zexi slowed down as he got dressed. What should have taken a few seconds dragged on and on. If he hadn’t worried about catching a cold, who knows how long he would have dawdled?

“Ahem.” Sheng Zexi finally finished dressing. He cleared his throat, walked over to Gu Jianing, and bundled her up—coat, scarf, hat, everything—until she was wrapped up tight.

“Time to go. It’s cold outside, and the temperature difference is big. You need to dress warmly.”

“Mm, I know.”

So once again, Sheng Zexi took Gu Jianing’s hand, and together they walked through the passage and out.

At the end, Sheng Zexi rolled the big stone back to block the entrance.

He wasn’t the self-sacrificing type—he had no intention of letting others find this place and use the spring.

Better to block it off, keep it hidden, and bring his wife here whenever he had time.

Maybe, if he got the chance, they could even bathe together.

The thought made Sheng Zexi’s heart burn with anticipation.

After rolling the stone into place, he noticed his wife looking back longingly.

“When can we come again?” Gu Jianing asked.

Soaking in a hot spring in the middle of winter was amazing—especially when water was scarce and even heating water for a bath was hard.

To Gu Jianing, this hot spring was a gift from heaven.

“Just tell me whenever you want to come. As long as I have time, I’ll bring you,” Sheng Zexi promised, holding her hand.

“Okay.”

They walked out of the mountains and got in the car. By the time they reached the military base, night had fallen.

As usual, Sheng Zexi went to the canteen to get dinner. Gu Jianing took the chance to lie down on the kang and let her soul enter the Divine Doctor’s space, where she started studying how to treat Sheng Zexi’s body.

“Wife, I’m back.”

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you’ve passed the exam. Reward: 20 points.]

Gu Jianing had just returned from the Divine Doctor’s space when she heard Sheng Zexi’s voice outside.

She checked the time—15 minutes had passed, but inside the Divine Doctor’s space, it had been three months.

Her timing was perfect.

“Coming!”"