NABC Chapter 101 Can you be a little gentler?
Chapter 101 Can you be a little gentler?
Lin Weiwei stretched out her finger to test the water temperature; it was just right, warm but not scalding. She whispered, "Perfect."
Bai Si'an hummed in agreement, but remained standing still. (Toilet)
The space inside was cramped, and the two of them were so close they could hear each other breathing. Starlight streamed in through the window, casting a faint glow on his glasses.
"Turn around." Lin Weiwei's voice was even softer than before.
Bai Si'an looked at her without moving.
"I'm going to shower now." Lin Weiwei pushed him, "Turn around."
Only then did Bai Si'an slowly turn around, his back to her.
But he stood close by, his back straight, and the shape of his shoulder blades was clearly visible under his shirt.
Lin Weiwei unbuttoned her shirt, her movements a little hurried.
The night breeze blew in, and a layer of tiny bumps appeared on my skin.
The sound of water was exceptionally clear in the quiet space.
Washing only the upper body isn't enough.
Lin Weiwei hesitated for a moment, but still took off her pants.
The night breeze grew cooler, so she quickened her pace.
Suddenly, a warm hand grasped her ankle.
Lin Weiwei jumped in fright: "What are you doing!"
"Your feet are dirty." Bai Si'an said in a low voice, squatting down and using his other hand to scoop up some hot water to gently wash her feet.
His hands were large, with calluses on his fingertips, and he held her ankle with a firm but not too strong grip.
Hot water flowed over the insteps of my feet, and the warmth climbed up my calves.
Lin Weiwei froze, her toes curling involuntarily.
Baisian washed her feet very carefully, from her ankles to the tops of her feet, and then to between her toes.
When his fingers gently traced the soles of her feet, Lin Weiwei couldn't help but laugh out loud: "It tickles..."
Bai Si'an paused for a moment and looked up at her.
Under the starlight, her eyes crinkled with laughter, and her face still had a lingering blush.
Bai Si'an's Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his head to continue washing.
This time I was quicker; after washing, I dried myself with a towel.
"Okay," he said, standing up.
Lin Weiwei quickly put on her pants, her shirt buttons haphazardly fastened. Bai Si'an saw this and reached out to help her button them.
His fingers touched the warm skin beneath her neck.
Lin Weiwei didn't move, letting him put the pin on her finger.
When he fastened the third button, Bai Si'an suddenly stopped, lowered his head and kissed her collarbone.
It was a very light touch.
Lin Weiwei trembled all over.
"Bai Si'an..." her voice was soft.
"Mm," Bai Si'an replied, continuing to button his shirt. One button, two buttons, all buttoned up.
Then he picked up the basin of water and opened the wooden door: "Go back inside."
Lin Weiwei was carried back to the house by Princess Bai Si'an.
The night breeze felt cool on my face, but my body was still warm.
Back in the room, Bai Si'an put her on the bed.
Bai Si'an took off his coat and lay down beside her.
The bed wasn't big, so the two of them sat close together.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Lin Weiwei didn't struggle; her face was pressed against his chest, and she could hear his strong heartbeat.
"Fixing a toilet at home," Bai Si'an suddenly said, his voice tinged with amusement, "is really quite advantageous."
Lin Weiwei was stunned for a moment, then realized what she meant, and her face flushed again: "You still dare to talk back!"
Bai Si'an chuckled softly and hugged her tighter: "Go to sleep. If you don't sleep, you won't be able to sleep later."
"Sleep, I'm going to sleep!" Lin Weiwei quickly covered her head with the blanket. She was tired and didn't want to be bothered by Bai Si'an anymore!
……
The next morning, when Lin Weiwei woke up, it was already broad daylight.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting several dazzling spots of light on the floor.
She moved slightly, and her whole body ached.
My waist and legs, in particular, feel like I ran twenty miles yesterday, or like they've been disassembled and reassembled.
She sat up with a grimace and lifted the blanket to take a look.
He was clean and his clothes were on, but his limbs and bones felt sore and weak from overuse.
"Awake?" Bai Si'an's voice came from the doorway.
He walked in carrying an enamel mug, already dressed in his military uniform, buttons fastened meticulously, and his glasses gleaming.
Only her hair was still a little wet, it looked like she had just finished washing up.
"What time is it?" Lin Weiwei asked, her voice a little hoarse.
"It's 9:30." Bai Si'an handed her the mug. "Drink some water."
Lin Weiwei took it and gulped down several mouthfuls of warm water, feeling a bit better afterward.
"When...when did you get up?" she asked, a little embarrassed.
"Seven o'clock." Bai Si'an sat down by her bedside, pushed up his glasses, "I didn't wake you because you were sleeping so soundly."
Lin Weiwei blushed and glared at him: "It's all your fault."
"Mmm." Bai Si'an actually nodded in acknowledgment, reaching out to smooth her messy hair. "Does it still hurt?"
"What do you think!" Lin Weiwei slapped his hand away, tried to get out of bed, and her legs went weak as soon as her feet touched the ground, and she almost lost her balance.
Bai Si'an quickly helped her up.
"I...I need to calm down." Lin Weiwei leaned against him, gritting her teeth, "Bai Si'an, can you be gentler next time!"
"I'll try my best," Bai Si'an said, sounding quite serious, but Lin Weiwei always felt that the corners of his mouth were turning up.
"What are you laughing at!" She punched him.
"I wasn't laughing." Bai Si'an kept a straight face and helped her slowly walk to the table to sit down. "Breakfast is warming up in the pot, I'll go get it for you."
He turned and went out, and soon brought in a bowl of millet porridge, two steamed buns, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.
Lin Weiwei was really hungry, so she picked up a steamed bun and started eating.
……
In Hongxing Commune, the production team's courtyard was already packed with people as soon as it got dark.
The villagers, with their families in tow, brought their own stools and benches and secured their spots early on.
The children weaved in and out of the crowd, their laughter mingling with the shouts of the adults, creating a lively atmosphere.
A simple earthen platform was set up in the center of the courtyard, with two kerosene lamps hanging on it, providing dim but sufficient light.
The members of the performing arts troupe are making final preparations backstage.
Zhou Min was checking everyone's makeup, hair, and clothing with a serious expression.
Su Wanwan changed into her dance costume for the performance.
The performance costume was provided by the cultural troupe; it was a modified red ethnic-style long dress with simple embroidered patterns on the cuffs and collar. She looked in a small mirror and re-braided her hair.
Wang Xiuying sat beside her, her ankle still wrapped in gauze, but she could already walk normally.
She was also wearing ethnic clothing today, in brighter colors than Su Wanwan, and she wore silver ornaments on her head that jingled with every movement.
"Wanwan, are you nervous?" Wang Xiuying leaned closer and asked with a smile.
"A little," Su Wanwan said honestly.
"Don't be nervous, just like in our usual rehearsals." Wang Xiuying patted her hand. "Our dance, 'Spring Comes to the Frontier,' is so festive, the villagers will definitely love it."
Su Wanwan nodded without saying anything.
She glanced at Wang Xiuying and sensed that she seemed unusually excited today, her eyes sparkling.
Gu Lin was also backstage, holding a notebook and a pen, talking to Secretary Zhang.
She was there to gather inspiration, dressed casually, but stood out among the crowd in performance costumes.
"Officer Zhang, I'll be taking notes from the side of the stage when the performance starts," Gu Lin said. "I'll use it in the report later."
"Okay, you can arrange it as you see fit." Officer Zhang nodded.
The performance officially began at 7 p.m.