Although it wasn't cold indoors, Qi Jiao didn't dare to soak for too long.
She quickly splashed water on herself, then wrapped herself in a large towel and jumped onto the bed. She burrowed into the quilt, curling herself up like a big silkworm chrysalis.
Pei Xia, who was about to carry her over: ...
Pei Xia looked at Qi Jiao but said nothing. After a while, he let out a soft chuckle.
He poured a glass of warm water for Qi Jiao and placed it beside the bed. Then he loosened his belt and went behind the clothes rack to wash up.
Pei Xia washed himself very carefully, afraid that there might be any unpleasant odor on his body.
Remembering that there were garlic cloves in the meal they had just eaten, Pei Xia took out a willow toothbrush from his bag, dipped it in salt, and brushed his teeth twice.
Qi Jiao had been busy all day and was really tired. With the sound of gurgling water, she turned over in bed and her vision gradually blurred.
After a thorough wash.
Pei Xia turned to look at Qi Jiao. She was lying with her head on her forearm, breathing evenly. She was already asleep...
The night was as thick and impenetrable as ink.
The north wind howled outside the window. Almost everyone in the town was in the depth of sleep when Qi Jiao was awakened by Pei Xia's kiss.
Half-awake and half-asleep, Qi Jiao couldn't open her eyes. She only felt Pei Xia's long arms and his firm, warm chest.
He was lying on his side, holding her tightly. His long, strong fingers were on her waist, and his warm breath was fanning against her ear and temple.
Qi Jiao blinked her sleepy eyes and subconsciously hugged Pei Xia tightly.
With such a man in the bed on a winter night, the quilt felt even warmer.
There was a dim orange oil lamp lit outside the bed curtain. The light fell on Qi Jiao's face. Her jade-like cheeks were flushed, and her delicate lips were as red as cherries.
Pei Xia held her in one arm and cupped her face with the other. His gaze was intense, as if he wanted to engrave her beautiful appearance deep into his mind.
Qi Jiao's mind was hazy, but the sensations below her waist were extremely clear.
Again and again, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her red lips couldn't help but let out broken moans, soft and tender with a touch of charm.
Pei Xia pressed his lips hard against hers, not letting go until Qi Jiao could hardly breathe. He repeated this over and over again.
After a long while, Pei Xia kissed the center of her eyebrows, then got out of bed to get dressed.
The wooden door creaked, and Pei Xia went out.
He came back soon, bringing hot water.
Pei Xia first fed Qi Jiao some water. After she had drunk enough, he put down the coarse porcelain bowl and then pulled her into his arms.
Qi Jiao felt weak all over. Her voice was hoarse and tired. "What time is it?"
Pei Xia whispered, "It will be dawn in an hour." He would have to go back then.
"Go back to sleep. I'll watch you sleep."
Pei Xia picked up the wrung-out towel and gently wiped her clean.
After being cleaned, Qi Jiao felt comfortable and refreshed. But now she couldn't fall asleep. She hooked her finger around Pei Xia's, feeling the calluses on it.
"A Xia, if you're too tired, how about I pull some strings to find you another job?"
Pei Xia suddenly looked up. He saw the pity in Qi Jiao's eyes.
He rubbed Qi Jiao's slightly cold lower abdomen and laughed. "I'm not that delicate. Working in Yuhuazhai is much better than fishing in the sea before."
Looking at Jiao Niang's gentle profile, Pei Xia felt a surge of tenderness and gratitude in his heart. He knew that Jiao Niang cared about him, but he never expected that she would even consider using connections to help him avoid hardship.
Pei Xia stroked Qi Jiao's hair one by one. His voice was clear and hoarse, with a magic that made people sleepy. "If I can make contributions in the short term, Lord Fang will surely recommend me to his superior. Then I can be promoted. Jiao Niang, you don't have to worry about me. I can see the dark circles under your eyes. You've been working hard these days. I'll come back to accompany you after my shift the day after tomorrow..."
When it was broad daylight, Qi Jiao opened her eyes and found that she had slept until late morning.
She was the only one in the room. Pei Xia had already left.
She had been exhausted for many days and had expended a lot of energy in the early hours of yesterday. So she had slept very soundly.
Qi Jiao only remembered that Pei Xia had whispered something in her ear before he left.
The bed still smelled of him and retained his warmth.
Qi Jiao lay in bed for a moment, lost in thought. Then she got up to get dressed and wash up.
After Qi Jiao had finished tidying herself up, she went downstairs. The landlady greeted her with a smile. "It was cold last night. Did you sleep well, madam?"
Qi Jiao nodded with a smile. She noticed that there was a hint of ambiguity and teasing in the landlady's smile.
Qi Jiao suddenly realized that the sound insulation in this inn must be very poor...
There were only six rooms in this small inn.
The landlord and landlady's room was also on the second floor.
Oh my god!
Qi Jiao was extremely embarrassed, but she had to maintain a dignified smile on her face.
Qi Jiao casually chatted with the landlady for a few words, then quickly went to the front to find A Le.
A Le had already gotten up.
He had gotten up early to send Pei Xia back to Yuhuazhai, then came back to take a nap.
Because Pei Xia had told him not to wake Jiao Niang up too early, A Le had gone for a stroll in the town's market.
The warm winter sun shone through the threshold, making A Le feel comfortable all over. Leaning on his elbow, he couldn't help dozing off at the table.
Qi Jiao came over and saw A Le's head bobbing up and down. She couldn't help laughing. She reached out and gave him a light flick on the head. A Le woke up instantly.
He was a bit dazed. After a moment, his eyes finally cleared.
By then, Qi Jiao had already stepped out.
"Boss, aren't you going to have breakfast?"
A Le's voice came from behind. Qi Jiao quickly climbed onto the carriage.
"Hurry up and go!"
She had a lot of things to do when she got back.
Most importantly, she just couldn't bear the landlady's knowing looks.
Because she had left in such a hurry, the movement tugged at her thighs, which were sore and painful. Qi Jiao gritted her teeth and frowned. Pei Xia was such a brute!
**
After a busy day as usual, Qi Jiao returned to the side room in the back courtyard to rest.
Yin Die was a considerate and diligent girl. She would always boil a large pot of hot water before she left work, so that Qi Jiao could use it at night.
Bathing in the steaming hot water, with the agarwood incense sent by Fang Yunxin filling the air, Qi Jiao felt relaxed and comfortable.
After she had washed herself, she put on a snow-white inner robe and lay down on the bed.
Qi Jiao went over the accounts and transactions of the day in her mind. Just as she was finally starting to feel sleepy, she suddenly heard the ear-piercing meows of wild cats fighting outside.
Qi Jiao sighed. Well, she wasn't going to be able to fall asleep now.
Just as she was feeling annoyed, she heard the sound of the courtyard gate being locked.
Qi Jiao's heart skipped a beat. Could there be a thief breaking in in the middle of the night?
Recently, the county government had posted notices saying that a group of bandits from the north had sneaked into Yulin County. These people did all kinds of evil and targeted women and children.
As Qi Jiao thought about this, her palms began to sweat.
She took a deep breath and quietly got out of bed. Then she felt around for the fire tongs used to stir the brazier.
Qi Jiao walked barefoot on the cold ground. The cold was so biting that her teeth chattered.
The sound of footsteps in the courtyard grew closer as the dead leaves crunched under the intruder's feet. Qi Jiao's nerves were on edge.
She stood behind the door, trying her best to slow down her breathing.
The person outside soon climbed the steps and was now just on the other side of the door.