Can't Take My Eyes Off You

C 292-293

Whack!

Jiang Yao gave his hand a hard slap.

"Stop it!" She panicked. "Do not open it! It is a packet of itchy powder. You will grow itchy rashes all over your body even if a tiny bit gets on you!"

Jiang Yao was not able to test the itchy powder's effectiveness. However, from the lab results, the refinement was a success. According to the complete herbology collection, a little bit of the powder was enough to make someone break out in itchy rashes.

Initially, she made it out of curiosity.

Her interest soon got the better of her, and she found herself looking at plenty of strange medicine to work on, such as paralyzing lotions and knockout drops. These were the easier recipes to work on, surprisingly.

"Itchy powder?" Lu Xingzhi only then noticed the scribbles on the packet. "So, this was what your school has been teaching for the past month?"

"Not at all." Jiang Yao retorted. She left all the medicines intended for Lu Xingzhi behind, checking to make sure that she had taken the rest of her weird medicines back into her room.

When she came back out, she saw that the medicine meant for Lu Xingzhi was left untouched, while the rest was kept by him in the storage.

After bathing, Jiang Yao lay on the bed. The bed Lu Xingzhi slept on was rigid and tough, making it quite uncomfortable to sleep on at first.

Listening to the splashing sounds of water coming from the bathroom, Jiang Yao wrapped herself in his blanket, tossing and turning around. The bed was neither spacious nor comfortable like the one back home, but it overflowed with Lu Xingzhi's scent.

Right here was Lu Xingzhi and Jiang Yao's permanent residence. After spending this National Day holiday here, she was going to spend more time here with him in the future.

Coming out from the bathroom, Lu Xingzhi was wearing only a pair of pants. He was not wearing anything else, exposing his muscular upper torso.

He walked into the bedroom with his hands full. On one hand was a clean towel, and on the other hand was the medicine and some sterilized bandages. Seeing Jiang Yao lying on his bed, he smiled.

"Tired already?" He moved closer and gave her the medicine.

"Of course not!" Jiang Yao sat up shaking her head. Opening the packet of powdered medicine, she slathered some of them on his wound, and dressed it with the bandages. "How does it feel?"

Lu Xingzhi shook his head, expressing that he felt nothing.

Shortly after that though, the temperature around his wound started rising, making it warm to the touch. Trusting Jiang Yao's ability, Lu Xingzhi chose not to ask any more questions.

Jiang Yao squinted at her husband standing in front of her. Why did she avoid this attractive man like the plague before her rebirth?

The bedroom lighting gave off a warm hue. Lu Xingzhi stood in front of her, blocking off some of that light with his huge physique. His towel covering part of his face, exposing bits of his gorgeous features—high and defined cheekbones, sharp jawline, and flawless skin.

Jiang Yao's sudden silence exacerbated the delicate atmosphere in the room, compelling Lu Xingzhi to look at the lady lying on his bed.

Coincidentally, their gazes met. Noticing that she was checking him out, Lu Xingzhi beamed. He sat at the edge of the bed asking, "What are you thinking about?"

"Well, I was thinking that you are so good-looking. Why didn't you seduce me with your looks back then?" Jiang Yao lifted Lu Xingzhi's chin up and gave him a kiss on the lips. Just as swiftly, she changed the conversation. "Next time, do not hide your injury from me."

She sighed, "Of course, I can't expect you to never get hurt. It is what it is."

It was understood that she had no wish for Lu Xingzhi to retire from the military. She respected his decisions, all she asked for was honesty and proper communication from him.

"We are husband and wife. I do not want you to tell me the good news only, alright?" She scooted over to the opposite edge of the bed, signaling for Lu Xingzhi to come closer.

Butterflies in his stomach, that was all Lu Xingzhi felt listening to Jiang Yao.

He lay down on the spot where Jiang Yao had initially lain, feeling the warmth she left behind. Listening to her gentle voice filled with affection, he could not help but feel weak.

"Seduction?" This was the first time Lu Xingzhi was described using such a phrase. He was confident of his looks; however, he did always look aloof. He did not understand how his frigid features could be used to seduce a woman.

Moreover, with his icy temperament, not many people dared to make a joke at his expense.

"That is right. Seduction." Jiang Yao nodded gently, and nuzzled against his body, stretching her arms in the process.

"If you seduced me back when we first got married, I would have fallen head over heels for you." This was the first time Jiang Yao ever mentioned the initial events of their marriage.

Lu Xingzhi had never spoken about it.

It was just over a summer break when she changed drastically. He was shell-shocked, but he did not ask any questions at all.

Carefully and gently, he looked after the changed Jiang Yao, safeguarding their relationship.

If the future stayed the same, he would never mention it. He thought that Jiang Yao would do the same.

Suddenly, those awkward times in the past were brought up by Jiang Yao in a half-joking manner.

He tenderly caressed her head. She smelled of him. Her hair filled with the fragrance of his lemon-scented shampoo. She curled up against him, signaling that she had full trust and faith in him.

"What happened afterwards? Why did you just..." After some hesitation, Lu Xingzhi asked.

Why? You protected me with your life. Your existence was to make sure I stayed happy. Supporting my headstrong pursuits and stubborn attitude, your passion and kindness stirred the emotions buried deep in my heart.

"Lu Xingzhi." Jiang Yao called out his name. Even if she told him the reason, he would not understand.

Thus, she smiled and said, "I think it was the day when I fell sick. Even after knowing that I acted stubbornly without thinking of the consequences, you took all responsibility on yourself and faced the repercussions for me. From that moment on, I fell in love with you."