Chapter 158: Sharing a Bed
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“It’s time to start putting in the dishes!” Zhou Chao watched as the hotpot began to boil and added some marinated items.
Jiang Li couldn’t resist the mouthwatering aroma any longer. She had already salivated several times and was eager to dig in.
Watching the hotpot boiling, Jiang Li eagerly picked up a piece of fresh beef tripe. With each dip in the simmering broth, she muttered to herself, “One up, one down, two up, two down!”
“Ah Li, what are you muttering?”
“Hehe, it’s something I saw online! They say you should dip the tripe in seven times up and eight times down before eating it!” Jiang Li replied with a mischievous grin, and Zhou Chao couldn’t help but smile at her charming expression.
“Oops, it’s hot!” Jiang Li accidentally burned herself while trying to eat the tripe.
“Auntie, bring us a bowl of iced dessert!” Seeing Jiang Li’s reaction, Zhou Chao quickly ordered a bowl of cold sweet treat for her.
In less than two minutes, the waitress arrived with a large bowl of iced dessert. However, Jiang Li was already engrossed in her hotpot battle.
Jiang Li was now alternating between bites of tripe and spoonfuls of the icy dessert.
As the dishes on the table slowly disappeared, Jiang Li started to perspire, so she took off her jacket. However, her desire to keep indulging in the delicious food persevered.
“Sss… it’s so spicy yet so delicious!” Seeing Jiang Li enjoying the meal so much, Zhou Chao also began to eat.
The butter hotpot became increasingly spicy as they continued to eat. Jiang Li’s lips tingled from the heat, but her appetite couldn’t be restrained. After they polished off the last few dishes, Jiang Li reluctantly set aside her chopsticks and indulged in a bowl of iced dessert.
“Brother Chao, next time, let’s just order a mild spicy!” Zhou Chao chuckled at her comment, and it reminded Jiang Li of his mischievous smile at the beginning.
“You big rascal! You knew it was this spicy from the start, didn’t you? You just wanted to see me embarrass myself!”
“How could you ever be an embarrassment when you’re so pretty? Have you finished eating? Once we’re done, we can head to the hotel.”
“Let’s go!” Zhou Chao stood up and headed to the counter to settle the bill, while Jiang Li continued to enjoy the last few bites of her dessert.
After quickly finishing her dessert, she grabbed her coat and walked towards Zhou Chao.
The hotel Zhou Chao had booked was a five-star establishment, and it offered a great view of Hongyadong at night. Zhou Chao drove Jiang Li straight to the hotel, and he went to check in with their luggage.
“Wow, such a beautiful view!” Jiang Li stood by the glass window in the living room, gazing across the Jialing River.
“The view of Hongyadong at night is even more breathtaking. You’ll see it tonight!” Zhou Chao approached Jiang Li from behind, wrapping his arms around her. At first, Jiang Li tensed up but quickly relaxed.
“You naughty rascal, did you book just one room?” Jiang Li leaned back against Zhou Chao’s chest, blushing.
“Booking two rooms would be a waste!” Zhou Chao responded with a smile.
Jiang Li turned around, embraced Zhou Chao, and said, “Brother Chao, I’m not ready yet.”
“Silly girl! I won’t force you. 1’11 wait for the day when you’re ready.” Zhou Chao affectionately stroked Jiang Li’s head.
“Hey, you smell strongly of hotpot. Go take a shower!” Jiang Li leaned against Zhou Chao’s chest and teased him.
“I’m going to take a shower. Want to join me?” Zhou Chao playfully and half-seriously proposed.
“Puh, 1 definitely don’t want to shower with you!” Jiang Li’s face turned red as she quickly turned away, looking out the window. Zhou Chao smiled and headed into the bathroom, soon accompanied by the sound of running water.
The hotel bathroom had a glass curtain instead of a transparent one, creating a hazy effect. Jiang Li found herself sizing up Zhou Chao’s figure in the bathroom.
“His body looks so good, but it’s hard to see clearly. I’ve touched it before, and it felt muscular. 1 really want to touch it again, what should 1 do?” Jiang Li’s thoughts were in turmoil.
By now, the sound of running water in the bathroom had ceased, and soon, the glass door was opened. Zhou Chao emerged, shirtless, and draped in a towel.
Jiang Li, however, was captivated by Zhou Chao’s appearance as he walked out of the bathroom. Her eyes were practically sparkling as she gazed at his perfect physique. She discreetly swallowed her saliva.
“All Li, why don’t you take a shower too?” Jiang Li, lost in her thoughts, heard Zhou Chao’s voice and hastily got up to rush towards the bathroom. In her haste, she accidentally kicked the corner of a table and tumbled into Zhou Chao’s arms.
Her right hand pressed against Zhou Chao’s chest, and she felt her heart racing.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine!” Jiang Li, like a startled rabbit, darted into the bathroom from Zhou Chao’s embrace. Zhou Chao watched her with a reddened face and couldn’t help but laugh.
Observing the alluring silhouette behind the frosted glass of the bathroom, Zhou Chao felt a surge of heat in his mind. He initially thought of getting up but reconsidered, taking a deep breath to calm his inner turmoil.
With one hand propped against his head, Zhou Chao watched the faintly visible figure inside the bathroom. A subtle smile played at the corners of his mouth.
For some reason, Jiang Li took an unusually long time in the shower, close to half an hour. She eventually emerged from the bathroom wearing a bathrobe, her hair still damp.
“You sit here, and I’ll help you blow-dry your hair,” Zhou Chao said, walking into the bathroom and bringing out a hairdryer and a dry towel.
Zhou Chao began by gently patting Jiang Li’s hair dry and then proceeded to use the hairdryer. The angle allowed him a clear view from top to bottom.
Although his gaze occasionally wandered, his hands continued their work, meticulously blow-drying strand by strand. After almost half an hour, Jiang Li’s hair was finally dry.
Jiang Li had also noticed her open robe, but she didn’t bother to tidy it up. It was as if she didn’t mind it being that way.
Jiang Li yawned, feeling quite tired.
“Are you sleepy? Get some rest,” Zhou Chao said, now gently massaging Jiang Li’s shoulders.
“Do you want to take a nap too?” Jiang Li’s face turned red as she uttered those words.
“Don’t worry; I won’t do anything,” Zhou Chao reassured her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
Jiang Li looked up at Zhou Chao seriously. “I believe you.”
She then got up and held Zhou Chao’s hand, leading him into the bedroom. However, Jiang Li had overestimated her courage. As soon as they entered the bedroom, she felt like her feet were glued to the floor. It was only with Zhou Chao’s help that she managed to get onto the bed.
“Let’s take a nap for a while, and we can go see Hongyadong tonight.” Upon hearing this, Jiang Li lifted the blanket and crawled under it. Zhou Chao watched her actions and almost burst into laughter.
Zhou Chao, in turn, lifted the blanket and lay down. At that moment, it seemed like he could hear the rapid beating of two hearts.
Zhou Chao lifted a corner of Jiang Li’s blanket, revealing her blushing face.
He gently kissed her forehead and then pulled her close with his right arm. They lay side by side, their eyes locked in a passionate gaze.
Zhou Chao couldn’t help but swallow hard as he felt the warmth spreading through his entire body.
“Get some rest,” he said. In the end, reason triumphed over desire. Jiang Li rested her head on Zhou Chao’s right arm, her left hand lightly touching his abdomen, delicately tracing his abs.
“Sweetheart, are you trying to lead me astray?” Zhou Chao chuckled as he observed Jiang Li’s lack of movement. Much to his surprise, when he glanced down, he discovered that Jiang Li had already drifted off to sleep.
Shaking his head in amusement, Zhou Chao closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep as well..