Chen Mi's fair face flushed with embarrassment. He knew that Yu Dong was teasing him, but he still couldn't help but blush when she said those words with such ease. So, did she tease his brothers like this too? How envious, hmm, they enjoyed such a flirtatious Yu Dong? No wonder they fought so hard with him.
Yu Dong didn't know what was happening in Chen Mi's mind. She leaned forward, her shoulder brushing against Chen Mi as her long hair scattered over the side of his face. Chen Mi stiffened, sniffing lightly as a gentle smell blossomed around him. He didn't know that his wife smelled so good.
Yu Dong picked up the soft cloth used as a towel and started wiping Chen Mi's hair that was dripping water. She gently caressed his hair, not at all impatient, as she patted it lightly, drying the hair slowly.
Chen Mi sat still on the stool and watched his wife take care of him. Two years ago, when he was married off to Yu Dong, he thought that his good days had come to an end. Chen Mi, who his mother and daddy pampered, had to cook, clean the house, and even weed the fields for the first time. He worked so hard and never got one word of appreciation, and he slowly got used to it. He thought he would survive without anyone taking care of him, but then Yu Dong came, and everything changed. Now he was pampered even more than he was at his maternal household. Chen Mi leaned back, resting his head against Yu Dong, "Wife, will you always take care of me like this?"
Yu Dong looked at him in surprise as she glanced down at those round, big eyes brimming with innocence. She smiled and put down the towel before picking up the delicately carved wooden comb. "I will, but I do hope you will learn how to dry your hair after washing it because if not, you might catch a cold someday. Now sit still. I'm going to comb your hair for you."
Chen Mi poked his tongue out, Not at all embarrassed at his wife's remarks. He knew he was behaving a bit childishly but who doesn't like being pampered by their wife? In the entire village, every mer would die to be in his place.
Silence descended upon them. Yu Dong gently untangled the knots in Chen Mi's hair and then brushed it. Because Chen Mi was roaming around the house without drying his hair or brushing it, now his hair was a rat's nest. Yu Dong had to untangle knots with every brush, but she never once got angry and patiently brushed out Chen Mi's hair. She brushed the knots from inside out to not hurt Chen Mi a lot.
Originally she wanted to use the comb from her space, but after checking out the shops in the town, she realized that the combs here were rather blunt compared to the ones she had in her personal space. Her combs were sharp and very dense, which was why it hurt a lot when she used them, unlike the ones in the shops, which were wide-toothed, and their edges were carefully ground to make them blunt.
The way Yu Dong combed his hair was comfortable. She gently brushed from the top of his head before slowly brushing to his tips. He couldn't even feel her tug hard on his hair when she found a knot. It was like a massage with a gentle rhythm and frequency. It felt very comfortable, and it was even better with its light wooden scent.
Soon, Chen Mi was leaning lazily against Yu Dong. His eyes closed as he smiled in appreciation for his wife. It felt good, so good.
In the middle of the night, a gentle fruity scent rippled in the air, and Yu Dong's fingers were clean and warm. She smelled of home, warmth, and a forest after the rain, making Chen Mi rub his head against her palm. When the comb brushed his hair, it was as if a soft, warm breeze brushed past him, engulfing him in a secure cocoon. It wasn't abrupt but gentle and soothing.
It would be no trouble for him to fall asleep if it were like this. Asleep. Asleep?
Asleep!!!
Chen Mi hurriedly opened his eyes as if he was jostled awake. What the? Was he actually going to fall asleep? When he fought so hard for this chance to stay the night with his wife? Did stupidity flood his brains?
Yu Dong was startled when Chen Mi, sitting so silently, shuddered like he was electrocuted. She wanted to ask what was happening, but Chen Mi grasped her hand. "It's alright, my hair it's brushed. Why don't we go and sleep?"
His hand clutched her wrist and was trembling slightly. Yu Dong could feel the vibrations against her skin. She understood that it took Chen Mi's a lot of courage to say those words, so she didn't refuse. Instead, she put the comb back on the dressing table and brushed away the hair strands that were sticking to his forehead, and muttered softly, "En."
Chen Mi swallowed and watched as his wife turned around and went back to the bed. She didn't lie down but instead sat on the edge waiting for him. In the beginning, Chen Mi was full of confidence and excitement, but now that it was time to set his plans in motion, he got cold feet. He didn't know how to get close to his wife, much less take the lead, but why will he need to take the lead? Shouldn't his wife take the lead? But what if she was waiting for him to - Chen Mi was confused.
And in his confusion, he went to bed, raised the quilt, and buried himself in until only the top of his head could be seen.
Yu Dong, who thought she was played, was confused."..." That's it?