Chapter 6
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Qin Wanshu returned home and immediately entered her own bathroom. She untied the clothes that were originally binding her, and one by one, they fell away. Her well-proportioned and curvaceous figure was fully revealed. Her legs were long and slender, with harmonious proportions, like a work of art. Her buttocks were firm and rounded, with a graceful and alluring shape, making one desire to hold them in their hands. Her waist was delicate and supple, as slender and flexible as a willow branch, evoking a strong desire to embrace her with one's arms. She was undoubtedly a woman carefully sculpted by the hands of God, with a figure so perfect that it left people in awe.
Qin Wanshu slowly stepped into the bathtub, which was already filled with warm water. The soothing warmth flowed over her smooth skin, causing her to close her eyes in comfort. Her mind couldn't help but replay the events that had just happened. She couldn't help but find the scene with the woman named Zuo Qinghuan a bit puzzling. This woman had first splashed her with milk tea, then brought her back to her place to change clothes, and finally, the conversation had turned to that strange topic. This was not the usual way to interact with a stranger, whom she had only met twice. She carefully recalled the first time she had met Zuo Qinghuan. It seemed that at that time when Zuo Qinghuan saw her, there was a slight moment of recognition in her eyes as if the woman had seen her before. However, Qin Wanshu couldn't remember ever meeting this woman before, so perhaps she was just overthinking things.
Qin Wanshu thought about Zuo Qinghuan's mischievous smile, like a little girl who had successfully played a prank. Although it was annoying, at least she had a deceivingly attractive appearance that didn't make Qin Wanshu feel any dislike. She never expected that one day she would be influenced by someone's appearance. She smiled and shook her head, pushing Zuo Qinghuan out of her mind.
The next day, Qin Wanshu didn't personally come to return the clothes. Instead, she sent her housekeeper to deliver them back to Zuo Qinghuan. Zuo Qinghuan looked at the clothes, realizing it was not the same set she had lent out but a brand new one of the same brand and style. Rich people's kids were truly different; even when returning something, they did it differently from others. She wondered if she could exchange any old item she lent to Qin Wanshu for a brand-new replacement. Holding the new clothes, she thought to herself.
Qin Wanshu didn't intend to show off; she just thought that some people might mind if their clothes were worn by others. So, sending back a new set wouldn't hurt.
As Zuo Qinghuan drove back home, she noticed a car parked on the side of the road, seemingly having some trouble. The license plate of that car looked familiar to her; it was the car Han Shibin had driven before. Han Shibin wouldn't have come back to the country without informing her, so it was likely that Qin Wanshu was the one driving this car. Zuo Qinghuan suddenly felt like she had an unusual connection with Qin Wanshu recently. In just a week, she had encountered Qin Wanshu twice. A faint smile appeared on her face as she parked her car by the side and walked towards the other car.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Zuo Qinghuan gently tapped on Qin Wanshu's car window.
Qin Wanshu rolled down the window and saw Zuo Qinghuan, who was smiling with unusual kindness. She was slightly surprised to see her again.
"Is your car having trouble?" Zuo Qinghuan asked.
"It seems to have broken down. I was about to call for a tow truck," Qin Wanshu said helplessly.
"It's almost dark. How about I give you a ride?" Zuo Qinghuan asked warmly. At this moment, she truly appeared like a helpful young person, despite her usual disinterest in others' affairs.
Qin Wanshu glanced at Zuo Qinghuan, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.
"Then I'll have to trouble you," she said politely.
"Do not mention it, it's on my way," Zuo Qinghuan replied with a smile to Qin Wanshu's gratefulness.
So Qin Wanshu sat in Zuo Qinghuan's car for the second time.
"Thanks again for the clothes last time," Qin Wanshu spoke up.
"Don't forget that I was the one who spilled the drink on you," Zuo Qinghuan reminded.
"Wasn't it an accident when you bumped into me?" Qin Wanshu recalled how the person who spilled the drink on her claimed it was an unintentional collision.
"Do you believe that?" Zuo Qinghuan raised an eyebrow in response.
Qin Wanshu couldn't deny that and chuckled lightly. She leaned closer to her, their bodies getting very close. Zuo Qinghuan could even smell the faint fragrance coming from Qin Wanshu. However, she didn't understand why Qin Wanshu suddenly got so close to her, and her heart started to beat a little faster.
"Drivers should remember to wear their seat belts," Qin Wanshu said tenderly as she helped Zuo Qinghuan fasten her seat belt.
"Are you always this considerate?" Zuo Qinghuan asked softly. She had been with Han Shibin for nearly two years, yet he had never helped her fasten her seat belt. In this woman's heart, she might be only slightly more familiar than a stranger, but this woman would still help her put on her seat belt. This woman must be someone very thoughtful and caring.
"Perhaps," Qin Wanshu thought for a moment and then answered uncertainly.
"Whoever marries you will surely be very happy," Zuo Qinghuan sighed. Indeed, she was the perfect wife; there was almost no flaw to be found in Qin Wanshu.
"Well, that's for my husband to say," Qin Wanshu replied. She wasn't sure if Han Shibin was happy or not. If he didn't mind her being frigid, then maybe he was content.
"Have you been married before? What kind of person is your husband?" Zuo Qinghuan asked, feigning curiosity. She was actually quite interested in knowing how Han Shibin was perceived in Qin Wanshu's eyes.
"He's a decent man," Qin Wanshu answered neutrally. Han Shibin did have good qualities and treated her well; she had no complaints about him. For some reason, she felt that the woman in front of her was very curious about her personal life.
Zuo Qinghuan couldn't help but smirk at the response. That man was indeed quite decent. If he hadn't kept mistresses outside, he would have had such a perfect woman as his wife – even though she was frigid.
If she was a man and had such a perfect woman as his wife, she wouldn't keep mistresses outside either. She would do everything possible to cure her emotional detachment.
"Thank you for taking me back. If you don't mind, how about going inside and having a cup of tea before leaving?" Qin Wanshu asked gently.
"Sure, I don't have anything else to do anyway," Zuo Qinghuan replied without hesitation. Whether it was a sincere invitation from Qin Wanshu or just a polite gesture, she was curious about the place where Han Shibin and Qin Wanshu lived together. The villa occupied a huge area in this prime location, with a luxurious and expansive courtyard resembling a classical and modern fusion, grand yet exquisitely designed, undoubtedly the work of professionals. However, it also sparked Zuo Qinghuan's resentment towards the wealthy. She couldn't believe such pretentious architecture, and it was hard for her to imagine that Qin Wanshu could be someone hypocritical. Jealousy crept into her thoughts.
Qin Wanshu led her into the house. Zuo Qinghuan noticed that the style inside seemed to be somewhat similar to the outside, yet also slightly different. At least the interior was filled with low-key luxury, which made Zuo Qinghuan quite fond of it.
"Inside and outside seem to be different," Zuo Qinghuan whispered. She didn't understand architecture and interior design, but she could feel the difference. After all, she was always sensitive to her surroundings.
"Outside is designed according to my husband's preferences, while inside is designed according to mine," Qin Wanshu explained.
"I feel like the outside is more in line with your preferences, but it looks a bit hypocritical," Zuo Qinghuan whispered as if afraid of being overheard as if she were secretly talking bad about Han Shibin while he was present.
Qin Wanshu found her behavior somewhat cute like she was saying something negative about someone while being cautious not to be caught. Qin Wanshu chuckled softly but didn't comment on the remark about being pretentious, although she thought it might be somewhat true.
Then, she led Zuo Qinghuan to her beloved sandalwood low tea table. The table wasn't high, and there were several exquisite cushions nearby.
"I like to sit on the floor when I drink tea, it gives me a sense of leisure, so no need for chairs. Please sit as you like," Qin Wanshu explained. She was not particular about formalities and preferred to prioritize comfort.
Zuo Qinghuan rarely drank tea and had never encountered this situation before. Okay, for Qin Wanshu, Zuo Qinghuan reluctantly admitted that she was a bit of a country bumpkin. She didn't understand all these tea ceremonies and such. Should she sit on her knees like the Japanese do? But it felt so uncomfortable...
Observing Zuo Qinghuan sitting earnestly on the cushion, she found it amusing. It was not like her style at all to look like an obedient little housewife, ready to serve at any moment. She suddenly burst into laughter; it was just not in line with the image of this woman.
"No specific sitting posture required, don't be too restrained. Just sit comfortably on the floor," Qin Wanshu said, crossing her legs and starting to heat the spring water already prepared nearby.
Zuo Qinghuan saw that Qin Wanshu was just sitting cross-legged, so she quickly changed her posture to match hers. Seeing Qin Wanshu's smile, she felt a bit inferior in front of her. Why was she trying to show off in front of Qin Wanshu? It was embarrassing! She decided to change her sitting posture completely, splitting her legs to sit in a comfortable yet unladylike manner. Then, she observed how Qin Wanshu brewed the tea.
Qin Wanshu didn't mind and just smiled slightly. This was the real side of Zuo Qinghuan, natural and unpretentious.
Leaning against the wall, Zuo Qinghuan watched Qin Wanshu's hands busy with the tea. In truth, Qin Wanshu's hands were very beautiful, as tender as green onions—neat, slender, long, and fair. Her hands had no scars, the hands of a refined and elegant person. Unlike her own hands, which had a faded yet still hideous scar on the back.
Qin Wanshu noticed Zuo Qinghuan staring at her hands and paused her movements slightly.
"What's wrong?" Qin Wanshu asked softly.
"I don't know how to brew tea. I was just observing how you do it," Zuo Qinghuan replied nonchalantly.
"The quality of the water used for brewing tea is essential. They say mountain water is the best, followed by river water, and then well water..." Qin Wanshu briefly explained some elements of tea brewing without going into detail, as she didn't think Zuo Qinghuan would be interested.
Indeed, Zuo Qinghuan had no interest in tea brewing. She just felt that there was a clear distinction between upper-class and lower-class people. The upper class could even perform the simple act of brewing tea with such elegance.
"Boring, isn't it?" Qin Wanshu quickly changed the topic, noticing her lack of response. However, when she looked at Zuo Qinghuan, she was surprised. Zuo Qinghuan's face bore a faint smile, but it lacked warmth and seemed somewhat indifferent and distant. This version of Zuo Qinghuan was different from the one she had seen before.
"No, it's quite interesting," Zuo Qinghuan said cheerfully, putting away her previous smile and replacing it with her usual charming grin. In truth, listening to Qin Wanshu talk about tea and watching her brew it was an enjoyable experience. Qin Wanshu's voice was delightful, better than any other woman's voice—soft like a gentle spring breeze.
"Please have some," Qin Wanshu handed the freshly brewed tea to Zuo Qinghuan.
"Thank you." Zuo Qinghuan took the teacup and gently took a sip. As expected, it was different from the bitter tea she had in mind. The tea was sweet and fragrant.