#35: Hot Spring Night

Jiang Beibei stood in the courtyard of the hot spring villa, pointing blankly at a small stone pool inside the yard. ‘What’s this? Don’t tell me this is the hot spring!’

‘There’s a water valve—just fill it yourself,’ Song Lang said as he handed the cake he was holding to Jiang Beibei and rolled up his pant legs. ‘You guys go inside. I’ll clean the pool, fill it with water, and call you when it’s ready.’

This was Jiang Beibei’s first time seeing a private, in-house hot spring like this. Each villa was a two-story building with its own yard, and each yard had its own small hot spring pool.

‘Family-style入户 hot spring!’ Song Lang exclaimed. ‘We booked early and specifically chose a quiet spot.’

Tang Xizhou stood in the yard, surveying the terrain and greenery, nodding in satisfaction. ‘The sky looks like it might snow tonight—perfect for a drink.’

Yan Qingming muttered that Tang Xizhou’s altered poem lacked poetic charm but still turned back to help Jiang Beibei carry her luggage while asking Song Lang, ‘Why did you buy a cake? Eating too much sugar isn’t good for your health…’

‘We didn’t celebrate Yao-ge’s birthday,’ Song Lang replied. ‘This cake makes up for it. Also, we should celebrate you and Second Brother, right?’

Tang Xizhou praised him. ‘Good job! Then tonight’s hot spring session can count as a honeymoon.’

‘Be careful with your words…’ Yan Qingming sighed helplessly, turning to Song Lang. ‘Just let it be Yao-ge’s belated birthday celebration. As for us, let’s take things naturally—don’t overthink it.’

Yan Qingming and Tang Xizhou entered the villa. After finishing his inspection, Song Lang waved Chu Yao over. ‘Yao-ge, come here. Tell me, which one between Eldest Brother and Second Brother is…’

Before he could finish, Chu Yao already understood what he was hinting at and quickly took three steps back, pulling Jiang Beibei into the house. ‘Song Lang, stop. Otherwise, I’ll lose sleep over it… Don’t guess anymore. Just follow what Eldest Brother said—let nature take its course.’

Left alone in the courtyard, Song Lang swept the hot spring pool while muttering to himself. ‘This question has kept me up all night… They both seem like it, yet neither does…’

Qin Yuan, who had gone to buy cold dishes and alcohol, kicked open the door. ‘I’m exhausted… Is this the place? Fourth Brother?’

Song Lang replied, ‘You’re in the right place. Go inside—I’ll fill the pool.’

‘Hey! This kind of pool is great!’ Qin Yuan laughed. ‘It’s just the right size for soaking!’

Song Lang teased, ‘Third Brother, with that smile and the glare from your glasses, you look pretty creepy…’

Qin Yuan walked in and saw Jiang Beibei fiddling with the TV. The first-floor living room was equipped with a sound system, karaoke discs, and two microphones.

‘This is awesome!’ Qin Yuan set down his things and grabbed a microphone to sing a duet with Jiang Beibei. However, before they could start, Chu Yao snatched the microphone away. ‘Stop fooling around. First, come to the kitchen and cook.’

As Qin Yuan passed by the dining area, he realized the table wasn’t a dining table—it was a mahjong table. ‘Ah! Let’s play mahjong!’

The sound of billiard balls colliding came from upstairs. Qin Yuan’s ears perked up as he discovered something new. ‘Eldest Brother! Second Brother! Wait for me! I want to join a round!’

Chu Yao stepped aside from the kitchen. ‘You should come in and calm down first…’

Qin Yuan protested, ‘You can’t make me do everything. When it’s time to share responsibilities, even younger brothers need to pitch in.’

Chu Yao raised his hand. ‘Best two out of three. Whoever loses cooks.’

In five seconds, the game was decided, and Chu Yao locked Qin Yuan in the kitchen.

Moments ago, Jiang Beibei had been singing her heart out in the living room. Now, she was sneaking around guiltily, squatting in front of the fridge with her sinful hand reaching for the ice cream inside.

‘You want some?’

Jiang Beibei pulled her hand back. ‘Uh… Can’t I?’

‘Yes, you can.’ Chu Yao said. ‘You’re not a child anymore. If you’re reaching for it, it’s because you want it. If you want it, then eat it.’

‘Are you free now, Yao-ge?’

‘Yes, Qin Yuan’s cooking.’ Chu Yao said. ‘I’ll go upstairs to tidy up a few things.’

With that, he shoved his hands into his pockets, slowly climbed the stairs, and closed the door behind him.

Jiang Beibei sat cross-legged on the sofa, eating the ice cream. It was too cold, though; after eating only half of it, her tongue went numb.

She jumped up, spoon still in her mouth, and ran upstairs, twisting the doorknob and barging in.

‘Yao-ge, there’s still half left…’

But as she looked up, she saw Chu Yao with his white shirt unbuttoned and his belt loosened. Hearing the noise, he turned his head and looked at her.

A set of casual clothes lay on the bed. Jiang Beibei stuck out her tongue sheepishly—so he was changing clothes in the room.

Chu Yao didn’t shy away or stop her. Calmly, he buttoned up two more buttons on his shirt, adjusted his belt buckle, and walked over.

‘Can’t finish it?’

‘Mm-hmm.’ Jiang Beibei nodded, her ears turning red.

Chu Yao’s gaze fell on her adorable, rounded earlobes, watching them slowly flush pink. He couldn’t help but smile faintly.

‘Give it to me.’

Jiang Beibei scooped a spoonful and offered it to him. ‘Do you like sweet things, Yao-ge?’

Chu Yao ate from the spoon and replied, ‘Not particularly.’

‘They say people’s taste experiences are different. What flavor do you like, Yao-ge?’

Jiang Beibei scooped another spoonful, slightly lower this time. Chu Yao leaned down, gently holding her wrist, and ate from the spoon. His lashes fluttered slightly as he murmured, ‘Anything’s fine.’

‘Actually, I don’t really like sweets—I just wanted something cold… Especially in winter, eating something cold in a warm room feels comforting…’

‘I know.’ Chu Yao said. ‘And when you eat these things, your mind goes blank.’

Jiang Beibei froze for a moment. ‘Eh? How did you know, Yao-ge…’

Chu Yao smiled. ‘Your expression told me. Try again.’

Jiang Beibei scooped another spoonful of ice cream, placed it in her mouth, and looked up at Chu Yao. ‘It’s only for a moment…’

Chu Yao gently kissed her lips, pulling away almost instantly. The kiss was as light as a dragonfly skimming the water or a butterfly fluttering its wings—so fleeting it almost felt like an illusion.

Jiang Beibei’s eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hand. After a long pause, she stammered, ‘Did you just…?’

‘A few days’ worth,’ Chu Yao said softly. ‘I had to make up for it.’

Over the past few days during the New Year celebrations, they’d been constantly surrounded by her brothers, leaving their usual morning and evening kisses unfulfilled.

Summoning her courage, Jiang Beibei blurted out, ‘For every missed one, there’s a penalty of three!’

Without hesitation, Chu Yao locked the door, lifted Jiang Beibei, and gently placed her on the bed.

Her startled cry was muffled as he pressed his lips against hers, making up for the kisses they’d missed over the past few days.

The numbing cold from the ice cream quickly gave way to searing heat. Her breath hitched, and her fingers tightly gripped Chu Yao’s shoulders—pushing and pulling, caught somewhere between resistance and invitation.

The deep kiss was like drowning in an endless ocean, swallowing her consciousness whole.

Realizing things were escalating too far, Chu Yao finally pulled back, turning his face to the side as he panted softly into her ear. His voice low and hoarse, he murmured, ‘Sorry…’

Jiang Beibei opened her eyes, snapping back to reality as she realized what had just brushed against her. Her face filled with panic, frozen stiff, not daring to move even a fraction of an inch—not even her gaze.

Chu Yao slightly pushed himself up, bracing his hands on the bed as he closed his eyes, waiting for the heat to subside.

After a while, he suddenly stood up, his long legs swinging off the bed. Reaching out, he ruffled her hair, though his eyes avoided hers. With a faint smile, he opened the door and walked downstairs.

Jiang Beibei’s mind split once again. Two little figures appeared in her head: one trembled nervously, saying, ‘That was dangerous! He almost took you right there—you could’ve screamed your lungs out, and no one would’ve heard!’

The other clapped excitedly but also sounded disappointed. ‘Keep going! Push him further! Don’t be a coward—jump him! Hurry up and call him back!’

Jiang Beibei groaned, covering her face. ‘Both of you, shut up!’

She mentally killed off both Jiang Gonggong (the bold version of herself) and Jiang Song Song (the timid version), sitting up dizzily as she secretly replayed the sensations from moments ago.

‘…Hmph.’ Jiang Beibei scolded herself but couldn’t help feeling a tinge of satisfaction. ‘Ah, no wonder I picked him—he’s perfectly normal!’

At the very least… judging by his reaction, everything seemed fully functional and healthy.

________________________________________

Chu Yao splashed cold water on his face and stepped outside to cool down, but it wasn’t long before Qin Yuan dragged him back inside.

‘What are you doing? I’m slaving away cooking for all of you, and you’re out here taking a stroll?’

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Yuan suddenly noticed something off about Chu Yao—a rare but familiar sense of restlessness. Add to that the droplets of water still clinging to Chu Yao’s face and his unbuttoned shirt exposing his collarbone, and Qin Yuan immediately understood.

Qin Yuan exclaimed, ‘Unacceptable! Fourth Brother!! Come help me restrain him! This kid’s in his danger zone! Holy crap!’

Chu Yao turned and bolted. ‘Stop messing around!’

Danger zone—the brothers’ coded term for certain situations.

Song Lang intercepted Chu Yao. ‘Third Brother, water! Throw water on him! Little Brother is being so unfair!’

By the time Jiang Beibei gathered her composure and cautiously crept downstairs along the wall, she saw Chu Yao soaked to the bone, his black hair dripping with water, sitting expressionlessly on the couch. His head bowed as his older brothers took turns berating him.

‘Too eager.’

‘This is the Heart Sutra from the upstairs study—come on, Yao-ge, recite it ten times.’

Jiang Beibei asked, bewildered, ‘What are you guys doing?’

Tang Xizhou delivered a dramatic line, gripping Jiang Beibei’s shoulders with both hands. ‘Look, Yao-ge, look how innocent our little sister still is. She has no idea what’s going on, sigh…’

Chu Yao buried his face in his hands, muttering something under his breath. His voice was too low for anyone to hear.

Yan Qingming warned, ‘Be careful today—we’re all here to have fun. Later, we’ll be swimming in swimsuits. Let’s give Little Yao a stern talking-to.’

Song Lang chimed in, ‘I’m starving! Hurry up, everyone! Finish lecturing and let’s eat!’

Qin Yuan teased, ‘Ah… Yao-ge, how dare you act like this right under our noses…’

Chu Yao repeated his earlier words, calm but firm. ‘Enough. Stop overacting. Meeting adjourned.’

‘Let’s eat!’ Tang Xizhou steered Jiang Beibei by the shoulders and guided her to sit beside him. ‘Come on, little sister, sit here with Second Brother and enjoy a good meal.’

Jiang Beibei obediently sat next to Tang Xizhou and ate. Across from her, Chu Yao showed no change in expression. As usual, he naturally and attentively helped her reach dishes she couldn’t get to, behaving exactly as he always did.

After the meal, Jiang Beibei put down her chopsticks and announced, ‘Whoever cooks doesn’t wash dishes, and whoever washes dishes doesn’t cook. Except for Third Brother, let’s spin a spoon to decide who does the dishes.’

She spun the spoon, and perhaps due to her incredible luck, the handle stopped pointing directly at her.

‘…Alright,’ Jiang Beibei sighed resignedly.

After finishing the dishes, loud commotion erupted outside the kitchen. Jiang Beibei opened the door and froze in place.

Song Lang shouted, ‘Take them off! What are you hesitating for?!’

Tang Xizhou called out, ‘Fourth Brother, toss me my swim trunks! Eldest Brother, check out these thigh muscles of mine!’

Qin Yuan yelled, ‘Yao-ge! Did you pack my stuff? Where’s my blue-and-yellow striped swim trunks?’

Chu Yao replied indifferently, ‘No idea. Find it yourself.’

Song Lang teased, ‘Second Brother, what kind of swimsuit is that? Why are you wearing red underwear?’

Tang Xizhou grinned. ‘It’s the New Year—it’s auspicious!’

Song Lang turned to Yan Qingming. ‘Eldest Brother, why are you so conservative? Do you know what safety shorts are? They’re longer than what you’re wearing.’

Yan Qingming sighed, exasperated. ‘Alright, alright, settle down, one at a time… Hurry up! The kid’s done washing the dishes! Everyone, maintain some dignity!’

The five men were in the living room, each wrapped only in a towel, scrambling chaotically to change into their swim trunks.

Jiang Beibei silently retreated, closing the kitchen door behind her.

‘…’

After a long pause, she muttered to herself in a strange tone, ‘This year’s… perks aren’t bad at all.’