Chapter 233: Seventies Treasure Appraisal System (7)

The bathhouse has both soaking pools and small private stalls; the original owner was not used to the large pools, so every time she came, she would wash in a private stall.

The water used is cooling water bypassed from the workshop boiler, which comes out warm—neither scalding nor cold—making it just right for a bath.

Xie Yang also felt more at ease in a private stall; after wetting her body, she took out the Physical Fitness Potion she had exchanged for with points beforehand and drank it in one gulp. Once a layer of greasy black filth seeped out onto her skin, she hurriedly applied Scented Soap and scrubbed with a Towel.

The sound of rushing water lasted for quite a while.

She also applied the Scented Soap two extra times.

Not until her body stopped discharging toxins did Xie Yang rinse herself clean and dry off.

When she came out, Feng Dajie glanced at her several times, thinking to herself that Qin Zheng's wife was truly the cleanest person in the Family Building; she didn't know how much water she had wasted just to take a bath.

No wonder she preferred to spend money to come to the bathhouse to wash; if she washed at home, there wouldn't be enough hot water for her to squander.

Then she thought again: she really was beautiful. Look at that delicate, water-bright face, like a lotus emerging from the water; it was whiter and smoother than a peeled egg white. No wonder that boy Qin Zheng was willing to spoil her.

Xie Yang felt a bit guilty being watched like that; she really had used quite a lot of water this time.

Fortunately, the toxins in her body were completely purged; from now on, she would come once every two or three days. When she wasn't washing her hair, she could just make do by boiling some hot water at home to wipe herself down.

It would be great if she had the chance to move to District Three. She heard that the Family Building there was newly built last year; not only were the layouts and areas large—the smallest being two bedrooms and a living room, and the largest reportedly having five bedrooms and a living room—but the key was that they had independent bathrooms and kitchens, making bathing and cooking incredibly convenient.

But those who moved into District Three were basically high-ranking factory officials, or the few employees who had made special contributions in their work positions and had been commended by documents at or above the provincial level; the requirements were very strict.

This thought only flashed through Xie Yang's mind before she cast it to the back of her head.

It was only around five o'clock when she returned home. Xie Yang put down the eggs she had bought on the way at the factory food store, pulled out the stove door, added two Coal Balls, fried a sunny-side-up egg, made herself a bowl of noodles in broth, and blanched a few stalks of the home-grown greens.

Yesterday, she had watered the few wilted greens and small scallions at home with some diluted Plant Nutrient Solution, and after one night, their growth was excellent.

Xie Yang held the noodle bowl, eating while surveying the few pots of vegetables in the house.

She thought that when she went to the countryside later, she would get some vegetable seeds and find a few broken clay pots to bring back to plant more seasonal vegetables. Saving money was secondary; the key was that what she grew herself was healthy and delicious!

After finishing her early meal, her hair was dry, so she pulled the curtains, changed into pajamas, and fell back onto the bed to catch up on sleep.

That was the one good thing about not having a job: she could sleep whenever she wanted. Plus, with her husband not at home, no one came to urge her even if she slept until the sun set behind Xishan.

"... Hmm?"

While she was drifting in sleep, the bed frame sank, and a hot body pressed tightly against her.

Xie Yang opened her eyes abruptly and focused on the person: "... Qin Zheng? You're back?"

The man's body stiffened.

"Mm, I'm back."

His voice sounded a bit hoarse.

Although this marriage had come very suddenly, since he had already married her, he would certainly treat her well.

Unfortunately, on their wedding night, his wife had been so tired that she fell asleep; the two of them hadn't even spoken a few words, let alone consummated the marriage, and the next day he had left early to drive.

It could be said that for this past half-month, while he was on the road, his heart had been constantly thinking of his new wife at home.

And so, traveling through the stars and moon, he had rushed back two days earlier than expected.

After arriving at the factory and turning in his vehicle, he hadn't even bothered to submit his travel expense report before heading straight home.

However, worried that his wife would dislike him for being unshaven and unkempt, he had specifically gone into the bathhouse while passing by to scrub down, and even borrowed someone else's razor to shave off the stubble he hadn't trimmed in over twenty days.

He had made himself clean and fresh before coming home, wanting to leave a good impression on his new wife.

He hadn't expected that he would be greeted by his wife's sweet, sleeping face.

Perhaps because he hadn't dared to stare closely at her face during the few times they had met before the wedding, he didn't remember it very clearly, and he felt that his wife had become even more beautiful.

Just leaning against the bed and watching her sleep for a while had caused him to react.

As if possessed, he moved closer to her, and closer still, and before he even realized his own actions, he was suddenly caught in the act by her.

At this moment, the man's wheat-colored, handsome face flushed, softening the rigid lines of his features.

"Sorry..."

He braced his elbows, wanting to retreat from the bed, but was pulled back by Xie Yang, who hooked her arms around his neck.

"Did you take a bath?"

She smelled the fresh scent of Soap on him, and the hair dried by the natural breeze felt smooth and compliant in her hands.

The man was still not used to such intimacy between the young couple; heat surged up, and the flush spread all the way to the roots of his ears.

His husky voice was charming and submissive: "Mm, I passed by the bathhouse and washed while I was at it..."

Xie Yang smiled beautifully, then took the initiative to press against his burning lips.

"Mmph..."

Having lived through hundreds of lifetimes, Xie Yang had always followed her heart in matters of romance—that is, obeying her own inner desires—and she was never coy in this regard.

Men have needs, and women do too.

Since it didn't violate social customs or morality, and both parties wanted it, why bother holding back?

She started it, but was soon taken over by the man.

Even though he had no experience in this area, the man had his own instinctive techniques.

On one hand, he took the initiative to seal his wife's small mouth, their breaths mingling.

At the same time, his rough, large palms caressed her delicate face; the touch was smooth and tender, as if he were stroking a piece of fine silk.

He remembered being complained to by several colleagues when he turned in his vehicle, saying his wife was unreasonable—frying ribbonfish and stewing meat late at night, smelling so good they couldn't sleep all night—and they even vied to show him their dark, bruised eye bags, telling him to hurry home and discipline his spendthrift wife.

Discipline?

Qin Zheng stopped, and a smile flashed in his deep, dark eyes as he gazed at his wife; disciplining her was impossible—he couldn't even cherish her enough.

He stripped off his clothes, pulled back a corner of the Thin Quilt, and lay down, his broad, thick body instantly covering the delicate, soft figure, making up for a long-delayed wedding night...

After a hearty and vigorous session, the sky had long since turned dark.

Qin Zheng brought in a basin of warm water to wipe his wife down, and after pouring out the water, he brought in a large bundle; he untied it and took out a box of sponge cakes.

"Eat a piece of sponge cake to pad your stomach first; if you don't like cake, there are other things. Find them yourself; everything in this bundle is ours. Take your time looking, I'm going to go cook."

From now on, as long as he is home, he will take care of all the housework.

However, today there was ready-made stock simmered by his wife, some beltfish that had been fried just yesterday, and a bag of dried large shrimp and two jin of Century Egg he had brought back from his driving trip, so after a moment of thought, Qin Zheng decided on the menu for tonight.

He opened the stove door and first set the rice to steam.

He peeled two Century Eggs and used a thin cotton string to cut them into several wedges.

They were truly worthy of being bought from the most famous place for century eggs; they were bouncy with a runny center, and the color was extremely beautiful.

He chopped the green onions and small Chili, sprinkled them over the Century Egg, drizzled on some Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, and sesame oil, and the cold-dressed Century Egg was ready.

After the rice was done steaming, he scooped two ladles of stock, mixed in two ladles of water, boiled a pot of dried shrimp and Mao Mao vegetable soup, and even cracked an egg into it to nourish his wife.