Time Travel: My Comfortable Life After Going to the Countryside

"Okay, okay, we have to get up early tomorrow, let's take a shower and go to bed."

Chen Jie nodded quickly: "There's a small bathroom over in the kitchen. I heated up some water when I came back. Qiqi, take a shower too, and relax."

Leqi gently replied, "Thank you, Sister Chen." Leqi swallowed the word "Mom" that was on the tip of her tongue.

Chen Jie looked at Liu Xiangyang: "Go check over in the darkroom. The photos should be almost dry. Tidy them up and don't get in the way here."

Liu Xiangyang raised an eyebrow, knowing that this was to get rid of him, and obediently raised his hand: "Yes, ma'am! Women first." After saying that, he walked towards the darkroom. Before leaving, he turned back and glanced at the three women who were whispering about who would wash first. His eyes were deep and a playful smile was on his lips.

Le Yao and Le Qi took their change of clothes and towels, and Chen Jie led them to the bathroom, which was converted from a small storage room next to the kitchen. It wasn't big, but it was very clean and had a metal bathtub that was big enough to fit the three of them.

"The hot water is in the bucket, and the cold water is in the vat next to it. Mix them yourselves. This is new incense," Chen Jie instructed, her gaze sweeping over the two sisters' young, smooth faces and slender figures. She felt a strange mix of emotions and a hint of barely perceptible envy.

Le Yao was impatient. After testing the water temperature and finding it suitable, she urged her sister to hurry up. Le Qi, being more thoughtful, said to Chen Jie, "Sister Chen, you've been busy all day. Why don't you come and take a bath with us? I think this bathtub is quite big; the three of us should be able to squeeze in."

The suggestion made Chen Jie's heart skip a beat. Take a shower together? That was far too intimate, but looking at Le Qi's sincere eyes and Le Yao's curious and encouraging gaze, the words of refusal stuck in her throat. The steam in the bathroom began to rise, blurring her vision and seemingly softening the boundaries.

"Is this... convenient?" Chen Jie's voice was softer than usual.

"What's inconvenient about it? We're all women." Le Yao had already started taking off her coat quickly, and said with a smile, "Sister Chen, your skin is so good, you must have some skincare secrets. We can learn from you."

Having said all that, Chen Jie reluctantly agreed to stay. The bathroom door closed gently, creating a private little space. In the outer room, Liu Xiangyang leaned against the doorframe of the darkroom, vaguely hearing the soft sounds of water, laughter, and whispers coming from inside. He glanced at the bathroom and walked into the darkroom with a smile on his lips.

In the bathroom, the warm water washed over their bodies, seemingly washing away their initial shyness. Le Yao was lively, talking incessantly; Le Qi was gentle, helping Chen Jie scrub her back.

"How do you bathe in the village?" Chen Jie asked with her eyes closed, enjoying the sisters' service.

"Xiangyang built a bathroom in his house, and we all take showers there." Leqi tried to stop Leyao, but Leyao blurted it out.

"Xiangyang did a good job, he was very thoughtful. We women have to pay special attention to hygiene, otherwise we'll easily get sick." Chen Jie opened her eyes, turned around and looked at the two of them, saying, "Xiangyang got something good last time, he'll tell you when you get back."

"Sister Chen, please tell us what good stuff it is first. I'm impatient, aren't you just torturing me?" Le Yao grabbed her arm and shook it.

The water in the tin bathtub swayed up and down, vaguely revealing the three men's towering figures, but unfortunately, none of them noticed.

Liu Xiangyang checked the photos hanging on the rope in the darkroom. There were no problems, and the photos would be ready to print first thing tomorrow morning. When he walked out of the darkroom, the bathroom had already quieted down.

He walked to the master bedroom door and listened; he could hear faint snoring coming from inside. He then turned around and went to take a shower.

Not long after Liu Xiangyang finished showering and lay down on the bed, the door opened, the lock clicked shut, and then a body carrying a familiar fragrance and warmth nimbly slipped into Liu Xiangyang's bed, bringing a slight chill.

Liu Xiangyang rolled over and embraced the warm body. "What's wrong, craving something sweet again?"

"No, I just saw that you're going back tomorrow and you're all alone, so I came to comfort you."

"I really need some comforting. The thought of not being able to see you, Godmother, for a while makes my heart ache."

"Nobody believes you. Wouldn't you be happier going back to the village?"

After Chen Jie finished speaking, she pinched his waist.

"Godmother, if you come over, will Qiqi and Yaoyao notice? If they find you're not in your room, will they come out looking for you?"

Chen Jie nodded vigorously.

A few minutes later, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes shone brightly in the dim light, glistening with tears and a hint of expectation. "You...you did this on purpose, didn't you?" she whispered, her breath unsteady. "Why bring them up at a time like this!"

Liu Xiangyang moved his hand from under the covers and stroked her smooth back. "I was just worried about you."

He leaned closer to her and whispered, "If they find out, do you want to come along?"

Chen Jie struggled for a moment, but he pulled her closer, making her cling even more tightly to him.

Her heart was pounding like a drum, and her mind was filled with the images he had mentioned.

"They've been playing all day, they must be fast asleep... Just keep your voice down..."

"I'll try my best."

"But what if...they get up at night?" He continued to whisper in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe and neck.

"What if they really come out looking for you? They hear a noise in this house and come knocking..."

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Thump, thump..."

The two froze, exchanged a glance, and a flash of panic crossed their faces.

Liu Xiangyang got up and looked around. Apart from a small table, there was no cabinet to hide in.

"Brother Xiangyang, are you asleep?" A soft voice called from outside the door.

Chen Jie got up and looked around, but there was nothing she could do. She stood there nervously for a moment.

Liu Xiangyang glanced under the bed and saw there was still room for her to move. He quickly pointed to the space under the bed and handed her her pajamas over.

Chen Jie snapped out of her daze, quickly rolled out of bed, and hid under the bed.

He said there was nothing unusual, adjusted his position, and went to open the door.

As expected, it was Leqi when the door opened.

She slipped inside and whispered, "Brother Xiangyang, are you asleep?"

"Why are you here? Your godmother is still next door."

"I saw it. Sister Chen is asleep. She's so funny. She likes to cover her head with the blanket when she sleeps. Doesn't she feel stuffy?"

Liu Xiangyang's eyes lit up, and he pulled her down to sit with him, saying, "Qiqi, I missed you."

Hearing Liu Xiangyang's words, Le Qi couldn't hold back her tears and cried, "Xiangyang, you're all I have now, love me!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Chen Jie and Le Qi are both begging for five-star reviews from all the big shots! Please don't hold back on your free, loving feedback! Donations are also welcome. The author is preparing to go full-time! Thank you so much!