Time Travel: My Comfortable Life After Going to the Countryside

"You're dreaming. If everyone thought like you, who would do the modernization?" Liu Xiangyang said, spouting nonsense with a straight face.

Upon hearing this, Le Yao pointed to herself, then to Le Qi and Xue Bingbing: "Brother, is this how you build a modern society?"

"Look, there are exactly four of us now. Isn't that what modernization looks like? Besides..."

"Fine, now you dare to expose my weaknesses? Let's see how I deal with you."

"Hmph, I, Le Yao, am very determined and will never bow down to you." Le Yao raised her head and shouted with a righteous and awe-inspiring expression.

"Then I'll see if you're just being stubborn."

"Um."

"Um."

Two muffled groans sounded simultaneously.

"Brother Xiangyang, I think you're not punishing Yaoyao, you're punishing Qiqi. Look at her face." Xue Bingbing's voice, tinged with laughter, came from the side.

Liu Xiangyang turned his head and saw that Le Qi had turned to the side at some point, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were tightly closed, her long eyelashes were trembling, and her breathing was obviously out of rhythm. Of the two sounds just now, one of them was clearly from her.

"Looks like our Qiqi has a lot to say too." Liu Xiangyang released his hand from teasing Le Yao and instead pulled Le Qi over as well.

Leqi stiffened slightly as he hugged her, but didn't resist. She simply buried her burning face deeper into his chest and said in a muffled voice, "I...I have no objection."

"No objections?" Liu Xiangyang lowered his head and gently licked her flushed ear. "If you have no objections, why are you panting?"

"I...I was..." Leqi was speechless, too embarrassed to speak, and could only gently punch his chest with her hand.

"It seems that just dealing with those who lack willpower isn't enough," Liu Xiangyang concluded seriously. "We also need to educate this hypocrite."

"Ouch!" Le Yao slid off his lap, giggling as she hid behind Xue Bingbing, only peeking out half her head. "Bingbing-jie, look at him, he's about to be a pervert again!"

Xue Bingbing smiled, shielding Le Yao behind her, and said to Liu Xiangyang, "The water's almost ready, let's make a fuss after you've finished your bath."

Le Yao giggled and dodged, while Le Qi blushed and let him do as he pleased, her eyes as soft as water.

"Everyone, take a shower first," Xue Bingbing said, setting the tone.

Looking at Le Qi in his arms and Le Yao peeking out from behind Xue Bingbing, and then at Xue Bingbing's knowing smile, Liu Xiangyang's anger subsided, replaced by a lingering warmth. He lowered his head and kissed Le Qi's forehead before releasing her.

"Alright, we'll do as our head butler says."

Xue Bingbing had already boiled enough warm water in a small iron pot and earthenware pot. The spring water was clear and cool, and as it boiled in the pot, white steam rose up.

The shelter was cramped, and people could only take turns showering. They would fill a wooden bucket with water and do a quick wash inside the room.

Xue Bingbing let Le Qi and Le Yao wash first. The two sisters rustled around in the room, and you could vaguely hear their low voices and the sound of splashing water. After a while, they came out in clean undergarments, their hair still wet, their faces flushed from the heat, and they looked especially beautiful in the firelight.

Next was Xue Bingbing. She stayed in for a little longer, and when she came out, she had changed her clothes and her hair had been combed and tied back. She looked refreshing and gentle.

Finally, it was Liu Xiangyang's turn. He had just picked up the wooden bucket and was about to go inside when Xue Bingbing reached out and took it from him.

"Sit down and let us serve you," she said naturally, pointing to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) in the room.

Leqi had already brought over another wooden basin filled with warm water and placed it at his feet, while Leyao stood to the side with a clean cloth, smiling at him.

Liu Xiangyang was taken aback for a moment, then understood what they meant. He felt a warmth in his heart, said nothing, and sat down on the rock as instructed.

Xue Bingbing rolled up her sleeves, tested the water temperature in the wooden tub, then stood behind him and began to wipe his neck and back with a wet cloth.

Her movements were unhurried and moderate in strength. The warm water slid down her back, carrying away the sweat and dust, and also taking away the fatigue deep in her muscles.

Leqi knelt down in front of him, gently helped him take off his shoes and socks, and immersed his feet in the warm basin. Her fingers were slender but strong, carefully massaging his ankles and insteps, even meticulously washing between his toes. The water temperature was just right, so hot that it opened his pores and warmed him all the way to his heart.

Le Yao wasn't idle either. She wrung out another cloth and came over to help him wash his arms and chest. Her movements were more lively than Xue Bingbing's, with a hint of ingratiation. Her fingertips occasionally brushed against his skin, causing a slight tremor.

The three worked together seamlessly, none of them uttering a word. The only sounds were the gentle rustling of water and cloths against skin, while the flickering firelight illuminated their focused and tender profiles.

Liu Xiangyang closed his eyes and let them serve him. This feeling of being completely accepted and meticulously cared for was more comforting than the hot water itself.

Xue Bingbing changed the water several times and thoroughly cleaned his back.

Leqi carefully dried his feet with a dry cloth and even helped him put on clean socks.

Le Yao had finished wiping his hair and was gently wiping away the moisture with a dry cloth.

Once he felt completely refreshed and dry, Liu Xiangyang opened his eyes. He looked at the people surrounding him; their faces wore satisfied, gentle smiles, and their eyes were bright and soft.

He didn't say thank you, he just extended his hand.

Xue Bingbing was closest, so she leaned against his shoulder, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of his undergarment. Le Qi remained at his feet, looking up at him with watery eyes, while Le Yao moved to his side and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The atmosphere inside the room subtly shifted, becoming warm yet subtly ambiguous, with the firelight casting the shadows of the four people onto the wall.

Liu Xiangyang looked at him, his eyes full of encouragement.

Le Yao understood, her face flushed, but she did not hesitate at all.

The next day, after noon, the four of them, who had worked hard all night, got up and had a simple lunch. Then, Liu Xiangyang and the others quietly returned to Dongsheng Village, walking through the dappled sunlight in the forest.

They deliberately avoided the main road they usually took, and instead slipped back from the most secluded western end of the village along the path beside the irrigation canal. Their baskets were heavy, covered tightly with burlap and broad leaves. Le Qi and Le Yao also carried bulging cloth bags, and Xue Bingbing's bundle also looked quite heavy.

The four walked briskly, and apart from some mud and grass on their shoes and trousers, their faces showed little fatigue, but rather an excitement unique to returning from the mountains.