Zhou Jinbai arrived beside the medicinal spring, removed his bathrobe, and then stepped into the pool.
This five-star hotel belonged to the Dongfang family. It was precisely because they discovered three premium medicinal springs here that they built this five-star hotel on the sheer cliff face.
The hotel incurred losses every year, but its sole purpose was to provide a place for the Dongfang family to soak in hot springs.
The man propped his well-defined arms on the edge of the medicinal spring. The warm sensation spread throughout his body, as if his meridians were being unblocked. Just as he was about to close his eyes in comfort, a fair and slender hand suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
For a moment, Zhou Jinbai thought he was hallucinating.
But upon closer inspection, on the other side of the medicinal spring, there seemed to be a woman.
Zhou Jinbai's brows immediately furrowed. He disliked sharing a pool with other women; it made him feel disgusted.
Wasn't there a dedicated attendant at the entrance to the medicinal spring?
Zhou Jinbai tilted his head slightly, his gaze moving from the fair and slender hand to the woman's face.
At this sight, the man's entire body trembled.
He couldn't believe that the woman soaking in the pool was his wife.
Zhou Jinbai's furrowed brows instantly relaxed. The look of disgust even vanished in an instant.
His gaze seemed to ignite, slowly and greedily tracing down from Lin Xingwan's cheeks. Because Lin Xingwan was using her hands as pillows, resting them on the edge of the medicinal spring, her exposed swan-like neck and butterfly back delivered a visual impact of tons upon him.
The man's gaze stopped at the water's surface.
The water level conveniently concealed everything below Lin Xingwan's armpits. As the water rippled, the area below her armpits appeared and disappeared.
The most exquisite beauty, yet alluring without realizing it.
Zhou Jinbai felt all his blood surge to one place, about to explode.
Setting aside the question of how his wife ended up here, her sleeping face alone had him hopelessly captivated.
A wine pool and a meat forest; from then on, the king would not hold court. He now understood King Zhou of Shang's happiness.
Just as Zhou Jinbai wished the medicinal spring water would drain away, a cold gust of wind blew. Lin Xingwan, who had been sleeping, couldn't help but shiver and was instantly awakened by the cold.
Waking up without any warning, Zhou Jinbai immediately turned away.
He had just sent Lin Xingwan a message reporting his whereabouts not long ago. If he appeared before her immediately, she would definitely become suspicious.
The awakened Lin Xingwan, shivering from the cold, instinctively drew her body further into the water. Her eyes began to search for Ye Ranran nearby.
She didn't find Ye Ranran but saw a man not far away with his back to her.
He stood against the moonlight, his shoulders broad and his posture elegant.
In this scene, the thought that flashed through Lin Xingwan's mind was: "Could this man be a celestial deity from the heavens, here to soak in the hot springs on earth?"
Because his physique was too perfect, too sexually charged.
Despite her admiration, the moment Lin Xingwan realized she was soaking in the same pool as a stranger, completely naked, she instantly became flustered.
If this man turned around and saw her, how embarrassing would that be?
Thinking of the worst, what if this man was a bad person?
The moment this thought crossed her mind, Lin Xingwan felt a chill run down her spine.
She tried her best to hide her body in a concealed spot, praying in her heart that the man would see nothing.
Zhou Jinbai's hearing was sharp. He naturally knew the woman behind him was cautiously moving.
This fool, did she think he hadn't noticed her?
Even without seeing her, Zhou Jinbai could guess that to hide herself, this woman must have moved behind that peach tree.
Damn it!
The drainage point of the medicinal spring was behind that peach tree, and the water depth was a full two meters.
But without a mask, without a voice changer, he couldn't turn around, let alone remind her.
Lin Xingwan, naturally unaware of the impending danger, was still planning to move behind the peach tree when she suddenly felt her footing give way. She tilted to one side.
"Ah—"
Lin Xingwan screamed. In the water, there was nothing for her to grab onto to maintain her balance. She fell entirely into the medicinal spring.
Her entire body was swallowed by the medicinal spring. She couldn't speak, couldn't open her eyes, and apart from the gurgling sound of water, she could hear nothing else.
"Young Master!" At the same time, Chen Yuchu quickly ran to Zhou Jinbai's side and handed him the mask she was holding.
Heaven knew how anxious she was when she returned and encountered Ye Ranran, who was being held back by a subordinate. Learning from her that the young madam was in this medicinal spring, she was filled with urgency.
The Young Master had concealed his true identity from the Young Madam. If it were exposed, the consequences would be unthinkable!
Therefore, disregarding the Young Master's order not to be disturbed, she rushed to deliver the mask.
Zhou Jinbai quickly put on the mask. With a cold and stern gaze, Chen Yuchu immediately turned and retreated.
Zhou Jinbai, without hesitation, rapidly approached the spot where Lin Xingwan was struggling.
A dozen seconds later, Lin Xingwan felt a powerful force pull her out of the water. The next moment, her waist was tightly clasped. Her body pressed against a scorching hot body. She instinctively wanted to push away, but the man's strength was too great; she felt as if she were held by iron arms.
"Cough... Let go of me... Let go..."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Lin Xingwan pushed and struggled, but her slender arms and legs were as ineffective as tickles against Zhou Jinbai's body, posing no threat.
In fact, the fire within Zhou Jinbai, due to holding Lin Xingwan, instantly flared up.
"Miss Lin wants me to let go, does she want me to see her completely?"
From above, a commanding male voice descended. The voice was so distinctive that Lin Xingwan suddenly looked up and froze.
The man in front of her, wearing a mask with a stern expression, was none other than Dongfang Junze!
"How are you here?" Due to extreme nervousness, Lin Xingwan didn't even use polite language.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking Miss Lin that? This is my private medicinal spring. How are you here?" Dongfang Junze looked down at the blushing, pretty face against his chest, wishing he could kiss her directly.
He was no gentleman, nor could he be a saint. A simple embrace had already conjured countless romantic fantasies in his mind.
Lin Xingwan was instantly speechless. She shouldn't have believed Ye Ranran's words about this being an unknown medicinal spring. She shouldn't have harbored a sliver of hope and indulged in temporary pleasure.
Now, she had been caught red-handed by the owner while sneaking into his medicinal spring. Lin Xingwan truly wished that all of this was just a dream tinged with a faint blush of peach blossoms.
Fear receded, leaving behind embarrassment and bewilderment.
She could clearly feel the man's incredibly attractive physique, his abs pressing against her abdomen. Because he was holding her so tightly, she felt as if her chest were about to explode.
But that wasn't the most important thing. When Lin Xingwan realized Dongfang Junze's extraordinary endowment, her mind buzzed as if a hornet's nest had exploded.
She dared not move, feeling her entire body tense.
Zhou Jinbai was well aware that his wife had noticed his abnormality. His honest body always reacted this way when he encountered this woman; even he couldn't control it.
"I..."
"I..."
"You speak first!"
"You speak first!"
They both spoke at the same time, two sentences, both identical with uncanny synchronicity.
Finally, Lin Xingwan said, "We can't just stand here hugging, can we?"
"What does Miss Lin want me to do?" Zhou Jinbai asked, seemingly polite and calm, but his sharp gaze had already swept over Lin Xingwan countless times.
"My clothes are over there. Close your eyes, then let me go, and I'll get dressed."
By the end, Lin Xingwan's voice became even smaller.
Embarrassing!
This was truly too embarrassing!
She had never felt so speechless in her life!
"Alright."
The man indeed closed his eyes and released Lin Xingwan.
As the softness in his arms disappeared, Zhou Jinbai felt a sense of loss.
Wait until he reverted to his identity as Zhou Jinbai, he would definitely have to take advantage of her severely.
Soon, Lin Xingwan climbed out of the medicinal spring. She quickly put on her clothes and said, "I'm done. Mr. Dongfang, you can open your eyes now. I'm truly sorry. I didn't know this was your private domain, and I apologize for any trouble I've caused. I won't disturb your soak anymore."
Without giving Zhou Jinbai a chance to speak, she turned and fled.
Zhou Jinbai watched Lin Xingwan's retreating figure, his sexy thin lips curling into a bitter smile.
She had run away, but the fire within him was about to burn him to ashes.
After Lin Xingwan ran out, she saw Ye Ranran talking to Chen Yuchu.
"Sister Xingwan still hasn't come out. Has something happened? Can you let me go in and check? I know I was wrong. I'll never bring Sister Xingwan here again."
Ye Ranran looked as if she were about to cry. Chen Yuchu replied, "Miss Lin will be out soon. Please wait patiently here."
Ye Ranran was about to say something else, but when she saw Lin Xingwan in her line of sight, she immediately cried out excitedly, "Sister Xingwan... Sister Xingwan..."
Lin Xingwan quickly took Ye Ranran's hand, said "We're leaving" to Chen Yuchu, and hurried towards the accommodation area.
Chen Yuchu watched Lin Xingwan's back disappear and couldn't help but sigh softly: "It seems the Young Master took quite a bit of advantage tonight. Otherwise, the Young Madam wouldn't have that expression."
After returning to her room, Lin Xingwan, who had been feigning composure, could no longer hold back.
She shrieked "Ahhh!" and stomped her feet, her expression one of utter frustration.
She wanted to erase the memory of the medicinal spring from her mind, but at this moment, her memory was surprisingly good.
The feeling of being pressed against Dongfang Junze, the awareness of Little Dongfang Junze pressing against her leg, and the man's scorching hot body.
Oh my god!
How could she have experienced such a thing with any man other than Zhou Jinbai?
No, no!
She couldn't think about it anymore!
After drying her hair, Lin Xingwan lay on the bed, forcing herself to sleep.
But she couldn't sleep at all, only counting the time.
Around eleven o'clock, Zhou Jinbai's call came through. Lin Xingwan didn't want to answer, but knocking on the door sounded at the same time.
After experiencing so much today, Lin Xingwan's anger had subsided considerably.
She and Dongfang Junze had done such things, even if it wasn't voluntary, she still felt guilty towards Zhou Jinbai. If she put herself in his shoes, perhaps the bracelet incident wasn't voluntary for Zhou Jinbai either.
Lin Xingwan opened the door. Upon seeing the handsome face she had been longing for, the man immediately embraced her tightly.
"Wife, are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't protect you. When I heard about what happened to you, I wished I had wings to fly to your side." Zhou Jinbai's voice was full of guilt. Seeing this man, Lin Xingwan's nose tip felt sore, and tears began to fall in large drops.
She hadn't cried when the car crashed, nor when those bad guys almost assaulted her. But the moment she saw this man, she wanted to cry her heart out.
Unconsciously, Lin Xingwan had gradually become dependent on him.
This was the first time in her life she had been so dependent on someone. When Lin Xingwan realized Zhou Jinbai's importance to her, even she felt a shock.
The woman's sobbing immediately made Zhou Jinbai release her.
She had cried until her face looked like a little kitten's.
This broke Zhou Jinbai's heart.
"Wife, don't cry... don't cry..." Zhou Jinbai closed the door with his foot, picked her up, and carried her to the bedside.
He gently placed her on the bed, roughly pulled out several tissues, and then tenderly wiped her tears.
"It's all your fault. If you hadn't made me angry, I wouldn't have gone through this. Zhou Jinbai, you scoundrel, you渣男."
Lin Xingwan cried and hit the man's chest. Her blows were light, and she looked like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Yes, I'm a scoundrel who angered my wife, but I'm not a渣男. In this life, I only love my wife. If I lie even a little, may lightning strike me and my body be left unburied! Wife, don't be angry anymore. It's not worth getting angry over a scoundrel like me. The bracelet incident was my mishandling; it's my fault."
Zhou Jinbai grabbed Lin Xingwan's hand and slapped himself hard on the face.
Lin Xingwan was stunned and quickly rubbed his reddened cheek. "You... are you crazy!"
Zhou Jinbai held Lin Xingwan's hand and kissed it. "If anything had happened to you today, let alone a slap, Grandma would have beaten me to death with a stick. Wife, I'm sorry, please don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Zhou Jinbai seized the opportunity and sat beside Lin Xingwan, pulling her into his embrace. "If one slap isn't enough to vent your anger, then keep hitting."
He then tried to get Lin Xingwan to slap him again, but Lin Xingwan quickly pulled her hand away. She huffed proudly and turned her face aside. "So, give me an explanation about the bracelet, or I won't forgive you."