The carriage stopped in front of the inn half an hour later. The man in a bamboo hat entered first to register. Ruan Ning lifted the curtain and saw the common inn sign, “Yuelai Inn” – could there be any less originality? This author really isn’t putting in much effort.
The ground was full of accumulated water. As Ruan Ning hesitated to wade through, the bamboo hat man strode over. He had removed his raincoat, revealing a deep blue long robe that emphasized his tall and elegant figure. He quickly approached Ruan Ning, lifted the curtain, and embraced her around the waist, lifting her up.
Soft and fragrant, she was suddenly in his arms. Ruan Ning was caught off guard, letting out a soft cry and quickly grabbing his arm, nervously saying, “Put me down, I can walk by myself.”
“Don’t move, your clothes are wet.”
Don’t catch a cold,” the man in the bamboo hat said hoarsely, struggling to maintain his composure. If she would just lie quietly in his arms, it would be fine, but she kept squirming to get down. Wherever she touched, fire seemed to ignite—a temptation few could resist.
Through his thin clothing, Ruan Ning felt her captor suddenly become hot. This was indeed a passionate story. She dared not move, curling up obediently in his arms. Soon, they reached a quiet room with a large bed. The man closed the door behind him, hesitating before finally setting her down and turning to leave.
Actually a gentleman, Ruan Ning sighed in relief. “I’ll get some hot water for you to bathe,” he said.
The hot water arrived quickly. Ruan Ning bit her lip, stammering, “Could you step out for a moment?” Despite his handsomeness, she couldn’t potentially bathe in front of a man she’d just met. Yet, her coyness only fueled his desire. He stood up, checking the water temperature, then glanced at Ruan Ning, who peeked from beneath her trembling eyelashes. Gritting his teeth, he pushed the door open and walked out.
It was very cold, the clothes were damp, and the steaming hot water looked inviting. Ruan Ning hesitated before deciding to bathe. She checked her surroundings, confirmed no one was present, bolted the door, and moved a table to block it before quickly undressing and sliding into the wooden tub.
