Chapter 170 Magazine
When I thought of Xu Shu's body covered with shower gel foam, I couldn't help but feel a heat in my nose, as if I was going to have a nosebleed again. I quickly pinched the tip of my nose with my hand, trying hard to hold back my laughter, and said, "Then... there's nothing I can do. How about I boil some hot water and bring it in? Or you can just grit your teeth and rinse it off with cold water."
Xu Shu's hateful and angry voice came from the bathroom: "Tang Qian! Do you want me to catch a cold and have a fever, and then be sent to the hospital for isolation as a SARS patient?"
I thought for a few seconds, then went to the bedroom and found a towel blanket for summer. I walked back to the bathroom door and said, "Xu Shu, I got a blanket. You can use it to cover yourself first, so you don't catch a cold. I'll boil some water right away, and it will be ready in a moment."
Xu Shu was silent for a few seconds before saying, "That's the only way. But I've opened the door, so you're not allowed to peek!"
I couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay! I won't watch it!"
After a while, the door opened a crack, and a snow-white arm stretched out. Xu Shu said, "Give it to me!" I put the towel blanket in her hand, and Xu Shu grabbed it, took it in immediately, and then closed the door again.
I turned back to the kitchen, grinning, and started boiling water in the kettle.
Just after I lit the gas stove, I heard Xu Shu say behind me, "What's wrong with your broken water heater? It was working fine just now, wasn't it?"
I looked back and saw Xu Shu's head sticking out of the kitchen door, looking at the antique water heater hanging on the wall. I laughed and said, "Why did you come out?"
Xu Shu blushed and said, "Why don't you come out and let me wait in the bathroom?"
Seeing her face full of anger, her lower lip bitten, her hair still wet. Her whole body was hidden outside the door, with only her head sticking out. I couldn't help laughing and said, "I haven't used this water heater for a long time. Maybe the ignition system is broken?"
Xu Shu asked: "So do you usually take cold showers?"
I said, "Yes! If it doesn't work, I sometimes go to a bathing place outside to take a bath."
Xu Shu looked helpless and sighed, "What bad luck! The first day is so bad, and there are still more than ten days to go. How can I get through this!"
I laughed and said, "We have to get by even if we can't. Who told us to be quarantined? Just make do with it!"
Xu Shu snorted, glared at me hard, and immediately retracted his head.
The water was boiling, but the doorbell rang at the front door. The person who came at this time could only be the staff of the epidemic prevention station. I walked to open the door and saw Xu Shu running into the bathroom quickly, her body tightly wrapped in the towel blanket.
I opened the door, and a staff member from the epidemic prevention station said, "I'm sorry, we need to take your temperature. We observe and register it every day."
I said, "Okay, but there's another person taking a shower, so it's not convenient now. Can you come back later?"
The staff member took out an instrument and scanned my forehead, then opened the folder and said, "Your name is Tang Qian, right?"
I said, "Yes!"
The staff member wrote down my temperature and the time of measurement, and then said, "Then I'll come back in the evening! By the way, do you need to buy anything? Please tell me and we will buy it for you."
I said, "I don't need it now, but there will be no vegetables at home tomorrow. Can you help me buy some?"
The staff nodded and said, "We will deliver breakfast to your door tomorrow morning. You can tell us what you need to buy at that time. We will write it down and someone will go to buy it."
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome! I'll take my leave now. If you need any help, there's always someone downstairs."
After the staff at the epidemic prevention station left, the water was almost boiling. I turned off the gas, picked up the kettle, walked to the bathroom door and said, "Xu Shu, the hot water is here. Do you want to take it in yourself or should I help you pour it into the bucket?"
The door opened, Xu Shu poked his head out, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Come in and help me pour it, but you can't look at me."
I laughed and said, "You are covered with a blanket, so what are you afraid of?"
"That... can't be looked at either! You men have crooked minds and think of all kinds of messed up things. Don't you think I don't know?"
I had no choice but to say, "Okay! I promise not to watch it!"
After getting my assurance, Xu Shu made way. I went in without looking around, found a large plastic bucket, washed it first, and then poured hot water into it.
I put the bucket under the shower head again and said, "Xu Shu, fill it with cold water and adjust the temperature yourself. I'm going to go out." Then I turned around and left without looking at her.
As soon as I came out of the bathroom, I heard Xu Shu say from behind: "Tang Qian!"
I stopped and asked, "Anything else?"
"No, thank you!"
I smiled, went into the kitchen and started preparing dinner.
Women are slow to take a shower. Xu Shu came out of the bathroom only after I had finished cooking and brought out the food. She was wearing a set of pajamas and her face was rosy. After the shower, she had a different kind of sultry sexiness, as if she was the reincarnation of Venus, beautiful and charming to the extreme.
I didn't dare to look at her any longer, and lowered my head and said, "Let's eat!"
Xu Shu lazily said "hmm" and sat down at the table. She seemed really exhausted after working all afternoon. She actually had a big appetite and not only ate all the dishes, but also ate two bowls of rice. But after eating, she started to complain that her weight loss plan was messed up again.
It was already dark, and I saw that the news broadcast was about to start, so I turned on the TV and sat on the sofa to watch it. Xu Shu cleared the dishes and washed them.
At this moment, I suddenly had a feeling, isn't this... the happy life I long for? I can live a simple and warm life with the person I love. So this is what it feels like, really... very happy!
Inevitably, I thought of Jingjing. How would it feel if I lived with Jingjing? Would Jingjing be as... demure as Xu Shu?
After Xu Shu finished washing the dishes, she didn't stop for a moment and ran into the bathroom to wash clothes. I couldn't even watch the news broadcast anymore, so I walked into the bathroom and said to her, "Xu Shu, take a rest, I'll do the washing."
Xu Shu rolled his eyes at me and said, "No need! Just tell me how to use this washing machine. These jobs are originally done by women. You men should stay away!"
I sighed and said, "Okay! I didn't expect that a big star like you would actually do these jobs. I always thought you were spoiled since you were a child and couldn't do any work!"
I turned on the power of the washing machine and briefly explained how to operate it. The washing machine is fully automatic and very easy to use. Xu Shu understood it as soon as I said it. She pushed me out and said, "Go watch your TV. I'll take care of it here."
I left the bathroom and said, "Xu Shu...A man who can marry you will definitely be very happy!"
Xu Shu was stunned for a moment, then a happy and mischievous smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Really? Then... do you want to be happy?"
I was speechless. To be honest, I really wanted to do it. I dreamed about it. But... I am no longer qualified. I sighed and turned back to the living room.
Just as I was about to sit down, the phone in the living room rang. I went to pick it up and heard Jingjing's happy overseas call: "Tang Qian! Good morning... Oh, good evening!"
I smiled and said, "Just got up?"
"Yes! I went online to look up information for my paper last night and went to bed very late."
"Studying is important, but your health comes first. Don't make yourself too tired!"
"Got it! It's so annoying that you have to repeat it every time! By the way, has Xiao Shu returned to China? Did he give you anything? Haha!"
I turned my head and looked at the bathroom. Xu Shu also heard the phone ringing, stopped working and walked to the door. I said, "Is it the Buddhist beads? She has already given it to me."
"That's good! Tang Qian, this Buddhist rosary was consecrated by my grandmother after a lifetime of practice. It is full of my grandmother's magic power. It is very effective. You must carry it with you at all times. It will keep you away from all diseases and evil. Don't take it lightly! SARS is so serious in China now, you must be careful."
"Got it. I will."
"Well, I have to go to school now. I'll call you when I get back. Kiss me and say goodbye!"
I glanced at Xu Shu awkwardly and said, "We have guests at home... maybe next time?"
"Really? Then I'll have to order double the amount next time? Haha! Bye!"
"Goodbye!" I put down the phone and saw Xu Shu sighing and then going back into the bathroom. It seemed that she didn't want Jingjing to know that she and I were "living together" temporarily.
Thinking about it carefully, Xu Shu and I have kept many things from Jingjing. I wonder if there will be a day when... I can't imagine it. I sighed and sat back on the sofa heavily.
Just as I sat down, my cell phone rang again. I took it out and saw that it was Fan Yunting calling.
"Hey Tang Qian, I saw a report on TV saying that your community has been quarantined. Where is your family?"
"Oh, I was just about to tell you. I've also been quarantined. You've been to my house before, so it's best... don't go out these few days. Pay more attention to your temperature. If you have any problems, be sure to go to the hospital in time!"
"What about Xu Shu? Is she still with you?"
"She...has already left. I will also inform her."
"Oh, that's good! I was worried that she would be quarantined with you."
"You should pay more attention to yourself. Although the probability is extremely small, you can't take it lightly. I haven't reported it to the quarantine station yet. Just in case, you should isolate yourself to avoid harming others."
"It's not that serious! Don't scare me! Oh! I would rather be quarantined with you. If your lover hadn't come, why would I leave? Now you are alone... Aren't you bored?"
"I can't help being bored, it's because I'm isolated."
"How about... I come and quarantine with you. I'm also a suspect for SARS anyway!"
I was sweating! I smiled bitterly and said, "Don't be silly! Others can't hide in time, and you want to come back and die? Besides, even if I want to, the people at the epidemic prevention station won't agree. It's strictly forbidden to enter or leave here."
"But I'm worried about you being alone."
"I'm not a child anymore, what's there to worry about? Can't I take care of myself?"
"I just want to be with you. Although I'm not as pretty as Xu Shu, being your lover won't be unfair to you, right?"
I said sternly, "Boss Fan, if you still want to keep me in the company, don't mention these things again. Xu Shu and I are just ordinary friends, not as dirty as you think."
"Really? I don't know who was the one who hugged the big star Xu and said I love you? Is this what you call an ordinary friendship?"
I was speechless and could only say, "Mr. Fan, do you have anything else to say? If not, I'll hang up now."
"Tang Qian, you...Okay, I don't mind if you don't want me, but you can't leave the company. You promised me something, you can't go back on your word!"
"Don't worry, I won't break my promise. That's it. Goodbye!"
As soon as I pressed the hang-up button, I heard Xu Shu's voice behind me: "This Fan Yunting must like you too, right? A great lover?"
I turned around and found that Xu Shu had been standing behind the sofa, looking at me with a sly smile. I sighed and said, "Don't make blind guesses. There's nothing going on between Mr. Fan and me."
Xu Shu put her elbows on the back of the sofa, her eyes full of teasing. She looked me up and down and said with a smile, "I really don't understand, you are such an ordinary man, why do so many women like you? Let me count how many there are, um... one is the owner of the scarf, two are the flower fairies, three are my sisters, and now we have to add General Manager Fan. God! Four women! Tang Qian, you are really popular! It's hard to deal with the peach blossom fate, right?"
I could only smile bitterly, thinking: "Do you count as one? If you count, then there are five!" I looked at Xu Shu and said nothing. But my eyes clearly expressed my meaning.
Xu Shu obviously understood. She glared at me and her face quickly turned red. She said angrily, "Why are you looking at me? Did I say I like you? Humph! You are so self-indulgent!" Then she stood up, twisted her waist, and ran back to the bathroom.
At that moment, I had a strong urge to chase her and hug her. How could I not be confused and distracted by the fact that such a beautiful woman, who was like a goddess in my mind, acted like a little girl and had a temper like this?
I painfully controlled myself and didn't dare to think about her again. I found that restraining my emotions was much harder than the work I did in the afternoon. The flowers were within reach, but I couldn't pick them!
After washing all the clothes and bedding in the washing machine, I helped Xu Shu hang them on the clothes drying rack outside the window. Of course, I didn't dare touch her underwear. Not long after, the comrades from the epidemic prevention station came to take Xu Shu's temperature again, registered, and left again.
We were so bored that we had to sit on the sofa and watch TV. The arrogant Xu Shu snatched the remote control and stopped me from watching sports programs. He turned to the variety show channel to watch some singing and dancing.
CCTV-5 was broadcasting a football match, and I was watching it halfway through when it suddenly became unwatchable. I felt extremely depressed. Well... living together is good, but in some ways, being alone is still freer!
After a while, Xu Shu was already yawning. He stood up and said, "I'm going to bed, you should go to bed early too." Then he ran into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and went to the toilet. After he was done, he went into the bedroom and turned back to me and smiled, "Good night, see you tomorrow!"
I hurriedly said, "Wait a minute, let me get a quilt first."
Xu Shu was about to close the door, but after hearing this he said, "Oh, then come and get it!"
I walked into the bedroom, opened the closet and started looking for a quilt. When I took out a quilt, I heard a "pop" and something in the closet was brought out and fell to the ground.
Xu Shu leaned over to pick it up, saying, "Why is there still a magazine in the cabinet?"
Magazine?!
I suddenly remembered something and was so startled that I quickly moved the quilt away and looked at what Xu Shu was holding.
As expected... I was horrified, my face flushed, and I shouted, "Don't look at it! Give it to me now!"
Xu Shu didn't care at all and unconsciously opened the magazine, saying, "What is it that you treasure so much..." Before she could even say the word "treasure", she suddenly opened mouth wide and was speechless!
I hastily threw away the blanket, reached out to grab the magazine, and said angrily, "Didn't I tell you not to read it? Give it back to me now!"
I was quick, but Xu Shu was even quicker. She quickly hid the magazine behind her and took a step back. The look in her eyes when she looked at me was different from usual.
Sweat broke out on my forehead, so I could only babbled, "This... this thing is not mine, you... you must not misunderstand me , please give it back to me first?"
Xu Shu's face gradually turned red, and his bright eyes stared at me. After a long while, he finally said, "If you don't give it to me, I will confiscate it!"
I was filled with remorse. My image in Xu Shu's eyes was completely ruined! Just one thought! Just one thought! I regretted so much that I wanted to bang my head against the wall. I cried to Xu Shu, "Xu Shu, please! Give it to me. I'll burn it right now!"
Xu Shu snorted and said, "Are you willing to do that?"
"This thing... Oh! Xu Shu, I was wrong. Please don't look down on me. Just take it and deal with it!" I sighed. I was at my wit's end. Xu Shu must be looking down on me now, right? Helplessly, I had to bow my head and admit my mistake.
Xu Shu looked at me, looking so dejected and ashamed, and wanted to laugh but couldn't. He stretched out a hand and pushed me, saying, "I won't give it to you. Get out now. I want to sleep!"
I was pushed out of the room helplessly by Xu Shu, and the door slammed shut. I stood at the door, feeling anxious and worried. I knew that if Xu Shu found that thing, my image as a gentleman would be completely destroyed, right? If I had known that I would not want it that day, I would have let Zhao Yanjin take it back. But... Alas! Who said I am a man? It was just a matter of one thought!
I feel deeply regretful. Xu Shu will definitely regard me as a pervert in the future and will be on guard against me like a pervert every day. There are also more than ten days of isolation. How can we get along with each other?
While I was thinking about it, the bedroom door opened again, and Xu Shu threw the quilt to me. I caught it subconsciously. Then I saw her face getting redder, and she rolled her eyes at me, saying angrily: "Huh! Man!"
The door slammed again!
