## Chapter 6 ##
As soon as Qin Wanshu returned home, she immediately went into her bathroom, stripping off the clothes that had bound her and were originally not hers. With each piece of clothing that fell away, her curvaceous figure was fully revealed—long, proportionate legs, a round and full backside that was beautifully shaped, and a slim waist as delicate as a willow branch, evoking a desire to embrace her. She was undoubtedly a woman crafted with care by God, her figure perfect enough to astonish anyone.
Qin Wanshu slowly stepped into the bathtub filled with warm water. The warm water flowed over her smooth skin, making her feel so comfortable that she closed her eyes. Her mind involuntarily wandered back to what had just happened, and she realized that her interactions with the woman named Zuo Qinghuan were somewhat perplexing. That woman had first splashed her with milk tea, then taken her back to her home to change clothes, and finally broached a bizarre topic. This was not the usual interaction one would have with a stranger they had only met twice. Qin Wanshu carefully replayed the scene from their first meeting; it seemed that Zuo Qinghuan had stared at her face for a moment as if she recognized her. Zuo Qinghuan seemed to know her, yet she couldn't remember ever having met this woman before—perhaps she was just overthinking it.
Thinking of Zuo Qinghuan's mischievous smile, which resembled that of a girl who had just pulled off a prank, Qin Wanshu found her somewhat annoying. However, at least Zuo Qinghuan had an incredibly deceptive appearance, which prevented Qin Wanshu from feeling any dislike toward her. She hadn't expected to be influenced by someone else's looks, and she shook her head with a smile, trying to push Zuo Qinghuan out of her mind.
The next day, Qin Wanshu did not personally return the clothes but instead sent her butler to deliver them back to Zuo Qinghuan. Zuo Qinghuan noticed that it was not the original outfit but a brand-new set of the same style. Children of wealthy families were indeed different; even returning something was done in a unique way. Was it the case that any old item lent to Qin Wanshu could be exchanged for a new one? Zuo Qinghuan thought to herself as she held the new clothes.
In reality, Qin Wanshu had not intended to show off; she simply believed that some people might mind if their clothes were worn by others, so sending a new set back seemed like the right thing to do.
On her way home, Zuo Qinghuan noticed a car parked on the side of the road that seemed to have broken down. The license plate looked somewhat familiar; it was a car that Han Shibin drove. Han Shibin would surely have told her if he returned to the country, so it was likely that Qin Wanshu was driving that car. Zuo Qinghuan suddenly felt that she and Qin Wanshu had an unusual connection, having encountered her again in just a week. A slight smile appeared on Zuo Qinghuan's lips as she pulled over and got out of the car to approach the other vehicle.
Zuo Qinghuan gently tapped on Qin Wanshu's window.
Qin Wanshu rolled down the window and was slightly surprised to see Zuo Qinghuan, who was smiling so kindly. "What a coincidence to see you again."
"Is your car broken down?" Zuo Qinghuan asked.
"It seems to have stalled; I was just about to call someone to tow it," Qin Wanshu replied helplessly.
"It's almost dark; how about I give you a ride?" Zuo Qinghuan offered enthusiastically. At that moment, she appeared like a genuinely helpful young person, not realizing that she typically didn't meddle in other people's affairs.
Qin Wanshu glanced at Zuo Qinghuan, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Then thank you very much," Qin Wanshu said politely.
"No need to be polite; it's on my way," Zuo Qinghuan replied with a smile.
Thus, Qin Wanshu got into Zuo Qinghuan's car for the second time.
"Thanks for the clothes last time," Qin Wanshu began.
"Don't forget that I was the one who splashed you," Zuo Qinghuan reminded her.
"Wasn't it an accident?" Qin Wanshu recalled that Zuo Qinghuan had claimed it was an unintentional spill.
"Do you believe that?" Zuo Qinghuan raised an eyebrow, questioning her.
Qin Wanshu couldn't deny it and simply smiled, leaning slightly toward Zuo Qinghuan. Their bodies were close enough that Zuo Qinghuan could catch a faint scent from Qin Wanshu, but she didn't understand why Qin Wanshu was suddenly leaning closer, causing her heartbeat to quicken slightly.
"The driver should remember to buckle up," Qin Wanshu said gently as she fastened Zuo Qinghuan's seatbelt.
"Are you always this considerate?" Zuo Qinghuan asked lightly. She had been with Han Shibin for nearly two years, and that man had never fastened her seatbelt. In Qin Wanshu's eyes, she was perhaps only slightly more familiar than a stranger. Yet this woman was willing to help her with something so small; it suggested that she was inherently thoughtful and attentive.
"Maybe," Qin Wanshu thought for a moment and then replied uncertainly.
"Whoever marries you should be very happy," Zuo Qinghuan remarked with a sigh; indeed, she was the perfect wife, and there was hardly a flaw in Qin Wanshu.
"Well, you'd have to ask my husband about that." Is Han Shibin happy? Qin Wanshu didn't know, especially if he didn't mind her being frigid.
"You've been married? What kind of person is your husband?" Zuo Qinghuan asked knowingly, curious about what Han Shibin was like in Qin Wanshu's eyes.
"A good man," Qin Wanshu answered candidly. Han Shibin had good qualities all around and treated her well; she had no complaints about him. For some reason, she had the illusion that this woman seemed very interested in her personal affairs.
Zuo Qinghuan raised an eyebrow dismissively; that man was indeed good, but if he wasn't keeping a mistress somewhere, then it would be her.
If she were a man and had such a perfect woman as a wife, even if that woman were frigid, she wouldn't keep a mistress. She would find a way to help her overcome her frigidity.
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"Thank you for bringing me back. If you don't mind, how about coming in for a cup of tea before you leave?" Qin Wanshu asked gently.
"Sure, I don't have anything to do anyway," Zuo Qinghuan replied without hesitation. Whether Qin Wanshu's invitation was heartfelt or polite, she was curious about the place where Han Shibin and Qin Wanshu lived together. In such an expensive location, the villa was quite spacious, and the large courtyard was really extravagant, almost like a waterside pavilion, blending classical and modern styles, grand yet exquisite. It must be a work of art, but it also sparked Zuo Qinghuan's envy of the rich. What a pretentious building; she couldn't imagine that Qin Wanshu would be such a pretentious person, Zuo Qinghuan thought jealously.
Qin Wanshu led Zuo Qinghuan into the house. Zuo Qinghuan noticed that while the style inside seemed similar to the outside, it was somewhat different. At least the interior was filled with understated luxury, which Zuo Qinghuan somewhat liked.
"It seems different inside than out," Zuo Qinghuan said softly. She didn't understand architecture and decoration; she just felt it was so, as she was always sensitive to her surroundings.
"The outside is designed according to my husband's preferences, while the inside is designed according to mine," Qin Wanshu explained.
"I feel like the outside is trying to accommodate your preferences, which makes it seem a bit pretentious," Zuo Qinghuan said quietly, as if Han Shibin were present, subtly speaking ill of him.
Qin Wanshu found Zuo Qinghuan's manner of speaking, as if she were gossiping about someone while fearing being discovered, somewhat adorable. She chuckled lightly but didn't comment; it might be a bit pretentious, but she wouldn't say it out loud.
Qin Wanshu brought Zuo Qinghuan to her beloved sandalwood low tea table. The table was low, and there were several exquisite cushions nearby.
"I like to sit on the floor when I drink tea; it gives a leisurely feeling, so no need for chairs. Please feel free to sit," Qin Wanshu explained. She generally didn't pay too much attention to formality; she preferred whatever was comfortable.
Zuo Qinghuan rarely drank tea and had never experienced such a situation. Well, for Qin Wanshu, Zuo Qinghuan reluctantly admitted she felt like a country bumpkin; she didn't understand anything about tea etiquette. It should be like kneeling and sitting as the Japanese do, but that would be too uncomfortable...
Seeing Zuo Qinghuan sitting seriously on the cushion, Qin Wanshu felt like she resembled a little wife ready at any moment and suddenly found it quite amusing. This wasn't the woman's usual style.
"There's no specific sitting posture required, don't be too restrained; just sit comfortably on the floor," Qin Wanshu said, sitting cross-legged and starting to boil the spring water she had prepared nearby.
Seeing that Qin Wanshu was sitting cross-legged, Zuo Qinghuan quickly changed to the same posture. Noticing the smile in Qin Wanshu's mouth, Zuo Qinghuan felt a bit at a loss in front of her; how embarrassing to try to put on an act in front of Qin Wanshu! She simply changed her posture, spreading one leg out awkwardly but comfortably, and then watched how Qin Wanshu made tea.
Qin Wanshu didn't mind; she just smiled lightly. This was the real side of this woman, naturally unpretentious.
Zuo Qinghuan leaned against the wall, watching Qin Wanshu's busy hands. To be honest, Qin Wanshu's hands were very beautiful, delicate and slender, smooth and fair, without a single scar. They were the hands of an elegant person, precious and refined, unlike her own hands, which bore a faded yet still fierce scar.
Qin Wanshu noticed Zuo Qinghuan staring at her hands and slightly paused her movements.
"Is something wrong?" Qin Wanshu asked softly.
"I don't know how to make tea; I'm just watching how you do it," Zuo Qinghuan replied blandly.
"The water for making tea is very important; mountain water is best, river water is okay, and well water is the least desirable..." Qin Wanshu briefly explained some elements of tea making, not going into detail, as she didn't think Zuo Qinghuan would be interested in it.
Zuo Qinghuan was indeed not interested in tea making; she just felt that there was a difference between highborn and lowborn people. Highborn people even made tea with such elegance.
"Is it boring?" Qin Wanshu, seeing that Zuo Qinghuan didn't respond, quickly changed the topic, looking up at her. Qin Wanshu was a bit surprised to see Zuo Qinghuan's faint smile; it didn't seem to have much warmth, as if there was something a bit aloof and distant in it. This Zuo Qinghuan was different from the one she had seen before.
"No, it's very interesting," Zuo Qinghuan said, putting away her previous smile and replacing it with the cheerful smile she was best at. In fact, listening to Qin Wanshu talk about tea and watching her make it was a delight; Qin Wanshu's voice was very pleasant, better than any woman's voice, gentle as a spring breeze.
"Please have some," Qin Wanshu handed the brewed tea to Zuo Qinghuan.
"Thank you." Zuo Qinghuan accepted the teacup, took a gentle sip, and found it was indeed different from her impression of bitter tea; it was sweet and fragrant.