After a few minutes, Li Cheng returned from the bathroom, his hair still damp. Xiotan had offered to help him dry it, and though he typically disliked anyone touching his hair, he found himself unable to refuse her.
The sensation of her gentle hands running through his hair was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. Her touch was so soft and soothing that he didn't want her to stop. He was taken aback by how calm and relaxed he felt under her care.
Kneeling between his legs, Xiotan carefully dried his hair, her movements so delicate that his head was almost resting against her chest. He felt an overwhelming urge to lay his head on her soft, warm chest, but a strange fear held him back. It was an unfamiliar feeling—Li Cheng was never one to hesitate, especially not with women. Yet, with her, it was different.
Sensing his hesitation, Xiotan gently guided his head to rest against her chest, her soft, round, milky skin cushioning him perfectly. He fought the urge to groan in pleasure, his body reacting more intensely than he'd expected.
For Xiotan, this was all part of her plan. She knew that her subtle actions were leading him toward a request she intended to make. She also knew that Li Cheng was aware there was more to her sudden display of affection.
Breaking the silence, Li Cheng decided to cut to the chase. "What do you want?" His voice was steady, but there was a knowing edge to it.
Xiotan smiled, continuing to gently run her fingers through his hair. "Now you're talking. So you knew I wanted something all this while? Why didn't you just ask me straight away instead of making me do all those silly things?" she teased, dropping the towel and sitting in front of him.
Li Cheng shook his head slightly, his suspicions confirmed. "As you can see, since we've been married, I haven't asked anything from you."
"Yeah, I know. So what is it you want or need?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I need to go shopping. You see, all those clothes in the wardrobe are for outings, and I feel very uncomfortable wearing them around the house. So I need to buy some more comfortable clothes, but I don't have the money..." she explained, her voice trailing off.
"That's not a big deal," Li Cheng began, "but those clothes are what I thought ladies liked to wear, whether for outings or—"
"See, I'm not like other girls," she interrupted, her tone firm. "I love something simple and cool, not those tight, uncomfortable clothes. I hate them."
Li Cheng was taken aback. No one had ever dared to interrupt him, especially when he was speaking. Normally, his words commanded silence, but with her, it was the other way around. When she spoke, he listened. He couldn't quite explain why, but he found himself always giving in to her wishes, doing whatever she asked.
She was, in truth, the one in control.
"So that's all you want?" he asked, genuinely surprised. If this was her way of asking for something, he could certainly get used to it. Her request was simple, almost modest, considering his expectations.
Li Cheng was astonished by her. She never asked for anything extravagant, apart from this modest request. He was certain that if he had married another woman, his room would be overflowing with clothes, perfumes, lipsticks, jewelry, and other luxuries, draining his finances in the process. It wasn't that Xiotan didn't use such things, but her approach to everything was refreshingly different.