Xia Wennan opened his eyes to the sight of Ming Luchuan holding the shower nozzle, hot water streaming out and pouring over Xia Wennan’s head. His pyjamas were drenched in no time, the fabric plastered to his body, but as the tub gradually filled up with water that subsequently spread across his entire body, his clothes floated to the surface as if they weighed nothing. Xia Wennan was submerged not long after. He stared off into space, his eyes fixated on the endless spray of raindrops in midair, unwilling to budge one inch. At this time, Ming Luchuan offered his hand. Xia Wennan stared at that hand for a moment before reaching out and grabbing it, allowing Ming Luchuan to pull him up. “Plan on staying in there?” Ming Luchuan asked. Xia Wennan nodded. Ming Luchuan thus stripped down and got into the bathtub, sitting behind Xia Wennan and hugging him to his chest.
Ming Luchuan’s motions rocked the water in the bathtub, which gently lapped Xia Wennan’s skin. Xia Wennan listlessly leaned into Ming Luchuan’s embrace, content and a tiny bit sleepy. All of a sudden, a quiet laugh escaped his lips.
“What are you laughing about?” asked Ming Luchuan. “The instant you got in, it was like someone scattered flower petals in the bath,” Xia Wennan said. “Now the water smells like you.” After a brief silence, Ming Luchuan tightened his arms around Xia Wennan and said, “Really?” * The morning meeting was cancelled.