The sound of flowing water echoed continuously in the laundry room. Having just showered and changed, Li Yue was hand-washing her clothes, which were a mix of rainwater and sweat. Her face remained expressionless, her heart as calm as the trickling water before her.
The sound of a key inserting into a lock drifted in. After a few turns, the courtyard gate opened and closed. The rhythmic clicking of high heels on the floor drew closer. Outside the window, night was just beginning to fall, and the horizon still held a trace of the red from the setting sun.
The stars had not yet emerged.
“A Yue, I’m hungry...” The owner of the footsteps stopped at the entrance of the laundry room. The laundry room was quite large and fully equipped, but since Clo rarely employed servants, it hadn't seen much use before Li Yue arrived.
“Wait until I finish washing these stockings.” Li Yue’s hands were submerged in cold water, gently scrubbing the areas prone to getting dirty, like the soles and heels. “Didn’t you eat dinner at the academy?”
“I ate a little, but I’m not full.” Clo walked into the laundry room. Li Yue, dressed in her pajamas, was focused on washing the clothes. The room was filled only with the sound of running water. Clo looked to the side at a white cashmere knit dress and a black coat with gold buttons—the clothes Li Yue had worn during the day, still damp from the rain.
“These fabrics are such a hassle to hand-wash.” Clo picked up one of the items and lightly sniffed it. It carried the scent of rainwater, a faint hint of perspiration, and that subtle, pleasant body fragrance unique to Li Yue.
“It would be more convenient to send them to a laundry service, but I prefer cleaning my own clothes. After all, this is part of a normal daily life in the future.” Li Yue smiled faintly, not noticing that Clo had buried her face in the clothes behind her.
A Yue’s scent... hehehe... A Yue, my A Yue... So fragrant, so warm. My energy for the whole day is back.
“I’ll go make something simple. I’ll whip up a tomato and egg topping and then boil some noodles,” Li Yue said after a moment of thought. She soaked the remaining clothes in the cold water. Her hands were red, likely from being submerged in the cold for so long.
I remember folding those clothes neatly. Why are they all wrinkled now? Did Clo pick them up to check them?
Li Yue didn't give it much thought. She took Clo’s hand, and the two walked to the kitchen together. She tied on an apron and pulled her loose hair into a high ponytail.
Truly a perfect wife... A Yue, hehe, my A Yue.
Clo watched Li Yue’s back with a silly smile.
“By the way, have you made any preparations for the upcoming exams?” Clo took a bottle of milk from the freezer and took a small sip. Exhaling softly, she watched Li Yue’s busy figure, a sense of happiness welling up in her heart.
“I ordered some silver bullets. They were so expensive.” Li Yue sighed as she added water to the tomato and eggs, then dropped in the noodles and slowly added the seasonings. Though she was busy, her heart felt warm. Perhaps this kind of daily life was exactly what she wanted, though she didn't know how long it could last.
“What else? Like various potions, compressed food, a change of clothes, and...” Clo thought of many things, her ideas almost long enough to fill an entire checklist.
“They check storage rings at the exam. I’ll only bring my twin guns, a knife, a tent, and pure water,” Li Yue said indifferently. “You know, my vitality is very strong. Eating raw food or drinking blood is perfectly fine for me.”
“No, no! Absolutely not! You can't do such bloody and unrefined things. At the very least, you have to process the food.” Clo puffed out her cheeks, feigning a bit of anger as she looked at Li Yue with dissatisfaction.
Li Yue placed the cooked noodles in front of Clo and handed her a silver fork, smiling gently.
“Alright, alright. I’ll prepare more thoroughly. Don’t worry about me. I just...” Li Yue paused. “It’s nothing... nothing at all.”
“I’ll be very busy during those two days as well. Some troublesome guy wants to have tea with me.” Clo sighed, twirling the noodles with her fork and stuffing them into her mouth. “Delicious!”
“This... isn't something someone else taught me. I used to make it for myself occasionally when I lived alone.” Li Yue smiled. Her usually indifferent face showed a trace of human warmth and affection—a warmth and love that perhaps only Clo in this world could enjoy.
“When everything settles down, let’s find a small country and live a quiet life together, just the two of us, okay?” Clo leaned toward Li Yue, pressing her body against her.
“Okay...”
“We’ll do whatever we want, free from any constraints. We’ll go wherever we want and leave our footprints all over the world...” Clo said, her voice filled with joy.
“I will accompany you anywhere in the world. Even to the River of the Dead; if you wish, I will go there with you to pick the beautiful Manjusaka.” Li Yue untied her hair, letting her snow-white locks cascade down.
“By the way.” Clo looked at Li Yue.
“I love you, A Yue.”
“I know.” Li Yue smiled tenderly. She let Clo embrace her and kiss her back into the chair. “I love you too, Clo.”
The two embraced for a long time before slowly parting. Li Yue wiped her mouth and puffed out her cheeks, her expression turning a bit strange.
“I shouldn't have chopped up that garlic and put it in there, ugh...”
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