Chapter - 82 - Inappropriate Thoughts

Tang Li was startled by his abrupt movement and looked around anxiously. Her eyes searched the darkness for any potential threats, but the obscurity revealed nothing.

She turned her gaze back to Yi Minghuan, her voice trembling as she inquired, "What's wrong with you? What happened? Did you step on something?"

Yi Minghuan, feeling awkward about the situation, concocted a quick lie. "I stepped on a rock and nearly sprained my foot," he explained with feigned discomfort.

As much as he longed to leave her alone, he couldn't simply abandon her in the darkness. Yet, he couldn't bear to be held by her as he had been before.

With this dilemma in mind, Yi Minghuan decided to take a careful step forward, making sure to avoid any contact with her soft body. He grabbed her hand and led her swiftly home.

"...." Tang Li couldn't help but wonder if his abrupt gesture earlier, throwing her off, was motivated by the desire to hold her hand.

'Cough...you are thinking too much!'

However, she dismissed this thought, reasoning that Yi Minghuan likely hadn't harbored any such intentions or feelings towards her.

Once they reached the house, Yi Minghuan promptly released her hand. He felt as though continuing to hold it would cause his palms to become sweaty, and he was beginning to feel the need for a cold shower to cool down.

'This internal struggle was becoming unbearable.'

"I want to boil some hot water and take a shower before bed," Tang Li announced upon entering the room. She lit the kerosene lamp, ran her fingers through her greasy hair, and made her intentions known.

Yi Minghuan nodded in agreement. "Sure. I'll heat up the water for you." With that, he turned towards the kitchen.

His mind couldn't help but wander to thoughts of what kind of basin she would use to bathe, and how she would cope with the cold night.

After all, in order to shower, she would have to disrobe, and then...

Yi Minghuan's mind veered into dangerous territory, but he cut himself off before his thoughts could go any further. He couldn't afford to entertain such lascivious ideas or it will be another embarrassing matter for him again.

He had never really thought about women in this way before, but now he had a wife living with him. He hadn't given it much thought the previous day, but the past day had been anything but typical.

Her proximity and the unintentional physical contact had stirred something within him. It was disconcerting how easy it was for him to become lost in his own fantasies.

'Control yourself!'

Yi Minghuan chastised himself, feeling guilty for these inappropriate thoughts.

"Do we still have hot water left in the thermos? I'd like to wash my hair first," Tang Li inquired when she joined him in the kitchen.

"Yes, there's some left in that bottle," Yi Minghuan replied as he stoked the fire. He gestured toward the thermos bottle nestled in the corner.

Tang Li nodded her thanks, picked up the thermos bottle, and shot him a curious glance. She sensed that something was amiss; he seemed different, avoiding eye contact and speaking in an evasive manner.

"Is there a problem with me going to Uncle Zhang's for medical studies at night?" Tang Li couldn't help but confront him about the issue. His strange behavior demanded an explanation.

Tang Li thought about his changes before and after, and felt that this was the only point to explain the problem. 

"Huh? Of course not," Yi Minghuan responded surprised. He attempted to maintain a straight face, even though his countenance revealed otherwise. "You're overthinking it. I'm very supportive."

"Oh..." Tang Li accepted his assurance but still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, so she eventually gave up on trying to discern what had caused his change in demeanor. Instead, she said, "I'm going to wash my hair."

In these times, people didn't use shampoo to wash their hair; instead, they relied on soap. Today, she had bought a bar of soap for just one yuan at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Tang Li untied her long hair, soaked it in water, and when she was applying soap to her hair, she especially missed the fragrant shampoo.

Using soap is too frustrating!

When she accumulated more life points, she vowed to secretly purchase a bottle of shampoo for herself....