Shen Yin remained silent. Her ability to sense danger in advance was remarkable, but if Zhengzheng could also have such dreams, it wasn't a good thing.
Firstly, Zhengzheng was too young. Having such dangerous dreams could affect the child's psychological well-being and hinder healthy development. Secondly, being so young, his ability to express himself clearly was limited. Even if he had these dreams, he couldn't articulate them properly, rendering them useless.
But now that it had happened, she could only hope that it was just an ordinary nightmare, as common as they come for children.
"We should be more careful from now on," Shen Yin said. "He seems to understand everything. We should avoid certain topics around him."
"Alright, I'll follow your lead."
"Let's go back now. He might feel insecure otherwise." Shen Yin turned to return to their original room.
Xu Xiuhe pulled her back. "We don't know who that person in the water was, the one who couldn't get up. We should try to avoid going near water from now on."
"Okay. Do you think it could be me? I can't swim. After all, I came here because of drowning."
Shen Yin could still remember the feeling vividly. The helplessness, waiting for someone to rescue her. The pain in her respiratory tract as water entered her nose. Her limbs flailing desperately, grasping at nothing. Then, trying to lift her head above water, but having no strength left.
She sank slowly, the feeling unbearably painful. Panic set in, followed by regret. Why had she chosen this self-sacrificing plan? Why weren't they coming to save her?
She was still conscious as water filled her mouth and ears. The world seemed to fall silent. Her mind went blank. She tried to look up towards the sunlight but could see nothing.
Her body began to paralyze as water entered her lungs. Gradually, she gave up struggling.
Until she woke up here. Having experienced death once, no one could understand the feeling of drowning better than her.
She even began to feel sorry for the original owner of this body, wondering how much courage it must have taken to lose her life in a bathtub.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm wondering if Zhengzheng's dream was about me. After all, I'm the one who couldn't get out of the water."
As Shen Yin spoke, she couldn't help but laugh at herself. It was absurd. Fate was unpredictable, and one could never know what the next moment might bring.
"Don't worry. We'll be careful. What's past is past."
The autumn scenery in Yun City was beautiful. What was supposed to be a honeymoon had turned into a happy family trip for the three of them.
In just a few days, the little one had completely forgotten about the dream. He no longer curled up while sleeping, and even bath time didn't scare him anymore. Shen Yin and Xu Xiuhe didn't need to be present together. Sometimes, after playing outside and getting hot, the little one would even ask Shen Yin for a bath when they returned to the hotel.
After his bath, Zhengzheng's eyes blinked sleepily, occasionally yawning and revealing a few tiny milk teeth.
"Zhengzheng, are you tired? Ready for bed?" Shen Yin asked as she applied some baby lotion to his body.
"Mama, does Zhengzheng smell good?"
Shen Yin hugged Zhengzheng and sniffed him. "You smell wonderful. Zhengzheng is a good boy who loves baths. You're the best-smelling baby."
The little one played for a while before falling asleep.
Shen Yin grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. Unbeknownst to her, Xu Xiuhe had followed.
While appearing to be focused on her bath, Shen Yin was actually observing Xu Xiuhe closely. She didn't trust this man, and more importantly, the bathroom wasn't suitable. It was slippery and lacked support. If they were to do anything, she would surely end up exhausted.
"Don't guard against me like I'm some wolf. We won't do anything here. Rest assured. I promise, and I keep my word."
Only then did Shen Yin relax and start her bath properly. She lathered up with shower gel, rinsed off, washed her hair, quickly dried herself, and left the bathroom.
"Let me blow-dry your hair for you."
"How are you so quick? Are you done already?" Shen Yin asked as she saw Xu Xiuhe emerge from the bathroom.
"Am I quick? I'm not quick at all. I was just there to keep you company."
"The hair dryer is too noisy. It might wake Zhengzheng up." Shen Yin hadn't planned on using it.
"Don't be silly. Just because it's noisy doesn't mean you shouldn't use it. There are always more solutions than problems. I'll dry your hair outside."
Xu Xiuhe took the hair dryer and walked towards the door. He stopped at the bedroom doorway and looked back at Shen Yin.
Shen Yin felt his words had a double meaning.
"Is it too hot? If it is, I can lower the temperature," the man said, grasping strands of her hair.
"It's just right."
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Xu Xiuhe held Shen Yin's hair, his fingers occasionally brushing against her ears and neck.
The man said nothing, only changing his position. Shen Yin was sitting on the sofa, and Xu Xiuhe had initially been standing behind it. Now he moved to the front.
The position was a bit awkward. Shen Yin was slender, sitting properly with her legs together.
Xu Xiuhe was clearly doing it on purpose, standing between Shen Yin's legs. She could feel her face almost touching his stomach.
Yet he acted as if nothing was happening, continuing to dry her hair, even playing with her embroidered locks in his hand.
"Hurry up, I'm getting tired of sitting."
"We haven't even started. How can you be tired already?"
Their posture looked inappropriate from any angle. Shen Yin leaned back a little.
"Don't move. Your hair isn't dry yet. It'll be done soon."
At some point, the hair dryer in Xu Xiuhe's hand had stopped. He lowered his head, his lips meeting Shen Yin's.
They parted and came together again.
"Do you understand what I want to do now?"
Shen Yin knew, of course, but she pretended not to understand, shaking her head. "I don't know."
"It's okay. I'll teach you."
Shen Yin was wearing a nightgown. The fabric felt comfortable as they kissed.
Xu Xiuhe couldn't bear to let go of the nightgown.
Before long, they both started to feel overwhelmed, their bodies beginning to change.
