Shen Shixu sat on the cushioned couch in Azure Waves Palace, gazing at Xiao Jinyi with large, hazy eyes. His cheeks were flushed as though brushed with rouge, and his red lips were slightly parted. The tip of his tongue swept over them, leaving a glistening sheen that invited a kiss.
At the sight, Xiao Jinyi's Adam's apple bobbed, and he couldn't help leaning closer to Shen Shixu. Just as he was about to steal a kiss, a crisp smack rang out.
The left side of Xiao Jinyi's face felt a little numb, and he felt rather wronged. Getting slapped after stealing a kiss would have been one thing, but he hadn't even gotten that far.
Using the motion of the slap to push Xiao Jinyi's face away from his own, Shen Shixu muttered, "Stay away from me. You reek of wine."
After complaining about Xiao Jinyi, Shen Shixu began finding fault with himself. He raised his arm, and his wide sleeve fell against his face. The wine smell clinging to the fabric wafted into his nostrils, making him frown.
"I stink too! I need a bath. Let's bathe together!"
Drunk as he was, Shen Shixu clearly wasn't thinking straight. At his words, Xiao Jinyi's lingering sense of grievance vanished in an instant.
He immediately called to the attendants outside, telling them to hurry and heat some water for their bath.
Remembering that Shen Shixu had said they would bathe together, Xiao Jinyi went to inspect his bathtub. It was a little small.
Still, if he lay down first and had Shen Shixu lie on top of him, it could fit them both. He really needed a bigger bathtub, though!
The palace attendants worked quickly, and soon the tub was filled with hot water. Xiao Jinyi looked at the water,