A mass of bubbles churned across the surface of the steaming bathwater. Shen Yangge hurriedly reached in and hauled Chu Xuanzhen out after he fell under, holding his hand as his own heart raced.
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
Shen Yangge gently patted Chu Xuanzhen's back to help him catch his breath, lowering his voice as he said, "It was my fault. I failed to catch you in time."
Why aren't you saying anything?
Are you angry?
Are you really angry?
Unable to gauge his temper, Shen Yangge could only keep rubbing his back. Halfway through, one of Chu Xuanzhen's hands caught his wrist. Water splashed onto the back of his hand, warm against his skin.
Shen Yangge froze for a while before following that small hand with his gaze to Chu Xuanzhen's face. His eyes were closed, droplets clung to his lashes, and the corners of his eyes were slightly red.
His scalp prickled. He snatched up the dry cloth beside him and gently pressed it against Chu Xuanzhen's closed eyes, wiping away the excess water around them.
"Your Highness, do your eyes hurt?"
Shen Yangge knew all too well how uncomfortable it was to get water in one's eyes. He slowly massaged Chu Xuanzhen's eyes with his fingers through the cloth. Seeing that Chu Xuanzhen seemed to have put on his underpants already, he lifted him straight out of the water and set him in the designated spot.
He wrapped Chu Xuanzhen in a large cloth.
Chu Xuanzhen tightened his grip on Shen Yangge's wrist slightly. His childish voice was a little hoarse. "Mm. I'm fine."
That voice, that tone... Shen Yangge rubbed Chu Xuanzhen's wet hair dry, lowering himself into a half crouch with one knee on the floor, seemingly indifferent to the water soaking his