Shen Mo paused. “You don’t mind?”
“It’s just a game, why would I mind?” Bai Youwei closed her eyes, speaking slowly. “Besides, this white dress is already worn out. Why bother washing it…”
Shen Mo replied, “Even rags can be washed, why not a dress?”
Bai Youwei was speechless. Her head throbbed.
“You’re taking advantage of my weakness while I’m sick, aren’t you?” Bai Youwei said sullenly. “Take me to the bedroom. I need to rest.”
Shen Mo smiled faintly and carried her to the bedroom area.
The three bedrooms were nearly identical. Shen Mo randomly chose one. It was filled with stuffed animals: on the table, the floor, the windowsill, and the bed. He put Bai Youwei down, sweeping the dolls off the bed with a wave of his hand. Various plush dogs and teddy bears tumbled to the floor.
He then went to the adjacent bedroom and picked out three sets of women's clothing from the wardrobe. They were retro style, gorgeous and exquisite, with matching shoes, socks, and accessories, as if specially prepared for a Lolita-style doll.
Bai Youwei was already drowsy on the bed. When Shen Mo returned with the clothes, she half-opened her eyes and casually chose a black set.
Shen Mo looked at the other two sets and asked, “Are you sure about this one?”
“Mm-hmm,” Bai Youwei said weakly. “Matching couple outfits.”
Shen Mo looked down at his black T-shirt, momentarily speechless.
He put the other two sets of clothes back. When he returned to the bedroom, Bai Youwei had already fallen asleep, hugging the black dress. She must have been feeling very unwell, as she was wrapped in a bath towel and the quilt, a mess, without even changing into the dress.
Shen Mo sat down beside the bed and touched her forehead. She didn’t react, sleeping peacefully.
After the bath, her temperature had dropped slightly, not as burning as before, but her cheeks were still flushed and warm. Her brow was slightly furrowed, like an irritated kitten.
Shen Mo smoothed the stray hairs on her forehead and then got up and left the room.
He went to the bathroom.
The wet and dirty dress was still there, crumpled in a heap beside the sink, looking little better than a rag.
Shen Mo turned on the tap and began to wash the dress.
He washed it quickly, with the efficiency of a soldier on the battlefield, briskly scrubbing away the stains. He rinsed it with clean water, wrung it out, and shook it—
Snap!
Water droplets flew off the white dress like rain, sparkling.
Shen Mo smiled silently.
It was a pity the dress was torn, but he thought she looked beautiful in a white dress.
Someone knocked on the door outside. Bang, bang, bang.
“Who’s in there?” Tan Xiao shouted from outside. “I need to shower! I’m covered in mud!”
Li Li called from behind, “What are you going to wear after your shower?!”
“None of your business! I’m certainly not wearing your clothes!”
“I’m just afraid you’ll blind me with your nakedness, okay?!”
Tan Xiao roared with laughter. “Hahahaha, you four-eyed chicken! You’re practically blind without your glasses anyway!”
Li Li retorted, “Damn it!”
The two of them bickered noisily.
Shen Mo opened the door. Tan Xiao, outside, froze. “…Brother Mo, were you taking a shower?”
“No.” Shen Mo stepped aside. “Go ahead and wash. There’s hot water.”
“Oh!”
After Tan Xiao entered the bathroom, Li Li, without an opponent, quieted down. The whole house suddenly became much quieter, and even Yan Qingwen seemed relieved to finally have some peace.
Shen Mo went downstairs with the dress, dragged the old pinewood floor-standing clothes rack to the fireplace, and hung the dress to dry.
Ten people: one was sick, one was showering, and the remaining eight were in the living room downstairs, speechless and silent.
Lü Ang wanted a cigarette. He pulled a pack out of his pocket, and water dripped from the soggy box.
He cursed under his breath, irritably tossing the rain-soaked cigarette pack into the fireplace. The red flames flickered and then continued to burn.
Yan Qingwen said, “Now that everyone is here, the game still hasn’t started. What do you think the reason could be?”