“Alright, let’s wrap it up for now. Message me if anything comes up—I’m heading to shower.”

Lu Yu got up from the bed.

Exhausted as he was, he knew a shower was non-negotiable for decent sleep.

He had no clue when Lin Beixing last washed up, but he *did* know he’d pulled an all-night gaming session yesterday and crashed into bed unwashed.

To Lu Yu, that meant two full days in this sweltering summer without touching water.

A shower was mandatory.

“What? *What*??”

Startled by his sudden words, Lin Beixing jolted upright in bed.

“You’re gonna… do *what*…?”

“Shower.”

Lu Yu stretched her arms casually. “You didn’t shower last night either, right?”

“…I really didn’t, but—but!!”

Had they been face-to-face, Lu Yu would’ve seen this flustered, flushed version of “himself.”

“Relax,” Lu Yu added conscientiously. “I won’t turn on the light. I’ll use a bath puff—no wandering hands.”

He genuinely just wanted to shower.

Lu Yu had always respected Lin Beixing.

Respecting her body was respecting himself too. Mutual.

“…” Lin Beixing hesitated.

Lu Yu pressed on: “It’s already evening. If we haven’t switched back by now, we might not today. What if it’s tomorrow? The day after? I can’t skip showers forever, right?”

“…Fine.”

His logic held. Lin Beixing relented.

“Next time… just handle it. Don’t tell me.”

Hearing it outright only made her flustered.

Ignorance was bliss.

“Just… live like it’s your own routine,” she murmured.

“Nope,” Lu Yu shook his head. “Gotta give you a heads-up. It’s *your* body. And I’m a guy—I know the rule about men and women keeping distance.”

Better to be transparent than caught red-handed.

Who knew if she’d snap in shy fury and use *his* sturdy body to bully his current frail form? A little prep eased her mind.

“…Also,” Lu Yu added awkwardly, “I went to the bathroom earlier.”

Lin Beixing went silent: “…”

“Did you use paper…?”

“I just peed.”

“You *still* need paper for that!”

“Huh…?”

Lu Yu genuinely didn’t know.

He knew pads were for periods—but regular bathroom breaks too?

“For hygiene! *Always* use paper next time!”

“Got it.” He nodded.

“And use the facial cleanser! Afterward, follow the skincare order on the bathroom shelf—left to right. *Every* step.”

“…Mm.”

Lu Yu vaguely recalled the counter cluttered with bottles.

*Women really are high-maintenance.*

“Don’t forget the body lotion on the nightstand. Apply it *before* sleeping!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He memorized it all. Busy night ahead.

“Showering now.”

He rummaged through Lin Beixing’s wardrobe, pulled out clean pajamas, and picked a pair of soft pink panties.

She seemed shy—no need to ask her preference.

She’d even said *not* to ask.

So he didn’t.

Pink was cute. Try the blue-striped pair tomorrow.

…Should he hand-wash the soiled ones?

Yeah. Intimate wear shouldn’t go to the housekeeper.

He set the phone on the nightstand. Before hanging up, he added:

“Take care of *my* body too. Wash it however you like—I don’t mind.”

“You—!”

He hung up before her flustered retort.

He got it—girls, whether shy or reserved.

And… imagining Lin Beixing’s flushed cheeks, those darting, pretty eyes? Kinda cute.

…Until he pictured *his own face* doing it. Zero effect.

Lu Yu stepped into the bathroom.

Turned on the light. Hung the towel, laid out clean clothes.

Checked shampoo and shower gel spots. Then—lights off, as promised.

Silence. Only the vent humming softly.

Moonlight, diffused by the frosted window, cast faint outlines of objects.

He felt his way into the glass shower, sliding the door shut gently.

Locations memorized. Just reach and grab.

Hot water sprayed from the showerhead.

Fine droplets cascaded—perfect warmth, strong pressure. Bliss.

A girl’s skin *was* smoother.

Tender. Slippery with lather.

Her delicate skin flushed faintly under the stream, like a freshly peeled boiled egg.

Lu Yu gave a light, careful touch, then lathered up with the bath puff.

Hair was the worst.

Long, thick strands tangled around his hands—so inconvenient.

First time washing long hair. Squeezed too much shampoo. Rinsing took forever.

“Cleanser… cleanser…”

Squinting one eye against the spray, he faced the wall.

Shelves crowded with bottles. Even multiple shampoo colors.

Fumbling, he held up a tiny bottle in the moonlight.

“Hmm… ‘for intimate care.’"

He read the label, muttering.

“And… period-use…”

He pursed his lips. Not needed. Set it back. Found the facial cleanser after another search.

He’d tried men’s face wash once—too fussy. That bottle expired unused.

*This time*, he washed meticulously. It was *Lin Beixing’s* face.

A beauty’s face deserved care.

Back in the bedroom, towel draped over his neck, his delicate face layered with skincare (steps? spots? He’d just smeared things on).

He sat on the bed, toweling damp hair, tapped his WeChat profile, and sent:

Arctic Little Star: Shower done.

Arctic Little Star: You showered yet?