Alii put down the cinnabar brush.
Li Zhiyuan picked up the hot water bottle and poured some hot water into the basin, wet his towel, wrung it out, and walked over to the girl.
"Close your eyes."
The girl obediently closed her eyes.
Li Zhiyuan tested the towel's temperature, then gently helped the girl wash her face.
Although Alii was meticulously dressed by Liu Yumei every day, she didn't wear rouge, so there was no worry about smudging her makeup.
After washing her face, Li Zhiyuan unfolded and refolded the towel, helping the girl wipe her hands.
The girl kept her eyes fixed on the towel.
"Always using a new towel, it's uncomfortable."
Alii shifted her gaze away from the towel upon hearing that.
The wind at dusk pulled a reluctant hint of coolness from the summer air.
Li Zhiyuan and Alii sat in wicker chairs on the terrace, playing chess under the evening clouds.
From the corner of the chessboard, Lin Shuyou's excited figure darted in.
