The clear water in the basin sloshed around, reflecting Li Xu's face, which was covered in black ash.
He bent down, scooped up a handful of water, and scrubbed it messily across his face. It only smeared the black ash around, making him look like a calico cat from his forehead to his chin.
"Oh, honestly, you call that washing your face?" Song Sisi couldn't stand to watch any longer. She snatched the white towel hanging on the wall. "Don't move. I'll wipe it for you."
She rose onto her tiptoes and gently pressed the towel to Li Xu's cheek.
The distance between them suddenly shrank. She was so close she could smell the faint scent of herbs on him, mingled with the woodsy aroma of the ash from the bottom of the pot.
Li Xu held his breath without realizing it. His eyes fixed on Song Sisi's fluttering eyelashes, which trembled as if powered by tiny motors.
"Th-There's still a spot here…"
