I felt my heart soften a little at Guan Hai'er's cooing, and I stroked her hair.
"If both of us go down to bathe, what if there's danger later?"
Seeing my resolve waver, Guan Hai'er quickly said, "The terrain around this pool is completely exposed. If any wild beasts approach, we'll notice them immediately."
I found myself unable to resist Guan Hai'er's persistent pleas and finally agreed.
Upon my agreement, Guan Hai'er immediately began to undress with glee. I was startled and quickly turned away.
After a moment, Guan Hai'er's voice came from behind.
"Brother Ye, come down quickly, the water is so comfortable."
I turned around then and saw Guan Hai'er submerged up to her neck, only her head visible above the water, beckoning me to join her.
I stripped off my clothes in a flash and laid them by the bank.
Wearing only a pair of shorts, I slowly waded into the water.
The warm pool water enveloped my body, feeling like countless invisible hands massaging me. All the natural fatigue was swept away, and I couldn't help but close my eyes, savoring the present tranquility.
Guan Hai'er swam closer and shyly said, "Brother Ye, don't just enjoy yourself, quickly help me scrub my back, it's so itchy."
As she spoke, she turned around, presenting her fair back to me.
I swallowed hard. I didn't know what skincare Guan Hai'er used, but her skin was as lustrous as jade, with not a single blemish on her back.
I placed my hands on Guan Hai'er's back. She let out a soft hum. Seeing that she had no other reaction, I began to wash her back.
Guan Hai'er's skin was too smooth, making it difficult for me to focus on scrubbing her back.
Guan Hai'er's fair, tender neck was also tinged with a suspicious blush.
Just as the atmosphere was growing increasingly ambiguous, I suddenly heard voices talking from the direction of the bushes!
"We haven't found anything all morning. We'll be punished again when we get back."
"Just say less. The sun is scorching me! Let's hurry to the pool ahead to rest our feet."
I saw one man and two women emerge from the bushes and walk directly towards the pool.
At some point, a mist had risen around the pool. It was hazy, and I could only vaguely hear their voices, unable to discern their features.
This is bad. I don't know if these people are friend or foe. If they discover us in the water, it will be trouble.
Guan Hai'er and I were already some distance from the shore, and we quickly swam back.
"Hey, Second Brother. Look, whose food did someone leave here? Hahahaha! We're really lucky today!"
"Huh? There are clothes nearby too. Could there be someone in the pool?"
"Who cares! We saw it, so it's ours!"
Guan Hai'er had already swum close to the shore. Seeing that those people seemed to want to take our food, she shouted anxiously, "Put that down, that's ours!"
On the bank, the three were stuffing our food into their bags. The only man among them heard Guan Hai'er's words and walked a few steps towards the water. His eyes immediately lit up.
"What a beautiful young lady! Little sister, are you clean? Would you like this brother to help you dry off?"
With that, he made a lewd gesture towards Guan Hai'er and lecherously moved closer.
Damn it, what kind of idiot is this?
He dares to harass Guan Hai'er, he's asking for death!
My face darkened as I swam back, warning the people on the bank.
"You're dreaming. Put our stuff down, or I'll smash your head in!"
The lecherous man frowned and retorted impatiently, "Who do you think you are, acting tough with me! Get lost quickly, don't disturb this lord and the lady's flirtation!"
Then, with a lascivious grin, he said to Guan Hai'er, "Can this good-for-nothing next to you satisfy you? Come up and follow me, I promise to feed you well every day."
Guan Hai'er's face turned red with anger upon hearing this. She said disdainfully, "With your toad-like appearance, you dare to dream of eating swan meat! Go look in a puddle to see what kind of character you are!"
These words enraged the lecherous man, who stood on the bank and hurled curses at Guan Hai'er, spewing all sorts of vulgar and unbearable obscenities.
I could roughly make out the man's build and was about to swim ashore to teach him a harsh lesson when I saw his companions pull him from behind.
"We've collected everything. Let's go!"
The lecherous man continued to curse for a few more sentences before turning and leaving with the other man and woman.
I had been solely focused on swimming ashore. Now, hearing the man's voice, I found it somewhat familiar. He sounded like Chen Hu, a colleague from my company!
Chen Hu survived too. Could they be the ones who cleared out our food with Pan Lili?
Thinking of this, I resolved that these three must not be allowed to leave! Even if they had nothing to do with Pan Lili, they dared to steal our food, and they would not be easily forgiven!
I hurriedly scrambled ashore. Seeing them walking towards the woods, I didn't bother to put on clothes. I quickly picked up a cobblestone from the ground and threw it at the person who looked like Chen Hu.
The man heard the wind behind him and was about to turn when the stone firmly struck his head. He let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground.
The two women beside him screamed when they saw the man collapse and, throwing down their bags, abandoned the man and fled.
The man I hit struggled on the ground, unable to stand up for a long time.
Coward!
I cursed inwardly.
I called out to Guan Hai'er. We both got ashore, put on our clothes, and walked unhurriedly to the man's side.
The man was clutching the back of his head, lying on the ground in pain.
As I looked, I saw it was indeed Chen Hu!