Chapter 164: So This Is a Bathhouse!

Soaking in the bathhouse—that was something Jiang Ning often did in her previous life. Especially in the dead of winter, she’d go to a big public bathhouse, enjoy a long soak, then get a master to scrub her back and do a massage. Afterward, she’d head to the lounge, get a professional to work on her feet, trim her nails, and finish it off with a good nap. Just thinking about it was relaxing.

However, that was the joy of young men.

In this life…

Jiang Ning stood at the entrance of the bathhouse with a small bag in hand, staring blankly, unsure how to take the first step.

“Girl, are you waiting for someone?”

“Ah, oh, no… not waiting…”

“Then why are you just standing there? Go on in!”

With that, an older lady behind her gave her a gentle push through the door.

The moment she stepped inside, a misty wave of steam rushed to greet her—warm, damp, and clinging to her skin. A few rosy-faced aunties passed by, brushing shoulders with her. The scent of soap and shampoo reminded her where she was.

Jiang Ning took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The bathhouses of 2001 were different from the sleek bath centers of a decade later. They still retained much of the retro charm of the ’80s and ’90s: corroded wooden doors, carved glass windows, pale blue cement walls tightly enclosing the corridor.

Wearing a pair of slippers handed over by one of the aunties, Jiang Ning stepped into the main hall with a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. But the fantasy in her mind shattered immediately.

What greeted her was a dozen or so lounge beds, lined up horizontally and vertically along the wall, each covered with a thick striped towel, almost like a bedsheet. Above each bed were small lockers with keys—meant for valuables. Above those, a square TV was broadcasting some unknown romance drama, drawing the attention of several towel-wrapped aunties lounging on the beds.

“Number?”

The voice of an auntie pulled Jiang Ning back to reality.

“…Sixteen.”

“Over there,” the woman pointed to a bed in the corner.

Alright.

Obediently, Jiang Ning walked over and sat down, her eyes drifting around. She mumbled under her breath.

No wonder they’re aunties. So bold.

The way those two have their legs spread like that…
Looks like they’re drying something down there.

Just then, a nearby auntie struck up a conversation.

“Young girl, here for a bath?”

No kidding. What else, come watch seafood dry?

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded politely.

“Your face is unfamiliar—you’re not from our community, are you?”

“My aunt lives here…”

“No wonder. Haven’t seen such a pretty girl around before.”

Jiang Ning gave a modest smile in response to the compliment.

“How old are you?”

“…Seventeen…”

At that, the auntie looked visibly disappointed.

Sensing the shift, Jiang Ning quickly began undressing.

Moments later, wrapped in a towel, basket in hand with her toiletries, she quickly shuffled toward the bath area.

The bath and rest areas were separated by a frosted glass door. She opened it, and a burst of steam nearly knocked the breath out of her. She staggered slightly but made it inside.

Just a few steps in, Jiang Ning couldn’t help the corners of her mouth curling up. Beneath several showerheads stood about seven or eight hazy figures—tall and short, big and small—some washing their hair, others soaping themselves.

The bare skin gleamed under the lights.

Jiang Ning had to try hard to steady her pulse. Then, towel-wrapped, she walked around.

And got confused.

Huh?

Where’s the big soaking tub?

Not giving up, she circled around again.

But no—just showerheads and more showerheads. Maybe a wooden stool here and there, where a robust auntie was busy scrubbing someone else’s back.

That’s when the scrubbing lady noticed the dazed, non-bathing pretty girl.

She called out, “Girl, what are you wandering around for?”

Startled, Jiang Ning turned and muttered, “Is… is there no place to soak?”

“To soak?”

The auntie chuckled. Even the woman being scrubbed couldn’t help but turn and smile.

“Sweetheart, this is a bathhouse, not a hot spring.”

That made Jiang Ning’s face burn red.

Wait—so women’s bathhouses don’t have soaking tubs?

Then how are you supposed to bathe?

Puzzled, she turned and looked at the rows of showerheads.

That’s when she spotted a familiar silhouette.

The girl walked briskly to a shower, unwrapped her towel, revealing a graceful figure and long, glowing white legs.

——————

Gao Jingyi rarely came to this bathhouse. Mostly because she wasn’t used to the old, rundown environment at the neighborhood entrance. Plus, there were always those nosy aunties asking all kinds of questions—some even trying to play matchmaker. It made her uncomfortable.

But sometimes, she had no choice. Like today, for instance.

A construction crew had accidentally busted the water pipes in the neighborhood while working on the road. The notice from the water company said supply wouldn’t resume until 9 a.m. tomorrow. Which meant no water at home until morning.

Everything else was manageable—but not bathing. That was non-negotiable.

Ever since she was little, Gao Jingyi had been obsessed with cleanliness. Not being able to shower? Unacceptable.

So she had no choice but to come to this bathhouse again.

Determined to get it over with quickly, she brushed off the aunties’ greetings, undressed, wrapped herself in a towel, and headed toward the bathing area.

She went in, found an unoccupied shower, stepped over, unwrapped her towel—

Before she could turn on the water, a voice as clear as spring water rang out behind her.

“Gao Jingyi…”

Huh?

Gao Jingyi turned around.

Through the swirling mist, she saw a graceful figure. Looking closer—rosy cheeks, delicate features. Wrapped in a sheer veil of steam, like a moonlit goddess in the fog. A single white towel covered just enough, paired with a pair of eyes full of laughter.

For a split second, Gao Jingyi felt a strange flutter in her heart.

Then quickly brushed the absurd thought away.

Muttering softly, “…Jiang Ning?”

“Mhm.”

Jiang Ning greeted her with a smile, eyes trailing meaningfully over her from head to toe.

“What a coincidence. You’re here to bathe too?”

“Yeah,” Gao Jingyi replied.

Then, without knowing why, she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest and asked, puzzled,
“What about you? Why are you here? I thought your house wasn’t in this area?”

“I’m staying at my aunt’s today. She lives here…”

“Oh.”

Gao Jingyi nodded.

“Let’s shower together, then.”

Hmm?!

In that instant, Jiang Ning’s eyes lit up.

You’re the one who invited me, remember.

Then, a knowing smile spread across her face.

…

“Oh, huh? Jiang Ning, why are you touching me?”

“Nothing, just checking how it feels.”

“Don’t you have your own?”

“Touching someone else’s is more fun—what’s the point of touching your own?”

…

“Jingyi, want me to scrub your back? I’ve got this dragon claw technique, guaranteed to wash away all your fatigue.”

“No thanks—hehehe… hey, stop it… if you keep messing around, don’t blame me for fighting back!”

“Ah crap! My towel!”

“Wow! Jiang Ning, you’re really… hmm? You just…”

“Shut up!!! Don’t say anything!!!”

…

Half an hour later.

When Jiang Ning walked out of the bathing area and pushed open the door,

her body was red and flushed like a boiled shrimp.

Right behind her, Gao Jingyi was the same.

Only—

Compared to Jiang Ning,

Gao Jingyi’s face was especially flushed,

redder than the rest of her body by a couple of shades.

The two of them returned to the lounge.

As luck would have it,

Gao’s locker number was 18, right next to Jiang’s 16.

So the two girls kept glancing at each other while getting dressed.

“Jiang Ning… how do you get to your size?”

At those words,

Jiang Ning’s expression twitched. After fastening the front of her clothes, her eyes suddenly sparkled, and she beckoned Gao Jingyi over.

Then—

Gao Jingyi curiously leaned her ear over.

“Ever heard of acupoint stimulation techniques?”

“What?”

“Acupoint stimulation techniques.”

Seeing that Gao Jingyi still looked puzzled, Jiang Ning suddenly reached out and lightly pinched a certain bun.

A startled yelp came from the girl.

She hugged her chest and blushed furiously, retreating backward.

“Jiang Ning, what is wrong with you!”

(End of this chapter)