BXBX NOVEL Chapter 673: A Matter of Honor
Mother Lin spoke, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, as if she had been transported back to the time when she had just married Lin Lao’er.
Lin Lao’er watched his wife, his own eyes welling up with tears. “Yes, Yun,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. “In the blink of an eye, I’ve been washing your feet for decades. But I feel like I haven’t done it enough.”
As he spoke, Lin Lao’er felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with unease. Ever since he had been injured, he hadn’t been able to wash his wife’s feet for several months. It wasn’t that he couldn’t, but Mother Lin had insisted that he rest and recover, forbidding him from doing so.
To him, this was not a cause for celebration. Having done this for decades, the sudden cessation left him feeling anxious and restless. He longed for a swift recovery so he could resume washing his wife’s feet.
Mother Lin rolled her eyes at him, her tone seemingly reproachful but laced with profound happiness. “You’re a grown man, and you think washing my feet is something to be proud of?”
Without hesitation, Lin Lao’er nodded. “Yes, it is an honor. Being able to take care of my wife is something I find deeply honorable.”
He never considered washing his wife’s feet as something shameful. The reason he used to close the door when washing Mother Lin’s feet was to protect her from the gossip and criticism of the villagers.
They would say she was spoiled, that she was a bad influence. If it weren’t for their narrow-mindedness, he wouldn’t hesitate to proudly declare his love for washing his wife’s feet.
A man is born of a woman, and a man washing a woman’s feet is not a disgrace.
This was a belief that set Lin Lao’er apart from the other boys in the village since he was young. He knew his views differed from theirs, so he never voiced his true thoughts. But actions, he believed, were more important than words.
Mother Lin, unable to argue with him, massaged his leg before pulling the blanket over him and climbing into bed, taking her usual spot on the outer side.
She often got up during the night, so she always claimed the outer spot. Lin Lao’er, of course, never contested this. She instructed him, “We can talk about this in our room, but don’t let the younger generation hear about it. It would be embarrassing.”
Lin Lao’er, his hand cushioning his head, coughed lightly and mumbled in response, “What’s there to be embarrassed about? But fine, I won’t mention it anymore…”
Mother Lin found his response odd, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
Meanwhile, in the city, the master bedroom of the villa at No. 1 Fulin Road was still lit. Through the silhouette cast by the curtains, one could see a woman sitting rigidly in a chair, and a man kneeling before her, his posture as straight as a pine tree. To the uninformed, it might look like a marriage proposal, but in reality, the man was washing the woman’s feet.
Inside the room, Gu Zi sat in her classic pajamas, her long hair cascading down her back. She sat on a wooden chair, her eyes slightly downcast, her hands resting awkwardly on her thighs, her gaze filled with confusion and discomfort.
She couldn’t understand what had gotten into Su Shen tonight. He had suddenly insisted on washing her feet. Despite her protests, she had inexplicably allowed him to do so.
The older man’s hands were thick and large, cradling one of her feet. He scooped up water, letting it flow over her foot. The warm, wet sensation made her heart flutter, causing her voice to soften when she spoke. “Su Shen, is today a special day?”
Su Shen looked up at her, his eyes filled with deep affection, but his hands never stopped their task. “No, washing your feet is a promise I made to your father.
“Do you remember the first time we went to see your parents? During my private conversation with your father, he made a special request. He hoped that after our marriage, I could wash your feet, just like he has been doing for your mother.
“I didn’t mention it at the time because I didn’t want to startle you. But now, I think it’s time. I’m glad I didn’t wash your feet that night. It probably would have scared you.”
After all, it seemed that the young woman was quite frightened now. Su Shen continued to speak, all the while observing her adorable reactions with interest.
Her cheeks flushed, her eyelashes fluttered, and she seemed incredulous. “Are you saying that my father has been washing my mother’s feet? I never would have guessed. My father is quite the romantic.”
Su Shen carefully dried her foot with a towel before picking up her other foot. “So, I want to learn from your father. Washing your feet is a small matter. You don’t need to overthink it. Just enjoy it.”
Gu Zi’s feet rested on her slippers, but her gaze never left the older man. Unbeknownst to her, the corners of her mouth had been curved in a smile for quite some time.