Today, I Have Yet to Become a Doll

This dollhouse, though appearing old and eerie, was clean and tidy inside. The bathroom had hot water, the kitchen had an induction cooker, and aside from the lack of modern appliances like refrigerators, televisions, and air conditioners, it essentially replicated an English countryside lifestyle.

Cheng Laoshi (Teacher Cheng) drew a half-bath of hot water for Bai Youwei.

Shen Mo asked her if she wanted Zhu Shu or Su Man to help.

Bai Youwei refused.

She wasn't familiar with either woman and didn't like being too close to strangers, even those of the same sex. Besides, she just had a fever, and wasn't so weak that she needed help bathing.

However, it wouldn't do for her to be alone in the bathroom. If something happened, with her small frame, she wouldn't even be able to climb out of the bathtub.

Bai Youwei suggested to Shen Mo, "We can draw the shower curtain."

Shen Mo agreed.

They had been eating and sleeping together this whole time, so there was no need to be overly concerned about propriety in this situation.

Shen the Gentleman Mo felt at ease, believing that safety was paramount.

As she bathed, the sound of splashing water filled the bathroom.

He stood on one side of the shower curtain, listening to the sounds from the other side. When there was no sound, he would call Bai Youwei's name.

Bai Youwei complained, "Don't keep calling my name and then saying nothing. It's weird. If you're worried about me, we can chat."

Shen Mo chuckled. "I thought you didn't want to talk."

Bai Youwei sighed, her voice soft and raspy. "I really don't have the energy to talk… but if I don't, I'm afraid I'll fall asleep while washing."

"Just bear with it a little longer. There's a bed in the next bedroom. You can sleep after you've finished bathing," Shen Mo said.

Bai Youwei thought for a moment and asked, "How many bedrooms are there?"

"Three bedrooms."

He paused briefly, then decided to tell her about the entire house.

"This house has three floors, or rather, two and a half. The first floor has a living room, dining room, kitchen, and storage room. The second floor has three bedrooms and a small study. There's also an attic, half a floor high."

"Are there a lot of dolls here?" Bai Youwei asked.

Shen Mo nodded slightly, then remembering she couldn't see, added, "There are quite a few dolls upstairs and downstairs. Doll bears, doll rabbits, doll kittens and puppies… and also tin frogs, wooden toy soldiers, and the like."

The downstairs door suddenly opened with a click.

Immediately, the sounds of wind and rain rushed in, along with voices.

Tan Xiao's voice was particularly noticeable: "If it weren't for looking for my glasses, we would have reached the summit long ago!"

"Nonsense! It was clearly you who couldn't tell directions and ran around in the forest! I was the one who led you out!"

"If it weren't for looking for your glasses, would I have run into the forest?!"

Li Li's voice was near breaking point: "I told you the glasses must have fallen nearby! Why did you go looking in the forest?!"

"Alright, alright, both of you stop arguing…"

This was Cheng Laoshi's voice.

Shen Mo, in the bathroom, listened for a moment and said in a low voice, "It seems Yan Qingwen has brought everyone back."

"Since everyone is here, the game could start at any time…" Bai Youwei closed her eyes, forcing herself to stay alert. "I'm done. Help me out."

Shen Mo handed the towel into the shower. After Bai Youwei wrapped herself in it, he entered and carried her out.

The lower half of the towel was soaked, and her washed hair was dripping wet. Shen Mo was covered in water as he placed Bai Youwei on a wooden stool, letting her lean against him weakly, then used a dry towel to carefully dry her hair.

As he dried her hair, Shen Mo glanced at the dress she had changed out of.

—The dress was soaked and muddy, with loose threads at the hem, as if it had been torn by something.

"I'll wash it for you later and dry it by the fireplace. It should dry quickly," he said.

Bai Youwei shook her head slightly. "No need. I'll just wear the clothes from the wardrobe."

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