Chapter 52: Indecent thoughts
He opened his eyes, gazing at his reflection in the rippling surface of the water.
Slowly, deliberately, Zhao Yan reached up and removed his mask.
As the mask was lifted away, a strikingly handsome face came into view. His high cheekbones and sharp jawline were illuminated by the soft flicker of the lantern light.
His lips, though pressed into a faint line of contemplation, were full and naturally curved, as if they held the potential to smile more often than they did.
His eyes, now fully visible without the obstruction of the mask, were a piercing shade of dark brown, holding a depth that hinted at both wisdom and pain.
His thick lashes cast faint shadows over his cheeks as he blinked, the intensity of his gaze softening in the warm, humid air of the bathroom.
Zhao Yan tilted his head back slightly, letting the water cascade over his face, rinsing away the remnants of the day’s grime and blood.
His wet hair clung to his forehead and neck, the dark strands glistening as droplets slid down his skin.
The sharp planes of his collarbone and shoulders were accentuated by the light, the water highlighting every contour.
He ran a hand through his hair, pushing the damp strands away from his face.
The action was unhurried, almost meditative. Zhao Yan stared at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting as the steam swirled around him.