His Beloved Ex-Wife

Chapter 664 Feeling Tempted 

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As dusk enveloped the lake, only a handful of bulbs strung up by the villagers cast light along the path, rendering it considerably more challenging to navigate than during daylight hours. 

Josiah, with Rhizone leading the way, managed to carry a substantial load of gear swiftly. Upon their return, he promptly began the task of erecting the tent and unpacking the sleeping bags without delay. 

Nilou and Rhizone, seeing that they were about to retire for the night, returned to their home. 

The tent they set up was spacious, designed to comfortably accommodate two people. It was much larger than the one they had rented during a previous mountain expedition. Even with two sleeping bags laid out inside, there was ample room to move about without encroaching on each other’s space. 

At this point, Josiah was relieved to finally be able to stand upright without constraint. 

Observing the preparations, Lysander realized Josiah had brought an impressive array of camping equipment. As he laid out a moisture–proof mat and began assembling a mosquito net, her surprise was evident. “You didn’t collapse the bridge with all this gear, did you?” she asked with a hint of amazement. 

Josiah responded, half–jokingly. “That’s quite an exaggeration, but I won’t lie–Rhizone did glance back at me a few times as we crossed the bridge. He seemed quite concerned I might take a tumble into the water.” 

As they chatted, the appearance of the small house was transformed. 

A mosquito net now enveloped the tent, set right at the entrance. Once the entrance curtain was rolled up, Lysander could sit on the cushion inside and enjoy the view outside. 

The night was as calm as a placid pond, making it nearly impossible to tell where the water ended and the horizon began. This tranquility lasted until the fireflies began their luminescent dance through the grass. 

For Lysander, witnessing the spectacle of fireflies for the first time was utterly enchanting. She found herself captivated, her gaze fixed on the tiny lights flickering in the darkness. 

Josiah, noticing her delight, whispered softly, “I’ll go catch some fireflies for you. We can keep them in the mosquito net so you can watch them glow even when you’re lying down inside the tent tonight.” 

He was about to start when Lysander stopped him. “No,” she interjected, “Fireflies should remain where they thrive. If we confine them inside a mosquito net, they’ll become disoriented and likely die from exhaustion.” 

Hearing this, Josiah immediately ceased his preparations and sat beside Lysander, admitting his oversight. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware of that.” 

Lysander wasn’t upset but simply clarified gently, “It’s okay, you’re learning-” 

Her reassurance was abruptly cut off when a shadow, roughly the size of a fist, darted across the tent crashing into the mosquito net in front of her. 

Instinctively, Josiah moved to protect her. 

Lysander didn’t scream; instead, she inhaled sharply, the surprise causing her to grip tightly onto the hem of the clothing of the person next to her. 

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eyes. It hung upside down from the top of the net, its mouth agape, revealing sharp teeth, resembling a large winged rodent more than anything else. 

Lysander remained composed; very few creatures in the world could unsettle her. 

Mice and rodent–looking creatures, however, were exceptions. 

Josiah noticed her discomfort. Instead of hastily shooing the bat away, he calmly shook the top of the mosquito net. Sensing the movement, the bat spread its wings and disappeared into the night.. 

“Bats rely almost solely on ultrasonic waves to navigate. They can’t see well. This house is usually closed all year round. It probably got confused when we opened it today,” he explained, trying to case her nerves. 

He felt the tension in her grip relax as he spoke. With a gentle tone, he reassured her, “Don’t worry, it likely won’t come back.” 

Despite her composure, Lysander’s body was tense, her breathing shallow. Yet, she stubbornly retorted, “I’m not scared, just surprised, that’s all. I’m a doctor, remember? I’ve seen all kinds of things in anatomy classes.” 

Taking a deep breath, she then moved to sit slightly away, ceding the best spot by the door, perfect for enjoying the nighttime view, to Josiah. 

Josiah perceived her actions but chose not to call them out. Instead, he simply nodded with a warm smile. “All right, you’re quite brave indeed, Dr. Thorne.” 

Lysander, suspecting a hint of mockery but unable to confirm it, moved toward the edge of the mosquito net, continuing to watch the fireflies. However, the area was rife with mosquitoes, and soon she was bitten. multiple times on her neck and ankles. 

“Did you manage to pick up any antihistamine ointment when you were in town? I didn’t expect it to be so cold at night, and yet the mosquitoes are relentless,” she remarked, unable to hold back her discomfort any longer. 

If she continued to suffer mosquito bites, Lysander knew she would struggle to sleep through the night. 

Josiah glanced at the meticulously set–up mosquito net, puzzled by the absence of gaps. Yet, he realized. that addressing the mosquito issue was the immediate priority. He pulled out a bottle of liquid mosquito repellant, explaining. “The outdoor gear shop didn’t have antihistamine ointment, and the pharmacy was closed. I brought this instead.” 

He handed her the repellent, specifically recommended for the vicious mountain insects known for Causing unusually large welts. Standard remedies like antihistamine ointment and essential oil wouldn’t suffice here; only this potent repellent could offer relief. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Lysander accepted the bottle, noting its contents before attempting to apply it. 

Essential oils usually had a nozzle, which made them incredibly easy to use. However, this one featured a rollerball applicator. For areas like the back of her neck, which she couldn’t see, it was difficult for her to apply it accurately by herself. Moreover, the lighting in the room wasn’t good. 

Josiah, observing her struggle, offered, “Let me help you. I didn’t have a chance to check this when I bought it; I didn’t know it would be this tricky to apply.” 

Grateful yet hesitant, Lysander collected her hair to one side, exposing the nape of her neck. “I’ve got two 

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bites back here. It’s hard for me to reach in this light. Could you help me apply it?” 

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As she spoke, Lysander gathered her low ponytail, deftly sweeping up stray strands of hair from the nape of her neck to one side in a casual yet graceful motion. 

Josiah, taking the mosquito repellent from her, began to carefully apply it to the already inflamed mosquito bites on Lysander’s neck. The refreshing, minty aroma of the repellent filled the air, and unexpectedly, a tightness gripped his throat, his heartbeat accelerating as if trying to keep pace with the rush of emotions that overtook him. 

The contrast between Lysander’s fair skin and the reddened bites was stark, drawing Josiah’s gaze unavoidably to her. 

He chastised himself silently. Despite their history–a full cycle of marriage followed by divorce–his proximity to her still sent his heart into a flutter. 

Noticing Josiah’s prolonged silence as he administered the repellent, Lysander grew concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you having trouble opening it?” 

“No.” Josiah exhaled deeply, the sound heavy with resignation. “I noticed that your ankle seems to have been bitten as well. It’s best to address all the bites now. Let me apply some there too.” 

He then positioned himself beside her, one hand gently resting on her shoe for balance as he began to apply the repellent to her ankle with his other hand. 

The cool night air contrasted sharply with the warmth of Josiah’s fingertips, which felt almost scalding on her skin. This sudden sensation caused Lysander to instinctively recoil. “I can see these spots just fine; I’d prefer to handle it myself.” 

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The Charming Ex–Wife