The next morning.
Xia Zhi had just gotten out of bed when he heard a soft knock at his door.
Opening it, he found Shenhe standing outside his room, holding her red hairband.
"Boss, tie my hair for ."
"Alright, co in."
Shenhe naturally walked into his room, took a deep breath of the air carrying her boss's scent, and a satisfied look appeared in her eyes.
"Sit on the bed."
"Okay."
Xia Zhi ran his fingers through her smooth, snowy white hair and could "see" that it was slightly ssy.
"Did you not comb your hair yet today?"
"You do it for ."
Shenhe took out a jade comb with delicate inlays and handed it to Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi held the comb and gently began combing her hair.
Facing away from him, Shenhe suddenly said in a quiet voice, "My master used to comb my hair like this."
"Really?"
"This comb was a gift from my master."
"I see."
"Back then, my master told , 'If one day you wish to sever worldly ties and enter the path of immortality, use this jade comb to comb your hair three tis as a formal disciple ceremony.'"
"And then?"
"I combed it three tis, and my hair turned white afterward."
"So, that's how your hair turned white?"
"Mm... Would you dislike white hair?"
"Not at all."
"Really?"
"Really. White hair is the best."
"That's good."
Shenhe's gaze softened, her eyes filled with faint mories.
One comb sweeps away sorrow, two combs clear joy and grief, and three combs leave no regrets with white hair...
Xia Zhi tenderly finished combing her hair and then tied it up with the hairband.
Shenhe turned around, her eyes bright as she looked at him.
"Gum!"
"That's actually called Sticky Grass Seeds."
"Sticky Grass Seeds!"
"Here you go."
Xia Zhi took out the packet of [Sticky Grass Seeds] and handed one to her.
Instead of taking it with her hand, Shenhe leaned forward, parted her lips slightly, and gently took the seed into her mouth directly from his fingers.
Xia Zhi felt a warm, moist sensation on his fingertips.
Shenhe was becoming more skilled at this.
But when Xia Zhi "looked" at her, all he saw was her cool and composed expression. It was this stark contrast that made her all the more endearing.
Xia Zhi tossed one into his own mouth and slowly chewed.
Two minutes later, Shenhe leaned in again and lightly pressed her lips against his.
Her movents were a little hasty, like a child eager for sweets.
Xia Zhi found himself pinned onto the bed and couldn't help but laugh.
Shenhe looked puzzled and raised her head to gaze at him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Shenhe tilted her head slightly, then pulled out a jar of fruit candy, picked out one piece, and popped it into her mouth.
Today's flavor was green apple—sweet with a touch of tartness.
The two of them took their ti finishing the candy together.
Shenhe sat up, seemingly still unsatisfied.
Xia Zhi also sat up, pulling out the [Nail Polish] he had opened the day before and unboxing it.
Shenhe curiously peered at the box filled with an assortnt of tiny brushes and bottles.
"What's this?"
"A nail polish set. It can make your nails look prettier and also care for them."
"Nails?"
"Mm, let show you."
"Okay."
Shenhe extended her elegant right hand.
Xia Zhi gently held her hand, feeling its softness.
Her nails were clean and neat, with evenly shaped lunulae—a perfect base.
"Just so you know, I've never done this before, so it might not look great."
"It's fine."
A flicker of joy appeared in Shenhe's eyes.
His first ti.
Xia Zhi picked a soft pink nail polish, dipped the brush, and carefully applied it to her index fingernail.
The polish spread smoothly and evenly, covering the nail in a glossy pink sheen.
In the morning sunlight, her nail shimred with an inviting pink glow.
"Does it look nice?"
"Yes."
"I think so too."
Xia Zhi nodded with satisfaction.
"Shenhe, do you know sothing?"
"What?"
"This nail polish is actually edible."
"Huh?"
Shenhe froze for a mont as Xia Zhi leaned in, opened his mouth, and gently took her finger into his mouth.
She felt the sa warm, moist sensation on her finger.
It felt strange.
But not unpleasant.
Xia Zhi tasted the nail polish—it had a unique sweetness to it.
However, the lingering green apple flavor from the candy earlier clashed with it, creating a mismatch of tastes.
What a sha.
Xia Zhi looked at Shenhe, who seed a bit stunned, and smiled. "Now we're even."
Even? For sothing like this?
Shenhe blinked, feeling like her boss was acting like a stubborn child.
She couldn't help but curl her lips into a soft smile and said quietly, "Alright."
---
In the afternoon, Xingqiu arrived as promised.
"Mr. Xia, how's the Mahjong King Tournant coming along?"
"I talked to Miss Ningguang about it yesterday. She said she'd relay it to her subordinates. You can go directly to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to submit the application."
"As expected of Mr. Xia!"
Xingqiu's face filled with admiration.
"Your relationship with Miss Ningguang is truly remarkable."
"I told you, those rumors are false."
"I understand."
"You don't understand… Forget it. Go prepare for the event. Let's finalize the tournant's process and rules first."
"Understood. I'll go discuss it with my brother and report back once we have sothing concrete."
"Alright."
With enthusiasm, Xingqiu took his leave.
---
It wasn't until close to closing ti that Miss Ningguang arrived with her secretary, Baishi.
She tid it perfectly, just in ti for her massage.
"Mr. Xia, I'll have to trouble you again."
"It's no trouble."
"After your massage yesterday, I finally had a good night's sleep."
"Your hair still looks damp… Miss Ningguang, did you just bathe?"
"Yes."
"You don't have to be so formal—it's not a full-body massage. Please lie down."
"Alright. I've already passed on the Mahjong King Tournant request as you asked yesterday."
"Thank you, Miss Ningguang."
"The rules haven't been finalized yet, have they?"
"Not yet."
"Will there be entry restrictions?"
"Probably not. Mahjong, unlike cooking, doesn't have high skill requirents. Anyone who knows how to play can join."
"So, I can join too?"
"You can... Miss Ningguang, are you interested?"
"Yes. It sounds fun. What's the prize for the tournant?"
"It hasn't been decided yet. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Go big or go ho. Like how Beidou's martial arts tournant had a Vision as a prize."
"I don't have a Vision."
"The Feiyun Comrce Guild has plenty of treasures."
"True. Let Young Master Xingqiu handle it. I'm just here for fun… By the way, Miss Ningguang, I thought about the Northland Bank and Liyue Bank issue last night and wrote sothing down."
"Oh?"
"I'll give it to you later. I hope it's helpful."
"Thank you, Mr. Xia."
Ningguang closed her eyes and enjoyed the massage. She didn't have high expectations, considering Xia Zhi's lack of insightful comnts on the matter yesterday.
After the massage and dinner, Ningguang left for Yuehai Pavilion with the stack of notes Xia Zhi had prepared.
And then... nothing more.
If there was anything noteworthy, it was that the lights in Ningguang's office stayed on all night.
----
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