Yujing Terrace.
As Ningguang's three secretaries, Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi lived together in the sa place.
Since Ningguang was hosting a banquet at the Jade Chamber on Friday, what seed like a simple one-day gathering actually required extensive preparation.
Inviting guests, preparing food, arranging programs, setting up the venue, organizing security…
Over the past two days, they had been running around tirelessly, barely managing to keep up with everything.
Fortunately, they had done this many tis before and had plenty of experience, preventing them from becoming overwheld.
However, waking up early, going to bed late, and running around all day had left them both physically and ntally exhausted.
Today was Tuesday. Even before the sun had fully risen, the three of them were already awake.
Baiwen and Baixiao yawned as they got out of bed, stepping out of their rooms with weary expressions.
"Morning…"
They exchanged greetings and headed toward the back to freshen up.
Just as they passed by the large bathhouse, they heard a familiar humming voice coming from inside.
It was Baishi's voice…
Baiwen and Baixiao paused.
This girl sure was full of energy—waking up earlier than them and even having the mood to sing…
They exchanged glances, both feeling a little helpless, and then pushed open the door to the bathhouse.
The air inside was filled with steam, and through the mist, a graceful silhouette could be faintly seen.
"You're up already? Morning."
"Morning… Eh? Baishi, your skin looks much fairer and smoother today?"
"Hehe…"
"I rember you had a scar here, didn't you? Where did it go?"
"Hehe…"
"Stop giggling! Did you secretly use sothing good?"
"It's essential oil."
"What kind of essential oil?"
"The kind that makes your skin all smooth and fragrant when applied."
"Isn't that a product from Suru? You never used to care about that kind of stuff."
"It was Mr. Xia's. Ningguang took to Sumr Shop for a massage yesterday, and he used it on , hehe…"
"…Why are you laughing like that?"
"And you're even blushing…"
"You wouldn't understand!"
"What wouldn't we understand?"
"Mr. Xia's massage is just so comfortable!"
"Well, yeah, massages are supposed to be relaxing."
"No, it's not just any comfort."
"?"
"Ugh, if you haven't experienced it yourself, you'll never understand…"
Baishi had an expression that seed to say I truly pity you both.
Baiwen and Baixiao exchanged glances.
"Oh? We wouldn't understand?"
"What are you two doing? Don't co near ! Ahh…"
"Tsk, your skin is really smooth…"
"Don't touch ! Ahh…"
"Your dark circles are gone too…"
"Stop poking my face…"
"Is that essential oil really that effective?"
"If you don't believe , forget it!"
"No, it's just that the effect seems too good to be true."
"If it's that amazing, why doesn't Mr. Xia sell it as a product? With such a powerful whitening and skin-smoothing effect, won would go crazy for it—it'd make way more money than Rainbow Juice."
"Money, money, money! Is that all you ever think about?"
"Well, I manage Ningguang's businesses. If I don't think about money, what else am I supposed to do?"
"Mr. Xia doesn't lack money! …Why are you two looking at like that?"
"Baishi, sothing's off about you. Why are you always speaking up for Mr. Xia?"
"I… I'm not! I'm just stating the truth!"
"The truth?"
"Wait… don't tell —you've fallen for Mr. Xia?"
"I haven't! I haven't! Don't talk nonsense! I'll always be loyal to Lady Ningguang!"
"Really?"
"I'm not talking to you anymore! I'm done washing, you two take your ti!"
Baishi huffed in frustration, wrapped herself in a towel, and stord off.
Baiwen and Baixiao watched as she shut the door and left, then exchanged strange glances.
"Is Mr. Xia's massage really that good?"
"I've never had one, how would I know?"
"Well, Ningguang goes there five tis a week, so it must be."
"I really want to try it."
"Forget it. Mr. Xia doesn't give massages to just anyone. Baishi only got in because of Ningguang."
"Sigh… being a secretary is tough…"
"True."
"Well, whether it feels good or not doesn't matter. The main thing is—I have a scar that won't go away no matter what ointnt I use. If Mr. Xia's essential oil could remove Baishi's scar, maybe it could help too."
"Where is it? Let see…"
"Get lost."
"It's in that spot? Even if Mr. Xia agreed to give you a massage, it might be… inconvenient, don't you think?"
"What's the big deal? His eyes don't work, and I only need the essential oil—I can apply it myself."
"True. You should ask Baishi to bring so back for you next ti."
"Good idea."
The two continued chatting as they washed up.
After bathing, they felt much more refreshed and returned to their rooms to change.
Then, they went straight into work mode.
Another busy day at Yuehai Pavilion had begun.
---
Sumr Shop, Second Floor.
"Boss."
"Hmm?"
"It's ti to get up."
"Mm."
"You need to hurry."
"Okay."
Within an unseen yet sohow restricted area, the sound of a bell rang more urgently and lodically.
After a brief morning training session, the two finally got out of bed.
Shenhe's face was slightly flushed, her silver hair slightly disheveled. She wore her Mistveil Silk Robe loosely, looking vastly different from her usual cold and ethereal deanor. There was an undeniable charm in her appearance.
She's really becoming more womanly…
Xia Zhi thought to himself, taking the jade comb she handed him and gently brushing through her long white hair.
"Shenhe."
"Hmm?"
"How about I tie your hair into twin tails today?"
"…Twin tails?"
"What do you think?"
"If you like it, it's fine."
"All done. But… it doesn't really suit your usual look."
"I don't mind."
"No, let's go back to a single ponytail. We'll try twin tails again tonight."
"Mm."
After so adjusting, Xia Zhi finished tying Shenhe's hair.
---
"What do you want for breakfast?"
"Sothing sour."
"There's still so pickled vegetables left. Want so porridge?"
"Okay."
"I'll also make so pickled mustard greens. Tonight, we'll have dumplings—stuffed with pickled vegetables and minced at. You can dip them in vinegar, sour on sour, for ultimate satisfaction."
"Mm."
Xia Zhi shook his head helplessly.
Even when he was joking, Shenhe never reacted the way an ordinary girlfriend would—no pouting, no playful anger.
She was just too obedient.
No matter what he suggested, she would always agree.
From one perspective, it showed how much she liked him.
From another… it showed a lack of confidence, a fear that saying no might disappoint him.
People who have lacked love often beco this way—overly willing to compromise for the people they care about.
Or maybe, knowing Shenhe's personality, she simply didn't care about such trivial things.
That was probably the real answer.
Xia Zhi leaned in and pressed a kiss to her soft lips.
This Shenhe… he liked her just the way she was.
----
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