Chapter 26: A Maid’s Dilemma

Doo-doo-doo…

In the tranquil space, a phone’s ringing shattered the quiet.

Ye Jia, engrossed in watching television from the soft sofa, called out crisply, “Elder Sister Ouyang, your phone is ringing!”

“Coming right away.” Ouyang Xiyue emerged gracefully from the kitchen, his posture refined.

He gently wiped his hands with a cloth, then elegantly picked up his phone, his gaze falling upon the screen to reveal Luli Ling’s caller ID.

He bent down, gently stroking Ye Jia’s head, and softly said, “Little Sister Ye Jia, dinner will be ready soon. In a little while, help big sister call your brother, okay? Big sister is going to answer a call.”

With that, he moved with light, graceful steps towards the bedroom where he had just changed.

The call connected, and Ouyang Xiyue softly asked, “Hello? Luli Ling, is there something you need?”

From the other end, Luli Ling’s slightly displeased, coquettish voice came through: “Hmph, Xiyue, even if I don’t need anything, can’t I call you? Am I really that unwelcome?”

Ouyang Xiyue quickly soothed her, “How could that be? I like Luli Ling the most. Come on~ quickly tell me, what do you need me for?”

“Actually, it’s not me looking for you. It’s Lyu Yu Ge who came back today and just came to find me, saying he wants to see you tomorrow. We’ll come over tomorrow afternoon, so you just stay put in your dorm, don’t go anywhere, okay? Otherwise, Lyu Yu Ge will get angry.” Luli Ling instructed him earnestly.

“Ah? Lyu Yu Ge is back? Alright, I understand. I’ll wait for you in the dorm tomorrow afternoon. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up; I have something else to attend to here.” With that said, Ouyang Xiyue hung up the phone.

On the other end of the line, Luli Ling stared at the disconnected call, her cheeks puffed out like an adorable pufferfish.

She grumbled, “Hmph, that Xiyue, what could be more important than me, his childhood friend? He’s truly becoming more distant as he grows older.”

****

Knock knock knock

Ye Jia, having dutifully completed the task Ouyang Xiyue assigned, called out crisply, “Brother, Elder Sister Ouyang said dinner is ready! Don’t be busy anymore, take a break.”

“Alright, I know, I’m coming.” A clear response echoed from inside the room.

Ye Jia’s face was filled with surprise.

In her memory, her brother was unshakeable when working; he wouldn’t even respond when called for a meal, always eating only after finishing his tasks.

Why had he answered immediately today? Full of doubt, Ye Jia quietly returned to the living room and sat back on the sofa.

Inside the study, Night Xuehui quietly listened to the conversation between the two girls through a small speaker, her lips curving upward slightly.

She lightly stroked her chin, murmuring, “Interesting. I didn’t expect the aloof Lyu Yu to care so much about Ouyang Xiyue. This is no simple matter. Well, time to eat.”

She yawned lazily, stretched, and then rose to open the door, heading towards the living room.

“You’re out! You’ve been cooped up in the study all morning. Come, let’s eat. I have something to tell you after dinner.” Ouyang Xiyue said with a beaming smile, placing the fragrant, delicious dishes onto the dining table.

Night Xuehui gazed at the exquisite spread of four dishes and one soup, nodding slightly, a flicker of appreciation in her eyes.

She elegantly picked up her chopsticks and took a small taste, her brow furrowing momentarily before relaxing.

“Quite a feast. Not only is Xiyue beautiful, but her culinary skills are also exceptional, truly embodying the virtuous demeanor of a homemaker.” Night Xuehui praised softly, taking another bite of a dish.

“You flatter me too much. I’ll go get you some rice.” Ouyang Xiyue smiled shyly, turning to head towards the kitchen.

“Wait. Come and sit down to eat with me. I don’t like it when someone stands by watching me eat.” Night Xuehui’s expression was calm, yet her tone brooked no argument.

“But…” Ouyang Xiyue hesitated, trailing off.

“This is your master’s command.” Night Xuehui’s gaze was resolute, leaving no room for defiance.

****

Time quietly slipped by.

After lunch, Ouyang Xiyue meticulously tidied the kitchen, then moved with light, graceful steps towards the study.

Knock knock knock

“Come in.”

Ouyang Xiyue fidgeted, nervously tugging at his skirt hem, and softly said, “Um, Night Xuehui, I’d like to ask for a leave tomorrow afternoon. My family is coming to see me.”

‘This fellow better not disagree,’ he mused internally. ‘It would be disastrous if I stood up Lyu Yu Ge.’

Night Xuehui’s fingers tapped lightly on the keyboard. Without lifting her head, she said, “I can agree, but you must promise me one thing.”

“Please say it. As long as I can do it, I’ll go through fire and water without hesitation, just as long as you agree to my leave tomorrow.” Ouyang Xiyue patted his chest, assuring her.

“The day after tomorrow, Monday afternoon, there’s an activity class. The student council needs to go out on some business, and you’ll come with me. You’ll understand when we get there.”

“Alright,” Ouyang Xiyue agreed, his gaze curiously surveying the study.

He saw countless bookshelves lining the study, all filled to the brim with books of various sizes.

‘So this person loves to read so much; truly a cultured individual,’ he thought to himself. ‘This study is even larger than my dorm room. Is this what the life of the wealthy is like? It’s truly unimaginable. Although I grew up in a palace, and my residence far surpassed this, this is merely her usual resting place.’

“Ding-dong,” the doorbell suddenly rang.

Night Xuehui glanced at the monitor screen, but there was no one outside the door.

Could it be a prank?

“Xiyue, someone’s ringing the doorbell. Go check who it is.” Night Xuehui said indifferently, still not lifting her head.

Two minutes passed without a response.

Night Xuehui impatiently lifted her head, only to find Ouyang Xiyue’s figure absent.

At that moment, Ouyang Xiyue was gazing at the books on the shelves with a face full of envy, exclaiming, “Wow, this book is a global limited edition! I can’t believe Night Xuehui even has this, and all these others, they’re all rare versions!”

“Have you seen enough, Student Ouyang?” A cold voice sounded from behind him.

Ouyang Xiyue shivered in fright, then awkwardly turned around, stammering, “I… I’m done looking. Do you need something?”

“Someone’s ringing the doorbell outside. Go see who it is.” Night Xuehui finished speaking and turned back to her work.

“Couldn’t you just open the door yourself? Do I really need to go?” Ouyang Xiyue asked, his face full of confusion.

Night Xuehui looked up, casting a gaze filled with deterrence.

Ouyang Xiyue let out two dry laughs, scratched his head, and hastily slipped out of the study.

Ouyang Xiyue cautiously opened the door, first peeking his head out to look around.

Only after seeing no one did he let out a long breath, stepping completely out of the room.

‘Sigh, who asked me to be wearing a maid outfit? It’s truly too shameful. If my classmates saw me and bad rumors spread, my studies would be ruined.’

After confirming multiple times that no one was around, he gently closed the door.

In the distance, a person dressed in black widened their eyes, their mouth slightly agape in an ‘O’ shape, staring intently in the direction Ouyang Xiyue had departed.

It was as if they had witnessed an unbelievable sight, muttering to themselves, “Is… is that Lord Xiyue? Impossible, absolutely impossible. Just in case, I must stay here and confirm again.”

This person was none other than the one responsible for reporting Ouyang Xiyue’s movements to Luli Ling…