Chapter 29: A Master’s Prank and a Servant’s Plea

Twenty minutes passed in a flash, and Ouyang Xiyue, like a gust of eager wind, hurried to Night Xuehui’s doorstep.

He was filled with anxiety, his hand already rising to press the doorbell. Yet, at that very instant, the door, as if pushed by some mysterious force, slowly opened from within.

A small figure gracefully emerged from the doorway; it was Ye Jia.

Ye Jia gazed at the dust-laden Ouyang Xiyue, silently marveling, ‘Wow, just as expected of Sister Xiyue; twenty minutes meant twenty minutes. But really, there’s no need to rush so much, after all, you’ve already been late for a while, so it hardly matters another twenty minutes.’

Ye Jia’s lips curled into a slight, mischievous smile as she said, ‘Sister, you’re here! I have something to tell you, so lean your ear closer.’

Ouyang Xiyue, who had just caught his breath, looked utterly bewildered but dutifully leaned in.

‘Sister Xiyue, I’m telling you, you’re definitely going to have bad luck today!’ Ye Jia declared with a deliberately wicked tone.

‘Ah? Wh-why? Oh, I know, it’s because I was late. It’s all my fault, and no matter how that person decides to deal with me, I’ll accept it. I just beg her not to cut my salary; I don’t care about anything else,’ Ouyang Xiyue confessed, head bowed in earnest.

‘Cut his salary? Is Sister Ouyang Xiyue truly in such dire need of money?’ Ye Jia couldn’t help but wonder to herself.

Recalling it now, it was quite strange; her brother, who had always been so oblivious to social graces, how could he suddenly bring such a beautiful maid sister home?

Could it be that her brother had finally developed feelings of that nature?!

Ah! Thank the gods! Brother has finally seen the light! He’s going to carry on the family line for our old Ye family!

Ye Jia felt a surge of joy, then looked at the bewildered Ouyang Xiyue standing beside her.

Observing Xiyue’s nearly perfect figure, Ye Jia noted that while his chest left a little to be desired, the rest of him was virtually flawless.

Ye Jia nodded in satisfaction, her thoughts drifting to how perfect it would be if Sister Xiyue’s chest were just a bit larger.

Pondering this, she silently formed a plan, then took Ouyang Xiyue’s hand and led him inside.

‘Now, now, Sister Xiyue, what have you thought about what Ye Jia mentioned to you last night?’ Ye Jia softly inquired.

‘Last night? Last night… Sister Ye Jia, please spare me. I am still young and should prioritize my studies.

Until I establish myself firmly in this world, I will not allow myself to be troubled by romantic entanglements.

Therefore, I hope Sister Ye Jia can understand.’ Ouyang Xiyue shook his head repeatedly, his face etched with clear refusal.

Ye Jia looked at Ouyang Xiyue, feeling a touch of helplessness.

It seemed persuading him would not be easy.

Even though Sister Ouyang Xiyue appeared innocent and guileless, Ye Jia always sensed there was more to him than met the eye.

It looked like she would need to observe him closely for a while longer, understand Ouyang Xiyue’s movements, and meticulously plan her next steps.

Hmph, so be it.

‘Ahem, Sister Ouyang, Ye Jia was only joking with you last night; there’s no need to take it to heart,’ Ye Jia said with a smile.

‘That’s good then. Oh, right, Sister Ye Jia, where is that person?’ Ouyang Xiyue glanced around the living room, but Night Xuehui was nowhere to be seen.

‘Sister, don’t bother looking. Brother is busy working in the study, which is straight ahead.

If you want to go apologize, then go ahead.

I just hope you come out of the study unharmed.’

Seeing that Ye Jia didn’t seem to be joking, Ouyang Xiyue felt a pang of panic.

Could it be that person would really punish him for being late today?

Other than cutting his salary, what else could she do?

It seemed there wasn’t any other way…

‘I am not one to shirk responsibility. Late is late, and this is the first time; I will correct it in the future.

At worst… sigh, I don’t even know what to do.

Fine, I’ll go to the study first and take things as they come.’

‘Alright then, it’s not as terrible as Sister Ye Jia makes it sound.

I’ll be right back, Sister Ye Jia; you watch TV for now, be good.’ Ouyang Xiyue waved to Ye Jia, then turned and left.

****

Inside the study…

‘Oh, isn’t this the esteemed Young Master Ouyang Xiyue?

Thank you for gracing us with your presence; did you sleep well last night?’ Night Xuehui tapped on her keyboard, not even raising her head as she spoke.

‘You flatter me; I cannot bear such an honor.

Night Xuehui, my tardiness today is my fault, and I sincerely apologize to you, hoping you can forgive me.

This is the first time, and I assure you I will never make such a mistake again; please believe me.’ Ouyang Xiyue said, bowing deeply.

‘Hmph, if apologies were enough, what would we need police for?

You claim to apologize with sincerity, yet I perceive none in your words.

Tell me, what is our relationship now?’ Night Xuehui continued to type, speaking unhurriedly.

‘Relationship? You are my boss, and I am your employee.’ Ouyang Xiyue said, secretly glancing at Night Xuehui.

Seeing no reaction from her, he knew he had answered incorrectly.

‘Is it… a subordinate?’ No, that wasn’t right.

‘A servant?’ Still not right.

‘You’re very close, guess again; I’ll give you one last chance, otherwise, you’ll bear the consequences yourself.’ Night Xuehui finally looked up, eyeing the timid Ouyang Xiyue standing by.

‘How could I not know what that person is thinking? She truly is a scoundrel, trying to take advantage of me… but if I don’t say it, what if my salary gets cut?

Who knows what other methods this scoundrel will come up with to punish me.

No, absolutely not. If there’s any physical contact during the punishment, my true gender might be exposed, and then everything would be ruined.

As the saying goes, a true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm, so I’ll just admit it…’

‘Our relationship is… you… you are my master, we are in a master-servant relationship.

Master, Xiyue knows he was wrong; please forgive me.’ Ouyang Xiyue felt his integrity as a man shatter into a thousand pieces.

‘Wait, it seems my integrity was lost years ago, wasn’t it?

Many years have passed since I embarked on the path of cross-dressing, so how could my integrity still be intact?’ Thinking this, Ouyang Xiyue finally regained a shred of his male dignity.

‘Hmph! At least you understand our relationship.

Fine, seeing your sincerity, I’ll let you off this time.’ Night Xuehui stopped what she was doing, looked up at Ouyang Xiyue, and spoke with a calm expression.

Upon hearing Night Xuehui’s words, Ouyang Xiyue finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had narrowly escaped trouble.

However…

‘Don’t be so quick to rejoice, little one.

You may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape the living one.

How about this: you are not allowed to take leave this afternoon, how does that sound?’ Night Xuehui’s lips curved into a mischievous smile.

Ouyang Xiyue saw her expression and knew she was deliberately making things difficult.

He had thought this person had a bit of human decency, but he realized she truly was a vulgar person who couldn’t say anything refined (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘gǒu zuǐ lǐ tǔ bù chū xiàng yá,’ meaning a vulgar person cannot say anything good or refined).

She was clearly a wolf in sheep’s clothing; this damned scoundrel!

Not allowing me to take leave this afternoon, how is that any different from killing me?

If Brother Yu and the others arrive and find out I stood them up, with Brother Yu’s temper… even if I don’t die, I’ll be severely punished!

No, absolutely not.

‘Master, Xiyue truly knows he was wrong and has deeply recognized today’s mistake.

I still hope Master will show great mercy and let Xiyue off.

In the future, Xiyue will certainly compensate you twofold,’ Ouyang Xiyue pleaded, his voice filled with grievance.

Night Xuehui noticed the unusual tone in Ouyang Xiyue’s voice and looked up.

She saw Ouyang Xiyue’s eyes reddening, tears welling up in his eyes.

Night Xuehui helplessly massaged her forehead.

‘Women truly cannot bear even a little injustice.

Although I don’t know why he needs to take leave this afternoon, judging by his expression, it must be something important.

Alright, alright, from childhood until now, I’ve always hated seeing women cry; it just irritates me.’

‘Alright, alright, Xiyue, I was just joking.

Your leave for this afternoon is approved.

However, don’t be late again in the future; learn your lesson.

I still need to make you pay a small price for this tardiness, otherwise, it’s hard to guarantee you won’t do it again, right?’ Night Xuehui said, walking up to Ouyang Xiyue and scrutinizing his flushed, endearing face.

‘Master, as long as I can take leave this afternoon, I am willing to do anything.

You just say the word!’ Ouyang Xiyue declared with firm eyes.

‘You scared me; I didn’t expect that trick to actually work on him.

It seems this person truly can’t stand to see girls cry.

Now, I’ve found his soft spot.

Ahem, don’t blame me for being cunning; if it weren’t for needing the leave, I wouldn’t be so humble.

It seems I need to pay off the money quickly, otherwise, given today’s situation, who knows how long he’ll torment me in the future.’

‘The punishment is simple; I won’t do anything to you.

Do you remember the room where you changed clothes last time?

There’s a new outfit in the wardrobe; go change into it and let me see the effect.’ Night Xuehui said with a mischievous smile.

‘What? New clothes? They won’t be some strange, peculiar outfit, will they?’ Ouyang Xiyue asked, his face flushed.

‘Strange clothes? Of course not.

Go try them on quickly; I had them specially tailored for you, and you’ll definitely like them.

Go on!’

Ouyang Xiyue saw Night Xuehui’s wicked smile and knew that no good would come of it.

Still, the most pressing matter now was to quickly leave this room.