Chapter 83: Yufinika’s Whims

A crisp, cool breeze swept through the woods, causing the branches and leaves to sway and rustle melodiously.

Far from the city’s clamor, a wooden villa stood nestled in a scenic clearing, surrounded by natural beauty.

This was Yufinika’s home.

Within the quiet, spacious mansion, Yalin sat motionless on a sofa, his face utterly devoid of expression.

After all, these were his boss’s orders, not to be casually defied.

Today marked yet another day of working for Yufinika.

Yalin genuinely disliked this place; every visit felt like being imprisoned, leaving him feeling utterly wretched.

For the mistress of this house was simply too indolent.

Aside from that headstrong devil, Celeste, Yufinika was undoubtedly the most troublesome woman Yalin had ever encountered.

Yet, she offered an exorbitant sum.

‘Ah, earning money wasn’t something to be ashamed of.’

“Come on, open wide~”

Yufinika leaned in close to Yalin, her gaze sultry, as her slender fingers, clasping a peeled grape, hovered tantalizingly close to his lips.

Today, she was dressed in casually elegant attire, the silken fabric accentuating her flawless figure with exquisite grace.

An expanse of smooth, tawny skin was exposed, gleaming with a mysterious, alluring sheen; at such close proximity, Yalin could easily discern the faint, floral fragrance emanating from her.

While most men would likely find such a seductive scene utterly irresistible, Yalin’s heart remained utterly unmoved.

He knew precisely what kind of deranged mind lay hidden beneath that beautiful exterior.

“What’s wrong? I specially prepared this for you… Hehehe.

Is Noah shy again?”

Her golden eyes were glazed with a dreamy haze, and her long, pointed ears were tinged with an alluring blush.

At this moment, Yufinika was completely lost in her world of fantasy, unable to extricate herself.

‘A madwoman… how intriguing.’

Yalin obediently opened his mouth and took the grape.

‘This woman really has a habit of hand-feeding people… Good heavens.’

‘Doesn’t she ever get tired of this charade?’

‘Never mind. She’s the boss; she can play whatever games she likes, and it has nothing to do with me—’

‘—a mere wage-s*ave.’

“How is it? Is it delicious?”

Yalin swallowed the grape and nodded.

“It’s very delicious. Thank you, Yufi.”

“Hehe, such a good boy.”

A smile graced Yufinika’s pretty face, and she gently stroked Yalin’s head.

“Noah, tell me, am I good to you?”

“Very good.”

“Then, do you like me?”

“Of course. You’re my favorite, Yufi.”

“Really? I’m so happy!”

Yufinika embraced Yalin tightly, affectionately rubbing her face against his cheek.

Her voluminous chest pressed against him, nearly suffocating Yalin.

“But why?”

Without warning, Yufinika’s tone suddenly dropped, imbued with a hint of sorrow.

Yet, her embrace tightened around Yalin, as if she intended to crush him into oblivion.

‘Alright, now I’m genuinely suffocating.’

“Why? I was so good to you, so why did you have to leave me?”

“Noah, what exactly did I do wrong? Can you tell me?”

Yalin remained silent.

‘No, what does this even mean?’

‘Go ask that Noah fellow about this; what does it have to do with me!’

‘I’m just a lowly worker; can’t you just let me be?’

Yufinika slowly lowered her hand from Yalin’s neck.

A smile still lingered on her face, but her eyes had grown somewhat hollowed out, as if a chaotic vortex swirled within their depths.

“Noah clearly said he liked me, didn’t he… Could it be that you’re lying to me?”

‘Sigh, another death trap question.’

‘Young lady, could you please stop your fantasies already?’

While initially Yalin would have been left speechless, after numerous repetitions, he had learned precisely how to respond.

“Yufi, I wasn’t lying to you; I was merely led astray by those people outside.”

“Ah, so that’s it. I knew it! How could Noah be that kind of person? He was simply bewitched by those people!”

Yufinika’s eyes brightened considerably, and the terrifying suffocating sensation that had permeated the air vanished.

“However, Noah also did something wrong, trusting those suspicious characters…”

Yufinika’s fingertips brushed coldly across Yalin’s face.

“Tell me, what should a child who has made a mistake do?”

Yalin, of course, knew the answer to that.

“I’m sorry, Yufi, I was wrong. Please forgive me, alright?”

“Do you truly understand your mistake?”

“Truly. I’ve reflected deeply, and I promise I’ll only listen to Yufi from now on.”

Yalin repeated the words mechanically.

‘There’s no other way. A worker’s life is just this humble.’

“Hmm… should I forgive you or not?”

Yufinika puffed out her cheeks, feigning anger, but after a moment, she giggled, her face lighting up with joy.

“Oh, alright, I suppose there’s no helping it. I’ll forgive you this time.”

As she spoke, her soft body pressed against him once more.

This game of make-believe continued for the entire afternoon.

Yufinika’s mood was like an emotional rollercoaster, constantly surging and plummeting.

One moment she would laugh, the next she would weep; one second she was happily reminiscing about their warm past, the next she was questioning Yalin like a vengeful spirit about why he had abandoned her.

Pitiful Yalin was thus toyed with at her whim.

He could only rack his brain, conforming to Yufinika’s whims, and provide satisfactory answers.

It was not until dusk that this prolonged torment finally came to an end.

Yalin straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes.

‘Finally… it’s over…’

Yufinika had reverted to her usual cool demeanor, her face devoid of any previous flirtatiousness, replaced by the unquestionable arrogance of a queen.

She tossed the salary, which had been prepared well in advance, onto the table.

“You worked hard today.”

Yalin silently accepted the money, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that this entire scene seemed strangely peculiar.

‘Never mind. Too lazy to overthink it; money is all that matters.’

However, while Yufinika might appear somewhat unhinged, there was one aspect worthy of praise: her ability to draw a clear line between fantasy and reality.

During the time Yalin was employed, she could freely unleash her wildest fantasies, acting like a madwoman.

However, once the time was up, rationality would regain dominance, ensuring she never made any untoward moves.

Simply put, her ‘little head’ and ‘big head’ were capable of independent thought, which was truly rare.

“By the way, Miss Yufinika, may I use your kitchen?”

Yalin inquired.

The nickname ‘Yufi’ was only used during his working hours; at other times, Yalin always addressed her as Miss Yufinika.

“You may. I just bought fresh ingredients yesterday; feel free to use them.”

Yufinika replied indifferently.

Although his working hours were over, Yalin always prepared dinner for Yufinika after his shift.

By now, it had become a regular custom.

After all, she was his biggest patron, so naturally, he had to put in extra effort to please her.

Besides, she seemed quite content with it, and he even got a free meal out of it. Why not?

Crucially, when she was happy, she truly showered him with money.

Yalin smiled faintly as he tied on an apron.

“Thank you. Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat, Miss Yufinika?”

“I…”

Yufinika lowered her head, pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of something.

“Can you make beef stew?”