Chapter 32: Caught in the Act, a Maid’s Escape

‘I’m utterly doomed. This is like being caught in the act, isn’t it?’

A sharp intake of breath escaped me.

‘Wait, why did such a phrase even cross my mind? Bah! What “caught in the act”? First, Huang Beifeng and I didn’t do anything at all; I was merely pinned to the bed. Second, Mu Rong Xin Xue and I don’t have any illicit relationship. How could I possibly use such a term? It’s an utter slander against my innocence!’

Yet, explaining this to Mu Rong Xin Xue seemed utterly impossible. That woman always believed only what her eyes saw, and she was as stubborn as an ox. No matter how much I tried to explain, she would never believe it; she only trusted her own perceptions.

‘Oh no! I sense that things are about to go terribly wrong. I’m doomed, I’m doomed! There’s a crooked-neck tree downstairs. Perhaps I should just jump out the window quickly. It’s only the second floor; I won’t die from the fall. Besides, staying here might mean being butchered by Mu Rong Xin Xue, while jumping would, at worst, only result in some injuries. Weighing my options, I should definitely jump.’

‘But, Huang Beifeng, why are you still pressing down on me? Are you stunned speechless? How can you be so bold as to mess with me like this, yet fall silent the moment Mu Rong Xin Xue arrives?’

‘Hey! You’re frozen with fear! Don’t just stand there like a blockhead! At least let go of me so I can make a run for it!’

****

At that moment, while Mu Rong Luo Ye struggled desperately, Huang Beifeng stared blankly at Mu Rong Xin Xue, who stood in the doorway.

‘Why did Sister Xin Xue suddenly come? And why is she staring at me like that? I used to mess around with Mu Rong Luo Ye like this all the time when we were kids. It should be fine, right?’

‘Probably.’

Though she had repeatedly reassured herself mentally, trying to quell her worries and convince herself that everything would be alright, the moment she met Mu Rong Xin Xue’s piercing gaze, a wave of apprehension washed over her.

****

Meanwhile, Mu Rong Xin Xue’s mood had been quite pleasant that day. After all, she was about to return home and see her adorable younger brother. The thought of finding an opportunity to pin Mu Rong Luo Ye against the wall again filled her with excitement.

However, upon arriving home, she found the house unusually quiet; neither Mu Rong Luo Ye nor Huang Beifeng seemed to be there. She checked the kitchen, then the living room, and after searching for a while, she finally detected some activity in Mu Rong Luo Ye’s room. Initially, she assumed they were discussing how to clean Huang Beifeng’s room.

Instead, the moment she pushed open the door, she was greeted with a delightful surprise.

‘A maid outfit! Mu Rong Luo Ye was actually wearing a maid outfit!’

She had spent an entire summer, resorting to all sorts of threats and inducements, yet failed to make Mu Rong Luo Ye wear the maid outfit she had prepared. But Huang Beifeng had accomplished it with effortless ease.

Although Huang Beifeng, pinning Mu Rong Luo Ye down, was a bit of an eyesore, seeing Mu Rong Luo Ye in the maid outfit truly made her blood boil with excitement.

‘No, no, this won’t do! I can’t hold back! How can Huang Beifeng monopolize such a precious treasure? I want a share too!’

Excitedly licking her lips, Mu Rong Xin Xue advanced towards them step by step. Watching Mu Rong Xin Xue’s approaching figure, my struggles intensified.

“Huang Beifeng, let go of me quickly! Mu Rong Xin Xue is coming over!”

“Let go, let go, how do I let go?”

“Huh?! What kind of joke is that? Just release your hands! Do I have to teach you how?”

“Alright, alright, alright.”

Dull-wittedly releasing her grip, I finally had a chance to breathe.

Seizing the opportunity while Huang Beifeng was still in a daze, I shoved her away, sprang from the bed, and before Mu Rong Xin Xue could even react, used the bed’s elasticity to execute a flawless backflip, soaring past her.

‘I’m saved!’

‘Though I might have had a wardrobe malfunction during the backflip, what’s a little exposure compared to losing my honor? Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, the best is to run! Now’s my chance, escape, escape!’

Disregarding the two still in the room, I dashed out of the house. Finally, I was safe.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I decided to find a hiding spot. Once today was over, I could finally take off this humiliating outfit. Then I’d just throw it away, and they’d see how they could ever force me to wear it again. Hmph!

*Beep, beep, beep.*

Just then, my phone, tucked into a pocket in the maid outfit’s skirt, suddenly rang. Opening the red penguin app, the first thing I saw was a message from Huang Beifeng.

I initially intended to ignore her, but upon seeing her message, I panicked.

‘No, no, please don’t! I’ll come out right now, I’m coming, please don’t!’