Chapter 13: The Curious Case of Luluti’s Stockings

“My Lady, what is the meaning of this…”

Yalin gazed at the exquisitely crafted white stockings, adorned with delicate lace, and fell into a deep contemplation.

‘This… could this truly be happening?’

Although Luluti was typically arrogant and domineering, this was the first time she had ever demanded he remove her stockings right off the bat.

‘Could it be… that she’s awakened some strange fetish (TL Note: ‘XP’ is internet slang for ‘experience points,’ often used playfully to refer to a specific preference or fetish, particularly in a gaming or anime context)?’

‘No, do you all engage in such elaborate games? Are demi-humans a bit too open-minded?’

“Why are you standing there gaping? Do you not understand what I’m saying?”

Luluti’s voice rose several octaves.

Yalin took a deep breath, then adopted a stern expression.

“My Lady, please respect my profession. Even if I am merely a tutor, I still possess dignity…”

Smack!

Before he could finish his sentence, a crisp sound echoed across Yalin’s face.

It wasn’t a slap, but a stack of banknotes.

The cold currency cascaded onto Yalin’s face, scattering like celestial blossoms.

“This is my final command: remove them.”

Yalin raised his gaze, casting a profound look at Luluti.

‘Heh… foolish woman, do you intend to humiliate me with money?’

‘Please, bring more!’

‘Forget removing stockings; if money is involved, I’d even lick them!’

Without a moment’s hesitation, Yalin knelt on one knee, cradling Luluti’s delicate calves. With his fingertips, he traced the edge of the white stocking, gradually peeling it down.

His movements were as gentle as if he were handling a priceless work of art.

‘Though Yalin was not a foot fetishist.’

‘This was crucial; he reiterated: he was not a foot fetishist.’

‘However, he had to admit, Luluti’s jade-like feet were indeed beautiful.’

‘Her small, fair toes resembled meticulously carved porcelain jade, emanating a soft, lustrous sheen.’

‘The elegant curve of her ankle further accentuated the maiden’s exquisite grace.’

‘They were impeccably clean, utterly devoid of any odor.’

‘This was, of course, to be expected, considering she was a young lady who rarely left her home and bathed thrice a day.’

‘If they still carried an odor, it would signify a severe case of athlete’s foot, truly warranting a doctor’s visit.’

‘Ahem, he was getting sidetracked…’

Yalin shook off the jumbled thoughts in his head, neatly folded the white stockings, and placed them at the edge of the rug.

Only then did he quietly gather the banknotes scattered across the floor.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating the young man’s slender face, as Luluti narrowed her eyes like a curious kitten.

“As expected, you truly are incorrigible; you’d do anything for money.”

“My Lady speaks nothing but the truth.”

Yalin replied smoothly.

‘Only a fool would refuse money.’

After meticulously checking and confirming all the banknotes were safely tucked away, Yalin finally looked up, displaying his usual smile.

Luluti stared at his face for a long moment, unable to discern any superfluous expression, and a frown creased her brow.

“Tell me, even if you were forced to do ‘that kind of thing,’ would you truly be indifferent?”

“Do you genuinely possess not even a shred of dignity?”

Yalin blinked.

‘What ‘kind of thing’ was she referring to?’

‘Was it the act of removing her stockings?’

‘Honestly, being imperiously ordered by a young girl to remove her stockings was indeed a bit embarrassing.’

‘Yet, it wasn’t to the extent of abandoning one’s dignity.’

‘Moreover, for the ‘Chouba brothers’ (TL Note: ‘Chouba laoge’ is internet slang often used to describe members of online communities who might view such situations as a desirable or ‘bonus’ outcome), wasn’t this simply a pure bonus stage?’

‘Forget being paid; even if they had to pay, there would likely be a throng of people eager to do it.’

However, Yalin quickly understood.

Luluti was a demi-human, not a human, so he couldn’t simply impose human values upon her.

He recalled reading in a book that ancient demi-humans often walked barefoot through forests and swamps, and thus, considered their feet the dirtiest part of their bodies.

Therefore, if they wished to humiliate someone, they would force that person to remove their shoes.

‘Hm, demi-human thought processes truly are novel.’

‘In other words, in Luluti’s eyes, that previous scene was considered a rather severe humiliation for him?’

“Hey, Yalin, tell me honestly, how are you feeling right now?”

“Reporting, My Lady, I received a sum of money for free, so I am very happy right now.”

“And what else? Aside from the money, do you have any other feelings.” Luluti asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Beep beep beep!

Yalin’s ‘simp radar’ (TL Note: ‘Tiangou’ literally means ‘licking dog,’ a slang term for someone who excessively fawns over another, often to gain affection or favor) blared.

‘A superior simp must constantly monitor the user’s emotions and respond accordingly.’

‘It was clear Luluti was deliberately trying to provoke him, but failing to achieve her desired outcome, she had instead become agitated herself.’

‘Like an agitated ‘Hachimi’ (TL Note: ‘Hachimi’ is a Japanese term, often used endearingly for pets, especially cats; here it implies a cute but easily agitated temperament, fitting the ‘bristling fur’ imagery).’

‘Therefore, should he deliberately play along, feigning a look of enduring humiliation?’

‘The answer was: No!’

‘That was the purview of a novice simp.’

‘As a high-level hunter, Yalin needed to forge his own path.’

Thus, he earnestly met Luluti’s emerald gaze, and spoke each word distinctly.

“My Lady’s feet are small, fragrant, and soft. If the opportunity arises, please, by all means, allow me to perform this task again.”

‘Children, the era of subtle manipulation is long past; now, it’s all about direct approaches.’

‘When one speaks from the heart, how can you defend against it?’

Yalin understood that a pampered young lady like Luluti, having been indulged since childhood, would long ago have grown weary of flattery and sycophancy.

Therefore, he needed to give her something drastic, something to truly open her eyes.

Of course, from another perspective, he also had his own considerations.

Luluti’s actions this time were likely a momentary whim, a sudden fancy.

But if she truly got carried away and demanded Yalin remove her stockings every day, what then?

While such a task, earning money for free, was indeed quite appealing—and again, Yalin was not a foot fetishist—

if word of this ever got out, what would happen?

He’d probably find his corpse by the river within two days.

Thus, he had to quickly dispel this notion of hers.

Sure enough, upon hearing Yalin’s outrageous declaration, Luluti swiftly retracted her foot, her tail bristling high like an agitated cat’s, and a clear expression of disgust bloomed on her face.

“You, you utterly disgusting fellow! How can you utter such repulsive words with such clear eyes?”

“My sincerest apologies, My Lady.”

Yalin lowered his gaze, his face instantly etched with self-reproach.

“I understand that harboring such filthy thoughts is utterly unforgivable.”

“However, I detest lying, and I am incapable of deceiving you directly, so I could only speak the truth.”

“If My Lady finds me repulsive… then please, dismiss me.”

A slight flicker appeared in Luluti’s eyes.

“You are indeed disgusting,”

she stated. “But, you are an interesting fellow.”

Luluti gave a soft huff, then leapt from the desk, heedless of Yalin, and flopped directly onto the soft bed.

“Do you know why, among so many people back then, I specifically chose you?”

“Because I don’t lie?”

“Precisely.”

Luluti rolled over, spread her arms wide, and gazed up at the ornately decorated ceiling, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“On that day, among all those people, only you spoke the truth.”