Chapter 57: The Thirty Days of Seclusion

October 22nd, today marks the seventh day of hiding Aunt Xia. Although Aunt Xia protested our arrangement, her protests were ineffective.

October 25th, today is the tenth day of hiding Aunt Xia. Today, Aunt Xia’s appetite is noticeably low, but she claims she isn’t hungry. Is her appetite truly small, or is she genuinely not hungry?

October 30th, today is the fifteenth day of hiding Aunt Xia. It’s evident that Aunt Xia is less resistant towards me. Has she finally begun to understand my sincerity?

November 4th, today is the twentieth day of hiding Aunt Xia. Aunt Xia accidentally broke an expensive bottle of wine, but I know it wasn’t intentional.

Yet, she insisted on being punished. After some thought, I symbolically punished Aunt Xia by letting her soak in a barrel with wood, creating an unusual blend of wine.

November 14th, today is the thirtieth day of hiding Aunt Xia. Despite a few close calls with people familiar to Aunt Xia, I managed to keep everything under wraps.

Today, I gave Aunt Xia some small accessories, which made her very happy. We even discussed the philosophical question of whether eating too much abalone might cause one to gain weight.

It’s another sunny morning, but the sunlight seems to have lost its warmth, signaling the approach of winter.

Bai Hao looks over the densely written diary he’s kept for a month, satisfied with its contents. He moves to the kitchen to prepare a loving breakfast for Aunt Xia: bread, scrambled eggs, and a nourishing congee.

After finishing the preparations, Bai Hao carries the breakfast to the wine cellar, now more like a bedroom filled with wine racks.

On a soft, large bed lies a voluptuous middle-aged woman. Her flawless, porcelain-like face is without blemish, and her long, silky hair cascades around her.

Her smooth forehead and jade-like nose are reminiscent of fine sculpture. With her eyes gently closed and long lashes, her full red lips are captivating.

She wears a high-slit cheongsam, and her bare, silk-stockinged feet are slightly curled, evoking a sense of allure.

Despite his daily indulgence, Bai Hao can’t help but feel aroused at this sight. She is, indeed, a temptress.

Bai Hao sets the breakfast down and sits beside Aunt Xia, gently stroking her hair. This movement disturbs her peaceful slumber, causing her to furrow her brows and instinctively take his finger into her lips.

After a moment, she opens her eyes, revealing a mixture of drowsiness and a newfound submission.

The word ‘tamed’ comes to Bai Hao’s mind, and he nods in approval, gently patting her ample rear. ‘Aunt Xia, it’s time to wake up,’ he says.

‘Ah…’ Aunt Xia looks at the young man, her eyes flickering with fear before transforming into a seductive smile. She nuzzles her face against his palm. ‘Husband~’

Hearing this mature temptress purr, Bai Hao, as a young man, struggles to maintain composure. ‘Aunt Xia, don’t tease. Let’s eat. After breakfast, I’ll take you out,’ he says.

Aunt Xia is taken aback, her eyes clouding with confusion at the mention of going out. The idea feels foreign to her now, and she fears it might be a test.

She shakes her head, using her fair skin to nuzzle against his arm. ‘I don’t want to go out. I’m fine here. Please don’t punish me, husband…’

Seeing her like this, Bai Hao sighs. Aunt Xia is obedient, but her compliance seems excessive. He has no choice but to lift her chin, speaking seriously. ‘Aunt Xia, from now on, you don’t have to stay here. You can go wherever you wish, as long as you’re obedient.’

Aunt Xia, despite her fear, looks uncertain. Bai Hao’s expression turns stern. ‘Aunt Xia, I order you to act as you did before. Don’t let anyone notice anything unusual, understood?’

At the word ‘order,’ Aunt Xia’s body trembles, and she quickly nods, her voice small. ‘Y-yes, I understand.’

Bai Hao, pleased, strokes her hair and leads her to the bar, handing her the breakfast. He opens a bottle of wine, and Aunt Xia blushes, recognizing it as the wine made with her…

After breakfast, Bai Hao leads Aunt Xia out of the wine cellar for the first time in a month. She squints against the bright sunlight. Bai Hao returns her phone, kissing her lips. ‘Aunt Xia, who am I to you now?’ he asks.

Without hesitation, Aunt Xia’s eyes mist over. ‘Husband, you are my husband.’

Bai Hao continues. ‘Do you still despise me for being a trickster?’

Though Aunt Xia tries to act like her old self, her eyes reveal a deep servitude. Hearing this, she quickly shakes her head. ‘No, husband, I’m sorry.’

She attempts to kneel before him, but Bai Hao pulls her up. ‘Good. Aunt Xia must be eager to see Xia Wei after so long. You can go home now. Clean yourself up and wait for me tonight. I’ll come over.’

Aunt Xia hesitates, her fear and obedience toward him evident. But when it comes to her daughter, she feels a resistance. She gathers her courage, pulling at his sleeve. ‘Husband, can we skip going to my house? Can I come to you instead?’

Bai Hao’s eyes glint with mischief. ‘No, how about it? Are you already being disobedient, Aunt Xia?’

Aunt Xia’s body trembles, and she quickly shakes her head. ‘No, I will be good.’