Now, only Su Yun and the two members of the Qin family remained inside the apartment. Xia Rou had taken the frightened Xiaoju back to her own room, afraid of startling Qin Xue any further.
“It’s getting a bit late… Do you still want breakfast?”
Su Yun placed the baozi—still wrapped in their plastic bag—by the cabinet. Her heart ached a little.
The bottle of soy milk had completely spilled.
A whole floor full of white liquid.
What spilled wasn’t just soy milk—it was a heartfelt gesture.
She lowered her head in silence.
She’d probably go to that breakfast shop more often from now on…
“Xiaoyun brought breakfast for me? Thank you~” Qin Xue leaned tightly against her, reaching out to grab the still-steaming baozi and began eating.
Just an hour ago, she had still been crying. But now that her Xiaoyun was beside her, she felt like she could do anything again.
If there were a cat in front of her now, she’d dare to grab it barehanded… well, maybe not.
…
A few minutes later, after Qin Xue finished her breakfast, Su Yun finally brought up her plans for the afternoon.
She told her she’d be meeting some fans—well, technically, she was just going to pick up some supplements the hospital had recommended to help her recover from exhaustion.
“I want to come too,” Qin Xue clung to Su Yun’s arm from the bed, refusing to let go no matter what.
“…”
Su Yun felt the soft friction against her arm and heard the sultry voice next to her ear. She swallowed hard.
“Even if you say that, I still…”
Seeing Su Yun hesitate, Qin Xue’s previously calm heart began to ripple again.
These past few days, her mind had been running wild. She kept thinking about whether Su Yun had someone she liked, who it was, if it was a boy or a girl… she was driving herself crazy.
“You don’t want me to come… is it because you’re hiding something from me?”
“No.”
“I don’t believe you. Then take me with you.”
“Uh…”
After several rounds of Su Yun trying to dodge the request, Qin Xue finally exploded.
“Don’t tell me… you're using this ‘supplements’ excuse just to meet someone you like? You don’t want me tagging along as a third wheel, is that it?”
“Ugh… That’s not it! Don’t squeeze so tight!” Su Yun could barely breathe; it felt like her arm was going to snap. She quickly patted Qin Xue’s shoulder.
Qin Xue finally let go, but once she did, she crossed her arms over her chest and turned away with a pout.
“Sister Xue…”
Qin Xue ignored her.
“Agh… It’s not like I don’t want to take you out. Why are you so mad over this…” Su Yun couldn’t understand why she was being so clingy.
Of course, it’s not like she didn’t enjoy it. After all, being pressed up against by such a “gorgeous campus belle” was pretty nice.
But she was just afraid someone might notice something was off.
“I just thought it wasn’t a big deal. I’m just picking up a package. If you go, it might waste your time… But if you really want to come, we’ll go together later.”
Su Yun gently shook Qin Xue’s shoulder, trying to coax her.
“Mm.” Qin Xue only replied with one word.
It sounded indifferent, but Su Yun caught the tiny smile that lifted the corners of her lips.
A few weeks ago, this girl would’ve been ordering her around like a maid, but now… it actually felt a bit like they were real friends.
Su Yun was genuinely happy about that.
“Miss, the living room’s been cleaned.”
“Miss, do you want me to sweep the bedroom as well? And are there any more clothes that need washing?” Qin Xuanxuan walked in neatly dressed from the hallway.
Not only had she cleaned up the area where the soy milk had spilled, she had also taken care of the dust under the sofa and the grease on the kitchen window. She’d even made several trips downstairs to bring up Qin Xue’s clothes and books.
“It’s alright, Xuanxuan. You should go back and rest.”
“Thank you, Miss.” Xuanyuan Xuan bowed respectfully.
“I’ll go see her off,” Su Yun offered, stepping forward.
“You stay with Miss in the apartment. I’ll wait at the door for the elevator.”
“No, it’s fine. That elevator takes forever.”
“Thank you. Really.”
So, Su Yun and the maid-dressed girl got into the elevator together.
Compared to the earlier “battle” they’d had, they were now completely calm—like strangers, without saying a single word.
“Um… I didn’t hurt you earlier, did I?” Su Yun asked just before parting, after stepping out of the elevator.
“No. As long as Miss is fine, I don’t feel pain,” Qin Xuanxuan said calmly, her expression unchanged.
The way she said it made it sound like—even if she died, as long as her Miss was unharmed, it was all worth it.
“Uhh…”
Su Yun felt a little awkward at that response. She looked at the cold-faced girl in front of her and couldn’t help studying her a bit.
This kind of aura, this appearance… in a school setting, she would easily be the cold and aloof goddess type.
If only she wasn’t wearing a maid uniform—just that alone made people assume she was “for service.”
Then again, when it came to the Qin sisters, Qin Xuanxuan really did behave like she was only here to serve.
Also… they were actually quite big. She wondered how the scent compared to Sister Xue’s.
Su Yun unconsciously glanced again… probably for five or six seconds.
“What are you staring at?”
A cold voice broke the silence just as Su Yun was about to say goodbye.
“Ah—nothing!”
Su Yun snapped her eyes to the ceiling like she’d been electrocuted, not daring to look again.
“Well then… bye, Xuanyuan. Thanks for helping clean up the apartment.”
She quickly waved and turned to open the door with her yellow key card.
Click.
The door opened, and she was just about to dart inside when—
“Wait.”
A strong hand landed on her shoulder.
“Xuanyuan? What’s wrong?” Su Yun didn’t dare turn around. Her knees were already shaking.
No way. I only peeked a little! It’s not a crime! Why am I this scared?
“Sorry… maybe I misunderstood you. If you were just admiring my looks, I can let you see now—but don’t develop feelings for me. Don’t betray Miss.”
“…”
That cold, piercing voice cut through her body like an icicle, sending a chill down her spine.
Wait… so this was a misunderstanding?
But… did that mean she could actually look?
Su Yun’s heart skipped several beats, but she wasn’t dumb enough to say anything.
“No, no, no! I just thought you looked good, that’s all. It was a misunderstanding!”
“Mm.” Qin Xuanxuan gave a satisfied nod.
“I’m just a maid. Of course I’m not as beautiful as Miss. If you want to look… Do you?”
“Ah?”
“You’re serious?!”
Su Yun stared at the expressionless girl in disbelief. The emotional contrast was insane.
Who could handle this kind of blunt, deadpan temptation?
And being stared at like she was trash… actually felt kinda good?
Her mouth was suddenly dry.
“No, no! I’ll just look at Sister Xue, okay?!”
“Mm. Then please open the door again. Thank you.”
“Okay.”
And with that, Su Yun finally saw Qin Xuanxuan off.
She’d almost messed up back there.
Truthfully, since getting to know her, Su Yun realized this seemingly serious maid was actually quite gentle and dependable. Combined with her figure… well, sometimes Su Yun couldn’t help sneaking a glance or two.
But still, Sister Xue was better. Definitely.
Like… Qin Xuanxuan wouldn’t laze around in bed, but Sister Xue would.
That didn’t really count as a “good trait,” did it?
Whatever.
Sister Xue was just a lazy piggy who loved to cling and was scared of everything.
Su Yun grumbled to herself.
Wait… did she say something weird to Xuanxuan just now?
Forget it. Doesn’t matter.
Su Yun got in the elevator.
She was going to freshen up and take Qin Xue out for lunch before heading to meet Zhang Deyi.
Downstairs, Qin Xuanxuan waited for a few minutes, then left with Xia Rou driving her to meet the little miss.
What she’d told Su Yun earlier had been sincere.
Qin Xuanxuan had grown up in an orphanage. Back then, she never had enough to eat, and her clothes were always in tatters.
One day, a girl who looked fancier but about the same age showed up.
That girl pointed to her, and she was taken away.
She hadn’t understood what was happening, only that since that day… she’d never gone hungry again.
Later, she heard the orphanage had gotten into trouble. It was revealed that the staff and visitors had been abusing the girls.
It was Miss who saved her.
No matter what, Qin Xuanxuan would always stand by her.
As for asking Su Yun “if she wanted to look”—that was at Miss’s request.
Whenever Miss wasn’t around, the little miss would call her or another maid to bathe together.
And the little miss liked her the most. She’d hug her in the bath, saying “I like this” and “I like that.”
Of course, once Miss returned, she no longer had a place.
…
…
“I’m telling you, why the hell are you getting a perm before meeting Su Yun?”
“Image. Ever heard of it?”
Around noon, Zhang Deyi walked out the school gate with Liu Fei.
He’d made an extra effort to dress up—looking more refreshed and well-groomed than usual.
“…”
“You a pretty boy now? Getting all dolled up to meet a guy?” Liu Fei was clearly annoyed.
The perm had taken forever. Almost an hour had passed.
If he didn’t care about Su Yun himself, he’d have left already.
“You wouldn’t get it,” Zhang Deyi said simply.
They arrived at a salon recommended by someone in the support group, and he sat down without another word.
At the very least… he wanted to leave a good impression.
(End of Chapter)