70: Chapter 70: Advice from the "Housekeeper"

Upstairs, the bedroom door slammed shut with a "bang".

Immediately after, there was a muffled thud of a soft body collapsing onto the bed.

Leng Qingxuan buried herself deep into the soft pillow.

Like an ostrich with its head stuck in the sand.

How embarrassing.

Too embarrassing.

It was practically a textbook example of a "loser's retreat."

She was frantically tearing her hair out in her mind, kicking her legs wildly on the bed, turning the once-smooth sheets into a crumpled mess.

Clearly, on the way back, she had rehearsed it countless times in her mind.

How to smile and say "Welcome home."

How to naturally take his bag.

How to take advantage of the perfect atmosphere to package her unsent apology, along with a little girlish shyness, and present it to him.

The script was already written.

She had even practiced that "killer angle" of slightly lowering her head and looking up.

And the result?

The moment she saw that woman, Su Muxue, standing by his side, discussing dinner with him like a virtuous little wife.

In that instant, her CPU just burned out.

All her courage, all her contingency plans, were shattered by that scene.

She was like a passerby who had stumbled into someone else's private world.

She couldn't even say a complete sentence properly, only able to flee in defeat.

"Ahhh—!"

Leng Qingxuan let out a silent scream muffled by the pillow.

How did it end up like this?

Clearly, I was here first.

Clearly, I moved in first.

Clearly, I was the first to have that kind of contact with him...

But now, that Su Muxue seems like she's cheating.

Whether it's the timing of her speech or that silent, nurturing consideration.

Everything has reduced her, the "would-be main wife," to dust.

"I am just a loser..."

Leng Qingxuan rolled over and stared blankly at the chandelier on the ceiling.

The corners of her eyes felt a bit sore.

She felt that the way she looked now must be ridiculous.

Now I'm even worse than An Ran...

Downstairs, in the living room.

The air was filled with a silence named "awkwardness."

Huang Mao looked at the empty staircase and shook his head helplessly.

This was already his second sigh of the night.

"This girl, why is she even harder to deal with than before?"

He muttered to himself.

He originally thought that since the forum incident was resolved, this matter would be water under the bridge.

Who would have thought it would have such a lingering effect?

Leng Qingxuan's personality—she looks aloof on the outside, but she is actually incredibly sensitive on the inside.

Once she gets stuck in a rut, ten cows couldn't pull her back.

And he just happened to be bad at this.

He really had no way to deal with this delicate, spiderweb-like young girl's heart.

He couldn't just rush up, kick the door open, and say, "Stop being so dramatic," right?

Standing to the side, Su Muxue's eyes flickered slightly.

She keenly captured the look of worry on Huang Mao's face.

That was the trouble caused by another woman.

In Su Muxue's heart, there was a tiny bit of discomfort.

Originally, she wanted to take this opportunity to show off a bit.

After all, if the competitor's mentality collapsed, it was her own fault.

Taking advantage of a weakness is a common military tactic.

But.

When she saw Huang Mao sigh again, that thought was instantly extinguished.

The master's mood is above all else.

This is her self-cultivation as a "housekeeper."

If the master felt troubled because of that woman's awkwardness, that would be her dereliction of duty.

Even if just to let the master have a peaceful dinner tonight, she couldn't ignore this.

Su Muxue took a deep breath and adjusted her expression.

She walked over to Huang Mao and bowed slightly.

Her posture was elegant and impeccable.

"Master."

Her voice was soft, carrying a power that soothed the heart.

"Sister Qingxuan seems to have an unresolved knot in her heart; this isn't a good way to go on."

She raised her head, her watery eyes full of concern.

"If it is inconvenient for you to step in, may I go upstairs and have a chat with her?"

Huang Mao was stunned for a moment.

"You go?"

"Yes."

Su Muxue nodded, a decent smile on her lips.

"After all, we are all girls; some things might be easier to talk about."

"And..."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of responsibility as a "housekeeper."

"Maintaining harmony in the house is also my duty."

"I don't want the master to be troubled by these trivial matters."

These words were spoken flawlessly.

It both showed her generosity and expressed her concern for Huang Mao.

It was a perfect answer.

Immediately after, as if remembering something, a trace of apology appeared on her face.

"It's just that if I do this, the dinner preparation might be hard for you, Master, to do alone."

She was genuinely sorry.

If only she knew the cloning technique.

One clone to go upstairs and sort out that difficult woman.

The main body stays here to prepare dinner for the master.

And after night falls, she could better serve the master...

Better... please the master...

Rather than engaging in unrealistic fantasies, it's better to continue improving herself.

At this moment, Huang Mao looked at the understanding girl in front of him, his heart filled with emotion.

Look at that.

What is professionalism?

This is professionalism!

Not only is she all-around capable, but now she even handles this kind of emotional mediation work.

How is this a tenant?

This is simply an angel sent by God to save him, this lazy dog!

"Sure."

Huang Mao agreed without thinking too much.

"Then I'll trouble you; I really don't know how to persuade her."

He waved his hand and turned to walk toward the kitchen.

"As for cooking, it's my job anyway, it's not hard at all."

"Go ahead, talk to her properly, don't let her bottle things up."

Having received permission, the smile on Su Muxue's face became even gentler.

"Yes, Muxue understands."

She bowed slightly and turned to walk toward the stairs.

Her steps were light, her silhouette elegant.

Huang Mao watched her back and couldn't help but give a thumbs up in his heart.

This perfect, stylish, all-purpose maid vibe is just right.

She can handle the parlor, handle the kitchen, and even mediate family conflicts.

Such a top-tier girl lives here, and she even pays him?

This, this is Qin Shi Huang touching electric wires—winning big time.

Second floor.

The lights in the hallway were a bit dim.

Su Muxue stood in front of Leng Qingxuan's door, her smile slightly restrained.

She adjusted her hem, raised her hand, and knocked on the door gently.

Knock, knock, knock.

The rhythm was steady, neither fast nor slow.

There was silence in the room for a few seconds.

Then came Leng Qingxuan's somewhat hoarse voice.

Carrying obvious vigilance, like a startled cat.

"Who?"

"It's me, Su Muxue."

Su Muxue's voice came through the door, as soft as a ball of cotton.

No aggression could be heard at all.

"The master is worried that you haven't come down, so he asked me to come up and check on you."

She very cleverly brought out the golden signboard that was Huang Mao.

As expected.

Upon hearing the two words "Master," there was a rustling sound in the room.

Probably someone hurriedly tidying up their hair and clothes.

After about half a minute.

Click.

The door lock opened.

Leng Qingxuan stood at the doorway, her hair still a bit messy, her eyes slightly red.

The moment she saw Su Muxue, her expression was very complex.

There was subtle hostility, a bit of awkwardness, and a trace of being at a loss.

"You... what is it?"

She held the doorknob and didn't open the door completely, obviously still on guard.

Su Muxue didn't mind her attitude.

She just maintained that perfect smile.

"Won't you invite me in to sit for a while? Sister Qingxuan."

"Some things seem inconvenient to say standing at the door."

"Besides, Sister An Ran's room is right next door, and she seems to be in her room too."

Leng Qingxuan hesitated for a moment.

Finally, she stepped aside to make way.

"...Come in."

Su Muxue walked into the room and gently closed the door behind her.

With a soft "click" of the lock.

The originally gentle aura seemed to undergo some subtle change.

She was in no hurry to speak.

Instead, she first looked around the room.

This was her first time entering Leng Qingxuan's bedroom.

The decoration style was very minimalist, one could even say a bit cold.

But.

When her gaze swept over the display cabinet next to the desk, her eyebrows lifted slightly.

It was filled with various exquisite figures.

In the most prominent position sat a well-crafted Artoria Pendragon.

Commonly known as "Saber."

That is the most classic character of the Fate series, and also its golden signboard.

"I didn't expect Sister Qingxuan to have such a hobby."

Su Muxue walked to the cabinet, leaned over slightly, and looked at the figure.

Her tone carried a bit of sincere admiration.

"The craftsmanship is very fine; it must be a limited edition, right?"

"It seems that you and the master really have a lot of common topics regarding hobbies."

"I remember seeing it the night before last; the master's computer wallpaper also seems to be this character."

This sentence hit the mark for Leng Qingxuan.

Her originally tense shoulders relaxed a bit.

"Yeah... that was released the year before last; I also waited in line for a long time to buy it."

Mentioning a field she liked, her tone became a little more natural.

And that line about "having a lot of common topics with Huang Mao," she loved hearing that.

That coldness that kept people at a distance also melted quite a bit.

Su Muxue keenly captured this trace of change.

The timing was right.

First, give a sweet treat to lower the opponent's defenses.

Then strike directly at the vitals.

This is her art of conversation.

Su Muxue turned around, leaning her back against the display cabinet.

Her hands folded in front of her, her gaze watching Leng Qingxuan calmly.

The smile on her face was still gentle, but her eyes had a hint of sharpness.

"Since that's the case."

She spoke softly, her tone calm, but every word was a gem.

"Since you and the master have so much common language."

"Since you were the first person to move into this house."

"Since you are the person who has spent the longest time with him 'under the same roof'."

Su Muxue took a step forward, closing in on Leng Qingxuan.

"Then why can't you even give him the most basic trust?"

This sentence was like a sharp scalpel.

Precise and ruthless.

It cut directly through Leng Qingxuan's protective layer called "aloofness" and pierced her most fragile nerve.

Leng Qingxuan's pupils shrank violently.

Her face turned pale instantly.

"Trust?"

She subconsciously wanted to refute.

How do I not trust him?

I just... I just...

"Isn't that so?"

Su Muxue didn't give her a chance to breathe.

She tilted her head, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion and a faint... pity.

"Because of a post on the forum, you started to worry about gains and losses."

"Because of a few pieces of gossip from others, you started to doubt whether he would change his opinion of you because of it."

"Even because of my slight approach, you feel like an outsider, a loser."

Su Muxue sighed.

"Sister Qingxuan, this is no longer just about not trusting the master."

"You are torturing yourself, and by the way... also torturing the master."

Leng Qingxuan was speechless.

She opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound.

Because every word Su Muxue said was like a nail, precisely driven into her fatal weakness.

That's right.

What was she afraid of?

What was she panicking about?

"If it were me."

Su Muxue placed her hand on her chest, her tone becoming devout and firm.

"If I encountered this kind of thing."

"I would tell him immediately, instead of hiding and letting my imagination run wild."

"I would believe that he is not the kind of person who would be swayed by gossip."

"I would believe that my position in his heart would not be shaken by the appearance of anyone."

She looked at Leng Qingxuan, her eyes flashing with a light that was almost like faith.

"Because he is the master."

"He is the person I have determined to serve for a lifetime."

"What I want to do is to make him feel happy and peaceful because of my existence."

"Rather than using my boring insecurities to add trouble to him."

Su Muxue stepped forward and gently held Leng Qingxuan's cold hands.

Those hands were trembling slightly because of nervousness.

"Sister Qingxuan."

"In this house, the most basic rule."

"Is not who came first, nor who is more excellent."

"But—to believe in him without reservation."

"Believe in the man who brought you home and gave you a safe haven."

"He is worthy of this trust, isn't he?"