80: Chapter 80 One Code, One Code

The morning sunlight pierced through the gap in the curtains, like a golden sword. It landed right on Huang Mao's eyelids.

Huang Mao frowned, instinctively reaching up to block it, and opened his eyes in a daze.

The bed beside him was already empty.

Only the slightly messy sheets and a faint, lingering fragrance in the air reminded him that everything that happened last night was not a dream.

Huang Mao sat up, scratched his bird's nest of hair, and fell into a state of "unreality" known as post-coital clarity.

Honestly, anyone in his shoes would be dazed for a while.

He, Huang Mao, a self-proclaimed background NPC found everywhere at this university.

Last night, he actually slept with the school's universally acknowledged cold and aloof campus belle, Leng Qingxuan?

Did he get the wrong script?

Logically, shouldn't this kind of plot belong to those sunny, cheerful, white-toothed "kind" protagonists?

How did it fall to him, a cynical slacker who just wants to lie flat?

"Although the process was a bit bumpy, one could even say a bit 'clumsy'..."

Huang Mao recalled last night's slightly awkward, even comical "first-time" process, and the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

However, since it had already happened, and it was a "co-conspirator" agreement he had nodded and agreed to himself.

Then he had to just accept it.

This was probably the ultimate meaning of "if you can't resist life, just lie back and enjoy it."

Huang Mao sighed and threw off the covers to get out of bed.

After washing up, he patted his face in the mirror, trying to make his slightly tired face look more energetic.

After all, there were two other "troubles" waiting.

If those two saw any clues, this newly established "underground defense line" would collapse in a minute.

Just as he reached the stairs, an appetizing aroma of fried eggs drifted up.

A light, rhythmic chopping sound came from the kitchen.

Huang Mao peeked inside.

He didn't see the high-ponytail figure as he had the past two mornings.

There was only Su Muxue.

She was wearing an apron with lace trim, and her long hair was casually tied back with an elegant hair tie.

She was focused intently on the fried eggs in the pan, her spatula moving with fluidity.

That focused expression made it seem as if she wasn't frying eggs, but sculpting a rare treasure.

It had to be said that this girl had perfected the "all-purpose maid" persona to the extreme.

A few exquisite side dishes were already set on the dining table, along with millet porridge cooked to perfection.

The angle of every pair of chopsticks was as precise as if measured with a protractor.

"Morning."

Huang Mao yawned, greeted her casually, and pulled out a chair to sit.

Su Muxue heard the sound and immediately turned around.

She was holding the freshly cooked fried eggs, wearing that signature, gentle smile that could almost drown a person.

"Good morning, Master."

She placed the fried eggs gently in front of Huang Mao, her movements as soft as if she were handling something fragile.

However, the very next second.

Her gaze lingered on Huang Mao's face for a moment, and her brows furrowed slightly for an instant.

Those eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, keenly captured the barely perceptible dark circles under Huang Mao's eyes.

"Master, did you... not rest well last night?"

Su Muxue's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of just the right amount of concern and heartache.

It was like a dutiful housekeeper feeling anxious about her master's physical condition.

Huang Mao's heart skipped a beat.

Holy crap.

Was this woman's observation skills a bit too perverted?

He had clearly washed his face with cold water and specifically adjusted his expression.

And she still saw through him at a glance?

Was this the legendary "maid radar"?

Although he was panicking on the inside, Huang Mao remained steady as a rock on the outside.

He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of fried egg, stuffed it into his mouth, and said vaguely:

"Ah... a little."

"I got carried away playing games last night and forgot to check the time."

"Refreshing the dungeon to clear the new Boss is just too interesting."

Actually, that "battle" last night, in a certain sense, really did count as "fighting a Boss" and "grinding a dungeon."

It was just that this Boss was a bit special, and the process of clearing it was a bit hard on the waist.

Upon hearing this, the concern in Su Muxue's eyes did not diminish; instead, it added a touch of helpless doting.

"Although games are important, Master's health is more important."

As she said this, she picked up the milk pitcher nearby and poured Huang Mao a cup of hot milk.

"If you stay up late often, your body won't be able to handle it."

"I will prepare some soothing soup for you tonight."

Having said that, she paused slightly, her tone becoming even softer, even carrying a hint of temptation.

"Additionally, I think a soothing massage before bed is very necessary."

"It can not only relieve fatigue but also help you sleep."

"Master, please... do not refuse tonight."

Huang Mao almost choked on the fried egg in his mouth.

What was this?

Taking advantage of a crisis?

Or was she quietly promoting her "services"?

This girl's level was getting higher every day.

Just as Huang Mao was wondering how to brush off this topic.

Footsteps came from the stairs.

Unlike the usual light steps, today's footsteps sounded... a bit heavy?

Or rather, a bit deliberately slow.

Huang Mao looked up instinctively.

He saw Leng Qingxuan holding the stair railing, walking down slowly.

Today, she had uncharacteristically worn loose sportswear.

A light gray hoodie paired with black sweatpants.

She had an extra touch of youthful vitality rarely seen on weekdays.

However... if one observed closely, one would notice her posture while going down the stairs was slightly stiff.

Especially when moving her thighs, she seemed to be trying hard to endure some kind of soreness.

That was the aftereffect of last night's exercise.

In other words, a "Debuff."

Seeing this scene, Huang Mao couldn't help but touch his nose, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

Leng Qingxuan walked to the dining room, and the moment her gaze touched Huang Mao.

A hint of shyness flashed extremely quickly in those cold, clear eyes.

There was also an extreme sweetness that seemed to melt a person.

But this emotion existed for less than a second.

The next moment, she took a deep breath.

The previously relaxed expression instantly tightened, and she put back on that "stay away" iceberg mask.

The smoothness of her acting transition was comparable to an Oscar-winning actress.

"Morning."

She spat out a single word faintly, her voice cold, with no emotional fluctuation detectable.

Then she pulled out a chair very naturally and sat down opposite Huang Mao.

Her movements were elegant, with not a single flaw to be found.

Only at the moment of sitting down did her eyebrows twitch very slightly.

Apparently, the chair was a bit hard.

"Morning, School Beauty Leng."

Huang Mao greeted her cooperatively as well, his tone carrying a bit of teasing, just like usual.

"Did the sun rise from the west today? You're actually wearing sportswear?"

Leng Qingxuan picked up a spoon, gently stirring the porridge in her bowl, and replied without looking up:

"We have a P.E. class today, forgot?"

"Besides... changing styles occasionally is not bad."

The back-and-forth conversation between the two was as natural as two ordinary roommates sharing a rental.

You couldn't tell at all that they were rolling on the same bed last night.

Is this the tacit understanding of "co-conspirators"?

It's a bit exciting.

Just then, a "thump, thump, thump" of footsteps came from the stairs again.

Accompanied by a spirited voice:

"Morning, morning, morning! Morning everyone!"

An Ran rushed down like a little whirlwind.

Her high ponytail swayed with her movements, full of vitality.

She was wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts, revealing two long, toned, shapely legs.

Those were lines that could only be trained through years of exercise, full of healthy beauty.

"Yawn—"

An Ran yawned loudly without any decorum, pulled out the chair next to Huang Mao, and sat down with a thud.

"I'm starving! I slept so soundly last night, I didn't even have a dream!"

This girl was clearly exhausted last night, sleeping like a log.

She had no idea that right next door to her, a "base-stealing" operation that could change the structure of this household had taken place.

Looking at An Ran's silly, happy appearance, Huang Mao couldn't help but find it funny.

Sometimes, ignorance is a form of happiness.

The four of them sat around the dining table and began to eat breakfast.

The atmosphere looked very harmonious.

An Ran was eating fried eggs in big bites while complaining vaguely to Huang Mao about today's training schedule.

Su Muxue was quietly adding porridge for everyone on the side, occasionally interjecting with a gentle agreement.

And Leng Qingxuan, on the surface, was elegantly drinking porridge, looking like a fairy who didn't eat mortal food.

In reality.

Under the table.

Her hand was quietly pulling out her phone, her fingers tapping rapidly on the screen.

"Buzz—"

Huang Mao felt the phone in his pocket vibrate.

He took it out nonchalantly, placed it on the edge of the table, and tapped it open.

Sender: [Leng Qingxuan].

The content was very simple, only one sentence:

"By the way, speaking of which, can that from last night... count towards the rent? (Cat peeking.jpg)"

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!"

The mouthful of porridge Huang Mao had just taken almost sprayed out directly.

He abruptly covered his mouth and began to cough violently.

This woman!

Could she not send such lewd words while eating?!

She was still thinking about offsetting the rent at a time like this?

This was a matter of principle!

"What's wrong? Did you eat too fast?"

An Ran was startled and quickly reached out to pat Huang Mao's back.

"How old are you, and you can still choke on porridge."

Su Muxue said nothing, immediately handing over a warm, damp towel, her eyes filled with a bit of concern and a bit of contemplation.

Huang Mao took the towel and wiped his mouth, taking the opportunity to glare fiercely at Leng Qingxuan opposite him.

Leng Qingxuan, however, acted like nothing had happened and continued to lower her head and drink porridge.

Only the slightly upturned corners of her mouth exposed her schadenfreude at this moment.

Huang Mao took a deep breath to calm his mood.

Then, under the table, he typed with one hand and quickly replied with a message.

[Dream on.]

[One thing at a time, the rent will still have to be paid on time.]

Sending finished.

Huang Mao stuffed his phone back into his pocket and picked up his bowl to continue drinking porridge.

Opposite.

Leng Qingxuan, having received the reply, looked at the cold and ruthless refusal on the screen, not only not angry.

Instead, the smile on the corners of her mouth deepened.

Especially when she looked up and saw Huang Mao's appearance of feigned calmness, while the corners of his mouth also curled into a tiny arc.

The sweetness in her heart was practically overflowing.

She seemed to have suddenly awakened to something new.

She loved this feeling too much.

This feeling of hiding from everyone, conducting "underground interactions" with Huang Mao under the noses of two powerful competitors.

This secret code that only the two of them understood.

It was even more addictive than the intimate contact last night.

Moreover.

Huang Mao's refusal actually made her feel more at ease.

This showed that he was still the same Huang Mao.

The man who had principles, feared trouble, and wouldn't become timid just because he had slept with her.

If he had really agreed to "repayment with the body," she would have felt that this relationship had changed its flavor.

This clarity of "one thing at a time" was also what made her so fascinated by him.

"Master, do you need another bowl?"

Su Muxue's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silent electric current between the two.

Huang Mao came back to his senses and found Su Muxue looking at him.

In those deep-pool-like eyes, a certain light of understanding seemed to flicker.

Although she hadn't seen the two's phone screens.

But relying on a woman's intuition, as well as that innate, keen insight.

She had sensed it.

Between Master and Leng Qingxuan, there seemed to be an added, indescribable tacit understanding.

That kind of atmosphere was something that silly girl An Ran would absolutely never feel.

Su Muxue recalled last night, that "enlightenment" she had given Leng Qingxuan in her room.

And the sentence Leng Qingxuan said at the end: "I want to compensate him."

It seems... that young lady must have taken action last night.

And looking at Master's current state, although he said he was tired, his spirit didn't seem bad.

Even... enjoying it a bit?

Su Muxue lowered her eyelids, hiding a hint of complex emotion in her eyes.

She didn't feel bad.

Because this meant that Leng Qingxuan had also learned how to please Master.

As long as she could make Master feel happy and joyful, that was enough.

In this house, she just needed to be that irreplaceable "housekeeper" and that was enough.

"No, I'm full."

Huang Mao put down his bowl and chopsticks and stretched.

"I'm full too!"

An Ran stuffed the last bite of fried egg into her mouth, picked up a tissue, wiped her mouth messily, and then stood up.

"Then I'll be going first!"

"The school team has early training today, I have to go early to secure the field."

As she said this, she picked up her backpack and walked to the door to change her shoes.

After changing her shoes, she seemed to remember something, turned her head, and shouted to the people at the dining table:

"Right! Huang Mao, do you guys have that... P.E. elective class today?"

"It's over at the playground, right?"

"I'll come find you guys to play when I'm done training!"