324: Chapter 324 Be more proactive, the bed warmer isn't just about warming the bed.

By the side, Xiao Nianyin's movements also stiffened.

She looked up, staring blankly at Madame Qingli, her eyes filled with disbelief.

What kind of talk was this?

Madame Qingli had clearly just finished being intimate with Xu Ruyu, her body as soft as if she had no bones, yet now she was starting to introduce him to new women?

Was she really that open-minded?

Xu Ruyu was also a bit embarrassed by Madame Qingli's sudden words and let out a dry cough: "Sister, what are you talking about?

I'm going to seek guidance on the Dao of Artifact Refining, not to see beautiful women."

"That's not necessarily true." Madame Qingli laughed so hard she trembled, causing her chest to heave in waves. "What if that beautiful Old Ancestor finds you pleasing to the eye and not only teaches you Artifact Refining but also wants to teach you something else?

With that Physique of yours, you're quite the hit with women."

Xu Ruyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Sister, can you be a bit more serious?"

"I am being serious." Madame Qingli blinked innocently. "I'm reminding you to seize the Opportunity.

Being guided by the Old Ancestor, Holy Mother Fire Spirit, is a monumental Opportunity.

If you can take it a step further... ahem, figure it out yourself."

Xiao Nianyin listened from the side with mixed feelings.

Seeing Madame Qingli's lack of any resentment, a wave of indescribable, complex emotions welled up in her heart.

Does this woman really not care?

Or is it that her feelings for Xu Ruyu aren't possessive at all?

Or perhaps she knows Xu Ruyu's special Physique all too well, knowing that one person simply couldn't satisfy him, so she might as well be generous?

Xiao Nianyin couldn't figure it out.

But she suddenly realized one thing—in this relationship, she really seemed to be just a "bed-warming maid."

Even a woman like Qingli could tease and arrange things at will, while she didn't even have the right to speak.

She lowered her head and continued to silently wipe Madame Qingli down, but her eyes felt slightly stinging.

Madame Qingli seemed to sense her mood; she suddenly reached out, gently lifting her chin to meet her eyes.

"Sister Nianyin, what's wrong? Feeling wronged?"

Madame Qingli's voice still held a hint of a smile, but her gaze had become a bit more serious.

Xiao Nianyin turned her face away and remained silent.

Madame Qingli wasn't annoyed; she just smiled and leaned in close to her ear, lowering her voice. "Be a little more proactive. A bed-warming maid isn't just for warming the bed."

Xiao Nianyin's face instantly flushed crimson, the heat spreading all the way to her ears.

She bit her lip and lowered her head, wishing she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Madame Qingli chuckled as she withdrew her hand, stretched, and said to Xu Ruyu, "Alright, it's getting late. This sister of yours should head back.

If I don't leave now, it'll be dawn."

Xu Ruyu stood up to see her off: "I'll walk you out, Sister."

"No need."

Madame Qingli waved her hand; she had already dressed and regained her lazy, elegant appearance.

She walked to the door and suddenly turned back, winking at Xiao Nianyin. "Sister Nianyin, take good care of your Sect Master.

He's going to see a beautiful Old Ancestor tomorrow, so he needs to conserve his energy tonight."

With that, she laughed and pushed the door open, leaving behind a trail of silver-bell-like laughter as she vanished into the night.

Inside the room, only Xu Ruyu and Xiao Nianyin remained.

Silence.

Xiao Nianyin stood by the bedside with her head lowered, motionless.

A lingering flush remained on her cheeks, her eyes were slightly red, and a hint of moisture seemed to cling to her eyelashes.

Xu Ruyu glanced at her but said nothing. He sat back down at the table and poured himself another cup of cold tea.

After a long while, Xiao Nianyin finally spoke, her voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Do you... still want hot water?"

Xu Ruyu shook his head: "No need. Go and rest."

Xiao Nianyin froze for a moment, then looked up at him.

His gaze was very calm, devoid of teasing, mockery, or anything else.

He just looked at her calmly, as if he were looking at someone ordinary and inconsequential.

Xiao Nianyin's heart twinged for some inexplicable reason.

She opened her mouth to say something but ultimately just nodded. She silently gathered the basin and towel from the low table and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she suddenly stopped. With her back to Xu Ruyu, she asked in a trembling voice, "Xu Ruyu... have you... have you never thought about... truly wanting me..."

She couldn't finish the sentence.

Xu Ruyu was silent for a moment before saying flatly, "Thought about what? Wanting what from you?"

Xiao Nianyin's shoulders trembled slightly, but she didn't answer.

Xu Ruyu stood up and walked behind her. He was very close, but he didn't touch her.

"Xiao Nianyin," his voice was soft yet clear, "you know, some things cannot be forced.

I have a rough idea of what you're thinking.

But you might not be clear on what I'm thinking."

Xiao Nianyin didn't turn around.

"I am no Saint, nor am I a gentleman," Xu Ruyu continued. "I remember how you treated me in the past.

Now that you're by my side, I order you around and have you warm my bed—these are your duties as a bed-warming maid.

But that doesn't mean I have any other intentions toward you."

He paused, his voice becoming even more indifferent. "When you've figured out exactly what we are to each other, then we can talk about other things."

With that, he turned and walked back to the table, sat down, and picked up his notes on Artifact Refining, continuing to flip through them by the light of the Moonstone.

Xiao Nianyin stood at the door with her back to him, tears falling silently.

She didn't turn around, didn't argue, and didn't plead.

She just stood there quietly for a while, then pushed the door open and walked out.

The door closed softly behind her.

Inside, the light from the Moonstone remained soft.

Xu Ruyu flipped through his notes, but he couldn't take in a single word.

He looked up toward the window, gazing at the bright moon, and let out a soft sigh.

Tomorrow, he was going to the Illusory Moon Well.

That place held a sleeping artifact spirit girl and a Saint-realm Artifact Refining Grandmaster.

And... those memories regarding the "Trial of Willpower" that he didn't really want to face.

He rubbed his brow, withdrew his gaze, and continued reading the notes.

The night was still long.

And tomorrow would be a new beginning.