Chapter 54: Give me a big raise!
Tears fell from her lips, but she didn’t know what to say.
Poor Ye Zhibai couldn’t even make any facial expressions.
Even the right to whimper a bit like a sad kitten had been stripped away by Yun’er.
After all, the little mouth she used to speak with was currently being thoroughly blocked by Yun’er’s absolute dominance!
Putting everything else aside, Ye Zhibai was genuinely impressed with Yun’er’s lung capacity.
Last time, she almost got taken away; this time, it was almost giving me a sense of suffocation again!
However, something very strange happened.
Ye Zhibai didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
Just as she thought the air in her lungs was running out, Yun’er, as if by pure “coincidence,” slowed down her movements, and slowly pulled her cherry lips away from Ye Zhibai’s.
Fresh air returned, and Ye Zhibai regained her freedom.
That retreat… it was as sudden as a tornado, catching her completely off guard.
Ye Zhibai hadn’t even reacted yet!
Her cute little tongue, following inertia, even gave an extra chew, just like when eating jelly!
Sensing the sudden disappearance of the oppressive feeling in front of her, Ye Zhibai opened her frost-covered eyes in surprise.
Then, she abruptly lowered her head.
And kept her mouth tightly shut!
Because… she saw that Yun’er was standing in front of her, her face flushed, wearing an extremely mischievous smile!
“Cough… you didn’t see anything!”
“I wasn’t playing along with your rude and unreasonable behavior just now!”
“Oh wait, it seems Ye Zhibai was the one who initiated the kiss?”
“Well then, no problem, it looks like everyone was equally rude and unreasonable.”
Ye Zhibai licked the corner of her lips, lightly tapping the glistening spot with her finger, her eyes filled with a small heart, and in that heart was a deep understanding of Ye Zhibai.
Could it be that all the hard work of last night’s efforts was just for show?
No! Those were experiences refined and summarized in the flames of battle!
Last night, Yun’er had repeatedly tested Ye Zhibai’s lung capacity, and after a whole night of trial and error, she had thoroughly mastered the timing—exactly how long a kiss should last.
But that wasn’t all~ Besides kissing, in other areas too, Yun’er had already memorized it all by heart, through her own fingers.
The saying that “ten fingers are connected to the heart”* has this layer of meaning! (Although, not really.)
[*” Ten fingers are connected to the heart (十指连心)”: *Shízhǐ liánxīn* – A Chinese saying meaning that the fingers are very sensitive because they’re connected to the heart. It’s often used metaphorically to express how intimately emotions or sensations can be felt through actions, like touch. Here, the usage is playful, hinting that Yun’er has mastered control over Zhibai emotionally and physically.].
After realizing this, Ye Zhibai felt a wave of shyness in her heart, but at the same time, she also felt quite displeased.
It just… felt like she was completely being played by Yun’er, and that didn’t align with the pride she held deep within!
But being defiant… what could she do?
Ye Zhibai averted her gaze, and took two steps back, seemingly trying to distance herself from Yun’er, but in reality, she just wanted to lean against the back of the sofa, to find a subtle balance for her weak body.
“Yun’er, have you calmed down?”
“I’ve calmed down, but now… I’m on fire.”
“…”
On fire, huh? Then drink Herbal Tea (Ye Laoji)! Or how about “Jia Shaobao”?
If you don’t drink any… doesn’t that mean I’m doomed?
What do you think I’ve been trying to calm you down for?
Efforts in vain backfired.*
[*” Efforts in vain, totally backfired (功亏一篑，本末倒置)”: *Gōngkuī yīkuì, běnmò dàozhì* – A Chinese idiom, where the first half means all efforts are wasted when success is just within reach, and the second means reversing priorities, focusing on the wrong goal. Used humorously to convey Zhibai’s frustration after trying to cool Yun’er down, only to fail in another way.].
Guang Yu patted the dust off her clothes, and took small steps, dragging her big tail as she headed back to her room.
She needed to tidy up and check what supplies were left in the room.
Ye Zhibai had indeed extinguished the fire in Ye Zhijun’s heart, but she ignited another kind of “fire.”
Looks like I’ll have to go out to bask in the moonlight again tonight…
Ye Zhibai felt that she still had a chance to be saved.
“No, it looks like… this is going to be tough.”
Yun’er lifted her left foot and casually removed her short socks with one hand.
Yun’er usually paid great attention to such details—normally, she would fold her socks and clothes neatly before placing them into the laundry basket.
But now, she just threw her socks aside carelessly!
This unusual behavior indicated how anxious and frustrated Yun’er was feeling at the moment.
Urgent!
Then, Ye Zhijun turned slightly, casting a meaningful smile at Ye Zhibai.
“Big sister, just wait a bit. Why don’t you go back to your room and change into your pajamas first? I’m going to take a bath in the bathroom. Phew… it’s so hot today, and I’ve been wearing this heavy coat all day. I’ve sweated a lot, and since you’ve just changed your sheets, there’s no way I can go to bed without taking a bath~”
So I changed my sheets, and now you’re coming to sleep, right?
Ye Zhibai attempted to resist. “After your bath… just go to bed early, you must be tired.”
“Ha… Lately, my sister loves to joke~ Oh, by the way, sister, how about taking a long-awaited bath together?”
“You go first, I’ll bathe after you, orderly and without interference.”
At least by taking turns bathing, she could drag out the time a little.
This way, the time spent being at her mercy tonight could be shortened.
I might just make it to see the dawn of salvation!
Even if I can save just a bit of my energy, it would be worth it, even if it’s just a bit.
“Fine…”
Yun’er looked a bit disappointed as she walked into the bathroom alone.
Sigh, it’s nice that my sister can fully take care of herself now, but…
It’s just this one thing—Yun’er found it deeply regrettable when it came to bathing.
We used to bathe together all the time… but now there’s no reason to bring it up.
Ye Zhibai: Wasn’t that when you dragged my soulless body into the bath?!
Bang.
The bathroom door closed.
Soon after, the sound of water hitting the floor began, faster than usual.
No doubt, Yun’er’s bath today would be much quicker.
Because she was in a hurry.
Ye Zhibai slumped weakly onto the sofa.
Leaning back against the cushions, she waited like a lifeless salted fish for Yun’er’s “punishment.”
But in truth… it wasn’t punishment. It was rather pleasurable.
To be with Yun’er, such an impeccably beautiful girl, in that way… it was something Ye Zhibai had never dared to dream of before.
Not to mention, emotionally, Ye Zhibai was very much in agreement, fully willing to express their love through actions.
But the only point of resistance—it’s just exhausting!
Such intensity, who can handle that? I’m not made of iron!
A whole night… an entire night!
Guang Yu (the spirit or magical artifact) was unreliable, probably off planning what anime to watch next, or getting ready to bask in the moonlight in the courtyard.
Ye Zhibai fumbled in her pocket, touching the vine ring she had put away.
Thinking of Lin Zihan’s resilience in life, Ye Zhibai hoped she too could find her strength.
At the very least, let me not faint tonight.
Even if I lose the battle, a warrior must retain their dignity on the battlefield!
Just when Ye Zhibai was feeling utterly hopeless, dreading another long night…
Suddenly—
Her phone chimed.
—That was the sound of receiving a text message.
Who could it be?
Could it be… another message from the mobile service center telling me how much data I have left?
The service center was like that. No matter how much or how little data you had left, they always had to remind you, constantly urging you to pay your bill and warning you of the importance of not going into debt.
But when Ye Zhibai opened her phone, she saw…
The message was from the head maid.
Ye Zhibai had the head maid’s contact information saved, after all, since she had gone out today and the maid team had arranged a car for her, saving her from walking too much.
After reading the message, Ye Zhibai’s brows furrowed slightly.
She put her phone away.
Tilting her head, she glanced towards the bathroom.
The earlier sense of heroic resignation she had been feeling as she waited for the inevitable…
Had completely transformed into an overwhelming sense of confidence!
—And just a bit of irritation.
[Headmaid: Miss, I’m sorry to bother you so late, but I must report something to you. The Second Miss didn’t eat her dinner properly tonight. She said she’s on a diet. For dinner, she only had one compressed biscuit and a packet of milk. It’s fine for a day or two, but if this keeps up, her body won’t be able to take it. I couldn’t convince her, so maybe you could try persuading her?]. [Headmaid: And! I hope you can put in a good word for me with the Second Miss, at least so she won’t fire me! I’m not trying to tattle on her, I’m just really worried about both of your health!]. [Ye Zhibai: Hmm.]. [Ye Zhibai: Head maid, don’t worry, you won’t be fired.]. [Ye Zhibai: Not only won’t you be fired, but…You’re getting a raise! A big, fat raise!].
