Since Father Ye was returning today, Ye Wen was called downstairs early to wait.

The maids stood in two neat rows by the door, greeting respectfully. The butler stood outside with the bodyguards.

Such a grand welcome? Ye Wen was dumbfounded. It was just a homecoming, after all.

Soon, a silver sedan rolled slowly into the courtyard. A man in a black overcoat approached, flanked by two bodyguards.

"Welcome home, Master—" the bodyguards bowed, hands at their sides.

"Welcome back, Master—" the maids chimed, curtsying in unison.

"Welcome back," Mother Ye said with a smile, not moving from her seat.

Ye Wen mimicked her. "Welcome back."

He looked mature—while Mother Ye appeared in her twenties, Father Ye seemed over forty. He stroked his neat mustache. "Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

He then walked over and sat beside Mother Ye.

The maids and bodyguards dispersed. Steaming dishes were carried in by the maids.

Seeing Father Ye’s stern face, Ye Wen sat rigidly upright, hands on her thighs, not daring to move.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted to her. "Why are you still in your school uniform at home?"

His voice, deep as a temple bell, jolted Ye Wen to her feet.

"..." Her words vanished completely.

Rich families are such a hassle! Ye Wen grumbled inwardly.

"Sit down," Father Ye said flatly.

Ye Wen was daydreaming and didn’t react immediately.

His expression unreadable, he leaned in slightly when the maids were out of earshot. "Give me some face."

"Pfft?!" Ye Wen clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.

So this strict father was just a paper tiger in front of others!

Ye Wen nodded obediently and sat back down.

"Let’s eat," Father Ye said calmly, as if nothing had happened.

Such a huge dining table for only three people—what a show of grandeur...

Plenty of food covered the table, far more than three could finish. The table was so long Ye Wen only ate from the dishes near her.

The maid Xiao Shi deliberately placed several dishes before her—likely favorites of Ye Wen’s former self. Ye Wen wasn’t picky about food, especially when it was this delicious and expensive.

Like abalone, foie gras...

Abalone! That was a dish she’d only tasted at other people’s weddings!

Though full, Ye Wen couldn’t resist eating a little more.

"Only two bowls of rice..." she complained silently. Her stomach was tiny! Her belly was full, but her mouth wasn’t satisfied at all!

After the three finished, the maids and bodyguards gathered to eat the leftovers.

"Leftovers" was generous—many dishes were untouched...

How unfair...

"Our daughter looks lovely in her uniform," Father Ye murmured to Mother Ye.

"Then why scold her earlier?"

"*cough cough*" Father Ye cleared his throat, saying nothing.

Father Ye and Mother Ye retreated to their bedroom. Ye Wen mischievously imagined what they’d do next.

...

In the maids’ break room.

The junior maids crowded around the head maid. Neatly wrapped packages of clothing stacked in the corner.

"Master brought new outfits this time—latest Japanese styles, plus some little accessories," the head maid announced.

"Wow—" the maids gasped, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Line up, everyone. One for each of you."

Maids who received their packages eagerly changed right there.

The break room doubled as a changing area.

Hmm... maid uniforms from Japan already carried a certain... vibe.

Sure enough, the new uniforms barely reached the knees. The matching stockings were knee-high white socks. Lace trims and ruffles adorned the dresses, along with cat-ear hair clips. The accessories included a leaf-shaped necklace and silver anklets with tiny bells...

"No, the anklets aren’t worn like that," the head maid corrected. "One on your left wrist, the other on your right ankle."

"Eh? Such a weird way to wear them."

"The skirt’s so short..."

"Yeah, super short... feels like it might flash any second..."

China wasn’t that open-minded back then...

...

*Jingle jingle.* Ye Wen sat at her computer as crisp bell sounds echoed from the hallway.

"Miss~ Can I come in?" It was Shuizishi’s voice.

"Come in." Ye Wen was browsing the web, stumbling upon things she’d never known.

News like this existed back then? What major events had happened?

Perhaps we’d truly missed so much on our path forward.

"Miss~" Shuizishi pounced, nuzzling Ye Wen’s cheek, then twirled beside her. "Look at me, Miss. How do I look?"

"What?" Ye Wen turned—and her eyes locked onto that smooth expanse of skin above the stockings.

Dainty white shoes. Silver bells circled her ankle and wrist...

"This outfit... where’d it come from?" It was pure cosplay! Still, Shuizishi wore it with such authentic maid charm... a true professional.

"Master brought it back from Japan!" Shuizishi twirled again. "Pretty good, right, Miss~?"

"Mhm, great..." Ye Wen wiped her brow. Was this Father’s quirky hobby?

Remembering his whispered words earlier, she almost giggled. Such a laid-back guy, pretending to be stern—it was actually kind of cute.

"Miss~ Little Shi wants to sleep with you," the maid cooed.

"Eh?!"

Hmm... she was young, but her figure was developing nicely. Her chest was already... *No!* Ye Wen shook her head hard, scrambling for a way to refuse.

"Shi, I heard everything," the head maid’s voice cut in from the doorway. "Trying to sneak into Miss’s bed again? Come out now."

"*sigh*" Shuizishi trudged out, head drooping.

Even the bells on her anklets sounded less cheerful.

"That..." Ye Wen regretted it instantly. Sleeping with a little maid would’ve been nice—she’d never shared a bed with a girl her age!

"No need to explain for her, Miss. We’re leaving," the head maid said, pulling Shuizishi away.

It’s just wanting to touch a girl... I can touch myself, right? Ye Wen consoled herself inwardly, squeezing her own chest hard.

"Ow!"

...