Jiang Jie stared intently at the documents and the list of names. Her fingers drummed rapidly on the table with one hand.

Just then, the door swung open. A petite maid entered, a hint of timidity on her face.

"Head Maid, you called for me?" Zheng Yu closed the door and stood perfectly still with a standard maid curtsy. She was one of the new maids.

Jiang Jie offered a kind smile. "Don’t be so nervous. I just want to know what happened in the Mansion these past two days while I was away. I saw the Lady earlier—she seems different from before."

Zheng Yu lowered her head slightly and whispered, "I don’t know. This week’s rotation didn’t assign me duties related to the Lady."

"What about your circle? Any news there?" Jiang Jie revealed her true intent. The new maids and the existing ones weren’t in the same circle.

For now, their circles stayed separate. In an unfamiliar place, they instinctively banded together for comfort. Jiang Jie, busy with work, hadn’t arranged much for them.

Zheng Yu thought for a moment. "Well, one thing: someone named Mossy Fir is gathering everyone together."

"Gathering for what?" Jiang Jie pressed. Zheng Yu only shook her head.

"Never mind." Jiang Jie rubbed her chin, eyes fixed on Zheng Yu. "I’ll transfer you to the Lady’s side. Watch her closely and report back to me regularly."

"Huh?" Zheng Yu froze. Then, guiltily and awkwardly, she added, "Head Maid, this isn’t right. It’s bad for the Lady, and..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Jie patted her shoulder. Even without looking up, Zheng Yu felt that piercing gaze.

"Don’t you think it’s too late for that? Your salary isn’t enough, is it? What about your brother in the hospital?"

Those last two words silenced Zheng Yu completely.

Jiang Jie flashed a confident smile. "Relax. I’m always careful. The funds I move are minimal. Just do your part."

Zheng Yu’s body trembled slightly. She nodded. "I understand."

She walked toward the door, silently adding in her heart, "I’m sorry, Lady."

Only after Zheng Yu left did Jiang Jie’s gaze turn icy. As she’d discussed, as the sole Head Maid in the Mansion, her power was immense.

Over two years, she’d lost count of how many things she’d done using that power. She was sure she’d left no traces. But just now, Chen Mo’s words had shattered all her plans.

What exactly happened these past two days?

As a headache crept in, a knock sounded on the door. Jiang Jie jolted, sat down, sipped water, and calmly said, "Come in."

Li Yansheng entered with a smile. "Good afternoon, Aunt Jiang."

"Li, what can I do for you?" Jiang Jie returned his smile.

Li Yansheng didn’t mind the address. He placed account books and his phone on the table, looking earnest. "Aunt Jiang, I’m new and unfamiliar with procedures. After a quick review, I found staff issues. Since you handled this before, I wanted your insight."

The Mansion had maids, security, and workers for heavy tasks—though most worked elsewhere. The Head Maid managed the maids and Luo Xianxue’s affairs; the butler oversaw everything else.

This was Li Yansheng’s probe. After deep thought, he agreed Mossy Fir had a point.

Checking the accounts, he’d noticed small sums missing each time. Tiny fractions of the total—maybe one or two percent—but significant alone.

Jiang Jie wouldn’t leave obvious traces. Through sharp Q&A and evidence, she quickly eased his doubts.

Almost instantly, both tagged each other as threats.

Just as Mossy Fir said: this Head Maid was tough. To win the Lady’s trust, removing her was the key.

So the new butler had sided with Luo Xianxue and started digging. Had the Lady been hiding all this time?

Turbulent undercurrents swirled in the Mansion. Meanwhile, Chen Mo and Luo Xianxue leisurely read books. Luo Xianxue’s movement was extremely limited; the Mansion held little to explore.

Chen Mo even considered visiting her school. Come to think of it, she was probably in her third year of high school too.

Chen Mo asked, "Xianxue, aren’t you taking the Gaokao this year? Why don’t I see you at school?"

His plan was simple: he’d take the Gaokao too and use her body to review. His grades were good, but what if he messed up? His dream school had a high cutoff score.

Luo Xianxue gave an innocent, matter-of-fact look. "For me, my dad gets me into any school. No Gaokao needed."

"Ah..." Chen Mo was speechless. So this was wealthy privilege? Damn, how envious.

Luo Xianxue added, "Even without family help, I’d get in as a special admission student. I’ve won many awards in talent competitions."

"City-level?"

"National awards."

Chen Mo: "......"

He finally grasped what the system meant by Luo Xianxue knowing "a bit" of every talent—that "bit" came from real skill.

"Phantom Sir, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing. I just want some peace and quiet."

Silence fell between them.

After a long pause, Luo Xianxue murmured, "Who is Jingjing?"

Chen Mo: "Uh..."

"Is she another girl whose body you usually possess?" Her voice held little emotion, but Chen Mo saw on the system panel: Current Status—Emotionally Low.

He reassured her, "It’s just an expression. Honestly, I’ve only ever possessed your body. As for others..."

Chen Mo glanced at the system panel. Only one day remained for random life possession. After that, he could choose a new life—but Luo Xianxue’s life would still be an option, time permitting.

He finished, "For now, only yours."

"Mm!" Luo Xianxue replied.

Current Affection: 78 (Trust)

Current Status: Happy.