Mu Yao’s perfectly proportioned figure was exquisitely curved. The casually bought maid outfit fit her as if tailor-made, and Nangong Ruihui, stroking her smooth chin, found the sight utterly pleasing.

Especially the complimentary white thigh-high stockings—they accentuated her legs beautifully. That tantalizing glimpse where skirt met thigh, flashing with each step, was so alluring even Nangong Ruihui, “being a girl herself,” couldn’t withhold praise.

“Yaoyao, walk around campus in this once, and I guarantee heads will turn,” Nangong Ruihui said with a mischievous grin.

Mu Yao stomped a tiny foot. “Hmph! Who’d do such attention-seeking things? Wearing this at your house is already embarrassing!”

“How can you say that? You’re cuter than all of them~”

“Really?” Mu Yao leaned in slightly, voice hushed.

“Really. Alright, Maid Mu Yao—time to start your duties. Call me ‘Master’ first.”

“Master?! But Xingzi and the other maids called you Young Master Ruihui! Why must *I* say ‘Master’? I refuse!”

Mu Yao wasn’t one to yield easily. Sure, Nangong Ruihui was technically his master now—but no rule said he had to use *that* title. Only if every maid called her “Master” would he reluctantly comply for a day.

“You’re special. Different outfit, different title—makes sense, right?” Nangong Ruihui’s smile vanished; her knuckles cracked. “Shall I describe what happens to disobedient maids and butlers in the Nangong Clan?”

“N-no… M-master,” Mu Yao stammered, a shiver racing down his spine as he succumbed to her intimidating presence.

“Good~ Here’s the maid beginner’s handbook. Read up. I’ll take a walk outside.”

As Nangong Ruihui draped a towel around her neck to leave, Mu Yao—whose reading comprehension bordered on supernatural—was already poised—

“Master~ I know you work so hard. But if you stay away too long, us servants and this big house will rust from loneliness. If I can ease your fatigue… I’d do *anything* for you~ ❤”

Nangong Ruihui’s lips twitched into a smirk. “Mm. We’ll handle ‘fatigue relief’ when I return. Half an hour.”

“Understood~ Oh! Master hasn’t attended a ball in ages. Shouldn’t you go tonight?”

“No need. Decline it for me. Bye~”

“Then please stay safe, Master~”

Xingzi had casually mentioned Nangong Ruihui skipping noble-family balls for nearly a month. Mu Yao, quick to catch on, thought urging her was the right move.

Truth was, Nangong Ruihui found balls tedious—elegant matchmaking disguised as dancing. Dressed in men’s attire, she was weary of partnering with girls. Better to skip.

Mu Yao didn’t know that. He thought balls were just dancing. Before his family’s fall, he’d never attended one.

Around Nangong Ruihui, Mu Yao knew gentleness was key. Only if *she* let her guard down could *he* survive the day. Otherwise… who knew what she’d do?

Regret pooled in his chest. Why had he ever promised this? And she actually took it seriously… Ugh.

…

Thirty minutes later, sweat-drenched Nangong Ruihui returned. Mu Yao, waiting precisely five minutes early at the first-floor living room entrance, showed zero negligence.

(What she called a “walk” was a run. Nangong Clan servants knew Miss Ruihui exercised daily—her body felt off otherwise.)

“Welcome back, Master~” Wearing the maid outfit—not the nude apron—Mu Yao hurried to open the door.

“Mm.” She handed him the damp towel and slipped into the slippers he offered.

“Master… Would you prefer dinner first, a bath first… or… *me* first~?”

“Naturally, I’ll have you first, darling~” Nangong Ruihui smirked wickedly.

Mu Yao shuddered, shaking off the mental image. *If that happened, I’d be doomed.* He glanced down—phew. Still in the maid dress. Close call…

“Yaoyao, what’s on your mind?” Nangong Ruihui passed him the towel and took the slippers.

“N-nothing! Master, your bath is ready—water’s perfect. This humble servant will attend to you~”

*Wait—does this brat suspect I’m a girl?! Why offer to bathe me?!* Cold sweat beaded on Nangong Ruihui’s neck. “No need. I’ll bathe alone. You’re not obligated, right?”

“Master’s too formal~ Yaoyao’s a girl, Master’s a boy! If Master doesn’t mind, Yaoyao won’t either! Let me scrub your back~”

Mu Yao felt zero hesitation. *We’re both guys. Bathing her’s no big deal.*

“You’re a truly competent maid,” Nangong Ruihui said with a forced nod. “Skip the bath. I’ll handle it. Other tasks later.”

“As you wish, Master.”

“Master…”

As Nangong Ruihui turned to leave, Mu Yao gently caught her arm, gazing up with unwavering, earnest eyes.

She didn’t pull away. Stared right back. *What’s his game?*

“I’ll wait outside for you, Master.”

Mu Yao released her. He’d only wanted to confirm one thing: eye contact no longer made him flinch.

Five seconds passed. It didn’t. Nangong Ruihui was the second person—after his sister—he could face without fear. He remembered.

…

“Master… May I ask something?” Mu Yao leaned against the bathroom’s frosted green sliding door, sliding slowly to the floor.

“Go ahead.”

Nangong Ruihui floated in the tub, eyes closed, right arm draped on the rim. Steam beaded tiny droplets across her flushed cheeks. Rose petals drifted on the water, their scent weaving through the haze. Her soft curves shifted beneath the surface, tantalizingly visible with each ripple.

Only a door separated them. Unlocked. She trusted him not to barge in.

“Do you miss your family? Even those gone a long time?” Mu Yao’s voice carried quiet sorrow.

“I suppose… Those who leave still live in our hearts, don’t they~”

Nangong Ruihui misunderstood. Yet words flowed freely between them—no barriers, no masks. On a deeper level, their spirits simply… resonated.