After eating that bowl of noodles, An Ning’s condition improved noticeably.

A powerful body naturally included a robust digestive system and self-healing abilities. In less than a day, her wounds had already healed significantly. Now, the only thing still holding her back was the lingering negative effect from that screenwriter’s Contained Artifact.

Once non-human, she was now barely stronger than an ordinary person.

“So… what’s your plan next?”

The maid casually asked while clearing the dishes.

As if remembering something, she added gently:

“Ah—not that I’m prying into your identity. I’m just worried… if you go out like this, what if you run into danger?”

An Ning sat on the bed, head lowered, cradling a warm cup of water. After a brief silence, she replied:

“Staying here will only cause you trouble. Thank you for your kindness. I’ll leave tonight—and I’ll find a way to repay this debt someday.”

*…If I’m still alive.*

She added silently in her heart.

The maid simply smiled.

“Trouble?” she countered. “What trouble? I don’t find it troublesome at all.”

She set the dishes down and sat naturally beside the bed.

Her smile was warm, her tone tender—just shy of taking An Ning’s hands and saying, *Don’t be afraid, dear. Let’s talk.*

“You’re not ordinary. You know we aren’t either. We don’t care about your past. Like how the wealthy never care if their friends have money… none of them are richer than *them*, right?”

She tapped her knee lightly, organizing her thoughts.

“Whether you’re hunting someone or being hunted, whatever tangled history you carry—it doesn’t matter. What matters is *I’m* interested in *you*. So… I have a very reasonable proposition. Care to hear it?”

“…”

An Ning fell silent again.

*Expected yet unexpected.*

She’d thought the maid was just a kind-hearted soul. Turns out even anomalies act on self-interest.

*Assessing my remaining value?*

But… fine. She was used to it.

The girl wearily lowered her gaze and nodded.

“Mm.”

Seeing her agreement, the maid smiled softly.

“The deal is simple: consider this place your safe house. We’re obligated to care for you when you’re critically injured. In return… you owe me one favor.”

“…What favor?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” the maid said, tilting her head with a playful grin. “I’ll tell you when I do. Okay?”

An Ning’s mind raced.

*Probably… maybe… she wasn’t losing anything?*

Her life was saved by this woman. A life for a life—she’d even die for her… *after* settling her own grudge, of course. Truth was, An Ning wouldn’t have minded dying at the right moment anyway.

So for someone unafraid of death… what was there to fear?

This deal held no downside. What she needed most was a truly safe haven.

*Is she… helping me?*

A rare flicker stirred in her chest.

But nothing comes free. Why would the maid do this?

She slowly lifted her head, meeting the maid’s unwavering smile.

Eyes locked, An Ning whispered hoarsely:

“You… what exactly about me… interests you?”

The maid’s smile widened.

She reached out.

Her fingers were slender and pale, nails neatly trimmed into soft curves—like a dew-kissed white blossom greeting the morning sun.

Then that “blossom” gently cupped An Ning’s cheek.

Leaning in, the maid wrapped her in a soft embrace, chin resting atop her head, breath warm against her ear like a devil’s whisper:

“Really want to know?”

“…Mm.”

“*Truly* want to know?”

“Yes.”

The maid chuckled, lips brushing her ear with a teasing puff of air:

“But I don’t want to tell you.”

She pulled away.

Under An Ning’s dazed stare, Jiang Jiu picked up the dishes, turned to leave, paused at the door, and glanced back with perfect maid-like tenderness:

“Don’t forget to rest well.”

Then she closed the door.

Leaving An Ning sitting frozen on the bed—bewildered, like a silly dog just toyed with by its owner.

…

Jiang Jiu stepped into the hall and found Lady Witch leaning silently against the wall.

The quiet pressure would unnerve most.

But Jiang Jiu simply smiled, unruffled:

“Good evening, Master.”

Lady Witch’s reply was icy: “I’m not good.”

“Not good? What’s wrong?”

“Everything.”

Lady Witch’s gaze flicked from the door to the dishes in Jiang Jiu’s hands. A soft snort. No comment. Just a quiet order:

“Wash those. I’ll wait at the bar.”

Jiang Jiu nodded obediently. “Yes.”

She cleaned the dishes with a casual wave of her Enchanted Wand, returned them neatly, then slipped behind the bar where Lady Witch sat waiting.

“Care for a drink?” Jiang Jiu asked with a smile.

Lady Witch, seemingly brimming with irritation, hesitated—then just nodded.

“The usual.”

“One Witch’s Night,” Jiang Jiu said, retrieving shaker and jigger.

As she mixed the base spirits, Lady Witch finally spoke:

“An Group. The Silent Bureau.”

Jiang Jiu poured while asking: “Isn’t An Group that local pharma giant? And Silent Bureau… sounds like fantasy novel stuff.”

“An Group researches anomalies. And the Silent Bureau…” Lady Witch’s brow furrowed, tone sharpening, “…is also known as *the relevant department*.”

“Oh? I’d’ve guessed State Security or Dragon Squad.” Jiang Jiu shook the shaker. “Both tied to her?”

“An Ning. Only daughter of An Group’s leader. Last night was the full moon—the night anomalies roam freely. You know the ritual: the Silent Witch sings, lulling ordinary folk into her dream. At dawn, memories reset.”

“So that’s why it’s called Witch’s Night?”

“Exactly. Yesterday—on Witch’s Night—the leader died mysteriously. An Ning vanished. The group collapsed into chaos.”

Jiang Jiu finished pouring, garnished the glass with mint, and slid it over.

“Your Witch’s Night.”

“Classic cliché, huh? Usurper kills the boss, hunts the heir. I ‘accidentally’ find her, take her in. My ‘majestic aura trembles,’ she ‘kowtows in loyalty’—oops, joins my harem. I avenge her, claim An Group, ride into the sunset?” She wiped the bar. “Too melodramatic. Too heavy. Not my style. I won’t get involved.”

Lady Witch blinked. “Then why help her?”

Jiang Jiu turned, face mock-serious, hands gesturing near her chest:

“I *meant* to say, ‘Think your looks let you demand help?’ But… hers is just *too big*. I couldn’t ignore it.”

“?”

“Seriously huge. *Hers*. I had no choice.”

“…”

Unconsciously, Lady Witch’s eyes dipped toward her own chest. A long silence followed.

She drained the Witch’s Night in two gulps. Alcohol sharpening her scowl:

“But your promise relies on *me*. I’m the Archwitch. You’re just an Apprentice Witch. *You* can’t protect her—*I* can.”

“Then by organizational decree,” Jiang Jiu said lightly, “protecting An Ning is now *your* duty.”

“?”

Lady Witch went numb.

She’d meant *you lack the power—come beg me*.

How did *this* happen?

*Hardened again.*

Her Enchanted Wand had stiffened.

*Fine. This time… it’s just a body pillow. For warming the bed.*

Narrowing her eyes, she lifted her head—ready to discipline her unruly maid.

But Jiang Jiu leaned forward first, palms braced on the bar, gaze teasing:

“Lilith… are you *still* fixated on childish things like me warming your bed? Cuddling you to sleep? Like playing house?”

“Is that *all* you think ‘sleeping’ means?”

“Can’t you threaten me with something… *real*?”

“*This* is your best shot?”