The late-night wind tousled his messy short hair, revealing a resolute and handsome profile tinged with a hint of weariness.
In the quiet night, Duan Yanxing watched one cigarette after another burn to ash in his hand.
Only when the balcony door was knocked did he stir: “Sir, you may come in now.”
The man stubbed out the cigarette butt and tossed it into the trash bin before pushing the door open. Inside the room, the dim yellow light illuminated the young girl lying on his large bed, covered with a thin blanket, her sleeping face serene.
Her side-sleeping posture was alluring, clad in a white spaghetti-strap dress, beneath the hem of which her snow-white, slender, and straight legs were faintly visible…
Duan Yanxing quickly averted his gaze.
“How is she?” He walked to the bedside, reaching out to feel the little girl’s body, withdrawing his hand only after confirming her temperature was normal.
Auntie Ni stood respectfully nearby: “Sir, Madam is much better now and has fallen asleep.”
Duan Yanxing gave a slight nod: “Take good care of her. Call me immediately if anything happens. I’ll be in the guest room next door.”
“Yes.”
After giving his instructions, Duan Yanxing left the room, leaving only Auntie Ni and a few maids to attend to her.
As for himself, he needed to head straight to the bathroom to cool down.
Not long after, steam filled the guest bathroom.
Duan Yanxing’s mind was filled entirely with the image of the young girl’s charming and seductive appearance.
This state persisted for a long time, unable to dissipate, instead growing deeper and more intense…
Only after repeated cycles… and gulping down several glasses of ice water did he find some slight relief.
That night, he slept restlessly, while Chi Mu slept soundly.
…
The next day.
The sun rose, its warm rays streaming through the window, dispelling a layer of heavy gloom.
Inside the room, the girl slept soundly, while outside in the hall stood four or five maids, led by Auntie Ni.
Some held toiletries, others carried clothes, and some had grooming tools, all waiting in an orderly manner for instructions.
Duan Yanxing, having changed his clothes, was preparing to go downstairs. As he passed by, he made a point to look in.
The little girl’s face was flushed pink, her long eyelashes resting on her eyelids like beautiful butterfly wings, her lips slightly pouted as if silently accusing him of his misdeeds from the previous night.
He slowly crouched down, reaching out to stroke her lips.
The little girl whimpered softly, turning over to continue her deep slumber.
Gazing at her familiar face, a faint smile curved Duan Yanxing’s lips as he leaned down to plant an affectionate kiss on her forehead: “Darling, I’m off to work now. You sleep.”
His voice was soft, careful not to wake his sleeping beauty.
As Duan Yanxing passed by, Auntie Ni and the other maids all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word, even their breaths growing lighter as if afraid of disturbing someone.
Suddenly, he paused and glanced toward Auntie Ni, the housekeeper: “If Madam wakes up later, bring her to me.”
Auntie Ni was slightly taken aback: “Sir, aren’t you… going to the Main Building for a meeting?”
“Is there a problem?”
“N-no, not at all.” Auntie Ni quickly shook her head, not daring to say more.
Seeing her agreement, Duan Yanxing nodded in satisfaction and strode away with his long legs.
Only after he had left did the other maids dare to lift their heads.
“Sister Ni, aren’t the meetings at the Duan Family’s Main Building always confidential? For Sir to ask Madam to come down later… it seems the rumors are indeed true…””Yes, yes, hardly anyone in the Duan Family can attend that morning meeting. This young lady has no proper status, yet she can participate and even casually order Mr. Duan around. She’s truly impressive.”
“And why is she still sleeping? My arms are sore from holding this tray.”
“She really can sleep. I’m exhausted.”
“Exactly, she’s quite something.”
“Shh!” Auntie Ni glared at them and scolded, “Madam is not like ordinary people. If you don’t want to risk your lives, go ahead and gossip. See if Mr. Duan will spare you.”
Hearing this, the two maids immediately fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
Although they enjoyed gossiping in private, it seemed this Miss Chi was not someone they could afford to offend.
…
Meanwhile, inside the room.
Chi Mu opened her eyes, greeted by the sight of a pristine white ceiling, followed by a room decorated in black and white, and sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Hmm…” She pushed herself up to sit, still feeling somewhat dazed. Her head was heavy and muddled, and she couldn’t recall what had happened the night before.
She only remembered that last night, the entire Mugui Theater had gone to Fifth Season to celebrate. After that, they all went dancing, and then she went to the bar with the new scriptwriter, Lin Xi…
She had no memory of what happened after that.
Chi Mu rubbed her throbbing temples and glanced around, only then realizing she wasn’t in her own apartment.
This… seemed to be the Duan Family residence?
What was going on?
Could it be…
Chi Mu frowned. After drinking last night, she must have gotten drunk. And then… how did she end up at the Duan Family residence?
What about Duan Yanxing?
Knock, knock, knock. The door was suddenly knocked.
Hearing the sound, Chi Mu instinctively sprang up from the bed. “Who is it?”
“Miss Chi, have you awakened?”
At the door, Auntie Ni stood with several maids behind her, all bowing respectfully. “If you’ve rested well, we are here to assist you with washing, dressing, and grooming. Is that acceptable?”
Chi Mu was taken aback and instinctively looked at them.
Each of them held a tray laden with various exquisite and expensive cosmetics and clothing. They were all neatly dressed, clearly professional servants.
Chi Mu: “…”
This arrangement was a bit too extravagant.
“Miss Chi?” Auntie Ni asked, puzzled.
Chi Mu blinked a few times before coming to her senses and replying, “Um… how about I do it myself?”
“Miss Chi, this is Mr. Duan’s order. We dare not disobey.”
Chi Mu: “…”
She looked at the group before her and finally relented helplessly.
“Alright, then I’ll trouble you.”
Auntie Ni breathed a sigh of relief and gestured to the maids behind her.
They immediately filed into the room, placing the items on the table and assisting her with washing and grooming.
After Chi Mu finished freshening up, she noticed the group still standing motionless in the hall, as if unwilling to leave unless she gave them another task.
Seeing this, Chi Mu felt immense pressure.
“Hello, may I ask where Mr. Duan is?” After a moment, Chi Mu mustered the courage to speak.
Hearing her voice, Auntie Ni looked up with a smile. “Miss Chi, have you rested well?”
“Yes,” Chi Mu nodded.
“Very well. Mr. Duan had an important meeting to attend today, so he left early. Before leaving, he instructed me to take you there once you woke up.”
Chi Mu was momentarily stunned. “Take me where?”
“To the Main Building of the Duan Family.”Hearing this, Chi Mu hesitated a bit. Right now, she only wanted to return to the theater and had no desire to go to any Main Building.
Auntie Ni seemed to notice her dilemma.
With a gentle smile, she patiently persuaded, “Since the master has entrusted you to my care, I naturally take responsibility for you. So… please allow me to escort you there.”
Chi Mu gritted her teeth. Since things had already come to this point, refusing further would only seem overly fussy.
Thus, she nodded and agreed.