The servant: “”
Oh my, I instantly know who the “poop girl” is.
Suppressing that damnable urge to laugh, he coughed and said with a stern face, “The young master is looking for you.”
Thinking of the young master’s expression just now, he couldn’t help but let a hint of schadenfreude show in his eyes.
Shi Liaoliao is really done for this time.
The little hamster nestled in her palm noticed and couldn’t help saying, 【Your interpersonal relationships aren’t great. As an all-around male servant, that shouldn’t be the case.】
Following behind the servant, Shi Liaoliao mentally recounted to Wanwan everything that had happened since she arrived at the Lu family.
Wanwan was shocked: 【You’re being called a seductress even though you’re currently in a male body??】
Taking a closer look at her host’s face, its furry expression grew quite complicated.
【Alright, you do look the part, but it still shouldn’t be happening】
For an old-fashioned romance novel where female consciousness hasn’t awakened yet, this kind of plot where everyone harbors malice and misunderstandings usually only happens to the female lead.
【Your situation is a bit special. As an NPC, this shouldn’t happen. I’ll report it to my superiors for you.】
Shi Liaoliao originally didn’t care, but now she felt a bit hesitant.
Before, she thought she would soon leave this place where everyone seemed like a lunatic anyway, but now the system suddenly appeared and told her that completing the mission would allow her to return to her original world.
【When will the female lead appear?】
If it’s just three lines of dialogue, it seems… quite simple?
Wanwan comforted her: 【Don’t worry, it’ll be soon. Shortly after Lu Yanzhou starts school, he’ll meet the female lead, who disguised herself as a boy to enter on a scholarship.】
Hearing that the female lead was also disguised as a boy, Shi Liaoliao felt a sense of kinship.
Until she noticed the servant leading her toward the backyard.
The cobblestone path was swept clean, not a fallen leaf in sight. Both sides were planted with various flora, tended by someone skilled, so even with all the different colors, it didn’t look messy.
Lu Yanzhou, who had just returned from school, had already changed out of his academy suit uniform and was wearing a simple light-colored wool sweater with trousers.
His pupils were light in color, and his hair wasn’t pure black but a lighter shade under the light. Before Shi Liaoliao hastily took up her post, she was told that this young master Lu only seemed easygoing but was actually not approachable.
He was extremely tall. Standing before him, Shi Liaoliao had to tilt her head up slightly to meet those tea-brown eyes.
【Just like the golden retriever I used to have.】
Lu Yanzhou, who hadn’t managed to say a single word yet: “”
“Young master, you asked for me.”
Completely unaware that all her thoughts were exposed, Shi Liaoliao put on her most respectful attitude ever.
Her gaze toward Lu Yanzhou suggested that if he asked her to climb mountains of blades or plunge into seas of fire, she would do so immediately.
As usual, a smile played on Lu Yanzhou’s lips. Only after meeting her gaze did he slowly speak: “I remember telling you…”
“You can do whatever you want in this house, as long as you don’t bother me.”
Shi Liaoliao nodded.
That’s exactly what he said when she first started the job.
Lu Yanzhou slowly turned and pointed to the flowerbed behind him.
“So…”
“Is this why you uprooted all my Moroccan daisies and replaced them with chives?”
Shi Liaoliao: “”
The servant beside them: Why aren’t you oi-ing? Is it just not in your nature to oi?
Gardening was the only hobby Lu Yanzhou could truly call a pastime in his busy life. While at the academy, the gardener would handle the cultivation for him, but aside from that, these flowers were all tended to personally by Lu Yanzhou.
Looking at the lush, overgrown chives that would soon go to seed if not pulled, the warmth in Lu Yanzhou’s pale-colored eyes turned cold.
Destroying everything he loved and calmly watching him endure the pain in silence—this had always been his father’s favorite pastime.
Glancing once more at the little manservant his father had personally assigned, whose looks surpassed even those of a girl, Lu Yanzhou’s eyes lost all their warmth, and the faint interest he had felt earlier vanished entirely.
Shi Liaoliao pursed her lips.
Wanwan was growing anxious: 【Host, what’s going on!!】
Shi Liaoliao briefly explained the situation.
Earlier, she had asked the gardener for a small plot of land to grow some vegetables. The gardener had generously brought her here, saying she could plant whatever she wanted. At first, seeing the vast expanse of flowers, Shi Liaoliao had hesitated—they were blooming so beautifully, hardly resembling an untended garden. But the gardener insisted no one cared for them, calling them wildflowers. When Shi Liaoliao returned the next day, she found all the flowers gone. The gardener kindly informed her that he had pulled them out for her, so she could plant without worry.
Wanwan relaxed: 【Then hurry up and explain to the male lead! If he fires you, you’ll never be able to return to your original world!】
But… if she spoke up, would Lu Yanzhou believe her?
Just as she was thinking this, Lu Yanzhou, who had been waiting for her to speak, looked away, his expression weary. “I’ll pay you double your wages. Pack your things and return to my father.”
With that, he turned and left without another glance at Shi Liaoliao.
Though his departure was resolute, he couldn’t help but wonder what expression she would wear. Would it be her usual impassive look, or one of dejection? After all, she was a grown man—surely she wouldn’t cry—
【Yanzi! Don’t go, Yanzi! How can I live without you!】
【Let me explain, Yanzi!!】
Lu Yanzhou: “…”
All his expectations had been misplaced.
Shi Liaoliao quickened her pace, intending to stop Lu Yanzhou, but unexpectedly, the man in front of her suddenly turned around.
They collided abruptly—her nose slammed into his firm chest, the sharp pain bringing tears to her eyes. As the tears fell, the rims of her eyes instantly reddened.
A rich, woody fragrance brushed past her senses, and Shi Liaoliao instinctively pushed the person in front of her away.
Though Lu Yanzhou had a slight aversion to physical contact, he wasn’t overly sensitive to accidental touches. It was Shi Liaoliao’s resistance that stood out more.
The faint, pleasant scent he had caught a whiff of moments ago surprised him.
How could a grown man smell so fragrant?
As he lifted his gaze, he caught sight of Shi Liaoliao covering her nose, tears streaming down her face in large drops. Her upturned eyes were glazed with moisture, making her look utterly pitiful.
Lu Yanzhou suddenly recalled the discussions he had overheard among the servants about Shi Liaoliao.
A male fox spirit…
If he weren’t so certain of his own attraction to women, he might have begun to question his father’s motives for sending her here.
A flicker of helplessness crossed his features.
“Are you alright?”
Shi Liaoliao mumbled something through her hand, still covering her nose.
Lu Yanzhou didn’t catch it and raised a brow, signaling her to repeat herself.
Shi Liaoliao: “…Does this count as a work-related injury?”
Lu Yanzhou: “…Okay.”
The servant beside him: ?
Wasn’t he supposed to make her pack up and leave? How did it suddenly turn into reporting a work injury?!