“Second Miss wants to see me?”
Hai Dali was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Chen Muxue to summon him so soon. He wondered what she wanted at this moment. Could it be because he had embarrassed her and she now intended to trouble him?
Forget it.
He would have to meet her sooner or later. There was no hiding from it. It was better to go now.
“What are you doing walking around with a bowl in your hand?”
The young maid frowned when she saw Hai Dali holding a rice bowl at this hour.
“Uh…”
“Xiao Zhu, take the bowl from his hands and send it to the kitchen.”
Hai Dali had just opened his mouth to answer when he was interrupted. He felt helpless. Just how much did she dislike him? She would not even let him finish a sentence.
“Alright!”
The girl called Xiao Zhu nodded and took the bowl from his hands before walking off.
The maid then said to him, “Follow me.”
Without waiting for his response, she turned and left. Hai Dali could only step forward and follow her.
Walking behind her, his gaze drifted involuntarily to her slender figure. She moved with light steps, dressed in a pale moon-white gown. Her graceful body swayed gently with each step, utterly captivating.
The sight made his throat dry. He had always loved beauty, and at this moment he almost wished he could start a so-called friendly match with her right on the spot.
As expected of the cultivation world. Even a mere maid was this delicate and lively.
This world was truly wonderful. He liked it very much.
“Walk in front of me.”
Whether it was a woman’s sixth sense or something else, the maid felt that Hai Dali had been staring at her with ill intentions.
“But I don’t know the way.”
Hai Dali spread his hands helplessly.
No matter what, she refused to walk ahead of him. Without hesitation, she said, “I’ll guide you.”
Seeing her insist, Hai Dali had no choice but to walk in front.
Along the way, he tried to strike up conversation several times, but she ignored him. Only when he asked her name did she hesitate briefly before answering.
“Qingzhi.”
“That’s a good name.”
After learning her name, Hai Dali stopped speaking to her. In his heart, however, he was already calculating how to win her over. The Great Yin-Yang Unity Art he cultivated was a legitimate dual cultivation technique. If he could take her down, he could test its effects.
She was only a maid. Hai Dali believed he had a good chance.
“We’re here. Go in yourself.”
Just as Hai Dali was lost in his calculations, Qingzhi’s voice sounded. He looked up and saw a refined courtyard before him.
This courtyard was nothing like his own. It was more than twice as large, planted with all kinds of rare flowers and exotic herbs, complete with artificial rockeries and a stone pavilion. He could not help feeling envious.
But when he realized only he was to enter, unease crept into his heart.
Could there be something fishy?
He could not help worrying. There was no escaping anyway.
He braced himself and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
A slightly sharp, cracking voice came from inside.
Without hesitation, Hai Dali pushed the door open and stepped in, glancing around the room. On the right stood a screen dividing the space, and through it he could faintly see the silhouette of a person.
“Close the door.”
Hai Dali felt uneasy when he heard Chen Muxue ask him to shut it. What exactly was she planning? Did she have some strange hobby of tormenting people? A chill ran down his spine.
And just the two of them alone in a room. Was she not afraid of rumors spreading?
“Come here.”
He had just closed the door when her voice sounded again. This time, it seemed far more pleasant.
Stepping past the screen, he saw a young girl of about seventeen or eighteen. He subtly sized her up.
She had a delicate oval face, fair and tender cheeks, slightly upturned phoenix eyes bright as autumn water, a small refined nose, and thin lips. She was undeniably beautiful.
However, the vicious expression on her face and the way she repeatedly stabbed a cloth doll with something like an awl ruined the image somewhat.
She looked like a sharp-tongued, venomous beauty.
Good heavens. Did Chen Muxue practice curses? Whoever had offended her must have suffered greatly for her to resort to stabbing a doll.
Confirmed. Absolutely confirmed.
Based on his years of reading web novels, someone like her was definitely the type of villain cannon fodder.
Still, if even a villain was this beautiful, what kind of peerless beauty would a female lead be? Everyone knew that a female lead would surpass the villain in every aspect.
Was there even a female lead here? That Xiao Fan must be the Chosen One. If there was a female lead, he would need to put in some effort. He could not let that kid have everything, especially since they already had bad blood between them.
He snapped himself out of his wandering thoughts and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Second Miss.”
“I heard you lost your memory?”
Chen Muxue stabbed the doll twice more before looking at him. For some reason, she felt he looked better than before. At least more pleasing to the eye.
Did amnesia have that effect?
A large question mark formed in her mind.
“Yes.”
“Then won’t you be less useful to me in the future?”
Chen Muxue frowned.
Previously, she valued him because he had plenty of crafty ideas. If he had lost his memory and turned dull, would he not lose his original usefulness?
Chen Muxue did not utter a single word of concern. The original owner had been injured for her sake, yet she could say something so cold. Not even a simple show of sympathy for a subordinate. If the original Hai Dali heard this, his heart would surely have gone cold.
But that did not matter. He was not the original.
For now, he would play along. Once his strength improved, he would turn the tables.
After pondering her words, he replied, “Has Second Miss encountered some difficulty? If you don’t mind telling me, perhaps I can help resolve it.”
From the previous information, the original Hai Dali had likely served as her strategist.
“Fine. Maybe your brain still works and you can think of something useful.”
As expected. No wonder the original Hai Dali had been so full of wicked schemes. She truly was asking advice from someone who had just lost his memory. What enormous trust.
Chen Muxue’s face twisted with resentment as she said through clenched teeth, “That damned Xiao Fan is flirting with Yao Ruobing again, even publicly claiming that I am far inferior to that slut. Think of a way to ruin their reputations. Ideally, make the entire Qingfeng City reject them and have them despised by everyone.”
There it was.
Hai Dali’s eyes lit up slightly. If there were no surprises, Yao Ruobing was definitely the female lead. But judging from the situation, their relationship was already close. It would not be easy to steal her away.
If only he had a system. A few dings, a mission, some useful information, and he would not be so blind.
“Have you thought of anything yet?”
Chen Muxue frowned impatiently after he remained silent for a long time.
“I’ve lost my memory. I remember nothing. Let me understand the situation first before proposing anything.”
Hai Dali knew too little about the city’s affairs to give advice rashly. Chosen Ones were experts at turning danger into opportunity. If he gave bad advice and ended up helping Xiao Fan instead, he would have nowhere to cry.
“Hurry and understand the situation. Then give me a good plan as soon as possible. If you can’t, go feed the horses.”
She showed no mercy. The original Hai Dali had once been her top strategist, yet she was ready to demote him at a word. Feeding horses was among the lowest tasks. If the master needed to mount a horse, you might even have to kneel for them to step on you.
Hai Dali could not accept such humiliation. If it came to that, he would rather quit.
For now, he suppressed his dissatisfaction and replied, “Rest assured, Second Miss. I will give you a satisfactory plan.”
Chen Muxue nodded in satisfaction.
“Does Second Miss have any other instructions? If not, I will take my leave and not disturb your rest.”
“Mm. You may go.”
She waved her tender, jade-like hand dismissively without looking at him again.
That delicate hand stirred his thoughts. One day, he would make it serve him.
“Wait. This is your reward. A Spirit Gathering Pill. It can help you advance one minor realm.”
Chen Muxue suddenly called out and tossed him a porcelain bottle.
“Thank you, Second Miss, for the reward.”
Hai Dali immediately put on an expression of pleasant surprise and expressed his gratitude before withdrawing.
Looking at the porcelain bottle in his hand, his mood improved. At least there were benefits. Though she did not say why she rewarded him, he guessed it was for the original Hai Dali’s previous performance at the Xiao Family. Even if it had been poor, stepping forward at all showed loyalty.
When he reached the courtyard entrance, he saw Qingzhi standing there bored. A mischievous thought arose.
With a grin, he walked up to her and said, “Qingzhi, Second Miss has betrothed you to me. From now on, you belong to me.”
“You… you’re talking nonsense! Second Miss would never betroth me to someone like you!”
Qingzhi immediately bristled like an angry kitten, glaring at him.
“Don’t believe me? Go ask her yourself.”
He hummed a tune, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked away leisurely.
Qingzhi grew even angrier, stomping her foot as she glared at his retreating figure.