The first morning of the new year.
Li Ang opened his eyes and instinctively looked to his side. The bed was empty, with only some toppled wine bottles by the bedside.
He still remembered that last night, the two of them had drunk quite a bit in the room, and then Lias insisted on sticking to him and telling stories.
Li Ang had no choice but to rack his brain to recount those stories he had long since forgotten. Most of the plot was already vague to him, so he made it up as he went along, and a lot of it didn’t make much sense.
But even so, Lias still listened with great interest.
She leaned in his arms like that, gradually falling asleep.
Li Ang, meanwhile, breathed in the alluring fragrance of the little cat demon and slowly drifted off as well.
He got up from the bed, opened the door, and called out Lias’s name in a daze.
Soon, Lias’s voice came from the empty living room.
“Awake?”
He rubbed his aching head, still feeling hungover, and looked toward the living room.
Miss Demon Maid was taking off her apron as she walked over to Li Ang. In the morning sunlight, her legs wrapped in white stockings looked like soft, sweet little cakes.
Li Ang gradually perked up.
The demon maid supported his arm, helping him over to the nearby sofa.
“Why not sleep a bit longer?”
Lias sat down, tugging her skirt to reveal smooth, fair thighs. The edge of the white stockings pressed into the soft flesh, leaving a little indentation.
She patted her thigh, signaling for Li Ang to lie down.
Li Ang was stunned for a moment, but he didn’t hesitate or act shy—he simply lay down as if it was the most natural thing.
A woman’s thighs were so soft, a little squishy, and carried a faint milky scent.
Li Ang turned his face and rubbed against the stockings.
So smooth, and pretty comfortable too.
Lias reached out and gently massaged his temples, her cool little hands pressing with a pleasant touch.
Her movements were gentle, and under her massage, Li Ang felt so comfortable he almost drifted off again. Even his hangover headache eased quite a bit.
Lias watched as Li Ang squinted his eyes in comfort, her movements growing even more gentle. She felt like she was petting a puppy.
“Where did you learn to give massages?”
“Does it feel good?”
Lias’s voice was soft.
“Yeah, so good I could spend my whole life lying here.”
“I learned it from books! I have to say, human books are wonderful things. One of them said massages can help with headaches. I also made you some honey water, want me to bring it over?”
Lias pinched his cheek, her charming fox-like eyes filled with warmth.
“Let’s wait a bit.”
Li Ang greedily nuzzled her soft thigh, like a mischievous child trying to bury his head under her skirt.
Lias could only give in to his mischief with a bit of exasperation.
After a while, Li Ang sat up, feeling a bit lightheaded, but much more relaxed.
He looked at Lias’s smooth, fair thighs and felt an urge to try burying his face between them and have her squeeze him tight.
But he gave up on that idea.
Lias would probably agree, but asking directly was just too embarrassing.
Lias hooked her finger around the edge of her stockings, then slipped her little foot wrapped in white silk into her black shoes.
Then she noticed Li Ang’s direct stare. Lias hesitated for a moment, then, like a ballerina, gently lifted her foot, “Want to touch it?”
She always knew about Li Ang’s particular little habit.
Her foot, wrapped in white stockings, lightly tapped Li Ang’s leg. Her toes wiggled a bit, and the arch of her foot was so perfect, it looked like a work of art.
Li Ang swallowed, lifted his head, and said, “I’d better drink the honey water first.”
He had a feeling Lias was definitely doing this on purpose!
The demon maid brought the honey water over.
Li Ang didn’t reach out for it. Instead, he just looked at Lias.
The little cat demon quickly understood what he meant. She held the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to Li Ang’s lips.
He opened his mouth without shame, letting her feed him.
Lias was really getting more and more like a married woman.
Li Ang drank the honey water, but his eyes couldn’t help glancing at those delicate, white-silk-wrapped feet.
So after he finished the honey water, Lias naturally set her foot on his leg, as if rewarding Li Ang for obediently drinking it all.
“I’m starting.”
Li Ang very seriously took hold of her soft little foot, his fingertips exploring her arch. It really was silky smooth and tender, though such touching made Lias curl her toes.
“It tickles a little.”
Lias whispered.
“A little tickle is normal.”
Li Ang looked like this was perfectly natural, but his hands didn’t stop.
Like caressing a precious jewel, he gave each of her toes careful attention.
It wasn’t until a knock sounded at the mansion’s door that he reluctantly let go.
Lias got up to open the door.
Through the window, Li Ang could see that it was the entire Sereitus Ducal family. Sophia stood a bit shyly beside the Duchess, looking every bit the noble young lady.
Probably forced by her father.
“Happy New Year.”
The Duke entered the mansion and the first thing he did was greet Li Ang.
“Happy New Year to you as well.”
Li Ang was in a great mood. He went up, took the gifts from the Duke’s hands, handed them to Lias, and then nodded to the Duchess and Sophia behind him.
He’d refused every other noble’s New Year’s visit—only the Sereitus Duke was an exception, naturally giving him great face.
The Duchess took Sophia and Lias upstairs to chat, leaving only Li Ang and the Duke in the hall.
Li Ang looked at the middle-aged man before him. “Honestly, I’d rather join the ladies’ tea party upstairs than chat with you.”
The Duke ignored his teasing and got straight to the point. “I’m here with an order from His Majesty.”
Li Ang straightened up, his expression turning serious. “Go ahead.”
“His Majesty has named you to lead the Magic Potion Association in compiling a Magic Potion Studies textbook.”
The Duke picked up the honey water Lias had left on the table before leaving and took a sip.
“He’s planning to establish an academy?”
Li Ang raised his brows and quickly understood the Emperor’s intention.
“That’s right. Talent has always been the foundation of the Empire, and academies are where talent is cultivated. Now that Magic Potion Studies is thriving, His Majesty wants it to become a required subject at the academy.
Right now, you’re the most authoritative person in the Empire in this field—no one is more suitable for the job. His Majesty also promised that once the textbook is completed, you can become the Dean of the Magic Potion Academy.”
The Duke’s offer was quite tempting—after all, it meant immortal fame, and it happened to be exactly what Li Ang needed.
“All right.”
Li Ang nodded.
The only downside was that he’d be extremely busy for some time, and the wedding he promised Lias would probably have to be postponed a bit.
“Good, I knew you’d agree.”
The Duke looked unsurprised.
Li Ang glanced at him but didn’t reply, already thinking about how to break the news to Lias later.
It probably wouldn’t be easy to coax her.