Looking at Xie Yier’s victorious posture, Xiqi silently clenched her fists.
“Please leave. I want to be alone with my sister for a while.”
“Xiao Ai, you still have 20 minutes.”
Xie Yier gently cupped Aier’s cheeks and, right in front of Xiqi, kissed her lips.
Aier resisted deep down.
She didn’t want to be like this in front of Xiqi, but she couldn’t disobey.
Xiqi gritted her teeth.
“You even want to control this about Sister?”
Xie Yier, still wearing the air of a victor, toyed with Aier’s soft golden hair.
“Xiao Ai is mine now, isn’t it reasonable for me to arrange her schedule?”
Not wanting to hear any more from Xiqi, Xie Yier strode out confidently and opened the door.
Even after watching her leave, Xiqi’s frustration still wouldn’t go away.
“Xiqi… I’m sorry…”
Seeing her little sister like this, Aier felt incredibly guilty.
But Xiqi shook her head.
“I don’t blame you, Sister. You did nothing wrong. It must be that woman who used despicable means to force you.”
That’s right, her sister was the best.
She liked her sister the most.
Even if that woman had tainted her sister, she would never resent or blame her.
Once she got better, she would definitely save her sister, she would wash away all the filth from her sister with her own love, and make her forget all of this!
Lying on the hospital bed, Xiqi tightly held Aier’s hand, her eyes full of pity.
“Sister, how long did you sign the Contract with her for?”
Xiqi’s question made Aier pause slightly.
How long had she signed for? She knew it was three years.
After she and Ailei had gone shopping on Commercial Street, Xie Yier had made her sign a Contract.
But at that time, Xie Yier had pinned her to the sofa and loved her fiercely.
She had been so tired and sleepy, she just signed it in a daze without reading it carefully.
Now, Aier suddenly realized she had never read the Contract word for word, nor thought deeply about the possible traps hidden in the wording.
A chill rose from the bottom of her heart.
But… surely it wouldn’t be like that?
Aier quickly denied it in her heart.
From what she’d seen of Xie Yier these days, that woman was domineering and direct, with a strong need for control, but she really didn’t seem the type to play sneaky word games.
“Three years.”
Aier suppressed her unease and tried to sound relaxed.
“Don’t worry about me. The most important thing is for you to recover.”
The sisters leaned on each other, pouring out their worries, longing, and helplessness.
Time flew by in their gentle whispers.
“Xiao Ai, it’s time to go.”
Xie Yier’s voice sounded right on time from outside the door.
“Xiqi, I have to go.”
Aier hurriedly stood up, gripping her little sister’s hand tightly.
“Promise me, eat well, rest well, and keep your spirits up. I’ll definitely come see you again.”
“Okay…”
Xiqi’s eyes were full of reluctance.
“Sister, you take care too.”
Aier walked out of the hospital room, looking back three times with every step.
When the door—a symbol of separation—finally closed completely, Xiqi was left alone in the luxurious room, feeling the heavy weight of solitude.
The two soon returned to the villa room.
Xie Yier asked directly, “Is something on your mind?”
“Master, my mother… how much debt is left?”
“Deducting what you’ve already paid back, there’s still 270 Gold Coins and 50 Silver Coins, principal and interest.”
Xie Yier handed her the Debt Note.
Aier looked at the Debt Note and the listed accounts, feeling a bit powerless.
“So I’ve only paid off this little…”
“The interest just keeps piling up.
Although I’ve paid off the debt for you,” Xie Yier tilted up Aier’s chin and gave her a kiss, “what you owe me still has to earn interest.”
“Will the interest snowball too?” Aier asked timidly.
“Of course, you’ll pay it back in other ways~”
Xie Yier squeezed a delicate part of Aier, and Aier understood instantly.
A few days passed in a blur.
Xie Yier was swamped with official duties, so busy her days and nights were almost reversed.
Except for making Aier serve her by washing her feet every night and hugging her like a body pillow when they slept, she barely had the energy to “care for” her little canary.
In the blink of an eye, it was September 1st of the Empire calendar—the day the Royal Academy opened.
At Iron Eagle Fortress villa, during breakfast, Xie Yier was reading reports while sipping black coffee.
The table was set with exquisite breakfast dishes, but she didn’t even spare them a glance.
This Duchess seemed to have efficiency engraved into her bones—her plate always held two perfectly toasted slices of bread, a few slices of crispy, aromatic bacon, and a cup of coffee purely for the caffeine.
Her life was as simple as a blueprint precisely mapped for power.
“Xiao Ai, eat quickly,” Xie Yier said without looking up.
“When you’re done, I’ll take you to register myself.”
“I can take the carriage by myself…”
Aier’s voice carried a trace of hesitation.
Is she going to watch over even my school time from now on?
Will I really have no free time at all?
“Oh?”
Xie Yier finally looked up, her sharp golden eyes sweeping over Aier like searchlights, her tone suddenly tinged with a dangerous laziness.
“What, is it that your Master isn’t spending enough time with you, or… are you afraid your Master is too clingy and it scares you?”
“No, not at all!
I just… don’t want to trouble you.”
“Oh? My time?”
Xie Yier chuckled softly, elegantly sipping her coffee.
“Spending it on accompanying my Xiao Ai to school—isn’t that worth it?”
“……”
“Remember, once you’re at the Academy, just focus on your studies.
Don’t get too close to any strange people, and absolutely no romance, understand?
Your Master will be waiting for you at home.”
She reached out and lightly tapped Aier’s slightly pink nose, the gesture affectionate.
“Yes, Master, I understand.”
Aier agreed obediently.
“That’s my good girl.”
Xie Yier stood up, her movements elegant yet carrying an invisible pressure.
“Come straight home after school.
I can’t wait to hear all about what’s new at the Academy from our Xiao Ai.”
“Okay, I’ll remember.”
Aier nodded.
In the luxurious, comfortable carriage, Aier sat properly on the soft seat, head lowered, like a puppet controlled by invisible strings.
Silence filled the entire space.
“Xiao Ai, why is it that every time you sit with me, you get sleepy?”
Xie Yier crossed her long legs, her gaze shifting from the bustling street outside back to Aier.
“Ailei said when she took you out, you were a lively little bird, talking nonstop.”
Her tone was curious, almost teasing rather than reproachful.
Aier’s heart skipped a beat!
Hadn’t that been ages ago?
Why bring it up again to scold her?
Her mind spun rapidly, searching for an explanation.
“I… I just…”
Aier felt her head heat up a little.
“I just don’t know what topics Master is interested in, and I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong thing and make you angry…”
Her voice grew quieter and quieter.