Bai Huizi’s trembling voice sounded by Su Li’s ear. Su Li wasn’t sure if she was speaking to her or to Shen Cishu.
But it didn’t matter.
The money was already in her hands, so whatever Bai Huizi was thinking, Su Li didn’t care at all.
Although, if she wanted to provide Bai Huizi with better service, understanding the other’s thoughts and intentions would be an extremely important thing.
But Su Li was gradually realizing that all Bai Huizi needed was a chance to let herself go—she didn’t actually require any guidance.
Some people are just like that; they don’t need advice from others.
What they need is simply to affirm their own thoughts and desires.
Bai Huizi’s heaving chest pressed against Su Li’s collarbone, sweat-dampened silvery strands clinging between their necks.
Her right leg was still hooked at Su Li’s waist. The torn hem of her gauzy dress exposed the plump curve at the base of her thigh, rubbing against Su Li’s waist with each ragged breath.
When the warm breeze from the air conditioner swept across the nape of her neck, Bai Huizi suddenly shivered.
She curled her knee, trying to adjust her position, which made Su Li even more acutely aware of the curve of her hips and waist.
Full as a ripe peach, it pressed deep into Su Li’s lower abdomen.
The hollow at her waist, revealed through the split in the silk, still beaded with half-dried blood, glistened with crimson stains under the light.
Su Li scooped Bai Huizi up and slowly laid her down on the sofa.
She looked at the mess strewn across the Living Room.
She had originally thought that Shen Cishu’s Home would need an Auntie Cleaner, which would probably cost a fair bit. But now, it seemed she herself might have to shell out as well.
But then Su Li thought—Bai Huizi was her landlord.
Even if the place was a mess, it was still Bai Huizi’s own Home, so Su Li relaxed a little.
As long as she mentioned it to Bai Huizi later, the other would probably help her handle it.
“Little Su Li, you really aren’t like her at all.”
Bai Huizi’s voice suddenly rang out by her ear. Su Li remained silent.
This alternation between madness and normalcy was exactly like Shen Cishu.
It made her suspect there was something peculiar in the Bai Family’s bloodline.
She went into the Room and brought back the Medicine Box, then looked at Bai Huizi, sprawled lazily on the sofa, noting the scrapes on her body.
She had long since grown accustomed to pain in her own body.
But Bai Huizi was able to endure her pain without making a sound, which Su Li couldn’t help but admire.
Bai Huizi quietly curled up at the edge of the sofa, her foot arched in a fragile curve.
Moonlight filtering through the gauze curtains cast purplish bruises on her ankle.
Her toes, painted a soft cherry pink, twitched slightly; the second joint was scraped raw, a bead of blood welling at the pearly nail’s edge.
Her silk nightdress had slipped to the crook of her knees, and red marks from fingernail scratches snaked up her calves, vivid as cinnabar thorns on porcelain skin.
Su Li gently placed Bai Huizi’s foot onto her own knee and carefully tended to her wounds.
She could well imagine how painful it must be, but throughout, Bai Huizi didn’t utter a sound.
Even during their earlier struggle, Bai Huizi had been utterly silent; the Room fell into a hush once again.
Faint breaths echoed in her ears as, exhausted from the fight, Bai Huizi slipped into sleep on the sofa without anyone noticing.
Su Li carefully put down her foot, fetched a Blanket from the Room, and draped it over her.
For such a simple act to raise someone’s favor toward her—Su Li would certainly not miss the opportunity.
If Bai Huizi transferred her money for these little details, in the end the one who benefited would only be Su Li.
After finishing, Su Li began to apply ointment to Bai Huizi’s wounds once more.
Perhaps because Bai Huizi transferred her more money, Su Li found herself more tolerant of her.
Clearly, her own mood hadn’t changed at all, nor did earning more make her particularly happy or excited.
But what Bai Huizi had done was quietly having an effect on her.
From the result, Su Li was indeed affected.
She didn’t know if this influence was good or bad; perhaps it would help her recover her emotions.
Not long after, Su Li gave up thinking altogether.
She focused solely on tending to Bai Huizi’s wounds.
“Mm~”
Bai Huizi gave a soft hum, but didn’t wake.
Su Li’s touch grew gentler.
She hoped Bai Huizi could sleep through until morning.
If so, she could go to sleep with her pay in hand, and today’s transaction would end with both of them drifting off in their dreams.
Maybe that was a kind of happiness?
That’s what Su Li thought.
Deliberately, Su Li made her movements even lighter. Yet, before long, she felt a gaze upon her.
Her hands stilled for a moment, but soon resumed their work.
So much for her hopes of loafing on the job.
“Even if Little Su Li dresses like Shen Cishu now, you don’t resemble her at all.”
“In fact… you’re much more like Mom.”
Bai Huizi quietly watched as Su Li tended to her wounds, murmuring softly.
Su Li didn’t respond, just kept tending to her wounds.
“I’ve heard that saliva has disinfecting properties—it can help heal wounds, you know.”
Bai Huizi’s voice drifted to her ears, but Su Li kept on with her work.
Until her phone vibrated with a message.
“vfb received, ten thousand yuan.”
Su Li slowly lifted Bai Huizi’s foot, feeling herself become a little more mercenary.
Normally, she didn’t charge extra after providing a full set of services.
Maybe it was because Bai Huizi was rich, and she kept thinking of ways to squeeze a few more coins from her.
Drawing close to Bai Huizi’s plump, lovely little foot, Su Li caught a faint scent, like sandalwood mingled with cream.
The air conditioner breeze carried a whiff of sweet coconut oil across the top of her foot.
Su Li slowly extended her tongue, cautiously tending to her wound.
As her tongue touched the area near Bai Huizi’s ankle, Bai Huizi reflexively shuddered.
More than the pain, what frightened her was the tickling sensation.
“White-jie’s feet are very sensitive.”
Su Li said softly, her warm breath falling against Bai Huizi’s ankle.
Bai Huizi didn’t reply; instead, she nudged Su Li lightly with her other foot, as if venting a touch of dissatisfaction.
Su Li didn’t tease her further, just patiently continued her task.
She wasn’t sure if her method of treatment was actually useful, but in any case, she herself wasn’t worried about infection.
Seeing a faint blush spreading across Bai Huizi’s cheeks, Su Li realized she probably didn’t mind at all.
All she needed to do was lick the wound; as for real healing, perhaps Bai Huizi had her own way.