Chapter 29: So Soft!

During the lunch break, Sijina sat on the steps at the warehouse entrance, eating the lunch provided by the trading company.

Thinking back to her mercenary days, lunch was nothing but hardtack or wild fruit picked by the roadside.

If she was lucky, maybe she could scrape together a meal at a small tavern in town.

Now, she got to eat proper meals every single day.

Just for that, Sijina felt that she had made the right decision back then to work at the Dawn Trading Company.

“Sijina, how are you finding it working at the trading company?”

The steward walked over with a tray in hand and sat down beside the young woman.

“It’s great. I really like it here. I wish I could keep working here forever.”

“Haha, I hope you’ll stay with us for a long time too.”

The two chatted as usual.

“To be honest, those mercenary days were really tough. At my worst, I couldn’t even afford rent and ended up owing quite a bit of money.”

“I heard that the young master of the Blackstone family has been causing quite a stir lately. The mercenary environment has indeed become much harsher.”

The steward nodded and sighed.

“Those nobles only care about making money for themselves. They don’t treat ordinary people like us as human beings at all.”

Sijina remained silent, but inwardly she agreed with the steward’s sentiments.

She remembered clearly that it was this Blackstone family that had made her life so miserable recently.

“Oh, by the way.”

The steward turned sideways to look at Sijina.

“Do you know why our trading company is called the Dawn Trading Company?”

“Huh? Is there a story behind that?”

Sijina blinked curiously.

“Actually, our trading company is backed by the Church of Light. You know the Church of Light, right?”

“Well… of course.”

Sijina nodded.

It was the most widespread church in the kingdom, so she knew a little about it.

“So our trading company is that big a deal?”

“Surprised, aren’t you?”

“But why would the Church open a trading company here?”

“Hmm… actually, the Church does a lot more than just preach.”

The steward set down his tray and his tone turned serious.

“The Church sets up many organizations to help those in need—providing food, shelter, or job opportunities.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

The steward smiled and nodded, then lowered his voice.

“I can let you in on a little inside information. The main reason our Church came here to open this trading company is to investigate the Blackstone family.”

“Is that something you can share?”

“Well, you’re one of us now.”

The steward gently patted the young woman’s shoulder.

“Speaking of which, this weekend our Church of Light will be holding a preaching event in a nearby village. Would you like to come and see?”

Noticing Sijina’s hesitant expression, he quickly added, “You don’t have to convert. Just check it out a little. After all, you’re working for the Church now.”

“I… can I think about it?”

Sijina paused for a moment, but ultimately didn’t agree right away.

“Alright, no rush.”

***

Blackstone Duke’s Mansion.

His was leaning back in the chair in his study, intending to review the latest financial statements, when familiar text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Today’s Flash Report! An ignorant mercenary girl has been deeply shaken and is thinking of joining the Church of Light? P.S. This piece of intel is free.]

A mercenary girl? Must be Feng Aotian’s intel.

And they’re offering such important intel for free?

Good job, System!

But…

That Feng Aotian, who always loves to meddle and fight for justice, actually wants to join the Church of Light?

That… that doesn’t seem right.

And then there’s the Dawn Trading Company that Li Nuo Er investigated a few days ago.

Is there any connection between these two things?

His rubbed his throbbing temples and let out a long sigh.

Maybe it’s time to thoroughly investigate this Church of Light.

***

After an unknown amount of time, a soft knock interrupted His’s thoughts.

“Young Master His, may I come in?”

“Oh, come in.”

Rafina pushed the door open and entered, carrying a small tray.

On the tray were a freshly brewed cup of hot tea and some pastries.

“Young Master His, you haven’t had dinner again tonight.”

Rafina’s tone was filled with worry, mixed with a hint of reproach.

“At this rate, how will your body hold up?”

Recently, although Young Master His seemed to have earned a lot of money, he was also increasingly neglecting his own health.

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”

His raised both hands in surrender.

Rafina shook her head helplessly and gently placed the tray on the desk.

“Young Master always says that.”

His took a sip of the hot tea and immediately felt the nerves that had been tense for so long relax a little.

Rafina stood by the side, her gaze falling on His’s slightly furrowed brow.

“Young Master, is something troubling you?”

“Hmm? No, I’ve just been thinking about too many things lately. My head hurts a bit.”

His replied casually.

“A headache…”

Rafina hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly.

“Um… Young Master His, let me massage it for you. When Ni Wei used to have headaches, I often massaged her, and she said it felt much better afterward.”

“Ah… then I’ll trouble you.”

The moment the words left his mouth, His regretted them.

No!

His, what are you doing?!

Is this the kind of benefit you’re supposed to accept?

Is it because I’m too tired lately that my brain isn’t working properly?

Just as His was about to refuse again, Rafina’s fingers gently pressed against his temples.

Her soft fingertips, with just the right amount of pressure, slowly traced circles on his head.

But then again… this technique is really good…

His aching temples were soothed by the young woman’s gentle kneading, and his tense nerves seemed to slowly loosen like they were being soaked in warm water.

His couldn’t help but close his eyes and tilt his head back.

The next moment, he felt the back of his head touch something.

So soft!

Huh?

Wait…

This soft feeling… could it be…?

Just then, His could sense that the tips of the young woman’s fingers had started trembling slightly.

His quickly opened his eyes.

Rafina had her head lowered. From this angle looking up, His could only see the tips of her ears turning red and her slightly fluttering eyelashes.

And the feeling at the back of his head was indeed the softness of the young woman’s chest!

“Y… Young Master…”

Rafina’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

His shot up straight in an instant.

“Sorry, I… I didn’t mean it.”

“It’s… it’s okay… Young Master…”

An awkward atmosphere quickly began to rise between them.

“I… I’ll go now, Young Master His.”

“W… wait.”

His called out to Rafina, who was turning to leave.

“Young Master, is there something else?”

“Um… Ni Wei’s treatment is almost over. Go back and tell her to come to me tomorrow for one last massage.”