Chapter 32: Danger!

“Careful!” Lin Ke’er rushed to steady her, but her hand accidentally brushed against a place it shouldn’t have.

“I’m so sorry!” Mu Xi scrambled to her feet, a flush creeping across her cheeks. 

“I… I just felt a bit dizzy.”

Lin Ke’er watched her flustered movements, a glint of amusement flickering in her eyes. 

“No worries. Take a moment to rest, and we’ll carry on.”

Mu Xi lowered her gaze, but from the corner of her eye, she caught Lin Ke’er subtly licking her lips.

‘Gotcha, you creep,’ Mu Xi thought with a cold smirk in her heart, though her face remained a mask of shy innocence. 

She delicately let the tip of her foot peek out from under her skirt’s hem.

As expected, Lin Ke’er’s eyes were drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Seizing the moment, Mu Xi said, “sister Ke’er, my legs are a bit sore. Could I practice on that sofa over there instead?”

“Of course,” Lin Ke’er replied with a warm smile. 

“I’ll come with you.”

Mu Xi sighed inwardly. 

Today’s lesson was, predictably, veering off course.

But for the sake of her plan, she had to keep up the act.

“My legs are…” Mu Xi rubbed her calf, feigning a wince.

Lin Ke’er’s attention snapped to her. 

“Where does it hurt?”

“Maybe I’ve been standing too long.” Mu Xi settled onto the sofa, gently swaying her foot. 

“The soles are aching a bit, too.”

“Let me help.” 

Before Mu Xi could protest, Lin Ke’er knelt and lifted her foot with surprising tenderness.

“No, no, it’s fine…” Mu Xi tried to pull back, but Lin Ke’er held firm.

“Don’t move. I’ve studied massage.” Lin Ke’er’s fingers pressed into the sole of her foot. 

“This is an acupoint. A little pressure, and you’ll feel better.”

Mu Xi bit her lip, watching Lin Ke’er’s enraptured expression.

‘This pervert is just looking for an excuse to touch me.’

“Your feet are adorable,” Lin Ke’er murmured, her fingers gliding over Mu Xi’s arch. 

“Like carved white jade.”

Suppressing a wave of nausea, Mu Xi forced a shy smile. 

“Sister ke’er, that tickles…”

“Does it?” Lin Ke’er’s voice turned husky. 

“What about this?”

She leaned closer, her nose brushing near Mu Xi’s ankle.

“What are you doing!” Mu Xi yelped, startled.

“Such a sweet scent.” Lin Ke’er inhaled deeply. 

“Like milk.”

Mu Xi trembled. 

It was the smell of the medicinal bath.

But for her plan, she had to endure. 

“Sister ke’er, please don’t…”

“Shh, let your big sister take care of you.” Lin Ke’er’s tongue flicked lightly across her foot.

“Ah!” Mu Xi nearly leapt up but forced herself to stay seated, clinging to her goal.

Lin Ke’er looked up, her gaze intoxicated. 

“You’re a little enchantress, aren’t you?”

Mu Xi gagged inwardly but painted on a coy smile. 

“Sister ke’er, shouldn’t we… practice singing?”

“No rush.” Lin Ke’er’s grin deepened. 

“Let me savor this.”

Mu Xi squeezed her eyes shut, cursing Lin Ke’er a thousand times in her mind.

But to escape, she had to bear this torment.

“You’re so sweet,” Lin Ke’er rasped. 

“Sweeter than the cakes Ye Lan gives you.”

Mu Xi’s heart stirred. 

So, this creep harbored resentment toward Ye Lan, too.

She tested the waters. 

“Sister ke’er, you’re so good to me…”

Lin Ke’er’s hands paused, her eyes lifting to meet Mu Xi’s. 

“Really?”

“Mm.” Mu Xi flashed an innocent smile. 

“Much gentler than Master.”

A dangerous glint sparked in Lin Ke’er’s eyes, but Mu Xi knew her plan had taken root.

“Alright, let’s get back to practice.” Lin Ke’er released her foot and stood, smoothing her collar.

Mu Xi exhaled quietly, tucking her feet back swiftly.

Feigning bashfulness, she murmured, “Sister ke’er, what song should we practice?”

“Let’s start with a simple warm-up.” Lin Ke’er sat at the piano. 

“Follow my rhythm and focus on your breathing.”

Mu Xi nodded obediently and stood beside the piano.

Lin Ke’er played a few notes, signaling her to sing. 

“Ah—”

“No, your breath is too shallow.”

Lin Ke’er rose and slipped behind Mu Xi, her hands encircling her waist, palms pressing against her abdomen. 

“Use your dantian. Feel the strength here.”

Mu Xi stiffened but complied, taking a deep breath.

Lin Ke’er’s fingers lingered, her perfume filling the air with each breath. 

“Try again,” she whispered in Mu Xi’s ear. 

“Relax. Let the sound flow.”

Mu Xi closed her eyes and sang again.

This time, her voice resonated, rich and full, echoing through the music room.

“Not bad.” Lin Ke’er raised an eyebrow, surprised. 

“You’ve got talent.”

In the lessons that followed, Lin Ke’er occasionally took liberties, but she taught earnestly, guiding Mu Xi on breath control, pitch, and basic singing techniques.

“Try this one.” Lin Ke’er handed her a sheet of music. 

“It suits your tone.”

Mu Xi took the score and began to sing, deliberately wavering off-key at times, then soaring with breathtaking clarity to keep Lin Ke’er hooked.

“Strange,” Lin Ke’er frowned. 

“You can sing beautifully, so why do you falter?”

“Maybe I’m too nervous,” Mu Xi said, pouting. 

“With sister ke’er watching, I just…”

“Silly girl.” Lin Ke’er chuckled, pinching her cheek. 

“Relax. Think of me as your closest friend.”

Mu Xi sneered inwardly but flashed a sweet smile. 

“Okay, sister ke’er’s the best.”

Seeing Lin Ke’er’s enraptured look, Mu Xi knew her performance was working.

The creep was utterly charmed.

After two grueling hours, the lesson ended. 

Lin Ke’er took a call and hurried out of the music room.

Mu Xi lingered at the piano, plinking out a simple tune.

She waited a moment before leaving, ensuring she wouldn’t run into Lin Ke’er.

But as she stepped into the hallway, a familiar figure loomed at its end.

Mu Xi’s heart clenched. 

It was the maid from before, the one with the brazen, lingering stare.

“Good afternoon, Miss,” the maid said with a slight bow. 

“I’m Qing Yun, the fifth-floor manager.”

‘Looks can be deceiving,’ Mu Xi thought.

She nodded politely. 

“Hello.”

She tried to slip past, but Qing Yun stepped into her path.

“I see you heading to the music room every day,” Qing Yun said, her eyes roving over Mu Xi. 

“What do you think of a figure like mine?”

Qing Yun thrust out her chest, her ample curves straining against her uniform. 

At least five-foot-seven, her long legs were sheathed in black stockings, her skirt teasingly short.

“It’s beautiful,” Mu Xi lied. 

“I’m jealous of you, sister Qing Yun.”

“No need to rush, Miss.” Qing Yun leaned close, her voice a whisper. 

“I hear the medicinal baths Master prepares for you are quite effective.”

Mu Xi froze. 

This woman knew about the baths.

She forced a calm expression and replied, “Y-yes, they are.”

“Care to visit my room?” Qing Yun’s fingers grazed Mu Xi’s arm. 

“I could share some beauty tips.”

“No, I should get back,” Mu Xi said, stepping away. 

“Master doesn’t like me wandering.”

“Pity.” Qing Yun’s smile was cryptic. 

“Another time, then.”

As Qing Yun sauntered off, her hips swaying, Mu Xi wiped the sweat from her brow.

‘Why is every woman in this manor more dangerous than the last?’