Chapter 367: Maintenance

She did not look at Mu Xi again.

Instead, she walked to the lounge area on the other side of the terrace, where several comfortable lounge chairs and a small round table were arranged.

She elegantly sat down on one of the lounge chairs, crossed her legs, and looked toward the distant, hard outline of Stone City.

Her profile made her seem even more unattainable.

Mu Xi secretly watched her profile, her gracefully shaped neck, and her glossy black long hair, and her heart still pounded hard.

The quiet atmosphere lasted for a moment, with only the murmuring of the hot spring and the soft sound of the breeze passing by.

Just when Mu Xi thought Ling Yue would not speak again and that she could catch her breath a little, Ling Yue’s voice rose again, breaking the brief silence.

“Before you practice the piano this afternoon,” she said without turning back, her voice still flat, “I will first give your hands some care.”

Mu Xi’s heart sank sharply. ‘Hand care?’

She unconsciously lifted her own hands and looked at them.

Because Ye Lan had protected them well, her hands were indeed delicate and fair, her fingers slender, and her nails trimmed round and neat.

But these hands had not truly played music for herself in a long time.

Teacher Ling Yue liked her hands.

This realization sent an inexplicable chill through Mu Xi, mixed with a stirring she could not name.

“Then,” Ling Yue continued, as if merely stating an established fact, “we will review in advance what I taught you before.”

Mu Xi’s heart went completely cold, ‘Review…’

For her now, what meaning was there in learning music?

Once, music had been her hobby, her only comfort in the oppressive environment of the Manor.

She truly did love music, and loved the feeling of beautiful melodies flowing from her fingertips.

But now, compared with a faraway music dream, she enjoyed the present more, grasping these tiny permitted pleasures, such as soaking in the hot spring and reading books, which was more realistic.

Besides, practicing together with Teacher Ling Yue was too stressful.

Every practice session meant being alone in a room with Teacher Ling Yue for a long time.

She needed to concentrate and deal with Teacher Ling Yue’s strict demands, and even more, endure that ubiquitous gaze that flustered her.

Especially after that nightmare, she truly did not want to get close to Teacher Ling Yue anymore.

But could she refuse?

What reason did she have to refuse?

Say she did not want to learn anymore?

Say she only wanted to muddle along and wait to die?

Teacher Ling Yue was a world-class vocal master.

Refusing her would be disrespectful to Teacher Ling Yue.

Moreover, Teacher Ling Yue had once tried to help her.

Although it ultimately failed, Mu Xi kept that kindness in her heart.

She could not refuse, and she was too embarrassed to refuse.

“…Okay.” Countless words stuck in her throat, and in the end they became only a low syllable, almost inaudible.

Mu Xi lowered her eyelids and looked at her blurred reflection on the water, feeling a deep wave of helplessness sweep over her whole body.

“Mm.” Ling Yue seemed quite satisfied with her obedience and gave a soft response.

Then she stood up, turned her head, and her gaze fell on Mu Xi again.

“Now, come out.” Her voice allowed no argument.

Mu Xi looked at her, then at her own body still soaking in the water, and her cheeks heated again.

Although Ling Yue had just said “we are both women,” she still could not walk out naked under Teacher Ling Yue’s gaze.

“Um… Teacher Ling Yue…” Mu Xi’s voice was as faint as a mosquito, pleading, “Could you… could you turn around first?”

Ling Yue looked at her embarrassed, flustered appearance, and a very faint, barely perceptible smile flashed through her eyes, so quick it seemed like an illusion.

She did not say much, but complied, slowly and elegantly turning around, leaving Mu Xi a slender, upright back.

Only then did Mu Xi breathe a sigh of relief and hurriedly, clumsily climb out of the hot spring pool.

Warm water droplets slid down her fair skin, glimmering faintly in the sunlight.

She did not dare delay, quickly grabbing the neatly folded bath towel nearby and wiping her body haphazardly, her movements hurried and clumsy.

The cool air touched her wet skin, making her unable to suppress a shiver.

She quickly picked up clean clothes and dressed neatly as fast as possible.

It was a soft, comfortable white cotton dress, newly prepared for her by the Butler.

After fixing her clothes and hair, she took a deep breath and only then said quietly, “Te… Teacher, I am ready.”

Ling Yue turned around, her gaze resting on her for a moment, as if confirming whether she was properly dressed.

“Follow me.” She was concise and to the point, taking the lead toward the stairway.

Mu Xi did not dare be negligent and quickly stepped forward to follow.

The metal stairs made regular sounds beneath their feet.

Mu Xi followed behind Ling Yue, watching her swaying, graceful back, and smelling the faint, elusive cool fragrance belonging to Teacher Ling Yue in the air, the unease in her heart growing stronger.

She did not know what would happen next.

What exactly would this so-called hand care be like?

The two walked down the stairs one after the other and returned to the second floor.

Ling Yue did not return to the living room, nor did she go to the piano room, but walked straight to her bedroom.

The door was gently pushed open.

Teacher Ling Yue’s room gave off an invisible pressure.

The whole room revealed its owner’s personality: cool, restrained, meticulous.

Mu Xi stood at the doorway, hesitating and not entering immediately.

“Come in.” Ling Yue’s voice came from inside the room.

Mu Xi bit her lip, and ultimately stepped inside.

“Sit.” Ling Yue pointed to the chair beside the table.

Ling Yue had already walked to a small round table by the window.

On the table were various bottles and jars, as well as some small tools Mu Xi had never seen before that looked very professional.

Mu Xi obediently sat down, placing her hands nervously on her knees, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

Ling Yue sat down opposite her, picked up an exquisite white porcelain bottle, and unscrewed the lid.

A fresh scent with a faint floral fragrance drifted out.

Then, under Mu Xi’s nervous gaze, Ling Yue extended her hand.

Her fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, her nails trimmed clean and neat, carrying an artistic beauty.

That hand, slowly and with no room for refusal, grasped Mu Xi’s left hand resting on her knee.

The moment their skin touched, Mu Xi trembled violently as if shocked by electricity!

Ling Yue’s fingers had a slightly cool touch, yet seemed to carry some strange magic, making all the blood in Mu Xi’s body seem to freeze.

Her gaze unconsciously fell on their clasped hands.

Teacher Ling Yue’s fingers gently wrapped around the back of her hand.

That slightly cool warmth seeped in bit by bit through her skin, bringing an indescribable feeling that flustered her.

“Don’t move.” Ling Yue’s voice was very soft, carrying a soothing tone, but to Mu Xi’s ears it sounded more like a command.

She raised her eyes and met Ling Yue’s eyes, deep as an ancient pool.

In those eyes seemed to hide too many emotions she could not understand.

The next second, Ling Yue used her other hand to scoop out the milky white cream from the porcelain bottle and gently, carefully applied it to the back of Mu Xi’s hand.

A cool, smooth sensation came, accompanied by that elegant fragrance.

Ling Yue’s fingers gently moved in circles, spreading the cream evenly, her movements focused and gentle.