“Um… could you help me wash my clothes?” Mu Xi gestured toward the wardrobe, trying to sound casual, not wanting Little An to feel like she was being “given charity.”
“Of course! It’s an honor to wash Sister’s clothes!”
Little An became excited again, her eyes sparkling as if she’d just received some monumental task.
She hurried over to the wardrobe, carefully opened the door, and looked at the array of gorgeous, exquisite dresses inside.
Her eyes were full of envy and longing, mixed with a hint of bashful retreat.
She reached out her rough little hand, gently stroking the fabric of a dress, her movements as delicate as if she were handling a fragile treasure.
“Sister, these clothes… they’re all so beautiful…” Little An murmured, her voice filled with yearning.
Mu Xi walked beside her and followed her gaze to the dresses in the wardrobe.
All these dresses had been prepared for her by Ye Lan, intricate and luxurious in design, made from expensive materials, each one worth a small fortune.
But Mu Xi didn’t feel any fondness for these extravagant clothes.
Instead, they felt like a restraint—a kind of shackle.
“If you like, you can try one on,” Mu Xi said suddenly, her tone calm but carrying a trace of indulgence she didn’t even realize herself.
Little An’s eyes shot up in shock and disbelief, as if she’d heard the most unbelievable thing.
She stared at Mu Xi, stammering, “I… I can… try on Sister’s clothes?”
“Mm, if you want to.” Mu Xi nodded, her voice firm.
Little An’s breath quickened instantly, her cheeks flushing deep red.
Her eyes were filled with longing, mixed with a deep hesitation and unease.
She carefully extended her hand, trembling fingertips touching a pale pink puffy dress.
She recoiled as if shocked by electricity, then couldn’t help but reach out again, repeating this back-and-forth as if wrestling with a difficult decision.
In the end, desire won over unease.
Little An took a deep breath as if she’d made a firm resolve and suddenly grabbed the pink puffy dress, clutching it tightly to her chest as if afraid Mu Xi would change her mind.
She looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude and cautious hope, and asked with a trembling voice, “Sister, can I… try this one on?”
Mu Xi watched her treasure-like expression and was suddenly overwhelmed by a complex emotion—bitterness, pity, and a faint helplessness.
She nodded lightly, a faint smile curving her lips.
“Of course. Go ahead and try it on.”
With Mu Xi’s permission, Little An’s face instantly lit up with a radiant smile, like the sky clearing after a storm.
That smile was pure and filled with joy, as if she’d received the most precious treasure in the world.
She hugged the dress carefully and walked into the bathroom, her movements as gentle as if cradling a fragile dream.
Mu Xi sighed as she watched Little An’s figure disappear through the bathroom door.
She had only meant to find something for Little An to do to ease her mind, but she hadn’t expected a casual remark to excite her so much.
It seemed that, for Little An, wearing her clothes was more than just trying on a dress.
It was a symbol of status, a proof of acceptance, even… the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream.
The bathroom echoed with the quiet sounds of clothes being changed, and soon Little An came out.
Mu Xi was momentarily stunned when she saw her.
The pink puffy dress was a bit large on Little An, the hem trailing on the floor, but surprisingly fitting.
The once rough and dull little girl seemed to be infused with a certain magic from the dress, suddenly becoming vibrant.
The pink color brought a flush to her pale cheeks, giving her a girlish delicacy.
Her previously empty, numb eyes now shimmered with a shy and joyful glow unique to a young girl.
She stood there, nervously twisting her fingers, her gaze flickering uncertainly but unable to stop sneaking glances at Mu Xi, carrying a hint of anxious anticipation.
Mu Xi complimented Little An’s appearance, which made Little An even more embarrassed, standing awkwardly, the pink skirt gathering softly at her feet like a fluffy cloud.
She fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes darting about, unwilling to look directly at Mu Xi, but unable to stop herself from stealing quick looks, longing for more affirmation.
At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door—two gentle taps—breaking the delicate silence in the room.
The maid’s voice came from outside the door, formal and respectful: “Miss Mu Xi, Master Ye Lan requests you downstairs. It concerns Madam Karin and requires your apology.”
Mu Xi’s smile froze instantly, her heart sinking.
An apology?
Madam Karin surely wasn’t asking for a simple apology.
She looked at Little An, whose face had also gone pale.
The glow from the dress quickly faded, her eyes growing hollow and uneasy again.
“Sister…” Little An grabbed Mu Xi’s hand, her fingertips cold but her grip strong, filled with a primal fear.
“What’s wrong with Madam Karin?”
Mu Xi clasped Little An’s hand back, feeling the roughness and tremble in her palm, a surge of pity welling up inside her.
She slowed her voice to soothe her, “It’s nothing, don’t worry. It’s just an apology.”
Though she said so, Mu Xi knew in her heart the matter wouldn’t be that simple.
A proud and vindictive woman like Madam Karin would never let things slide easily.
“But…” Little An was still uneasy.
She’d seen how ruthless Madam Karin could be; just thinking about her icy gaze sent chills down her spine.
“I don’t know what happened, but Madam Karin… she could kill someone.”
Mu Xi’s heart sank.
‘Kill someone?’
The very word seemed to freeze the air in the room.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and gave Little An a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry. This is the Manor; Ye Lan won’t let her do anything reckless.”
She paused, then added softly, as if saying it for both Little An and herself, “I’ll be careful.”
Mu Xi walked to the door.
Little An still held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.
Mu Xi looked back and gently patted the back of her hand, her tone gentle but carrying a barely perceptible firmness.
“Be good, wait for me here. Everything will be fine.”
She pried Little An’s fingers apart and turned to leave.
Little An stood still, watching Mu Xi’s departing figure with worry and helplessness in her eyes.
She clutched the pink dress tightly, as if holding onto a shred of safety.
This dress was given to her by Mu Xi.
Mu Xi was so kind to her; she didn’t want anything to happen to her.
Mu Xi followed the maid to the Manor’s grand hall on the first floor.
The gilded vintage elevator stopped smoothly at the first floor, the doors sliding open to reveal a magnificent hall.
The enormous crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, reflecting brilliantly off the marble floor.
Bodyguards in black uniforms stood motionless like statues on either side, their sharp gazes sweeping the surroundings.
Ye Lan sat on the velvet sofa, her posture lazy yet elegant.
Her long black hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, her deep phoenix eyes calm and undisturbed.
Madam Karin sat opposite her, her golden curls immaculate, her mink coat still wrapped around her.
Her jeweled accessories glittered harshly under the lights.
Her expression was clearly angry, her mouth constantly moving as she spoke sharply and harshly, her finger frequently pointing toward Mu Xi.
Mu Xi stepped forward, hearing Madam Karin’s sharp voice: “… Absolutely lawless! Ye Lan, look at the pet you’ve raised—she actually dared to scald me with hot water! Such a lowly creature deserves a proper lesson!”