Xie Yier once again deliberately led the way into a small path between the mansions, then purposefully made a few sharp turns, ramping up the challenge for Mi Meng as she tried to keep track.
How could Mi Ci, who had not lived in the Royal Capital for years, ever match Xie Yier’s tricks?
Trailing behind, Mi Lian soon lost sight of her.
She looked left and right warily, but could no longer find the familiar silhouette of her sister.
“Crap! I must have been discovered!”
These mansions stood one after another, and there was no way she could randomly climb up onto some building to keep following.
Gazing at the nearly identical stately mansions in front of her, she grew so angry she pounded a stone pillar by the roadside, her teeth itching in frustration.
“I don’t believe you can shake me off every single day! Just wait! I have to see exactly what kind of person could possibly make my sister so lovestruck! One day, I’ll definitely catch you two women in the act!”
No, wait, that’s not the right word.
They were a couple to begin with.
Xie Yier waited for a while in a hidden corner, only moving on once she was certain Mi Cai hadn’t caught up, resuming her path toward the newly purchased mansion.
She had a key to the mansion’s main gate, which she quickly unlocked and slipped inside with a swift movement.
After all, she had just bought the place and hadn’t even had time to hire any servants yet.
At this hour, the entire mansion was silent and empty, with a chill that came from its vacancy.
Moonlight streamed in through the tall windows, illuminating the floor and the old furniture. The undecorated corridor looked especially empty and quiet.
Xie Yier didn’t linger, heading straight up to the third floor.
Warm light spilled out from under the door to the Main Bedroom.
She gently pushed the door open.
Inside the room, Aier was curled up in the center of the large bed, seemingly already asleep.
Xie Yier quietly walked to the bedside, lifted a corner of the blanket, and slipped in.
As she stretched out her arm, she naturally wrapped it around Aier’s slender waist, pulling her gently into her embrace.
In her dream, Aier felt a sudden tightness, followed by a familiar, gentle floral fragrance and something pressed up against her back, with warm breath brushing the nape of her neck.
Aier jolted awake, her body instinctively tensing.
“Who is it?!”
She habitually called out, trying to turn around.
“It’s me,” Xie Yier’s deep voice sounded by her ear, tinged with a bit of playful laughter. “Who else did you think it was?”
“I—I thought a thief broke in…”
Aier’s nerves finally relaxed, and she let out a long sigh.
She turned over and obediently snuggled into Xie Yier’s warm embrace, nose rubbing gently against the calming scent on the other’s body.
The two were so close, they could feel each other’s breath.
Aier’s fair cheeks couldn’t help but start to flush.
Already unsettled by her mischievous little sister earlier, she now found herself growing even hotter in Xie Yier’s embrace.
Her mind kept conjuring up all sorts of vivid, suggestive images.
Why do I keep having these thoughts?
It’s not my fault she teases me so much!
Aier grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, she just replied shyly, “I—I’m fine…”
“Are you really fine? You look like you’re burning up.”
Xie Yier purposely pressed closer, her cool fingers—carrying an obvious teasing intent—slipped lightly into Aier’s nightgown collar and stroked her warm collarbone.
Aier shivered at the sudden cool touch.
“It’s n-nothing, I can… hold on…”
She hadn’t finished defending herself before Xie Yier sealed her lips with a kiss.
When it finally ended, Xie Yier retreated a bit, eyes narrowed in a smile as she looked at her.
“Do you feel a bit better now?”
How could she feel better! She was even hotter now!
Aier’s face was as red as a ripe apple, and she could only respond in a tiny voice, “Mm… a little…”
“Really? But why do I feel like you’re even hotter?”
With that, Xie Yier mischievously leaned in even closer, softly blowing on Aier’s sensitive ear.
With just that, Aier felt her whole face burn.
Her heart pounded as if it were about to leap right out.
Her mind was already starting to imagine all sorts of inappropriate scenes again.
“Hmm? Still so hot? Are you feeling unwell? Or maybe you’ve caught a fever?”
Feigning concern, Xie Yier pressed her hand to Aier’s forehead.
As if she didn’t know what was going on!
She was just deliberately bullying her cute little darling for fun.
After all, knowing how much she’d teased her last night, another round tonight might be a bit much for her poor sweetheart.
“I—I’ll go wash my face…”
Aier suddenly wriggled out of Xie Yier’s arms, quickly put on her shoes, and rushed off to the bathroom.
She plunged her face straight into the cold water in the washbasin.
After staying in the bathroom for a long time, Aier finally managed to force herself to calm down.
She took a deep breath and, after mentally preparing herself, quietly returned to the bedroom.
Xie Yier had already settled herself back in. When she saw her darling return, she simply lifted a corner of the blanket in invitation.
This time, she just quietly held Aier in her arms, no longer making any moves to tease her.
Aier’s tense body finally relaxed completely.
Sleepiness quickly crept in, and she nestled into Xie Yier’s embrace, drifting off into a deep slumber.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the night on Yute Street, there was still a certain girl wandering aimlessly.
She’d been circling around for over an hour. The couple had probably already finished everything, while she was still out here spinning around like a headless fly.
Just thinking about how her sister was probably entwined with that mysterious beauty at this very moment, a wave of inexplicable frustration made her teeth itch.
“So annoying! Forget it, I’m going home!”
The next morning, Aier woke up in the unfamiliar room.
She hadn’t slept well last night, and the strangeness of the new environment made it hard for her to rest.
She stretched lightly, moving her somewhat stiff bones.
Turning her head, she saw that Xie Yier was still sleeping.
Sunlight filtered through the window, outlining the gentle curve of her beautiful profile.
Aier didn’t disturb her, but just turned to the side, quietly resting her chin on the pillow as she focused intently on Xie Yier’s peaceful face.
It was a rare moment to see Xie Yier so relaxed.
Before, she’d always been the one being gazed at by her partner. Now that their roles were reversed… it felt a bit novel.
After watching for a while, Aier remembered she should prepare breakfast.
There were no servants here, so she’d have to do it herself.
She tiptoed out of bed and walked into the Royal Kitchen.
Staring at the cold, unfamiliar stove and the sparse utensils, Aier felt a little lost.
She’d gotten used to the pampered days in the Castle; starting a fire and cooking again gave her a faint sense of unfamiliarity.
It’s been so long since I cooked myself…
I wonder if I can still manage…
Well, boiling some porridge should be no problem.
There were only some simple supplies in the Royal Kitchen, left for the occasional staff who came to check the place.
Half a bag of millet, a few potatoes, and a handful of dried mushrooms.
Having confirmed the ingredients, Aier made up her mind.
Just make a plain porridge, then.
Recalling each step, she skillfully lit the fire and set the pot on to boil water.
While waiting for the water to heat, she quickly diced the potatoes and sliced the mushrooms.
Once the water boiled, she poured in the millet, patiently stirring to keep it from sticking.
After the grains softened halfway, she added the chopped ingredients.
As the porridge simmered and the aroma of food gradually spread, she sprinkled in a bit of seasoning, turned off the heat, and ladled two bowls, setting them on the table before cleaning up the kitchen.