With Hua’er’s help, Zhu Ping’an made it to the study and sat down on the edge of the bed. He shook his head slightly and said softly, “Hua’er, could you please pour me a cup of water? Then you can go about your tasks. I’ll drink it and lie down for a bit.”
“Alright, alright, Young Master,” Hua’er replied, seeming a bit shy.
“Hua’er, are you cold? Your face looks all red from the chill,” Zhu Ping’an said with concern, noticing her flushed cheeks.
That only made Hua’er’s face turn even redder.
“Young Master, I’ll pour you some water first, then go about my work…” Hua’er said, her little face practically glowing.
“Thanks for the trouble, Hua’er,” Zhu Ping’an nodded in gratitude.
“No trouble at all! Hua’er is very willing—super willing,” Hua’er said, her face so red it looked like it might drip blood.
Seeing her cheeks so flushed, Zhu Ping’an was slightly puzzled.
It wasn’t that cold in the room. With the underfloor heating, it might not be summer-warm, but it definitely felt like spring.
Maybe she’d gotten chilled coming in from outside.
Zhu Ping’an didn’t think much of it.
Soon, Hua’er brought a cup of warm water. Zhu Ping’an downed it in one go, and his body no longer felt parched—much more comfortable.
“Hua’er, I’ll rest for a bit. You go do your thing.”
With that, Zhu Ping’an lay down, pulled a blanket over himself, closed his eyes, and let his mind go blank.
Under the influence of the alcohol, combined with the exhaustion from the intense Suzhou defense battle over the past few days, his mind emptied out, and he fell asleep almost the moment his head hit the pillow. A faint snoring soon followed.
Hua’er turned and closed the study door, then walked softly to Zhu Ping’an’s bedside. She called gently, “Young Master, Young Master…”
His light snoring continued.
“Young Master, then… then I’ll start doing my tasks. You agreed earlier, and it’s what the Young Mistress told me to do too.”
“Of course, I’m very willing—super willing.”
“Young Master, I’m really, really willing.”
Hua’er’s face burned as she looked at the sleeping Zhu Ping’an, whispering to herself. Then, tiptoeing, she climbed onto the bed.
But just as she got up there, she hopped back down.
She poured herself a cup of water, carefully rinsed her mouth, and then, face still red, climbed back onto the bed.
“Young Master, I’m starting now…”
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
Hot.
So hot.
Zhu Ping’an vaguely felt like he’d stepped into summer, a warm breeze brushing against his body, tugging at his collar.
It was like being on a business trip, soaking naked in a hotel bathtub filled with warm water.
So comfortable.
Incredibly comfortable.
It felt like heaven.
Or like a Sunday—no classes, no job applications—just lounging in a warm single bed, refusing to get up.
The landlord’s orange tabby from next door had slipped into the room, meowing and purring as it jumped onto the bed, rubbing against his arm.
That big ol’ orange cat was always after his dried fish snacks. Even though they were spicy, the chubby thing gobbled them up, purring and rubbing against him just for a piece.
But today, this fat tabby seemed heavier than usual. After just a few days, how’d it get so heavy? Several times heavier—like a little piglet.
And now, as if annoyed he hadn’t offered the fish yet, the cat started licking his hand, acting cute and clingy.
Heh, alright, alright, stop licking—I’ll get you the fish.
Uh…
Let me get up—don’t rush, don’t lick—uh, where’d I put the dried fish? In the drawer? On the desk? Why can’t I remember? My head’s all fuzzy…
Whoa, whoa, stop it—hold on, where are you going? You can’t just burrow into the blankets like that…
Zhu Ping’an felt this cat was getting out of line and reached to grab it before it went too far.
Reaching, reaching—I’m reaching—what the hell? What’s going on? His hands wouldn’t move—like he was pinned down by a ghost. No matter how he tried, they wouldn’t budge.
The orange cat was growing bolder, burrowing deeper into the blankets.
What the—? What’s this nonsense? I’m not some weirdo!
In a panic, Zhu Ping’an finally managed to move his hand, pressing down on the “cat”—wait, what? Why was its fur so long?
This fur had to be at least 40 or 50 centimetres—way too long, like human hair.
Hold on.
Something’s off.
This texture, this length—what he was holding felt like human hair?!
Zhu Ping’an jolted awake, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. He snapped out of his dream and opened his eyes.
And locked gazes with Hua’er beneath him.
Big eyes meeting small ones.
His hand was on Hua’er’s hair, and she was…
“Hua… Hua’er, what are you doing?” Zhu Ping’an stammered, staring at her in shock and disbelief.
Hua’er lifted her chubby little face, looking up at him like a kitten, her words muffled. “I’m doing my tasks. The Young Mistress told me to, and you said I could, Young Master…”
“You—”
Zhu Ping’an sighed, a mix of speechlessness and resignation. At this point, the water was spilled—nothing to be done. He just stroked her hair and said, “Go ahead with your tasks.”
“Young Master, earlier I couldn’t speak clearly because my mouth was full. And then I stopped talking because the head nanny said it’s rude to speak with something in your mouth,” Hua’er explained softly after finishing, rinsing her mouth, her head bowed like a kitten, her voice barely audible.
“Why, though?” Zhu Ping’an asked helplessly.
“I’m a dowry maid—it’s my job to ease the Young Mistress’s burdens,” Hua’er said matter-of-factly, as if it were the most natural thing.
Before Zhu Ping’an could respond, she continued, rambling on:
“It’s what the Young Mistress told me to do. Of course, I’m very, very, very, very—so, so, so very—willing to do it. Actually, it’s been a while. Back when we came south from the capital, the Young Mistress said I should serve you, take good care of you, and not let any outside women get a chance.”
“She’s brought it up several times since arriving from the capital. These past few days, after you returned victorious, she said you’ve been pent up and struggling. And you even wanted her to do those fancy things—Young Master, how could you ask that of her? She’s a refined lady from a noble family, delicate as gold and jade—how could she do those things?”
“That’s where I come in. I’m willing to do it—any fancy thing, I can handle it. I’m happy to do it all.”
“Young Master, it’s true—I’m not lying. I’m really, really willing.”
“Young Master, please don’t reject me. I’m not greedy. Just being by the Young Mistress’s and your side is enough for me.”
“I don’t want status—I don’t care about that. As long as I can stay with you and the Young Mistress forever, that’s all I need.”
“Young Master, with the Young Mistress so pregnant and nearing delivery, she’s worried you’ll suffer and go looking for some shady women.”
“Young Master, you don’t need to look outside. You’ve got someone right here in the house—me, Hua’er.”
