Ye Zhibai had heard about the Ye Family’s banquet hall long before.
“Heard about it” — that was just these past couple of days, when she’d been out for walks in the outer courtyard and overheard the maids gossiping.
They said the Maid Corps rotated through cleaning the mansion, anywhere at all, but nobody wanted the shift for the banquet hall.
The reason was obvious: the banquet hall was enormous, and cleaning it was a backbreaking chore.
— Every time they finished, they’d practically destroy a mop in the process. Such a waste.
Ye Zhibai had only given a wry smile inside back then.
She figured they were exaggerating.
A mop breaking down from mopping the floor? That thing’s quality must’ve been worse than the rickety old chair in her old apartment that squeaked like crazy!
But now,
Standing right in front of the grand entrance to the so-called “Ye Family Banquet Hall,”
She got it.
Ye Zhibai craned her neck, gaping up at this five-star hotel that soared endlessly into the sky, all gold and glamour with flashing lights — ridiculously over-the-top. She was utterly dumbfounded.
Her left hand absentmindedly stroked Guang Yu the little fox’s head for comfort, then she turned to Yun’er at her side.
“Yun’er… didn’t you say we were going to the banquet hall? Why does this look like a hotel — and such a ritzy one? Did they change venues?”
“Hm? Oh… Sorry, sis! I should’ve told you sooner. This is our family’s banquet hall. Not a hotel at all. See the sign over there? Um… phone call. Hang on, sis. I’ll check with Dad — not sure if he’s here yet.”
Oh, no worries, take your call.
Thanks for pointing it out. Lemme check it myself.
Ye Zhibai glanced in the direction Ye Zhiyun was pointing.
Holy crap, it really was!
The plaque didn’t say some fancy hotel name. It plainly read “Ye Group Banquet Hall”!
This “banquet hall” was only about a kilometer from the villa where Ye Zhibai lived — practically next door.
On closer inspection, the people at the entrance were all Ye Family maids and bodyguards in their signature uniforms, unmistakable. No other guests in sight — definitely not a hotel.
Ye Zhibai spotted the glittering building on her evening strolls all the time.
She’d thought back then: Impressive! What a massive five-star hotel. So stately!
Turned out today: Holy crap.
It was their family cafeteria!
Out of the corner of her eye, Ye Zhibai caught sight of a young maid from the house trudging out, lugging a big mop. Coming from the cafeteria… er, the banquet hall.
Sweat poured off her; she’d clearly just wrapped up cleaning the banquet hall.
The maid ducked under a tree for shade, dumped the mop nearby, and stretched her arms overhead.
Nice — unwinding after work with some stretches. Solid habit!
Back in her previous life, Ye Zhibai would hop around after her part-time gigs too. Nearly caved in the house’s crappy floorboards!
Good times!
But… the maid’s follow-up after stretching?
It left both Ye Zhibai and Guang Yu completely baffled.
The maid took a deep breath, snatched up the mop, and hurled it at the stout tree with all her might!!
A resounding clang echoed as the mop shattered into pieces!
She pumped her fist, stomping in glee!
Her triumphant shout carried clearly over to Ye Zhibai.
“Yes! Yes! Off duty! Off duty! Yours truly finally cleaned this godforsaken banquet hall! Hell yeah! Freedom! Freedom!! So damn satisfying!!”
Little Fox Guang Yu was horrified!
“Ye Zhibai… you humans are so violent. Off duty’s off duty — why go berserk like that?”
“Varies by person. Plus, Guang Yu, get this: humans need to blow off steam. Not like you, all carefree and heartless. Say I’m stressed or pissed — I’d have to sock you to vent. Same idea.”
“Ohhh… Got it… Wait, what?! You’d sock me?!”
“Nah.”
I mean, only if push comes to shove.
Like if you dumped wasabi in my water glass.
Okay, now Ye Zhibai totally got why the maids said mops got wrecked cleaning the banquet hall. Sorry, mop — my bad on the quality slander!
That maid obviously hadn’t spotted the two young misses showing up out of nowhere.
Once she’d finished her ritual, she whipped around and nearly keeled over in shock!
Face falling, she gingerly swept the mop shards into the trash, then glided away with impeccable Ye Family maid grace.
People wear so many masks.
Just like you after punching out… and you after running into the boss right after.
Nothing but real talk!
Ye Zhiyun had just wrapped up her call to Ye Qinghe and was pocketing her phone.
From what Ye Zhibai overheard, he’d arrived early and was waiting inside.
Ye Zhiyun held out her hand to Ye Zhibai.
Her dark hair swayed as she tilted her head with a smile.
“Come on, sis. We’re home. Family dinner time.”
“…”
Ye Zhibai’s eyes bounced between the five-star-hotel-esque banquet hall and Yun’er’s words, turning them over in her mind.
Right then, her brain boiled it down to two words.
— Badass.
The banquet hall’s interior put the outside to shame in extravagance.
Stepping inside made it crystal clear: this wasn’t any hotel.
Endless ranks of luxury tables and chairs. A decked-out executive lounge. A speaker’s podium up front.
Everything screamed how packed and buzzing it’d get for big business summits or holidays.
But right now? The colossal space held only Ye Zhibai, Ye Zhiyun, and their two trailing maids.
Just like Yun’er said: family dinner meant family only.
Alright, Guang Yu, you tagged along for wasabi — guess you’re family now too.
Oh, and Ye Zhibai with Ye Zhiyun? Rocking plain old loungewear.
Pale pink shirts, brown shorts — neat and comfy, no complaints.
Problem: they matched.
Total couple’s outfit vibes!
Wait… no, sisters’ matching gear.
Guang Yu had even divine-powered an identical set onto herself.
Lucky no one could see her, or it’d be a nightmare triple clash!
Poor Little Zhibai was the only one irked by it.
Eh… Yun’er picked ’em out, said they’d look great. Just wear ’em.
Maybe. Ye Zhibai wasn’t big on clothes anyway — anything but floaty skirts worked.
Spotting her sister’s unease, Ye Zhiyun scooted closer.
“Relax, sis. I know you’re all about style and elegance. Places like this? You’d wanna rock a glamorous gown. I’d kill to see it! But that’s exhausting~ Family dinner at home — casual’s fine. Nobody goes super formal for family grub, right? Right? Haha!”
You’re assuming again!!
Glam gown? Kill me first!!
But yeah, Yun’er had a point. Family meal — no fuss needed.
Nobody’d dress to the nines!
She could chuckle along inwardly!
Hahaha!
Ten seconds later? No more laughing for Ye Zhibai.
Ye Qinghe — already there — was suited up to the hilt: vest, tie, polished shoes, hair slicked with gel. Fancier than the annual business gala!
He eyed his daughters’ loungewear, glanced at his own getup,
And bowed his head in embarrassment.
Dad!!!
We’re the ones who should hang our heads — not you!!
