Ye Zhiyun’s braised pork ended up turning to ash in the end.
The poor pot met its demise alongside the braised pork.
Even though the Ye Sisters did everything they could to salvage the iron pot belching thick black smoke, once they extinguished the fire and scraped out the charred remains,
judging from the pot’s bottom—now resembling pulverized coal jammed in so tightly that it wouldn’t budge even under a hammer—
this pot was done for. It could no longer serve the household.
At the lunch table, one braised pork dish was missing.
In Ye Zhibai’s heart, one big iron pot was gone too.
The pot from her previous life had lasted a full seven years! But this one had only been bought a few days ago before it kicked the bucket!
The sheer contrast was shocking!
It left Little Zhibai feeling so down.
She picked up her chopsticks and popped a piece of fish into her mouth.
It was tasty, but not quite as flavorful as it could have been.
She still couldn’t forget the poor iron pot that the maids had just hauled away and tossed out.
“Our pot’s gone… Sigh.”
“Ahem! Sis, don’t worry! No pot doesn’t mean no cooking tomorrow. I’ll have the maids… No, scratch that—I’ll order some online myself right now, with express shipping. We’ll get ten pots!”
Holy crap, no!
Ten pots? What is this, a pot exhibition?
The braised pork fiasco hadn’t dampened Yun’er’s spirits at all.
Throughout lunch, she kept savoring every little moment from last night, eating with relish.
Every time she slowly chewed her food, Ye Zhibai watched her lips and could practically sense that lingering sensuality.
Hmm, there was a saying for this.
You see things in color because you’re wearing colored glasses.
So if you think someone else is being naughty, maybe you’re the naughtiest one of all!
All in all, lunch passed peacefully as always.
Ye Zhibai was quite satisfied with the meal.
But!
The real moment of truth came after they finished eating!
This was the key moment to see if Yun’er would honor the promise she’d made that morning!
Ye Zhibai glanced sidelong at Guang Yu, who was sitting on the floor gnawing on a steamed bun, hoping to draw some courage from her.
But Guang Yu just kept munching away without even looking up.
She had no courage to offer.
Left with no choice, Ye Zhibai had to face this alone.
Ye Zhibai set down her chopsticks and rested her arms on the table.
She cast a beautiful gaze across at Yun’er, who was humming a little tune to herself while bobbing her head and looking back at Ye Zhibai.
“Yun’er, I’ve got some plans this afternoon. I need to head out.”
“Huh? What plans are you talking about, Sis?”
Part of her agreement with Yun’er required Ye Zhibai to report before going out.
She gathered her thoughts and began explaining.
“This afternoon, I want to swing by Lin Zihan’s flower shop. She’s returning the vine I lent her yesterday, and it’ll be a nice chance to get some fresh air. Also, tonight I plan to grab dinner with my new friend Chi Yuliang. That’s it.”
Ye Zhiyun listened patiently.
But she merely blinked, saying nothing.
Ye Zhibai’s heart sank.
It was over.
Was she going to back out?
Was she going to lock her up at home again? She hadn’t even said anything weird!
But no.
After a brief moment of thought, Ye Zhiyun tilted her head with a bright, cheerful smile. Strands of black hair slipped from her shoulder, a sight too beautiful for words.
“Mm-hmm, got it, Sis. You don’t actually have to be so specific, you know? These are all your own freedoms. You’re under no obligation to tell me.”
Wasn’t that your rule?!
She was saying it was fine, no need to worry—but somehow Yun’er had whipped out a little notebook and jotted down Ye Zhibai’s itinerary for the day.
Once she’d finished noting it down, she pocketed the paper and pen.
She stood up to clear the dishes.
“Alright, Sis. I’ll have the Maid Corps keep a discreet eye on you for protection. They’ll follow at a distance so they won’t bother you at all. Just relax.”
“Oh… Okay, then what about you, Yun’er?”
“Me? Hmm… I was thinking a nap. Thanks to you, Sis, I was up so late last night. I bet I could sleep straight through the afternoon without waking up~”
“……”
Why was today’s Yun’er being so agreeable? After clearing the dishes,
Ye Zhiyun even took the initiative to help Ye Zhibai pick out fresh underwear, a dress, and shoes.
She thoughtfully prepared a parasol too.
With everything ready, she waved from the entryway as she saw her off.
“Have fun with your new friend, Sis! Don’t come back too late, and stay in touch!”
“Sure…?”
Ye Zhibai gripped the air—or rather, Little Fox’s paw.
Filled with confusion, she stepped out through the mansion’s front gate.
This was the first time in her life she’d left home with complete freedom!
The air of freedom was utterly refreshing!
But…
Everything had gone too smoothly.
Suspiciously smooth.
“Guang Yu, do you think there might be a catch?”
“Deep-fried? What deep-fried? The braised pork? The pot’s already gone.”
“Forget the pot. The pot’s gone, and we’re both to blame.”
“Ack?!”
Guang Yu really didn’t get it.
What blame do we have?!
The pot burned because you and Ye Zhiyun were being all lovey-dovey first thing in the morning, sprinkling dog food everywhere!
And now you’re making me take the fall?
No way, no way. I’m just a little kitty normally. I don’t eat dog food.
Oh, or cat food either.
Asking Guang Yu was pointless anyway.
Ye Zhibai smoothed the hem of her unfamiliar snowy-white dress and gripped her parasol tightly.
Whatever. The goal was achieved.
She could roam freely across this land—that was what mattered!
Maybe Yun’er really was as confident as she’d claimed, granting her full freedom without a care!
Happy Little Zhibai set off on her adventure!
The Ye Family’s Maid Corps had all undergone specialized training in stealth.
They concealed their presence expertly, hiding in the shadows where they were hard to spot.
From afar, the Head Maid used her walkie-talkie to direct dozens of maids shadowing the Eldest Miss from behind, protecting her while maintaining a safe distance to avoid being spotted and ruining her outing.
The Eldest Miss’s expression was impassive, giving no hint of her mood.
But the Head Maid knew her own mood right now was one of utter exasperation.
She glanced helplessly to the side.
At the “suspicious character” hiding with her behind the utility pole, observing the Eldest Miss’s movements from afar.
On this sweltering summer day, the figure was bundled up in a heavy brown trench coat, wearing sunglasses and a mask, topped off with a wide-brimmed sun hat that shaded their face completely.
Not just suspicious—downright alarming.
The kind of getup that would get them hauled in for questioning by the cops on sight.
The Head Maid couldn’t help but speak up.
“Second Miss… Aren’t you hot? This seems excessive. If you wanted to go out with the Eldest Miss, why not just join her openly?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
The disguised Ye Zhiyun—unrecognizable now—fixed her deep blue eyes beneath the sunglasses on Ye Zhibai’s distant figure, her tone earnest.
“My sister wants her freedom. She’s meeting a new friend—if I tag along openly, what would that say? Once or twice is fine, but too many times, and she’ll start hating me for it. I don’t want that.”
“……”
Oh boy.
Personally, I think if the Eldest Miss catches you stalking her like this, that’ll really get you hated.
Before the Head Maid could sigh and say more,
Ye Zhiyun had already crept out from behind the pole and darted to the next hiding spot!
“Quick, keep up! Sis is heading east!”
“Sigh…”
Fine, fine.
As long as you two are happy.
This pair of sisters…
The Head Maid was truly at a loss for words!
