The next day, Ye Zhibai woke up full of vigor.
In theory, this summer vacation should have been paradise for her. No school, no need to work like she used to—every day could start with that early-morning burst of energy, leaving her as the cheerful Little Zhibai she was meant to be.
But the past few days had been rough. She’d been forced into the role of Yun’er’s personal power plant, tormented relentlessly and drained dry of energy. On top of that, she’d endured three days of Aunt Flo’s unwelcome visit.
In her exhausted, nearly broken state (though not quite to the point of life or death), Little Zhibai had fought hard the night before and struck a deal with Yun’er—an agreement.
The terms were friendly to both sides.
For Ye Zhibai, it meant securing three full days of rest. At least that would give her a chance to recover from her period’s aches and pains, saving the real battles for another day.
For Ye Zhiyun, it guaranteed that three evenings from now, she could let loose without limits—no time constraints, just pure, unrestrained affection for her big sister… or whatever one might call it.
Yes, both had gotten what they wanted most. That was the foundation for any solid agreement.
Of course, Ye Zhibai still harbored some worries about what lay ahead after those three days.
But as the saying goes—no tears until they see the coffin… er, scratch that. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it!
Maybe she’d be wiped out three days from now, but at least for the next three days, starting right this moment, she could finally relax.
Proof positive? When Ye Zhibai woke up from that deep sleep, she felt truly refreshed and clear-headed.
How refreshed? Guang Yu even noticed that after Ye Zhibai finished washing up bright and early, she actually started putting on socks and changing into a little skirt!
Normally, Ye Zhibai would revert to full couch-potato mode right after brushing her teeth—flopping straight back onto the bed and not stirring until noon.
What had gotten into her today?
In her Little Tea Cat form, Guang Yu curled up on the edge of the bed, her cat eyes wide with shock.
“Ye Zhibai, Ye Zhibai, are you okay? Is this some kind of period hangover? If it’s bad, let’s go to the hospital. Don’t tough it out.”
Ye Zhibai slipped the little white sock over her smooth, jade-like foot, snapping the cuff neatly around her ankle with a crisp pop.
As she tied the ribbons on her white dress, Ye Zhibai winced inwardly at how practiced her skirt-changing routine had become. Tilting her head toward Guang Yu, she issued a warning.
“Little Kitty, you should watch your mouth first thing in the morning. At least when you’re in cat form, try not to be as annoying as you are as a human… Hey, isn’t Lin Zihan coming over soon? I need to change clothes. A shirt and shorts would be perfect… too bad I tossed them in the washer last night.”
“Oh ho? You mean the employment deal you two hashed out yesterday, right? I remember! But what does her starting work have to do with you changing clothes?”
“You’ve been up in the clouds too long—you don’t get human social graces. Sure, she’s coming to work, but she’s my friend. I can’t greet her at home for the first time in my pajamas. That’d make it seem like I don’t care, and friendships fade without effort. They need maintenance to last forever.”
“Is that so… But I kinda feel like your friendship with her is already turning into something else, maintenance or not…”
“What’d you say? What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing, I’m not sure. Eh~ we’ll see how it plays out. Anyway, looking like that, normal friends might be tough for you~”
“…”
Weird.
What was it like to be looked down on by a talking Little Tea Cat first thing in the morning?
Who said she couldn’t make normal friends!
Sure, Sister Liang didn’t count as a normal friend anymore—she was like family now.
But Lin Zihan? Absolutely a normal friend!
No doubt about it. In fact, Ye Zhibai felt their bond could grow even stronger.
“Guang Yu, come on. Let’s head out. Zihan should be here any minute.”
“Nope. I want to catch some more sleep, recharge my batteries.”
“Recharge for what? Got plans at noon?”
“Nah, just seeing you suddenly so diligent makes me sleepy. Must be relativity.”
“You’re talking nonsense. Let’s go.”
“Eek!”
Ye Zhibai simply scooped the Little Tea Cat into her arms and carried her out the room’s small door.
Not cooperating? Fine, she’d just pick her up and go. Sleep on that!
After a futile struggle, Guang Yu gave up and nestled into Ye Zhibai’s embrace, closing her eyes.
Eh… this works too. Roll over a bit—nice and soft. It’ll do.
Ye Zhibai had just rounded the corner toward the living room when she felt it—a powerful wave of icy chill and oppressive pressure!
What the—
Who cranked the central AC to sixteen degrees?!
No, it wasn’t that.
The AC was off. The cold wasn’t from the air temperature.
It came from Yun’er’s full-throttle icy aura, radiating pure intimidation.
“Lin Zihan, it’s still too early. My sister is sleeping. No need to check on her.”
“Huh? Little Bai’er isn’t up yet? But yesterday, you said… to tend to the flowers in the yard, we’d have to go through Little Bai’er’s room?”
“That’s right. So, to avoid disturbing my sister’s rest, you can’t work today. Here, I’ll settle your pay for the day, plus two hundred extra as a bonus. Head home. Hard work on your first day. See you.”
No way!!
Yun’er, if all bosses were like you, employees would be in heaven!
Ye Zhibai hurried forward, stepping into view.
“Ah! Little Bai’er!”
Lin Zihan had been facing her direction. Spotting the Angel, her face lit up with delight!
She tilted her head to peer around Ye Zhiyun at Little Bai’er, but Ye Zhiyun mirrored the move, blocking her perfectly.
“……”
Wah, Big Sis, why couldn’t you have slept a little longer? I almost fended off the Fox Spirit!
Ye Zhibai was thrilled she’d set that alarm after all. Otherwise, Zihan’s first day on the job would’ve been over before it started.
Cradling the Little Tea Cat, Ye Zhibai strode forward until she was shoulder-to-shoulder with Yun’er, eyeing Lin Zihan, who had arrived with her little bag.
She was a bit surprised.
Lin Zihan had already changed into her work uniform—and so quickly!
The Ye Family Maid Corps’ work uniform was, naturally, a maid outfit.
Matching the other maids: black-and-white fabric, a light, fluttering skirt that wasn’t too short, accented all around with satin ribbons and lace, complete with the signature maid cap perched on top!
Lin Zihan’s natural poise was one of refined nobility, every gesture dripping with eldest miss elegance. The head maid outfit on this Eldest Miss Lin created a delightfully contradictory harmony—a perfect reversal that somehow felt utterly flawless!
Noticing Little Bai’er’s gaze, Lin Zihan blinked her crimson right eye curiously and let out a puzzled “Hm?”
The die-hard 2D otaku Ye Zhibai gave it a silent thumbs-up in her heart.
Very… very nice. Special thanks here to her unseen mom for picking the Maid Corps’ uniforms.
Ye Zhibai subtly nudged Yun’er’s shoulder, signaling her to relax.
Then, she turned to Lin Zihan with a question.
“Zihan, does this… work for you?”
“Hm? What does Little Bai’er mean?”
“I mean the maid job.”
Ye Zhibai had been fretting about this ever since getting home yesterday.
Lin Zihan was, after all, once the Lin Family’s only daughter, their pampered Eldest Miss Lin, surrounded by admirers.
Someone like that surely harbored an intense pride deep down, not easily erased by time.
Dressing her in a maid outfit… ahem. Ye Zhibai wasn’t sure if she could stomach it, let alone accept it.
Wah, putting a real eldest miss in a maid outfit—even she felt a twinge of something almost taboo about it!
Zihan, if you can’t handle it, just say so. We don’t need the uniform.
We could always go with cat ears instead!
But Lin Zihan’s response was straightforward, straight from the heart. No pretense.
“Oh, is that what you meant? No problem at all! Becoming Little Bai’er’s maid? That’s the most wonderful job in the world!”
“……”
The little stars sparkling in her eyes said it all.
Looks like there really was no problem.
