Ever since the day Ye Zhibai had woken up, the Head Maid’s career as the chief of maids had nearly transformed into that of a full-time chauffeur.
Before this, in the Ye Family—whether it was the combat maids skilled in martial arts or the highly paid specialists in various fields—everyone had respectfully called her “Big Sis.”
But now?
Whenever they went out, she might suddenly hear, “Yo, Big Sis, driving the Eldest Miss again today? I’m so jealous!”
Well, at least the title hadn’t changed.
Sigh… there was no helping it. After all, the passenger in the car was the Eldest Miss, and entrusting her to someone else as a driver just felt too unreliable.
With another gentle press of the accelerator, the multimillion-dollar Maybach’s engine let out a low roar like that of a lion. As the g-forces pushed them back into their seats, the Degenerate Map’s voice chimed from the speakers, guiding the way ahead.
“Turn right in three hundred meters to exit East City Mountain Ring Road. Destination: Qihua Garden, ten kilometers away. Estimated travel time: twelve minutes.”
“Eldest Miss, why don’t you give Miss Chi a call? The security at this residential complex is pretty strict—they probably won’t let outside vehicles in. Contact her and have her come down to meet you, or get the exact address, and I’ll drive you right up.”
“No need. My legs work just fine… I mean, just pull over at the complex entrance. I’ll walk the rest of the way myself.”
“That won’t do!”
No, it really wouldn’t!
Hiss… Ye Zhibai was starting to realize that while being rich had its perks, it often came with overprotective pampering.
Look at her own family—from Old Dad at the top down to the stray cats living by the walls. They all seemed to have memorized the “Endangered Species (Little Zhibai) Protection Act”!
Eh, but that wasn’t quite right either. If they were talking real wealth, Yun’er was the true heiress, yet she came and went freely without anyone fretting over her.
Ye Zhibai pondered for a moment, a spark of realization gradually lighting up her cool little face.
She thought she got it now.
Could it be that this overprotection was just for her alone?
Just as Little Zhibai was having her grand epiphany, her phone—tucked into the cup holder on the seat beside her—suddenly beeped three times.
She glanced down, and there it was: a lifesaver message from Sister Liang!
Now Ye Zhibai finally had the confidence of someone with full autonomy.
“Mm… Head Maid, Chi Yuliang says she’s already waiting for me at the complex entrance, the North Gate. We’ll spot her as soon as we arrive.”
“Understood, Eldest Miss. Oh, and please don’t use honorifics with me. I know you might not have fully readjusted to family life since waking up… but I can’t accept that kind of address. Every member of the Maid Corps, including myself, is here to serve you and the Second Miss. That’s our job. If you have any orders, don’t hesitate—just give them freely.”
“That… alright, got it.”
No need to hold back, then.
She couldn’t force a dedicated professional to change her work habits.
It was like how Ye Zhibai used to love slacking off at her old part-time jobs—you couldn’t make her stop, or it’d just be torture.
Empathy at work.
Ye Zhibai replied to Chi Yuliang’s message as the final stretch of road to their destination shrank away.
On the side, while typing, she kept flicking away the fox tail fur that occasionally brushed her nose.
Flick.
It came back.
Back, flicked away.
Flicked.
“……”
Was this ever going to end?!
Ye Zhibai slammed her phone down onto her thigh, clad in a white casual floral dress, and shot a glare at the culprit beside her! (Emotionless edition.)
Little Fox Guang Yu was dressed in a simple black T-shirt and shorts today—a picture of an energetic Fox Maiden Loli—with an opening in the shirt for her tail.
She knelt on the seat, her little face pressed to the window, eyes glued to the scenery rushing by outside.
This girl sure had it easy with clothes. Before heading out, she’d browsed Taobao, liked something, and poof—Divine Power turned it real. No need to even buy it.
If the sellers knew about customers like her, they’d roll out targeted blocking features for sure.
Ye Zhibai’s vision was filled with that big tail swishing back and forth in front of her face.
It was… utterly intolerable.
She struck decisively, grabbing the tip of the tail!
A jolt like an electric shock from the tail tip raced through Guang Yu’s entire body. The little fox stiffened dramatically in an instant!
“Eek! What are you doing! You perv!!”
Hiss… don’t Mind Transmit straight into my head yelling like that—it buzzes!
And who’s the perv here?! I just pinched your tail!
“What do you mean, what am I doing…? Quit baring your teeth at me. Go ahead and act like you’ve got the high ground. Look at you—no posture whatsoever. Even the fish in a roadside stall tank sits better than you. Bottom line… what exactly are you tagging along for today? Didn’t you say Crayon Shin-chan had a thousand episodes left to watch?” Guang Yu settled back facing forward, gingerly lifting her tail tip and blowing warm air on it. The whole tail still trembled now and then.
“Hoo… hoo… You took the phone, so how was I supposed to watch?”
“Oh, right… But didn’t you have plans to sunbathe in the yard for five hours today?”
“This…! Plans can be… postponed! Sunbathing isn’t a one-day thing. Compared to that, I prefer riding in this iron box and watching the scenery! Look outside—it’s so pretty!”
“Outside… Isn’t that just a construction site?”
“……”
You’re looking way too suspicious.
Ye Zhibai had originally planned to come alone.
But at the last second, as the car door was closing, Guang Yu had slipped in.
Normally, when Ye Zhibai went out for fun—like a stroll, Comic-Con, or sunbathing—Guang Yu would shamelessly tag along to share the good times.
But whenever Ye Zhibai headed out with Yun’er to shop for groceries or pick up deliveries, Guang Yu fused with the bed like it was her lifeline, refusing to budge an inch.
She perfectly embodied the spirit of sharing the joys but dodging the hardships.
Lately, though… Ye Zhibai felt like Guang Yu was sticking to her more and more?
It showed in little things, like how the fox girl had shifted from sleeping at the foot of the bed—like a cat—to right by Ye Zhibai’s head.
This trip to Sister Liang’s place? Fun outing for Ye Zhibai, but for Guang Yu, it should’ve held zero appeal compared to sunbathing.
Ye Zhibai fixed her sharp gaze on Guang Yu’s seemingly innocent eyes.
Trying to read what scheme lurked beneath.
Stare.
After a long staring contest, Guang Yu actually shrank back her neck and quietly turned her head aside.
See?
She was totally guilty!!
Too bad no specific flaw came to light.
“Sigh… Guang Yu, listen up. You’re welcome to come along, but rules first: no causing trouble. Don’t wreck Sister Liang’s furniture, don’t threaten her family’s safety, and don’t torment my sanity. Not too hard, right?”
“Not hard at all! I’m just here to relax—no harm, no foul!”
“Oh, and one more: no sneaking bites at lunch. Wait for my signal. And don’t raid their cabinets for the wasabi paste. Got it?”
“……”
“Got it?!”
“……”
Your silence right now is making me really want to toss you out the window?
The pent-up frustration from the ride simmered down before erupting into full rage. Once the car stopped and that gentle call rang out, Ye Zhibai finally relaxed.
“Little Bai…! Ahem… Miss Ye! Over here!”
With Ye Zhibai still in the car and the Head Maid present, Chi Yuliang’s address was impeccably proper.
Looking toward the voice, against the backdrop of the grand North Gate of Qihua Residential Complex—built like a marble bridge—Sister Liang waved her arm high, beaming as she called Ye Zhibai’s name.
In a way, her Sister Liang outshone that North Gate in grandeur and presence.
The Head Maid got out first and briefed Chi Yuliang on safety matters—methodical and dead serious.
Any ordinary person would’ve found the nagging baffling, but Chi Yuliang clasped her hands in front of her, smiling patiently and listening to every point. She even asked about details she didn’t quite grasp.
Seeing this attitude, the Head Maid was thoroughly pleased!
In just a few exchanges, she could tell this Miss Chi had the refined poise of a socialite.
With that, there was no need for further worry.
She drove the Maybach away for the time being.
Ye Zhibai was finally free!
The instant the Head Maid departed, Ye Zhibai and Chi Yuliang’s formal addresses dissolved into their usual carefree banter.
It was like they were back at the orphanage!
“Sister Liang, shall we… head in now?”
“What are we waiting for, Little Bai? Come on! My place isn’t as huge as yours, but it’s plenty big!”
“Let’s go.”
