Chapter 39: Miss He, You Can’t Do That

Ever since learning that Ji Tingxi would be heading out that weekend, Wen Du had pulled out all the stops. She conducted a thorough investigation within the Guard Institute, hoping to uncover the details of the outing—or at least its destination.

But after two days of grasping at straws, she turned up nothing useful. Even when she casually chatted with colleagues from the Special Action Department and tried to fish for information, she vaguely realized that even their own internal staff had no idea where the Division Chief was going.

The information was sealed tight—even Ji Tingxi’s direct subordinates were kept completely in the dark.

After this fruitless probe, Wen Du came away empty-handed. But precisely because of that, she concluded that Ji Tingxi’s plans for the weekend were anything but ordinary.

With security this airtight, it had to involve that mysterious organization. It might even be a raid.

The stakes were high. Wen Du absolutely had to get the inside scoop on this operation. But with only a day and a half left, she still hadn’t found a breakthrough.

Time hung over her head, ticking away relentlessly, much like her scattered thoughts over the past two days. She wanted to grasp something solid, but it slipped through her fingers like water.

…

Ever since her failed escape attempt, when He Lilin had dragged her back from the Affairs Management Bureau, Duo Lin had undergone a complete personality overhaul. She hadn’t turned into a walking zombie. Instead, she was like a dead tree bursting back to life in spring, blooming with fresh vitality and even sporting a new smile.

For a while, He Lilin had ramped up precautions against her, fitting a tracking bracelet on her wrist. Any time Duo Lin strayed more than ten meters from the villa, her phone would buzz with a warning and sync her latest position.

The He Family kept a cat, and when it was in a good mood, the creature would pull off daring jailbreaks, roam freely for a bit, and saunter back home. But Duo Lin couldn’t do that. The constant surveillance was like a chain yanking her around. At first glance, she seemed to have it worse than the cat. But on second thought, she never had it as good as the cat in the first place.

The cat even dared to scratch He Lilin, but Duo Lin couldn’t. She had to bow and curtsey whenever they met.

“Miss, does this fit just right?”

He Lilin had on a bra underneath, with her shirt flung open like a garden in full bloom, waiting for Duo Lin to close the gates.

It was a button-down shirt with a row of tiny buttons. Duo Lin started from the hem and worked her way up, one by one. The fabric was sheer and lightweight, soft against the skin without trapping sweat. Pressed against it, she could feel the warmth radiating from the body beneath.

“The fit’s fine, but what’s your deal? Every time you touch me, you hesitate like I’ve been dipped in poison.”

Duo Lin kept her eyes fixed on the collar, without so much as a furrow in her brow. “It’s my duty to help you dress, Miss. But I handle all sorts of chores around here, so my hands pick up grime. I’m afraid of dirtying you, so I have to be careful sometimes.”

If the old Duo Lin had said that, it would’ve been a textbook example of passive-aggressive snark—polite on the surface, insubordinate underneath.

But now, after her change of heart, her words came out steady and gentle, flowing softly into He Lilin’s ears without a trace of defiance.

Docile as a cat come to repay a kindness.

With the final button secured, Duo Lin straightened up. The two women were suddenly eye-to-eye at close range. As their gazes met, a warm smile bloomed on Duo Lin’s face. It softened any unspoken implications in her words, keeping everything impeccably proper and perfectly pitched.

He Lilin couldn’t find a single flaw to pick at. She nearly melted under that smile and almost praised her with, “You’ve put real thought into this.”

But He Lilin was wild at heart, full of mischief. A little smile wasn’t enough to tame her. When one jab failed, she fired off another.

“I’m tired of standing. I want a foot soak—this time with rose petals.”

After her midnight foot baths, He Lilin had invented a new torment: afternoon soaks. It was as unwelcome as afternoon tea gone wrong.

Faced with this absurd demand, Duo Lin’s response was impeccably gracious. She didn’t question it for a second. She fetched the foot basin, petal packet, bath salts, and warm water pitcher without delay.

From another angle, He Lilin was ruthless. Last time, her foot soak had ended in a scalding burn more eye-catching than a pearl necklace. And here she was a month later, reenacting the fiasco with the exact same servant.

Once the bath materials were scattered in the basin, Duo Lin settled on a low stool and asked politely, “Miss, would you like it three degrees hot or five?”

He Lilin shot back boldly, “Make it ten degrees hot!”

“You can’t do that,” Duo Lin advised patiently. “The water for a foot soak can’t go above seven degrees. That’s the rule.”

He Lilin lounged against the chairback. She was tempted to snap, Who’s rule is that? Did I approve it? Is there a signed memo?

But she glanced down and caught Duo Lin gazing up at her silently, her expression gentle yet resolute. It was as if, should the Miss insist on playing tyrant with a ten-degree scald, she’d have to dunk Duo Lin in the basin first—or no deal.

Fine, whatever. No scalding feet? She’d just go scald her scalp at the salon later and call it even.

“Miss, is the pressure right?”

Duo Lin had gotten the hang of it, pinpointing the acupoints with precision. What should have been a mere service scene transformed under her skilled hands into a professional foot massage.

The servant was too compliant, the mood too harmonious. He Lilin lost interest, her eyelids drooping.

“It’s okay. It’ll do.”

No criticism meant perfection. Duo Lin knew she’d nailed it. She packed up her things, ready to leave, when He Lilin suddenly grabbed her collar and yanked her close.

“You’ve changed a lot—like someone’s possessed you. What brought this on? Scared I’ll tighten the surveillance and never let you out?”

Duo Lin didn’t resist. She followed the pull, lifting her head to meet He Lilin’s gaze. “I’ve finally grown up, Miss. I realize now that only with your approval and care can I do my job properly and fulfill my potential.”

Her words rang sincere and meek. He Lilin’s heart fluttered for a moment before slamming to a halt. The jolt was so swift it might never have happened, leaving only lingering pride.

“Good. Knowing it isn’t enough—you have to live it.”

“Of course. Miss, could you give me a chance to prove it tonight?”

Tonight was He Family dinner night. He Lilin, who lived independently, had to head home to visit her parents and share a meal.

He De despised Sern people—especially Duo Lin. That was one reason He Lilin had set up her own place.

He Lilin caught her implication and frowned. “You want to come with me to the family dinner?”

Truth be told, even He Lilin found facing He De at home a challenge. She’d never brought Duo Lin along before, fearing she’d go in with a pulse and come out without one.

“Yes. Mr. He’s house has plenty of attendants for top-notch care. But only your personal servant knows your habits. If I go with you, I can tend to you anytime.”

“Aren’t you afraid of Mr. He?”

“A little. But I want to stay by your side even more.”

He Lilin studied her cheek for a long moment, saying nothing.

Honestly, she didn’t fully buy Duo Lin’s words. But she was curious to see what the woman was really up to.

…

On family dinner night, He De was always in high spirits. He finally got to see his beloved daughter.

No matter how rebellious He Lilin was, she carried his blood. She had that full halo effect from head to toe. Just having her sit across from him conjured memories of his own youthful glory—striking looks, perfect poise, innate elegance, eyes above the rabble.

But that joy lasted less than two seconds before shattering.

Duo Lin trailed in behind Eldest Miss He, stepping across the He Family threshold.

At the dinner table, He De barely touched his utensils. He shot a silent glance at Lan Zhijing, loaded with unspoken meaning. Housekeeper Lan read it loud and clear, a chill settling at her brow.

How had she botched this? You’d told her to take care of the problem, and instead, the woman waltzed right in like she owned the place. Outsiders might think she was some precious treasure worth dragging across miles!

After glancing at Lan Zhijing, his eyes kept flicking back to He Lilin—and every time, they caught the shadow trailing her. His appetite soured further.

“Lilin, you’re home, fine. But why drag a hired hand along?”

He Lilin sensed the low pressure at the table and dialed back her bravado, offering a subdued smile. “The house rules are the strictest. I brought her to learn.”

“Fine,” He De finally picked up his utensils. “Send her over here. Have her ladle me some soup.”

Under He De’s scrutiny, even with mental prep, Duo Lin’s body betrayed her. Her breathing quickened, and each step took extra effort.

Halfway there, He Lilin raised a hand and called her back.

“Never mind, Dad. Stick with your usual help. I mainly brought her to learn flower arranging. We’re eating now—A Ge can teach her.”

Without waiting for He De’s reply, she shot Duo Lin a look. “Head to the living room. Don’t just stand around here.”

Once away from the table, Duo Lin exhaled in relief.

No Sern person could face the Wei Investigation Institute director without a ripple. And no Sern person would willingly test He De’s tolerance.

Under A Ge’s guidance, Duo Lin removed the fake flowers from the vase. Peering through the gaps in the blooms, she caught sight of He De again. This time, she studied him intently, her gaze unwavering despite her fear.

She had to conquer it—this man was her target tonight.

…

At the table, Xu Fei livened things up. The initial gloom lifted, and the family dinner stopped feeling like a leadership meet-and-greet.

Servants bustled efficiently: clearing cold plates, pouring red wine, serving mains, adding desserts. Not a hitch.

Without Duo Lin around, He De’s appetite returned. After the meal, he even got chatty, settling on the sofa with the family to watch the weather report. As the program’s intro music filled the room, they listened quietly—the vibe warmer than at dinner.

Xu Fei was a die-hard weather report fan, catching every word daily. Today, she paid extra heed. After a bit, she turned to He Te. “Tomorrow’s clear—perfect for soccer. Still, pack rain gear. Weather’s unpredictable these days.”

He Lilin jumped in on cue. “Mom, it’s an indoor field with a roof, plus a chauffeured ride. These young masters really know how to live—no sunburn for a little kickabout.”

“We might enjoy ourselves, but not like big sis. Even coming home, she’s got her personal servant in tow!”

“Jealous? Beg me nicely, and I’ll take you everywhere after. No more envying from afar.”

Their back-and-forth was routine comedy for He De and Xu Fei. They no longer bothered intervening—let them bicker, as long as no fists flew and no one ended up maimed. The family stayed the picture of harmony.

Amid the chatter, He De sat silently, somehow more endearing by contrast. Xu Fei turned to him, shifting her advice.

“It’s cooling down. Pack extra clothes for your trip. Don’t forget like last time—you had that fever for two days straight.”

With his loving wife’s reminder, He De nodded agreeably.

Meanwhile, He Lilin and He Te kept sniping, but Duo Lin lingered in the distance, ears perked to Xu Fei and He De’s talk. She stole glances at the screen now and then.

When He De looked up, she swiftly dropped her eyes, fussing with the real flowers in her hands. She’d graduated from fakes to live ones quickly, producing her “personal masterpiece” that very night.

The reunion passed peacefully enough. Before leaving, He Lilin presented a gift box to her parents.

“This is loquat paste I made. Weather’s dry—brew it as tea. If the taste is off, don’t toss it. He Te can use it as a side for his meals.”

Xu Fei accepted it joyfully. Any sign of care from He Lilin was gift enough. Even if it tasted foul—or was poisoned—she and He De would treasure it, displaying it proudly in the center of the cabinet.

At the front door, after a heartfelt “mother-daughter moment,” the dinner wrapped up. He Lilin turned to leave with her servant, but He De suddenly spoke, his voice cutting through the sound of descending footsteps.

“Lilin, this houseworker you brought doesn’t seem up to snuff. Leave her here. I’ll train her personally for a few days to get her up to speed.”

Duo Lin had already stepped outside, holding He Lilin’s bag. Hearing that, even her fingertips gripping the strap went rigid.

He Lilin halted on the third step, turning back in disbelief. “What did you say?”

He De raised his hand, pointing straight at Duo Lin this time. “I said, leave her behind.”