Aunt Mu coughed twice, a note of helplessness in her voice.
“Little Uncle, the Eldest Miss and the others are still waiting for you.”
Yan Zhen felt a wave of embarrassment crash over him. He gently patted the soft backs of Jin Tong and Yu Nu, signaling them to pull back.
“Aunt Mu, it’s not what you think. It’s just a misunderstanding.”
But Jin Tong and Yu Nu weren’t as sharp as typical maids. They felt Yan Zhen’s hand “stroking” their backs and took it as praise, redoubling their efforts.
Yan Zhen pressed his lips together tightly, fighting to suppress any undignified noises. His face grew redder by the second.
Seeing him like this—so adorably pitiful—Aunt Mu felt her heart stir. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer, one foot after the other, and murmured softly, “Let me help too… We don’t want to keep the Eldest Miss waiting too long.”
She knelt down in front of the Little Uncle, tucked her long, dangling locks of hair behind her ear with a delicate hand, then parted her vermilion lips and leaned in.
Yan Zhen’s eyes went wide. He couldn’t hold back a startled “Oh!” as he looked down at this elder, who had loyally guarded Sister Ji Ya for so many years and whom he held in deep respect.
Her usually composed and stunning face was flushed with a rosy tint that softened her features. Those sharp, black-and-white phoenix eyes tilted upward toward him—not with their usual cold detachment or piercing gaze, but with a mix of flattery and gentle submission.
“Aunt Mu…”
Yan Zhen’s own gaze softened. He stopped resisting and instead focused on appreciating their devotion.
Aunt Mu had lived and worked alongside Jin Tong and Yu Nu for years, forging a deep, unspoken bond and perfect synchronicity. With the experience from a year ago to draw on, their teamwork now was utterly seamless.
With three heads crowded together, all sorts of bizarre phrases bubbled up in Yan Zhen’s mind: serpents toying with the dragon, twin snakes coiling the pillar, three serpents flicking their tongues, the power of three phases, Three Kingdoms showdown, three heroes battling Lu Bu…
But right at that critical juncture, a booming voice rang out from outside.
“Yan Zhen Zhen, dinner time! Get out here quick, or there won’t be any left—because I’ll eat it all!”
Holy shit! Long Ying?
Yan Zhen nearly jumped out of his skin.
Aunt Mu’s heart skipped a beat too, but with her mouth full, all she could manage were muffled “mmph” sounds.
Before they could even think to hide, the Loli Dragon Girl kicked the door open with a bang and strolled in on her stubby little legs. She froze at the sight before her. The smile on her small face slowly faded, her eyes going blank with shock.
Yan… Yan Zhen Zhen is getting eaten by Sister Ji Ya’s three guards!
Long Ying snapped out of it, her little face turning beet red. She slapped her hands over her eyes—but left her fingers splayed wide. Her big, sparkling emerald eyes peered through the gaps, locked on the scene that had stunned this dragon for a century. In a small, timid voice, she said, “Yan Zhen Zhen, why are you still holed up in here? Do you like being eaten more than stuffing yourself at dinner?”
By the end, Long Ying puffed out her cheeks, clearly unhappy.
Hearing such pure, innocent words, Yan Zhen cringed so hard his toes curled in his shoes. His handsome face flushed the color of pig liver, a crushing wave of guilt and shame washing over him.
Sorry, I’ve sinned! System-chan, forgive me~~~
Even as he repented in his heart, he forgot to shut and bar the door properly—causing Aunt Mu’s cheeks to bulge out as well.
Yan Zhen let out a long breath. “Long Ying, head back first. We’ll be there in a sec.”
Long Ying pouted her little lips. “Yan Zhen Zhen is a big dummy. I’m ignoring you, hmph~”
With that, she stormed out of the room in a huff.
Yan Zhen sighed to himself and casually released Aunt Mu.
Finally freed after holding it in for so long, Aunt Mu gasped for air, her face still flushed and her eyes glazed as she gazed at Yan Zhen—like she was fishing for praise.
While Jin Tong and Yu Nu tidied themselves up, Yan Zhen helped Aunt Mu to her feet and gently wiped the corners of her mouth and her cheeks with his sleeve.
Aunt Mu’s heart warmed at the gesture. She gave him a serene smile, but then thought of Long Ying’s sudden intrusion and asked uneasily, “Little Uncle, did I cause you trouble?”
Yan Zhen shook his head. “It’s no trouble. Just a little awkward, that’s all. If anything, you’re the ones who’s been wronged more than me.”
Her eyes grew even softer at his words. Covering her mouth, she chuckled. “Is this how you have the Eldest Miss so head over heels, body and soul?”
“Eh?”
“Hehe, let’s head to the dining hall. The Eldest Miss and the others must be getting impatient by now. Jin Tong, Yu Nu—let go of Little Uncle. I’ve got candy for you.”
Only then did the blank-faced twins reluctantly lift their heads. They licked their lips and stared at Aunt Mu expectantly, as if to say: “Where’s the candy?”
Aunt Mu pulled a lollipop from her storage ring and handed it to the sisters, sending them off to the side to enjoy it slowly. With candy in hand, Jin Tong and Yu Nu settled down obediently.
“Little Uncle, you go on ahead to the dining hall. I’ll get them cleaned up properly—no need to risk any impropriety.”
“Alright. Hurry after us.”
Yan Zhen left with those words.
Aunt Mu watched him go, then turned to pour herself some water to rinse her mouth. Her gaze snagged on a booklet lying on the bed. The familiar cover made her heart clench.
“Has the Little Uncle discovered it? And… read it?”
The thought sent heat flooding her cheeks.
That story was the product of her wildest fantasies—an aging spinster’s romantic daydreams—with protagonists modeled directly after her and him.
She’d even kept it hidden from the Eldest Miss. And now the very subjects of it had found out.
/（/ /o/ω/o/ /）/
In the dining hall sat the familiar long rectangular table. On one side were Cai Lian, Long Ying, and Yi Xian’er. Ji Ya sat opposite them, with two empty seats beside her.
Yan Zhen’s eyes brightened. The three stunning beauties and one adorable little one, all in their post-bath sleepwear, made for a feast for the eyes.
The styles were close to those on Earth—clearly prepared specially by Sister Ji Ya. They were elegant and alluring in equal measure.
Cai Lian, Long Ying, and Yi Xian’er’s expressions weren’t the friendliest, though. Only Sister Ji Ya was still beaming.
It seemed they had figured out the real reason Sister Ji Ya had invited them to bathe together.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, come sit. We’ll start once Aunt Mu and the others arrive.”
“Mm, alright.”
Yan Zhen pulled out a chair and settled beside Sister Ji Ya, directly across from Long Ying.
The Loli Dragon Girl had her arms crossed over her chest. She wore a pink-and-white camisole, her cherry-blossom hair cascading down. Just peeking over the table edge, her clear emerald eyes glared at him with milky ferocity.
Truth be told, what had happened earlier felt a bit like sneaking treats behind the main wife’s back—especially from their perspective. Still, Yan Zhen didn’t think he could play total favorites.
Aunt Mu was sharp as a tack. Rejecting her willing overture outright would have crushed her.
So he felt no real guilt. The mishaps had just thrown him off balance.
Of course, some soothing words were in order—especially for this pint-sized pseudo-loli, Long Ying.
“Long Ying, come here. Sit on my lap. That way, you won’t have to worry about not reaching the dishes.”
Long Ying nearly flew into his arms with a grin but caught herself—she was supposed to be mad. She schooled her face into a scowl.
“I-I’m not going!”
