Chapter 32: Don’t Look at Me…
In the end, Xu Bai’s persistent refusal (mostly conveyed through intense glares) won her the right to bathe alone, preventing Xiaoya and Xiaona from entering the bathroom.
Despite the time that had passed, she was still uncomfortable with her current body.
Lin Yan went to another bathroom, leaving the twin maids waiting outside.
The room they were in was more of a suite, with several separate bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and even a small kitchen.
About half an hour later, Lin Yan emerged from the bathroom in a simple shirt. Seeing only the twins waiting outside, she asked, surprised,
“Where’s Bai? Isn’t she done yet?”
“Not yet,” they shook their heads. Xiaona added, “But there hasn’t been any sound from inside for the past ten minutes. We wanted to check on her, but she specifically told us not to enter her bathroom, so we didn’t.”
“We’re in the mansion; nothing should happen, right? And there haven’t been any unusual energy fluctuations…” Lin Yan looked at the closed bathroom door, calling out, “Bai, are you done?”
“…Yes,” Xu Bai’s voice came from inside, barely a whisper. “I… I don’t have any clean clothes…”
Xu Bai had only realized after washing that she had no other clothes besides her worn linen outfit. She had completely forgotten to bring a change of clothes.
Unsure what to do, she had spent the last ten minutes in indecision.
Lin Yan chuckled. “You could just ask Xiaona or Xiaoya to bring you some.”
“But I…” Xu Bai didn’t know what to say. Thankfully, Lin Yan understood. “It’s alright. There’s a small shelf to the right of the bathroom door. You can get things passed through without opening the door.”
Xu Bai looked to her right. There was indeed a small shelf built into the wall, designed to slide between the two sides.
It was clearly meant for passing things through… the nobles had thought of everything.
A rustling sound came from outside, and a set of black and white clothes appeared on the shelf.
“Sorry, Bai, I don’t have any other clothes suitable for you,” Lin Yan’s voice came from outside. “So, you’ll have to wear Xiaoya’s clothes for now. You’ll be changing into the dress later anyway.”
“Xiaoya’s…” Xu Bai picked up the clothes. It was a maid uniform, several sizes smaller than the ones the twins wore, and matching undergarments, seemingly her size…
Wait, a maid uniform?!
Maid uniforms in the North Empire were typically long dresses. Xu Bai had been trying to avoid wearing a dress, and now…
“Are there no other clothes?” she asked, her hand trembling slightly as she held the dress. “Like, could I just wear the banquet dress?”
“No, that won’t do. Banquet dresses are expensive. They need to be properly prepared before wearing, and you’re still in the bathroom. The dress can’t get wet.”
Xu Bai sighed after a long silence. “I understand.”
Well, she would just have to wear it. It was only temporary; she would be changing into the other dress later.
Outside the bathroom, Xiaoya frowned. “She doesn’t seem very happy… Could it be because wearing a maid uniform is too… demeaning?”
“I don’t think so,” Xiaona said flatly. “Perhaps it’s because she sees us as demeaning.”
They were clearly still a bit resentful.
Seeing her maids about to hold another grudge against Bai, Lin Yan quickly interjected. “No, no, Bai isn’t like that. She’s a good little girl. Yes, she is.”
Just then, Xu Bai emerged from the bathroom, her head slightly lowered, fidgeting in the maid uniform.
“Little Sister Bai, you—” Xiaoya started, about to make a sarcastic remark, but stopped upon seeing the delicate girl’s face, speechless.
“So beautiful…” Even Xiaona, who usually maintained a stoic expression, couldn’t help but exclaim. How could a simple change of clothes and a bath make such a difference?
Fresh from the bath, Xu Bai’s skin glowed, her damp, uncombed hair slightly disheveled, yet unable to conceal her stunning beauty. Her slightly distressed expression only added to her charm.
Or perhaps it was an expression of barely suppressed mortification…
“Don’t look at me…” Xu Bai turned away, blushing slightly.
Her current appearance was incredibly embarrassing, especially with three girls staring at her.
Lin Yan wasn’t surprised. She had imagined this the moment she first saw Xu Bai.
In Lin Yan’s mind, Xu Bai had always looked like this.
“Does it fit?” Lin Yan smiled, glancing at the twin maids.
“It fits, but…” Xu Bai hesitated, then decided to explain. “I’m not used to wearing these kinds of dresses… ah, not the maid uniform itself, but this kind of dress—when can I change into the banquet dress?”
Xu Bai was quite perceptive. She had overheard the twins’ conversation in the bathroom and realized they were sensitive about her reaction to the maid uniform, so she clarified her words.
“This kind of dress?” Lin Yan looked at Xu Bai, then nodded thoughtfully. “I see… don’t worry, you’ll be changing into the banquet dress soon.”
Bai was likely referring to the heavy skirt of the maid uniform, designed to prevent dust from scattering while cleaning. Practical for chores, but not comfortable for everyday wear.
The banquet dress didn’t have such a design; Bai would probably find it much more comfortable.
Xu Bai sighed in relief. “Alright, thank you, big sisters.”
But then her expression changed slightly. She was getting too used to calling them “big sisters.” This wasn’t a good sign.
Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by Uncle Lin’s respectful voice.
“Miss, may I come in?”
Leave a Reply