NOVEL NEXT chapter 19
19: The Encounter Between Women
“If only I hadn’t worried about so many things yesterday, this is the first time I’ve ever had insomnia.”
With her hair somewhat disheveled, He Xue hurried into the hospital lobby, her delicate face showing signs of fatigue.
As if she had spent the entire night in sleeplessness, her bloodshot eyes were filled with red veins, and the heavy dark circles made her look somewhat haggard.
She had planned to come here early today to visit her grandfather, but she ended up oversleeping.
“Ah… I really don’t know what I was thinking…”
He Xue rubbed her temples and murmured softly, all night she had been thinking about that boy with the KFC chicken head costume.
Why did Mr. KFC sitting alone on the bench late at night seem so lonely?
All night long, He Xue replayed the scene over and over in her mind, like a loop.
As if possessed, no matter how much He Xue tried to forget him, that adorably ugly KFC chicken head would emerge deep in her thoughts.
Thump
Just as He Xue was pondering over Mr. KFC with her head down, she collided full-on with a figure coming around the corner.
Both of them involuntarily took a few steps back, and He Xue, even more so, lost her footing and sat down on the ground.
“I’m really very sorry, I was distracted, that’s why I didn’t see you.”
Knowing it was her own fault, He Xue quickly apologized to the other person.
It was her own distraction that caused the collision, and she knew it was her fault.
But after a long time, she didn’t hear a single complaint or dissatisfaction from the other person.
“Um, are you alright?”
He Xue sat on the cold ground, hands pressing on the hem of her skirt, her face full of apologies.
But when she saw the person in front of her, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth in surprise, for the professional beauty before her was unbelievably stunning.
“It’s nothing, but are you alright?”
Yaoshi shook her head, it was just a minor bump.
But when Yaoshi saw the girl before her, she suddenly paused, wasn’t this He Xue, the companion and classmate of the young master?
It was unexpected to encounter her here in this manner, quite a surprise indeed.
It seemed she was here to visit He Jingao, but the girl’s condition didn’t look too good.
Was it due to insomnia? Yaoshi swept a glance over He Xue’s face without showing any concern.
Though light makeup concealed the flaws at the corners of her eyes, the fatigue and weariness in them were unmistakable.
“Can you stand up?”
Yaoshi bent down and extended her hand to the girl before her.
Encountering the young master Wu Liang’s classmate here, what should she do?
However, He Xue was clearly unaware that she was Wu Liang’s personal maid, so even if they had contact, there wouldn’t be any issues.
“There’s no need to trouble yourself! I’m fine! It was just because of me that…”
He Xue clutched her skirt and hurriedly stood up from the ground, though her hips still ached faintly.
But soon, He Xue was captivated by the woman before her, whose beauty was on par with Teacher Ye.
And that aloofness that kept others at a distance only added a unique charm to her.
“Please don’t mind such a trifle, Miss He Xue, but I have matters to attend to and must take my leave now.”
After a brief exchange with He Xue, Yaoshi walked past her and straight out of the hall.
She didn’t linger for a second longer and left without looking back.
“Such a proud woman…”
He Xue murmured as she watched Yaoshi’s retreating figure.
Eh? Wait, why did that beautiful woman know her name?
At this thought, He Xue was taken aback; that beauty actually knew her.
But by the time He Xue wanted to follow and ask, she found that the woman had already vanished into the hall, without a trace.
“Gone…”
He Xue lowered her head in regret, for she had never encountered such a stunning woman before.
But now that she had left, He Xue could only go and ask her father.
“A friend of father’s? It doesn’t feel like it…”
He Xue bit her fingertip and whispered to herself, even her father couldn’t possibly know such a person.
That beauty just now, she didn’t seem to belong to the same world as her…
“Xue He, huh…”
Hidden in the corner of the hall, Yao Shi silently observed Xue He, who had just entered the elevator.
This girl was the young master’s classmate, indeed a beautiful bud in the making.
So the young master likes this type of pure and adorable girl? She does give off a rather pleasant impression.
“I think I understand the young master’s intentions.”
Yao Shi nodded thoughtfully. No wonder the young master went out of his way to help that old man named He Jing’ao.
Was it to win this girl’s favor? But that does seem in line with the young master’s usual style.
“But can the young master really achieve his wish this way?”
Yao Shi tilted her head, seemingly puzzled by Wu Liang’s approach, as she watched the direction in which Xue He had left.
If the young master wishes to use this opportunity to close the distance with Xue He, why emphasize keeping his identity a secret?
If Miss Xue doesn’t know who helped her, won’t the distance between them remain the same?
“The young master’s methods are as inscrutable as ever.”
Yao Shi shook her head, no longer pondering these messy trifles.
Since the young master has given her specific instructions, he must have his reasons.
As a maid, she need not guess the young master’s thoughts; she just needs to follow his orders.
“Xue He, I wonder if you are worthy of the young master, if you are worthy of the Wu family.”
Yao Shi rubbed her somewhat tired shoulders and murmured softly.
If the young master truly fancies Xue He, then it’s necessary to test this woman.
To become Wu Liang’s companion, to become the prospective daughter-in-law of the Wu family, is not a matter to be settled by mere words.
“To become the young master’s woman, you must first pass my test.”
Yao Shi recalled the task Mu Xinrou had entrusted to her not long ago, a faint blush spreading across her usually icy face.
If Wu Liang were here, he might be stunned by Yao Shi’s shy expression.
Yao Shi, always known as an ice queen, showing shyness at such a moment.
“Miss Xue He, I am very much looking forward to the day we meet again.”
Yao Shi took a deep breath and spoke calmly; she would not entrust the young master to a stranger lightly.
—————————— (The dividing line doesn’t count towards the word count, so no teasing about padding the word count with it!)
Ps: Starting tomorrow, I will make up for the owed monthly tickets and the fire roll updates!