Chapter 75: The Timid Demon

“You’ll know when you get back.” Since Qin Xuan had spoken so, Dongfang Qingwan didn’t press the matter further.

Half an hour later, as the sun was setting, the three of them returned to the villa laden with bags of vegetables, meat, and fruit. Qin Xuan’s master’s villa was truly well-appointed—there were even several refrigerators, so there was no worry about where to store everything.

“All right. You two take a seat; I’ll go and call for Shuixian.” With that, Qin Xuan headed toward the back garden.

Dongfang Qingwan was a bit puzzled. “Shuixian? Is that the name of the housekeeper?”

Liu Qianqian covered her mouth with a laugh. “Not a housekeeper at all. Shuixian is a flower spirit. I don’t know how little Qin Xuan managed to charm her into being the villa’s steward. She’ll be making our breakfasts and dinners from now on.”

“Flower… spirit?” Dongfang Qingwan was taken aback.

“That’s right,” Liu Qianqian replied nonchalantly, sprawling out on the sofa in the living room. Although military training wasn’t particularly exhausting for her, standing all day still left her eager to relax.

“Qianqian, are you joking? There’s no such thing as monsters in the world.” Dongfang Qingwan still couldn’t believe it.

“You’ll see for yourself in a bit. By the way, Qingwan, there’s something I wanted to tell you…” Liu Qianqian suddenly looked at her and blinked.

“Huh? What is it?” Dongfang Qingwan was still caught up on the idea of a “flower spirit,” looking rather dazed.

“Well, I didn’t have any clothes to wear earlier, so I accidentally put on one of your nightgowns. You’re not angry, are you?”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

“Yay, Qingwan, you’re the best!” Liu Qianqian cheered.

But Dongfang Qingwan’s thoughts were elsewhere; she gazed toward the back garden, her mind churning. Could there really be such things as spirits or monsters? Was she going to be living with one for the next three months? And Qin Xuan—really, even if he wanted to hire a housekeeper, why would he think of inviting a monster…

Though she still found it hard to believe, when she recalled Qin Xuan’s identity as a swordsman and her grandfather’s warnings, she wasn’t as shocked as she might otherwise have been. Had it not been for that, her reaction would have been far stronger.

…

“Shuixian? Where are you?” Qin Xuan called out as he entered the back garden.

“I’m here, my lord…” came a timid reply.

Qin Xuan looked over and saw a graceful figure draped in white veils, watering herbs behind a few peach trees.

“Come with me to the front. By the way, what dishes can you prepare tonight? If you’re not sure, we’ll have to order takeout.” Qin Xuan asked.

“Ah, I should be able to manage most of them. Did you bring back the groceries, master?” Shuixian set aside the watering can and wiped the sweat from her brow as she walked over.

“Yes. And also, I’d like to introduce you to two more people—they’ll be staying at the villa for a while as well.”

“There are others?” Shuixian sounded a bit anxious as she sensed carefully. She said with some concern, “Are they the mistresses of the house? Will it be awkward for me to appear…”

“If I tell you to come, just come. What’s there to be embarrassed about? You don’t plan to keep sneaking around to cook every day, do you?” Qin Xuan couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh.” Shuixian followed, looking rather nervous.

Qin Xuan led her into the living room, where Liu Qianqian and Dongfang Qingwan were lounging on the sofa watching TV.

“Girls, Qingwan, this is Shuixian,” Qin Xuan introduced.

The two women turned around, but saw only Qin Xuan. Dongfang Qingwan was puzzled. “Where? I don’t see anyone.”

“She’s hiding behind little Qin Xuan,” Liu Qianqian giggled, sensing the aura of the spirit and immediately rising from the sofa. Turning to the side, she saw a beautiful woman hiding timidly behind Qin Xuan, her head lowered.

“Little Qin Xuan, did you bully her?” Liu Qianqian asked in surprise.

“Of course not,” Qin Xuan replied, somewhat annoyed. “She’s just shy by nature. Shuixian, don’t be afraid, let me introduce you. This is Liu Qianqian, and the one on the sofa is Dongfang Qingwan…”

“Miss Liu, Miss Dongfang, Shuixian greets the two mistresses,” Shuixian said with a soft bow.

Immediately, Liu Qianqian glared at Qin Xuan. “Mistresses? Qin Xuan, what nonsense have you been telling her!”

“You all chat,” Qin Xuan said wearily, preparing to leave Shuixian behind and head upstairs. “Shuixian, the groceries are all in the fridge. See what you can make for dinner…”

But as soon as Shuixian saw Qin Xuan was about to leave, she grew anxious and quickly followed him up the stairs. “Master, please don’t leave Shuixian behind!”

Qin Xuan smacked his forehead, speechless.

Meanwhile, Dongfang Qingwan was utterly dumbfounded. Was this really the monster they’d spoken of? She looked so fragile and delicate, not fierce at all.

She had always imagined monsters as fearsome, evil beings. Seeing Shuixian, her mind couldn’t quite process the reality.

“Shuixian, be good. These two are good people; they’re not going to eat you. Just focus on your cooking. I have things to attend to upstairs,” Qin Xuan reassured her, but when he saw Shuixian gazing at him with a pitiful expression, he felt an even greater headache.

…

“Qianqian, come here,” Qin Xuan called to Liu Qianqian.

“What is it, little Qin Xuan?” Liu Qianqian ran over, still curious about Shuixian. Even as someone from the cultivation world, she had never encountered such a timid spirit before.

Seeing Liu Qianqian come closer, Shuixian shrank away in fear, moving closer to Qin Xuan. With a helpless sigh, Qin Xuan took her hand—it was soft and boneless, wonderfully delicate.

Of course, he had no other intentions. He quickly placed her hand into Liu Qianqian’s. “Qianqian, spend some time with Shuixian. I’m leaving her to you. I’ll be upstairs.”

With that, he beat a hasty retreat.

Liu Qianqian stared after him in disbelief. “Little Qin Xuan, what are you…”

But as she felt Shuixian’s hand trying to withdraw, she gripped it firmly. “Well, since little Qin Xuan left you in my care, I’ll take responsibility. Shuixian, come with me.”

Shuixian, her hand held fast, was clearly anxious but followed meekly.

“Can you cook tomatoes?” Liu Qianqian asked as she rummaged through the fridge.

“Yes…” Shuixian answered timidly.

“How about potatoes?”

“Yes…” Shuixian replied again.

“All right, let’s go with these two. I’ll wash and slice them, and you can stir-fry them, how’s that?” Liu Qianqian said cheerfully, picking out some potatoes and tomatoes.

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly. I can do it myself,” Shuixian protested, flustered.

“It’s fine, let me help too,” Dongfang Qingwan chimed in as she came over. Seeing that this so-called “monster” was actually a shy and lovely young woman, she couldn’t bear to leave her to do all the cooking alone.

And so, with Liu Qianqian holding the potatoes and Dongfang Qingwan holding the tomatoes, they gently dragged Shuixian into the kitchen.

Qin Xuan was unaware of the happenings downstairs. He stood on the second-floor balcony, frowning slightly as he sensed the changes around the villa. The last rays of the sunset faded, and sure enough, a faint but chilling aura began to creep toward the house.

Dongfang Qingwan’s first night in the villa had begun.