Chapter 18: The nickname of the teacher’s online chat partner, like sister

“Teacher, your rental… is so petite.”

At the entrance, Luo Xixue looked around for a while before speaking tactfully.

“Alright, just say the teacher’s rental is small. I’m not that fragile.”

Ye Kui pushed the wheelchair, guiding Luo Xixue inside.

“After all, your teacher is really poor.”

Luo Xixue turned her head, serious, a few strands of silver hair falling onto Ye Kui’s hand, curling around his wrist.

“So, do you want me to lend you some money, Teacher?”

Ye Kui shot her a look, picked up a boiled egg, skillfully peeled it, and stuffed it into Luo Xixue’s small mouth.

“Your teacher isn’t so poor as to borrow money from students.”

“Don’t worry. Even though it’s small, it has everything—there’s a bathroom and a kitchen.”

Ye Kui entered his own room, took out a set of unopened white jacket shirt and an unused towel, and handed them to her.

“Make do with these.”

Luo Qiongyin finished the egg in small bites, blinked, nodded with a smile, and accepted.

She tried to push the wheelchair into the bathroom… and got stuck.

Luo Xixue pursed her lips.

“Teacher… the wheelchair is a bit big.”

Ye Kui: ……

Looking at Luo Xixue stretching out her arms like she wanted a hug, Ye Kui sighed lightly and princess-carried her inside.

He was someone who liked to enjoy life, after all.

There was a bathtub in the bathroom, and he cleaned it thoroughly after every use.

Ye Kui started filling the tub, holding Luo Xixue with one arm.

Luo Xixue curiously stared at Ye Kui’s arm, secretly reaching out to pinch it.

So firm.

“Teacher… so strong.”

Ye Kui showed no emotion at Luo Xixue’s soft exclamation.

Once the water was ready, he unceremoniously tossed Luo Xixue inside, making a small splash.

He placed the shower head in her wet little hand.

Then left decisively.

The clothes and towel were set to the side, close enough for Luo Xixue to reach.

Luo Xixue soaked in the warm water, staring unblinking at the unfamiliar ceiling as steam swirled.

For a long time, she remained still.

Finally, she moved, slowly unfastening her wet dress and tossing it out of the bathtub bit by bit.

Her whole body was submerged in the warm water, her delicate face flushed, and crystal droplets trickled down her palm-sized cheeks.

It was her first time spending the night at someone else’s house, and also her first time using a bathtub a man had used.

A little thrilling.

If her sister found out… it would be terrible.

The teacher might be chopped by her sister.

So, Luo Xixue decided not to tell her sister about this—let it rot in her stomach.

That way, it wouldn’t be discovered.

Luo Xixue took some shampoo from the side and began to carefully wash her silvery-white hair.

Her hair was very good—no split ends or tangles.

With a gentle pull of her fingers, it was silky smooth.

Luo Xixue’s small nose twitched, a droplet falling and sending ripples through the water.

Mm, it smells just like the teacher.

After finishing, Luo Xixue gripped one leg, slowly lifted it, and set it on the bathtub edge with a splash.

Warm water dripped from her red, tender foot.

Her glistening pink toenails looked like flawless jade or sweet milk pastries—perfect bite-sized pieces.

She’d always wanted to try propping her leg on the bathtub edge.

At home, Luo Xixue wouldn’t do this kind of thing—too inconvenient, too indecent.

She didn’t want her sister to see.

But here, it was fine.

Not at home.

At the teacher’s place, it was okay.

……

Ye Kui sat on a worn-out sofa and turned on the TV.

The news about a temporary rainstorm was playing.

Ye Kui glanced at the window, where rain pattered down, blurring the glass with winding trails.

The rain was getting heavier.

Ye Kui thought it seemed Luo Xixue would have to stay the night after all.

He started clearing out a spare room.

At the same time, Ye Kui took out some medicine.

Knowing Luo Xixue’s frail health, getting caught in the rain could easily lead to a fever.

Better to prepare just in case.

Of course, it would be best not to need it.

After finishing everything, Ye Kui returned to the living room.

The tea lid clattered as steam billowed from the teapot.

Ye Kui saw the water had boiled and brewed some red sugar ginger tea.

He took a sip—quite tasty.

He poured another cup, set it on the table, and let it cool slowly.

Knock, knock, knock!

A knocking sound.

Ye Kui looked toward the bathroom.

Inside the frosted glass, a small hand was tapping against it.

Ye Kui stood up and walked over.

“Are you done?”

“Mm, I’m done, Teacher.”

The bathroom door opened a crack, and a dripping arm reached out, groping around.

But it caught nothing.

The movement stopped, the hand slowly withdrew, and a small head peeked out, smiling slightly at Ye Kui.

“Teacher, I’m finished washing.”

“Hug me, Teacher.”

“I’m trying to hold myself up against the wall, but I can’t last much longer…”

Hearing this, Ye Kui instinctively pushed open the bathroom door and picked her up.

As Ye Kui expected, the white jacket shirt was huge on the girl—like a skirt that could cover her thighs.

Silver hair clung to her delicate skin, shimmering with water.

Luo Xixue smiled softly.

“Teacher, do I look pretty?”

Ye Kui: “Pretty. Very pretty, okay?”

The girl pouted.

“Teacher, you’re not sincere.”

Ye Kui ignored her, pulled her over, and sat her on the sofa, gesturing toward the curtain heater.

The heater was already on, spreading warm light.

He handed her the cup of red sugar ginger tea, which was just the right temperature.

The girl took a small sip, her face turning rosy.

“Teacher, it’s so warm.”

“Then sit and warm up.”

Ye Kui went back to the bathroom, planning to wring out Luo Xixue’s wet dress and hang it near the curtain heater to dry.

But then, Ye Kui noticed the soft fabric and his mind paused.

So… did Luo Xixue not wear anything underneath?

Hm, that seemed to be the case.

Ye Kui thought about it.

Too flat—couldn’t tell.

He instinctively grabbed it.

A light laugh came from behind.

Ye Kui turned to see Luo Xixue—who should’ve been warming herself on the sofa—now sitting in the wheelchair, hands clutching the bathroom door, peeking in.

Suddenly, her eyes curved like twin silver moons, and she smiled mischievously, drawing out her voice.

“Teacher, what are you planning to do with my little clothes? Could it be… something bad?”

The girl’s laughter was lively, with a hint of mischief.

Ye Kui waved a hand.

“Enough.”

“I’m just putting them in a bag for you to take home and wash yourself.”

“Oh, is that so? I believe you.”

But looking at her slightly upturned lips, Ye Kui felt she didn’t really believe him.

“Teacher, help me wash them, please.”

Meeting Ye Kui’s sharp gaze, Luo Xixue blinked.

“Don’t worry, Teacher. I’m not fishing for trouble.”

“Really, I’m serious.”

“After all… Teacher wouldn’t do anything bad to my little clothes, right?”

“Teacher isn’t that kind of pervert, right?”

“Could it be… no way, no way~”

Ye Kui Han’s forehead throbbed with a vein, feeling Luo Xixue was unusually energetic tonight, like a mischievous spirit.

“You said it yourself. Don’t complain if my hands dirty your clothes.”

The girl’s face flushed, and she twisted her fingers together.

“No way!”

“Teacher, look at me!”

Ye Kui Han: ?

“Like~”

Luo Xixue made a heart gesture with both hands.

Ye Kui shivered, then warned sternly:

“This problematic student, behave yourself. Your teacher wants to keep his job.”

Luo Xixue laughed like a silver bell, wheeling away, her silver hair brushing her flushed cheeks.

She knew it was wrong to tease her teacher.

But she couldn’t help it.

…It’s okay to be a bad student in front of the teacher, right? After all, the teacher always pulls her back onto the right path.

……

Luo Xixue glanced at the window.

The rain outside was still heavy and unending.

She thought of her sister, who had said she’d be busy with work tonight and might not come home.

Luo Xixue pushed aside the thought and moved closer to the old curtain heater.

…It’s fine if sister doesn’t come home tonight.

……

Elsewhere, in the villa.

Luo Qiongyin turned on the light, changed her shoes, and quietly stepped inside.

She placed a small cake on the table—a whole big bag, all gifts from the Miss Shop Assistants, who refused to take money.

Luo Qiongyin felt a bit embarrassed, but couldn’t resist their enthusiasm.

They said if she didn’t accept, they wouldn’t sleep well tonight.

Since they said that, Luo Qiongyin couldn’t refuse.

Tiptoeing, she walked to her sister’s bedroom door, gently opened it a crack, and peeked inside.

It was dim, but she could see the bed was slightly raised.

Luo Qiongyin nodded softly.

It seemed her sister was resting.

She decided not to wake her.

Luo Qiongyin quietly closed the door again.

If she’d entered, she would’ve found the bed empty, occupied only by a large hug pillow hidden under the covers.

Luo Qiongyin sat in the living room, eating a small cake, and pulled out her phone, bored, opening a certain someone’s chat window.

[I-Slay-Scumbags-with-One-Sword (Female Lead): Are you there?]

Buzz buzz!

Luo Xixue: ?

Luo Xixue saw Ye Kui Han’s phone on the table light up and vibrate.

Curious, she wheeled over and saw someone had sent him a message.

Luo Xixue wanted to respect her teacher’s privacy, but when she saw the nickname, she frowned.

Because it seemed similar to her sister’s online nickname.

Could it be… her teacher was in contact with her sister?