“If Xiaodie really pulls this off, then you’ll be a savior to the Jinzhi family. Do you really think I’m the kind of person who forgets a debt of gratitude?”
Xiaodie was truly looking down on her too much!
She usually loved teasing Su Mengdie, but she knew how to prioritize when it mattered most.
Besides, if Xiaodie really managed to win against that person through her own strength, not only would the Jinzhi family’s crisis be averted, but she wouldn’t lose out once they eventually swapped their bodies back.
It was just one tiny request—she’d grant it!
“Then it’s a deal!”
With that promise from the Eldest Miss, Su Mengdie felt much more at ease.
All her hard work was for the sake of this one request.
“Then I’m heading to the bath first~!”
After a long, satisfying stretch, Su Mengdie grabbed her change of clothes and headed straight for the mist-covered bathroom.
Having played all day, her body was in desperate need of hot water to loosen up her muscles.
Perhaps sensing this—or perhaps harboring other motives—Penelope suddenly called out to her.
“Wait, I’m coming with you~!”
Eh!?
She had just washed up, hadn’t she? What kind of mischief was she plotting now?
“Don’t overthink it. I see your body is quite stiff, so once you’re done soaking, I’ll give you a massage to get you in better shape for tomorrow.”
Seeing Su Mengdie frozen in place, Penelope offered a brief explanation for her behavior.
However, the explanation only made Su Mengdie more suspicious—after all, Penelope never acted like this!
The Eldest Miss, who usually needed others to help her bathe, was suddenly offering to give her own maid a massage?
Su Mengdie didn’t believe for a second that there wasn’t a hidden agenda…
Yet, after some deep thought, Su Mengdie eventually agreed.
“Alright then, I’ll be in your care, Miss~”
Regardless, this was a rare gesture of kindness from the Eldest Miss.
Even if she was up to no good, it wouldn’t be right to reject her outright.
What if she was being sincere?
Besides, she still held the authority granted by the Head of the Family.
If the Eldest Miss really tried anything inappropriate, she wouldn’t mind giving her another taste of that “discipline” from earlier today.
“Mhm~ then let’s go in!”
Seeing Su Mengdie agree, Penelope didn’t say another word.
She grabbed Xiaodie’s arm and ducked into the warm changing room.
The room was shrouded in white mist, smelling of shampoo and body wash.
Su Mengdie had just placed her fresh clothes on the rack when she was startled by Penelope suddenly hugging her tightly from behind.
“Xiaodie, shall I help you undress?”
Penelope’s voice was incredibly soft, her slender fingers tracing gentle circles against Xiaodie’s waist.
“Eldest Miss, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Su Mengdie grabbed Penelope’s hands and turned her head to look at her, her expression as stern as could be.
It was as if she would mete out a harsh punishment the moment the Miss crossed the line.
“I’m not trying to do anything… isn’t the Head Maid test tomorrow? So I thought…”
Penelope blinked her watery eyes, leaving the rest unsaid.
But Su Mengdie understood her meaning.
With a helpless sigh, she spread her arms.
“Then please be on your best behavior, Miss… don’t let me down.”
Did she not know the Eldest Miss by now?
She just wanted to act spoiled!
Since the Miss had behaved well today, she’d allow it as a special treat.
As for that excuse… honestly, it was pretty terrible.
Setting aside that tomorrow’s test only involved cooking, even a regular test would never take place in a private setting like a bath.
Su Mengdie truly wished Penelope would find a more plausible reason the next time she wanted to act clingy.
Otherwise, she had to play along and act like a gullible “sweet-but-clueless” girl.
Having gained Su Mengdie’s permission, Penelope was internally thrilled.
After excitedly rubbing her hands together, she pinched the tiny zipper at the back of the white dress and slowly pulled it down, peeling away the layers of scented clothing like silk from a cocoon…
Though the embarrassing ordeal didn’t last long, Su Mengdie still couldn’t get used to it, and a crimson flush soon crept across her face.
“Xiaodie, are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so red?”
Penelope was clearly asking despite knowing the answer.
Furthermore, while Su Mengdie’s back was turned, she sneakily tucked the final piece of discarded fabric under her own laundry basket.
She had even prepared an excuse for when Su Mengdie eventually asked about it—she’d just say a stray kitten had snuck in and snatched it away!
Perfect!
“I’m fine, I’m going in!”
Not only did Su Mengdie fail to notice the Miss’s little scheme, but she was also startled by the question.
She grabbed a towel and scrambled into the bathroom.
She didn’t want Penelope to see her bashful expression (even though it had already been spotted).
After all, if something the Miss found mundane felt so shameful to her, wouldn’t that make her seem like the one with the “dirty” mind?
She would never admit to such a thing!
She, Su Mengdie, was definitely more pure than that “closet pervert” of a girl who kept a whole drawer of “treasures”!
Su Mengdie dipped her toes in to test the temperature before submerging her entire body into the warm pool.
With a splash, the overflowing water sent up waves of heat and thick steam, blurring the skylight above until the moon and stars looked as if they were draped in a thin veil of gauze.
Su Mengdie gazed up at the stars.
After soaking for just a moment, her skin turned a rosy hue, masking her lingering shyness.
Seeing her so captivated, Penelope didn’t disturb her for a while, simply wrapping herself in a towel and sitting beside her.
It wasn’t until Su Mengdie turned back to look at her that Penelope spoke up lazily (soaking in the bath felt too good—especially in winter).
“Xiaodie, the mist is so thick, can you even see the stars?”
“It’s not that I have to see the stars; it’s just that this scene reminds me of when I used to bathe with my mom.”
At the mention of her mother, Su Mengdie’s expression grew somber.
Ever since her mother said she had to go out for a bit five years ago, Su Mengdie hadn’t seen her…
Though the Head of the Family had used all their influence to search for her starting that very night, they never found a single clue. Part of the reason the Head handed the family affairs over to the Eldest Miss later on was related to this.
“Xiaodie… I know it might sound flippant, but I believe your mother is okay, and we will definitely find her eventually!”
“Mhm… thank you, Miss.”
Hearing Penelope’s comfort, Su Mengdie managed a thin smile.
Who knew the Eldest Miss could actually be quite good at consoling people?
Actually, she had always been good at it—if she hadn’t stayed by Xiaodie’s side the night her mother disappeared, Su Mengdie didn’t know if she would have made it this far.
It was just that the Miss was usually so frivolous that it was easy to forget that side of her.
Seeing Su Mengdie smile, Penelope smiled too.
“Xiaodie, if you really miss your mom that much, I can be your ‘mom’ for a while until Auntie comes back~”
“You… GET OUT!”