That bewitching voice of Qingque's had, in the end, drawn a few curious glances.
"Look at that couple over there, they're so into each other—they're even giving each other foot rubs! You should take notes!"
"That white-haired girl is just adorable."
"Huh? The one slumped over the table... doesn't she look like someone from the Divination Commission?"
The murmurs drifted into her ears, making Qingque even more reluctant to lift her head.
'I'm not, I didn't, I don't know anyone from the Divination Commission—!'
Qingque buried her face in despair, screaming internally.
She desperately wanted to leap up, make an announcement, and deny being a diviner from the Commission—but sadly, her nerve simply wasn't up to such a bold move.
I'm done for, I'm done for! If the old lady Master Diviner finds out about this, I'm a dead woman!
With immense effort, Qingque managed to twitch her still-quivering legs just a little.
All she dared do was press her feet against Sylvia's thigh, nudging and pushing a few times, trying to get her to stop.
No more, please no more! If this goes on any longer, I'll have to hijack a starskiff and flee the Luofu!
But Sylvia, completely absorbed in her massage, didn't notice Qingque's distress at all.
Realizing she might genuinely have to flee the Luofu if this continued, Qingque clenched her teeth, balled her hands into fists, and flailed them wildly in Sylvia's direction.
Those little fists, almost like a playful pout, landed on Sylvia's shoulders—finally snapping her out of it.
Sylvia looked up.
There was Qingque, collapsed across the table, chest heaving, hair in disarray, looking as though she'd just run some grueling marathon.
"Oh, dear…"
Seeing Qingque in such a state, Sylvia couldn't deny it—her massage technique had claimed yet another victim.
And just like that, Sylvia began to doubt herself.
How could this be?
She'd been so restrained, used the most basic technique, and hadn't even applied any ointment.
Just a simple rub—how could it cause such a dramatic reaction??
It didn't make sense.
Could it be that this darn system-given skill had some hidden effect not mentioned in the description?
As Sylvia fell silent, Qingque only grew more embarrassed, wishing she could vanish on the spot.
Did this person have any decent skills at all? Just what kind of things had she been learning?
Sylvia watched as Qingque buried her face in the table, peeking out with one half-lidded eye—glistening, full of grievance and pitiable innocence.
She looked utterly wretched.
Just as Sylvia was quietly contemplating taking a sip of tea to collect herself, a fox tail suddenly slipped out from the side and gave her arm a light, teasing swat.
Then, Tingyun's voice, tinged with a mix of reproach and secret delight, sounded by her ear:
"My, my~ if it isn't my dear benefactor. I wondered why you hadn't come to visit me these past few days—thought you must be terribly busy. Who would've guessed you'd be here enjoying the storytelling with another lovely lady?"
"Pfft…"
Tingyun's tone carried notes of grievance, glee, and a distinct hint of jealousy—anyone listening might think Sylvia had done her some great wrong.
And as soon as those words were spoken, the tone of the surrounding chatter shifted instantly.
"Good grief, with such a pretty foxian lady by your side, you still go chasing after others?"
"She looks so sweet, that white-haired girl, but to think she'd… tsk tsk, how the times have changed."
"Grab the popcorn, folks!"
Setting her teacup down hastily, Sylvia turned to see Tingyun, holding a folding fan and smiling coyly at her.
Suddenly, Sylvia's expression shifted. Just as Tingyun sensed something amiss, Sylvia seized her delicate, sweet-smelling hand:
"Miss Tingyun, you're one to talk. You said I could visit anytime, yet every time I go to the Sky-Faring Commission, you're nowhere to be found. I've been drowning my sorrows, inviting a friend here for a drink. And now, when we finally meet, you start by scolding me."
Tingyun was caught completely off guard—she hadn't expected this side of Sylvia.
But Sylvia was simply returning the tease. Once she got comfortable with someone, her true nature emerged.
Acheron was too aloof; teasing her would only make things awkward, so that wasn't appropriate.
But Tingyun was sharp and perceptive; a little playful banter in return was harmless.
Seeing the mirth in Sylvia's eyes, Tingyun snapped her fan shut with a click, deliberately pursed her lips, and furrowed her brows into a pitiful expression.
She lightly tapped Sylvia's forehead with her fan, then settled herself beside her.
Her fluffy, soft tail began swishing back and forth against Sylvia's calf—part complaint, part flirtation.
"You're really something, Benefactor~ Every time we meet, you make little old me show such an embarrassing side, and then you act all innocent."
While the two were talking…
Qingque, who had been lying face-down, had already turned her head. Still pressed against the tabletop, she covered her eyes with her hands—but her fingers were spread wide, as if afraid she might miss something.
Her big eyes darted between Sylvia and Tingyun, filled with rampant curiosity and a hunger for gossip.
Sylvia hadn't noticed, but Tingyun had already caught that wide-eyed stare. She teased lightly:
"Well, well, so it's little Qingque keeping the Benefactor company today. No wonder you've skipped the gambling parlor—quite the mood you're in, having your feet rubbed while enjoying the storytelling."
Before Qingque could respond, Sylvia turned and saw Qingque's awkward, twisted posture.
Not only was her head tilted sideways on the table, but her dainty feet were still draped over Sylvia's knees. Her whole body was turned sideways, as if she were lying on her side right there in the chair.
Sylvia reached out and tugged at the hem of Qingque's skirt, sighing:
"Good thing we're against the wall, or everyone would've gotten a free show."
"Hey~! No need to get handsy while you're at it!"
Blushing, Qingque swatted away Sylvia's mischievous hand, quickly pulled her feet back, and sat up properly.
Then, she turned to Tingyun:
"Actually, it's a task from the old lady Master Diviner—she asked me to show Sylvia around. I just didn't expect you to know her, Miss Tingyun."
"Earlier, when Master Diviner mentioned it was a request from Lady Yukong, I thought Sylvia must be close to her."
Tingyun had already figured out the situation the moment she recognized Qingque.
Smiling, she picked up the teapot and refilled Sylvia's cup, replying: "That's a long story. If not for my benefactor here, I'm afraid I would have been left for good in some nameless corner."
"Ooh—I see, oh ho~"
Qingque's face lit up with the expression of someone stumbling upon juicy gossip.
"And Miss Tingyun, you are now…?"
"I've just returned to Starskiff Haven. I've been busy for days, and finally found some free time today. Thought I'd come listen to some stories, and planned to ask my benefactor for a shoulder rub later. Never expected to run into you both here."
"Ah, I see... Wait a second—Miss Tingyun, when you said 'shoulder rub,' you didn't mean… from Sylvia, did you?"
Qingque nodded, about to agree, when the realization suddenly hit. Her eyes widened as she stared at Tingyun.
"But of course, I meant my benefactor~ Ever since she played with my tail, I've been completely captivated. No one else will do~ Didn't you just experience it yourself, little Qingque? My benefactor's hands… they feel wonderful, don't they~?"
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.