Tingyun's remark left Qingque utterly speechless.
Is this really the kind of topic you bring up in public?
She'd always thought Miss Tingyun was pretty and played a mean hand of Celestial Jade, but now it seemed her way with words was… a little alarming.
As if reading Qingque's mind, Tingyun only pressed her advantage, scooting her chair closer, wrapping her arms around Sylvia's arm, her tail coiling possessively around Sylvia's waist.
She had her completely tangled up.
The whole display was starting to make even Sylvia a little flustered.
What's going on today? Weren't things perfectly normal before?
How come after just a few days apart, Tingyun's clinging to her like this?
Noticing sidelong glances and eavesdroppers drawn by Tingyun's boldness, Sylvia grew increasingly self-conscious.
"Tingyun, you're… what's all this…?"
"Does my benefactor dislike me now? But this is all your doing, you know~"
Tingyun's cheeks flushed faintly as she gazed at Sylvia, her eyes so tender and sticky-sweet that Qingque, watching from the side, got goosebumps all over.
"Eww— Sylvia, just what did you do to her?!"
"I didn't do anything! I only gave her some tail care, that's all! What's the big deal?"
"…"
Sylvia's words were met only by Qingque's sharp, skeptical stare.
Clearly, she didn't believe a single word Sylvia was saying.
Some tail care that was! As if she'd never seen a Foxian's tail maintenance before!
Since when does a simple tail care session leave someone acting like this?
It's not like those silly romance novels where tails are some kind of erogenous zone.
Tingyun, for her part, stayed quiet, leaning against Sylvia, seeming perfectly content to stir the pot and enjoy the show.
It wasn't until Sylvia finally shot her a pleading look that Tingyun snapped her folding fan open and gently fanned her.
"It's all because you're far too skilled, benefactor. In the past, after business trips, I would always visit Lady Bailu for a massage to unwind."
"But this time, even Lady Bailu's talented hands weren't enough. I've been so restless, barely eating or drinking, just waiting for the day my benefactor would be free~ How could I not come and beg you for your help?"
"…Speak properly. It's just a massage, no need to make it sound so strange."
Though Tingyun's voice was soft, every word made Sylvia want to cover that silver-tongued mouth of hers.
Yet Tingyun showed no fear, instead retorting with playful boldness:
"Have I said anything untrue? Or does my benefactor believe her own skills are… entirely proper?"
"…"
Sylvia was momentarily at a loss for words.
Before she could respond, Qingque quickly chimed in, nodding in agreement:
"Exactly! Sylvia, your so-called 'skills' really aren't proper at all! And you tried to tell me it was just a massage!"
She even puffed her cheeks, blushing, and shot Sylvia an accusing glare.
But compared to before, perhaps because Tingyun was also a "victim," Qingque felt a bit less embarrassed about the whole thing.
Then Qingque turned eagerly to Tingyun, adding fuel to the fire:
"Miss Tingyun, this bully has tormented us enough—you've got to give her a good grilling!"
In Qingque's eyes, Tingyun must have fallen under Sylvia's spell and was now here for 'revenge.'
Perfect—since she wasn't as smooth with words as Tingyun, she'd just cheer from the sidelines.
Tingyun hid a light laugh behind her fan, then turned her gaze to Sylvia.
"Miss Qingque wants me to interrogate you thoroughly, benefactor~"
"…"
Sylvia sighed helplessly, then flicked a finger against Qingque's forehead as she leaned in.
"Ow—!!"
Qingque yelped in pain, clutching her forehead and shrinking back into her seat.
"I'm afraid I must disappoint Miss Qingque. I truly only came to ask my benefactor for a shoulder rub, a leg massage, and some tail grooming."
Qingque, still rubbing her forehead, stared wide-eyed at Tingyun in disbelief.
"No way, Miss Tingyun! Her… her hands are so… so… How could you ask her for that?"
"Although my benefactor's technique is indeed a bit peculiar, even a little embarrassing, it really is wonderfully soothing afterward. Weren't you just on the receiving end of it too, Miss Qingque? After chatting for a bit, you should be feeling more relaxed now."
"Oh, uh…"
Only when Tingyun mentioned it did Qingque realize the slight ache in her feet had faded, and the soreness in her calves had eased considerably.
All from just a few moments of that? How could it be so effective?
Seeing Qingque's expression, it was clear she'd recognized the remarkable effects of the massage.
By now, Tingyun had had her fun. Her cheeks still slightly flushed, she released Sylvia's arm, though her tail continued to occasionally swat playfully at Sylvia's hip.
"So, benefactor, when are you free? This humble one would like to treat you to some of the Luofu's delicacies, and perhaps you could give me a massage as well?"
"Anytime, really. I don't have anything urgent. How about tomorrow? Qingque has to work overtime under the Master Diviner's watchful eye tomorrow, so I'd be bored alone."
"Hey—! We agreed not to bring that up! Now I won't even enjoy the opera."
Before Tingyun could respond, Qingque threw her hands up in defeat.
"Benefactor, what is this about?"
Tingyun's ears twitched with curiosity. Sylvia chuckled and explained:
"Today, Qingque skipped out on work to play Celestial Jade and got caught red-handed by the Master Diviner herself. She's been ordered to make up for her absence tomorrow under the Master Diviner's direct supervision."
"I've heard that most diviners in the Divination Commission are constantly swamped, yet Miss Qingque is a regular at the gaming parlor and has even earned the Master Diviner's personal attention. It seems Miss Qingque is quite a remarkable person."
After hearing the explanation, Tingyun looked at Qingque with renewed interest and curiosity.
Tingyun knew the Divination Commission well—and the current Master Diviner, Fu Xuan, was a notorious workaholic.
If Qingque could spend her days at the card tables without being expelled, even being kept close by the Master Diviner herself…
Either Qingque had some powerful connections, or she possessed something the Master Diviner valued deeply.
But if it were just connections, it wouldn't explain all this effort. After a moment's thought, Tingyun concluded that Qingque must be exceptionally talented in divination.
"Ugh—I've been slacking off so much, why won't Lady Master Diviner just let me be?"
Oblivious to Tingyun's thoughts, Qingque rolled her head on the table until a sudden idea struck her.
"I've got it! A way to skip tomorrow's overtime!"
She shot upright and grabbed Sylvia's other arm, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Sylvia!"
"…"
Sylvia's internal alarms blared as she quickly pulled her arm back.
"What are you plotting? I'm not doing anything illegal."
"How could you say that? This is for your own good! Sylvia, use your magical massage skills to give Lady Master Diviner a good relaxing session tomorrow!"
--+--
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.