The next day.
Sylvia had just pushed her door open in the morning when she found Tingyun, holding a folding fan, cheerfully blocking her doorway.
"Benefactor~ This humble one waited for you all of last night, right until dawn, yet you never came to see me. How truly cruel you are."
"...Stop joking. You clearly don't look like someone who stayed up all night."
Sylvia knew Tingyun was spouting nonsense. If she'd really been awake all night, she wouldn't be this energetic and smiling so brightly.
"Ah, really now, can't you just play along, Benefactor?"
As she spoke, Tingyun ducked her head, her fluffy ears brushing against Sylvia's arm, and slipped right past her into the house.
"What are you doing?"
Sylvia watched curiously as Tingyun invaded her space, wondering what she was up to so early.
Tingyun, however, held up a paper bag she was carrying and placed it on the tea table.
"This humble one specially brought you some breakfast, all your favorites."
"You're this nice to me?"
"Benefactor, what kind of words are these? This humble one has always treated you so well~"
Listening to Tingyun's chatter, Sylvia sat down beside her and looked over the breakfast, which was a feast for the eyes and nose, taking a deep breath.
"Mmm~ It really does smell wonderful. Thank you for the meal."
"Aiya~ If Benefactor truly wishes to thank me, then you must give this humble one a proper massage later."
Sylvia knew right then that this little fox's early visit was all about leading up to that very line.
"So early? Why not wait until evening?"
Who would have thought that Tingyun would pout at this, complaining with clear dissatisfaction:
"But Benefactor wasn't willing to come over last night."
"..."
Sylvia froze for a second, then quickly backpedaled.
"Alright, alright, my bad, my bad. I'll give you the massage after we eat."
"Hehe~ I knew Benefactor would take pity on this humble one's exhaustion."
With that, Tingyun snapped her folding shut with a crisp 'click' and changed the subject.
"After we parted yesterday, this humble one passed the letter of recommendation for the Master Diviner to Miss Qingque. Miss Qingque guaranteed she'd get the Master Diviner sorted out this very morning."
Sylvia listened while eating her breakfast, nodding.
"Should I head over around noon then?"
"Mn. Miss Qingque also said going during the lunch break increases the chance of the Master Diviner agreeing."
"You two are really going to be the death of me~"
Upon hearing this, Tingyun instead tapped Sylvia's forehead lightly with her fan, teasing:
"When Benefactor met the Master Diviner yesterday, you were clearly staring at her feet the whole time, weren't you? Qingque told this humble one all about it. You might say you didn't want to, but I'll bet you were secretly thrilled."
"Ahem—"
Sylvia nearly choked, quickly gulping down some water to refute:
"I did not! It's not true! I wasn't looking at all! How can Qingque just blab everything!"
"~"
Tingyun simply stared at Sylvia's flustered, water-gulping face, a smile playing on her lips. She said nothing, yet her smiling eyes seemed to speak volumes.
"Stop looking at me like that!"
Sylvia's face felt hot with embarrassment. She reached out to push Tingyun's face away.
Tingyun didn't resist, letting Sylvia's fingers press against her cheek and push her head aside, all while continuing her teasing:
"Benefactor is so heartless~ This humble one brings you breakfast, and the moment you start eating, you're already pushing me away~"
"..."
Sylvia was rendered speechless. She simply stopped responding, burying her head in her food. Eat! Just eat, eat, eat, eat!
She shoveled all the food from the table into her stomach in a few quick bites.
The moment she let out a satisfied burp, Tingyun's tail swished over and patted her arm.
The meaning was unmistakable.
Looking at that fluffy tail, a sudden, mischievous impulse seized Sylvia. She grabbed a handful of tail fur and said with mock ferocity:
"Let's go! See how I 'deal with' you!"
--+--
Two system hours later.
Tingyun lay sprawled on the sofa, her face flushed red, body trembling and utterly limp. She had changed into a nightgown and was wrapped in Sylvia's blanket, presenting a picture of delicate weakness.
Sylvia, on the other hand, sat refreshed in a nearby armchair, tilting her chin towards the now thoroughly drained Tingyun.
"Hmph~ Woman, see what you get for messing with me?"
Tingyun merely responded with a soft, flushed glare before pulling the blanket over her eyes, pretending not to see.
Her fluffy ears, still peeking out, continued to quiver slightly, clearly not having recovered yet.
Sylvia checked the time and addressed the lump on the sofa:
"I'm going to the Divination Commission to find Qingque. You rest up, Tingyun."
After waiting to hear an almost imperceptible sound of acknowledgment from under the blankets, she smiled and left her residence.
Naturally, Sylvia didn't know the exact location of the Divination Commission.
But upon reaching the Exalting Sanctum, she found Qingque waiting.
"Aiya, you're finally here! I snuck out during my lunch break, we need to hurry. If we're late, who knows if the Master Diviner will still be willing!"
The moment they met, Qingque grabbed Sylvia's wrist and started pulling her towards the star-skiff docks.
Sylvia, however, was deeply confused. Watching Qingque leading the way, she asked curiously:
"Qingque, how exactly did you convince Master Diviner Fu?"
"Ehehe~ That's my little secret! Can't tell anyone!"
Seeing Qingque's mysterious and evasive manner, Sylvia shrugged and decided not to press further.
They boarded a star-skiff at a port in the Exalting Sanctum and flew towards the pocket realm where the Divination Commission was located.
Although they were going to the Divination Commission, as an outsider, Sylvia wasn't going to be taken to any crucial areas.
Following Qingque, they arrived at a relatively secluded resting room where she met Fu Xuan, the Master Diviner, who was still reading something.
"You've arrived. This one heard from Qingque that you possess remarkable massage skills capable of relieving fatigue and loosening joints?"
Fu Xuan was quite petite, standing up to about the same height as Qingque, both having to look up at Sylvia.
But her presence was formidable, carrying the natural confidence of one in authority.
Sylvia nodded and was just about to speak.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Qingque trying to lower her profile and quietly sneak towards the door.
She was instantly alarmed!
You little Qingque! How dare you try to sneak away from something this big, leaving me alone to face Fu Xuan!
Without a second thought, Sylvia dashed over, grabbed Qingque's arm, and met her horrified, despairing look with a serious nod.
"That's correct. I have quite some confidence in my massage skills. Qingque was very insistent yesterday that I come to give you a massage, Master Diviner. She said she wanted you to relax a little."
"Qingque, what you told this one yesterday seemed somewhat different, no?"
Fu Xuan's voice sounded from behind Qingque. Realizing escape was impossible, Qingque shot Sylvia one last look of shock and betrayal before turning around with a forced giggle.
"Aiya, Master Diviner, it's just a small thing, a trivial matter! Why not give it a try? Since we're already here and all, right?"
"Hmph. Qingque, you will remain here and work overtime. This one said yesterday she would personally ensure you do not escape your duties during your lunch break!"
"What—?! Nooo, Master Diviner!!"
--+--
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.