The late morning sun filtered through sheer curtains, casting soft shadows over the marble floors. Bai Zhiqi sat at the kitchen island with a warm cup of tea, her injured hands curled loosely around the porcelain. The room was silent, save for the occasional clink of dishes being arranged by Xiao Lin, the timid maid with wide eyes and a gentle manner.
Zhiqi observed her quietly—her delicate movements, the soft rhythm of her steps, the way she folded cloth napkins with quiet concentration. There was something strangely comforting in watching someone who knew her purpose and carried it without complaint.
"Do you always do everything yourself?" Zhiqi asked finally.
Xiao Lin nearly dropped a spoon, startled by the sudden question. "Oh! Y-Yes, Miss Bai. I mean, here, yes. Master Ji prefers to have only one person inside the private condominium. I—I clean, cook, organize and manage the deliveries."
Zhiqi tilted her head. "All alone?"
The maid smiled sheepishly. "It's not so bad. I have a schedule."
Zhiqi gestured with her hand. "Go on. Tell me. I want to hear what a 'normal' day looks like for someone like you."
Xiao Lin blinked, then tucked her hair behind her ear, a bit unsure. "It's not very interesting…"
"I don't mind."
The girl hesitated, then walked around to the other stool and sat down, as if unsure whether it was appropriate. But Zhiqi didn't stop her.
"Well," she began, "I wake up at five-thirty every morning. I do a sweep of the apartment first—just checking that nothing's out of place. Then I prepare Master Ji's breakfast. He's very punctual—six-thirty on the dot. Black coffee, boiled egg, and toast. Nothing more."
Zhiqi raised a brow. "Sounds like a punishment."
Xiao Lin giggled, quietly covering her mouth. "He says breakfast is only fuel, not a luxury."
"Of course he would."
"After he leaves, I clean the kitchen, dust the rooms, and do laundry if needed. Then I water the balcony plants. He only keeps succulents, but he likes them trimmed neatly."
Zhiqi's gaze flicked to the balcony. "I saw them. All lined like soldiers."
Xiao Lin nodded. "Then around ten, the groceries and fresh ingredients arrive. I put everything away, plan the day's meals, and sometimes prep lunch, though he rarely eats at home."
"Does he ever take days off?"
The girl tilted her head thoughtfully. "I think… only during the New Year. But even then, he works in his study."
Zhiqi hummed, her finger tracing the rim of her cup. "He must pay you well."
Xiao Lin blushed. "Yes. More than I ever imagined. He saved me, Miss Bai. I was in a very bad place before he hired me. I owe him everything."
Her voice was so soft, so sincere, that Zhiqi didn't doubt it.
"And your afternoons?" Zhiqi asked, switching the subject.
"Oh! After lunch, I clean the bathrooms, mop the floor, then tidy the study even if he doesn't use it. I prepare tea for him around four, just in case. At six, I begin dinner prep. He comes back anytime between seven and ten, depending on his meetings."
"And if he doesn't?"
"I wait until ten-thirty. Then I refrigerate the food, clean up, and go to bed by eleven."
Zhiqi leaned back in her chair, sipping her tea. "You really do live a quiet life."
Xiao Lin gave a small nod, almost apologetically. "It's not exciting… but it's safe. And quiet."
"Quiet isn't always bad," Zhiqi murmured. "Sometimes it's the only thing that keeps us sane."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, the calm stretching between them like a warm blanket. It was the kind of mundane moment Zhiqi hadn't experienced in years—no fear, no judgment, no expectations.
Just two women, sitting and breathing the same air.
Xiao Lin stood finally, bowing slightly. "Would you like to see the rooftop garden, Miss Bai? It's not much, but the view of the city is very pretty."
Zhiqi gave a small smile, the kind that didn't quite reach her eyes but still carried weight. "Sure. I'd like that."
Maybe, just for today, she could allow herself a little peace.
Before everything began again.