Maid Shui Bing'er

"Since you're already awake, let me tell you something. Do you know how expensive the medicinal bath I used to save you was? I know now that you're from Skywater Academy, so I'm sure you're not short on money. Pay up!"

Shui Bing'er said awkwardly, "I don't have any money right now."

Bai Ying began the first step of his usual ploy. He lightly coughed and said, "If you don't have money, then anything valuable will do."

Shui Bing'er said again, "I don't have anything like that either."

Shui Bing'er's words made Bai Ying pause slightly. He hadn't expected this seemingly delicate girl to be so direct. A sly glint flashed through his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled into an amused smile, as though he had already seen through her predicament.

"Nothing?" Bai Ying deliberately raised his voice in feigned surprise, then quickly returned to his calm demeanor. He chuckled softly, a hint of cunning in his eyes. "Then you must at least show some sincerity, right? Otherwise, wouldn't my medicinal bath have been a waste?"

As he spoke, he pointed at the pale-blue bracelet around Shui Bing'er's wrist. It emitted a faint glow and was clearly no ordinary item.

"That bracelet looks pretty good. It should be worth a few hundred gold coins, right?" Bai Ying said casually, though a trace of greed flashed in his eyes.

Shui Bing'er's expression shifted slightly. The bracelet was the only keepsake her mother had left her, and it meant a great deal to her. She tightly gripped it.

Seeing Shui Bing'er's reaction, Bai Ying was delighted. It seemed he had truly stumbled upon a treasure this time. He deliberately sighed and said, "Sigh, forget it, forget it. Seeing how pitiful you are, I won't force you. But remember what you owe me for the medicinal bath. Once you have money, don't forget to pay me back."

With that, he turned around and was about to leave. However, at that moment, Shui Bing'er suddenly called out, "Wait! I can do something for you to repay the debt!"

Bai Ying revealed a sly smile and asked, "Can you do anything?"

Shui Bing'er said, "Of course."

"Then how about devoting yourself to me?"

Bai Ying's tone was extremely casual.

Shui Bing'er's face was like the rosy morning clouds at sunrise, the flush spreading from her fair neck to the roots of her ears. She widened her eyes, clearly not expecting Bai Ying to make such a request. Her heartbeat quickened as though it were about to leap from her chest, and for a moment, she was completely speechless.

Seeing Shui Bing'er's reaction, Bai Ying's lips curved into a pleased smile. He knew he had successfully lured this innocent girl into his trap. Next came the pleasure of watching his prey struggle.

In fantasy novels, protagonists always use this kind of ploy to flirt with girls. I have to say, the people on Douluo Continent really do have low intelligence. If this happened in real life, I'd probably have been beaten up by now.

However, just then, Shui Bing'er suddenly raised her head, determination shining in her eyes. She took a deep breath as if she had made some momentous decision, then slowly said, "I can."

A look of surprise flashed through Bai Ying's eyes. He hadn't expected Shui Bing'er to agree to his demand so readily. An inexplicable emotion surged within him, seeming to be both joy and disappointment. He looked deeply at Shui Bing'er, complicated emotions flickering in his eyes.

However, just then, Shui Bing'er suddenly reached out and grabbed Bai Ying by the collar, pulling him close to her. Caught off guard, Bai Ying was stunned by her sudden action.

Is it starting already? Isn't this moving a little too fast?

Or is Shui Bing'er just that kind of person?

"You..." Bai Ying had just begun to speak when Shui Bing'er interrupted him.

"You misunderstood. I meant that I can work for you to repay the debt."

Bai Ying froze. He hadn't expected Shui Bing'er to misunderstand his meaning so directly. He chuckled softly, reached out, and gently ruffled her hair. "Silly girl, did you really think I'd do anything improper to you?"

Shui Bing'er's face grew even redder. She glared at Bai Ying but didn't pull away from his hand. She seemed to sense his sincerity, and the wariness in her heart eased somewhat.

"Then... what do you want me to do?" Shui Bing'er asked in a low voice, a slight tremor in her voice.

Bai Ying smiled faintly, a sly glint in his eyes. "It's simple. Be my maid! You'll be responsible for bringing me tea and water, washing clothes, and cooking every day, until I'm satisfied."

Shui Bing'er widened her eyes, clearly not expecting Bai Ying to make such a demand. In her eyes, being a maid was an extremely lowly occupation, and she had never imagined that she would fall to such a state. However, when she thought of the enormous debt she owed, she couldn't help feeling helpless.

At that moment, Bai Ying suddenly reached out and gently took Shui Bing'er's hand. "Don't worry. I won't make you do anything too strenuous. Besides, I believe you're capable of doing this job well."

"Fine. I'm willing to be your maid."

"But I have one condition. I have to return to Skywater Academy first, or my sisters will be very worried."

"I can agree to that, but your injuries are extremely serious right now. Wait until you've recovered before we discuss it."

Shui Bing'er hadn't expected the person before her to agree so easily.

"Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

"No one has ever managed to escape from me. Besides, I trust you."

"This is your work uniform. Put it on."

Before long, Shui Bing'er had changed into the clothes and walked out of the room. She wore a plain maid's outfit, yet it could not conceal her elegant and otherworldly bearing. Bai Ying looked at her, a trace of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

"This maid outfit looks really good. I remember how my heart used to itch whenever I watched those Western movies in my previous life."

Shui Bing'er stood before Bai Ying somewhat uneasily, her hands tightly clasped together as she tried to suppress her nervousness. Bai Ying looked at her and smiled. "Don't be nervous. From today onward, you're my maid. Remember, your job is to obey my commands. No matter what I ask of you, you must obey unconditionally."

Shui Bing'er nodded. Although she was somewhat displeased, she knew she had no choice in her current situation. She took a deep breath and adjusted her mindset, then looked up at Bai Ying, determination shining in her eyes. "I understand, Master."

Bai Ying nodded in satisfaction, then turned and walked toward the soft couch in the room before lying down. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, seemingly enjoying the feeling of being waited on. Shui Bing'er stood to the side, somewhat at a loss. She had never imagined she would have such an experience, but she knew that she had to work hard to adapt to this life.

Just then, Bai Ying suddenly opened his eyes. He sat up and looked at Shui Bing'er. "Go to the kitchen and heat some water. I want to take a bath."

Shui Bing'er paused slightly, then quickly nodded and turned toward the kitchen. Although she was somewhat dissatisfied, she knew that her current identity was that of a maid and that she had to obey her Master's orders. Before long, Shui Bing'er came in carrying a basin of steaming water. She placed it on the small table beside the soft couch, then respectfully said to Bai Ying, "Master, the water is ready."

Bai Ying opened his eyes and looked at Shui Bing'er's respectful appearance, unable to keep himself from finding it amusing. He sat up, reached out to test the water temperature, then nodded. "Very good. You can leave now."

Shui Bing'er breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave. However, just then, Bai Ying suddenly called out to her, "Wait."

Shui Bing'er stopped, feeling somewhat uneasy. She turned to look at Bai Ying and saw a playful glint in his eyes, as though he were plotting something.

"Is there... something else you need?" Shui Bing'er asked cautiously.

Bai Ying smiled faintly and pointed at his hair. "My hair is a little messy. Could you help me comb it?"

Shui Bing'er froze. She hadn't expected Bai Ying to make such a request. In her eyes, such trivial matters were usually handled by maids, while she, as a maid herself, should be responsible for more important tasks. However, thinking of her current identity and circumstances, she could only brace herself and walk over. She took the comb Bai Ying handed her and began combing his hair.

Bai Ying sat quietly, feeling Shui Bing'er's gentle fingers moving through his hair. Her movements were somewhat inexperienced, but they were filled with earnestness and care. Bai Ying's heart stirred. He suddenly reached out, caught Shui Bing'er by the wrist, and pulled her into his arms.

"You..." Shui Bing'er cried out in surprise and tried to break free from Bai Ying's embrace, but he held her tightly.

"Don't move," Bai Ying said softly. "Let me hold you for a while."

Shui Bing'er's heartbeat quickened, and she felt her cheeks burning. She didn't know why Bai Ying had suddenly treated her this way, but she could feel the warmth and security in his embrace. After hesitating for a moment, she ultimately did not pull away.

Bai Ying gently released her. Looking at Shui Bing'er's flushed cheeks and flustered gaze, he couldn't help finding it amusing. He knew he had gone a little too far, but he had also wanted to test the trust and feelings between them. Judging by her reaction, he was fairly satisfied.

"I'm sorry. I may have been a little too forward," Bai Ying said softly. "But I only wanted to tell you that I won't treat you like an ordinary maid. I hope we can build a closer and more trusting relationship."

Shui Bing'er raised her head and looked at Bai Ying, complicated emotions flickering in her eyes. She didn't know how to respond, but she could feel the sincerity and warmth in his words. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded. "I... I'm willing to try."

"All right, you can go out now!"

"Rongrong, I know you've been listening to our conversation outside. Come in for a moment."

Ning Rongrong, whose name had been called from outside the door, turned pale. She let out a deep breath and opened the door.

Shui Bing'er's expression stiffened. Ning Rongrong said nonchalantly, "All right, you can go out first."

Upon hearing this, Shui Bing'er felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders and hurriedly slipped out. From what he had just said, it seemed that they had heard everything she and Bai Ying had said earlier.

"You've only just met her, and you're already making a move on her. Isn't that a little too fast?"