Xiao Hongchen's Maid Ratings

"Nana, the choice is yours. Do you want to join the Hongchen Family like the other Holy Servants, or return to a normal life and continue studying at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy? Of course, I won't stop you if you want to leave the Sun Moon Empire. After all, it may have brought you some painful experiences."

Nana lowered her head.

"Master freed Nana's parents, so our previous agreement still stands. I'll honor it and serve you for the rest of my life."

"Heh heh heh, now I see why you've been so eager about this, big brother. You're lusting after her! Am I not good enough for you anymore, Guyi?"

"Meng, why are you making me sound so awful? This is all coming from Nana. I never asked her for anything like that."

"So you don't make the first move, but you don't turn her down either. Classic scumbag behavior!"

Ye Guyi glanced at Xiao Hongchen, her gaze gradually turning cold. She had seemed composed earlier because Nana had suffered the same kind of hardships she had. But now that Nana was becoming her rival in love, she naturally found it harder to accept.

"Hey, what do you all take me for? I'm the chaste and pure Xiao Hongchen, a lovestruck young man who's never even held a girl's hand! Of course, Meng doesn't count."

Meng Hongchen and Ye Guyi: "Pfft..."

"Nana, have you made up your mind?"

"Yes. But I'd still like to continue studying at the academy."

"Of course. Even if you become a maid for the Hongchen Family, you can still attend classes as usual. But when you come home, you'll have to change into a special outfit."

Nana stood in the living room. At the words "special outfit," a trace of unease crossed her face.

"It's just an ordinary maid uniform, nothing indecent."

Nana let out a breath of relief and nodded gently.

Meng Hongchen curled her lip, clearly disappointed. "Tch. I thought you were going to come up with something more interesting."

"By the way," Xiao Hongchen suddenly said, turning to Nana, "what's your Soul Power Level?"

"Level thirty-five," Nana answered honestly.

"Hmm." Xiao Hongchen nodded thoughtfully. "The family will give you all the resources you need. We'll try to get you to break through to Soul Ancestor before the next Soul Master Tournament. Your Martial Soul has good traits, but your Soul Power Level is too low. You'll be at a disadvantage."

Nana froze for a moment, then bowed solemnly.

"Thank you, Master."

"All right, go change."

He waved, signaling the head maid to take Nana to the changing room.

"If there's anything you don't understand, just ask her. You've got a week to learn the ropes, then you'll start next week, okay?"

"Yes, Master."

Nana left the hall.

"Guyi, why don't you try on a maid uniform too? I think you'd look great in one."

Xiao Hongchen winked at Ye Guyi.

"Eh, me? I think I'll pass."

Ye Guyi waved her hand, seeming a little bashful.

But Meng Hongchen leaned in, her eyes sparkling.

"Come on, Guyi! Just try it on. I want to see, too!"

"Why don't all three of you change, then? I'll give you a rating. How's that?"

Xiao Hongchen blurted it out at the sight of them, but regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth. No matter how you looked at it, rating girls to their faces was probably a bad idea.

To his surprise, though, neither of them looked displeased. Even Ye Guyi, who had been hesitant, now seemed eager to give it a try. She actually agreed to Xiao Hongchen's request.

"But let's get one thing straight first, big brother. No letting your personal feelings get in the way. You have to be objective."

"...All right. I promise to be fair and impartial. Ten points for a perfect score. I'll make sure no one gets special treatment."

"Then let's go change!" Meng Hongchen grabbed Ye Guyi and dashed upstairs. "Guyi, we have to dress up properly. We can't lose to Nana!"

Xiao Hongchen sat on the sofa and watched the two disappear up the stairs. He suddenly realized he'd dug himself a hole and buried himself in it.

He rubbed his brow and let out a long sigh.

If you asked him, weren't all ratings in this world subjective? Where was he supposed to find a purely objective one?

The wait was torture.

About fifteen minutes later, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Unbelievable. They were only changing clothes, not putting on makeup. Did they really need to take this long?

Xiao Hongchen wanted to ask.

The three of them came down the stairs side by side.

Meng Hongchen led the way, wearing a classic black-and-white maid uniform with cat-ear accessories. She had pinned her silvery-white hair into twin ponytails, making her look playful and adorable. Her skirt was a little shorter than usual, leaving just the right amount of bare skin above her black thigh-high stockings.

Behind her was Nana, dressed in a simple maid uniform mostly in black, without any unnecessary decorations. A black-and-white ornament was the only thing in her hair. Her pale pink hair hung loose, and her deep blue eyes held a hint of nervousness.

Her eyelashes and lips were lightly darkened, and with her black tights, she gave off the air of a Gothic maid.

Last came Ye Guyi, who walked toward them with her skirt held up and her toes pointed lightly. Her maid uniform had the longest skirt of the three, revealing only her slender calves in pristine white stockings. Somehow, that gave her an air that mingled holiness with restraint.

She tried to keep her expression calm, but a faint blush tinted her fair cheeks, making her look like a cool young lady forced to cosplay.

The three stood in a row. Xiao Hongchen's eyes swept from left to right, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

This scene... was a little surreal.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat, doing his best to look professional. "Are you all ready? Then you can start by showing me your everyday maid duties."

"Nana, you go first!" Meng Hongchen said slyly. Nana was the most maid-like of the three, so if she went first, Meng could try to imitate her.

Nana froze, clearly not expecting to be called on so suddenly.

She walked up to Xiao Hongchen and gave a slight curtsy, performing a proper maid's greeting.

"Master, is there anything you need?"

Her voice was soft, her tone respectful, and her gaze gentle and attentive.

Xiao Hongchen raised an eyebrow, thinking that the girl had been born to be a maid.

"Pour me a cup of tea," he said casually.

"Yes, Master."

Nana turned to the tea table, picked up the teapot, and poured the tea. Her movements flowed seamlessly, not a single one wasted.

She brought the cup back and held it out to Xiao Hongchen with both hands, lowering her head slightly.

"Your tea, Master."

Xiao Hongchen took the cup, sipped, and nodded.

"Mm, very nice. Such fragrant tea, just like its aroma."

He had no ability to appreciate tea, so he was just making things up.

Nana let out a breath of relief, stepped aside, and waited quietly for the next instruction.

"My turn, my turn!"

Meng Hongchen eagerly jumped forward.

She imitated Nana, walking up to Xiao Hongchen, but her steps were much lighter, almost bouncy.

She gave him a playful wink, then performed an exaggerated maid's curtsy.

"What can I do for you, Big Brother?"

Her voice was sugary sweet. With the over-the-top cat ears and twin ponytails, she looked like an energetic maid who'd leapt straight out of a world of anime.

"Hmm. Polish my shoes."

"Hm?" Meng Hongchen's eyes darted away for a moment.

"Say that again?"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I meant, rub my legs for me. I had a tough fight today, and they're a little sore."

Seeing the blue eyes of his sister narrow slightly, Xiao Hongchen hurriedly changed his tune.

Meng Hongchen gave a "hmph" and finally dropped the look.

She sat down in the chair beside Xiao Hongchen, reached out, and began massaging his calves.

Her pressure was surprisingly precise, and she hit all the right acupoints.

Xiao Hongchen leaned back in his chair. The massage felt so good he almost groaned, and he couldn't help commenting, "If you ever can't make Soul Tools anymore, you could open a massage parlor and still make a living."

"Shut up." Meng Hongchen smiled as she quietly pressed harder on one of his acupoints.

Xiao Hongchen's whole body jolted. He didn't say another word.

Once the massage was over,

"All right, you pass," Xiao Hongchen said, thoroughly satisfied after his sister's massage.

Meng Hongchen tossed her twin ponytails back, brushing Xiao Hongchen in the face, then stepped aside.

Finally, everyone's eyes turned to Ye Guyi.

Ye Guyi stood where she was in silence for a few seconds, then walked toward Xiao Hongchen.

Her steps were light and quiet, but she seemed a little shy.

"Master, what would you like me to do?"

"Cast a spell to make this tea taste better. I know it'll be difficult, but that's an order."

"?"

"You know, the 'hwa-hwa, pew-pew' kind."

"What are you even talking about?"

"Uh... sorry. Could you peel an apple for me instead..."

Ye Guyi glanced at him without asking anything else, then picked up an apple and a small knife. Her fingers were steady as the blade slid along the peel, removing it in one unbroken spiral.

"Please have some."

"Could you... feed it to me one piece at a time?"

He spoke in the same casual tone as before, intending to see how Ye Guyi would react if she refused and tease her a little.

Ye Guyi's hands paused.

Then she cut the apple into even pieces and arranged them on a plate. Her face flushed as she lowered her head, picked up a fork, speared a piece, and held it out to him.

"Open your mouth."

Her voice was a little softer than usual.

Xiao Hongchen froze for a second.

Wait, she's actually doing it?

His heart gave a thump. That was way too unfair.

The tables had turned.

Xiao Hongchen's ears slowly grew hot, but he still opened his mouth and ate the piece of apple.

"Waaah—"

Meng Hongchen's eyes went wide. She covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking.

Xiao Hongchen couldn't take it anymore. After eating one piece, he stopped Ye Guyi.

"It's sweet. You pass, too."

Meng Hongchen let out an incomprehensible scoff from the side.

Ye Guyi gave a slight curtsy and stepped aside.

"Then let's start the ratings. Be objective!" Meng Hongchen said, practically bouncing with anticipation.

Xiao Hongchen rubbed his brow, suddenly feeling a headache coming on.

He thought for a moment, then sat up straight.

"All right. Let's get started."

The three girls looked at him, each with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Xiao Hongchen cleared his throat.

"First, Nana."

Nana nervously clasped her hands.

"For appearance, nine points. For maid behavior, nine and a half. Your movements are precise, your manners impeccable. You really were born to be a maid."

"Eighteen and a half points total."

Objectively speaking, Nana naturally wasn't as beautiful as the other two beside her. Even giving her a generous score, she'd only get around eight points. But her gloomy maid style hit Xiao Hongchen's sweet spot, earning her an extra point. That was why he said it was impossible to be objective.

Nana hadn't expected such a high score.

"I'll keep working hard, Master."

"Next is Meng." Xiao Hongchen looked at his sister.

Meng Hongchen immediately puffed out her chest, brimming with confidence. "My appearance has to be at least nine points, right?"

Xiao Hongchen teased her on purpose. "Not quite nine, I'm afraid."

His sister's expression immediately crumpled.

Xiao Hongchen hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed again and again, his words coming faster.

"But you've definitely got eight point eight, eight point nine. Don't be mad. I'm not even a nine myself, but you've got great natural looks. Maybe this outfit just doesn't suit you."

"Really? Is it the cat ears that don't suit me?"

Meng Hongchen didn't suspect a thing. She was already checking her outfit for possible deductions.

"Right, right, the cat ears don't suit you. And the twin ponytails don't suit you either. Oh, but your profile's good. It is, it is—you're a nine from the side."

"That's more like it."

Meng Hongchen gave a satisfied hum.

"Sorry, I'm going to use the bathroom."

Xiao Hongchen left the living room under the suspicious gazes of the three girls.

"Heh heh heh heh..."

The moment he entered the bathroom, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He was trained by unprofessional standards: no matter how funny something was, he'd never laugh in front of people—unless he couldn't help it.

After composing his expression and calming himself down, Xiao Hongchen settled back onto the sofa.

"Let's continue. For maid behavior, Meng gets seven points."

"Huh? That low?" Meng Hongchen's eyes widened.

"You pinched me too hard earlier. Appeal denied."

Meng Hongchen opened her mouth, but the words got stuck there, circling around for a while before she finally managed to choke out, "You're abusing your power to get back at me."

"This is an objective assessment."

"Sixteen points in total," Xiao Hongchen announced.

Meng Hongchen wilted, slumping over the armrest of the chair beside her with a look of utter despair.

But Xiao Hongchen knew she was putting on an act.

"Last is Guyi."

Xiao Hongchen fell silent for two seconds, then spoke:

"Appearance: nine and a half points."

The three of them froze at the same time.

"Your bearing is outstanding, and your posture is flawless. You would've gotten nine points, but the blush on your face and your shyness are charming too, so I added half a point."

Ye Guyi lowered her head slightly, seemingly trying to hide her blush, but the gesture only made her look even cuter.

"As for your maid skills," Xiao Hongchen continued, "nine points. Better than Meng."

"Eighteen and a half points in total."

The living room fell silent for a few seconds.

"This is unfair! The whole thing's rigged! Big Brother, you're favoring a pretty girl over your own sister!"

"Quit fooling around. Didn't I explain the reasons for all those scores? I was one hundred percent objective and fair. If you don't believe me, ask the other two."

Nana seemed a little surprised that she'd scored so highly, but she quickly returned to her usual calm.

"Thank you for recognizing my efforts, Master."

Ye Guyi stood to one side, her face having returned to its usual cool composure.

"That was fair enough. Meng, if you hadn't been fooling around, your score definitely wouldn't have been any lower than ours."

Xiao Hongchen leaned back on the sofa. Seeing that both of them agreed with him, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Three to one, the motion passes. I am the Impartial Great Judge, after all. Meng, just go study hard."

"I don't agree with that, Big Brother." Meng Hongchen put her hands on her hips. "I just wasn't taking it seriously."

"All right, all right. The scoring's over. Go change back, all of you."

Xiao Hongchen stood up and stretched.

"Nana, you don't have to wait another week. You can start working for real tomorrow. You only have to serve me, so don't worry—I'm very self-disciplined. It won't take much time, and you'll still have plenty of time to cultivate. As for you two..."

He looked at Meng Hongchen and Ye Guyi.

"Forget about being maids. You have more important things to do, like cultivation and getting ready for the upcoming Soul Master Tournament."

"Got it," Meng Hongchen replied reluctantly.

Ye Guyi nodded too.

The three of them turned and went upstairs. Xiao Hongchen sat back down on the sofa and let out a long breath.

The sight of the three of them in their maid outfits rose in his mind, and he couldn't forget it.

"Tsk..."

He shook his head, trying to cast those thoughts out of his mind.

Xiao Hongchen stood up too and returned to his room.

Not for any particular reason. He just wanted to look at his own face and calm down.

He gazed at it for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction. This really was the face he liked best. Looking at it to counterbalance those images immediately steadied his mood.