In the following week, Higashino Makoto completely degenerated.
It's not the kind of decadence that leads to the Abyss, but a gentler, more addictive kind of decadence, like soaking in warm water, knowing you should get out but not wanting to move at all.
Every morning, Tingyun would appear at his bedside on time, carrying hot tea and breakfast.
She wore a light green nightgown, her long, dark green hair loosely draped over her shoulders, her fox ears twitching slightly in the morning light, and her Kohaku eyes still hazy from just waking up.
"My lord, it's time to get up."
Her voice was softer and sweeter than during the day, with a hint of languor.
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, looked at her, then closed them and turned over.
"Sleep a little longer."
"Sir, you said the same thing yesterday."
"Then sleep a little longer."
Tingyun sighed, placed the tray on the bedside table, then sat on the edge of the bed and nudged his shoulder.
"Sir, if you don't get up soon, breakfast will get cold."
If it gets cold, just reheat it.
"Grown ups--"
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"Do you know that your tail was wagging when you pushed me?"
Tingyun paused for a moment.
"This humble woman... no."
"No, there isn't."
Tingyun was silent for a moment, then withdrew her hand and stood up.
"My lord, if you don't get up, this humble woman will—"
"Just what?"
I'm not making you lunch.
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at her.
Tingyun stood by the bed, hands on her hips, fox ears standing straight up, Kohaku eyes staring at him.
But her tail swayed gently behind her.
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then sat up.
"You win."
Tingyun's lips curled up slightly.
"Sir, please have breakfast."
She picked up the tray, placed it in front of him, and then sat down beside him, her fox tail gently draped over his lap.
Higashino Makoto picked up the bowl of porridge and took a sip.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
You seem to be in a good mood today.
"Because the adults have gotten up."
"That's all?"
That's all.
Tingyun tilted her head, her fox ears twitching slightly.
"The happiest thing for me every day is seeing the adults wake up."
Higashino Makoto glanced at her.
"What's so interesting about the way I look when I wake up?"
"It looks great."
Tingyun's voice was very soft.
"When the adult woke up, his eyes were not fully open, and his eyelashes trembled slightly, as if a butterfly had landed on them. I think that was when the adult was most vulnerable."
Higashino Makoto put down his bowl and looked at her.
"You've been observing me every day?"
"I just enjoy watching."
Tingyun's lips curled up slightly.
"Don't the adults like it?"
Higashino Makoto did not answer.
He picked up the bowl again and continued drinking the porridge.
But the smile on his lips never disappeared.
During the day, Higashino Makoto would sit in an armchair by the window, reading, drinking tea, or daydreaming.
Tingyun would sit beside him, stand behind him, or lean on his shoulder.
She won't talk forever, but she won't remain silent forever either.
She would speak at the right time and say the right thing, keeping the atmosphere neither too quiet nor too noisy.
"Sir, what book are you reading?"
"Magic theory."
Is it pretty?
"Not very good-looking."
"Then why are you still watching?"
"Because it's boring, and also interesting."
Tingyun thought for a moment, then took the book from his hand, closed it, and put it aside.
"Then, sir, please don't look anymore. Talk to this young lady for a while."
Higashino Makoto looked at her.
"Say what?"
"Anything is fine with me."
Tingyun leaned on his shoulder, her fox tail wrapping around from behind and draping over his leg.
"For example, what were adults like when they were children?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"I don't remember."
"That's a lie."
"I really don't remember."
Tingyun raised her head, her Kohaku eyes looking at him.
"Sir, do you not want to talk about it, or do you really not remember?"
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Tingyun nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
She leaned against his shoulder again, her fox tail swaying gently.
"Then let's talk about something else."
"Say what?"
What do adults like?
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
"Beautiful things."
"For example?"
"Like you."
Tingyun's fingers paused for a moment.
"Grown ups--"
That's the truth.
Tingyun lowered her head, her long, dark green hair falling down and obscuring her face.
But Higashino Makoto could see that her ears were red.
Very popular.
It was so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
Are you shy?
"No."
Your ears are red.
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
Tingyun's tail swayed gently behind her, as if trying to conceal something.
At night, Higashino Makoto would lie in bed, Tingyun would lie beside him.
I don't do that kind of thing every day.
Although I do it most of the time.
After all, the term "vixen" wasn't used for nothing.
Tingyun is more talented in this regard than any of her previous secretaries.
It's not the kind of deliberate skill that comes from practice, but rather a natural instinct, as if it's etched into one's bones.
This is probably what is meant by being born with a captivating charm.
She knew when to approach and when to back away.
She knows when to take the initiative and when to yield.
She knew how to wrap her tail around his wrist, how to nuzzle his chin with her fox ears, and how to look at him with her Kohaku eyes, making him feel like the most important person in the world.
"Grown ups."
"Um."
Do you like petite women?
"Like."
Tingyun's lips curled up slightly.
"What do you like about me?"
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
I like it everywhere.
"No, you have to say one."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, at the expectant light in her Kohaku eyes.
"Tail."
Tingyun was taken aback for a moment.
"Tail?"
"Yes, the tail."
Higashino Makoto reached out and grasped the fluffy fox tail, gently stroking it from the base to the tip.
Tingyun's body trembled slightly, and her fox ears stood up straight.
"My lord... do you... do you know what it means to touch a fox's tail?"
"What's the meaning?"
Yes--Yes--
Tingyun's face flushed red, and her Kohaku eyes were filled with panic.
It means courtship.
Higashino Makoto paused for a moment.
Then he continued touching.
"Then consider it courtship."
Tingyun's mouth opened, closed, and opened again.
"Sir/Madam -- You -- You --"
"What's wrong?"
"You're too cunning!"
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
You're not the first person to say that.
Tingyun took a deep breath, then another, and then another.
Then she threw herself into his arms, her fox tail wrapping tightly around his wrist.
"Sir, you are responsible."
"What are you responsible for?"
"I'm responsible for... making this young lady satisfied..."
Hmm, is it really okay to do this during the day?
Why don't we turn the sky outside into night?
In short, Higashino Makoto spent another day indulging in decadence.