A Foxy Seducer at First Glance

Meng Zhixian lit the candles, and the four of them sat around the square wooden table in the kitchen. The dishes from the food carrier Su Yuhe had brought back were all laid out on the table.

The three men said nothing and left their chopsticks untouched.

"Eat first. I'll tell you once you're done."

Still, nobody touched their chopsticks. The atmosphere was heavy. Su Yuhe was mentally rehearsing what she would say next; she noticed, but did not dwell on it.

Lu Mingyi picked up the serving chopsticks and placed some food in Meng Zhixian's and Lu Mingxi's bowls. "Let's eat first."

With him taking the lead, the other two ate a little, though slowly.

Su Yuhe propped up her head and watched them eat. Watching handsome men eat was a feast for the eyes, and it made her hungry again.

Chopsticks landed on the table with a clack. Lu Mingyi took a plain handkerchief from inside his robes and wiped his mouth, then raised his eyes to her.

"Whatever it is, wife, please tell us."

"It's nothing major." Even she sounded hesitant saying it.

Under their plainly disbelieving gazes, she hurriedly blurted out the rest. "I just found jobs for you."

Silence.

Besides the silence, there were the three men's heavy gazes.

Su Yuhe did not understand why they were looking at her that way. "Why are you looking at me like that? The work is very close to home, and it probably won't be too tiring."

"Wife, I don't want to..."

Lu Mingxi's voice was thick with tears. Before he could finish, Lu Mingyi covered his mouth, his gaze full of warning.

Meng Zhixian glanced at the Lu brothers, then lowered his eyes. "We'll do whatever you say, wife."

She was even more puzzled. They might be put through the wringer working under Xubai, but he was generous. It might be tiring, but they could earn silver.

In a little village, earning a few taels of silver a month would put them among the wealthiest of wealthy households, and meals were included at Xubai's place.

Su Yuhe shifted closer to Lu Mingxi and stroked his head. Like an injured young animal, he leaned against her and called softly, "Wife."

She patted Lu Mingxi's back. "If you don't want to go, I'll speak to the master of the household. He might not agree, but perhaps I can get you switched to something easier."

Lu Mingyi and Meng Zhixian both seemed to pick up on something. Looking thoughtful, they said no more, merely leaving her with, "We'll leave everything to your arrangements, wife," before clearing away the dishes and chopsticks.

Early the next morning, she led the three of them to the farm estate.

The gatekeeper smiled when he saw her. "You're here so early. Lanxin is probably still attending to the master."

Su Yuhe smiled back. "It's out in the open now, so I've come to mooch a meal fair and square."

The gatekeeper looked surprised, but a moment later, he offered his sincere congratulations. "That's wonderful."

She kept walking inside. "I'll head in first. I'll bring you some pastries next time."

Lu Mingyi and the other two followed her all the way to a small building. A young man in green stood by the entrance and opened the door as they approached.

Su Yuhe smiled at Lanxin. "Morning."

Lanxin lowered his head and looked at his toes, his tone flat. "Please come in, miss."

She arched a brow, curled her lips into a smile, and stepped over the threshold. Just as her left foot entered the little courtyard, her gaze unexpectedly met that of the young man at the upstairs window.

Hiding the mocking amusement in her eyes at having come to kick someone while he was down, Su Yuhe put on a bright smile and walked into the small building. Zhuxin came forward, looked at the three men behind her, and said gently, "I'll show the three gentlemen around. Please go upstairs, miss."

Lu Mingxi tugged at the hem of her clothes. "Wife, I'll work hard to earn silver."

Su Yuhe's heart softened. She looked at Zhuxin. "He's young. He can't do much heavy work."

Zhuxin's gaze passed over them before answering her calmly, "Their duties have already been assigned. Any last-minute changes will require the master's approval."

Understanding what Zhuxin meant, she bounded up the stairs in a few strides and hurried into the room.

Xubai sat by the window and turned to look at her. Sunlight fell across half his face, making the light and shadow over his already sharply defined features even more distinct.

"Eat with me."

Su Yuhe threw herself into his arms and went straight to the point. "Could you give them lighter work?"

"You rushed in here just to say that?" Xubai rested a hand against her forehead and gently brushed aside her fringe.

"Yes." She shook his arm. "Especially Mingxi. He's still so young. He can't do anything too strenuous."

Anyone who received her special attention had already made an extremely poor first impression on him.

Xubai let nothing show on his face. His beautiful eyes turned downstairs, just in time to catch sight of the figures in the courtyard.

One stood straight as a pine, one hung his head, and one had a slender figure.

His attention was immediately drawn to the slender figure's back.

Compared with the other two, this one exuded the air of a foxy seducer.

His hair was glossy black and smooth. It was obvious that its owner had lavished considerable care on it.

Many men took care only of their faces and their intimate areas, or tended to their hands and bodies. Few were willing to put so much effort into their hair.

If someone did, then he had considerable aspirations for his looks and quite a few insights into winning a woman's heart.

Xubai had seen many such people before. Even if looks were all he had, those looks were his greatest weapon.