Chapter 396
Xia'er wanted to save some time. After a moment of thought, she said, “That’s enough. Just help me wash my hair, please. Thank you.”
Sitting on a low stool beside the bath, Xia'er pushed all her hair back and picked up a bar of soap, starting to wash her hair on her own.
Behind her, Tara took a moment to steady her breathing before tremblingly removing her clothes until she was left in just her slip. She then picked up a brush and the soap, knelt behind Xia'er, and gently gathered her hair.
Xia'er’s hair... it smells so good...
No, no, no, Tara! What are you thinking? Your job right now is to help the Mother Goddess with her hair!
She scooped water with a wooden ladle and slowly wet Xia'er’s silky red locks. The damp strands clung to Xia'er’s fair skin, and every time Tara moved the hair, her fingers inevitably brushed against Xia'er’s soft skin.
Even such a simple action made Tara nearly spill the ladle several times. Whether it was the steam around her or something else, her face was flushed as if she had a fever.
Tara’s hands trembled throughout the process. It felt almost like a pilgrimage as she cradled Xia'er’s hair, lathering it with soap, reluctant to even use the brush.
Patter, patter—
It was only when she heard footsteps in the distance that Tara jolted back to reality, quickly regaining her composure and stealing a glance at the newcomer.
Xia'er heard the footsteps too. She turned her head and saw Aivina approaching in a bathrobe. Her long black hair was all tied up, secured with hairpins and coiled atop her head, towering high.
Didn’t she say she had already washed up?
Aivina didn’t meet Xia'er’s gaze or greet her, perhaps because Tara was present.
She walked to the edge of the bath, the silk robe sliding off her shoulders and pooling on the ground. Aivina slowly lifted a leg and stepped into the bath, sitting down inside. All Xia'er could see were Aivina’s flushed earlobes.
Tara seemed to sense something and quickened her movements. After about ten minutes, she finally finished washing Xia'er’s hair. After a quick towel-dry, she wrapped it up and grabbed her own clothes, standing up.
“Lady Xia'er, I’m done. I’ll wait for you outside. Just call me if you need anything.” Tara quickly donned her maid’s dress, bowed slightly toward Xia'er, and hurried out of the private bath, waiting behind the archway.
After rinsing off the foam from her own body with a wooden bucket, Xia'er stepped into the bath and sat down next to Aivina.
“Didn’t you say you had already washed?” Xia'er asked, glancing at Aivina.
Aivina merely sank a little deeper, nearly half her face submerged in the water, not responding or looking at Xia'er.
Huh?
Xia'er had never encountered Aivina’s silence before. After a moment of thought, she began to understand.
Today, Aivina had just helped her with a mental healing session, and it had even left Aivina’s spirit somewhat tainted. Yet Xia'er hadn’t listened to Aivina’s advice to rest properly; instead, she had brought up the incident right after dinner...
If the roles were reversed, and Xia'er watched Aivina’s spirit weaken day by day without heeding her warnings, she might not just be angry; she might resort to more drastic measures to restrict Aivina or even finish what Aivina needed to do ahead of time.
“I’m sorry, Aivina. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Looking at Aivina, who was curled up in the water, Xia'er lowered her head slightly and spoke.
Upon hearing Xia'er’s apology, Aivina finally reacted. She turned to look at Xia'er, puffing out her cheeks.
This...
Seeing Aivina’s adorable expression, Xia'er couldn’t help but reach out from the water, gently pinching her cheeks and giving them a little squeeze.
A jet of water shot from Aivina’s mouth, splattering directly onto Xia'er’s face.
Xia'er: “...?”
So you’re a water gun now?
Seeing Xia'er’s expression, Aivina couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
Xia'er wasn’t going to let it slide either. She reached out and grabbed Aivina’s cheeks, giving them a good squeeze until Aivina splashed water and begged her to let go.
The two exchanged glances, both looking a bit disheveled, and burst into laughter.
Xia'er leaned her head back against the marble, and the playful exchange with Aivina had certainly lifted her spirits.
The Aivina now was a far cry from the wary little cat in the simulation.
“Xia'er.”
Aivina’s call caught Xia'er’s attention. When she looked at Aivina, Aivina turned her gaze away.
“What’s wrong?” Xia'er asked.
“Today, I’m allowing you to rest your head on my shoulder for a bit.” Aivina lifted her chin slightly, shaking her right shoulder, looking quite magnanimous.
“Thanks!” Xia'er didn’t hesitate. She tilted her body and rested her head on Aivina’s shoulder, slowly closing her eyes.
The scent of aromatherapy and Aivina’s gentle fragrance enveloped Xia'er’s senses. She felt a slight disturbance in the water below as Aivina’s left hand quietly settled on her waist.
Xia'er tilted her head back slightly and caught a glimpse of Aivina’s lips, which were struggling to suppress a smile.
Oh well, let her win this time.
Xia'er slowly closed her eyes, quietly savoring the water and the fragrance, gradually emptying her mind.
...
After changing into clean clothes and stepping out of the bath, the cool air brushed against Xia'er’s nose, filling her lungs.
I have to say, “psychologists” are indeed a remedy for extraordinary beings. I wonder why there are so few extraordinary individuals in this field, and no substantial organizations.
At least every time Aivina helped Xia'er heal, she felt an unprecedented lightness, free from the constant buzzing and murmurs in her mind, allowing her a brief respite.
Aivina, reminding Xia'er to rest, once again entered Xia'er’s hotel suite, lying down beside her as she dried her hair and prepared for sleep.
Tonight, Aivina seemed to be in a great mood. They didn’t discuss any bothersome matters in bed, simply holding each other, feeling the warmth and touch of one another, passing a night that wasn’t too long.
...
In the morning, Xia'er awoke from her dreams.
A night of quality sleep had fully restored her spirit.
She gently released her hold on Aivina, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before getting up and walking to the desk.
In her hand, a silver light flickered as the **Endless Manual** appeared beside her.
She needed to plan out what she had to do in the simulation.
- **Make early contact with Eleanor and develop her as an ally.**
- **Discuss the details of the banquet with Aivina, then execute the plan, ideally getting Eleanor to control Edward.**
- **Constantly observe Nia to prevent her from being alone, ensuring she doesn’t fall prey to the Order God’s teachings.**
- **If necessary, directly consume the “Detective” potion to join the Order God’s church; as long as I don’t kill the bishop while investigating Order God-level matters, my identity won’t be exposed.**
- **Look for an opportunity to retrieve that brain and have Adele study it to see what it is.**
- **There’s a lot to do this time; remember to document everything in detail.**
The sound of writing seemed to wake Aivina. She slowly opened her slightly drowsy eyes, looking a bit confused as she turned toward Xia'er, then propped herself up.
“Xia'er?” Aivina called out, noticing Xia'er’s serious expression.
Just as Xia'er finished writing, the silver light flickered, and the **Endless Manual** vanished from her sight. She turned to Aivina and smiled, “Good morning.”
“Are you ready to take action?” Aivina asked softly.
“Not just yet.” Xia'er set down her pen and sat on the edge of the bed, their lips brushing lightly.
“I’ll sleep a bit more.” Xia'er pulled back the covers and lay down.
After a moment of confusion, Aivina also snuggled back under the covers, wrapping her arms around Xia'er as if afraid she might leave.
Xia'er closed her eyes, calling out to the system in her mind.
“Tomorrow.”
“No.0.”
Xia'er silently recited.
A brilliant silver light suddenly appeared before her.
.
.
.
PS:
SORRY！！！！
Table of Contents
