Do Not Approach

Chapter 25: Is the Eldest Miss offering her affection for free?

The Eldest Miss was truly upset. She was so infuriated by Mu Xiaoxiao that she didn't want to look at her for another second, wheeling her wheelchair away without a word.

Mu Xiaoxiao was left standing awkwardly, feeling utterly embarrassed.

Did she really need to be that blunt?

Does she genuinely dislike me?

For most girls her age—young and proud, still in school—being dismissed like that would feel humiliating and hurt their self-esteem. Some might even leave in tears after such a harsh rejection. But Mu Xiaoxiao was no ordinary person. After all, who else would dare propose becoming sworn sisters with the eldest miss?

Although rejected, when Mu Xiaoxiao saw Qin Yi's stubborn back as she left, a spark of determination ignited within her. She knew that the eldest miss wasn't the kind to judge people by appearances—if she were, she wouldn't have treated her so kindly from the start. Qin Yi valued sincerity and integrity above all.

Maybe the eldest miss just wasn't ready to accept her as a sister. After all, they had only spent a little over a month together—it was rash of her to assume otherwise.

But so what if she was turned down?

Was there anyone in this world Mu Xiaoxiao couldn't win over?

With this in mind, she hummed cheerfully as she resumed cooking. Today, she decided to make steamed sea bass—a light and flavorful dish that the Eldest Miss enjoyed. She also planned to prepare celery with lily bulbs and a soup to round out the meal.

Meanwhile, Qin Yi's emotions were a tangled mess.

When Mu Xiaoxiao asked to make her a sworn sister, it felt like her pride that she held so high all her life, was being trampled underfoot. Furious as she was, she had only managed to vent her anger with a dismissive gesture. But as she wheeled herself away, guilt crept in.

Had she hurt Mu Xiaoxiao with her words?

Would Mu Xiaoxiao really think she was being rejected?

In truth, it wasn't disdain—it was just... complicated.

Still lost in thought, Qin Yi was startled by Mu Xiaoxiao's cheerful voice singing in the kitchen: "I'm not a patient person, but for you, I keep making exceptions—it's an addiction, oh yeah!"

Qin Yi: ...

Why was she this happy?

What could she possibly be so joyful about?

The afternoon breeze wafted in through the window, ruffling Mu Xiaoxiao's hair as she carefully prepared the fish. She plated it, placed it in the steamer, and began mincing garlic.

In just a month, she had mastered Qin Yi's tastes and was nearly fluent in managing her routines. Though the eldest miss might not stand nor speak yet, Mu Xiaoxiao was confident that she'd succeed in making Qin Yi acknowledge her as a sister.

After laboring for an hour and a half, Mu Xiaoxiao brought the food to the dining room. She turned on all the lights and even opened a bottle of red wine to celebrate her return, hoping it would make the eldest miss happy.

After washing her hands, Mu Xiaoxiao went upstairs to knock on the door. She stood at the door, knocked, and called softly.

"Eldest Miss? "

"Eldest Miss?"

No response.

She frowned. Could it be that she fell asleep? That didn't seem right—this wasn't her usual nap time. How could she be asleep now?