Unbeknownst to Di Gaohun, a certain someone was watching from the shadows. Not watching Xin Tuyong this time.
Her keen eyes locked onto the cool-headed Di Gaohun who was adjusting his clothes frantically with an anxious face.
It didn't take a genius to be able to guess that something had happened.
Knowing this, her ruby lips fell into a faint scowl. She would not lose her prey even if it was to someone close to her.
Di Gaohun was well aware of her intentions from the very beginning and knew he was playing with fire.
The queen would have to swoop in like a true predator.
By the time Xin Tuyong got up, the sun was hanging low in the evening sky, not quite setting.
He felt instant dread and pulled the covers over his head despite being wide awake after such a long rest.
He vividly remembered cleaning, then Di Gaohun scared him into a dead faint.
That was at about... noon? He groaned.
'I missed half a day of work if not more, and some poor soul -- probably Di Gaohun -- had to bring me here. How can I look anyone in the eyes after that? Especially after I've been so pampered, I have no excuse,' he thought.
With an inward sigh, Xin Tuyong sat up in bed and looked around. On his bedside table was a glass of water and a prettily written note.
The elegant scrawl read: "Please drink this water and take care of your health! I heard you weren't feeling well today, so take tomorrow off to recuperate. Get well soon :)
- Huan Mao"
Xin Tuyong released yet another sigh and hid his face in his hands. Even the boss knew about the incident. She would probably be angry.
He was embarrassed that everyone had come into his room within that time, even the rarely-seen boss.
Well, it was already established from the beginning that locks weren't allowed for safety reasons, meaning everyone had access to the room.
Even so, Xin Tuyong felt his heart turn in regret. The room wasn't particularly messy because of his lack of belongings, but it wasn't orderly like the rooms he spent hours cleaning every day.
He drank the water and realized how dehydrated he had been. Not only was he sweaty, he could tell that he smelled.
His only hope was that his visitors came early and were feeling merciful.
On his day off, Xin Tuyong didn't know what to do. He felt better -- not as on-edge as the previous day -- but still wary.
With his lack of money, just enough to ride a taxi outside of the city and back with some cash to spare, he wasn't too keen on spending.
He was saving to buy a cellphone, which previous circumstances had forced him to sell.
He enjoyed his morning of sleeping in, but hunger and restlessness brought him to clean up and hurry to the kitchen at around noon.
His bagged meal was in the fridge, so he heated it and ate happily. It was his favorite benefit of being an employee, comparable to at least a four-star restaurant, if not five.
...
The air was warm with a slight breeze, but the beam of the sun felt hot on his skin. It was almost summer.
As Xin Tuyong walked down the street for the first time in almost two months, he felt excited.
The self-control he had before was slipping, and as he passed some vendors, he was partially glad he left his wallet at home.
His mind wandered as he himself aimlessly wandered through the streets. Rounding a corner, he was too slow to react.
He crashed into the delicate frame of a tall woman.
"Ah, Xin Tuyong! It's you."
He gulped. What a coincidence that he had to run into (literally) his boss. And at such an odd hour, too. Didn't she have work?
He bowed deeply, "I'm sorry! Are you hurt?"
He couldn't afford to lose his job. He knew she wasn't hurt because of such a light impact, but he had to ask out of politeness.
Feeling her shoulder, she hissed. "Actually, yes." Was she really in pain over such a small thing? So dramatic, right? There was no way...
"I'm so sorry! Should we go to a hospital? I'll take you right now."
"No, it's fine, just a little-" she winced in pain upon trying to move her shoulder, "bruised, that's all. Would you mind walking with me to the house?"
Well, he couldn't say no.
"En."
His happy walk became somber, and when he arrived with her in the kitchen, he felt trapped.
Something was off.
As she lifted her sleeve to apply ice, there was a small purplish bruise roughly the size of a golf ball.
Did he really hurt her?
He snapped to attention and rushed to the stove, heating up a large kettle of water.
"Here have some water*. It will make you feel better. Once again, I'm really sorry. I didn't think we collided that hard."
Huan Mao accepted the water with a small smile. At least she didn't look angry.
"Will I be compensated for my injuries?"
*Warm water is a common remedy for many things in China, like cramps, indigestion, and overall health. It's also good for circulation!