Chapter 128: A New Maid!!

Evening.

The sky was a warm, hazy light blue, and the setting sun cast a soft glow through the sparse clouds.

Inside the villa.

To welcome the newest member, An He had personally spent time in the kitchen today, working alongside Sagiri Amamiya to prepare a table full of dishes.

As the aroma filled the air, Saori Amamiya and Chie Hoshino finally emerged from the bathroom. The two young women were dressed in simple, loose bathrobes, their bare feet stepping lightly across the carpeted floor. Perhaps they hadn't dried off completely, as tiny, crystalline water droplets could still be faintly seen on their exposed calves.

Seeming to sense someone's gaze, Saori, who had been drying her hair with a towel, suddenly turned her head. Seeing that An He was still watching her, her eyes darted, and she suddenly pulled her collar down, only to immediately pull it back into place. Although it was only for a split second, An He had clearly caught a glimpse of that fair, slightly pink-tinged snow-capped mound.

"What's wrong?"

Sagiri, noticing his gaze, curiously looked toward the bathroom door. Seeing that Saori and Chie had come out, she quickly called out, "Since you're finished washing up, come over and have some dinner."

Seeing that her sister hadn't noticed, Saori couldn't help but reveal a sly smile. She winked at An He, then giggled as she replied, "Coming!"

As she spoke, she pulled the slightly hesitant Chie Hoshino toward the dining table.

Once they were seated, An He realized Eri Tachibana hadn't come down yet, so he had to head upstairs to call her. While he was at it, he called Zhenyi Tachibana to ask if she wanted to come over for dinner. After all, they were neighbors, and she had provided the house, so he intended to show some gratitude, but she declined, claiming she had matters to attend to.

After hanging up, An He didn't think much of it and led a still-blushing Eri back down to the living room on the first floor.

"Brother-in-law is so slow," Saori, who had been starving, complained the moment they appeared, earning a roll of the eyes from An He.

"You're one to talk? Do you have any idea how long you spent in the shower—over an hour?"

"Hehe, soaking in the tub with Chie-chan is just too comfortable."

Saori stuck out her tongue. Chie, hearing this, blushed deeply, perhaps thinking of something.

"Alright, let's eat. It's getting cold." Sagiri stopped their bickering and gestured to Eri. The little girl scurried over with short, quick steps.

"Big Sister Sagiri~" The little girl called out sweetly as she sat in her chair. She then greeted Saori across from her before finally turning her gaze to the unfamiliar older girl sitting next to Saori. She blinked, not daring to speak.

Noticing Eri’s inquisitive gaze, Chie quickly stood up, bowed slightly, and introduced herself: "I'm Chie Hoshino. You can just call me Sister Chie, Eri-chan."

She had already heard a general overview of the villa’s current residents from Saori while in the bathroom, so even though it was their first meeting, she knew Eri’s name. Feeling the little girl’s scrutinizing gaze, Chie nervously tugged at the hem of her robe. *Will she not like me? If she says she hates me, what should I do?*

As she was lost in thought, Eri suddenly stood up, ran over to her with her short legs, and called out sweetly:

"Sister Chie~"

The soft, healing tone of a child’s voice echoed in her ears. Chie was stunned, but before she could react, Eri turned to Sagiri and asked, "Hey, hey, Sister Sagiri, can Eri sit next to Sister Chie?"

"Of course you can." Sagiri nodded with a smile, then added a gentle reminder: "But Eri-chan, you have to get consent from the person involved first~"

Hearing this, Eri immediately lifted her head, blinked her large eyes at Chie, and said in a soft, milky voice: "Is it okay, Sister Chie?"

The topic having turned to her, Chie was momentarily flustered and instinctively nodded. "O-of course it is."

"Yay!" Eri cheered and plopped down on Chie’s right side.

Seeing the little girl seated, An He lazily made his way to the table and took the seat Eri had previously occupied. He then put on a heartbroken expression and teased her:

"Eri-chan only asked Sister Sagiri; you didn't even ask your Brother Yusheng~"

"Umm~" The little girl blushed.

Recalling what had happened that afternoon, An He didn't continue to tease her.

Soon, dinner began. Throughout the meal, Saori kept piling various delicacies into Chie’s bowl, and even Eri joined in. Seeing this, An He couldn't help but remark, "Eri seems to really like Chie Hoshino."

Sagiri, hearing this, looked at the little girl busy serving Chie, then glanced at the faint scars occasionally visible on Chie’s arms. A smile appeared on her face as she whispered, "She is very smart."

"That she is." An He nodded in agreement. Suddenly thinking of something, he shifted his gaze to Sagiri and teased, "Sagiri-chan, you look really good in your uniform."

"Is that so?" Sagiri blinked, lifted a hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, leaned slightly toward An He, and whispered softly, "Then... do you want to come to my room tonight, An He-kun? I don't have to change out of it~"

An He gulped, his gaze uncontrollably lingering on Sagiri’s shapely legs encased in black stockings. Originally, he had intended to let Chie have a quiet first night to get some good sleep, but it seemed he would have to inconvenience her.

Silently apologizing to Chie in his heart, An He calmly placed his hand on Sagiri’s leg. She noticed, glanced across the table to ensure no one was watching, and felt a slight flush rise to her cheeks. Her legs unconsciously pressed together and rubbed gently.

After dinner, Saori took charge of cleaning the table, and Sagiri went to the bathroom to wash up. An He took Chie upstairs to let her pick a bedroom. Since there were only four bedrooms on the second floor and they were all occupied by Saori and the others, Chie had to choose a room on the third floor.

The third floor had three bedrooms; although they were unoccupied, they had all been cleaned, so Chie could move in immediately. When asked for her preference, she said any room would do, so An He simply chose the one furthest from his own room.

*Hopefully, this will help her get a good night's sleep,* he thought to himself. Seeing Chie begin to tidy up, An He returned to the first-floor living room.

Eri was sitting on the sofa watching TV. Seeing An He approach, she scooted over and said softly, "Does Brother An He want to watch with me?"

"You watch by yourself, Eri-chan. Brother is going to go check on Sister Saori."

An He smiled, ruffled