Ease Springs from Labor and Rests Often

Monday morning.

When Su Cheng woke from his slumber, his entire body ached unbearably, as if he'd been thoroughly worked over. His knees in particular felt like they'd been shot with arrows—the pain was excruciating.

This was all the aftermath of yesterday's mountain hike with Sister Qin.

Knock knock knock~

Just as he was massaging his sore legs in an attempt to ease the discomfort, his door suddenly rattled with knocking. He guessed it was most likely Senior Liu Qingyue paying a visit.

In his current state, even getting out of bed was a struggle, let alone preparing breakfast. With no other choice, he dragged his aching limbs to the door, staggering unsteadily along the way.

When the door opened, Liu Qingyue stood before him in her school uniform. Her ample bust could rival ten Ji Qingyis, and her lower half was still clad in those skin-tight black thigh-high socks—not because her legs were thick, but because the sock tops had anti-slip silicone bands.

At this moment, her face was rosy and delicate, her eyes sparkling, and the corners of her lips curled upward in clear delight.

"What's this? Did yesterday take quite the toll on you?" Liu Qingyue teased upon seeing Su Cheng leaning weakly against the wall for support. Her tone was laced with undisguised amusement, as if she'd fully anticipated his pitiful state. She even feigned surprise, which only made Su Cheng feel more embarrassed.

"I'm afraid you'll have to handle breakfast on your own today," Su Cheng forced out a polite yet awkward smile. Truthfully, all he wanted right now was for his senior to leave.

Her presence always put him on edge, as if she might pull some unpredictable stunt at any moment.

"I figured as much." Liu Qingyue raised the breakfast in her hand and handed it to him with a grin. "Here. When I heard you went hiking yesterday, I guessed you'd be exhausted today. So I specially bought you breakfast as a little reward."

"Did the club president ask you to do this?" Su Cheng ventured cautiously.

"Not at all," Liu Qingyue shook her head, answering with feigned seriousness. "She was so jealous about you going hiking with that 'older woman' yesterday. No way would she kindly send me to deliver food."

"Ah… She was jealous?" The revelation instantly piled more pressure onto Su Cheng. But then again, he'd already prepared a gift—a little coaxing at lunch should smooth things over.

"Yep." Liu Qingyue then raised another bag filled with medicinal herbs. "These are some remedies I just bought. They’re great for relieving fatigue, soothing soreness, and treating bruises."

"Thank you, Senior." Despite her penchant for mischief, Su Cheng expressed genuine gratitude this time.

He faintly sensed that Liu Qingyue’s concern for him came from the heart, not just her usual playful antics.

That much, he believed.

"No need for formalities. Hurry up and invite me in already," Liu Qingyue pouted unhappily, her voice tinged with a hint of grievance. "I’ve waited long enough—shouldn’t it be my turn now?"

"Huh? Oh, right, please come in." Su Cheng blinked in momentary confusion before hastily stepping aside to let her pass.

"After being a background character for so long, it’s finally time for me to take the spotlight as the heroine." In the span of a second, Liu Qingyue kicked off her shoes, revealing her silk-clad feet encased in sheer black stockings, and strode barefoot onto the plush carpet.

With only the stockings on, her steps against the floor produced crisp, rhythmic click-clacks.

"I’ll leave these here." After setting the items down on the living room coffee table, she turned and blinked her alluring peach-blossom eyes at him. "Looking at you, it’s clear you’re in no state to tidy up. Leave it to me today."

"Then… I’ll trouble you with it."

After a brief hesitation, Su Cheng nodded in agreement, then added, "I’ll go freshen up first. Make yourself at home."

"Mhm!" Liu Qingyue gave an affirmative nod before heading to the balcony to grab cleaning supplies and launch into a full-blown housekeeping spree.

After a quick wash-up, Su Cheng stepped out of the bathroom to find Liu Qingyue scrubbing diligently.

Her movements were practiced and efficient—her fair, slender hands glided effortlessly across the balcony surfaces, leaving everything spotless in no time.

She really is a top-tier maid, Su Cheng marveled inwardly.

"Leave these to me."

Having finished the balcony, Liu Qingyue turned to him, an apron tied around her waist and a spray bottle in hand, offering a soft smile.

"Thanks, Senior." Su Cheng nodded and settled at the dining table to enjoy the breakfast she’d brought. Between bites, he quietly admired Qingyue as she tenderly watered the potted plants. Her attentive care was a sight to behold.

Next, she carried a basin of water from the balcony and began wiping down the living room. Once done, she swept, then mopped—each step executed with seamless fluidity, as if it required zero effort.

Watching her flawless workflow, Su Cheng couldn’t help but feel a ripple of emotion. An odd thought even crossed his mind—

I kinda wish the president would hand Senior over to me.

After all, who could resist having such a hardworking and considerate little maid at home?

Just as his imagination ran wild, Liu Qingyue finished the living room and made a beeline straight for his bedroom.

Panicked, he dropped his chopsticks and called out, "Wait! Senior! I’ll clean my room myself!"

"Let me handle it. It’ll be quick." Ignoring him entirely, Liu Qingyue pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her. Su Cheng was utterly dumbfounded.

The bedroom was a private space, and worse—he hadn’t had time to tidy up after waking. The bed was a mess, and thanks to yesterday’s exhaustion, clothes were strewn everywhere.

Underwear, pajamas, T-shirts, sweatpants… A chaotic pile resembling a mini landfill.

Resigned, he trudged toward the bedroom, face burning with humiliation, intending to usher her out.

But when he pushed the door open, he froze.

Instead of cleaning, Liu Qingyue was sprawled across his bed.

Hugging his blanket, nestled into his pillow, her eyes shut peacefully like a contented kitten.

"Senior… what are you doing?"

Su Cheng was beyond stunned—he couldn’t even hold back the baffled remark. "This is my bed. Why are you sleeping here?"

"Tired. Wanna nap." Unexpectedly, Liu Qingyue didn’t even open her eyes. Instead, she tightened her grip on the blanket, nuzzling into it with a dreamy sigh. "Su Cheng… your bed smells so nice~"

The sight sent a wave of mortification through him. He immediately whipped out his phone, ready to snap a photo as evidence to tattle to the club president. But the moment he opened the camera—

The screen showed Liu Qingyue properly making his bed, folding the blankets. There was no trace of the blanket-hugging weirdo from seconds ago.

"…Huh?" Su Cheng was utterly bewildered.

Had he imagined it? But he swore he saw her cuddling the blanket and praising its scent…

Just as he lowered the phone to double-check with his own eyes, Liu Qingyue resumed her previous pose—clutching the blanket with a blissful expression, as if savoring a gourmet feast in her dreams.

"……" Su Cheng gaped again.

What the hell is going on?!

He rubbed his eyes vigorously, confirming he wasn’t hallucinating, and began questioning whether yesterday’s hike had somehow damaged his brain.

So he raised his phone again to take a picture. But to his surprise, the Liu Qingyue in the frame had reverted to her diligent self, meticulously folding the blankets. She even wiped the sweat from her forehead, looking thoroughly exhausted.

"What the hell is going on?" Su Cheng was speechless, his mind a tangled mess, nearly short-circuiting.

Could it be that his senior had the ability to pause time?

He put down his phone and took several deep breaths to calm himself. But when he opened his eyes again, he was utterly thunderstruck—

Liu Qingyue had somehow left the bed and was now holding his unwashed clothes from yesterday, sniffing them with a satisfied expression. "The scent of a real man. Not bad at all."

"Senior, I’m definitely reporting this to the club president!" Su Cheng fumed, quickly raising his phone again.

But the moment he aimed it at Liu Qingyue, the scene shifted—

Now she was carefully folding his clothes.

Her slender, fair fingers pinched the fabric with a gentle grace, exuding the warmth of a devoted homemaker, like a dutiful wife.

At this point, Su Cheng couldn’t hold back his frustration. "Senior, just because you’re quick on your feet doesn’t mean you can mess with me like this! You’re a girl too, you know? Have some self-respect!"

"What did I do?" Liu Qingyue blinked innocently, hugging the clothes as she stood before him. "Aren’t these supposed to be washed?"

Without waiting for an answer, she carried the clothes straight to the washing machine, her movements calm and composed.

"I knew you were up to no good!" Su Cheng muttered under his breath, glaring at her retreating figure.

He couldn’t believe she’d take advantage of him while he was weak and immobile. Absolutely shameless!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, itching to storm over and give her a piece of his mind. But as a gentleman, he swallowed his temper.

"Alright, enough teasing," Liu Qingyue said after loading the washing machine, returning to the room. "Eat your breakfast before it gets cold. If it doesn’t suit your taste, I can go buy you something else."

"No need, it’s fine," Su Cheng replied, not one to hold a grudge, especially when he was hungry. He sat back down to finish his meal.

But then, Liu Qingyue slipped into his bedroom again.

Just as he was about to demand an explanation—

She emerged carrying his pillow and blanket, smiling brightly. "The weather’s nice. Perfect for airing these out."

"Thanks, senior," Su Cheng said, resigning himself and returning to his breakfast.

Liu Qingyue headed to the balcony with his bedding.

A few seconds later—

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! The sound of her beating his blanket echoed from the balcony.

"Using such a thick blanket in this heat? I’ll get you a lighter one this afternoon," she called out between strikes.

"Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll buy one myself," Su Cheng replied without looking up.

"Suit yourself." The beating stopped shortly after, and Liu Qingyue reappeared, brushing the back of her hand across her dry forehead. "Exhausting. Feels like I’m your housemaid."

Su Cheng glanced at her, feeling a twinge of gratitude. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Age-wise, you’re more like my wife."

The moment the words left his mouth, Liu Qingyue’s eyes widened, her gaze sharpening as it locked onto him. "What nonsense are you spouting? If the young mistress hears this, she might ban me from getting near you!"

"Cough, no, I was just joking… Haha, lighten up!" Su Cheng waved his hands awkwardly, laughing it off. But when he looked again, he noticed something unusual—Liu Qingyue’s usual air of effortless confidence was gone.

Instead, a hint of bashfulness surfaced, revealing a surprisingly girlish side.

The change left him stunned, his mind blank.

"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that."

With that, she turned and strode back to the bedroom, her tone icy. "I’ll keep cleaning."