Ereshkigal Doesn't Even Pretend Anymore

What should a qualified maid be like?

Ailei had her own answer to this.

First, unwavering loyalty to her beloved master.

Second, flawlessly attending to every need of her master.

The mechanical maid believed she performed well in these aspects, but there was one thing that always troubled her.

No matter how hard she tried in the culinary arts, she could never reach Xu Xi's level, nor could she make her dishes glow.

Ailei wanted to overcome this flaw.

To become someone who could truly take care of Xu Xi in every way.

"Ingredients, ready."

"Cooking utensils, ready."

"Ailei, ready."

Taking a light breath, her golden-tinged black hair swayed slightly, falling over her silver-blue eyes.

Recalling the steps Xu Xi took while cooking,

Ailei replicated them perfectly—the same force, the same angles, the same cooking process—hoping to recreate the glowing miracle with absolute precision.

Yet,

when Ailei solemnly presented a plate of fragrant fried rice,

she was left bewildered and confused.

The golden eggs enveloped the grains, shimmering with an enticing sheen, the simple ingredients weaving a delightful aroma.

But,

despite its seemingly successful, golden appearance,

the dish did not emit the glow Ailei had hoped for.

"What exactly is missing...?"

Ailei wondered, her expression lost, her hand resting over her chest, feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat.

She couldn't understand.

It made no sense.

The mechanical maid couldn't grasp the key to it.

And so, she could only repeat her attempts, over and over, searching for what was lacking in her culinary skills.

When Xu Xi returned from outside, this was the strange scene he witnessed:

The kitchen was bustling with activity, Ailei wielding a pan and spatula at an astonishing speed, covering the dining table with plate after plate of golden fried rice.

Tossing,

flipping,

the golden grains dancing like waves,

executing precise rotations in the wok, radiating the beauty of flames.

"Ailei, what... are you doing?"

"Master, I am learning to make glowing fried rice."

Turning to face the bewildered Xu Xi, Ailei explained her plan and intentions.

"I see..."

"You’ve clearly put in a lot of effort, Ailei."

"I believe it won’t be long before your cooking surpasses mine."

Xu Xi smiled warmly,

finding it commendable that Ailei had something she wanted to achieve.

But the problem was—what to do with the mountain of fried rice on the table?

The scent of fried rice filled the entire house,

leaving Xu Xi at a loss.

"Well, let’s try to eat as much as we can first."

……

……

The days that followed were peaceful and warm.

Under the scorching summer sun,

the blazing heat baked the earth.

All things fell silent, save for the chirping of cicadas.

Naturally, in such sweltering weather,

the plates of fried rice couldn’t be preserved for long.

Finishing them all would be torture for their stomachs.

"Master, please allow me to dispose of them."

Amid the oppressive heat, the mechanical maid raised her hand, ready to erase the failed fried rice with a single motion.

But Xu Xi thought for a moment.

Perhaps they could still be repurposed.

"Wait, Ailei."

"Maybe... we can use them as bait?"

Near the house, there was a small lake, its waters clear, teeming with fish.

The leftover fried rice could easily be turned into fishing bait.

A way to aid in their fishing endeavors.

The more Xu Xi thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. That very day, he boarded a small boat, settling in the center of the lake to fish, while Ailei sat quietly by his side, watching.

Good news—the fish loved the fried rice personally crafted by the Supreme One.

Bad news—these fish seemed to have developed a taste for it, devouring only the bait while completely ignoring the hook.

"Master, are you troubled?"

"No, Ailei. This is the joy of fishing."

Xu Xi smiled serenely, his expression calm.

He gently taught the mechanical maid that impatience was the greatest taboo in fishing—with enough perseverance, there would always be more fish to catch.

The loyal maid pondered his words,

as if responding to Xu Xi’s teachings.

By the afternoon, when Xu Xi cast his line again,

the lake shimmered under the sunlight, and the fishing hook trembled violently.

To his surprise, he reeled in several large fish in succession.

"Master is amazing!" Ailei let out a well-timed "Wow," clapping her hands lightly, her voice drawn out in admiration.

"Seventy-Two Techniques for a Sweet Married Life"

Page 3:

No matter the time or place, always be your partner’s steadfast support and offer encouragement.

At the same time,

resolving the master’s troubles was also the duty of a maid.

"Ailei, you really don’t have to do this," Xu Xi said, both amused and exasperated, as the mechanical maid’s acting was far too clumsy—the truth was easily seen through.

……

At dusk,

whether it was the patrolling automatons or the distant surface of the lake,

everything was bathed in a golden-orange hue.

The setting sun poured down like molten gold,

piercing through the clouds, sinking into the lake.

The world was engulfed in a fiery crimson.

A tiny miracle unfolded at this moment.

As day turned to night,

a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.

The rain was light,

as delicate as ox hair,

but under the twilight sun, each drop was vividly illuminated.

Yes, this was a sunshower.

When Xu Xi finished preparing several large fish and stepped out of the kitchen, he saw raindrops dancing in the air, leaping toward the setting sun and the full moon, weaving delicate ripples across the sky.

Ailei sat by the doorway.

Gazing at the rain-curtained sunset, she clasped her hands together and stretched them outside, gently catching a handful of rainwater.

"Master, look."

"So beautiful..."

The mechanized maid carefully cradled the rainwater in her palms before turning to face Xu Xi.

Her smile was simple, pure.

She was sharing her treasured "treasure."

"I see it, Ailei. It really is beautiful," Xu Xi replied softly.

Under the glow of the sunset, the rain shimmered in hues of gold and crimson, painting a dreamlike scene—one that usually existed only in fantasies.

But Xu Xi thought—

The faintly smiling mechanized maiden before him.

Was far more beautiful than the sunlit rain.

Not just in appearance, but in the purity of her soul.

"Come inside, Ailei. It's time for dinner."

Xu Xi reached out his hand.

Gently stroking his obedient mechanized maid.

Her once-cold mechanical frame had long since transformed into warm flesh, soft to the touch, sensitive to every caress.

"Yes, Master."

Ailei's ears twitched rapidly.

She rose gracefully, lifting the hem of her skirt.

As she walked, the black-and-gold tips of her hair traced arcs in the twilight, leaving behind traces that belonged solely to her.

"By the way, Ailei."

"Yes, I'm here."

"Is there anything you'd like to do during this time? If so, I'll accompany you to make it happen."

"Master, I haven't thought of anything yet."

Xu Xi chuckled. "Then let's eat first."

Returning to the kitchen, Xu Xi brought out the freshly made fish stew. Amid the steaming aroma, he ladled out two bowls—one for himself and one for Ailei.

However.

Just as dinner was about to begin.

Ailei, with practiced ease, collapsed into Xu Xi's arms.

"Master, Ailei has no strength to eat... Could you feed her...?"

Thanks to a certain reckless martial artist.

The mechanized maid had long since stopped pretending.