Double Wages

The woman had just finished bathing, her body still carrying the delightful fragrance of shower gel.

She wore a long nightgown that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.

Su Hua caught the lingering scent of medicinal herbs in the air.

Wasn’t that the tonic soup Butler Wang had brewed for Ah Xuan?

Before, Ah Xuan often drank herbal concoctions, and she had secretly looked into it, worried about his health. That was when she learned it was a potent tonic—beneficial for a man’s vitality.

Ah Xuan drank it frequently.

Only then did she understand why his stamina, endurance, and excitement had improved so quickly.

When Su Hua’s gaze fell on the empty bowl in Butler Wang’s hand, a satisfied curve touched her lips.

Ah Xuan had drunk it again.

That meant the next three days could be… longer.

No, not just three days…

The longer it lasted, the more deeply Ah Xuan would remember—that his first instinct should be to rely on her as his support, not to seek help from others.

Butler Wang had done well. Perhaps it was time to give him a raise.

"Butler Wang," Su Hua called.

"Young Mistress, how may I serve you?" Butler Wang responded respectfully.

"Starting today, your salary will be doubled," Su Hua declared.

Butler Wang was stunned.

Why had the Young Mistress suddenly decided to raise his pay?

He hadn’t done anything extraordinary.

Lin Xuan noticed Su Hua staring at the medicine bowl and nervously rubbed his nose. "Hua Bao, I was a bit sore all over after beating up Lin Li and Lin Chang the other day, so I asked Butler Wang to brew me some pain-relieving herbs. Right, Butler Wang?"

Lin Xuan shot Butler Wang a meaningful look.

Butler Wang caught the hint and nodded. "Yes, exactly. It’s just a pain-relieving tonic, completely harmless."

"So, Hua Bao, don’t worry. I’m not sick," Lin Xuan said with an innocent expression.

"Mm." Su Hua’s red lips curled slightly. "Ah Xuan, I believe you."

Though Su Hua usually disliked being lied to, she had no objections this time.

Seeing that Su Hua didn’t suspect a thing, Lin Xuan exhaled in relief.

As always, Hua Bao hadn’t doubted him. His dignity as a man remained intact!

He couldn’t let her know he regularly drank this tonic—honestly, it was embarrassing for a grown man to need such a boost.

"Ah Xuan, you should go take a bath now," Su Hua said.

"Oh, right."

Lin Xuan nodded and turned, only to see Butler Wang giving him an encouraging thumbs-up.

Finally, he understood Butler Wang’s implication.

The butler probably thought he and Hua Bao would be… in bed tonight.

Lin Xuan shook his head.

Butler Wang must not know about Hua Bao’s period. Even if she wanted to do something, it wouldn’t last long.

From the moment he entered the bathroom until he finished his shower, Lin Xuan didn’t notice anything unusual about Su Hua’s expression.

Nor did he spot the chains by the bed.

Humming cheerfully, he even indulged in a relaxing soak.

But when he stepped out of the bathroom, he was met with Su Hua dressed in a maid outfit.

Lin Xuan: "!!!!"

Holy—!

Su Hua approached him, rose on her tiptoes, and wrapped her soft arms around his neck.

"Master," she cooed sweetly.

"Let me introduce myself. I’m your little maid for tonight~"

"Hua Bao, don’t tease me," Lin Xuan gulped. "You’re on your period, remember?"

"It doesn’t matter~" Her fingers trailed down his chest.

"I can still take good care of you."

Lin Xuan: "…"

Care? What kind of care?

Memories of past encounters flashed through his mind—

Was Hua Bao planning to…?

Before he could finish the thought, Su Hua pushed him onto the bed.

"Master, let me serve you properly."

Su Hua had mastered many seductive techniques, and even fully clothed, she had Lin Xuan utterly spellbound.

A dark glint flickered in her eyes.

It was time.

"Master, close your eyes, hmm?" Her voice was intoxicatingly sweet.

Lin Xuan obeyed, wondering what game she was playing this time.

Then came the clinking of chains.

The sound was eerily familiar—where had he heard it before?

Lin Xuan’s thoughts were hazy.

Click.

A cold sensation encircled his wrist.

Lin Xuan: "!!!"

Hua Bao, you—

The last time he’d heard that sound was when she’d locked him in the dark room for defying her and meeting Qin Ruoyao.

He tried to open his eyes.

"Master, be good. Don’t peek~" Su Hua leaned in, her breath warm against his ear.

Lin Xuan was too dazed to resist.

She had seemed soothed earlier—she wouldn’t lock him up again.

Besides, if she really intended to punish him, why the maid outfit?

This must just be another one of her little games… right?

Click. Click.

Su Hua secured his other wrist and ankles.

Looking down at the man bound to the bed, helpless, Su Hua smiled, her red lips curling with satisfaction.

"Master, you can open your eyes now~"

The moment Lin Xuan did, he saw her face—unnervingly exhilarated.

A bad feeling settled in his gut.

Wait—

He glanced at his limbs.

His instincts were right.

Actual chains!

"Hua Bao, what’s the meaning of this?" Lin Xuan frowned.

"Ah Xuan, you’ve been very naughty," Su Hua’s voice was sweet yet icy. "You hid dangerous things from me, and when trouble came, you didn’t think of me first."

Lin Xuan: "…"

So her earlier calm had been an act. She’d been waiting to ambush him!

"Naughty dogs must be punished. Ah Xuan, you’ll stay at Night Garden. I’ve already informed the university president, and I won’t be going to the company either. Oh, and your phone?"

Su Hua turned it off and carried it to the study.

Lin Xuan sensed true danger.

The way Hua Bao was acting… it seemed she really intended to turn him into Lin-dried…