socalfunplaces Chapter 1231 Shao Yun's Compromise
Chapter 1231 Shao Yun's Compromise
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Seeing Ningguang's overly attentive manner, Shao Yun was about to say, "No need for such trouble," but unexpectedly, Ying had already agreed with a smile.
"Alright, Ningguang, come on."
As she spoke, she sat naturally on the edge of the bed, her posture relaxed as if she were enjoying something perfectly ordinary.
Shao Yun was completely stunned; this was nothing like what he had expected!
Normally, shouldn't Ying have smiled and refused, then pulled Ningguang to sit down, and then pulled herself over as well, acting as a peacemaker to chat and ease the tension? Why did she directly agree to let Ningguang wash her feet?
He asked, quite surprised, "Wait a minute, Ying, why did you agree?"
Ying looked up at Shao Yun, a sly smile playing on her lips. Suddenly, she started acting like a rogue, puffing out her chest and putting on a smug expression that said, "I'm so awesome!"
"What? Do you have a problem with that? If Ningguang won't wash my feet, are you going to lick them clean with your tongue?"
"Pfft..." Upon hearing the words "lick it clean with your tongue," Shao Yun choked on his saliva, and his expression changed from surprise to embarrassment.
He vaguely sensed that Ying didn't really want Ningguang to wash her feet; she clearly wanted to use this as an excuse to get him away and talk to Ningguang alone!
Even if we're going to talk separately, there's no need to use such a "disgraceful" reason, is there?
"So you're starting to get dirty, huh... Fine, fine, you win. Ningguang will wash your feet. I'm going to the bathroom to take a shower. I won't bother you."
After saying that, Shao Yun didn't care what Ying was going to do next.
After all, Ying is the lady of the house, and no matter how autocratic she is, she still has a say.
Moreover, judging from her attitude, she's determined to have a private talk with Ningguang today. What's the point of staying and making a fool of yourself?
He turned and walked towards the ensuite bathroom in the corner of the bedroom. As he passed Ningguang, he paused deliberately and said coldly through gritted teeth:
"Ningguang, don't be too reserved, just chat with Ying casually."
Ningguang nodded nervously and replied, "Okay..."
Shao Yun didn't say anything more, pushed open the bathroom door and went in, and even locked the door from the inside, leaving the bedroom space entirely to Ying and Ningguang.
……
After Shao Yun entered the bathroom, Ning Guang squatted down and placed the foot basin steadily next to Ying's feet. Just as her fingertips touched Ying's short-heeled boots and she was about to take them off, Ying suddenly reached out and gently grabbed her wrist.
“Ningguang, I want to tell you something…” Ying pulled Ningguang up from the bedside with a little force and brought her closer to her. “Come on, sit next to me and let’s talk.”
Ningguang was pulled so hard she stumbled and sat on the edge of the bed, half of her body almost touching Ying.
She could clearly smell the faint fragrance on Ying's body, but the close proximity made her even more uneasy.
She instinctively gripped the hem of her shirt with both hands and said nervously, "What's wrong? Is... is there something I did wrong?"
She thought her attempts to please Ying had annoyed her, and she was afraid of getting the answer, "You should go to the head office."
Seeing the panic in Ningguang's eyes, Ying gently shook her head and took Ningguang's hand.
“It’s not that you did a bad job,” Ying’s tone softened, full of sincerity. “I want to talk to you about your future.”
Upon hearing the word "future," Ningguang was so frightened that she could hardly breathe.
Then, she gripped Ying's hand tightly, lowering herself to an extremely humble position, almost pleading, "I have no future... Ying, I have nothing left!"
"I can't go back to Liyue, please take me in, I really will do anything!"
She was eager to prove her worth, and her speech became faster and faster.
"You know, I wasn't a pampered princess when I was little. I could do all sorts of dirty and tiring work! Now I can cook, do housework, and even... if you need me, I can even warm your bed!"
Upon hearing this, Ying recalled the ambiguous atmosphere that Ningguang had created for her and Shao Yun at the Qunyu Pavilion last time. Thinking back on it now, it was truly embarrassing!
Who did Ningguang learn this from?!
"Don't demean yourself like that!" Ying quickly interrupted her, saying sincerely, "Ningguang, you shouldn't put yourself in such a low position."
"Don't mention things like 'warming the bed' again. You deserve respect."
She gently patted Ningguang's hand, calming her anxious heart.
“I know all of this happened too fast. Falling from the clouds to the mud is something no one can accept, and it's normal for you to feel hopeless. But you have to believe that this is not the end.”
Ying took a deep breath and solemnly made her promise.
"I'll take you in. You can stay here and help out for now. We'll wait together..."
"Once Liyue's condition improves and the immortal (Zhongli)'s anger subsides, we can discuss going back, okay?"
Returning to Liyue was already an unattainable dream for Ningguang; at this moment, she only grasped the one crucial point: "Ying will take her in."
"Thank you..." As long as I can stay on this ranch, even if I'm forever an insignificant maid or a lowly female slave, at least I'm safe.
Seeing that things had been explained clearly, Yingyan prepared to send Ningguang to Shenhe's room to rest.
"Alright, Ningguang, you don't need to worry anymore. Let's go back and rest."
Ying thought it was over, but to her surprise, Ningguang suddenly shook her head and stared straight at the foot basin by the bed.
“These feet still need to be washed…” Ningguang said firmly. Before Ying could react, she stubbornly knelt on the ground, bent down, and began to take off Ying’s shoes.
She knew in her heart that only by completing this task could she prove her obedience and make Ying truly feel at ease letting her stay.
What if Ying changes her mind someday? I have to complete the process myself!
"Huh? Why?" Ying hurriedly tried to pull her foot back, and hurriedly explained, "No need to wash it, really, I can do it myself, you go and rest."
She was really not used to being "served" like this, especially since Ningguang had an almost humble persistence about her, which made her feel very uncomfortable.
But Ningguang's hand had already gripped her ankle tightly, giving her no chance to object.
"No need to say more. Ying, if you don't accept it, it means you haven't really agreed to let me take refuge in your house."
Before Ying could speak again, Ningguang deftly took off Ying's wooden-soled short boots and gently placed them aside.
Then, she reached out to take off Ying's white socks.
Soon, Ying's feet were exposed to the air.
Those were feet that had been on adventures for years yet were well-maintained, with delicate skin, rounded toes, and a healthy pink hue.
Ningguang held Ying's feet in her hands and pressed them into the warm foot bath.
The moment the warm water reached her ankles, Ying couldn't help but flinch, but she knew that struggling any further was futile.
Once her feet got wet, no matter how unwilling she was, she could only let Ningguang do as she pleased.
Ningguang's movements were very careful. Her fingers gently massaged Ying's soles, not even missing between her toes, with just the right amount of pressure, making Ying feel very comfortable.
After washing for a while, she looked up and glanced at Ying as if seeking her opinion.
Seeing that Ying was enjoying herself with her eyes closed, Ningguang took it upon herself to gently press the acupoints on the soles of Ying's feet and give her a simple foot massage.
The warm water and gentle massage helped Ying relax, and her previous worries and anxieties gradually dissipated in the warm atmosphere.
She sat on the edge of the bed, closed her eyes, and let Ningguang play with her feet. It felt really nice to be served.
It's unclear how much time passed before Ningguang finally stopped moving.
She picked up the towel draped over her shoulder and carefully dried Ying's feet, even wiping the water droplets between her toes clean.
Then, she gently held Ying's feet, lowered her head slightly, and placed a soft and devout kiss on Ying's clean instep.
When Ningguang's lips gently landed on the instep of her foot, Ying felt a jolt of electricity run through her entire body from her ankle, and she froze on the spot.
Even if they wanted to please or prove their compliance, they didn't have to go to this extent!
“Ningguang, why are you doing this again…” Ying subconsciously tried to pull her foot back, but Ningguang gently pressed it down, preventing her from breaking free.
Seeing this woman who once held sway over Liyue Harbor, now expressing "obedience" in such a humble way, Ying really couldn't stand it!
Ningguang slowly raised her head, her face devoid of any extra expression, revealing only a numb smile tinged with despair.
Then, she gently cupped Ying's feet and explained in a calm voice, "It's nothing, I just wanted to express my obedience..."
Having experienced the fall from grace, she no longer dared to hope for "respect," and only wanted to use the most humble means to firmly grasp the only "sanctuary" in front of her.
Even if this protection required "complete obedience," she was willing to accept it.
Seeing Ningguang's appearance, Ying felt even worse.
She moved her lips, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but found that all her words seemed so pale and powerless.
You can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep...
"This……"
Ningguang saw that her feet were washed and didn't linger. She draped the towel over her shoulder again, picked up the foot basin with both hands, and slowly stood up.
Seeing Ying's furrowed brows and hesitant expression, she spoke first.
"Don't pity me, this is just what I should do."
She paused, her gaze lowered slightly to the foot basin in her hands, and said thankfully, "I also want to thank you for giving me this opportunity... At least, you really wanted to keep me here."
……