The Huo Family's Troublesome Maid

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Let’s Eat

The journey from the staff quarters to the main residence did not take long.

Xi Yunxui walked ahead with Biyu comfortably nestled in her arms, while King C followed closely beside her.

Or rather, he attempted to follow closely.

Every few steps, King C would walk ahead and glance back impatiently, as though Xi Yunxui was deliberately slowing down their journey toward food.

Xi Yunxui ignored him.

The three of them soon arrived at the main residence.

Xi Yunxui carefully pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The usually lively residence was quiet.

At this hour, most of the lights had already been switched off. Only a few dim lights illuminated the hallways, casting long shadows across the polished floors.

Xi Yunxui walked quietly through the residence.

King C followed behind her.

Biyu remained comfortably in her arms, though its eyes were now completely open.

Apparently, the thought of finding food had successfully chased away whatever sleepiness it had felt earlier.

Xi Yunxui soon arrived at the kitchen.

Her steps slowed.

Then she stopped completely.

The kitchen was dark.

Xi Yunxui stared at it.

King C stared at it as well.

Biyu tilted its head.

The lights were off.

There was no movement inside.

Not even the faint sound of someone cleaning or arranging utensils could be heard.

Xi Yunxui let out a disappointed sigh.

”Everyone has already gone to sleep.”

King C’s expression immediately fell.

He looked toward the kitchen again, as though he hoped food would suddenly appear if he stared at it long enough.

Unfortunately, nothing happened.

Biyu made a disappointed sound.

”Kiion...”

Xi Yunxui lowered her gaze toward the creature in her arms.

”Don’t look at me like that. I’m hungry too.”

King C slowly turned toward her.

His expression was filled with grievance.

”I’m hungry.”

Xi Yunxui closed her eyes briefly.

She had no energy to argue with him.

Especially because she was hungry as well.

”I know.”

King C continued staring at her.

Xi Yunxui sighed.

”Let’s go back to the staff quarters.”

King C’s ears drooped slightly.

Xi Yunxui couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for him.

”We’ll see if we can find Auntie Zhang,” she added. ”Or anyone else who might still be awake.”

The moment King C heard that there was still hope of finding food, his expression immediately improved.

”Then let’s go.”

Xi Yunxui raised an eyebrow.

Now you’re suddenly energetic.

She shook her head before turning around.

”Come along.”

The three of them quietly left the main residence.

---

By the time Xi Yunxui, King C, and Biyu returned to the staff quarters, the place was equally quiet.

Most of the servants had already retired to their rooms.

Xi Yunxui slowly walked through the hallway, her eyes moving from one closed door to another.

She was beginning to wonder whether she would have to go to sleep hungry.

Just then—

A door opened.

Xi Yunxui immediately stopped.

Auntie Zhang stepped out of one of the rooms.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes instantly brightened.

”Auntie Zhang!”

Auntie Zhang had barely taken two steps when she heard her name.

She turned around.

Before she could react, Xi Yunxui was already hurrying toward her.

King C followed behind her.

Biyu remained in Xi Yunxui’s arms.

Xi Yunxui stopped in front of Auntie Zhang, slightly breathless from walking quickly.

”I’ve been looking for you.”

Auntie Zhang raised her eyebrows.

”For me?”

Xi Yunxui nodded.

”Yes.”

”What happened?”

Xi Yunxui hesitated briefly.

Then she rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

”I... missed dinner.”

Auntie Zhang stared at her.

Xi Yunxui continued.

”I fell asleep earlier and didn’t wake up until it was already late.”

She glanced toward King C.

”And now we’re hungry.”

King C immediately nodded.

Although Auntie Zhang could not understand why the goat-like creature seemed to be nodding along with Xi Yunxui, she simply ignored him.

Auntie Zhang let out a sound of realization.

”Oh.”

Xi Yunxui waited expectantly.

Auntie Zhang suddenly smiled.

”That’s right. Your dinner was kept for you.”

Xi Yunxui’s eyes immediately widened.

”Really?”

”Yes.”

Xi Yunxui visibly relaxed.

King C’s ears immediately perked up.

Even Biyu lifted its head higher.

Auntie Zhang glanced at the two creatures.

Then she looked back at Xi Yunxui.

”It seems your little companions are hungry as well.”

Xi Yunxui smiled awkwardly.

”Very hungry.”

King C immediately nodded again.

Auntie Zhang shook her head with amusement.

”Come with me.”

With that, she turned around and pushed open the door she had just come out of.

Xi Yunxui blinked.

Then she followed her inside.

The moment she entered, Xi Yunxui stopped.

Her eyes widened slightly.

The room Auntie Zhang had brought her into was a kitchen.

It wasn’t as large as the kitchen in the main residence.

However, it was well-equipped.

There were cabinets neatly arranged against the walls, a refrigerator, a microwave, and several other modern appliances that Xi Yunxui now recognized thanks to the manual the system had previously rewarded her with.

The counters were clean.

Several utensils had been properly arranged.

The kitchen clearly looked as though it was frequently used.

Xi Yunxui looked around in surprise.

”I didn’t know there was a kitchen in the staff quarters.”

Auntie Zhang turned toward her.

”There is.”

She walked toward the refrigerator.

”Most of the time, the staff meals are prepared here.”

Xi Yunxui nodded in understanding.

That explained why the kitchen wasn’t as grand as the one in the main residence.

It was specifically meant for the servants and other staff members.

Auntie Zhang opened the refrigerator.

After searching through it briefly, she brought out a neatly packaged meal.

She placed it on the counter.

”This is yours.”

Xi Yunxui looked at it.

Auntie Zhang pointed toward the microwave.

”Heat it up for yourself.”

Xi Yunxui immediately nodded.

”Thank you, Auntie Zhang.”

Auntie Zhang smiled lightly.

”You’re welcome.”

She turned around, clearly intending to leave Xi Yunxui to eat.

However—

”Auntie Zhang.”

Auntie Zhang stopped.

She turned around.

Xi Yunxui hesitated slightly before asking.

”Can I take some vegetables?”

Auntie Zhang glanced at King C.

Then she looked toward Biyu.

Xi Yunxui followed her gaze.

”These two haven’t eaten either.”

King C immediately straightened.

Biyu also lifted its head.

Auntie Zhang’s lips twitched.

”Take whatever you need.”

Xi Yunxui’s eyes brightened.

”Really?”

Auntie Zhang nodded.

”Yes. Just don’t empty the refrigerator.”

Xi Yunxui immediately smiled.

”I won’t.”

Auntie Zhang looked at her for another moment before shaking her head in amusement.

”Good night, Yunxui.”

”Good night, Auntie Zhang.”

Auntie Zhang walked toward the door.

Before leaving, she glanced once more at the three unusual figures inside the kitchen.

One young maid.

One goat-like creature.

And one chicken-like creature with strangely magnificent wings.

Auntie Zhang silently wondered how Xi Yunxui had managed to gather such an unusual group around herself.

However, she decided not to think too deeply about it.

The door closed behind her.

The kitchen became quiet.

Xi Yunxui stood still for a few seconds.

Then she slowly turned toward the refrigerator.

King C immediately followed her.

Xi Yunxui opened it.

The moment King C saw the vegetables inside, his eyes immediately brightened.

Xi Yunxui immediately noticed.

”Don’t even think about it.”

King C froze.

Xi Yunxui reached inside the refrigerator.

She carefully brought out several vegetables.

There were fresh leafy greens, cucumbers, and a few other vegetables.

Then—

Xi Yunxui spotted them.

Carrots.

Her lips curved upward.

King C’s eyes widened.

Xi Yunxui slowly picked up two carrots.

King C stared at them.

Xi Yunxui stared back at him.

”You’re lucky.”

King C proudly lifted his head.

”Of course.”

Xi Yunxui rolled her eyes.

She washed the carrots thoroughly under running water before placing them in front of him.

King C immediately lowered his head and began nibbling on one.

The sound of his chewing filled the otherwise quiet kitchen.

Xi Yunxui watched him briefly before shaking her head.

”Eat slowly.”

King C ignored her.

Xi Yunxui then looked toward Biyu.

The creature was sitting quietly on the counter.

Its emerald-green eyes were fixed on her.

Xi Yunxui stared at it.

Biyu stared back.

”Kiion?”

”You’ll have to wait.”

Biyu tilted its head.

Xi Yunxui pointed toward the packaged meal.

”I’ll heat this first.”

Biyu seemed to understand.

It lowered its head obediently.

Xi Yunxui smiled faintly.

At least one of them knows how to behave.

King C immediately paused his chewing.

”What did you say?”

”I didn’t say anything.”

King C narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Xi Yunxui ignored him.

She opened the packaged meal and placed it into a microwave-safe container before putting it inside the microwave.

Thanks to the memories she had gained from the system’s manuals, she no longer had to stare helplessly at every modern appliance she encountered.

She pressed the appropriate buttons.

The microwave immediately began operating.

A soft humming sound filled the kitchen.

Xi Yunxui leaned against the counter as she waited.

King C continued eating his carrots.

Biyu watched the microwave curiously.

Its head tilted slightly.

Xi Yunxui noticed.

”It’s heating the food.”

”Kiion?”

”Don’t ask me how it works.”

Biyu blinked.

Xi Yunxui smiled.

”Even I don’t fully understand how half the things in this world work.”

The microwave beeped.

Xi Yunxui immediately stood upright.

She carefully removed the food.

A pleasant aroma gradually spread through the kitchen.

The meal was simple but filling.

There was a bowl of steamed rice, tender braised chicken with ginger and soy sauce, stir-fried bok choy with mushrooms, and a small serving of light egg drop soup.

Xi Yunxui inhaled softly.

Her stomach immediately growled again.

Xi Yunxui looked down.

”Don’t embarrass me.”

King C glanced at her.

”You’re hungry.”

Xi Yunxui stared at him.

”You don’t need to announce it.”

King C continued chewing his carrot.

Xi Yunxui shook her head.

She took a small clean bowl and carefully served a portion of the meal for Biyu.

She gave the creature some shredded chicken and a little rice.

However, she made sure not to give it anything that might be harmful.

Biyu immediately leaned forward.

Its emerald-green eyes brightened.

”Kiion!”

Xi Yunxui smiled.

”Eat.”

Biyu immediately began eating.

Xi Yunxui watched it for several seconds to ensure that it was comfortable with the food.

Only after seeing that Biyu was happily eating did she finally serve the remaining meal onto a plate for herself.

She placed the plate on the table.

Then she sat down.

For a moment, Xi Yunxui simply stared at the food in front of her.

King C was eating carrots.

Biyu was happily enjoying its portion.

And Xi Yunxui finally had food in front of her as well.

The kitchen was quiet.

But strangely—

It didn’t feel lonely.

Xi Yunxui slowly picked up her chopsticks.

Then she looked at the two creatures beside her.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

”Let’s eat.”

King C didn’t respond.

Biyu made a happy sound.

And Xi Yunxui finally began eating her late-night dinner alongside her two troublesome companions.