Why another qipao?
Qin Yu forced a smile. "Um, Lady Ningguang, why a qipao? You've already given me one before."
"Don't you want it?" Ningguang countered.
Qin Yu hated these rhetorical questions more than anything.
Saying "I don't want it" was definitely out of the question. Ningguang was already in a foul mood, and saying that would mean kissing her points goodbye.
But do I really have to wear this all the time?
Thighs, shoulders, and arms exposed... Sure, the outfit looked pretty, but it seemed unnecessary for everyday wear.
It would be fine for social events like banquets.
Qin Yu felt deeply reluctant but struggled to express her reservations diplomatically.
That's it! I'll use this argument.
"That's not the case at all! It's just that Senior Baiwen and the others are all wearing the same uniform as me now. If I wore something special, it would feel awkward."
"Don't worry about that. They've already accepted you. Besides, I'll explain the situation to them, and they'll understand," Ningguang said with a competitive smile, glancing at the bracelet on Qin Yu's wrist.
Qin Yu knew this smile well.
It usually appeared when Ningguang was determined to get her way.
This only heightened Qin Yu's anxiety.
She had to say something more, anything to make Ningguang reconsider.
At the very least, she couldn't wear this every day!
"I think this kind of outfit is best reserved for special occasions," Qin Yu blurted out hastily.
"If you need to attend a banquet, just wear the black outfit I gave you earlier," Ningguang countered smoothly.
I don't want to wear either of them!
"B-but why does Lady Ningguang want me to wear this?" Qin Yu asked again.
"The answer is simple: because I want to see you in it."
Qin Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? Why?"
"You really do ask a lot of questions. Heh, the reason is even simpler—I want to see a cute person wearing beautiful clothes. I think that's perfectly normal, don't you?"
It's perfectly normal... no, no, no, no! I'm not your dress-up doll. Don't treat me like a toy.
Is it a crime to be born beautiful? Does that mean you get to change my clothes however you please?
No. Absolutely not. Qin Yu resisted even more fiercely, though she couldn't deny she rather liked being called "cute," as evidenced by the faint blush on her cheeks.
Evaluation: B+
Seeing that Qin Yu still hadn't agreed immediately, Ningguang's irritation grew.
She accepted the gift from Keqing without hesitation, but she won't take mine directly?
"You're my maid, aren't you?"
"Y-yes..."
"Then put it on."
Qin Yu stammered, "But... it's a bit too revealing. I'm not comfortable with it..."
The last time she wore it, she had quickly covered the slit with her hands.
If it worked before, there's no reason it shouldn't work this time. People adapt.
Qin Yu had initially struggled to accept the black stockings that came with the uniform, but now she could wear them without a second thought.
Thinking this, Ningguang pondered, How can I get Qin Yu to accept this?
There was no denying her growing competitive streak towards Keqing. She had to get Qin Yu to wear the outfit she had given her—a truth she obviously couldn't voice aloud.
Suddenly, Ningguang had an idea.
Why not try this?
"Hmm... well, there's no helping it then."
Qin Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Great!
"We'll just give this outfit to Baishi then."
!?!?!?
Qin Yu's mind went blank.
Give it to Baishi?!
She couldn't help but blurt out, "Really? Give it to Senior Baishi?"
"Yes."
"But Lady Ningguang, you could wear it yourself!" Qin Yu blurted out anxiously.
It's true I don't want to wear it, but there's no need to decide to give it to Baishi right away! Wouldn't it look better on Ningguang herself? And why Baishi specifically?
Wouldn't Baiwen Baixiao be better suited?
"The sizing isn't quite right," Ningguang explained. "It was originally tailored to your measurements. But coincidentally, Baishi's measurements are nearly identical to yours, so we can simply pass it on to her."
Ningguang omitted the full truth. The only measurement Baishi shared with Qin Yu was their height.
The weight on Qin Yu's chest eased slightly, but the rest of her figure was quite flattering, making her well-suited to wear a qipao, a garment renowned for its elegant beauty.
"The measurements should be adjustable, right?" Qin Yu asked nervously.
"But what if I said I didn't want to wear it? It was intended as a gift anyway; I have no intention of keeping it."
"Then... there's nothing I can do."
Her thoughts in disarray, Qin Yu felt uneasy. If I'm not going to wear it, giving it to Baishi would be perfectly reasonable...
Qin Yu, look! Lady Ningguang gave me this new qipao—isn't it beautiful? Qin Yu imagined Baishi eagerly showing off the qipao to her, her face beaming with joy.
No, I can't bear it!
Qin Yu couldn't tolerate the thought of this dress being given to someone else.
If you want me to wear it? Fine, I'll wear it.
"...I understand. I'll wear it."
Evaluation: A
How tedious.
Ningguang was genuinely surprised.
She had indeed employed a few subtle tactics, but she hadn't expected such a dramatic result. It seemed Qin Yu's feelings for Baishi went beyond mere senior-junior affection.
This was the second time Qin Yu had shown jealousy.
They won't clash, will they? Ningguang pondered, finding it unlikely.
Both Qin Yu and Baishi were intelligent women, making her work effortless.
Leaving that aside, Qin Yu's acceptance was ideal. Seeing her eagerness also eased Ningguang's inner irritation.
"Try it on now."
"Now?" Qin Yu hesitated.
"Yes."
Qin Yu took the white qipao with black trim that Ningguang offered, sighed inwardly, and stepped behind the screen to change.
Rustling of fabric...
Moments later, Qin Yu emerged, wearing the black-trimmed white qipao.
Ningguang's gaze lingered on her, until Qin Yu's skin flushed with embarrassment, tinged with a faint blush. Then, Ningguang smiled genuinely and praised, "It suits you perfectly."
Evaluation: A+
Just flattery, Qin Yu thought.
She turned away, stammering, "Th-thank you... Lady Ningguang. I'm glad you're satisfied."
So tired... Let me go back to sleep, Qin Yu thought.
"Is this all?" Qin Yu unconsciously touched her bracelet.
Had she not made that subtle gesture, Ningguang would have been content to let her go. But noticing the small movement, her irritation resurfaced.
She was wearing the clothes Ningguang had gifted her... What irked Ningguang even more was how perfectly the outfit matched that bracelet.
I didn't give her these clothes for that.
This overwhelming emotion needed to be channeled. Ningguang approached Qin Yu.
Wait, why is she getting so close without a word?
Qin Yu instinctively took a step back, her back pressed against the wall.
"Lady Ningguang? Uh, is something wrong?"
"...Let me touch you," Ningguang said, placing her hand on Qin Yu's cheek.
She's already touching me!
Qin Yu resented Ningguang's high-handedness, but a simple touch wasn't a big deal—she'd grown used to it, after all.
Used to it, huh... Thinking about it, that's actually terrifying. I've actually gotten used to this.
Just then, Ningguang leaned closer again.
She's definitely going to whisper something in my ear. Used to it, used to it, Qin Yu sighed inwardly.
Ningguang leaned in close, but instead of speaking, she inhaled the faint fragrance of Qin Yu's hair. She couldn't resist picking up a damp strand between her fingers.
W-why isn't she saying anything? Qin Yu felt more flustered by Ningguang's silence than by her words.
Once the silence settled, they could sense each other's presence more keenly.
No, I have to say something.
"Lady Ningguang, how is your health...?"
"Much better," Ningguang replied.
That's good. Qin Yu felt relieved.
Yet she was also puzzled by the sudden improvement. What's going on?
Ningguang felt Qin Yu's breath, which eased the tightness in her chest considerably.
She couldn't deny the desire to be cared for by Qin Yu, but such feelings were impossible to voice. Unable to express them, the emotions instead crystallized into an impulse.
Ningguang's gaze fell on Qin Yu's smooth neck. Gently brushing aside a strand of hair with her hand, she leaned in closer.
What is she doing? Qin Yu tensed.
"Lady Ningguang..."
"Do you mind?"
Qin Yu hesitated. "Not exactly... it's just... this is strange."
As long as she doesn't mind.
Ningguang held her breath and lightly pressed her lips against Qin Yu's neck—naturally, through the collar of her robe. Even this slight contact sent a tremor through Qin Yu's body.
Evaluation: S
Qin Yu couldn't help but push Ningguang away, her gaze darting away. "I-I'm sorry, I need to rest now..."
"Mm..."
Qin Yu fled the room as if escaping.
Left behind, Ningguang pressed her forehead and murmured, "Did I go too far?"
Recalling Qin Yu's reaction, Ningguang felt both regret and an immense sense of satisfaction. She only hoped Qin Yu wouldn't hold it against her.
At that moment, Ningguang noticed clothes Qin Yu had forgotten on the table behind the screen.
She must have forgotten them.
I'll return them to her tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Qin Yu couldn't sleep properly that night.
Burying her face in the pillow, she let out muffled, incoherent sounds.
That woman actually did that to me... What am I supposed to do tomorrow? Just pretend nothing happened? But does she really not have... those tendencies? Qin Yu's mind was a chaotic mess.
This has been the worst day ever.
I should just sleep. I'll leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow's me.
Finally, Qin Yu gave up, pulled out her Anesthetic Pistol, and instantly knocked herself unconscious.