Chapter 191: Explaining Things to the Maid at Home
When Xi Nian returned home, he noticed someone was already busy around the house. The living room floor and furniture were spotless, and from the kitchen came the faint fragrance of cooking. The whole place carried a warm, homely atmosphere.
So diligent…
Xi Nian almost felt embarrassed. As soon as the door opened, a small scarlet figure rushed out to greet him.
It was Wanda.
She wore her black school uniform with a lace-edged apron, pink slippers on her feet, and clean white socks covering her slim legs. She moved quickly, yet still with grace and elegance. Reaching the door, she crouched down to place a pair of slippers in front of him, the white scarf around her head and neck framing her long crimson hair like fiery maple leaves, noble and beautiful.
Her pale neck and delicate features looked even purer under that scarf. Even though she'd just been cleaning floors and dusting furniture, not a single speck of dirt clung to her. She seemed too clean, too pure, to ever be mistaken for a maid.
In truth, with her soft beauty, obedient cuteness, and the noble aura she had begun to cultivate, Wanda looked more like a young aristocratic lady than a servant.
Watching the scarlet-haired girl offer him slippers with an expectant smile, Xi Nian felt his heart melt.
Who could resist a pure, adorable scarlet maid—one who could also wield magic in battle?
"Welcome home, young master…"
Before Wanda could rise, Xi Nian reached out and placed a hand on her head.
He ruffled her tidy crimson hair, messing it up and leaving a few strands sticking out like silly little tufts.
"Eh?"
Wanda froze, her cute face filled with confusion. Had she done something special today to deserve this kind of reward? She didn't understand.
Still, she didn't resist. Instead, she closed her eyes comfortably, her tense body relaxing under the gentle touch.
"You've been working hard, Wanda. You've done very well," Xi Nian praised while patting her head.
"…Not really."
Her eyes half-closed, shimmering with mist, Wanda tilted her head slightly and nuzzled against his warm palm. Suddenly, all her effort and diligence felt worth it.
"It's about time I told you," Xi Nian said with a smile, looking down at the scarlet maid. "Some secrets about our family."
…
In the living room, Xi Nian lounged casually on the couch while Wanda sat politely nearby with her knees bent, her apron fluttering slightly. Her soft red eyes reflected him as her curious little face glowed with happiness.
"What do you think of our family? Speak honestly, no need to flatter." Xi Nian asked.
Wanda answered without hesitation. "Miss Diana is very beautiful and kind, reliable too. Being with her makes people feel safe and comfortable."
Xi Nian nodded. He couldn't agree more.
After all—his aunt, Wonder Woman, was always divine.
Wanda's cheeks reddened slightly as she glanced at him. "As for you, young master… you're one of the people who treats me best. I… I don't know how to describe it."
"And from an outsider's point of view? What kind of family do you think we are?" Xi Nian pressed.
Wanda thought carefully before replying. "Miss Diana is the pillar of the household, the source of income. She's an independent, capable woman—shareholder and partner at a law firm, accomplished in looks, manners, and education. Very wealthy, with many high-class connections…"
She hesitated. "But her exact background and age are… unclear."
Wanda had already noticed this over the past few months.
Diana had no family members, rarely kept in touch with friends, and looked at most thirty-five years old. Yet seventeen years ago, she had already been raising Xi Nian alone.
Strange. Mysterious.
And ever since Wanda had trained in magic under the Ancient One, sometimes when her soul wandered free, she could faintly see golden light radiating from Diana's body and even her soul—divine and powerful.
"It's normal for you to find it odd."
Xi Nian smiled. "My aunt isn't like us. She comes from the world of the Old Gods—the last surviving Greek deity. She's lived in the human world since World War I, almost a hundred years in Washington. She's also the superhero known as Wonder Woman."
"Miss Diana… a goddess? Wonder Woman…"
Wanda's eyes widened. Then she quickly asked, "What about you, young master? Are you also a god?"
"No." Xi Nian shook his head. "I'm just human, same as you. Seventeen years ago, I was simply lucky enough for my aunt to take me in."
Wanda blinked. "I thought you might be too. Sometimes your body changes strangely…"
"That's just my special ability," Xi Nian waved it off.
"What kind of ability? Like the magic I'm learning?" Wanda asked curiously.
"Not quite."
Xi Nian looked a little awkward, then said seriously, "I'll tell you more about that another time."
"Oh." Wanda nodded obediently, not pressing further.
Xi Nian exhaled softly.
The Master of Affection.
No matter the trigger or effect, his ability didn't feel righteous. It seemed more suited for villains than heroes.
Well, he wasn't either of them anyway.
Wanda wasn't ready to know about it yet.
"Other than my demigod aunt, you should also know the truth about the others in the house."
As he spoke, Xiao Huang strolled in from the balcony, lazily carrying a glass jar with her tail.
"Jarro, say hello," Xi Nian called.
"Hi, Wanda! We've met many times, but this is our first real conversation. I'm Jarro!"
Inside the jar, what looked like a colorful starfish decoration suddenly opened its single eye and gave a gentlemanly bow, speaking into Wanda's mind.
"Ah!"
Wanda froze, then immediately leapt into Xi Nian's arms, startled.
Jarro: "…"
"Don't stop me. Let me crawl out and die…" the starfish muttered miserably.
"I-I'm sorry, Mister Starfish," Wanda apologized quickly, her face red.
"Venom," Xi Nian called next.
"Wanda…"
From Xiao Huang's orange fur, black liquid seeped out, quickly twisting into a grotesque tentacle.
The tentacle's tip formed into a monstrous head with jagged white teeth splitting into a grin. It forced out a raspy, eerie greeting: "Hello…"
"Eek!"
Once again, Wanda dove into Xi Nian's arms in fright.
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