Chapter 91: Respect My Wishes

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Respect My Wishes

Xi Yunxui was still angry when she reached the library.

Although she had already left Huo Ruxue behind, the girl’s words continued to echo in her mind.

Lowly Maid.

Trying to become a phoenix by clinging to my eldest cousin.

He would never look at someone like you.

The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became.

It was not merely the insult itself that bothered her, but the absurdity of the entire situation.

In her previous life, she had never been insulted because of a man. She had been too busy working and taking care of her three younger siblings to waste time on romance. Her life had revolved around earning money, paying bills, and making sure her siblings had everything they needed.

If someone had ever insulted her, it had either been because of her job, her financial situation, or something concerning her family.

Never because she was supposedly trying to cling to a man.

And now, after coming to the Huo residence, she had somehow found herself in the middle of a ridiculous romantic rumor.

What kind of nonsense is this?

Xi Yunxui pushed open the library door with more force than necessary, immediately catching Huo Jingchen’s attention.

He had been sitting near the window, waiting for her return. The moment he heard the door open, he turned toward the entrance, his dark eyes brightening with unmistakable happiness. He had been waiting for her, and now that she had finally returned, the quiet library seemed to become brighter simply because she was standing in the doorway.

However, the happiness in his eyes faded almost immediately when he noticed her expression.

Xi Yunxui’s brows were drawn together, her lips pressed into a thin line, and the anger in her eyes was difficult to miss.

Huo Jingchen slowly rose from his seat.

"What happened?"

Xi Yunxui looked up at him.

For a moment, she almost asked whether he knew what his relatives had been saying about her.

Then another thought struck her.

Isn’t this even happening because of him?

Her gaze moved over his face.

Huo Jingchen looked completely unaware of the confrontation she had just endured. His expression was calm, but there was a trace of concern in his eyes as he studied her.

He looked so innocent and unaware that, somehow, it only made Xi Yunxui feel more frustrated.

Isn’t it because of him that I’m receiving insults now?

The thought made her anger flare again.

When had she ever been insulted because of a man?

Never.

She had spent her entire previous life avoiding romantic entanglements because she had more important things to worry about. Her younger siblings had needed her, and she had never had the time or energy to concern herself with love.

Yet now, simply because Huo Jingchen had shown her some attention, someone had already decided that she was trying to climb the social ladder by attaching herself to him.

Xi Yunxui let out an irritated sigh.

Huo Jingchen took another step toward her.

"Xi Yunxui?"

His voice was gentle, and the concern in it was obvious.

That should have calmed her down.

Instead, it made her feel even more conflicted.

She knew Huo Jingchen had done nothing wrong. He had not been present when Huo Ruxue confronted her, and he had certainly not told his cousin to insult her.

Still, the entire situation had become troublesome because of him.

Xi Yunxui rubbed her forehead.

"Young Master, please..."

Huo Jingchen stopped in front of her.

"What is it?"

"If there is nothing important, please don’t come looking for me again."

The words left her mouth before she could reconsider them.

Huo Jingchen froze.

Xi Yunxui did not give him the opportunity to respond. She turned around, walked back out of the library, and pulled the door shut behind her, the soft click echoing through the room.

For a moment, Huo Jingchen remained completely still, his hand still half-raised as though he had intended to stop her or ask another question.

Then his expression slowly changed.

Please don’t come looking for me again.

He repeated the words silently, his brows drawing together.

Why?

What had happened?

Only moments earlier, she had promised to return after feeding the three creatures. He had waited for her, and when she finally appeared, he had felt an unfamiliar rush of happiness. Yet now she had looked at him with anger in her eyes and told him not to look for her again.

Huo Jingchen lowered his hand, a faint uneasiness spreading through his chest.

Had someone said something to her? Had someone upset her? Or had he done something wrong without realizing it?

He replayed their brief conversation in his mind, searching for an answer, but he could not find one. The longer he stood there, the more unsettled he became.

Finally, he turned toward the door and walked out after her.

---

Xi Yunxui had already reached the corridor by the time regret began to settle in.

Why did I say that?

She quickened her steps, her expression tightening.

She knew Huo Jingchen was not responsible for Huo Ruxue’s behavior. He had not insulted her, nor had he encouraged his cousin to say those things.

In fact, Huo Jingchen had been waiting for her.

He had looked happy when she entered the library.

And she had responded by telling him not to look for her again.

Xi Yunxui’s steps faltered for half a second.

That was too harsh.

She pressed her lips together.

I shouldn’t have said that to him.

But another part of her immediately argued back.

You’re a maid of the Huo family. He’s the eldest young master. Isn’t it common sense that you shouldn’t be getting so close to him?

The rumors had already begun.

The servants had been whispering about them in the courtyard, and Huo Ruxue had confronted her because of those rumors. If she continued spending time alone with Huo Jingchen, the situation would only become worse.

No matter where they were, people would still see her as a maid trying to get close to her employer.

Xi Yunxui’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.

She did not want to be misunderstood.

More importantly, she did not want to cause trouble for Huo Jingchen.

It’s better to keep my distance.

She tried to convince herself of that, but the image of his confused expression continued to follow her.

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.

Behind her, footsteps sounded in the corridor.

"Xi Yunxui!"

Her body stiffened.

She recognized the voice, but her mind was too occupied with her own thoughts to immediately register who was calling her.

He came after me?

The realization made her heart jump.

She glanced over her shoulder.

Huo Jingchen was approaching from the direction of the library. He had moved faster than she expected, and although his expression remained composed, there was a clear sense of urgency in his steps.

"Xi Yunxui, wait."

Her heart began to beat faster.

She did not know what he wanted to say, and she was not ready to face him yet.

Without thinking too much about it, Xi Yunxui suddenly veered away from the path leading toward the staff quarters.

Instead, she hurried toward the garden.

"Xi Yunxui!"

Huo Jingchen’s voice followed her.

She pretended not to hear him, increasing her pace.

The garden was close enough that she could reach it before he caught up, and once she entered the thick greenery, she would have a place to hide while she figured out what to do.

At least, that was what she told herself.

Xi Yunxui slipped between the trees and quickly moved behind a large old tree near the edge of the garden. She pressed her back against the trunk and held her breath.

Her heart was pounding.

Why am I running away from him?

She closed her eyes briefly.

This is ridiculous.

She was not a criminal. She had not stolen anything. She had merely said something impulsive because she was angry.

So why was she hiding from him like a child who had broken something?

Footsteps entered the garden.

Huo Jingchen had followed her.

Xi Yunxui’s breathing became shallow as she peered carefully around the tree.

He stood a short distance away, his gaze moving across the garden.

"Xi Yunxui?"

There was no response.

He took a few steps forward.

"Where are you?"

Xi Yunxui immediately pressed herself more firmly against the tree, not daring to move.

Huo Jingchen continued searching, his expression growing increasingly tense.

At first, he had assumed she had simply walked faster than him. But after checking the path and finding no sign of her, a growing uneasiness began to settle in his chest.

Something was wrong.

Xi Yunxui had not looked at him like that for no reason.

Someone must have said something to her, or perhaps someone had done something.

His jaw tightened.

"Xi Yunxui," he called again, his voice lower this time. "Did someone upset you?"

Behind the tree, Xi Yunxui’s fingers curled.

She could hear the concern in his voice, which only made everything worse.

She had wanted to avoid an awkward conversation, but now Huo Jingchen sounded genuinely worried. The thought of him searching the garden because of her made her feel guilty.

Still, she remained where she was.

Huo Jingchen moved farther into the garden.

His footsteps gradually grew quieter.

Xi Yunxui waited.

One moment passed, then another.

When she could no longer hear him, she cautiously leaned around the tree.

The garden appeared empty.

Huo Jingchen was nowhere in sight.

Xi Yunxui released the breath she had been holding.

Did he leave?

She waited a little longer before slowly stepping out from behind the tree.

The moment she turned around, she came face-to-face with him.

Xi Yunxui froze.

Huo Jingchen stood directly in front of her.

He must have circled around while she was watching the other direction.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

Oh, God.

She had run away from him, hidden behind a tree, and still somehow managed to walk straight into him.

Her face grew warm from embarrassment.

Why did I do this?

Huo Jingchen stared at her.

Then he let out a breath, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly now that he had finally found her.

"Xi Yunxui."

His voice was not angry. If anything, it sounded relieved.

"Why are you running away from me?"

Xi Yunxui lowered her gaze.

Huo Jingchen stepped closer, his eyes searching her face.

"What happened? Did someone say something to you?"

Xi Yunxui remained silent.

His concern only made the guilt inside her grow heavier.

She knew he was not at fault, yet she had still pushed him away because she was angry.

After a moment, she slowly lifted her eyes.

"It’s not necessary for someone to say anything to me."

Huo Jingchen’s brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

Xi Yunxui took a small breath.

"It’s common sense."

"Common sense?"

She nodded.

"I’m a maid of the Huo family, and you’re the eldest young master. I’m not supposed to be so close to you."

Huo Jingchen’s expression changed.

Xi Yunxui continued before he could interrupt.

"People will talk. They already are. If I keep appearing beside you, they’ll only assume that I’m trying to gain something from you."

Her voice remained calm, but a trace of frustration slipped through.

"I don’t want to cause unnecessary rumors."

Huo Jingchen stared at her.

"And that is why you told me not to look for you again?"

Xi Yunxui’s lips pressed together.

"Yes."

The answer seemed to strike him harder than she expected.

Huo Jingchen stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders.

Xi Yunxui stiffened at the contact.

"I don’t care what they say," he said.

His voice was low and firm.

"You don’t have to worry about their opinions."

Xi Yunxui looked up at him.

Huo Jingchen’s gaze did not waver.

"They can say whatever they want. It has nothing to do with you."

"But it does," Xi Yunxui replied. "You’re the eldest young master of the Huo family. I’m only a maid. If people continue seeing us together, they’ll think I’m deliberately trying to get close to you."

"Let them think that."

Xi Yunxui blinked.

Huo Jingchen’s fingers tightened slightly around her shoulders.

"I don’t care."

His words were simple, but the certainty in his voice left no room for doubt.

Xi Yunxui’s heart gave a strange little jolt.

She quickly looked away.

"You may not care, but I do."

"Why?"

"Because I work for your family."

Huo Jingchen remained silent.

Xi Yunxui lowered her gaze.

"I’m not supposed to become so close to my employer. It will only cause trouble for both of us."

Huo Jingchen’s expression darkened.

"Then come and work for me."

Xi Yunxui looked up in surprise.

"What?"

"If you work in my company, no one here will have anything to say."

For a moment, Xi Yunxui simply stared at him.

Then she let out a helpless breath.

"That won’t change anything."

"Why not?"

"Because it’s still the same."

Huo Jingchen’s brows drew together.

Xi Yunxui gently removed his hands from her shoulders.

"Whether I work in your company or remain a maid in the Huo residence, you’re still my employer."

His gaze remained fixed on her.

"And people will still talk."

Huo Jingchen opened his mouth, but Xi Yunxui continued before he could speak.

"Please respect my wishes, Eldest Young Master."

The words were polite, but they carried a clear boundary.

Xi Yunxui stepped away from him.

"I don’t want to cause trouble for you."

She turned around and began walking away, her steps slightly faster than usual, as though she were afraid that if she slowed down, Huo Jingchen might stop her again.

This time, however, he did not chase after her.

He remained standing in the garden, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared beyond the trees.

The silence that followed felt unusually heavy.

Huo Jingchen’s hands slowly fell to his sides.

He had wanted to reassure her. He had wanted her to understand that he did not care about the rumors or what anyone thought of their relationship.

But she had still chosen to leave.

Again.

His chest tightened.

At first, it was only a dull ache, but the sensation quickly deepened until it felt as though something had been torn violently from the center of his chest.

Huo Jingchen lowered his eyes.

He had never understood why her leaving affected him so much.

He had watched countless people come and go throughout his life. He had never chased after them, never asked them to stay, and never felt the need to explain himself when they chose to leave.

But Xi Yunxui was different.

When she walked away, the world seemed to lose something important.

The garden remained exactly as it had been—the trees still swayed in the breeze, the sunlight still filtered through the leaves, and the distant sounds of the household continued as usual.

Yet everything suddenly felt empty.

Huo Jingchen’s fingers curled tightly.

He could still feel the warmth of her shoulders beneath his hands and hear her voice.

Please respect my wishes.

His heart ached.

Not figuratively this time.

The pain was so sharp and unfamiliar that he instinctively pressed a hand against his chest, as though he could somehow hold the feeling in place.

It felt as though his heart had been ripped out of his chest and taken away with her.

Huo Jingchen stood alone beneath the trees, his dark eyes fixed on the path she had taken.

For once, he did not follow.

He simply remained there, silently enduring the pain of watching Xi Yunxui walk away from him.