Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 12

12: The Noble Consort Emerges from the Bath

“Let me tell you, when Ningshuang was little, she didn’t like wearing dresses. I was so worried back then. I thought, finally, I have a daughter I can dress up like a cute Barbie doll, but my dreams were shattered. Both sisters take after their dad—stiff, no flair. Thankfully, you’re here now…” Shu Lanting couldn’t help but ramble.

Wait, what did that mean? Did she want to dress her up like a Barbie too? Gu Xi swallowed hard, her inner self screaming no way.

Luo Ziqian, inexplicably caught in the crossfire: “…”

Seeing Gu Xi’s stiff smile, Luo Ningshuang tried several times to interrupt her mother, but each attempt was met with a glare. Luo Ziqian patted her shoulder, his eyes signaling her to give up resistance.

“And let me tell you something in confidence,” Shu Lanting continued, “Ningshuang has no bad habits, no romantic history. She’s 27 and still a virgin. Honestly, her dad and I are so open-minded, so how did we end up with such a rigid daughter? Oh, by the way, have you two, you know… done it?”

Gu Xi inwardly groaned: If you’re whispering, could you not say it so loudly? And I can tell how open-minded you are without you saying it.

Somewhat helplessly, she looked at the overly enthusiastic Shu Lanting, who didn’t show the slightest intention of stopping even when the dishes were all served. But when that last question popped out—about whether they’d “done it”—Gu Xi choked and, at the same time as Luo Ningshuang, blurted out, “Mom!”

“Mom!” Luo Ningshuang called out, shooting a glance at Gu Xi.

Shu Lanting ignored Luo Ningshuang entirely, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Gu Xi. “Oh, good girl, so obedient.”

Luo Ziqian coughed, signaling to Gu Xi that there was still someone here she hadn’t addressed.

But both Shu Lanting and Gu Xi turned to him with identical puzzled expressions: What’s wrong with you?

Luo Ziqian inwardly sobbed but finally said, “The food’s all here. Let’s eat. We can’t let Gu Xi go hungry, right?”

Shu Lanting suddenly realized, “Oh, sorry, Gu Xi. I got carried away with all the talking. We’re so excited to have a new family member! Come, eat, try this. I made these dishes especially for you. Go on, taste them.”

Gu Xi picked up a chicken wing from her bowl. The golden, crispy skin gave way to tender, juicy meat with a burst of flavor—neither greasy nor heavy. She hadn’t expected Luo Ningshuang’s mom to be such an incredible cook, practically a master chef. “It’s delicious!” she exclaimed.

“See? My skills haven’t faded!” Shu Lanting beamed with pride at Gu Xi’s approval.

And so… every dish she’d personally made was piled into Gu Xi’s bowl.

Looking at the mountain of food, with some sauces already mixing together, Gu Xi’s eyes welled up on the surface, but inside, she was heartbroken: Such amazing food, now all tasting like five-spice chaos.

Gu Xi quickly picked a few dishes and placed them in Shu Lanting’s bowl, saying, “Mom, you eat too.”

“Oh!” Shu Lanting’s attention was successfully diverted. She happily ate the food her daughter-in-law served her.

Gu Xi let out a sigh of relief. The enthusiasm was overwhelming, and she was struggling to keep up. She’d thought a wealthy, aristocratic family would look down on someone like her with disdain, mockery, or cold indifference. But they were surprisingly easy to get along with.

Suddenly, a loud smack pulled Gu Xi back to reality. She looked over to see Luo Ningshuang rubbing the back of her hand, which had just been swatted red by Shu Lanting.

Luo Ningshuang pressed her lips together, trying again to pick up another dish with her chopsticks. Smack—Shu Lanting struck her hand with her chopsticks again.

Luo Ziqian, who had initially reached for his wife’s cooking, saw his daughter’s pitiful state and decisively gave up, opting for the dishes prepared by the servants instead.

Luo Ningshuang sighed. It had been so long since she’d tasted her mom’s cooking, and today, thanks to Gu Xi, she thought she’d get a chance. But no luck.

Out of sympathy, Gu Xi picked a couple of dishes and placed them in Luo Ningshuang’s bowl across the table. Shu Lanting’s eyes lit up, and she smiled without saying a word.

Luo Ningshuang raised an eyebrow at her. Truth be told, she didn’t like it when others put food in her bowl—not even her mom.

But with everyone watching her, for the first time, Luo Ningshuang felt that saying, “If you’re not family, you don’t enter the same door.”

As she ate and watched Gu Xi, Luo Ningshuang thought maybe she could get used to someone serving her food after all.

Being stared at like that, Gu Xi inexplicably felt a wave of embarrassment. Just eat your food—why are you staring at me?

Then she noticed Shu Lanting also serving food to Luo Ningshuang, her eyes full of anticipation, finally looking like a proper mother.

But Luo Ningshuang, as if oblivious, pushed the food her mom served to the edge of her bowl, her expression dripping with disdain.

This contrast made Gu Xi regret her earlier action, as it only amplified her embarrassment. Seeing the disappointment in Shu Lanting’s eyes, she couldn’t help but glare at Luo Ningshuang and say coldly, “No wasting food. Eat it.”

Luo Ningshuang looked at Gu Xi in shock. She actually dared to scold me?

Glaring back, neither backed down. Then Gu Xi’s expression softened, her lips curling into a gentle smile as she said softly, “Come on, eat it~ It’s really good.”

That voice sent shivers down Luo Ningshuang’s spine. She picked up the food and ate it in one bite.

Shu Lanting, thrilled, exclaimed, “My baby finally ate it! Haha, I knew I’d get you to eat what I served. Hmph, you can’t resist me… mmph!”

Gu Xi was mortified. Luo Ningshuang’s mom was just too much, like an overgrown child. Thankfully, Luo Ziqian quickly covered her mouth.

Luo Ningshuang’s face turned icy, and Gu Xi knew things were about to go south. She lowered her head and ate quietly, inwardly chanting, You can’t see me.

Luo Ningshuang said coldly, “Mom, had enough fun? Want me to keep playing along?”

Luo Ziqian let go of his wife, and Shu Lanting obediently sat down to eat, though her sneaky glances showed she was only temporarily subdued.

The meal finally passed without further incident. Luo Ningshuang stood up and said to Gu Xi, “We should go.”

Shu Lanting immediately protested, “No way! You just got here, and you’re leaving already? I haven’t even had a proper chat with Gu Xi!”

Proper chat? You’ve been talking nonstop since we walked in. Please, spare me. Gu Xi desperately wished she could run off with Luo Ningshuang right then and there.

Luo Ningshuang frowned, unsure what her mom was up to now. To avoid any surprises, they couldn’t stay. “I have work tomorrow. I’ll bring Gu Xi back another time.”

“That won’t do! When will I see you again? Look, it’s dark outside, and it’s getting late. Just stay here tonight, and you can go to work together tomorrow. It’s settled.” Shu Lanting made the decision for her, shooting a meaningful glance at Luo Ziqian.

Gu Xi speechlessly glanced out the window, then at her phone. It was only 8 p.m.—hardly late!

Luo Ziqian coughed and said, “Your room’s been kept clean by the staff. You can stay there. Gu Xi hasn’t seen your room yet, has she? Why don’t you show her? This is your home too now.”

“Yes, yes, Ningshuang, hurry and take Gu Xi to see it!” Shu Lanting urged.

Gu Xi looked at Luo Ningshuang, leaving the decision to her.

Luo Ningshuang gave up resisting and led Gu Xi to her room.

Luo Ningshuang’s room… how to describe it? Full of girly charm?

Gu Xi exclaimed in surprise, “I never would’ve guessed you liked all this pink and soft stuff, and so many dolls! I’ve never seen this many dolls before.”

Luo Ningshuang’s room was dominated by pink. The bed, floor, and corners were filled with all kinds of dolls. Fortunately, the bed was large enough for two.

Seeing Luo Ningshuang’s stifled expression, Gu Xi suppressed a laugh and said as gently as possible, “Alright, I won’t disturb you. I’ll head to the guest room.”

But as soon as Gu Xi turned, Luo Ningshuang pulled her back into the room, closing the door with a bang. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she said in a low, teasing voice, “You think there’s a guest room for you? You think my mom made us stay for what? So, tonight, my wife, you’d better warm the bed for me and wait for me to pamper you~ Hmm?”

Pushed back step by step, Gu Xi met Luo Ningshuang’s provocative gaze and refused to back down. She stepped forward, closing the distance until they were inches apart, nearly touching. As the dominant one, how could she show weakness? But looking up into Luo Ningshuang’s eyes, her confidence wavered slightly. It had to be the height difference—she wouldn’t admit to being intimidated. Standing taller and on her tiptoes, she lifted her chin and declared, “If anyone’s pampering, it’ll be me pampering you.”

“Oh? Bold words. Shall we see who backs down first?” Luo Ningshuang lifted Gu Xi’s chin, her tone dripping with allure.

Gu Xi froze for a moment, and when Luo Ningshuang let go, she could still feel the lingering warmth on her chin.

By the time Gu Xi snapped out of it, Luo Ningshuang was gone. Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Gu Xi’s throat bobbed unconsciously as she tried to psych herself up: Don’t be scared, don’t waver. I’m the dominant one. Besides, she doesn’t even like me—she won’t do anything.

She stood there, dazed, until Luo Ningshuang emerged from the bathroom wrapped in just a towel.

Unlike last time in a bathrobe, the towel barely covered the essentials. Her long, fair legs, partially exposed chest, and damp hair cascading over her pale collarbone—Gu Xi finally understood the phrase, “The noble consort emerges from the bath, veiled in misty allure, her thin silk robe half-revealing her form.” That was Luo Ningshuang in this moment.

Gu Xi felt an itch in her nose and, startled, touched it to check for a nosebleed. Thankfully, there was none.

When she looked back, Luo Ningshuang had swiftly opened the door. Shu Lanting and Luo Ziqian, caught off guard, coughed awkwardly and said in unison, “Just passing by, checking if you need anything!”

Their synchronized excuse was impressive—Gu Xi was thoroughly convinced of their couple’s chemistry.

Luo Ningshuang said coldly, “You two aren’t young anymore. What would people think if they knew you were eavesdropping on your own daughter?”

“Oh, wait, baby, I just remembered I haven’t done my yoga today. I need to go practice. You two, carry on! Bye!” Shu Lanting cut her off, making a flimsy excuse before bolting, leaving the slower-reacting Luo Ziqian behind.

“Dad, want to keep watching? Should I put on a show for you?” Luo Ningshuang continued.

Before she could finish, Luo Ziqian blurted, “I’m going to do yoga too!”

But as he took a few steps, Luo Ningshuang called out, “Dad, you’ve never done yoga in your life. Be careful not to throw out your back.”

Luo Ziqian stumbled, nearly twisting his ankle, and limped away.