Daily Survival After Inheriting a Harem (GL) - Chapter 7

Without that thin layer of cloth separating them, it seemed even the other person’s steady, powerful heartbeat could be transmitted through the skin. At this moment, Pei Yuqing could easily invade Qiu Qi’s mind and view all of her inner thoughts. She unceremoniously searched deep within Qiu Qi’s consciousness, but the results still disappointed her.

Was this person’s disguise too clever, or was she truly as honest and sincere as she appeared?

“Stay by my side, whether as companionship or supervision. If I can truly maintain this high-intensity disguise around the clock, even if, as you said, I eventually have ulterior motives, then this battle, Madam, you’d have lost wholeheartedly, wouldn’t you?”

Qiu Qi maintained a calm facade, but only she knew how nervous she was saying this.

Currently, she was merely a vessel for the Beast Core Orb, which could go mad at any moment, and she had no idea how to use it. Forget about restoring her original combat power; just controlling herself from going crazy was already a struggle.

But right now, there were heaps of people inside and outside the courtyard waiting to kill her. It was impossible for her to become a peerless master in a short time. The only viable solution was to gain Pei Yuqing’s favor and turn her into her life-saving charm.

As long as the master-servant agreement remained, Pei Yuqing couldn’t just stand by and watch her die.

Pei Yuqing met her gaze. Unlike her overly bold statement, Qiu Qi’s shimmering eyes held only a harmless, watery innocence, yet with a convincing power that was impossible to refuse. For a moment, she forgot to look away.

The person before her exuded a warm, gentle aura, her past grimness gone. With bright eyes and pearly teeth, a simple smile could make one involuntarily feel fondness.

However, she also didn’t miss the subtle thought that crossed Qiu Qi’s mind. “You truly can’t control the Beast Core Orb?”

If Qiu Qi merely wanted to use her as a protective charm during the time she couldn’t control the Beast Core Orb, then it would explain why she would help her remove the profound ice ring.

“That’s right, otherwise I wouldn’t be like this now.”

What she said was correct.

“Madam.” Qiu Qi narrowed her eyes and smiled, shaking Pei Yuqing’s hand playfully. “Did you read clearly? I wasn’t lying, was I?”

“No…”

Pei Yuqing spoke in such an uncertain voice for the first time. She took a step back, and the subtle intimacy between them dissipated.

“Then it’s settled!” Qiu Qi held out her pinky finger to her.

Pei Yuqing didn’t reply, but reminded her again, “It’s time for a meal, My Lord.”

“I know it’s time for a meal, but you have to pinky swear with me first.” Qiu Qi tugged on Pei Yuqing’s hand, hooking her pinky finger and pulling. “Once we pinky swear and stamp it, there’s no going back.”

“Mm.”

“As expected, Madam is the best to me!”

••••

The dining hall was quite far from the study. After all, the original owner rarely read, so when it was built, it was intentionally placed in an inconspicuous corner.

According to the rules of the courtyard, only those granted an orange token could dine at the same table as Qiu Qi. However, they also had to wait for Qiu Qi to be seated before they could start eating. The rest of the people would only receive their meals after their table had finished.

When Qiu Qi arrived, everyone was already seated. Besides Pei Yuqing, there were four other people, not unfamiliar faces—she had just seen them in the pavilion that morning.

If there was one thing these four had in common, it was their incredibly beautiful faces. Qiu Qi found that her aesthetic tastes aligned quite well with the original owner’s in this regard.

Zu Mianmian was gentle and well-behaved, Yin Ci was heroic and uninhibited, Xiao Chu’er was elegant and refined, and Lin Yujin was delicate and lovely. Each had her own distinct charm; their beauty was unique.

If this were a strategy game, given the exquisite character designs, Qiu Qi would surely spend at least ten days to half a month on it, playing until completion.

“Chirp chirp…” The air became solidified after Qiu Qi appeared. Only an ignorant little blue sparrow chirped softly, then flapped its wings and flew to Pei Yuqing’s shoulder.

“What a cute little bird.” Qiu Qi had absolutely no resistance to these chubby, adorable creatures.

But before her finger could touch Lan Tang, she was fiercely pecked.

“Stinky thing, don’t touch me!”

Although Qiu Qi’s body was impenetrable, it still felt pain where it should. She looked pitifully at Pei Yuqing. “Madam… it hurts.”

“Lan Tang, apologize to My Lord.”

“Huh?” The four women all turned their astonished gazes towards them.

Pei Yuqing, such a proud person, even when subjected to Qiu Qi’s torture, had gritted her teeth and never uttered a soft word. Now, she was actually asking Lan Tang to apologize?

“Master…” The little fat sparrow was utterly wronged.

“It’s okay,” Qiu Qi said with a good-natured smile. “I suddenly reached out and scared it; I’m the one who should apologize.”

“Huh?” The four women’s shocked gazes turned back to Qiu Qi’s face.

Zu Mianmian couldn’t help but lean over and whisper to Yin Ci, “Sister Yin, did the sun rise from the west today?”

This whole scene utterly bewildered Lan Tang, the bird in question. It opened its tiny, pea-sized eyes and looked at its owner with confusion, who quickly returned a comforting expression.

“Chirp?”

“I’m sorry, little cutie. Next time, if I want to touch you, I’ll ask you first.”

“Chirp!”

Lan Tang quickly hopped to Pei Yuqing’s other shoulder. In its eyes, Qiu Qi’s grinning smile was absolutely terrifying, as if she was about to pounce and swallow it whole at any second.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just eat,” Pei Yuqing said, drawing everyone’s attention back. “If we don’t eat soon, it won’t be fresh.”

“Right, right, my stomach’s about to deflate.” Qiu Qi looked at Pei Yuqing with anticipation as she lifted the table cover. Her gaze then darkened upon seeing a table full of “dishes,” and her face also began to turn pale.

The dining table was large, and there were many plates, but not a single dish was something Qiu Qi could bring herself to eat.

A freshly skinned, bloody rabbit still trembling… a small squab, teary-eyed and staring blankly at the sky in death… a whole snake coiled like a mosquito coil, the chef even humorously propped open its teeth, posing it in an attacking stance…

“This is…”

That’s right, how could I have forgotten this? Aside from their combat prowess, the Beast Race’s level of evolution in other aspects was comparable to cavemen. If not for trade with the Human Race, she probably wouldn’t even have clothes to wear now, only able to cover herself with leaves.

“My Lord, what’s wrong?” Pei Yuqing looked at her. “Aren’t these all your usual favorites?”

Qiu Qi wanted to cry but couldn’t. “Hehehe, actually, I want to eat something vegetarian today. Do we have any in the courtyard?”

“My Lord has always preferred meat. Why do you suddenly want to eat vegetarian today?”

“Madam…” Qiu Qi lowered her head, rubbed her eyes with her fingers, then pinched her thigh hard. Then she raised her red, tear-filled eyes, looking pitiful and on the verge of crying. She aimed her gaze at Pei Yuqing and began to activate her skill, “Bunnies are so cute, how can you eat bunnies?!”

Zu Mianmian: You’re usually the happiest one killing bunnies, what are you even saying now?

Yin Ci: Do you have a knife? I want to kill someone 🙂

Xiao Chu’er: This is… the vast difference Pei Yuqing spoke of? Honestly, she’s probably gone mad!

Lin Yujin: Help, she’s so abnormal, I’m even more scared.

Lan Tang: Chirp chirp chirp! Master, run!

Something in Pei Yuqing’s eyes seemed to be disintegrating. “What did you say? Say it again?”

Author’s Note:

Qiu Qi: Say it then (Little cooking expert about to go online ヾ(≧∪≦*)ノ〃)