Chapter 4: Affection Points

Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Affection Points

A/N: The memory of the original Xi Yunxui has been received by Mo Yunxui so she knows the actions that are considered normal in the modern world. Of course, there’ll be times when she’ll be outrageous.

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The system spent the next several minutes explaining itself.

Xi Yunxui listened carefully.

Apparently, the All Works Maid System would issue missions based on her work.

Some missions would be simple.

Others would require more effort.

Completing them would earn her various rewards.

The system also had something called a System Store, though it wasn’t currently accessible to her.

"Why?"

[Because your current progress is too low.]

Xi Yunxui frowned.

"What is the required progress?"

[The system store will unlock when the host reaches the required level.]

"Which is?"

[Host, please stop trying to skip ahead.]

Xi Yunxui clicked her tongue.

This system was strangely stubborn.

She was about to ask another question when footsteps suddenly approached.

"Xi Yunxui!"

She turned.

A young servant stood several steps away.

"Why are you sitting here?"

Xi Yunxui stood.

"I was getting some fresh air."

"The Madam is looking for you."

Xi Yunxui paused.

"Me?"

"Yes. She specifically asked for you."

Xi Yunxui immediately became alert.

The Madam of the Huo family?

Why would she want to see a maid?

She glanced at the system.

Nothing.

"Let’s go."

She followed the servant back toward the residence.

As they approached the dining area, the sounds of conversation became clearer.

The dinner was still going on.

Several people were seated around the long dining table, while servants stood nearby.

Xi Yunxui slowed slightly.

She remembered from the original Xi Yunxui’s memories that the Madam of the Huo family was a graceful woman named Su Meilan.

She was the wife of the current head of the Huo family.

Xi Yunxui spotted her almost immediately.

The elegant woman was seated among the guests.

The moment Su Meilan saw her, she smiled.

"Yunxui, come here."

Xi Yunxui walked over.

"Madam."

Su Meilan nodded.

"I’ve been looking for you."

Xi Yunxui lowered her head respectfully.

"I was told you wanted to see me."

"I did."

Su Meilan turned toward the elderly man sitting beside her.

"Let me introduce you to someone."

The old man turned.

He had white hair, bright eyes and a healthy complexion.

Although he was clearly advanced in age, there was an unmistakable liveliness about him.

Su Meilan smiled.

"This is Elder Qin."

Xi Yunxui bowed.

"Elder Qin."

The old man looked at her.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then—

"Hahahahahaha!"

His loud laughter startled Xi Yunxui.

She blinked.

Elder Qin laughed so hard that his shoulders shook.

Xi Yunxui glanced at Su Meilan.

Did I do something wrong?

Su Meilan covered her lips, smiling.

"Don’t mind him."

Elder Qin finally calmed down.

"I apologize."

He wiped the corner of his eye.

"But I truly didn’t expect this."

Xi Yunxui tilted her head.

"Expect what?"

"I was told that the person who prepared that fish was exceptionally skilled."

Elder Qin looked her up and down.

"I imagined an old chef with decades of experience."

He laughed again.

"Who would have thought it would be such a young girl?"

Xi Yunxui didn’t know whether she should laugh.

"I’m sorry to disappoint you."

"Disappoint me?"

Elder Qin waved his hand.

"Not at all! I’m pleasantly surprised."

He leaned forward.

"That fish was excellent."

Xi Yunxui smiled politely.

"I’m glad you enjoyed it."

"I did more than enjoy it."

Elder Qin looked genuinely impressed.

"I haven’t been able to eat fish comfortably for years because of the bones. But that fish..."

He shook his head.

"Not a single bone."

The other guests began praising the dish as well.

Xi Yunxui remained modest.

"It was only a fish."

Elder Qin stared at her.

"Only a fish?"

He laughed.

"Young lady, if everyone could do what you did, I wouldn’t have spent years avoiding fish!"

Xi Yunxui didn’t know what to say.

She had never understood why people found removing fish bones so impressive.

Back home, it had been something she did almost automatically.

Then—

Ding!

Xi Yunxui froze.

[Mission detected!]

Her eyes widened slightly.

Now?

[Mission: Prepare a fish soup for Elder Qin to take home.]

[Mission description: Elder Qin greatly appreciates the host’s culinary skills and wishes to enjoy the host’s cooking again.]

[Reward: 5% System Progress.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes brightened.

Five percent?

That sounded useful.

But before she could respond, Elder Qin spoke again.

"Young lady."

"Yes?"

"Come work for me."

The dining area suddenly became quiet.

Xi Yunxui blinked.

"Work for you?"

"Yes."

Elder Qin looked serious.

"I have several chefs at home, but none can prepare fish like that."

He laughed.

"Come to my house. I’ll pay you well."

Xi Yunxui was silent.

The offer was certainly tempting.

But she shook her head.

"I’m sorry, Elder Qin."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You’re refusing?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Xi Yunxui looked around.

She had only been in the Huo household for one day.

But she remembered that this was where the original Xi Yunxui had chosen to work.

She had no reason to change it.

"This is where I work."

Elder Qin looked surprised.

"You don’t want better pay?"

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"Money is important."

She glanced toward Su Meilan.

"But I shouldn’t abandon my work simply because someone offered me something better."

The room became quiet.

Xi Yunxui continued calmly.

"Besides, you don’t need to hire me."

She smiled.

"I can make fish soup for you to take home."

Su Meilan’s eyes softened.

Several servants nearby exchanged approving glances.

Elder Qin stared at Xi Yunxui for a few seconds.

Then his face broke into a broad smile.

"Hahaha!"

He slapped his thigh.

"Good! Good!"

He looked at Su Meilan.

"Your household really has found an interesting maid."

Su Meilan smiled.

"I thought so too."

Xi Yunxui smiled politely.

She hadn’t realized that, in that moment, she had successfully turned down a wealthy man’s offer without offending him.

Then—

Ding!

The system’s voice sounded again.

[Positive emotional response detected.]

Xi Yunxui blinked.

"What?"

[Several individuals within the host’s current environment have developed positive feelings toward the host.]

Xi Yunxui glanced around.

The servants.

Madam Su.

Elder Qin.

Even a few of the guests were looking at her approvingly.

She frowned slightly.

A/N: All conversation with the system are held through telepathy except if she’s alone.

"What does that have to do with the system?"

There was a short pause.

Then the system answered.

[The All Works Maid System values the host’s relationship with the people around her.]

[The goodwill, trust, appreciation and positive feelings generated through the host’s work can be converted into System Affection Points.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes narrowed.

"Affection Points?"

[Correct.]

"Can they be used?"

[Yes.]

The system continued.

[Affection Points may be used to purchase items from the System Store.]

Xi Yunxui’s expression slowly changed.

So that was another way to obtain things.

She looked around the dining room again.

The people here weren’t merely people she worked for anymore.

Their feelings toward her had become something the system could measure.

And apparently...

Those feelings could help her build a better life.

Xi Yunxui smiled faintly.

"This system isn’t completely useless after all."

[...]

The system chose not to respond.