Chapter 57: The Patriarch [2]

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: The Patriarch [2]

Xi Yunxui was still carefully wiping the last section of the window when a young maid approached her from behind.

"Xi Yunxui."

Xi Yunxui paused and turned around, the cloth still in her hand.

"Yes?"

"Auntie Zhang is looking for you."

Xi Yunxui glanced at the window she had not completely finished cleaning, then nodded.

"All right. Thank you."

She quickly rinsed the cloth and placed it aside before following the maid through the corridor.

The main residence was unusually busy that morning.

Servants moved through the halls with an almost practiced urgency. Some carried fresh flowers, others brought out decorations, while several maids were busy checking the dining room and making sure every detail was in place.

Xi Yunxui couldn’t help wondering how much more troublesome the arrival of the Huo family patriarch would be.

When she found Auntie Zhang, the older woman immediately waved her over.

"Xi Yunxui, Madam Huo is asking for you."

"Madam?"

"Yes. She specifically asked that you come upstairs."

Xi Yunxui nodded respectfully.

"All right. I’ll go immediately."

She turned toward the staircase.

As she climbed, she couldn’t help wondering why Madam Huo wanted her.

Had something happened?

Had she done something wrong?

Or perhaps Madam Huo needed help with something?

By the time she reached Madam Huo’s room, Xi Yunxui had already thought through several possibilities.

She raised her hand and knocked gently.

"Come in."

Xi Yunxui pushed the door open.

The sight inside made her pause for half a second.

Madam Huo was standing before a large dressing mirror while two jewelry boxes lay open on the table. She had already changed into an elegant outfit suitable for receiving an important guest. A delicate necklace rested against her collarbone, while she was currently fastening a pair of earrings.

Her hair was only half-arranged, with a maid standing behind her holding several hair ornaments.

The moment Madam Huo noticed Xi Yunxui, a smile appeared on her face.

"Xi Yunxui, you’re here."

"Yes, Madam."

"Come in. Give me a moment."

Xi Yunxui stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind herself.

She did not approach immediately.

Instead, she stood respectfully a short distance away, waiting patiently while Madam Huo finished arranging her jewelry.

And then—

Ding!

The familiar electronic voice suddenly sounded inside Xi Yunxui’s mind.

[New Mission Activated!]

Xi Yunxui’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

She had almost gotten used to the system’s sudden missions.

[Mission: Assist Madam Huo in preparing for the arrival of an important guest.]

[Tasks:]

[1. Help Madam Huo arrange her hair.]

[2. Apply suitable makeup.]

[3. Ensure Madam Huo’s overall appearance is elegant and appropriate.]

[Mission Reward: Modern Cleaning Appliances Operation Manual.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes immediately brightened.

Modern cleaning appliances?

That was exactly what she needed!

The memory of the vacuum cleaner she had awkwardly struggled with earlier that morning flashed through her mind.

She had almost embarrassed herself in front of the other maids.

If she could obtain the manual, perhaps she wouldn’t have to secretly copy someone else every time she encountered a strange cleaning appliance.

This mission came at the perfect time.

She glanced at Madam Huo, who was still adjusting one of her earrings.

Xi Yunxui hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward.

"Madam."

Madam Huo looked at her through the mirror.

"Yes?"

"If you don’t mind, may I help you with your hair and makeup?"

Madam Huo’s eyebrows rose.

"You know how to do makeup?"

Xi Yunxui smiled modestly.

"Yes, Madam. I know a little."

A little.

That was certainly one way of describing it.

After all, the original Xi Yunxui had never had much experience with modern beauty products, but the memories and knowledge Mo Yunxui had accumulated in her previous life had been supplemented by the system’s modern-world knowledge.

Madam Huo studied her for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"All right. I’ll leave it to you."

"Thank you, Madam."

Xi Yunxui stepped forward.

She first examined Madam Huo’s features and outfit before choosing what would complement her naturally rather than overwhelm her appearance.

She kept the makeup elegant and restrained.

The foundation was light.

The brows were shaped naturally.

A subtle shade around the eyes emphasized Madam Huo’s already graceful features, while a soft color on her lips completed the look.

Nothing was excessive.

Everything simply enhanced what was already there.

After finishing the makeup, Xi Yunxui moved on to her hair.

She carefully loosened the parts that had been arranged too tightly, then gathered the dark strands into an elegant style that was neither overly complicated nor plain.

A delicate hair ornament was placed at an angle that complemented Madam Huo’s features.

When Xi Yunxui finally stepped back, she examined her work.

"Done, Madam."

Madam Huo slowly turned toward the mirror.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

She simply stared at her reflection.

Then—

"Wow."

The exclamation escaped her before she could stop it.

Xi Yunxui blinked.

Madam Huo touched her hair, then looked at her makeup again.

"This..."

She turned toward Xi Yunxui.

"You’re really good at this."

Xi Yunxui gave a small, slightly embarrassed smile.

"It’s nothing special, Madam. I just happened to pick up a few things."

"A few things?"

Madam Huo laughed.

"Xi Yunxui, you’re good at cooking, you somehow know how to handle things around the house, and now you know how to do makeup and hair."

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Are you secretly hiding a whole collection of skills from us?"

Xi Yunxui immediately waved her hands.

"No, Madam. It’s really just one or two things I learned."

Madam Huo chuckled.

"Well, whatever the reason is, I like it."

She looked at herself in the mirror again, clearly pleased.

Xi Yunxui smiled quietly.

Then—

Ding!

[Mission Complete!]

[Congratulations, Host.]

[Reward: Modern Cleaning Appliances Operation Manual.]

The moment the system finished speaking, a strange sensation suddenly rushed through Xi Yunxui’s mind.

Her eyes widened.

A massive amount of information seemed to flood directly into her consciousness.

Vacuum cleaners.

Washing machines.

Dryers.

Steam cleaners.

Dishwashers.

Floor polishers.

Robotic cleaning devices.

Different buttons.

Different modes.

Safety precautions.

Operating instructions.

Maintenance procedures.

Everything seemed to flash through her mind in an instant.

Xi Yunxui’s body swayed.

She instinctively reached for the edge of the dressing table.

"Xi Yunxui?"

Madam Huo’s concerned voice immediately brought her back.

Xi Yunxui straightened herself.

"I’m fine, Madam."

She had experienced something similar when she received the kitchen-equipment manual, so she was much more prepared this time.

She took a slow breath and steadied herself.

"Perhaps I stood for too long."

Madam Huo looked at her suspiciously for a moment.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Madam."

"Then sit down for a moment."

"I’m really fine."

Before Madam Huo could argue, another notification sounded in Xi Yunxui’s mind.

[Positive Emotion Detected.]

[Affection Points +3.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes brightened.

Three more.

Her mood immediately improved.

Madam Huo, unaware of the notifications happening inside Xi Yunxui’s head, sat down before the dressing table.

After admiring her reflection for another moment, she suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, that’s right."

She turned toward Xi Yunxui.

"I actually called you here because I wanted to talk to you about something."

Xi Yunxui immediately straightened.

"Yes, Madam."

"You’ve heard that someone important is coming today, haven’t you?"

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Yes. I heard that the patriarch is coming."

Madam Huo sighed.

"Yes. My father-in-law is coming to visit."

There was a trace of helplessness in her voice.

Xi Yunxui remained silent, listening.

Madam Huo continued.

"My father-in-law is very particular about his meals."

Xi Yunxui’s expression became slightly more serious.

"He has always been picky about food. Usually, whenever he visits, he brings his own chef along."

She paused.

"But something happened two years ago, and since then, he hasn’t been allowed to bring his personal chef when visiting."

Xi Yunxui didn’t ask what had happened.

Judging by Madam Huo’s expression, it was probably something involving the Huo family that she had no reason to pry into.

Instead, she simply listened.

Madam Huo sighed again.

"Even so, he’s still an elder of the family. I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable when he’s here, especially when it comes to food."

Her gaze settled on Xi Yunxui.

"And I’ve seen enough of your cooking to trust you."

Xi Yunxui blinked.

"Madam?"

"I want you to prepare his meals."

Xi Yunxui immediately nodded.

"All right, Madam. No problem."

Madam Huo smiled.

"I knew you’d agree."

Xi Yunxui returned the smile.

"I’ll do my best."

Madam Huo nodded approvingly.

"I’ll leave it to you, then."

Xi Yunxui was about to respond when she suddenly realized something.

There was no system notification.

No mission.

No reward.

Nothing.

She waited.

A second passed.

Then another.

Still nothing.

Xi Yunxui’s brows slowly furrowed.

Strange.

Whenever something involved the Huo family—especially something where she was helping one of them—the system usually jumped at the opportunity to issue a mission.

But this time...

Nothing.

Why?

Xi Yunxui glanced inwardly toward the silent system.

She didn’t say anything aloud.

Neither did the system.

For some reason, its silence made her even more suspicious.

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes slightly.

What’s going on with you today?

But the system remained completely quiet.

And Xi Yunxui had no idea that the seemingly ordinary request to prepare a meal for the Huo family’s patriarch would soon become far more complicated than she expected.