NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 134:
Chapter 134: Sir, Which One Is More Beautiful?:
The room was dim and quiet.
Though small, the silence made it feel vast and empty. The only sounds were the faint rhythm of breathing and the gentle beat of a heart, creating a soothing harmony in the stillness.
Wu Yingxue was sound asleep, her cheek resting on her arm as she lay on the dark brown table. Occasionally, she murmured softly in her dreams.
“Whoosh—”
A gentle breeze followed Xu Xi as he opened the door, sweeping into the room. The pages of documents fluttered, and the strands of hair on the girl’s forehead swayed.
Amid the sound of rustling paper and the soft movement of air, her peaceful sleeping face was revealed. Her eyes were closed, her breathing light, and the slight movement of her nose made her appear as delicate and serene as a night-blooming flower.
“So tired that she fell asleep?” Xu Xi murmured from the doorway.
His gaze shifted between Wu Yingxue’s sleeping figure and the pile of government documents on the desk. It wasn’t hard to piece together what had happened.
For some reason, the sight made him smile.
“Is she here to help or just looking for a place to nap?” he thought.
Deciding not to disturb her, he stepped back, intending to wait for her to wake up before offering the juicy chicken legs he had brought.
But before he could retreat fully, she stirred.
“Sir?”
Still groggy, Wu Yingxue lifted her head. She rubbed her eyes several times with the back of her hand before her vision cleared enough to see Xu Xi standing at the door.
Her hazy eyes immediately brightened.
“Sir, you’re finally back!” she exclaimed with delight.
Realizing she had fallen asleep, embarrassment quickly overtook her. She nervously fidgeted, poking her index fingers together and avoiding Xu Xi’s gaze.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep… I don’t usually slack off like this,” she stammered.
Her cautious demeanor only amused Xu Xi further.
“It’s fine. If you’re tired, rest. There’s no shame in that,” he reassured her with a smile.
Hearing his kind words, Wu Yingxue visibly relaxed. Her intelligent eyes lit up again as she noticed something she had overlooked earlier.
“Chicken legs? Sir, why did you bring those?”
Xu Xi walked into the room and, under her curious gaze, pushed the plate of chicken legs toward her.
“It’s New Year’s. Everyone deserves a good meal. We slaughtered a batch of chickens, and these were set aside for you.”
“Wow~~~!”
Her eyes sparkled with delight, forming crescent moons as her smile widened.
After enduring the constant diet of demon meat, the sight of a normal, juicy chicken leg was almost overwhelming. Her stomach growled involuntarily.
“Sir, you should have it,” she said, her voice reluctant as she pushed the plate back toward him.
“Why not?” Xu Xi asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You work harder than I do,” she insisted. “You’re always worrying about food, shelter, and everything else for so many people. You stay up late every night. I can’t take this.”
Her voice was firm, and she shook her head resolutely.
Xu Xi chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ve already eaten. Everyone had rice soup, and this is your share.”
“Sir, you’re not lying to me, are you?”
“Of course not,” he replied, pointing to his mouth.
He had taken a bite of the chicken leg earlier, so it wasn’t entirely untrue.
“Well, if you say so!”
Trusting his words completely, she laughed and grabbed one of the chicken legs, taking a big bite.
Her eating style was bold and unrestrained, yet her delicate features created a striking contrast.
“Yingxue, your clothes…” Xu Xi remarked, noticing her light green dress for the first time.
“Ah—cough, cough, cough!”
Caught off guard, she choked slightly, suddenly remembering her outfit wasn’t her usual red-and-white attire.
Her movements slowed, and she began nibbling on the chicken leg delicately, taking small bites and chewing carefully. Though her previous vigor was subdued, the sight of her holding the chicken leg with her oily palm still seemed amusing.
“It’s nothing,” she explained with a nervous laugh. “My old clothes were torn, so I changed into this. It’s New Year’s, after all…”
“I see,” Xu Xi replied, giving her an appraising look.
Her appearance surprised him.
The Wu Yingxue he knew was a carefree, chivalrous woman who rarely gave thought to appearances. Yet today, in her elegant long skirt, she seemed entirely different—graceful and refined.
“You look beautiful,” he said sincerely.
“Really, sir?” she asked, her expression lighting up with joy.
“Absolutely.”
“Then… which one is more beautiful, the usual me or the me today?” she asked, her curiosity evident.
Xu Xi paused, meeting her expectant gaze. After a moment of thought, he shook his head.
“I can’t say. You look beautiful no matter what you wear.”
He spoke earnestly, not intending to flatter her. Whether in her warrior’s attire or this simple dress, it was Wu Yingxue herself who made each outfit shine.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t choose,” he concluded.
“It’s okay! I was just asking,” she replied cheerfully, clearly pleased by his answer.
Her bites grew quicker, and soon, the chicken leg was picked clean.
“This is so delicious,” she said, licking her lips, which glistened with chicken fat.
“As long as you enjoyed it, there’ll be more opportunities in the future,” Xu Xi said, stepping forward with a damp cloth to wipe her face clean.
Then, he carefully took her oily hands and cleaned them, ensuring no trace of grease remained.
The simple scene—a girl savoring her chicken leg, her hands greasy, and a small, quiet room—was one of peace and warmth.
Afterward, Xu Xi returned to his government affairs. Despite it being New Year’s Eve, there was still much planning to do for the army’s survival in the coming year.
“Sir, let me help you,” Wu Yingxue said, staying behind even after finishing her meal. She joined him at the desk, helping to ease his workload as the quiet night stretched on.