Chapter 622: Master

Yinjiang District, northwest of Ningshan, Sky Ridge Elegant Residence, Building A08 villa.

Butler Liu entered through the main gate, avoided the large piles of construction materials stacked beside the door, and led four people inside.

The workers inside the house noticed the commotion and, seeing the one man and three women following Butler Liu, instinctively paused their work.

"Cough." Butler Liu gave a simple gesture and introduced the workers, "This is the villa's owner, Mr. Li Luo. Next to him is…"

At this point, even with Butler Liu's professionalism, he momentarily stalled, unsure how to address them.

In private, he could call Ying Chanxi and the other two "Madams" without issue—likely none of the four, including Li Luo, would object.

But in front of outsiders, such details still required care.

So Li Luo pointed to Ying Chanxi and said, "My girlfriend."

Then he pointed to Xu Youyu and Yan Zhusheng: "My sister and my younger sister."

"Ah, right." Butler Liu nodded and turned back to the workers. "Get to know them. Keep working. I'll just show Mr. Li and the others the renovation progress."

The workers all nodded. In front of the owner, they dared not slack off and immediately returned to their labor.

Yet occasionally, when Ying Chanxi and the others passed by, some young workers couldn't help stealing glances, their eyes filled with envy.

"I ordered some fruit. Butler Liu, could you help distribute it later?" Li Luo said as they ascended the stairs after Butler Liu finished introducing the first floor.

"Of course, no problem." Butler Liu nodded in agreement.

After reaching the second floor, Butler Liu entered the largest room on this level.

The renovation had just begun; the contract was signed in April, a month was spent finalizing the design, and another half-month was used to handle minor pre-construction tasks before the crew arrived.

Now, the building's water and electrical systems have been roughly installed, and these past two days have been dedicated to waterproofing—the rooms remain in raw shell condition.

"This is the study area we previously confirmed," Butler Liu said briefly. "As requested by you and Miss Xu, the lower wall beneath the windows has been removed—it will become floor-to-ceiling windows."

"The adjacent wall will also be broken open to create a door leading to the bathroom on the corridor."

"That way, when working in the study, you won't need to leave the room and walk around—just step through this door directly to the bathroom."

Most households wouldn't need such a design.

But the space Li Luo and Xu Youyu chose as the study was created by demolishing the wall between two second-floor rooms and merging them into one massive area.

It occupies roughly half of the second floor.

Making the bathroom access convenient is somewhat necessary.

Moreover, this also considers that the study won't necessarily be used only by Li Luo and Xu Youyu.

Although Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng currently rarely use computers, that may change in the future.

For instance, if Ying Chanxi truly pursues photography, won't she eventually need a computer for video editing?

If she aims for finance or corporate management, using computers to process business data will be absolutely essential.

In short, according to Li Luo and Xu Youyu's plan, they will definitely provide desks for both Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng.

"Your desk goes here, mine goes here," Xu Youyu walked enthusiastically to the window, gesturing. "Then Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng can place theirs over there."

"The study layout is all up to you," Li Luo nodded, then turned to Butler Liu beside him. "What about the other rooms?"

"Miss Ying's collection room is next door," Butler Liu led the three out of the study and into a smaller adjacent room. "As requested by Miss Ying, the windows have been narrowed, and it will become a corridor-style display area."

"I haven't fully decided on the cabinet styles yet," Ying Chanxi hesitated. "Because I'm not sure what I'll put here in the future."

"Think about what you want to display first, then order custom cabinets," Li Luo said. "Leave the remaining space empty for now—you can add items gradually later."

After viewing these two rooms, the four followed Butler Liu to the third floor and briefly inspected their bedrooms.

Hmm… really, they mainly just looked at Li Luo's master bedroom.

"As per your request, the wiring has been arranged as separately as possible," Butler Liu said, his expression slightly odd, though he quickly regained composure. "The large bed you mentioned can be custom-made to fit the central spacing."

A bed that perfectly accommodates four people… Li Luo looked at the vast space of the master bedroom and smiled contentedly.

The master bathroom was even more extraordinary.

Drawing inspiration from the villa they stayed in during their visit to Qiongzhou City, Li Luo specifically instructed Butler Liu to expand the bathroom space.

He had a miniature version of Qiongzhou's hot spring pool designed inside the bathroom.

A normal bathtub barely fits two people; Li Luo's small hot spring pool comfortably accommodates four.

Two shower stalls and a row of three sinks were added beside it, the toilet was designed with dry-wet separation, and only then did it begin to fill the master bathroom.

"This bathroom is bigger than our entire dorm room," Xu Youyu couldn't help complaining.

"Your dorm room is this big?" Li Luo exclaimed.

Xu Youyu fell silent, actually beginning to mentally compare: "…If you subtract the hot spring pool area… maybe… hmm… and remove the two shower stalls too."

Li Luo silently mourned for college students.

From the third floor, they went to the fourth floor, where Butler Liu led them to a room facing south. "This is the recording studio requested by Miss Yan."

"As per Mr. Li's requirements, this studio was designed to professional-grade soundproofing standards—soundproofing felt and vibration pads were installed from the structural phase."

"The adjacent small room is the piano room, with additional spring vibration dampers installed."

"The partition walls use a double-wall structure, filled with rock wool, and all pipes are wrapped in acoustic cotton."

"All of this was handled by another specialized team."

Butler Liu gave a thoroughly professional tour, leaving Yan Zhusheng nodding repeatedly, thoroughly satisfied.

After viewing the fourth floor, the group proceeded to the rooftop terrace.

Here, Li Luo chose a waterproof outdoor cooking countertop and a dedicated barbecue grill.

In the future, when the mood strikes, they can prepare fresh ingredients and come up to the terrace for barbecuing, drinking, and singing.

Xu Youyu was highly anticipating this, already imagining the cozy scene in her mind.

"We should buy a telescope," Ying Chanxi looked up at the sky and suddenly thought of this.

Li Luo naturally agreed without hesitation.

After a rough walkthrough, the four prepared to leave, leaving the detailed supervision of the renovation to Butler Liu.

Riding in Xu Youyu's car, Li Luo and Ying Chanxi got off at the gate of Bihai Lanting.

Xu Youyu rolled down her window and said to Li Luo: "I'll take Zhusheng to the airport. I've classes this afternoon and tonight, so I'll probably sleep in the dorm and come back tomorrow."

"Alright, go ahead," Li Luo nodded.

But Yan Zhusheng didn't let Ying Chanxi close the back door after they got out—instead, she stepped out too, and right in front of the two sisters, threw herself into Li Luo's arms.

After all, they wouldn't see each other for nearly half a month, and Yan Zhusheng was reluctant, burying her head in Li Luo's chest as if trying to absorb all his energy.

Ying Chanxi glanced at her little sister and said nothing this time, merely walking off to the side, choosing to look away.

Xu Youyu smiled at the scene, not rushing them—there was still plenty of time before Yan Zhusheng's flight.

"Don't keep Youyu waiting too long," Li Luo hugged Yan Zhusheng and patted her back. "I'll come find you in Changning City on the 25th."

"I know," Yan Zhusheng nodded in his arms, then lifted her small face and puckered her lips at him.

Li Luo naturally understood her meaning, and bent down to kiss her.

"Eee~" Xu Youyu waved her hands frantically, signaling she couldn't watch.

Ying Chanxi moved several meters away, occasionally glancing back, stamping her foot as she waited, wondering how much longer her little sister would keep kissing.

"Are you done yet?" Ying Chanxi finally couldn't hold back—seven or eight minutes had passed and it wasn't over. "What if you miss the boarding time?"

Hearing Ying Chanxi's voice, Yan Zhusheng finally stopped, turning to glance at her sister.

But for some reason, after confirming Ying Chanxi was watching, she immediately tiptoed up and, while Li Luo wasn't looking, gave him two firm, sucking kisses before turning and getting back in the car.

Ying Chanxi's small fists slowly clenched, her eyelid twitching—was this a provocation?

It had to be.

Now that she was leaving, she was being so brazen!

Ying Chanxi gritted her teeth, thinking of how to get revenge.

Best to kiss Li Luo tonight, then call Yan Zhusheng on video—let her watch, but not even touch!

Hmph!

Ying Chanxi stomped back to Li Luo's side, unable to reach Yan Zhusheng in the car, so she landed two solid punches on his waist.

Li Luo was already used to Ying Chanxi's "massage," grinning as he took her small hand and reminded Xu Youyu to drive safely.

Xu Youyu waved, acknowledging, then turned to Ying Chanxi with a sly smile: "Xixi, I bought you something good. I sent the pickup code to your phone—remember to get it from the Fengchao locker."

"Huh?" Ying Chanxi blinked. "What did you buy, senior?"

"The thing I mentioned to you a couple days ago," Xu Youyu winked, grinning. "You know what."

With that, she restarted the car, bid them farewell, and drove off to take Yan Zhusheng to the airport.

"What did Youyu buy you?" Li Luo walked with Ying Chanxi to the Fengchao locker downstairs, curiously leaning in to peek.

But Ying Chanxi moved fast, hiding the package behind her back, denying him any chance to look.

Still, seeing the girl's bright red cheeks, Li Luo could guess—it wasn't anything ordinary.

After all, it was Xu Youyu who bought it.

"Don't look!" Ying Chanxi, seeing Li Luo reach again, clutched the package tightly to her chest and dashed off toward the elevator.

Li Luo chuckled and followed, finally making it back to the door of 1502.

Today, Yan Zhusheng left to join Yuan Wanqing's national tour, and Xu Youyu had to go to school.

The house was now just Li Luo and Ying Chanxi.

Ying Chanxi was clearly in high spirits. After bringing the package to her room for a while, she came to Li Luo's room with a shy, smiling face and asked, "What do you want for dinner?"

"Tomato and scrambled eggs, cola chicken wings," Li Luo smiled. "And some winter melon and pork rib soup."

Hearing all her favorite dishes, Ying Chanxi hummed lightly, clearly pleased: "Then I'll go buy groceries later?"

"Sure, want me to come with you?" Li Luo asked.

"No need," Ying Chanxi said sweetly and obediently. "You focus on writing. I'll chop some fruit first—what do you want?"

"There's still some dragon fruit in the fridge—don't let it go bad."

"I'll chop that," Ying Chanxi nodded. "And an apple too?"

"Fine."

"Then I'm off~" Ying Chanxi skipped happily to the kitchen, thinking how wonderful it was to have just the two of them.

Then she remembered the outfit Xu Youyu had bought her… as she carried the fruit plate to Li Luo's room, her cheeks flushed again.

Around three in the afternoon, Ying Chanxi went to the market, bought ingredients, and returned home to start preparing dinner.

Li Luo had written six or seven thousand words, felt he'd made enough progress for the afternoon, stretched, stepped out of his bedroom, and wondered if he should help Ying Chanxi.

But as soon as he reached the kitchen, Ying Chanxi called out: "We're out of soy sauce—can you go downstairs and buy a bottle?"

"Oh, sure," Li Luo nodded. Since he had nothing else to do, he agreed, put on his shoes, and headed downstairs, answering a call along the way: "Hello? Mom, what's up?"

Meanwhile, Ying Chanxi, seeing Li Luo leave the building from the balcony, rushed back to her room and changed into a cute black-and-white maid outfit.

Even white lace-trimmed thigh-high stockings.

Blushing furiously, she went to the bathroom, spun in front of the mirror, watching the white skirt flare like a blooming flower, her heart pounding like a startled deer.

Neither senior nor Zhusheng was here—she should be bolder, summon her courage…

Ying Chanxi gave herself a pep talk in the mirror, then went to the door, calculating when Li Luo would return.

When the sound of keys turning in the lock came from outside, she immediately turned her back to the door, lifting her skirt slightly with both small hands.

As the door creaked open, she lowered her delicate, adorable face, slowly turned while holding up her skirt, and whispered:

"M-Master~ Welcome home~"

But the moment she finished speaking, she felt something was wrong.

Why was Li Luo wearing sandals?

And why were his feet so small?

In an instant, Ying Chanxi snapped her head up—

There, at the door, Lin Xiuhong stood frozen, her gaze strange as she stared at the Xixi before her, someone suddenly unfamiliar.

She didn't know whether to leave or stay, silently cursing Li Luo under her breath.

Have they been playing this wildly behind closed doors?!

Why didn't you tell me ahead of time when you called me just now!

"L-Lin Yi…" Ying Chanxi's face burned crimson, her head thudding like a freshly boiled kettle, utterly unable to explain her attire or her shameful behavior moments ago, completely stunned.

Only when she finally snapped back to her senses and realized what had happened did she let out an instinctive, shrill "Eeeyaa!"—overwhelmed by shame, she buried her face and fled like a startled bird back to her bedroom.

(End of Chapter)