After dinner, Xin resud painting Seraphina in the living room, as he hadn’t yet set up his studio in one of the empty rooms.
This choice ensured transparency and avoided any potential misunderstandings . . . until he set up the studio and his family got the hang of Seraphina in the house.
However, Xin knew that this living room arrangent would be a bit inconvenient, requiring him to clean up and set up again the next day.
Evelyn grew tired after a few minutes and decided to retire to her room for so rest.
Xiaxia, on the other hand, excused herself to fetch her assignnts so she could work in the living room. She wanted to keep a watchful eye at Xin and Seraphina and ensure no . . . ’accident’ would happen.
As she left, Xiaxia gave Xin and Seraphina a pointed warning, her eyes narrowing. "Don’t try anything funny," she cautioned. "I’ll be back."
Seraphina rely smiled in response. "If you’re feeling tired, you’re welco to retreat to your room."
"I’m just going to do my assignnts," Xiaxia replied forcefully before heading to her room to retrieve her bag and books.
Once Xiaxia had left and it was just Xin and Seraphina in the living room, Xin took a mont to address the situation. "I apologize for my family’s behavior. If you’re uncomfortable with all this . . ."
Seraphina waved off his concerns with a gracious smile. "It’s perfectly fine. Your family is quite entertaining, especially your sister. Is she always so protective?"
"In a way," Xin replied, glancing briefly from his canvas. He couldn’t help but be curious. "Do you have any siblings?"
Seraphina’s smile remained, but a trace of sadness flickered in her eyes. "No, I don’t. My mother passed away before I could have a sibling, and my father is always preoccupied with work."
Xin sensed the sadness in her response and regretted asking such a sensitive question. Wanting to change the topic, he said, "I never got the chance to ask before, but why are you helping ?"
"I’m simply curious about art, and I see this as an enriching experience," Seraphina replied like she had practiced her response beforehand.
"Well, typically, most people wouldn’t readily agree to sothing like this, especially with soone they don’t know well. And the fact that you went out of your way to live here just for the art session . . ."
Seraphina remained silent, and Xin felt her intense gaze upon him. He montarily glanced over at her from his canvas but quickly averted his eyes.
His heart skipped a beat, and added, "I don’t want to impose on you."
After a brief pause, Seraphina finally responded, her tone serious, "Do you genuinely want to know the answer?"
Xin felt a lump in his throat as her eyes bore into him, and the tension in the room beca palpable.
Before Xin could articulate his answer, Xiaxia returned, taking a seat on the couch with her books and backpack to begin her assignnts. She imdiately sensed the strange atmosphere in the room and the unbearable silence.
Observing the awkward dynamic between Xin and Seraphina, Xiaxia couldn’t help but voice her curiosity. "What’s going on?"
Seraphina redirected her attention to Xiaxia. "You’re in the marketing departnt, aren’t you?"
Xiaxia regarded Seraphina with a puzzled expression. "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"
Seraphina offered a sweet smile. "Just making conversation. Study well."
Xiaxia frowned, muttering under her breath, "Weirdo . . ."
As per their agreent, Xin wrapped up their art session precisely after an hour. He didn’t want to repeat the mistake from the previous day by taking up more of Seraphina’s ti.
He recognized and appreciated her kindness and consideration in agreeing to this arrangent and even going so far as to live here for their convenience.
Extending their session would have felt like an imposition on her generosity, and besides, he had a gaming session to attend with his friends.
"Oh? You’re finished already?" Xiaxia asked, jolted from her assignnt as she realized the ti had passed.
"We agreed to just an hour each night," Xin explained. "You’re welco to stay here if you like. I’m heading back to my room."
Xiaxia pouted. "Are you going to log into the ga?"
"Yeah," Xin replied before excusing himself.
Xiaxia glanced over at Seraphina, who was still seated on the couch, seemingly at ease. She offered a friendly smile and inquired, "Would you like so help with that?"
Xiaxia pouted and declined, neatly packing her belongings into her bag. "No, thank you."
With that, Xiaxia gathered her things and left, saying forcefully, "Good night."
After finishing the art session with Seraphina, Xin retired to his room. He imdiately logged into the ga and joined in with Hilda first.
"Lord Schrodinger!" Hilda exclaid upon seeing him and imdiately enveloped him in a bear-like hug, her powerful muscles squeezing the air out of Xin.
"I’m so relieved to see you! Why didn’t you show up yesterday? I was worried sick that sothing terrible had happened to you!" she exclaid.
"Can you . . . let go . . . for a mont?" Xin gasped as Hilda finally released him, grateful that there was no damage, or he might have faced a hefty EXP penalty.
"I’m okay, Hilda, and I’m sorry for causing you any worry. Everything’s fine now."
"Are you absolutely sure?" Hilda inquired, her broad lips forming a pout that contrasted with her squared face, making her look terrifyingly awkward.
"Yeah. We can talk more later, Hilda. Right now, I need to et up with my friends."
"So soon?" Hilda was disappointed.
"You can just follow behind like you always do," Xin suggested.
Hilda chuckled with embarrassnt. "You knew about that?"
"Well, you’re not exactly discreet," Xin replied, sighing as he offered a small smile. "And I want to thank you for your help. I know you’ve been watching over in your own way."
Hilda’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato, and she closed her eyes while holding her flushed cheeks, fidgeting nervously. "I’d do anything for you, Lord Schrodinger. I’d even journey to the netherworld if you asked and kill thousands of demons and devils . . ."
However, Xin had already moved away and t up with Victor and the rest of the group.
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