Xu Zhi almost immediately felt distressed and woke up, hurriedly climbing out of bed to embrace Zhang Qing, “Why are you crying? Don’t cry, is there something wrong with your body? Let me massage you, okay?”

She at least understood some common sense, knowing that men would feel uncomfortable after their first time, so she felt sorry for him.

Seeing that she wanted to massage him, Zhang Qing felt conflicted.

On one hand, his waist was really sore, and he wanted her to massage it, but on the other hand, his sister told him yesterday that they were now under someone else’s roof without any backing, and they had to take good care and obey the two masters here to live better. Thinking like this, he was afraid to ask Xu Zhi to massage him.

Xu Zhi didn’t know Zhang Qing’s inner struggle. Seeing him hesitate, she directly reached out and pulled him over, then put him on the bed and started massaging his waist.

“Ah.”

Zhang Qing couldn’t help but let out a small cry, “Does it feel better?”

Xu Zhi asked him.

“Y-yes.”

Zhang Qing replied softly, burying his face deep in the blanket.

Last night, Xu Zhi worked hard, giving him a thorough massage from head to toe, even not letting go of his delicate, white feet. So when it was time to get up, Zhang Qing was so soft and unable to move.

Xu Zhi helped him put on his clothes all the way and supported him for a while before his legs regained some strength.

At this time, Zhang Xi had already gotten up and was cleaning the yard with Xu Qiu. When she saw Zhang Qing, she immediately scolded, “Why did you wake up so late? Have you forgotten the rules?”

Zhang Qing always loved and feared this elder sister the most. She was usually calm and composed, but even more stern when facing him. She almost never praised him, which made him scared whenever he saw his sister scolding him with a stern face.

Now his sister looked even more fierce than before, which frightened Zhang Qing, and his legs became a bit unstable.

Fortunately, Xu Zhi was beside him, and she pulled him into her arms, otherwise he would have fallen to the ground with weak legs.

“Sister Zhang Xi, I didn’t let Qing get up so late. Don’t scold him.”

With someone supporting him, Zhang Qing curled up in Xu Zhi’s arms and nodded hastily.

Xu Zhi then hugged Zhang Qing tighter.

Zhang Xi’s lips twitched, feeling like she was being made out to be the bad guy.

Seeing them confronting each other, Xu Qiu, afraid that Zhang Xi would be too embarrassed, walked over to ease the tension, “We don’t have many rules in our family. If you sleep late, you can get up later. Besides, last night… Qing must be tired, so it’s understandable that he woke up late. You don’t need to scold him.”

Zhang Xi seemed to remember what her brother should have been doing last night, blushed, lowered her head, but suddenly remembered something else, looked up at Xu Qiu, then lowered her head again, “Oh, okay, it was my sister’s fault for saying the wrong thing. Qing, don’t blame me.”

Zhang Qing, half-lying in Xu Zhi’s arms, softly said, “Qing won’t blame Sister.”

Obediently and tightly.

Zhang Xi looked at Zhang Qing in surprise, this wasn’t something he would have done before.

“Now that you’re awake, come to the kitchen and help. We’ll be eating soon.”

Xu Qiu called Xu Zhi, but Zhang Qing also followed, insisting on helping his mistress.

Xu Zhi didn’t discourage him and gave him a lightweight bowl to carry to the front hall.

Zhang Xi stared blankly outside, feeling a sudden warmth flowing into her heart, feeling snug. She thought, maybe this kind of life is what she wanted before.

Xu Qiu was busy serving dishes, but unexpectedly, a hand suddenly appeared and grabbed the big spoon in her hand. Lowering his head, he said to her, “Let me do it, you take a break.”

Xu Qiu blushed for no reason and sat aside to rest.