“Oh dear, they left ages ago! It's been months—there's no way they're still living there,” Steward Qin replied.
"Oh..." Grace looked crestfallen.
She was truly disappointed.
"If you want to go home, just talk to the General. Maybe he'll let you," Butler Qin suggested.
Grace nodded.
She decided she'd bring it up with Evan Xiao as soon as he got back tonight.
She wanted to go to Moonwater Abbey and ask Serena Jane, the Buddhist nun, about that woman, to find out what was really going on.
Guessing he'd be home soon, Grace prepared his clothes and tea, then leaned against the doorway, waiting with anticipation.
As she waited, she couldn't help but think about that night in her previous life when Evan Xiao had completely devoured her.
It was her first time—she was hurting, scared, and mad, all her emotions hitting their peak.
So, the memory was burned into her mind—even after more than twenty years, she could still recall it clearly.
She even remembered his heavy breathing, his storm-like advances, his wild abandon as if he wanted to devour her whole...
For someone like Evan Xiao, who avoided women so much he'd have you beaten for trying to get into his bed, sneaking into her room at midnight and forcing himself on her was definitely not normal.
Maybe he was drugged?
Some kind of drug that could even take down someone as poison-proof as him?
"Lily Bai." A low, gloomy voice sounded right by her ear, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Lily Bai jolted, looked up, and saw Evan Xiao in full general's armor, standing right in front of her.
And here she was... hugging the doorframe... completely blocking his way.
"What are you thinking about? I've been standing here for a whole cup of tea and you didn't even notice?"
"I... I was just thinking..." Lily Bai's eyes darted nervously.
What she was thinking was definitely not something she could say out loud.
Seeing her stammer and unable to explain, Evan Xiao shot her a sidelong glance and strode inside with an air of authority.
Grace turned back wistfully to look at the door leading to his inner chambers.
As she looked, she noticed he'd managed to take off half his armor, but the other half seemed stuck—maybe his shoulder hurt.
She hurried in to offer her help: "General, is your shoulder hurting? Let me help you!"
Evan Xiao glanced at her but didn't object.
So Grace carefully grabbed his armor and helped him take it off.
Thinking about it, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Cecilia Chen!
But by accident, the back of her hand brushed against his stomach.
It was summer, so Evan Xiao was wearing less—and when she touched him, he jerked back like he'd been shocked, and shouted, "Lily Bai!"
"Huh?" Lily Bai looked up, totally confused.
"Don't touch me!"
"What??"
"From now on—do. not. touch. me!"
"Oh..."
"Get out!"
Grace left, feeling a little dejected.
Don't touch him... Seriously? Dude, are you trying to be some kind of chaste, virtuous man or what?
Evan Xiao, this guy, really isn't a normal man.
Judging by the looks of him, he must be at least in his twenties, right?
But he never married, never had kids, and lived every day with monk-like self-restraint, totally avoiding women.
Even though the maids took care of his daily needs, when it came to anything really personal—like changing clothes or washing up—he always did it himself.
Could it be he has... issues in that department?
But wait, that can't be right!
That night in her previous life when he... well, she almost died in bed!
So, he's definitely not broken.
Maybe he's just different from other men—only willing to sleep with someone he truly likes.
Thinking about it, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Cecilia Chen!