Chapter 188: Add one to your cart

Once the busy work was over, Jiang Sui finally realized that it was dark out; she had accidentally spent the whole day outside with Lu Yunze.

The situation at the orphanage had finally stabilized, and the children, who had been crying and fussing, only grew quiet after Lu Yunze treated them to a “deluxe dinner.”

Grandmother Dean had also received timely medical treatment and was no longer in critical condition, though the hospital stated she needed to be observed for a while; after all, she was elderly and couldn’t handle such stress.

Jiang Sui patted her aching lower back and went to sit at the courtyard entrance.

There were many mosquitoes out at night in this area, and within a few minutes, she had been bitten several times on her arms and legs.

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

Hearing the voice, Jiang Sui turned around to see Lu Yunze walking out while lighting a mosquito coil.

He placed the coil down before sitting beside her.

Neither said a word for a while, just watching the moon above as the scent of light smoke permeated the air.

“I’m sorry,” Lu Yunze spoke first.

“Why is the Young Master suddenly apologizing to me?” Jiang Sui raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t do anything wrong to me today.”

“It was supposed to be my problem… I didn’t scare you back there during the day, did I?”

At the time, his emotions had nearly spiraled out of control, and he thought she would hate him for it.

“Of course not,” Jiang Sui chuckled. “I only hope that the Young Master does what he believes is right.”

“Is that so…”

“Besides, this is my job; isn’t it only natural that I accompany the Young Master?”

She lifted her knees and gently rested her chin upon them, her expression in the moonlight carrying a hint of ambiguity.

Lu Yunze looked into her eyes for two seconds before looking away, feeling a bit embarrassed.

In truth, Jiang Sui had already “pulled a few strings” with the Head Maid, so even if she and Lu Yunze stayed out quite late, she would not be blamed upon returning.

“Sigh, you really are something…” Lu Yunze scratched his nose.

“If the Young Master truly feels sorry for me, then tell me the story of you and this orphanage.”

Jiang Sui looked at him with a serious tone.

“I want to understand the Young Master better.”

Lu Yunze nodded.

If it were only a request like that, he was certainly willing to agree.

And so, the two began to talk about the past under the moonlight.

It happened a long time ago.

At that time, Lu Yunze had just joined the Luo Family and arrived in the Central City.

Because he hadn’t yet recovered from the trauma following the disaster and was unaccustomed to his strange new surroundings—plus the fact that some of the servants treated him poorly—he often ran away.

One time, he ran halfway across the city, only realizing he was lost once he was completely exhausted.

Having nowhere to go and no desire to return, he wandered the streets like a vagrant.

It was during that time that he met Grandmother Dean of this orphanage.

The elderly woman didn’t ask him anything; she simply fed him.

Lu Yunze said nothing, focusing only on eating.

Grandmother Dean didn’t press him, only asking, “Are you full?”

That night, he stayed at the orphanage along with the children.

Although he was brought back by the Luo Family the next day, he had formed a connection with this place ever since.

“So that’s how it is,” Jiang Sui said thoughtfully. “They helped you during your most difficult time, so you have always kept this place in your heart.”

She stretched, her silhouette appearing graceful under the moon.

“In that case, does the Young Master like children?”

“Mm… I suppose so,” Lu Yunze thought for a moment.

“Since the Young Master likes them, would you like me to give you one?”

As Jiang Sui said this, she actually mimicked the motion of stroking her lower abdomen.

A vein popped on Lu Yunze’s forehead, and he almost wanted to throw something at her.

“I only realized later,” he continued, “that there are many more people like me who lost their parents.”

“By comparison, I could still live at a relative’s house, but they could only grow up here, and some were even bullied.”

Thinking of what happened during the day, he unconsciously clenched his fists again.

“Young Master, don’t always blame yourself,” Jiang Sui said softly. “Thinking too much will only make you miserable.”

In her heart, she knew very well that one person could not save everyone.

But Lu Yunze only gave a bitter smile: “I can’t help it; I can’t control it.”

“Did the Young Master also want to be a ‘Justice’s Partner’ when you were little?”

“I just do what I can.”

He helps where he can, and where he cannot, he trusts that others will step in to help.

He was not a pessimist.

“Then, are you just doing what you can for me as well?”

Jiang Sui suddenly changed her tone, her eyes becoming meaningful.

Lu Yunze was stunned: “Isn’t that the case?”

“It is.”

Jiang Sui chuckled and suddenly knelt before him.

She cupped his face in her hands, her gaze gentle and focused.

“The Young Master has always worked very hard, and I have seen it all.”

“Even if others cannot see it, I will always be watching you.”

Her voice was so soft it felt as if it could melt one’s heart.

But deep within her soul, she knew—

It wasn’t enough.

It was nowhere near enough.

What she wanted was more.

“Young Master, don’t stop, will you?”

“…Alright.”

Lu Yunze felt as if he were drawn in by those eyes, unable to look away.

Just as the distance between the two grew smaller—

“Ah…”

An awkward sound came from behind them.

The two turned their heads simultaneously.

Lü Ziyi was standing there; it was obvious she had been caught eavesdropping.

She coughed and pretended that nothing was amiss:

“I just came out to look at the moon, I was not eavesdropping on your conversation!”

“And I won’t pity you just because I heard about your past!”

Lu Yunze hurriedly pulled away from Jiang Sui’s hands and asked:

“You won’t go around saying things, will you?”

“Who do you take me for?”

“Luo Yao is quite the gossip…”

“I would never!” Lü Ziyi stomped her foot in anger. “She loves to gossip, but I would rather keep my mouth shut!”

Having said that, she turned and walked away.

The two were left looking at one another, the atmosphere turning instantly awkward.

The feeling from just a moment ago had completely vanished.

“I’m going to go check on the children,” Lu Yunze stood up.

Only Jiang Sui remained in the courtyard, along with the buzzing of mosquitoes.

She walked to the window and looked inside.

Lu Yunze was playing with the children, laughing happily.

But even within that smile, a trace of anxiety remained.

‘If he leaves, what will become of this place?’

Jiang Sui narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression slowly turning cold.

This kind of excessive sympathy was not what she wanted to see.

The “Male Lead” should not be this fragile.

There were many more dangers in the future.

If he were to collapse due to these emotions…

She took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation.

“Forget it. Since you’re working so hard, I’ll give you a hand.”

She turned around to find Lü Ziyi.

“Is something the matter?”

Upon seeing her, Lü Ziyi’s eyes lit up: “Are you finally ready to abandon the dark and join the light?”

“Not yet.”

Jiang Sui shook her head.

Lü Ziyi’s expression immediately went cold: “Then why are you here?”

“Cooperation.”

Jiang Sui looked her straight in the eye.

“I will help you investigate the Luo Family, and you will help me when I need it.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to help Lu Yunze, but I do not want to help the Luo Family.”

Jiang Sui spoke with a calm tone.

“Besides, haven’t you always wanted to beat Luo Yao?”

“With me as a maid on your side, you can understand your rival much better.”

Lü Ziyi fell silent.

This was indeed a tempting offer.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

No matter how proud she was, she could not deny that truth.

Jiang Sui’s lips curled up slightly.

A new alliance was being formed.