Since Xingran Works added the project of helping Lu Yunze review, Jiang Sui still had to carry out her own maid duties at other times.
For example, today, with Lu Yunze immersed in gaming in his own room, Jiang Sui had no choice but to busy herself tidying up the front yard.
“Jiang Sui, can you help me get those scissors?”
“Sure, no problem.”
Whenever colleagues needed something, she’d help out without hesitation. After just a few months, she had quickly become friends with most people here. There was practically no one in the Manor she couldn’t get along with.
Handing over the scissors to the colleague trimming the flowers, Jiang Sui suddenly heard unfamiliar voices from outside the courtyard gate:
“Hey, is this the place? Why does it look so different from what I imagined? Even the house has a unique structure.”
Hearing the voice, the colleague tending to the flowers also looked up, walked over to the man, and smiled, asking:
“Sir, may I help you with something?”
The newcomer was a middle-aged man wearing a black formal suit, his hair already streaked with white, combed back in a classic slick style, looking very much like a gentleman.
It felt as though she’d seen someone like this before.
Jiang Sui pondered with her chin propped up, but the man had already begun speaking:
“I’m here to see Young Master Lu Yunze and Miss Luo Yao.”
As he spoke, he took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over.
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m from Central City, specially sent here by the Old Master himself.”
On the card was the crest of the Yang Family. In the name and title section, it read: Lin Ying, Butler.
Central City, Old Master… This man is from the Yang Family Main House! And the one who sent him was the Luo Family Head?!
“You’re from the Main House? Please, come in quickly!”
The colleague realized the significance instantly and hurriedly welcomed him inside.
“Are Miss and Young Master inside?” Lin Ying asked.
“Yes, they are.”
“That’s good. No need to trouble you further, I’ll find them myself.”
“Alright, as you wish.”
Only after the back of the middle-aged man disappeared behind the door did the colleague finally let down her formal smile and mutter,
“That’s the first time I’ve ever met a guest from the Main House.”
Most people working in this Manor had only been recruited temporarily for Lu Yunze and Luo Yao’s college entrance preparations and had not worked here for even a year.
A guest from the Main House—this was definitely big news.
“Jiang Sui, do you think he’s here about what happened a month ago? No, the timing doesn’t really fit. Jiang Sui, hey? Jiang Sui?”
By the time the colleague came back to herself, Jiang Sui, who had just been beside her, had already vanished.
A guest from the Main House? That couldn’t be good news.
Luckily, the Manor’s wall wasn’t fully repaired yet, leaving a narrow gap. Jiang Sui could quietly watch the situation in the main hall from outside.
Previously, a person from the Main House had come to this Manor—the Old Butler. But after Jiang Sui arrived, his undercover identity was exposed, and he ended up a typical example of those who must die.
Could this be another attempt to help someone rise to power?
Jiang Sui pressed her ear against the crack, eavesdropping on their conversation.
After hearing about Lin Ying’s visit, Lu Yunze and Luo Yao had come out of their rooms to sit across from him.
“Uncle Lin, it’s been a long time,” Luo Yao greeted him with a bright smile, her tone as relaxed as ever.
“It’s only been half a year,” Lin Ying chuckled. “But even in this short time, Miss and Young Master have changed a lot. If the Old Master knew, he’d surely be delighted.”
“What could change in just half a year?” Lu Yunze teased. “Did you come here especially to see us for something?”
“My brother, what could possibly be the matter? The Old Master knows you’re close to me, and since you haven’t met for a while, he asked me to come visit.”
“Is that so? That does sound like something Father would do.” Luo Yao smiled lightly.
Lu Yunze smiled without saying anything but clearly agreed with Luo Yao’s words.
After arriving at the Luo Family, aside from the elder who had already passed away, Lin Ying was the only elder who had been close to him since childhood. The Luo Family Head was also very concerned about Lu Yunze, but he was a very busy man and couldn’t meet as often as Lin Ying.
Whenever Lu Yunze and Luo Yao encountered trouble, they often turned to Lin Ying for help. Meeting him here in Lan City, the two naturally felt happy.
Taking a sip of hot tea, Lin Ying’s gaze swept over the two of them.
“In just half a year, Miss has become even more dazzling. You must have picked up quite a few skills from the internet, right?”
“Uncle Lin, you even noticed that?” Luo Yao subconsciously touched her own hair, her face showing only a hint of embarrassment, but she still couldn’t escape his sharp eyes.
“As for Young Master Lu Yunze, you’ve changed too—grown more mature.”
“Oh? That’s quite a compliment,” Lu Yunze replied with a hint of pride.
“The Old Master has always paid attention to matters in Lan City. Young Master Lu Yunze, your eyes and the lines of your arm muscles have grown firmer. You must have gained quite a bit of experience and matured a lot.”
“That’s true…”
The past few months could be called the most thrilling days of his life—dragged into one crisis after another, targeted by enemies, and even pursued by mutated creatures. More importantly, someone had come into his life—a girl who always stuck by him.
The three chatted a while longer, and once the atmosphere had warmed up, Lin Ying finally spoke of the real purpose for his visit:
“In fact, I’m here on the Old Master’s orders.”
“Please go ahead.”
“The Old Master’s Solemn Event is approaching. He sent me not only to catch up, but also to let you know—you both need to come home to attend his birthday banquet.”
“He actually wants us back?” Luo Yao played with her teacup. “What about the eldest young masters…?”
“They all have their own work to attend to, but since the Old Master personally invited you, it’s because you’re his favorite children.”
“I see.”
In early July is the July College Entrance Exam. After the exam, they’d go straight back to Central City, so they’d still make it to the Family Head’s Solemn Event.
Luo Yao had no objection. Since it was her father’s request, she would do her best.
Lu Yunze also thought it was no problem. The Luo Family Head had helped him a lot—if he didn’t return to celebrate the birthday, people would talk.
Once the matter was settled, they had someone arrange a guest room for Lin Ying. He would stay here for the time being and return with them when the time came.
Going home, huh.
Strolling through the Manor, Lu Yunze couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.
He’d lived in Lan City for half a year, and now he was suddenly going home. For a moment, he truly felt a little flustered.
But if he was leaving, he couldn’t just leave the Manor unattended, so he went straight to find the Head Maid to discuss the matter.
“Ah, Young Master and Miss will be gone for summer break?”
“Yes, we’ll be going back for a while but will return after school starts,” Lu Yunze said. “During this time, you’ll be the one running things here. Please make sure the place doesn’t get messy.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this for thirty years, and I’ve watched over many manors for their owners.” The Head Maid laughed. “But with Young Master and Miss gone, the servants might get a little bored.”
“Don’t make it sound like we’re the only ones who can make you laugh.”
Lu Yunze just chuckled at her joke.
“Just keep track of everything as usual. If anything comes up, contact me or Luo Yao. I trust your abilities.”
He wasn’t sure if, with him and Luo Yao gone, the Head Maid could keep the other servants in line—especially Jiang Sui!
As the thought struck him, Lu Yunze felt a lump in his throat.
He and Luo Yao would be returning to the family, but Jiang Sui was part of this Manor. That meant he wouldn’t see her at all for the next two months?!
“Young Master, is something wrong? Anything else you need?”
“No, nothing. You can go about your work.”
After parting ways with the Head Maid, Lu Yunze went to the gazebo in the central courtyard, sat down with his back against the tree, and gazed off into the sky.
He wouldn’t see Jiang Sui.
Realizing this truth, Lu Yunze had thought he would feel happy—after all, he’d have peace and quiet for two whole months.
But in reality, he didn’t feel happy at all. Instead, he found himself unable to smile.
“Two months… I won’t see Jiang Sui…”
Lu Yunze rubbed his face, but no matter how hard he tried, all he could picture was the girl’s lively figure.
Her smile, her gentleness, and that faint fragrance that always lingered around her. The thought that she would soon be far from him made Lu Yunze’s heart race uncontrollably.
“I can’t believe not seeing you is actually making me feel so down… I really don’t know what to do about it.”
Lu Yunze chuckled wryly to himself.
As he was lost in his thoughts, behind the gazebo, a Black Pig lifted its head and gave him a deep, meaningful look before swaggering off.
In Jiang Sui’s bedroom, after being told everything by the Black Pig, she tugged at her hair.
“He really said that?”
“Would I lie to you?” The Black Pig scratched its white paw. “The invitation back home was for Lu Yunze and Luo Yao, not you. He’s sitting out there in the courtyard, all sad because he won’t see you for two months.”
Jiang Sui lay on the bed, her small, silk-clad feet dangling in the air.
“That’s not so bad, is it?” She propped herself up with both hands, the corners of her lips curling slightly. “If something like this can already make him feel my weight in his heart, then my position must be pretty significant.”
The Black Cat watched her expression, finding it a little odd. “I thought you’d have a more dramatic reaction.”
“What kind of reaction?” Jiang Sui tilted her head, not understanding.
“Well, shouldn’t you be rolling around on the bed, hugging yourself, and groaning about how much you’ll miss him?”
For a moment, silence lingered. Jiang Sui’s face twitched a little.
“So, in your mind, am I that type of crazy person?”
“Not at all. That’s just what I thought would be normal.”
Just as the Black Cat said, Jiang Sui actually hugged her shoulders, shivering as though trying to contain her trembling body, but still couldn’t stop rolling around on the bed.
Her nightgown became all wrinkled from her squirming, her legs kicking up, revealing two long, fair calves wrapped in chestnut-colored silk. With each rub, the silk on her plump thighs made a soft, rustling sound.
The Black Pig just watched her performance until, finally, Jiang Sui’s body tensed and then collapsed onto the bed, breathing out a long sigh from the depths of her chest.
After a few breaths, the girl slowly sat up, her hair messy and scattered across her cheeks. If not for the lingering blush, you’d almost think her earlier act was just a performance.
“I guess this really is a good opportunity.”
Jiang Sui’s eyes narrowed into crescent moons, a playful glimmer flickering within.