Gu Nianbin was busy with his work all the morning. It was almost noon when Zhou Ting called to remind him that it's time for the appointment with Xia Xiaowan. He put down his pen, took his coat from the hanger, and walked out while taking on the coat.
He was always punctual to time. Like last time, Xia Xiaowan was already waiting there and waved to him gently upon seeing him.
"Have you been waiting for a long time?" Gu Nianbin asked.
"No, just for a while." Xia Xiaowan replied with a smile.
A waiter served the menu and they made order respectively. To his surprise, Xia Xiaowan ordered pork chop instead of steak which was more popular among girls.
Xia Xiaowan noticed his surprise and explained, "I preferred pork since childhood, especially streaky pork. Very delicious."
"Don't you think it’s greasy?"
"No," Xia Xiaowan showed her hands and said, "I’m a heavy meat-eater. Fortunately, I never get fat for that."
She behaved very naturally, as if taking him as an old friend.
Gu Nianbin smiled, "I know someone who prefers beef on the contrary, but is as slim as you."
Xia Xiaowan was a smart girl. She didn't say anything but got herself prepared for his story with her cheek on a hand.
Gu Nianbin didn’t want to waste time and intended to go straight to the point. Beholding her posture and expression, he couldn't help but smile, "You are very smart. You know what I mean."
Xia Xiaowan switched a hand, cocked her head and escaped his penetrating sight, "Yes, I know what you're going to say." She lowered her eyes and said slowly, "In fact, I have heard about you and your story with Miss Xia for a long time. I was deeply moved by your persistence. It must be sheer bliss to have a man so infatuated with you. That's why I agreed on the blind date when I knew it was you. I believe it is a kind of fate to have the same name as Miss Xia."
She took a sip of water from the cup and smiled, "Unfortunately, it seems you are not going to give me a chance, are you?"
"I don't want to waste your time," Gu Nianbin said. "I am not that picky to turn down a girl like you, so I asked for a second date. I think it’s better for you to refuse me."
A bit of silence, then, "What if I don't refuse?" Xia Xiaowan suddenly looked up and asked, neither too seriously or too teasingly.
"Are you kidding?"
"No, Mr. Gu," Xia Xiaowan took on a serious expression, "I'm serious. Actually I know you have a five-year commitment with Miss Xia, and there isn't much time left. To be honest, I don't mind being a backup."
"It's not fair to you." Gu Nianbin said of disapproval, "and it's a waste time for you."
"It doesn't matter," Xia Xiaowan said. "I'm 26. Even if I wait for a year for nothing, I am still not too old for a proper marriage. You need not worry about me." She paused and said, "Now, would you please give me a chance? Let's make friends first and get to know each other better. Maybe you will find some charm in me. If that Miss Xia doesn't show up, you still have me, another Miss Xia. What do you say, Mr. Gu?"
Gu Nianbin smiled. This was out of his expectation and made him speechless for a while. But the sincerity in her eyes prevented him from refusing her, "Well, I think it's fine to be friends with you."
Xia Xiaowan smiled gently with a blush on her fair face. She said teasingly, "To be a backup is a great chance for me."Gu Nianbin laughed, "You are interesting.""More interesting than the other Miss Xia?"Gu Nianbin was about to speak when the waiter came to serve the table. He kept the dishes orderly and asked, "Mr. Gu, do you want to use the wine you stored here last time or…"Gu Nianbin turned to Xia Xiaowan, "What do you prefer?""I have to drive later. Please give me a glass of mango juice.""No wine, then. Give me a glass of cucumber juice please.""Yes sir. Just a moment, please." The waiter nodded and left with a professional smile."You set a good example for us to keep off wine before driving," Gu Nianbin said with a smile.Xia Xiaowan sliced her pork chop and said, "It’s better to call me a submissive person. I myself wonder why I have been so obedient to
Gu Nianbin was a little bit dizzy after lunch. With the car window open, he leaned against the back seat and enjoyed the early-autumn breeze. The warm, dry breeze was quite comfortable, making him sleepy all the way home.He was woken up by his driver Xiaoding upon arrival. He knocked his forehead to sober up and walked slowly towards the house. By entering the hall, he caught a glimpse of a person flashing by in distance. He narrowed his eyes, made a silent gesture to the maid Lanzhi, who came up to serve tea, and walked silently to the kitchen. It was Du Xiaoxian. To his surprise, she was drinking tap water."What are you doing?"His voice was low but powerful, and seemed extremely distinct in this quiet room. Du Xiaoxian was seized with panic. She was halfway there when the young master entered the house. She was so thirsty that she rushed into the kitchen instead of going out. She shouldn't get in his way within such a short period. Why did
His voice softened. "Why are you afraid of me?"Gu Nianbin's amiable manner gradually calmed Du Xiaoxian down. Although she was still timid, her voice was slightly louder. She replied honestly, "Uncle Xiao said that the young master liked to be quiet and didn't like being disturbed by the presence of others. He told me to keep away from you."Gu Nianbin couldn't help laughing, "You call that ‘keep away’? You ran away at the sight of me like a fleeing mouse. I’m wondering how repulsive I look!""Oh no," Du Xiaoxian explained hastily. "The young master is good looking. It’s just that I’m afraid…"Gu Nianbin was stunned again. She said he was good looking, but she was so afraid of him. Then why did she have the nerve to say that he was good looking? It was really strange…"Then don't be afraid of me or hide from me anymore," Gu Nianbin said, pointing to a case of bottled water in the corner. "Can you carry it?"
Gu Nianbin took a bottle of water from the cabinet with one hand, and stretched out the other to pull her up.Du Xiaoxian blushed and quickly got up. She was about to dust her clothes, but her hand stopped in the air. She smiled at him embarrassedly."What's the matter?""Your room is very clean, and there is no dust at all," said Du Xiaoxian.Gu Nianbin handed her the water bottle and said, "Take it. Drink the bottled water instead of tap water from now on. Understood?" Er... drink the bottled water? Du Xiaoxian dared not to take the bottle. This was for the masters only, and servants drank barreled water. She heard that even barreled water cost 20 yuan each. It was too expensive, so she often drank from the tap. Anyway, it was sterilized and wouldn't cause loose bowels. But now the young master asked her to drink bottled water. Well…Seeing that she didn't take the water, Gu Nianbin opened the bottle an
After talking with Gu Nianbin that night, Du Xiaoxian became less afraid of him and stopped running away when seeing him. She regarded the young master as a kind person because he smiled at her and gave her a bottle of water. She shouldn’t escape from such a kind person anymore. Nevertheless, she was still shy and stood far away. If he drew nearer, she would summon up all her courage to greet him.Gu Nianbin always held gentle smiles when seeing her. He couldn’t keep a straight face to such a poor girl. To his driver Xiaoding, it was inconceivable that their young master, who rarely smiled, smiled at the new maid. Du Xiaoxian kept the young master’s kindness in mind, but could not think of a way to repay him. In the end she chose to get up early in the morning and clean his car.Everyday Xiaoding waited for his master by the car ten minutes in advance. This morning he was shocked by the polished car with dust-free tires. He looked down and fou
Sitting in the car, Gu Nianbin pinched the area between his eyebrows and then said to the driver, "To Huafu Hospital."It was a private hospital owned by his family and located not far from their house. They soon arrived. Gu Nianbin went to the nurse station and inquired about Du Xiaoxian. He was told that she had been examined and was in the observation ward. He walked down the corridor to the ward and found that the door was slightly open. When he reached out to open it, he heard Ling scolding Du Xiaoxian, "Xiaoxian, you had crossed the line. So many people were there today and it was not your turn to stand out. You overestimated yourself. The young master's cousin is tall and strong. He could hit you down with one single punch. Weren't you afraid of being hurt?""Sister Ling, I... I didn't think too much. The only thing I knew was that I couldn't let him go upstairs. He would make the master angry, which was bad for his health." Her voice was light and s
Although the question was beyond his expertise, the doctor paused and then said, "Well...gaining weight depends on assimilation of nutrition. Therefore, a good digestion system is essential, about which I can ask the most authoritative professor in the hospital to give you detailed explanation.""Forget it," Gu Nianbin waved his hand and glanced at Du Xiaoxian, "Do you mean all she need is good rest? Will there be any sequelae?""According to the result of examination, Miss Du should be fine." The doctor was sweating in his palm seeing the boss so attentive to his maid. Should there be any problem with the little maid in the future, he might be fired any minute. He thought about it twice and added, "However, it’s not for sure. Further observation is still necessary. If Miss Du feels uncomfortable, please come to the hospital as soon as possible.""Set up a special medical record for her and pay regular follow-up visits.""OK, Presi
Du Xiaoxian got back to the Gu’s mansion at about six o'clock in the afternoon. Although Gu Nianbin wanted her to stay in the hospital one more night for further observation, Du Xiaoxian refused. Now that doctor said she was okay, then what was the use of staying in the hospital? Besides, she was afraid that the medical expense would be extremely high if she stayed overnight. It was unnecessary to spend money like this.After she was back to the Gu's mansion, Du Xiaoxian received special care, which made her increasingly uneasy. With only minor wounds on the head, she was able to work as usual. But her ladyship insisted that she should rest and asked others to prepare some nutritious food for her. She recognized that it was bird's nest and knew it was too precious for her to eat. How could she eat it? This was not something for a maid.She blushed and tried to refuse. Her ladyship was more determined, however, sitting by the bed to urge her to eat it up. At