The atmosphere and family values of the Xie household made Qiao Xingyue feel very relaxed.
She held the high school textbooks and study guides that Xie Zhongming had given her. They still carried the warmth of his hands. As she brushed her fingertips across the covers, her eyes suddenly felt hot.
It seemed as though she was not just a small maid in the Xie household, but rather treated like one of their own family, cared for, respected, and supported.
The book surfaces were slightly uneven.
It looked like something was tucked inside.
Qiao Xingyue opened the book and found a slip of paper.
It read: I have marked the difficult points. If you do not understand, you can ask me.
Was this Xie Zhongming’s handwriting?
His writing matched his character—strong and vigorous, like a tall pine tree. Every stroke exuded the resolute energy of a man, giving a sense of reassurance.
Under the note was a small round metal tin, the size of a palm. It had blue patterns and read: Friendship Brand Snow Cream.
Why was Xie Zhongming giving her snow cream?
This was inappropriate. She could not accept it.
Looking up, the main room was empty of Xie Zhongming. Only Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying were sitting on the long bench washing their feet in enamel basins.
Jiang Chunyan lifted her feet, wiped them with a towel, and walked to the restroom door. “Qiao Xingyue, how dare you say you did not seduce the fourth young master of the Xie family? If you did not seduce him, why would he give you books and snow cream? Don’t you know he has a wife? I think you are a temptress.”
Qiao Xingyue carried the books and the Friendship Brand Snow Cream out of the restroom. “Aunt Jiang, how long has it been since you brushed your teeth to have such a foul mouth?”
She added, “If you continue making such false accusations, tomorrow morning I will take you to meet Director Chen of the Residents’ Committee to properly settle this. Let him decide what kind of criticism a female comrade who falsely accuses others should receive.”
With that, she led An’an and Ningning upstairs.
The second floor had three rooms. One belonged to Xie Zhongming, one was the study of Xie Shizhang and had been cleared for Qiao Xingyue and the twins, and the third belonged to the fifth Xie son, Xie Mingzhe, and had been prepared for Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan.
Xie Zhongming’s room was across from Qiao Xingyue. She knocked, but there was no response.
Deng Yingying came upstairs and looked at her.
“Sister Xingyue, are you going to take the college entrance exam?”
“Yes.”
“Did you go to school before?”
“Is there a problem?”
“I went to high school before but did not finish. I studied well. If you have questions, you can ask me.”
“No, thank you.” In her previous life, Qiao Xingyue had been a medical doctor. Her memory and intellect were excellent, and she remembered everything she had learned. She did not need Deng Yingying to show off her limited knowledge.
“My mother spoke harshly just now. Please do not take it to heart. I apologize on her behalf.”
Qiao Xingyue knew Deng Yingying was not sincere, so she replied lightly, “There is no need for you to apologize for your mother. If she falsely accuses me again, your apology will be useless.”
Deng Yingying was at a loss for words, as if her thoughts had been seen through.
Knock knock.
Qiao Xingyue knocked again.
Deng Yingying smiled and said in a seemingly kind tone, “Sister Xingyue, you might not understand Xie Zhongming. He does not like others entering his room. You probably have not been in his room since coming to the Xie household.”
That was true.
From her first day in the Xie household, Aunt Lan had reminded her that Xie Zhongming did not like people in his room or touching his belongings. For more than ten days, she had never entered his room.
Seeing her pause, Deng Yingying continued, “Sister Xingyue, my mother speaks harshly. But Xie Zhongming is married. I think it is better to keep some distance to avoid gossip. I am really trying to help you.”
“Deng comrade, what gives you the right to remind me? What is your relationship to Xie Zhongming?” Qiao Xingyue turned with a sharp gaze.
Deng Yingying felt a chill. “I grew up with Xie Zhongming. We are like siblings.”
“Oh, like siblings. I thought you had other thoughts about him, jealous if a female comrade approached him.”
“No, I do not.” Deng Yingying panicked. “He has a wife. I could never have such thoughts.”
Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan were both manipulative.
Qiao Xingyue did not tolerate nonsense and said, “Since there is nothing, do not meddle.”
Inside the room, Xie Zhongming stood at the door.
He had heard the conversation clearly and allowed a small smile. This female comrade was sharp and clever, not someone easily bullied.
“Sister Xingyue, I am not meddling. I am really concerned for you,” Deng Yingying said.
At that moment, Xie Zhongming opened the door.
His gaze first fell on Deng Yingying. “I did not grow up with you in a way that makes us like siblings.”
“Zhongming…”
“We are not that close.”
Then his gaze landed on Qiao Xingyue. “Comrade Qiao, were you knocking?”
“Yes.”
“Come in.” Xie Zhongming moved aside, inviting her in.
Deng Yingying was stunned.
He never liked anyone entering his room, especially female comrades. Many women in the compound had tried for work or study reasons and had always been rejected.
Yet now, he was inviting Qiao Xingyue in.
She stepped to the doorway and handed him the Friendship Brand Snow Cream.
“Xie comrade, I will accept the books, but I cannot take the snow cream. It is inappropriate. Please thank you.”
She did not enter the room. After placing the tin in his hand, she led the twins back to her room and closed the door.
Once the door across was closed, Xie Zhongming realized this was the first time he had invited a female comrade into his room, and she had refused.
He had no other intent. He had invited her in to avoid speaking in front of Deng Yingying.
Qiao Xingyue maintained her boundaries. Xie Zhongming remembered his initial suspicion of her and felt he had misjudged her.
There was also a strange feeling he could not name.
Deng Yingying interrupted his thoughts. “Zhongming, I am also taking the exam. Can you tutor me?”
Xie Zhongming looked at her coldly. “Do I look like someone with free time?”
“Zhongming…”
He closed the door with the snow cream.
He paused, thinking about why Qiao Xingyue had refused to enter his room, insisting the snow cream was inappropriate. He clenched the tin in his hand.
The next moment, he opened the door and went to knock on Qiao Xingyue’s room.
An’an opened the door, her voice clear like a bell. “Uncle Zhongming, what is it?”
“I am looking for your mother,” Xie Zhongming said respectfully, standing at the door.
Qiao Xingyue came to the doorway. “Xie comrade, what is it?”
He explained quickly. “Comrade Qiao, this snow cream was my mother’s idea. She worried that your hands would become rough from too much work, so she asked me to bring this for you.”
Qiao Xingyue believed him.
If Aunt Lan had given it to her, she would gratefully accept it. But from Xie Zhongming, even as a favor from Aunt Lan, she would not.
So far, Zhou Dahong had accused her of seducing the Xie men, Jiang Chunyan had said the same, and Deng Yingying had tried to subtly warn her away. She only wanted to work diligently in the Xie household without causing trouble.
Even though the Xie family was kind and protective, gossip could affect Xie Zhongming’s reputation. She did not want that.
Thus, keeping her distance was safer.
“Xie comrade, please tell Aunt Lan that I am used to rural life and cannot use this kind of product, but I thank her sincerely.”
After saying this, she led An’an inside and closed the door.
The next morning, Aunt Lan saw Qiao Xingyue making pancakes in the kitchen and brought the snow cream back in.
“Sister Xingyue, this snow cream was specially bought by Zhongming for you at my request. He worried your hands would get rough from daily chores. You must accept it. It is not valuable, and you said you would not be formal with me anymore.”
Qiao Xingyue took it with a smile. “Alright, Aunt Lan, I accept it. Thank you.”
She would work harder to show her gratitude.
Xie Zhongming returned from morning exercise, wiping sweat from his forehead. He wondered why Qiao Xingyue had so easily accepted the snow cream from his mother when he himself had delivered it.