Shi Liaoliao: ?
[Who asked about that? So does “not interested” mean he’s not interested in Gu Xuezhao, or not interested in this group??]
Wanwan suggested: [How about asking for more clarity?]
At this moment, Lu Yanzhou was still debating whether to add that he wasn’t interested in men either.
But considering the little manservant’s sexual orientation…
Forget it, better not say it, lest he get upset.
Although it was indeed hard to imagine what Shi Liaoliao would look like when upset.
With their minds preoccupied by different thoughts, the two returned to the dormitory building.
Lu Yanzhou headed upstairs: “I’m going to take a nap. If Yang Qingzhou comes over, just serve him some tea—nothing too fancy.”
That guy always helps himself to tea leaves whenever he visits. Can’t spoil him.
With that, Lu Yanzhou left.
Shi Liaoliao acknowledged the instruction and walked into the kitchen, already thinking about the evening’s menu.
Although breakfast had been takeout, today she had taken advantage of Lu Yanzhou’s status to act all high and mighty, so she needed to properly express her gratitude.
From the freshly delivered ingredients nearby, she lifted the hefty six-pound Australian lobster and placed it on the spacious cutting board. She planned to turn this still-struggling sea creature into sashimi and shrimp dumplings.
Tying on an apron and rolling up her sleeves, Shi Liaoliao picked up the knife, ready to showcase her culinary skills.
Meanwhile—
Gu Xuezhao, who had been dragged out of the dormitory in front of everyone, was far from having such a leisurely mood.
“What are you doing? I’m going to report this to the dorm supervisor! I’m going to tell the dorm supervisor!”
Gu Xuezhao struggled, but her efforts were too feeble to make a difference.
The group brought her before Wu Zi.
Wu Zi, his head wrapped in bandages, glared at her with a gloomy expression.
“Long time no see.”
Gu Xuezhao pursed her lips. “What do you want from me? Didn’t Shi Liaoliao give you the money?”
Hearing that name, Wu Zi’s expression instantly twisted, and he shot to his feet.
“Don’t mention that name!”
Five hundred thousand.
Half a semester’s allowance, all gone down the drain!
Gu Xuezhao trembled in fear.
Wu Zi strode over, grabbing her like a chick and lifting her up. He snarled in a low voice, “You little bastard, you told me your friend had money, even enough to pay double, so I went to demand it.”
Pointing to his own head, he snorted angrily. “Turns out you were just screwing with me!”
Gu Xuezhao shook with terror, the tightened collar making it almost impossible to breathe.
“My head’s busted open, and you think you’ll get off easy!”
With that, he clenched his fist and swung it toward Gu Xuezhao.
“No!”
Screaming, she instinctively shut her eyes, tears streaming down her face from fear. Her hatred for Shi Liaoliao grew even stronger.
Why did I have to go through this? I said I’d pay back the money, so why are you treating me like this?
Shi Liaoliao, you did this on purpose!
“Hey, what’s going on here?”
Just as Wu Zi’s fist was about to land, a voice suddenly came from behind them.
Wu Zi turned around impatiently, but upon seeing who it was, he was so startled that he released Gu Xuezhao.
“Yang… Yang…”
He took a step back, unsure whether he was afraid of something or just guilty that Yang Qingcheng might have told his cousin about the incident.
The mere presence of Yang Qingzhou was enough to scare him and his gang into scattering in a panic.
Yang Qingzhou walked over and looked at the trembling boy kneeling on the ground, unable to resist asking, “Hey, are you—”
Before he could finish, the boy looked up, revealing a tear-streaked face.
Recognizing her, Yang Qingzhou cursed inwardly.
Why is it her? Tsk, I shouldn’t have meddled.
Gu Xuezhao, having regained her composure, was about to cling to the leg of the person before her and cry, but Yang Qingzhou swiftly dodged.
“I didn’t help you.”
“I only came over because your build looked a bit like that little manservant. Don’t you dare latch onto me.”
With that, he turned and ran, as if afraid Gu Xuezhao would cling to him.
It was Shi Liaoliao again…
Gu Xuezhao lowered her head, her long bangs covering her eyes and brows. Her nails dug into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped blood marks.
“I am… the one who’s different.”
Wiping away her tears, Gu Xuezhao reminded herself to stay calm, not to compare herself to a man.
“I am different…”
“However these people treat me now, they’ll all be crying and kneeling before me someday, begging for my forgiveness.”
‘Gu Xuezhao, you are the heroine of this world.’
Recalling those words spoken by that person, Gu Xuezhao gradually calmed down.
…
By the time Shi Liaoliao had finished preparing most of the dishes and was about to make a small dessert, Yang Qingzhou walked in with an expression as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Lu Yanzhou, let me tell you—”
He barged in, shouting before he could even finish his sentence, but his nose twitched first.
“Hmm? Something smells amazing…”
Shi Liaoliao walked out wearing a little bear apron and nodded to him.
“Have you eaten, Young Master Yang?”
Yang Qingzhou immediately shook his head. “No, I haven’t. Is there a portion for me?”
Shi Liaoliao nodded.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll go upstairs to call the young master.”
Yang Qingzhou waved his hand. “No worries, keep cooking. That guy will get up on his own when it’s time.”
“Alright, then let me serve you some tea.”
Thinking to herself, as expected of an old flame, he knows his habits so well.
Following Lu Yanzhou’s instructions, Shi Liaoliao didn’t brew any overly expensive tea.
She placed the teacup in front of Yang Qingzhou, who was teasing the little hamster Shi Liaoliao had casually tossed out earlier.
Yang Qingzhou sniffed the aroma, then took a sip.
“Huh?”
He made a puzzled sound.
“What kind of tea is this? It doesn’t seem like the usual British tea he drinks.”
Standing to the side, holding a silver tray, Shi Liaoliao replied with a respectful expression on her beautiful face, “This tea is called—”
“Old Man Wang Tea.”
Yang Qingzhou: “…Speak plainly.”
Shi Liaoliao: “Wang Lao Ji.”
Sorry, Yanzhou, we’ve been found out. I can only help you this much.
Yang Qingzhou: “…”
He was genuinely curious.
Where on earth did the head of the Lu family find a talent like Shi Liaoliao?
In the ensuing silence, Shi Liaoliao spoke up again.
“Young Master Yang, has the young master ever had a girlfriend before?”
The sudden change of topic left Yang Qingzhou momentarily stunned.
Shi Liaoliao added, “As the employer’s personal manservant, I know nothing about his past. As you know, the young master is very popular. I’m always unsure how to act around those young ladies. If I make a mistake, the young master will be angry.”
That reason sounded plausible enough.
Yang Qingzhou chuckled.
“Don’t worry, your young master is very chaste. In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him show any interest in the opposite sex beyond friendship.”
Shi Liaoliao: Sounds even more like he’s gay…
“Then, has the young master ever mentioned what type of person he likes?”
Hearing this question, Yang Qingzhou’s heart skipped a beat, and the way he looked at Shi Liaoliao changed.
Oh~ This is a clever way to ask me about Lu Yanzhou’s preferences.
He coughed once and said mysteriously, “You’ve asked the right person.”
“Your master likes—”