“Gurgle~”
Chen Mengyao’s stomach suddenly growled. She lowered her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Ever since she said “whatever,” Lu Chen seemed to have gotten angry. He had said he wouldn’t take her to dinner, and he really hadn’t. After sending her to the hospital, he hadn’t even stepped out of the car or spared her a glance before driving away.
This left her completely unsettled. She whispered to herself, brows slightly furrowed, “What exactly upset him? Could it be he doesn’t like people saying ‘whatever’? Truly such a man with unpredictable moods…”
But this wasn’t a sign that she liked Lu Chen. She simply felt that since she would be working as a housekeeper in the Lu Family, she needed to understand Lu Chen’s temper. Otherwise, if she accidentally made a mistake, wouldn’t that bring trouble?
There was no way she could like Lu Chen. That was beyond question. She might be simple, but she wasn’t foolish. On the contrary, she was very clear-headed. Lu Chen and she lived in completely different worlds. Lu Chen wouldn’t fall in love with her, and she wouldn’t love him out of gratitude or any other reason.
All she wanted was to figure out Lu Chen’s temperament so she could work better in the Lu Family. Thinking of the indifferent look in his eyes before leaving, she sighed softly. Forget it… she was almost used to it anyway.
Chen Mengyao shook her head, stood up, and walked toward the inpatient department. Passing by the hospital cafeteria, she bought two boxed meals for 18 yuan each and a portion of chicken soup. After hesitating for a moment, she also bought herself the cheapest vegetarian boxed meal for 8 yuan.
All the way, she nervously tugged at her skirt, wondering how she would explain it to her mother if she woke up and noticed this dress. Lost in thought, she soon arrived at the inpatient ward.
From afar, she spotted her younger sister, Chen Xuening, standing at the nurse’s duty station entrance, peeking her little head out again and again, blinking her big eyes as if searching for someone.
The moment Chen Xuening saw Chen Mengyao approaching, her face lit up with joy. She rushed forward and threw herself into her sister’s arms, acting spoiled, “Sister, you finally came!”
Chen Mengyao rubbed her head gently and asked, “Has Mom woken up yet?”
“Yes, she just woke up,” Chen Xuening replied. At that moment, the nurse also stepped out of the duty room and confirmed it.
“Alright, I’ll go right away!”
Relieved, Chen Mengyao carried the meals in one hand, held her sister with the other, and entered the ward.
On the bed lay a pale, frail woman.
“Mom!”
Chen Mengyao called softly as she rushed to her mother’s side and held her hands tightly.
Her mother slowly opened her eyes. The weakness in her gaze instantly melted into warmth when she saw her daughter. “Yaoyao,” she said, gently caressing her hair with a kind smile. “Mom’s fine, I just needed some rest. Don’t worry.”
“Mom…” Chen Mengyao’s nose stung. “I bought you some food and chicken soup. Please eat while it’s hot.”
Her mother shook her head. “I’m not hungry. You and Xuening should eat first.”
Her mother could not resist her persistence and slowly sat up. At that moment, her eyes swept across Chen Mengyao’s clothes. The outfit was new, luxurious, and clearly expensive. Her expression turned cold as she asked, “Yaoyao, whose clothes are these?”
Chen Xuening also noticed and tugged at her sister’s sleeve, her curious eyes wide.
“It’s… a friend’s,” Chen Mengyao said softly after a brief hesitation.
“A friend’s? We’ve just arrived in Yanjing City. What friends could you have?” her mother pressed, her weak voice sharp with suspicion.
“I…” Chen Mengyao bit her lip. “My clothes got wet, so my friend lent me theirs. I’ll return it tomorrow.”
But her mother clearly didn’t believe her. Her expression darkened. “Yaoyao, tell me honestly. What’s going on with these clothes? And your face… are you wearing makeup? Where exactly did you go?”
“I…” Chen Mengyao lowered her head, lips trembling, unable to speak.
Her mother grew even more anxious, tears welling in her eyes. “Tell me, were you bullied by someone?!”
Though she hadn’t seen much of the world, she still knew how dangerous society could be. They were new to Yanjing City, unfamiliar with everything. If her daughter had fallen prey to ill-intentioned people, the consequences would be unimaginable. She feared her daughter might sacrifice herself for money. She would rather die than see her daughter suffer like that.
“Yaoyao, tell me, is it because we don’t have enough for the surgery? If it’s not enough, it’s fine. I’ll leave the hospital tomorrow. Just don’t ever do something foolish!”
“Mom…” Chen Mengyao raised her head, her eyes red. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t bullied. I would never lie to you.”
Her mother’s heart eased a little but her eyes still carried vigilance. “Then tell me, where did those clothes and cosmetics come from?”
Chen Mengyao whispered, “It was… Lu Chen who sent me to the hospital.”
“Lu Chen?” Her mother frowned in surprise. “You mean the CEO of Emperor Group who often appears on television?” She often watched TV to pass time and knew a fair bit.
Chen Mengyao nodded slightly.
Her mother’s tone grew serious. “How do you know him? Why would he send you to the hospital?”
Chen Mengyao lowered her gaze, not daring to meet her eyes. “He…” she stammered.
Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Does he have feelings for you?”
“No… no!” Chen Mengyao shook her head quickly, cheeks burning red. She bit her lip and whispered, “When I went job hunting, I saw the Lu Family was recruiting housekeepers. I applied and unexpectedly passed the interview, so…”
Her mother sighed and stroked her cheek lovingly. “I know you’ve had a hard time, but the Lu Family is too powerful. We can’t deal with them. Stop working there and cut ties with Lu Chen.”
Her mother was stunned, then sighed helplessly. “You really are too rash. How could you sign something so important without discussing it with me?”
“Mom, I read the contract carefully. There’s no problem. Besides, CEO Lu said he’ll have the best experts at home and abroad treat you. I… I just want you to get better.”
Her mother’s heart softened, making her unable to scold further. She stroked her daughter’s hair and said gently, “Yaoyao, I know you’re filial, and I want to recover soon too. But I don’t want you to take risks. Rich young men are never good news, and I fear you’ll suffer.”
“It’s fine, Mom. Trust me.” Chen Mengyao gripped her hand firmly. “I can’t bear to see you suffer. Let me try, alright?”
Seeing her mother waver, Chen Mengyao pressed on, “When you recover, I’ll resign immediately. Is that okay?”
Her mother sighed. “Since you’ve decided, I won’t stop you. Just remember—always be cautious and never trust too easily.”
“I understand, Mom.”
Her mother held her hand and warned solemnly, “Never compromise your dignity for anything. If my health could only be bought with my daughter’s innocence, then I’d rather not have it!”
Tears welled in Chen Mengyao’s eyes as she said emotionally, “I understand, Mom. Don’t worry, I won’t be that foolish.”
Her mother finally smiled with relief. “You must be hungry too. Let’s eat together as a family.”
“Okay,” Chen Mengyao nodded obediently.
She first opened the food box for her mother, split the disposable chopsticks, then pulled Chen Xuening to the side table to eat together. The food was a little cold, but Chen Mengyao still ate with appetite.
Chen Xuening, already famished, devoured her meal with a spoon, cheeks bulging like a little pufferfish. Chen Mengyao couldn’t help but laugh. “Eat slower, no one’s going to take it from you.”
Chen Xuening mumbled with her mouth full, “I know, Sister.”
Their mother pushed the chicken soup to Chen Xuening and picked out meat dishes from her own box for Chen Mengyao. Smiling, she said, “Xuening needs more nutrition. Yaoyao, you must eat some meat too, you can’t just eat vegetables or it’ll be unbalanced.”
Looking at her mother and sister, warmth flooded Chen Mengyao’s heart. Her mother’s illness had always been her greatest burden. Now that this problem was resolved, her shoulders felt much lighter and her mood grew brighter.
And all of this was given to her by Lu Chen.
Her life’s course had been completely altered because she met him.
Chen Mengyao’s gaze turned dazed. Could she ever repay such immense kindness by simply working hard?