Liu Xiaozhi was gently and attentively pouring milk for the gentlemen.
The butler led Tang Tian into the dining area, giving her a meaningful look to stand behind Shen Yanli.
Seeing that no one had noticed her, Tang Tian took small, quick steps to stand behind Shen Yanli, keeping a relatively close distance. Occasionally, she could catch the scent of his cologne.
No one in the entire dining room paid any attention to her arrival until breakfast was served. Tang Tian reached out from beside Shen Yanli to arrange his breakfast and napkin properly.
Shen Yanli watched as a delicate, pale hand adjusted the positions of the napkin and plate, making it more convenient for him to dine.
His gaze lingered on her slender, jade-like fingers for a few seconds before he shifted his eyes away. Tang Tian’s soft, beautiful profile appeared exceptionally focused. Once she finished adjusting, she withdrew her hand.
Throughout the entire process, she never once glanced at the man beside her.
Shen Yanli quickly averted his gaze and began eating his breakfast in silence.
Liu Xiaozhi had originally intended to stand behind Shen Yanli, but upon seeing Tang Tian standing there instead—she didn’t know when she had arrived—she felt irritated, upset, and displeased.
Tang Tian could smell the delicious breakfast but could only watch as the others ate. Fortunately, she wasn’t too hungry.
Fu Xi, seated across from Shen Yanli, had just finished his breakfast when he looked up and noticed Tang Tian standing opposite him.
Even in her listless state, she remained stunningly beautiful.
Fu Xi wanted to tease her but swallowed his words at the last moment. He glanced in Pei Jue’s direction and decided against provoking her.
Tang Tian didn’t notice Fu Xi watching her; she was growing drowsy from standing.
Finally, as the gentlemen were nearly done with their breakfast, Tang Tian thought she could finally eat.
“Tang Tian, come help me for a moment.” A gentle female voice came from behind Wen Shaohan. Though not loud, it was clearly audible to everyone around the table.
This included Pei Jue, who was seated across from Wen Shaohan. Instantly, almost everyone turned their eyes toward Tang Tian.
Across the table, Fu Xi saw her jolt slightly. The confusion and surprise in her beautiful eyes made it difficult for him to look away.
Tang Tian’s drowsiness vanished instantly. She turned her head and saw that the plate in Liu Xiaozhi’s hand was about to fall to the floor.
She wasn’t sure whether Liu Xiaozhi’s action was intentional or not. Under everyone’s gaze, she walked behind Wen Shaohan and took the plate from Liu Xiaozhi’s hands.
Liu Xiaozhi pretended to sigh in relief. “Thank goodness you were here.”
Tang Tian remained silent. She could feel Pei Jue’s piercingly cold gaze from across the table.
However, he probably wouldn’t lose his temper in public.
As she expected, Pei Jue merely glared at her coldly for a few moments before setting down his napkin and rising from the table.
Pei Jue’s cold treatment didn’t bother Tang Tian in the slightest; she didn’t care at all.
Fu Xi stood up, casting a mocking glance at Liu Xiaozhi. None of them were simple people.
Tang Tian didn’t want to get involved in these overt and covert struggles. There was nothing worth fighting over, but she wasn’t a pushover either. Fortunately, Pei Jue hadn’t lost his temper, so she decided not to make a big deal out of it.
When Shen Yanli left, whether intentionally or not, his gaze lingered on her for several seconds. Tang Tian, however, was quite oblivious and didn’t notice.
After they had all left the dining area, Tang Tian lowered her head to clear the table, her stunningly beautiful face expressionless.
Zheng Liyu was disappointed that Mr. Pei hadn’t been provoked. It seemed his anger had subsided considerably.”Tang Tian, Mr. Pei isn’t angry with you. Tomorrow evening when delivering fruit, maybe you should go?” Zheng Liyu had nearly been scared into psychological trauma by Mr. Pei last night—so icy and truly frightening.
Tang Tian hadn’t refused yet, but Liu Xiaozhi, overhearing from nearby, spoke up first: “I’ll go.” Sister Wu said not to let Tang Tian enter Mr. Pei’s room during this period.”
Tang Tian tacitly agreed, sparing herself the need to refuse.
Zheng Liyu felt Liu Xiaozhi was truly kind-hearted: “Xiaozhi, you’re really good.”
Liu Xiaozhi smiled shyly: “I’m happy to be able to help you.”
What they talked about afterward, Tang Tian didn’t hear. After tidying the dining table, washing dishes was handled by the dishwasher, and other tasks would be managed by other servants—not within her scope of work.
Tang Tian hurried to the staff dining hall. She was starving; earlier she had only watched others eat, but now she could finally eat breakfast peacefully.
Very few people were sitting eating breakfast in the staff dining hall. Tang Tian drank a mouthful of warm soy milk, and someone sat down beside her.
She turned to look—a girl with a ponytail, wearing the same work uniform as her, placed her meal tray next to Tang Tian.
“Tang Tian, that was really close earlier.” Liu Huihua reacted similarly to Zheng Liyu, disappointed that Mr. Pei hadn’t shown anger, originally expecting to watch a scene unfold.
Tang Tian searched her memory—this maid beside her wasn’t familiar with her original self, practically strangers working in the same place.
Now suddenly talking to her made Tang Tian quite surprised.
“It was fine.” Tang Tian responded lukewarmly.
Liu Huihua paused, then said provocatively: “Xiaozhi couldn’t possibly not know what happened two days ago. I was right beside her, yet she didn’t ask me to help, but instead called you for help.”
Liu Huihua had long disliked Liu Xiaozhi, having been suppressed by her position here for a long time. She thought Tang Tian’s arrival would replace Liu Xiaozhi’s place in the hearts of the gentlemen, but unexpectedly… Tang Tian was even worse than her, just a beautiful but hollow embroidered pillow.
To avoid complications, Liu Huihua decided to start from Tang Tian’s side, hoping for the best outcome of both Liu Xiaozhi and Tang Tian being dismissed.
Tang Tian was only interested in the steaming breakfast. Regarding Liu Huihua’s provocation, she understood it clearly and remained unmoved.
That scene where Liu Xiaozhi called her to help was most likely intentional, but… Pei Jue didn’t rage at her again.
She bit into a fried dough stick: “Really?” Her attitude was very indifferent.
Liu Huihua looked at her several times—so calm? Why wasn’t she angry?
“Some things I can’t say too explicitly.” Liu Huihua continued hinting—did Tang Tian truly grasp the meaning in her words?
Tang Tian swallowed her soy milk: “I know, thank you for reminding me.” After speaking, she continued eating breakfast; these matters weren’t enough to affect her appetite.
Liu Huihua: “…” Was she clever or not? Previously she kept causing trouble, but now seemed quite clear-headed.
Under Liu Huihua’s questioning gaze, Tang Tian finished her last sip of soy milk and rose from the table.
Generally, none of the gentlemen would return to the villa midday. Recently they had canceled many jobs, immersing themselves in creative work, only taking on unavoidable or highly profitable work.Otherwise, she might not see them for ten or fifteen days. Tang Tian felt regretful at this thought. Unfortunately, when she arrived, several male protagonists were immersed in their creative work. She dared not imagine how relaxed this job would be if she only saw them once every ten or fifteen days.
Regrettable, truly regrettable. Now she could only think about it.
There were many miscellaneous tasks during the day. She busied herself here and there, and time passed relatively quickly. By the time she rested on the sofa in the side hall, the sky had already darkened.
The kitchen was bustling, preparing dinner for the male protagonists.
They were having a gathering tonight, so there would be plenty to do later.
Soon, car horns sounded repeatedly outside the villa. Tang Tian didn’t need to look; it must be the male protagonists returning.
Figures swept past the villa entrance—Liu Xiaozhi and others. Exactly four servants went to greet them, so she didn’t join the commotion.
She leisurely finished the cherries arranged on the coffee table before rising and walking into the dining area.
In the dining room, the men were already enjoying a light drink, and the prepared dishes were being served one by one onto the table.
Tang Tian’s eyes were almost glued to the dishes on the table. They smelled so delicious, but unfortunately, they weren’t for her.
“Tang Tian, Mr. Shen is calling you.” Liu Huihua beside her wished Mr. Shen had called her instead, nearly driving her mad with envy.
Tang Tian snapped back to attention and looked at Shen Yanli: “Mr. Shen.”
Seeing her staring blankly at the dishes on the table, Shen Yanli calmly said, “Bring a hot towel.”
Tang Tian turned to fetch the hot towel and handed it to him for cleaning his hands.
While wiping his slender, elegant hands, he asked her, “Have you not eaten dinner yet?”
Tang Tian knew that while staring at the dishes earlier, she must have been practically glowing with hunger.
“No.” However, she had eaten a plate of cherries; the cherries here were plentiful.
Fu Xi across from her chuckled, “You were almost staring holes through those dishes.”
Pei Jue glanced at her, lingering only for about half a second before immediately averting his gaze. His deeply sculpted face was extremely cold, seeming very unwilling to see Tang Tian.
Even with thick skin, Tang Tian felt somewhat embarrassed now, uncontrollably blushing.
Fu Xi looked up at the stunning beauty opposite him. Her snow-white, delicate skin flushed pink, even her ears slightly reddened. His eyebrows lifted slightly, thinking inwardly: Her beauty is indeed rare.
“Go eat first.” Shen Yanli’s expression was very indifferent.
But Tang Tian felt as if she had heard heavenly music. Her smile was radiant, truly too dazzling and captivating, stunning Fu Xi, who was watching her, unable to shift his gaze.