Chapter 15: The Nanny

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Gu Sheng used to be somewhat delicate and spoiled; when she was with Zhao Qinglang, she always acted bossy and domineering—what one might call fierce only at home. It was simple really. Nowadays, everyone sizes people up and treats them accordingly, and she was no exception. Relying on Zhao Qinglang’s tolerance and affection, she could throw tantrums endlessly and ignore any criticisms from outsiders.

But after getting out of prison, everything changed. Reality reminded her that she no longer had the luxury to refuse or be spoiled. Gu Sheng thought perhaps she owed He Wenzhou too much money. Now, poor and dispirited, whenever she faced He Wenzhou, her spirit was halved; she would obediently follow his instructions without daring to utter a word, unlike how brazen she was with Zhao Qinglang.

But staying here?

“I will definitely repay the money, but...” Gu Sheng hesitated, pointing to the door. “You just asked me to buy breakfast.”

At present, He Wenzhou was her benefactor in these bleak days, the largest creditor in her life’s ledger. Her father had earnestly taught her that one must remember kindness and repay debts. Naturally, she was willing to obey He Wenzhou’s arrangements.

But if she wasn’t allowed to leave, how was she supposed to buy breakfast? Did he mean she should order takeout herself?

Hearing this, He Wenzhou paused, the hand holding his cup still. He furrowed his brows slightly and turned his head to glance sideways at her puzzled expression. He said succinctly, “I need a housekeeper.”

Gu Sheng asked, “So?”

Looking at her messy short hair, He Wenzhou subtly frowned, clearly thinking she hadn’t understood. He lowered his hand, setting the cup on the kitchen island, then raised his eyebrows, sweeping his gaze over the somewhat empty living room. His eyes flickered and suddenly fixed on the flourishing flowers scattered on the floor. “The cleaning lady quit. I’ve been busy with work and have business trips coming up. I urgently need someone at home to take care of these flowers.”

Gu Sheng’s eyelashes fluttered as realization dawned. Her gaze shifted gradually to He Wenzhou’s face.

Seeing this, He Wenzhou averted his eyes, bending slightly with his elbow propped on the island. Calmly, he said, “No money? No problem. You can work off the debt. Fair enough, right?”

After a pause, his dark eyes returned to the flowers. A breeze slipped through the slightly ajar window, gently stirring the blossoms.

“Of course,” He Wenzhou added with a slightly cold expression, narrowing his eyes. “Compared to fleeting physical pleasures, what I need now is someone relatively familiar to care for my home.”

Undoubtedly.

Gu Sheng could tell this well-reasoned argument was directed at her.

Being entrusted with such a “heavy responsibility,” she muttered uncertainly, “Sounds like you know me very well.”

“Or else?” He Wenzhou’s ears twitched, and he scoffed, “Do you think you were just released without me knowing everything about you?”

As a lawyer, before taking on a case, he would certainly dig deep into the agent’s background.

Gu Sheng was silent, stung by his sarcasm.

But a housekeeper...

She glanced nervously at the flourishing flowers. It was clear He Wenzhou took meticulous care of them. Since he wasn’t often home, she would only need to tidy up the rooms to earn some pay.

More importantly—

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She had always been good at tending to such flowers.

Gu Sheng’s eyes brightened with a hint of urgency. She suddenly turned around, her hair trembling, and asked, “How much will you pay?”

He Wenzhou glanced at her again. “You agreed quickly; you’re quite practical.”

Gu Sheng’s ears flushed slightly. She murmured, “It’s nothing; I used to help out around the Zhao family a lot.”

Hearing this, He Wenzhou’s expression darkened a bit. He straightened up, his loose collar exposing much of his sturdy chest. Crossing his arms, he asked, “Aren’t you the adopted youngest daughter of the Zhao family? You even have to do this kind of rough work? Do they secretly abuse you there?”

Gu Sheng didn’t catch the coldness beneath his words. Hesitating briefly about her past, she shook her head and gave a faint, upward smile.

“No.”

Indeed, no.

When Zhao Cheng was home, she had to behave obediently. After all, she was a dependent, and Zhao Cheng was strict, especially with women—demanding they observe traditional virtues, silently cook and serve without complaint...

She was young enough to bear it, but mostly it was Jiang Qin, the lady of the Zhao family, who wasted half her life in the kitchen. Gu Sheng had witnessed it all growing up and just wanted to lighten Jiang Qin’s burden, sparing her from suffering.

Snapping back to the present, Gu Sheng tucked some stray hair behind her ear and asked again, “So, how much per month?”

Seeing she was reluctant to be direct, He Wenzhou didn’t press further. His thin lips parted as he said, “Market rate.”

Hearing this, Gu Sheng silently recalled the housekeeper prices at the Zhao family, her temper rising slightly. She thought she might be a housekeeper for life, yet still hadn’t cleared her debt to Zhao Qinglang.

But something was better than nothing.

Better than nothing at all.

Especially for someone like her: freshly out of prison, homeless, with injured legs, a criminal record, and no income.

Being a housekeeper was already a blessing.

“Alright!” Gu Sheng nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. “Then draft the contract, and I’ll sign it!”

“You’re quite meticulous,” He Wenzhou chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ll send you a copy later.”

Given the change in status, they became employer and employee, and the housekeeper arrangement was settled.

Gu Sheng slipped into the role quickly. She dashed downstairs and bought breakfast at the third shop as He Wenzhou instructed. On her way back, she passed by the convenience store from the night before. As the clerk had said, it was closed for rest.

This was a quiet, affluent neighborhood with few shops because many facilities were inside the community.

The convenience store could afford to close because they were short-staffed and business was usually slow.

Gu Sheng, sleepy with drooping eyelids, carried the breakfast in one hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a large recruitment poster on the convenience store window.

She stopped in the cold wind, squinting to read it from a distance. “Hiring night shift?”

After a moment, Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up, struck by a sudden idea.

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If she took care of He Wenzhou’s daily needs during the day, and worked a shift at the convenience store at night, the schedules wouldn’t conflict.

That way, she could earn two incomes—one to repay He Wenzhou, and one to save for herself.

She would leave eventually.

Rather than waiting for Zhao Qinglang to repay the debt, she couldn’t afford to do nothing. Relying on He Wenzhou now was just for a temporary foothold.

With that thought, Gu Sheng hardly hesitated and carefully tore down the recruitment ad, tucking it away.

She had a good memory and knew her way back. When she entered and unlocked the door, a strong, rich aroma of coffee wafted to her.

By the kitchen island, He Wenzhou had changed into loose, dark homewear and had just brewed himself a cup.

Not looking up as she returned, He Wenzhou said, “Slippers are on the second shelf of the cabinet to your left.”

Opening the cabinet, Gu Sheng was surprised. “Disposable slippers?”

“Otherwise?” He Wenzhou shot her an impatient glance. “Do you think my home is a marketplace where anyone can come and go?”

Gu Sheng was silenced by the rebuke.

But she quickly settled into her role as housekeeper, speaking with care, “Have some breakfast.”

He Wenzhou ignored her, frowning as he sipped his coffee.

Gu Sheng frowned, not understanding why he drank coffee on an empty stomach so early. She couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you tired?”

After all, both of them had been up all night.

He Wenzhou’s eyes twitched; he glared at her coldly but said nothing, clearly annoyed by her meddling.

Gu Sheng fell silent again.

In the end, she ate the steamed buns and soy milk, and He Wenzhou truly let her stay in the second bedroom.

Opening the door to the clean, obviously unused room, a flood of emotions surged within Gu Sheng.

She couldn’t help but overthink. Someone as disheveled as herself was surely beneath someone as outstanding as He Wenzhou. But she was somewhat grateful—He Wenzhou was a gentleman after all, and as he said, he had given her a place to rest properly.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. As Gu Sheng was tidying the bed, she turned to see He Wenzhou pushing the door open.

Backlit by the light, He Wenzhou’s eyes swept over Gu Sheng, settling on her bent waist, the smooth, fair skin starkly visible. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a shadow crossed his eyes.

“You,” He Wenzhou blocked the doorway, commanding, “Take off all your clothes.”