Chapter 97: A Heartfelt Gesture

For the past few days, Xianyu Qing had taken leave under the pretext of being ill and stayed home to recover.

Though her injuries were not serious, going out like this would only make people suspect that her previous car accident had something to do with her.

Every day, Hua Xiaocui watched Xianyu Qing either staying in her room doing homework, reading, or teasing the little blue kitten, and she could not help feeling bored on her behalf.

“Miss, don’t heiresses like yourself ever enjoy shopping?”

Without looking up from her book, Xianyu Qing replied, “I’m the one who doesn’t like shopping.”

Because of her special condition, she had rarely gone out to shop since childhood. Whenever she did, Ning Wenyan or her brother had to accompany her before she could feel at ease.

Hua Xiaocui knew nothing of this. She moved closer and asked in puzzlement, “Is this book really that good?”

Her family had been poor. She had spent more time working in the countryside than studying, and after finally finishing middle school, she had been sent to Imperial City to work as a servant at South Palace Manor.

To her, books had always meant only textbooks. She had never seen any other kind.

She had noticed that Xianyu Qing’s desk was crammed with all sorts of books, and she was very curious, but Su Cha would not let her touch them.

Xianyu Qing set down the book she had been reading, a volume on galactic civilizations, and asked, “Do you like reading?”

Hua Xiaocui could not quite say whether she liked it or not. She only said, “I’m not very good at studying, and there are some characters I don’t know.”

Xianyu Qing asked again, “Then do you want to read?”

Hua Xiaocui looked as if she wanted to but was too shy to admit it. Xianyu Qing pulled a thinner storybook from the shelf and handed it to her.

“This one is pretty simple. There aren’t many difficult words, and the story is quite interesting too. If you have time, take a look and see whether you like it.”

Hua Xiaocui accepted it carefully, smiling so brightly her face almost lit up. “Thank you, Miss. I’ll treasure it properly and won’t let it get wrinkled!”

Hearing that, Xianyu Qing felt a little odd. “Books will get wrinkled if you read them. That’s fine.”

Hua Xiaocui immediately said, “No, that won’t do. Sister Su Cha said the young lady’s things can’t be damaged!”

Xianyu Qing understood and smiled at her. “As long as you don’t tear it. If you find it interesting, you can finish it and come back for another one. If you come across words you don’t know, look them up in a dictionary, or ask me.”

As she spoke, she even handed the dictionary to her.

“Thank you, Miss!” Hua Xiaocui was thrilled.

It was clear she truly loved reading; she simply had never had the chance.

Clutching the book happily, she went downstairs. When she ran into Su Cha, she hurried to show off. “Sister Su Cha, the young lady said I could read her books!”

With that, she grinned and skipped back to her room.

Later, Su Cha went upstairs. Seeing Xianyu Qing, she said uneasily, “Miss, Hua Xiaocui has always been so careless. If you lend her your books and she damages them...”

Xianyu Qing did not mind. “If a book gets torn, you can just mend it. What matters most is that she learns something from it. If you’re interested too, you can pick one out and read it yourself.”

But Su Cha said, “We’re only servants. Reading so many books doesn’t really do us any good...”

“Reading is a hobby. Why must you always think about whether it’s useful?” Xianyu Qing found it hard to understand. “And what’s wrong with being a servant? Your job is to serve, yes, but there’s no rule saying you’re not allowed to have your own interests.”

“...” Su Cha was momentarily speechless.

She was older than Hua Xiaocui, but because she had grown up in the manor, the education she had received taught her only to discard everything of her own and remain loyal to her master.

Xianyu Qing felt that this kind of servile training had stripped Su Cha of the ordinary, healthy way of thinking that Hua Xiaocui still possessed.

She stood up, lifted the little blue kitten from its nest, and put it into Su Cha’s arms. “From now on, when you’re off duty, read if you want to read, and pet cats if you want to pet cats. It’s all fine.”

Su Cha stiffened, holding the little blue kitten awkwardly. Her expression was unnatural. “Miss, I, I don’t like cats...”

Xianyu Qing smiled mischievously. “Oh? I thought you were going to say a servant must never dislike anything for the sake of the master.”

Su Cha clenched her teeth. “If the young lady...”

Xianyu Qing took the little blue kitten back from her arms. “You can do your best to protect me for work’s sake. But I don’t need you to give up your own interests for me, or even force yourself to accept things you dislike.

On that point, you should learn from Hua Xiaocui.”

Su Cha lowered her head and said nothing.

Xianyu Qing knew it was impossible for Su Cha to change her mind at once. It would have to be done slowly.

So she assigned Su Cha a task. “It’s getting cold. I want to buy my mother a scarf. Go to the mall for me. While you’re at it, buy one for yourself, one for Aunt Rong, and one for Hua Xiaocui too.”

“Miss, I don’t need—” Su Cha began, wanting to say she did not need one.

“It’s fine. Think of it as a gift from me.”

Since Xianyu Qing had said so, Su Cha could hardly refuse. “Yes, Miss.”

“Oh, and take Hua Xiaocui with you. She likes shopping.” Xianyu Qing added.

That afternoon, Su Cha took the delighted Hua Xiaocui shopping with her.

After her nap, Xianyu Qing carried the little blue kitten downstairs.

Just as she stepped into the living room, she heard a familiar voice say, “Brother He, it’s been a while. Have you missed me?”

It was Aunt Rong’s granddaughter, Jiang Xiaoling. She had come to the mansion on business and, upon seeing Jiang Mohe, had immediately come over in bright spirits and clung to him.

Jiang Mohe took two steps back, putting distance between them, and looked at the bag in her hand. “What’s in there?”

Jiang Xiaoling lifted the bag and said with a smile, “My mother asked me to bring my grandmother some new clothes. When I came in, Brother Gao already checked them.”

“Mm.” Jiang Mohe had nothing else to say and turned to leave.

Jiang Xiaoling hurried to stop him. Then she drew a blue scarf from the bag and held it out to him. “Brother He, I made this for you.”

Jiang Mohe glanced at the scarf in her hands, expressionless. “I don’t need it.”

“How could you not need it? It’s very warm in winter!”

Jiang Xiaoling set the bag on the floor, gripped the scarf, and tiptoed as if she were about to drape it around Jiang Mohe’s neck.

Frowning, Jiang Mohe blocked her with one arm. “I’m not afraid of the cold.”

Seizing the chance, Jiang Xiaoling looped the scarf over his arm and pouted in a spoiled voice. “Brother He, this is my heartfelt gift. Just take it, please!”

Jiang Mohe was about to hand it back when he saw Xianyu Qing walking over.

She took the scarf and inspected it, smiling as she asked, “Xiaoling, where did you buy this scarf? The quality is pretty good. I’ll have Su Cha go buy a couple too.”

Jiang Xiaoling looked awkward. “This... I made it myself.”

“You made it?”

Xianyu Qing took the scarf from Jiang Mohe’s hand and examined it carefully before praising her. “Xiaoling, your hands are really talented. The stitches are neater than a machine’s.”

Jiang Xiaoling blushed guiltily. “Uh, it’s nothing much...”

Just as she finished speaking, Aunt Rong came up from the basement and, seeing Jiang Xiaoling, scolded her, “You child, today isn’t even the weekend. What are you doing running over here?”

“Grandma, today is the school sports meet. I didn’t go, and I came especially to bring you clothes.” Jiang Xiaoling looked very wronged.

“Good grief, didn’t I tell your mother already? There’s no need to send me clothes. Do you think I’m lacking food and clothes living here?” Aunt Rong grumbled affectionately.

Then she noticed the scarf in Xianyu Qing’s hands and tutted, “And what’s with buying a scarf? I already have several!”

“Aunt Rong, this was made by Xiaoling.” Xianyu Qing explained on Jiang Xiaoling’s behalf.

“What?” Aunt Rong’s eyes widened. “She’s the kind of girl who can’t even tie up a ball of yarn, and she knows how to knit a scarf?”