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“Madam Zhou, I…I didn’t do it on purpose. How much is this flower vase? I’ll pay for it, deduct it from my salary.”

“Your annual salary isn’t enough to pay for this vase.”

The woman’s face instantly turned pale, realizing that working in an affluent family was indeed challenging; a seemingly insignificant vase was worth her whole year’s salary.

Madam Zhou sighed, “Forget it. You’re new here and unfamiliar with everything. I didn’t train you well, so I’m responsible too. Once Madam recovers, I’ll speak up for you. But remember, this is the only time. If it happens again, I won’t be able to keep you.”

The woman quickly nodded, “Madam Zhou, you’re too kind to me. Don’t worry, I will work hard.”

Madam Zhou looked at the woman’s ingratiating smile, feeling very complicated.

Ever since Xiao Ying had left with her mistress, Madam Zhou had a hard time keeping up with all the work due to her age. She had requested Madam to find another helper, but Madam hadn’t taken it seriously. With the master rarely at home and the old Madam managing nothing, Madam Zhou’s old bones were getting weary day by day.

Not long after, Zhu Xiangxiang brought this woman home, saying she had seen her begging on the street and felt pity for her. Since they needed extra help, Zhu Xiangxiang took her in.

Madam Zhou found it…difficult to describe her feelings about this.

Zhu Xiangxiang wanted to learn from her mistress’s kindness but didn’t know her limits.

The mistress brought Han Suwen home because she knew her background well—Han Suwen had a police record and was a university student. She was very articulate and considerate, making her an excellent assistant.

But the woman in front of her? Madam Zhou had observed her for nearly half a month—she was not only impetuous but also had filthy hands. Zhu Xiangxiang had virtually brought back trouble.

If she told Zhu Xiangxiang, the girl would think that Madam Zhou was narrow-minded and couldn’t tolerate others.

“Don’t waste your time talking, go and finish the kitchen work. And don’t go to the second floor again,” Madam Zhou warned.

She had once caught this woman sneaking into Ms. Ming Jing’s room and didn’t know what she was doing inside. If it weren’t for considering Zhu Xiangxiang, she would have kicked this woman out a long time ago.

Li Juan pouted her mouth, her hand reaching for a fruit on a plate but was slapped away by Madam Zhou, who scolded, “Are you pretending to be a lady now? You are here to work, not to enjoy yourself. Who gave you the courage to eat the master’s food without permission? Hurry up and do your work.”

Li Juan withdrew her hand, cursing the old woman in her heart, before reluctantly turning around.

A tall and slender young girl with long hair and a white ankle-length dress covered by a black trench coat entered from outside the door, exuding an indescribable mysterious aura, elegant and carefree.

As the girl approached, Li Juan’s small eyes widened.

In her life, she had never seen such a beautiful woman. It was as if a fairy had walked straight out of a painting.

The girl’s cold eyes swept over her, and Li Juan suddenly felt as if her drifting heart had found an anchorage.

Her heart trembled inexplicably, staring fixedly at the girl.

Madam Zhou pushed Li Juan aside and greeted the girl with enthusiasm, “Miss, my dear Miss, you’re finally back. The old Madam has been talking about you every day, and Madam… Madam misses you so much that her health has deteriorated. Go and see her.”

Ming Jing nodded, “I’ll visit Granny first.”

With that, she turned and walked towards the old Madam’s bedroom.

Li Juan stared at the girl’s retreating figure, “Madam Zhou, who is she?”

Madam Zhou glanced at her, “She is the true lady of the Zhu family.”

“What about Miss Xiangxiang?” Li Juan widened her curious and inquisitive eyes.

Madam Zhou choked, “You don’t know?”

Li Juan shook her head; she barely had any spare time for gossip with her busy schedule.

“Zhu Xiangxiang and the young lady were mixed up at birth. The young lady was only found this April and moved out later on.”

Li Juan clicked her tongue in admiration, “What did the lady eat growing up? She looks nothing like the Zhus. Good bamboo shoots can still grow from wretched bamboos. Amazing.”

Madam Zhou couldn’t help but laugh at her description, “If you want to stay in this family, you’d better shut your mouth. Troubles come from the mouth.”

Nevertheless, Li Juan didn’t take it seriously.

An indifferent old lady, a seldom-present master, a sickly mistress, a young Laoda who behaved like a hoodlum, and a…usurping Miss…

The Zhu family was absurd in every aspect.

As Ming Jing stepped out of Granny Zhu’s room, Madam Zhou handed her a tray, “Madam hasn’t had lunch yet. She’ll eat once you’re here.”

Li Juan came out of the kitchen with a tea tray, and Madam Zhou asked, “Where are you going?”

“To serve tea to the young lady.”

“I’ve never seen you so diligent before. Be careful.”

“The young lady seems nice; she won’t give me a hard time.”

Madam Zhou was surprised, “How do you know that?”Li Juan proudly said, “I do have a knack for reading people.”

Madam Zhou suddenly felt the lazy, deceitful middle-aged woman became a little more agreeable.

Lin Qing coughed and turned over in bed.

The door creaked open, and Lin Qing said impatiently, “I already said I’m not eating, stop bothering me.”

“Food is the foundation of life; are you planning to become immortal without eating?”

Lin Qing suddenly sat upright in bed, looking over her shoulder.

Getting up too quickly and not having eaten for a long time, she felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Ming Jing put down the meal tray and reached out to steady her.

Lin Qing suddenly grabbed her hand, “Ming Jing…you…you’re back.”

Anxiety and guardedness flickered in her eyes.

Compared to their last encounter, she seemed to have aged a few years.

Her eyes were puffy, her face pale, her lips cracked and peeling, and her messy hair hung over her shoulders. She no longer had the elegance of a noblewoman but was an ordinary middle-aged woman.

Ming Jing picked up the chopsticks, added some appetizing dishes to the porridge, and handed it to her: “Eat first, then we’ll talk.”

Lin Qing glanced at her and obediently took it.

Ming Jing turned around and sat down on the sofa opposite, looking up at her.

Lin Qing used the spoon to scoop a mouthful and tasted it.

The warm food slid down her esophagus into her stomach, like a welcomed rain on parched land, soothing and comforting.

Lin Qing glanced at Ming Jing, took another bite, and quickly finished the bowl of porridge.

She stared expectantly at Ming Jing.

Ming Jing stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and pulled open the curtains. The sunlight filtered in eagerly.

Ming Jing went to the bedside and took Lin Qing’s wrist, placing her finger on her pulse.

The room was silent, with sunbeams casting on the carpet by the end of the bed. Dust danced in the light, like mischievous little sprites.

Lin Qing looked into the eyes of the person so close to her.

The person she had thought of for so long was finally standing in front of her, making her feel timid.

“I heard from Xiangxiang that you did well on your exams and can be directly admitted to Huaqing University. That’s great; our family finally has a top student. Your grandmother even said that this year we’ll go back to our hometown to pay homage to our ancestors and give proper respect.”

Ming Jing released Lin Qing’s wrist: “Madam has been overthinking things, leading to an imbalance in the heart and spleen, causing both qi and blood deficiency. Continue taking the medicine I prescribed for you, and add Bupleurum Spleen-Returning Pills. The weather has been nice lately, so don’t stay cooped up inside; go for a walk outside to relax, and you will be better in no time.”

A flash of disappointment crossed Lin Qing’s eyes.

“Ming Jing, how have you been living alone outside? Has anyone been taking care of you?”

“Thank you for your concern, Madam. I’ve been doing well by myself.”

Lin Qing suddenly grabbed her hand, “Are you still angry with me? Come back home, and I promise to make it up to you.”

Ming Jing looked down at her, her pitch-black eyes emotionless, like a never-ending vortex.

Lin Qing was afraid but didn’t let go.

She realized that if she let go now, she might lose her daughter forever.

Ming Jing sighed, her eyes now filled with pity.

Her pity wouldn’t make you feel pathetic or hurt your self-esteem.

It would only make you feel warm, like being surrounded by gentle spring water.

“Madam, Granny Zhu’s birthday is on New Year’s Day, isn’t it?” Ming Jing asked softly.

Lin Qing nodded: “Yes.”

“This year, let Madam take charge of Granny Zhu’s birthday celebration and make it a grand event.”

Lin Qing immediately perked up: “Alright! I’ll definitely make it grand.”

Ming Jing has always been filial to Granny Zhu, so she would definitely come.

Lin Qing, excited, didn’t notice the girl’s unfathomable eyes.

Some things can’t be dragged on any longer.