Ruan Jiaojiao lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes hiding the anger brewing within them. Fu Zhinian, however, mistook her silence for sorrow; with her head bowed so submissively, she looked truly pitiable.
"Have you eaten?" Fu Zhinian asked.
Ruan Jiaojiao looked up, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
His train of thought was rather erratic, but she still answered obediently, "I have already eaten, Second Uncle."
"What did you eat?" Fu Zhinian asked again.
Standing nearby, Lin Xiao's lips twitched. It was the first time he had ever heard the Second Master ask about such mundane details, and what was more, he seemed to be... enjoying himself?
Ruan Jiaojiao thought back to the scraps and leftovers she had actually eaten. After a brief hesitation, she said, "I had abalone, steamed fish, some green vegetables... quite a lot of things, actually."
"What else?"
Ruan Jiaojiao looked at him in confusion.
Fu Zhinian uncrossed his legs and leaned back against the sofa, his entire posture relaxed.
"What other dishes? Name them all."
Ruan Jiaojiao blinked her fox-like eyes, completely failing to follow her Second Uncle's logic. Did he want to hear the names of the dishes so he could pick one to make later if it sounded good?
"Take your time, Miss Jiaojiao, there's no rush. Our Second Master just likes listening to these domestic, everyday things," Lin Xiao said. From somewhere, he produced a platter of fruit and some snacks, placing them in front of Ruan Jiaojiao.
Ruan Jiaojiao stared at the fruit and swallowed, but felt too self-conscious to reach out and take any.
"Eat while you talk, Miss Jiaojiao. The Second Master is a very good man, there's no need to be nervous." Lin Xiao pushed the fruit platter a little closer to her.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Ruan Jiaojiao picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth.
It was so sweet! Sweeter than any grape she had ever eaten before.
Having accepted his food, Ruan Jiaojiao felt she had no choice but to start listing dishes. Since Second Uncle hadn't actually seen what she ate, it didn't really matter whether she told the truth or lied.
"Second Uncle, today's meal was very lavish. Besides the abalone, there was steamed pumpkin, braised pork meatballs, sweet and sour pork ribs..."
The more she spoke, the lower her head sank. She didn't dare look at her Second Uncle, using the act of eating to cover up her guilt, terrified he would realize she was lying.
She rattled off almost every dish she could remember, and when she finally ran out of delicious foods to name, she brought her list to an end.
"Second Uncle, that's about all of it."
Ruan Jiaojiao slowly raised her head, only to find that Second Uncle was leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed. The string of Buddhist prayer beads hung loosely from his fingers, on the verge of slipping off.
She had no idea when Lin Xiao had slipped out, but they were now alone in the study. It was so quiet that she could hear the wind brushing against the windowpanes.
"Second Uncle?" Ruan Jiaojiao called out softly.
But Fu Zhinian did not respond. He seemed to have fallen asleep.
Setting aside the things in her arms, Ruan Jiaojiao got up and walked over to him.
She waved a hand in front of his face.
He really was asleep.
Looking at the prayer beads dangling from his hand, she gently slid them off his fingers to keep them from falling and placed them beside him. Then, she pulled a blanket over him.
Now that Second Uncle was asleep, it would be improper for her to linger.
Lin Xiao, who was standing guard outside, saw Ruan Jiaojiao come out. He tossed his cigarette to the ground, crushed it under his foot, and smiled at her.
"Are you heading back, Miss Jiaojiao?"
Ruan Jiaojiao tucked her hands into her sleeves. Though the rain had stopped, it was freezing outside. Coming out of the heated study made the chill feel even sharper, and she couldn't help but shiver.
She nodded at Lin Xiao with a friendly smile. "Yes, I'm heading back. Thank you for putting up with me tonight."
"No trouble at all! You're welcome to visit anytime, Miss Jiaojiao."
Lin Xiao was absolutely thrilled. It had been ages since he last saw the Second Master looking so relaxed.
He had stepped out for a smoke earlier just to give them some privacy, but to his surprise, Miss Jiaojiao was already leaving after less than ten minutes.
The Second Master was bound to be disappointed.
After escorting Ruan Jiaojiao to the main entrance, Lin Xiao turned back.
"Second Master, why didn't you ask Miss Jiaojiao to stay—" As soon as Lin Xiao pushed open the door, his words caught in his throat.
His eyes widened in disbelief. Stepping quietly toward the sofa, he waved a hand in front of the Second Master's face.
"Second Master?"
Fu Zhinian's breathing was steady and deep; he was fast asleep.
Lin Xiao's hand shook as he pulled it back. Filled with excitement, he rushed outside and called Gu Yu.
"Gu Yu! The Second Master is asleep! He fell asleep without taking a bath or his medication!"
Gu Yu had been in the middle of a romantic liaison. Hearing Lin Xiao's frantic shouting, he quickly pushed the woman off him, threw on some clothes, and walked out of the room with his phone.
"What did you say?! Really? If you're lying to me, I'll make sure you never get it up again!"
"...Why would I lie to you! I saw it with my own eyes!"
Lin Xiao filled Gu Yu in on what had just happened.
Gu Yu fell silent for a few seconds after listening. Then, he asked, "Lin Xiao, do you know why the Second Master called me over today?"
Lin Xiao replied, "What else could it be? To treat his condition, right?"
Gu Yu chuckled. "No, no, no, you're wrong. He called me today to tell me that he actually had a reaction to a woman."
"What?! The Second Master didn't mention that to me. Which woman?" Lin Xiao felt like today's revelations were a bit too much to process.
It was like someone who had been plagued by bad luck their entire life suddenly being told they had won hundreds of billions in the lottery.
Gu Yu sighed. "How should I know? The Second Master didn't want to tell me, and I didn't dare ask."
Lin Xiao fell into deep thought.
Could it be... Miss Jiaojiao?
As the realization of this potential stroke of luck dawned on him, Lin Xiao grinned. He let out a laugh that made Gu Yu's skin crawl.
"Have you lost your mind? Why are you laughing so creepily?" Gu Yu rubbed his arms.
Lin Xiao said with deep significance, "Gu Yu, the Second Master's happiness is finally on the horizon."
***
The next day.
When Ruan Jiaojiao and her mother went downstairs for breakfast, Fu Jiaru and Fu Dexin had already finished eating. The only breakfast left for them was plain white porridge and pickled vegetables.
Ruan Qianlian grumbled a bit but sat down to eat with Ruan Jiaojiao anyway.
Because of what had happened the previous day, Fu Jiaru harbored a deep resentment toward Ruan Jiaojiao. She hadn't wanted to give them any breakfast at all this morning, but Fu Dexin, fearing they would make a scene, had compromised by leaving only porridge and pickles.
Once they finished eating, Fu Jiaru forbade the servants from washing the dishes, directing her orders at Ruan Jiaojiao instead.
"From now on, none of you are allowed to serve these two! Do they really think they're young mistresses? Go wash the dishes!"
"Fu Jiaru, you've gone too far!" Ruan Qianlian said, displeased. "Fu Dexin, aren't you going to do something about this?"
Fu Dexin frowned, threw his newspaper onto the coffee table, and stood up in anger. "What are you shouting for? It's already generous enough of us to let you stay here, and yet you still have the nerve to whine! If you want to stay, stay. If not, get the hell out."
"You—!" Ruan Qianlian's eyes welled with tears of anger.
Ruan Jiaojiao patted the back of her mother's hand and shook her head.
"Mom, it's fine. Go on upstairs. I'll wash them."
Ruan Qianlian was both angry and heartbroken. "I'll wash them with you."
"Mom, did you forget what the doctor said? Your hands hurt in the winter; you can't touch cold water." Ruan Jiaojiao smiled, showing no sign of displeasure. "Go on up first. I'll join you as soon as I'm done."
Ruan Qianlian had no choice but to head upstairs. Ruan Jiaojiao picked up the dirty dishes and walked into the kitchen.
Fu Jiaru shot a glance at Mother Liu, who understood immediately, nodded, and followed her into the kitchen.