Zhuang Liu had slept together with Tan Rou last night, and he woke up earlier in the morning, planning to run a few laps in the courtyard before coming back to wake Tan Rou.
Tan Rou had stayed up late searching for medical books last night, not going to bed until twelve, so Zhuang Liu wanted to let Tan Rou sleep in a little longer.
âTan Rou stayed up a little late reading last night, and sheâs still asleep now, so donât go over and disturb her, let her come downstairs on her own,â Zhuang Liu instructed Mei Mei, âShe doesnât like strangers entering her room, so unless itâs something important, donât go upstairs.â
Mei Mei nodded and said, âAlright, sir.â She then asked, âDo you need anything to eat now?â
Zhuang Liu said, âI am about to go running, so I wonât eat anything right now. But you can help me prepare a clean sports towel and bring it to me later.â
âAlright,â Mei Mei nodded.
While Zhuang Liu went off to run, Mei Mei went to find a sports towel for Zhuang Liu, but as she turned around, she saw Na Na already heading towards Zhuang Liu with a towel in hand.
Mei Mei wanted to call Na Na back, but she was worried she might disturb Tan Rouâs sleep, so she quietly followed behind.
Not only did Na Na bring a towel, but she also brought some food and drinks. She placed the items on a small tray and even arranged a few small flowers beside it, making the tray look very pretty.
After finishing a lap, Zhuang Liu slowed down. He saw someone standing at the crossroads waiting for him, holding a towel, and assumed it was the maid who had just brought the towel over.
So he reached out to take the towel, saying very politely, âThank you.â
âYouâre welcome,â Na Na said with a beaming smile.
Zhuang Liu didnât pay much attention to Na Na, and after taking the towel, he continued his run. When he returned to the same spot, he found the maid who had brought the towel still there, so he stopped.
âGood morning, sir!â Na Na greeted him with a very gentle smile, âAre you tired? Would you like to sit down and rest a bit? Or would you care for something to eat?â
Zhuang Liu found this a bit odd, but he couldnât quite pinpoint why, âYou donât need to wait here for me, go on with your tasks.â
But Na Na said, âThereâs nothing else that needs to be done in the manor right now. The young miss is still resting, and Mei Mei is in the house, so Iâve got no tasks at the moment. I saw you were running just now and thought you might get hungry, so I prepared some drinks and snacks for you. If youâre hungry, have a little to tide you over.â
Breakfast at the Tao family was at a rather fixed time, and there was about an hour left before they could eat. Zhuang Liu had risen quite early and had exercised for a while; if he waited for breakfast, heâd likely be starving by then.
âThank you,â said Zhuang Liu, who was indeed a bit hungry. He took a biscuit and then said, âLeave the biscuits and water here, and you can go back first.â
Na Na stubbornly insisted, âMy job is to take care of the masters of this house, which includes the young miss and, since you are the young missâs husband, naturally I have to take care of you too.â
Zhuang Liu also didnât like this feeling of being taken care of, and he refused, âI donât need anyone to take care of me. Youâd better go back quickly.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Still, Na Na remained there, âLooking after you is my responsibility. I wonât leave.â
Zhuang Liu actually thought Na Na was a very diligent person. He smiled and praised, âYouâre a good girl. Iâll talk to my mother later and have her give you a bonus, Iâll cover it.â
Na Naâs objective wasnât the bonus; she wanted to make a good impression on Zhuang Liu, so she declined Zhuang Liuâs offer, âNo, sir, I do all this not for a bonus, but because I believe itâs my job, and I should do my job well.â
Zhuang Liu chuckled, âOkay, then you continue to stay here. Iâm going off to run.â
No sooner had he left when Mei Mei came over and saw the tray in Na Naâs hands, expressing confusion, âWhere did you get all this from?â
If she remembered correctly, Yuanxi Manor didnât have these things. The young miss hadnât been back for several months; how could there be food stored here?
Na Na gave her a look filled with pride, âThis is my secret. Iâm not going to tell you.â