Na Naâs gaze was elusive, and she stammered, âThe pastry was from Xiao Chang in the kitchen, he⦠he probably likes me, which is why he gave it to me.â
It was as if she had found a breakthrough and she began to explain, âMiss, I really donât like Xiao Chang. I just want to work well at the Tao familyâs place, but Xiao Chang harasses me daily and often sends me gifts, which I usually refuse. But today, he gave me pastries, so I accepted them.â
After she finished speaking, she mentally gave herself a âlike,â because she thought she had spoken perfectly and that Miss would definitely believe her.
Moreover, Xiao Chang was indeed sending her gifts. She had already made it clear to him that it was impossible between them, but Xiao Chang wouldnât believe it; he thought it completely reasonable for a maid and a cook to be together. Na Na aimed to marry a wealthy man, so there was no way she could end up with a mere cook.
âIs that so?â Tan Rou said, âIf thatâs the case, then letâs go and confront Xiao Chang.â
Naturally, Na Na dare not face him. She leaned toward Zhuang Liu and then said, âMiss, itâs just a plate of pastries, is it really worth the time to confront him? If you go now, he will surely say youâre being petty, squabbling over just a dish of sweets.â
âHeh,â Tan Rou chuckled lightly, âYouâre wrong. Iâm not just going to settle accounts with him, Iâm going to settle them with you too because you ate those pastries.â
Na Na looked down, very distressed, and said, âMiss, those pastries are too expensive, costing five thousand yuan a plate. I donât have that much money to compensate you.â She turned to Mr. Zhuang and asked, âMr. Zhuang, could you plead with Miss for me? I will definitely pay her back, but I donât have that much money right now. Can I pay her back once Iâve gathered enough?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Zhuang Liu did not respond to her, but instead found a place to sit down, âYou continue, Iâm tired from running, I need to rest a bit. Tan Rou, donât you want to sit down? I find it quite tiring.â
Upon hearing Zhuang Liuâs words, Tan Rou realized she had been standing without knowing it and immediately sat down, âNa Na, right? If you sincerely admit your mistake today, I wonât trouble you nor ask you to compensate for it. But youâve lied over and over again, and your actions have exhausted my patience. I can skip work today, letâs take the time to settle this matter properly.â
Mei Mei pleaded, âMiss, we both will compensate you for the money, but we donât have that much on hand right now. Can we wait a while? Weâre about to get paid, and once we have the money, we will transfer it to you immediately.â
âI donât want your money,â Tan Rou refused Mei Meiâs suggestion, âThe lazy person isnât you, nor is it you who ate the pastries. I always stick to my principles. If itâs not your doing, I wonât trouble you.â
Mei Mei wanted to say something but was shut down by Zhuang Liu, who said, âEnough talk. If Miss hasnât addressed you, donât interrupt, or get out.â
Mei Mei didnât dare speak further, she stealthily glanced at Tan Rou and then Na Na, and even though she was very anxious, she did not dare say another word.
Na Na was nearly on her knees for Tan Rou, âMiss, I really donât have that much money. If you ask me to compensate now, I might as well die.â
Having said that, she was about to smash her head against the wall.
Tan Rou and Zhuang Liu remained unmoved, only Mei Mei ran over to stop her.
âNa Na, donât do something foolish!â Mei Mei said, âItâs just five thousand yuan, Iâll help you pay it!â
Na Na sobbed, âMei Mei, I really didnât mean to eat the pastries on purpose. If that guy hadnât sent them to me, how could I dare to eat them?â
Mei Mei said, âNa Na, I believe you. But Miss is right, letâs go confront Xiao Chang and ask him why he keeps sending you things. If Miss goes, she will surely intimidate him, and he wonât dare to harass you again.â
Na Na was left speechless. How could Mei Mei, her good friend for so many years, remain so clueless? Could she afford to confront Xiao Chang now? If she did, everything would be exposed.