Du Xiaoxian got back to the Gu’s mansion at about six o'clock in the afternoon. Although Gu Nianbin wanted her to stay in the hospital one more night for further observation, Du Xiaoxian refused. Now that doctor said she was okay, then what was the use of staying in the hospital? Besides, she was afraid that the medical expense would be extremely high if she stayed overnight. It was unnecessary to spend money like this.
After she was back to the Gu's mansion, Du Xiaoxian received special care, which made her increasingly uneasy. With only minor wounds on the head, she was able to work as usual. But her ladyship insisted that she should rest and asked others to prepare some nutritious food for her. She recognized that it was bird's nest and knew it was too precious for her to eat. How could she eat it? This was not something for a maid.
She blushed and tried to refuse. Her ladyship was more determined, however, sitting by the bed to urge her to eat it up. At that moment, Gu Nianbin came in to break the dilemma. Du Xiaoxian compromised readily when he slightly frowned at her. To her, the young master was quite formidable when he didn't smile.
Fang Yaru was content to see that Du Xiaoxian ate up the bird's nest. She favored the little girl, who didn't talk much but was dedicated to her work. She swept the yard so clean that even the master, Gu Guangxian, mentioned it several times.
Fang Yaru took a package from the butler Xiao Bonian and said to Du Xiaoxian, "Xiaoxian, this is for you as a token of gratitude. Take it and buy some snacks."
Not knowing what was in it, Du Xiaoxian took it and looked inside. It was a thick stack of notes. She was shocked with a quiver of her hands. She didn't have any concept of money and therefore couldn't tell how much money there was, only wondering that it must be enough to buy her.
She immediately gave the money back like she was throwing away a scorching potato and shook her head. "No, my lady, I can't take this money. I had only some scratches and the doctor said I was fine. The young master had already bought me fruits and snacks in the hospital, so I can't…"
"Xiaoxian, you must take it. It was much more than scratches, and you bled a lot. You need some time to recover. Anyway, you were injured because of us. We would feel uneasy if you didn’t take this money."
No matter what the lady said, Du Xiaoxian refused to accept the money. She even felt uneasy for the fruits and snacks given by the young master, how could she take the money?
Seeing that his mother was unable to persuade Du Xiaoxian, Gu Nianbin took the money and said, "Mom, could you get out for a moment. I will talk to her."
Fang Yaru knew that her son was quite a master of negotiation that he might persuade Du Xiaoxian into accepting the money. Anyhow, Du Xiaoxian got injured for them. She would feel uneasy if she couldn't get Du Xiaoxian take the money.
After the room was clear, Gu Nianbin sat down and looked at the bandage on her head. "Does it still hurt?"
Du Xiaoxian blinked her big eyes. "No, Sir. You asked the same question at noon. The pain has already disappeared."
How silly the girl was. He was showing concern about her, but she didn't get it.
Gu Nianbin took the money out of the package and spread it on the bed, asking her, "You don’t like money, do you?"
"Yes." Du Xiaoxian looked down at the money. With money, one could do many things. She guessed nobody would dislike it.
"Then why don't you take it?"
"It's not mine. I can't take it." Du Xiaoxian said seriously. "My Mom said that a noble person would make money in a right way."
"Is your mother a teacher?" Gu Nianbin laughed.
Du Xiaoxian shook her head, "No, but she read a lot and knew many things. She could even read poetry. But my second aunt said reading was the root of my mother's bad fortune. Reading too much books was not good for girls, because they would dream bigger. The bigger dreams are, the tougher the life will be. But my Mom didn't agree. She told me to read more, learn more, and be intelligent and useful. Sir, which one of them on earth is right, my mom or my second aunt?"
Gu Nianbin thought for a while and said, "Both."
"Why?" Du Xiaoxian was bewildered.
"You will understand it in future," said Gu Nianbin. "You said you would like to repay your second aunt. If you took the money, you could buy gifts for her."
Du Xiaoxian’s eyes lit up. The money was beckoning to her. She could buy a lot of gifts for aunt with so much money. But… she pursed her lips and shook her head resolutely.
"I am your master and you have to obey me. Take it as I told you to." Gu Nianbin frowned with impatience, pretending to be tough.
As expected, frightened by his voice, Du Xiaoxian avoided his eyes, but she still shook her head.
She was unexpectedly obstinate and immune to any tactics.
He grabbed Du Xiaoxian's hand and put the money in her hand directly. "If you didn't accept it, my parents would feel upset. Do you want them to feel upset?"
Du Xiaoxian withdrew her hand rapidly. "I would feel upset if I accepted it. Do you want me to feel upset?"
She was quiet in most cases, but she became eloquent now. Gu Nianbin was defeated by her and had no choice but to take back the money and said, "This money is still for you. Then I will keep it for you until you need it someday."
"I don't need much money, Sir. Please take it back."
Du Xiaoxian didn't accept the money regardless of all their efforts. He was a little bit frustrated. He realized that the frail little girl could be quite obstinate in certain cases.
Fang Yaru was surprised at her son's failure, "Did you fail to persuade her?"
Gu Nianbin gave a bitter smile. "She was determined and couldn't be swayed."
"She's honest." Gu Guangxian said, "We must treat her well in the future. It is rare to find a young people like her nowadays."
"I think she's a little stupid." Gu Shanshan disapproved. "Why didn't she take the money? She gets compensation, and we then don't owe her any favor. It's good for both of us. Why not? Only for a good reputation? Who would remember this over time? The little girl is not smart…Shall I go and talk to her?"
"Enough. You are talking nonsense," Gu Nianbin reproached Gu Shanshan softly. "She is simple-minded, not as sophisticated as you. You may mislead her."
"How come I would mislead her simply because I am sophisticated?" Gu Shanshan raised her voice. "I must let her know what benefits oneself and how one survives in the true society. Money is not a panacea but can make you feel safe!"
"No, thanks. Mind your own business." Gu Nianbin spoke in a deep voice with a cold glance.
Gu Shanshan stuck out her tongue and became silent. Although she was indeed reckless, she was also afraid of her brother.
"Dad, Mom, I want to send Du Xiaoxian to school. She's still young and needs further education. I don't want her to be a servant all her life."
"Send her to school?" Fang Yaru hesitated, "Will she accept it? Is it a good way for us to pay our gratitude for her? Will others think differently?"
"I think it's a good idea," Gu Guangxian nodded. "Imparting money-making abilities to her is better than giving her money. Nianbin, do as you like."
"OK, I will arrange everything for her." Gu Nianbin said, "I will find her a school after she recovers."
Gu Shanshan felt weird and glanced at her brother. "Brother, why are you so attentive to Du Xiaoxian?"
"Nonsense." Fang Yaru rolled her eyes at her daughter. "Your brother is trying to show our favor to Du Xiaoxian. I think this is a good idea. People would know our family have always been courteous to servants all these years."
Gu Shanshan grimaced at her mother. "Hypocrites." Then she ran upstairs with laughter.
Gu Guangxian smiled at Fang Yaru, "Look at your adorable daughter."
Fang Yaru threw a glare at him. "Wasn't it you who spoiled her?" She then turned to Gu Nianbin, "Take care of your sister. The older she is, the more indecent she becomes."
Gu Nianbin was leaning against the sofa and staring at the side door. He was a little bit absent-minded and didn't pay attention to his mother.
Receiving no response, Fang Yaru was about to continue when Gu Nianbin got up and went upstairs. Annoyed, she turned to her husband. "What's going on? Why do they ignore me like this?"
"Alright, stop nagging. I'm leaving, too." Gu Guangxian stood up and started to go upstairs.
"Hold on. I'll help you up." Fang Yaru caught up with him hurriedly and helped him go upstairs.
After the masters all went upstairs, Lanzhi tidied up the fruit plates on the tea table and couldn't wait to go to the room to tell Du Xiaoxian about the news.
Du Xiaoxian was totally at a loss. "Send me to school?"
The other two maids who lived with her admired her luck. "Wow, Xiaoxian, you're so lucky. What a good thing to go to school!"
Du Xiaoxian felt she was not smart enough to understand the situation. All these things after her accident were beyond her expectation. She did not understand. She was just a servant. Why could a servant be sent to school? Why were the masters so grateful to her just for her injury? Why did they reward her with such great gratitude, like the saying went, the grace of dripping water should be reciprocated by a gushing spring grace? What could she do? Should she accept it?
However, no one discussed it with her the second day. So she thought that Lanzhi must had misheard it. Was it possible for masters to send a servant to school?
Forced to lie in bed for two days by Uncle Xiao and A Ling, Du Xiaoxian was ultimately bored and uneasy. On the third day, she couldn't wait. She was a servant and was obliged to work, not to rest. In the evening, while others were busy working, she took a broom to the front yard to do the cleaning. There were fallen leaves everywhere. She had to clean up the yard quickly because a guest would come in a while.
She swept all the way to the gate with the big broom and saw a white car driving in. It was not any family member's car and the guest must be coming. When the car passed by her slowly, she found that the driver was a very beautiful lady. Du Xiaoxian was shocked and stood there, watching.
The pretty lady parked the car under the tree slowly and got out. Du Xiaoxian now noticed that she was also tall and elegantly dressed, with a calf-length dress in light blue and a white handbag. Lanzhi had said that the young master's girlfriend was coming to have dinner today. It must be her. Du Xiaoxian looked at her from afar. The young lady was so beautiful and elegant. She made a perfect match with the young master.
Gu Shanshan would leave early tomorrow morning, so Gu Nianbin turned down a business dinner invitation and rushed home instead. He entered the room, only to find Xia Xiaowan sitting on the sofa, talking and laughing with his mother.Seeing him, Xia Xiaowan stood up gracefully, "Hello, Mr. Gu."Gu Nianbin nodded, "Hello, Miss Xia.""Relax, let’s greet each other by names." Fang Yaru dragged her son over and made him sit down. "It's a perfect timing to have a chat with Xiaowan. I'll go to the kitchen to check on the dishes."After she left, Xia Xiaowan smiled at Gu Nianbin, "Is that okay?""What?" Puzzled for a second, then Gu Nianbin understood and replied politely, "Oh, sure. You can address me in whatever way you like.""But my name ..." Xia Xiaowan thought for a while and said, "If you mind, you can still...""It doesn't matter," Gu Nianbin said, "There are many people sharing the same name
Several days later, the bandage on Du Xiaoxian's head was replaced by a small band-aid. In the end, only a shallow crescent-shaped scar was left on her forehead, which could not be found out when covered by hair.One night, Gu Nianbin called Du Xiaoxian to his room and told her that she would go to school tomorrow.Having forgotten this matter, she was shocked by this sudden news, "Young Master, are you really sending me to school?""Yes." Noticing her trembling thin body, Gu Nianbin waved at her and said, "Come and sit."Du Xiaoxian slowly walked over and sat on the edge of the sofa. Light from a lamp cast right on her, making the shadow of her small body looked just like a child."You're still young. Learning more is good for your future," He asked, "Are you willing to go to school?""I..." This was a big deal for her. Should she agree? Her mother hoped she could learn more and she would be happy in heav
The next morning, Gu Nianbin was woken up by the familiar sound of sweeping. He rubbed his eyes and looked out of the window. Sunlight shone through the white curtains, making the room warmer. He stretched his body a little bit and walked to the window, finding Du Xiaoxian sweeping under the trees carefully in the lavender uniform. Her soft hair was dancing in the wind, and her laced apron was bulging around her small body. She looked like the girl rotating in circles in the music box.Gu Nianbin kept watching her until she swept all the way to the front door. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he was surprised to find that his lips were slightly raised, as if he was smiling. It must be the good weather that cheered him up.He turned on the tap and splashed a handful of cold water over his face. After washing up, he put on a sweatshirt and went jogging downstairs.The air was fresh in the morning. Although the sun was still behind the cl
Drinking tea and reading newspapers nearby, Gu Nianbin looked distracted but actually never took his eyes off Du Xiaoxian. Noticing her uneasiness, he went up to her and asked gently, "What's wrong?"At sight of him, Du Xiaoxian rushed over and grabbed his arm tightly. Although she still revered him, he was the only acquaintance she could find here. She got relieved when seeing him.Gu Nianbin was amused by her reaction. He bent down and asked softly, "None of your taste? Then let's go somewhere else."Du Xiaoxian shook her head like a frightened fawn, mumbling, "All of them are surrounding me, I..." She was too timid to speak out her nervousness in such occasions.Gu Nianbin got her at once and dismissed the sales by a gesture. He found a seat for her and said, "Now they are all gone. You can choose freely. Show me what you like."Du Xiaoxian looked at the clothes and the fancy shop, "Sir, the clothes here must be ver
Du Xiaoxian took a glance of Zhou Ting. In front of her was a tall beautiful office lady who looked smart and capable, making her feel ashamed of herself. She wanted to say that she was fine to be alone but failed to utter anything at last. Instead, she nodded slightly and left with Zhou Ting.Gu Nianbin stood there watching them away. Suddenly, he called Zhou Ting back and said in a low voice, "Go buy some snacks. Provide her with some movies or magazines to kill time. She can sleep there if she wants. One more thing, stay outside and check on her from time to time. Try not to make her uncomfortable or let anyone else in." He paused for a moment and said, "Call me if needed."Zhou Ting was surprised but remained calm. She said yes and then left. The boss's orders were always simple and straightforward, but this time were unusually long-winded. She was now curious about the little girl who could make the boss behave so abnormally.She trotted t
Gu Nianbin wanted to take Du Xiaoxian to eat western food, but he changed his mind on second thought. She would resist unfamiliar things out of instinct. He took her to a Chinese restaurant and asked for a quiet private room. He gave her the menu to order. Du Xiaoxian held the exquisite menu in her hand and flipped it over lightly. Then she returned it to him and shook her head shyly. She had never eaten any dish on it before. What if she ordered something that the young master didn't like to eat?Gu Nianbin didn't force her and took the order. While waiting for the dishes, he slowly told Du Xiaoxian what he had being thinking along the way. There were so many things he wanted her to know. She just listened quietly and occasionally nodded with a blink of her big eyes. Gu Nianbin was rarely so talktive, even himself found it hard to believe. Finally, he stopped and asked, "Xiaoxian, do you understand what I said?"Du Xiaoxian pursed her lips and said softly,
"Du Xiaoxian? What an old-fashioned name!" Yang Liying twitched her mouth with scorn. She was expecting a dashing rich boy instead of such a bumpkin to be her deskmate.Du Xiaoxian had been used to contempt since childhood and didn't care much about her words. But she was not used to be surrounded like this. She was very nervous and fearful for what would happen next. She looked more and more anxious and could hardly breathe in such an unknown environment.Fortunately, a good-looking young woman came in at this moment. This was their teacher, Ms. Jiang. She had just been summoned by the headmaster to talk about the new student. The headmaster asked her to take care of Du Xiaoxian and repeated Gu Nianbin's words in a more detailed way. She sensed the special background of the new student from the tedious instructions of the headmaster."All of you, back to your seat." Ms. Jiang dispersed the surrounding students and then asked Du Xiaoxian gently
When they returned to the office, Gu Nianbin took the bag that Du Xiaoxian had been carrying and put it on the table. He pulled her to the sofa to sit and pointed at the pile of snacks that Zhou Ting bought, "You must be hungry. Eat something first to stave off hunger. I still have something to do, so we'll go back home later.""Young master," Du Xiaoxian took a look of the snacks and was about to stand up, "Shall I go back first? I have to sweep the courtyard."Gu Nianbin stopped her, "It doesn't matter. Today is your first day of school. Forget about the chore. Leave it tomorrow."Du Xiaoxian had no choice but to stay. Gu Nianbin opened a chocolate bar for her and asked about her day at school. Du Xiaoxian blushed and said slowly, " Young master, I...I can't understand in class."Gu Nianbin stroked her hair with a smile, "Don't worry. Take your time. You'll understand gradually.""OK." Du Xiaoxian nodded, " I will st