The blind boss's nanny

Ye Qiyun slumped to the ground, calmly watching the ever-changing expression on her son's face, from cold stubbornness to shock, and then to a struggle and realization that touched his soul.

After a long while, Lu Tingzhao slowly loosened his fist, which he had clenched tightly without realizing it. His slightly pale fingertips gradually regained their color.

He turned around, ignoring Ye Qiyun who was sitting on the ground, and no longer asked about Lin Xiaoman's whereabouts.

He walked step by step back to the French windows, facing the deep night outside. His back was still upright, but it seemed as if he had shed something.

"You can leave now."

His voice rang out, calm and undisturbed, yet devoid of the previous hostility.

"Go back to your own place. From now on... unless it's absolutely necessary, you don't need to come over often."

Ye Qiyun tried her best to compose herself.

"I still need to accompany you abroad for treatment. Your most important thing right now is to get treatment!"

Lu Tingzhao's voice was cold and he spoke very slowly.

"Thank you. I have arrangements made for this."

He didn't want to speak on behalf of his younger siblings to forgive them, nor did he make any promises.

But Ye Qiyun knew in her heart that her and Xingyuan Xingqi's future comfortable life was now secure.

She struggled to get up from the floor, glanced at her son's back with mixed feelings, and finally said nothing before staggering out of the study.

The night outside the window was so thick it seemed impossible to see through.

Lu Tingzhao stood there alone, for the first time beginning to think seriously:

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What should love really look like?

Should we build high walls to lock the treasures inside, or... give her a sky where she can fly freely, and then make ourselves the nest she willingly returns to?

This issue, more perplexing than any business challenge he had ever faced before, also... subtly touched a corner of his heart that had never been touched before.

In the end, Lu Tingzhao gave up his impulse to immediately go and bring Lin Xiaoman back.

His mother's words made him begin to seriously consider for the first time whether the "possession" he obtained by exchanging chains could truly lead to the future he longed for.

He needed to calm down. He also needed to know that she was safe.

After hesitating for a moment, he dialed his sister Lu Tingxi's number.

When Lu Tingzhao was worried about Lin Xiaoman, concerned that she wouldn't be able to find a place to stay because she didn't have the necessary documents...

Lin Xiaoman had already settled down comfortably at a bathhouse with the cash she had on her.

No ID? No problem, this bathhouse isn't strict with checking individual customers; you can go in as long as you pay.

No change of clothes? The center provides disposable sterilized bathrobes and pajamas. She also redeemed a large portion of fresh fruit with a complimentary voucher at the buffet in the common lounge area.

So, when Lu Tingxi finally found his way here, this was the scene he saw:

The spacious and bright public lounge was softly lit. Lin Xiaoman was curled up in a single sofa, wearing a navy blue striped disposable bathrobe provided by the bath center, her hair half-dry and casually draped over her shoulders.

On the small table in front of her sat a plate of colorful fruit slices, and she held a slice of watermelon in her hand. She was intently watching a nonsensical comedy movie playing on the large screen in front of her, the corners of her mouth still showing the smile she had just had.

Her face, flushed and rosy from the steam of the hot spring, had clear, bright eyes, and she looked relaxed and content.

There was none of the dishevelment, panic, or even the slightest bit of worry that Lu Tingxi had expected.

Lu Tingxi paused, walked over with mixed feelings, and sat down on the empty sofa next to Lin Xiaoman.

"My brother is worried that you'll end up homeless, with nowhere to live and nothing to eat..."

Looking at her "vacational" appearance, Lu Tingxi couldn't help but speak, his tone somewhat subtle.

Lin Xiaoman turned around at the sound of her voice. Seeing it was her, she showed no surprise, simply giving a calm "Oh," then forked a piece of cantaloupe into her mouth, chewed and swallowed it before speaking in the same flat tone:

"Really? Then please thank him for me."

Lu Tingxi was taken aback by her indifferent attitude and didn't know what to say for a moment. She recalled the worried tone in her older brother's voice on the phone, and looking at the carefree Lin Xiaoman in front of her, she felt a sense of absurdity.

She sighed, took a file folder from her handbag, gently placed it on the small table, and pushed it in front of Lin Xiaoman.

Lin Xiaoman's gaze remained fixed on the file folder, without moving.

Lu Tingxi opened the document bag and first took out Lin Xiaoman's passport, ID card, and all her personal documents, which he neatly placed in front of her.

Lin Xiaoman's eyes lit up instantly. She immediately put down her fruit fork, picked up her passport, flipped it open to check, and then touched her ID card. A genuine smile finally appeared on her face as she muttered to herself:

"Finally back..."

Seeing her like this, Lu Tingxi's feelings became even more complicated. She then took out two more items from the file bag.

One document was the original property certificate for the land where "Sunshine Home" was built, which she did not take with her when she left. The other was a check for an astonishing amount.

"These two things,"

Lu Tingxi pushed the things forward a bit, looked into Lin Xiaoman's eyes, and said in a solemn tone,

"My brother asked me to bring this to you."

Lin Xiaoman's smile froze for a moment when she saw the property certificate. Her fingertips gently traced the three characters "Lin Xiaoman" on the certificate, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Then, her gaze shifted to the check next to her and lingered for a few seconds.

Lin Xiaoman reached out, picked up the property certificate, and put it into the large pocket of her bathrobe.

She didn't even touch the check.

Late at night, Lu Tingxi returned to the manor.

The study was brightly lit; Lu Tingzhao was still awake. He sat behind his desk and, upon hearing footsteps, immediately looked towards the door, a lingering anxiety on his brow.

"Brother, I'm back."

Upon learning that his sister had returned the check intact, Lu Tingzhao's heart sank slightly, but he was immediately seized by an even more complex emotion.

He was silent for a moment before asking in a low voice:

"What...did she say at the time?"

Lu Tingxi recalled Lin Xiaoman's appearance at the time, trying hard to suppress his laughter and recount the story as faithfully as possible:

She said…

Lu Tingxi paused, mimicking Lin Xiaoman's slightly furrowed, serious expression.

"I need to sort this out. First of all, during the time I was dating Chairman Lu, taking care of him was all voluntary! It was an added service to our relationship, a voluntary contribution, not work, so I can't ask for payment! This is a matter of principle!"

Lu Tingzhao's eyebrows twitched, and the corners of his mouth seemed to be about to turn up, but he forcibly suppressed it.

Voluntary dedication? A matter of principle? That certainly fits her peculiar logic.

When Lu Tingxi heard this, seeing Lin Xiaoman's serious expression, he was slightly moved and almost touched by her sincerity.

These days, it's rare to see a girl with such backbone who can even turn down a huge check!

However, before she could even shed a tear of emotion, Lin Xiaoman added another sentence, instantly shattering her feelings of being moved.