The blind boss's nanny

Lu Tingxi took a deep breath and continued, his tone almost overflowing with helplessness and amusement:

"She also said that she had already extorted a lot from you on a regular basis, so asking for more wages would be unreasonable..."

"I gladly accepted all those lifetime memberships to various software programs, I borrowed his high-end custom-made shirts to wear as pajamas because they were so comfortable, and I even 'helped' him taste' the top-quality ingredients, and the money he won for me playing cards on New Year's Eve... In short, it's already more than enough!"

Lu Tingxi tried his best to keep a straight face, mimicking Lin Xiaoman's expression at the time:

"So! I can't ask for any more wages! Asking for more would be greedy, which doesn't align with my basic principles as Lin Xiaoman in this world!"

After he finished speaking, the study was silent for two seconds.

The man finally couldn't hold back and chuckled softly. The laughter was initially suppressed, but then it became clear, and his shoulders trembled slightly.

Lu Tingzhao smiled and shook his head. The frustration he felt because she refused to accept the check had miraculously dissipated.

He could almost instantly picture in his mind how she looked when she said those words...

She'll definitely be holding her chin up, her eyes sparkling, with a hint of smugness, trying her best to look like she's not at a disadvantage. In reality, her ears might be turning red, and her heartbeat might not be as calm as it seems.

Seeing the smile finally appear on his elder brother's face, Lu Tingxi finally felt relieved.

She had just breathed a sigh of relief, ready to gracefully exit, when Lu Tingzhao suddenly threw out another question:

"Tingxi,"

He paused, as if considering his words.

Did Xiaoman... ask me about me just now?

Was she worried that he was angry? Was she concerned about his poor eyesight and whether he was used to being alone? Was she... even just a little bit, like he is right now, having her heart gnawed at by longing?

However, Lu Tingxi's expression suddenly became somewhat awkward and subtle. Her eyes darted around for a moment.

"...I mentioned it before."

She gave a mumbled reply, her voice much softer than before.

Lu Tingzhao leaned forward slightly, instinctively pressing for an answer, his voice barely concealing his anticipation:

"Was she... worried about me too? What did she say?"

Lu Tingxi sighed inwardly and secretly glanced at his older brother's expression.

She steeled herself and repeated the sentence in the fastest, softest voice:

She said, "Tell your brother not to look for me anymore."

"..."

After he finished speaking, the study fell silent.

The expression on Lu Tingzhao's face froze and solidified inch by inch at a speed visible to the naked eye, eventually turning into a bottomless silence.

He remained motionless, leaning slightly forward. His lips were pressed into a pale, taut line, his chest rising and falling slightly.

For several minutes, Lu Tingzhao remained silent.

Lu Tingxi held his breath, not daring to even breathe, wishing he could disappear on the spot immediately.

Lu Tingzhao stood by the window, the night blurring his silhouette. After a long silence, he suddenly spoke, his voice weary and uncertain:

"Tingxi, in your eyes, am I... a failure as the eldest brother?"

Lu Tingxi retorted almost without hesitation, immediately and decisively:

"No! Big brother! How could you think that? You're the person I've admired and cared about most since I was a child!"

She took a few steps closer, her voice filled with genuine trust:

"As long as you're here, I never seem to worry about getting into big trouble or going down the wrong path. Because I know that no matter what, you'll always be behind me."

You gave me so much space, never restricted me, and always said, "Do whatever you want." The respect and support you gave me was more than anyone else's... You've always been the best older brother!

Hearing his sister's unwavering affirmation, Lu Tingzhao could only manage a bitter smile.

His thoughts drifted away involuntarily.

He remembered that when he lost his sight, Lin Xiaoman had told him in front of him that she envied Lu Tingxi and wanted a brother like him.

But what was his answer then?

He blurted out without thinking, "I don't want to be your brother."

Because what he wants is far more than that.

But he overlooked the genuine longing and envy in her words... What she wanted was perhaps not a doting lover, but something like what Tingxi had—a cherished relationship based on equality, respect, and freedom.

It's the kind of support that says, "If you want to fly, I'll catch you and support you, instead of clipping your wings."

And what did he give her?

He gave me passionate kisses, strong protection, and an unquestionable "stay by my side," but he also gave me airtight control and a constraint in the name of love.

He habitually sought warmth, companionship, and all of her attention from her, weaving a tender net of dependence and vulnerability to envelop her completely.

But they forgot to ask whether she could still breathe freely within this web.

Lu Tingzhao slowly closed his eyes. The wall lamp cast a blurry halo of light behind his tightly closed eyelids.

He wanted to make it up to her.

But that might mean he has to learn to loosen his grip, to watch her walk away, to wait anxiously, and to do everything he can to resist the urge to forcefully pull her back to his side.

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the boundless night outside the window.

"I think... I'm finally starting to understand what you really want."

The siblings chatted for a while longer, and then Lu Tingxi, seeing that it was getting late, got up to leave.

Just as she reached the study door and her hand was on the doorknob, Lu Tingzhao's voice came from behind her again:

"Tingxi".

Lu Tingxi paused, then turned around:

"Brother, is there anything else?"

Lu Tingzhao sat behind his desk, the lamplight casting a soft shadow on his face. He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, his voice regaining its usual calmness:

"How much do you know about Qin Xiu's family of origin?"

Lu Tingxi was taken aback, not expecting her older brother to suddenly ask about this. She took a few steps back, sat down again in the chair in front of the desk, thought carefully for a moment, and then told him everything she knew:

"I don't know him very well, and he himself is reluctant to talk about it. I only know that his mother passed away a long time ago, and his father... I heard he was a very irresponsible person who didn't care about him and was an alcoholic. He started working and studying at a very young age and suffered a lot. Later, he met you, received financial assistance to complete his studies, and that's how he got to where he is today."