The blind boss's nanny

The man glanced at her in the rearview mirror. In the mirror, a faint, enigmatic smile played at the corners of his lips.

"What's the rush?"

Lu Tingzhou casually tossed back three words, turned the steering wheel, and the car turned onto a quieter side road.

Lin Xiaoman's heart sank.

The Lu Group headquarters, top floor, chairman's office.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the city skyline. Lin Langqing sat awkwardly on a single sofa in the reception area. This was his first time stepping into this office.

Lu Tingzhou sat on the sofa opposite him with his legs crossed, tapping his knees absently with his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the void, never giving Lin Langqing a second glance.

Qin Xiu stood beside the sofa, his posture upright, his expression gentle yet distant. He personally poured Lin Langqing a cup of tea.

"Mr. Lin, you don't need to be so reserved. I invited you here today mainly to understand some things."

Lin Langqing stood with his back stiff, his hands on his knees, unsure of how to position them.

"Excuse me. If it's related to my work..."

Qin Xiu interrupted gently:

"It has nothing to do with work. What we want to know is some of the things that happened to Lin Xiaoman in the past."

Lin Langqing's breathing faltered slightly, and his eyes involuntarily drifted toward the large ebony desk at the far end of the office.

Lu Tingzhao sat there.

From the moment Lin Langqing entered, the man had his back to them, facing the scenery of the entire city.

He didn't make a single move. Yet Lin Langqing felt an invisible pressure emanating from that figure, enveloping the entire space.

He was almost certain that he was sitting here today because of that man's will.

Qin Xiu's voice pulled him back to reality:

"Mr. Lin, as far as I know, you and Miss Lin grew up together at Sunshine House. What was she like when she first went there?"

Lin Langqing steadied himself, his thoughts drawn back to distant memories:

"She... was very well-behaved and hardworking. She always volunteered to do chores, as if she never got tired. Later, she secretly told me that it was because her grandmother repeatedly told her before she passed away to be 'clever, sensible, and do a lot of work,' so that my father wouldn't dislike her and she would have a place to stay..."

He paused, then lowered his voice:

"But some of the aunties in the courtyard... seeing that she was young and hardworking, always liked to order her around. Xiaoman silently endured it at first, but I couldn't stand it anymore and told my dad. My dad scolded those people and specifically told Xiaoman that she didn't need to please anyone here."

Qin Xiu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the direction of the desk.

"No wonder, I always felt that... she wasn't inherently a submissive person."

He continued to ask:

"So what happened next? Did she suffer any injustices after she grew up?"

Lin Langqing nodded, his tone tinged with helplessness:

"Working in the service industry, how can you not endure some setbacks? That's why I've been advising her to switch careers..."

Qin Xiu coughed lightly at the opportune moment.

Lin Langqing realized he had gone off-topic and quickly continued:

"She actually...is willing to tell me everything. When she was working, she encountered an employer who accused her of stealing money, male customers who groped her, and female employers who made things difficult for her at every turn...but she managed to deal with them all and never suffered any major losses."

"She's smart and resilient. No matter what environment you put her in, she always finds a way to survive. I've always admired that about her."

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Then, the high-backed chair that had been facing away from them slowly turned around.

Lu Tingzhao finally faced them. His face was expressionless, his eyes as calm as a deep pool, yet Lin Langqing held his breath.

"so,"

Lu Tingzhao spoke, his voice not loud, but every word clear.

"Is this your reason for later swindling all her savings?"

His gaze fell on Lin Langqing's face, scrutinizing her.

"Someone who has known since childhood that they must rely on themselves and always manages to struggle to their feet... deserves to be pushed back from behind time and time again by those they trust?"

Lin Langqing's face turned pale instantly, his eyes darting away in a flustered manner, his lips trembling as he spoke:

"She...she always has a way...from childhood to adulthood, she's never given up, no matter how difficult things got...the spirit she has is stronger than any of ours..."

Lu Tingzhao raised his hand, making a gesture to stop.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping past Lin Langqing before settling on the distant horizon outside the window. After a long pause, he uttered a casual remark:

"Lin Langqing, you and your father are nothing alike."

At this point, he finally understood.

Where do those contradictions in Lin Xiaoman come from?

She is undoubtedly kind, but that kindness also carries a sharp edge. Her kindness is like the resilience of tree bark, offering warmth only to those who deserve it.

She can be very serious and professional in her work, but she will relax whenever she has the chance, and the word "hard-working and conscientious" is not associated with her at all.

She can wholeheartedly love someone, but once she senses something is wrong, she immediately withdraws.

Lu Tingzhao felt that he now understood Lin Xiaoman better.

He was never obsessed with the nanny who was "suitable" for him, but with the complete, complex, and self-boundary Lin Xiaoman herself.

The more clearly you see her soul, the more your affection for her will seep into your very bones.

The more Lu Tingzhao thought about it, the more he couldn't let go.

He used to want to keep her by his side, but now he realizes that what he really wants is for her to stay with him willingly.

Just then, Lu Tingzhao's phone screen lit up.

A message popped up from Lu Tingzhou. It had no context, just a hotel location and a brief sentence:

【come over.】

The air inside the carriage was tense.

Lin Xiaoman forcibly suppressed the unease and nausea churning in her stomach:

"Lu Tingzhou, stop the car. I want to get out."

Lu Tingzhou glanced at the deserted driveway outside the window, but did not slow down:

"Here? There's no village or shop in sight, are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Her voice was cold and hard.

"Don't joke around."

Lu Tingzhou chuckled lightly, his tone flippant yet chilling.

"Don't worry, I'll give you an unforgettable night."

This statement completely confirmed Lin Xiaoman's worst fears. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"Lu Tingzhou,"

She tried to maintain her composure, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

"I'm not the kind of person you imagine. The games you play are not just outrageous to me, they're absolutely insane. I can't afford to play them, and I don't want to."