The blind boss's nanny

She couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Isn't making money better? Why should I make things difficult for myself?"

Sunlight danced in the corners of her smiling eyes.

"The bitterness of love is for the wealthy and idle; I'd rather work hard and earn money honestly."

Just then, Yuanbao ran over and placed the wet tennis ball at her feet.

Lin Xiaoman rubbed Yuanbao's head, thinking:

Compared to the elusive concept of love, the wages held in one's hand and the little dog at one's feet bring more peace of mind.

Inside the study, Lu Xingyuan was still trying to open up to his elder brother:

"Brother, you probably don't understand, but the moment I see your nanny, I get this itch inside me. I really want to tease her, I just want to see her give in to me..."

As he spoke, the boy narrowed his eyes in rapture, stroking his sparsely bearded chin. He sighed:

"This is probably the mark of becoming a real man..."

Although Lu Tingzhao couldn't see, his finger pointed accurately in his younger brother's direction:

"Now, put your hand down from your chin."

The man said irritably,

"You look like a rooster in heat."

Lu Xingyuan almost jumped up:

"Brother, are you really blind?"

"snort,"

Lu Tingzhao turned to face the window.

"I'm actually glad I'm blind right now, so I don't have to see your stupid face with my own eyes."

Lin Xiaoman climbed up the treehouse carrying a thermal box, and frowned when she saw the instant noodle boxes that had been piled up in the corner for several days:

"Brother Leng, I'll refund your meal expenses for the past few days."

Leng Feng turned around from the lookout window, his bronze face showing obvious concern:

"How are you?"

He paused.

I heard you were sick.

Good morning!

Lin Xiaoman flashed a bright smile and spun around in place.

"Look, it's lively and energetic!"

A hint of a smile flickered in the man's eyes.

He hadn't seen her around for the past few days, and if he hadn't been on duty at the sentry post every day, he would have almost thought that the Lu family had dismissed her.

"Brother Leng, did you also sign a six-month contract with the chairman?"

Seeing Leng Feng nod, her eyes lit up:

"Me too! Once my contract expires, I'll have saved enough money to go abroad."

She tilted her head and asked curiously:

"So where do you plan to go next?"

Leng Feng was speechless for a moment.

As a stateless mercenary, he had long been accustomed to a life where he would be paid to attack location A one day, and then be bought off for an even higher price the next day to attack location B.

The peaceful time at the manor almost made him forget that he had once lived a life of constant danger.

Lin Xiaoman loved listening to Leng Feng recount his past experiences.

Those thrilling experiences abroad made her realize that her childhood hardships were insignificant in comparison.

Lin Xiaoman sat cross-legged on the floor of the treehouse, opened the insulated box, and pushed it over:

"Brother Leng, the kitchen made saffron crab meat risotto today, and I specifically asked for extra."

Leng Feng took the lunchbox, his gaze sweeping over her still somewhat pale face:

"Don't climb the treehouse anymore, I'll go downstairs to eat."

"That won't do!"

Lin Xiaoman's eyes lit up.

"This is our secret base!"

She lowered her voice.

"And no one can hear us if we speak here."

Leng Feng paused slightly as he pinched the crab meat between his fingers.

He recalled a boy like that on the battlefield, who always liked to hide in the shadow of an armored vehicle and share canned food with him.

"While in the Sahara,"

The man spoke.

"I've met a girl... who looks a lot like you."

Lin Xiaoman immediately moved closer, her eyes sparkling.

"She sells camel milk in the desert, and her face is always veiled."

Leng Feng's voice became distant.

"Once, when a sandstorm struck, she risked her life to carry the lost children back to camp one by one."

"And then?"

"later……"

Leng Feng lowered his eyes.

"We couldn't take her with us when we evacuated."

A brief silence fell over the treehouse.

Lin Xiaoman gently handed him the cordyceps and black chicken soup:

"She must still be alive, like a cactus in the desert."

Leng Feng looked out the window, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he didn't refute her naive guess.

In order to prepare for the ancestral worship ceremony at Yunyin Mountain, Lu Tingzhao decided:

Start training Yuanbao to guide himself up and down the stairs.

The Yunyin Mountain is a series of steep, rocky steps with treacherous paths, a challenge even for sighted people, and even more so for the blind Lu Tingzhao.

When Lin Xiaoman brought over breakfast, Lu Tingzhao was standing by the window "gazing" into the distance.

She carefully set out the plates, and just as she turned around, she heard him say:

"Sister Lin, replace the milk with coffee."

"Chairman, how did you know it was me?"

She turned her head in surprise.

"Aunt Mei's footsteps are more rhythmic than yours."

The man said expressionlessly,

"And you, you're always sneaking around."

Like a little squirrel stealing nuts.

Yuanbao, standing to the side, wagged its tail in agreement.

Lin Xiaoman laughed awkwardly twice.

It's not entirely her fault... The house is too big, and even slightly heavy footsteps echo in the corridors; she didn't want to disturb anyone.

She carefully cut the bacon into small pieces, and casually tentatively asked:

"Chairman, regarding that ancestral worship ceremony... could we skip it?"

"cannot."

The man took a sip of milk, then suddenly frowned.

"Didn't I tell you to change it to coffee?"

"We've run out of coffee beans."

She brushed it off casually and continued to press for answers:

"Chairman, why is it absolutely necessary to go?"

Even in his condition, he still had to travel over mountains and valleys to worship his ancestors.

Do you have no humanity?!

Just then, the sound of a gardener pruning branches drifted in from outside the window.

Lu Tingzhao turned towards the source of the sound, a knowing look flashing across his face:

"Did you hear that? As long as I'm still surnamed Lu, I have to prune the branches on time."

Lin Xiaoman had long known that wealthy and powerful families had many rules, but she simply couldn't understand them:

Knowing that he has difficulty moving around, why force him?

"Chairman,"

She softened her tone.

"I know you value tradition... We can go to a nearby temple to burn incense and pray for your ancestors, that's the same thing..."

"No need to say more."

He interrupted her.

"This matter is settled."

There was really no need for him to explain the undercurrents within the family to a nanny.

He was the one who presided over and arranged the ancestral worship ceremony every year. Those uncles and elders who were eyeing him were waiting to find fault with him. If he was absent this time, they would fabricate countless charges of "disrespecting elders".

At that time, Tingzhou's projects in the R&D department and Tingxi's proposals to the board of directors will face great difficulties.

But Lin Xiaoman still refused to give up:

"Chairman, this is too dangerous."

But Lu Tingzhao had already squatted down and gently stroked Yuanbao's collar:

"Good boy/girl, come with me to walk up the stairs today."

His indifference made Lin Xiaoman realize:

She was ultimately just an employed nanny and had no right to interfere with her employer's decisions.

The main house has a grand and imposing spiral staircase, which Lu Tingzhao has never set foot on since he lost his sight.

At this moment, he changed into soft-soled shoes, held the carved railing with his right hand, and firmly grasped Yuanbao's guide saddle with his left hand.

Lin Xiaoman's heart was in her throat. She followed closely behind, not daring to get too close and disturb them, but also ready to rush forward to protect them at any time.