The blind boss's nanny

Lin Xiaoman thought that this frank conversation could come to an end, and the two could finally return to the warm indoors.

But the next second, the man's deep voice came from above her head again:

"Lin Xiaoman".

She looked up:

"Um?"

"Aren't you... scared?"

This abrupt and seemingly unrelated question left Lin Xiaoman momentarily stunned:

"What are you afraid of?"

Lu Tingzhao remained silent for a moment. The cold wind ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead, making his profile appear somewhat blurred in the twilight.

"Tingzhou said..."

He finally spoke slowly.

"You're a little... afraid of me."

He recalled his brother's half-joking, half-admonishing words in the study, which now echoed clearly in his ears:

"Big brother, you'd better watch your temper. Xiaoman told me in private that when you get angry... it's pretty scary."

At the time, Lu Tingzhou casually added:

"That's because she hasn't seen how I used to hit you."

At this moment, Lu Tingzhao raised this question as if he were making a belated confirmation.

Lin Xiaoman did not deny it immediately.

The evening breeze, carrying the dampness from the lake, brushed against my face, feeling cool and refreshing.

She was indeed afraid.

She feared his sudden darkening expression, the icy chill in his words, and the penetrating coldness emanating from his unseen eyes... especially on that night when he pushed her away several times.

but now……

"I used to be a little scared."

She answered honestly, in a soft voice, and then added...

"But later... after I found out the reason, I wasn't so scared anymore."

She was referring to Lu Tingzhou's theory of "brain injury," her tone filled with understanding and tolerance, and even a hint of pity that she herself didn't realize?

Lu Tingzhao naturally didn't know his brother's nonsense. He interpreted her "knowing the reason" as her accepting his apology and explanation... that he lost control because he was deceived.

This seemed to dissipate some of the pent-up frustration in his chest.

He turned slightly to face her. In the twilight, his voice was deeper than usual, yet strangely it carried a hint of tenderness he was trying to convey:

"From now on..."

He paused.

"I won't push you away like that again."

Lin Xiaoman nodded subconsciously. Then, remembering he was blind, she immediately responded clearly and cheerfully:

"receive!"

The atmosphere seemed to lighten. She tugged at his sleeve, her tone slightly urging:

"Chairman, can we go back now? It's so cold."

However, Lu Tingzhao did not move.

He remained standing there, facing her, the cold wind ruffling the hem of his clothes.

After a few seconds of silence, he asked a question that Lin Xiaoman had never thought of before:

"Aren't you afraid that people will misunderstand our relationship if you stay and work for me?"

A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?

Lin Xiaoman blinked blankly, unsure how to answer.

As dusk settled, a gentle gray-blue enveloped Lu Tingzhao's serene face.

He leaned back slightly against the cool bench, his long legs casually crossed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"When you were here before,"

His voice was neither hurried nor slow.

"Everyone in the manor... including Aunt Mei, and even Tingxi and the others, secretly think... there's something going on between us."

Lin Xiaoman's mind went blank for a moment, as if something had exploded.

Even if she were slow to understand, she would finally grasp the meaning behind the word "misunderstanding" at this moment.

My cheeks started to burn uncontrollably, but thankfully the twilight and the cold wind provided some cover.

Her heart pounded like a drum as she frantically tried to figure out Lu Tingzhao's intention in bringing up this old news.

Was it just a casual remark? Or... a subtle warning? A reminder to be mindful of her status and not to let his slight softening and apology lead her to harbor unwarranted fantasies?

Yes, it must be the latter! That's Lu Tingzhao's style.

Lin Xiaoman, believing she had grasped the truth, immediately adopted the most upright and sincere posture, even raising three fingers to point at the sky, her tone resolute, as if making a vow:

"Chairman, please rest assured! I, Lin Xiaoman, swear to God, I absolutely, absolutely have never had any improper thoughts about you! Not before, and I will never have again! I'm here to work diligently!"

She spoke quickly and urgently, as if she wanted to tear her heart out to prove her innocence.

"My greatest strength is self-awareness. I know I'm here to work, not to act in a 'CEO Falls in Love with Me' drama! I swear, I'll disappear immediately when my contract expires and won't bother you again!"

However, Lu Tingzhao's reaction was not the approval or relaxation she had expected.

He turned his head slightly, "looking" in the direction from which her voice came.

In the twilight, his unfocused eyes gleamed with a deep, unfathomable light. He remained silent for two seconds, then suddenly spoke softly:

"Yeah?"

His voice was a few decibels lower and hoarser than before, with a drawn-out ending that lingered in the cold air.

"What if... other people insist on thinking that way?"

"That's impossible!"

Lin Xiaoman waved her hand, her momentum unstoppable.

"We have nothing to fear if we are upright! As long as I..."

"Whatever you want?"

Lu Tingzhao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I need to say this upfront: I don't have time... to explain anything to each and every one of them."

Lin Xiaoman's mind raced, and suddenly an idea struck her. She lowered her voice and leaned closer:

"Chairman, I understand! Here's the plan: from now on, in front of outsiders, I'll say you're my distant cousin! With that seniority between us, let's see who dares to spread gossip!"

"Uncle?"

Lu Tingzhao's expression froze for a moment.

"Or your cousin would be fine too!"

Lin Xiaoman thoughtfully provided alternative solutions.

"This explains why I'm here taking care of you, and completely eliminates any illicit associations—a perfect solution! Aren't I clever?"

Lu Tingzhao's hand, resting on his knee, tightened silently, gripping the fabric of his trousers.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the cold lake air, and felt that his subtle little thoughts from just now had been shattered by the word "uncle".

"Lin Xiaoman".

His voice sounded a little tired.

"Hey, Uncle!"

"...Don't call me Uncle."

"Okay, cousin!"

Lu Tingzhao felt a throbbing sensation in his temple.

He raised his hand to rub his temples, and finally spoke as if giving up:

"You're so young, and you're spending every day with a... single man like me. Aren't you afraid... the rumors that come out won't affect your future... life?"

He spoke the last few words very slowly and heavily.

"For example...finding a partner?"

Lin Xiaoman laughed when she heard this:

"You don't need to worry about that at all! My ex-boyfriend is the ultimate negative example. I'm allergic to men now, especially handsome men! Being with you is perfect; it's absolutely safe, and it can even help keep bad romantic prospects away!"

The more she talked about it, the more she felt that this job was incredibly valuable, practically like having a marriage insurance policy included.