The blind boss's nanny

Lu Tingzhao froze for a moment. But only a second later, he spoke coldly:

"Why haven't you sent me the financial report analysis from last quarter? Your work efficiency is so low, do I really need to remind you of something so simple?"

Qin Xiu on the other end of the phone:

"???"

Didn't you say... the financial report analysis wouldn't be until tomorrow, Chairman?

Before Qin Xiu could explain, Lu Tingzhao had already hung up and dialed the number again.

His frustration hadn't lessened at all. He slammed the screen again... surely it would be Aunt May this time?

"Big brother?"

On the phone, Lu Tingzhou's slightly surprised voice came through.

...Wrong again.

"Forget it," Lu Tingzhao thought with a sense of resignation. "It'll be the same if I just have my younger brother come and pick me up."

He knew that with only a white cane, it would be difficult for him to find his way back to the complex main house on his own.

But his damned pride prevented him from speaking directly.

Why is the development of your lab's "emotion recognition AI" project lagging behind? Is it due to insufficient funding or a lack of capability?

Lu Tingzhou, who was leisurely drinking coffee in the living room of the main house and reviewing the results of his "deception" that night, fell into a brief moment of contemplation as he looked at the project report on the tablet screen, which clearly stated that "the first phase goal has been achieved ahead of schedule."

"Big brother, are you... in a bad mood?"

Could it be that negotiations with Lin Xiaoman have broken down?

I don't listen to reasons.

Lu Tingzhao interrupted abruptly.

"Wait a minute, you'd better give me an explanation in person."

Lu Tingzhou was so choked up that he couldn't say a word.

What's wrong with my brother today?

Lu Tingzhao spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice as cold as if it had been steeped in snow water:

"Now, come here..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Tingzhao's keen ears caught a very subtle yet strangely familiar sound...

It was the sound of shoes gently stepping over withered grass and fallen leaves, with a cautious, furtive rhythm.

It was Lin Xiaoman's footsteps.

A surge of joy coursed through Lu Tingzhao's spine, dispelling the pent-up frustration and coldness in his chest.

The man's grip on his phone loosened slightly, and his taut jawline softened quietly in the twilight, unseen by anyone.

He didn't even realize that the corners of his mouth had turned up very slightly.

Speaking on the phone, he suddenly changed his mind; his previously cold tone unconsciously softened and relaxed.

"never mind."

He spoke to his younger brother, who was still waiting for an "explanation" on the other end of the phone.

"It's alright now."

Then, without waiting for Lu Tingzhou's reaction, he hung up the phone again.

Putting his phone back in his pocket, Lu Tingzhao sat up straight again and turned his head slightly to the side.

Only he knew that all his attention was focused on the increasingly close and clear footsteps behind him.

Lin Xiaoman tiptoed back, her heart pounding.

But when she saw Lu Tingzhao sitting alone by the dark, cold lake, his back exuding an indescribable loneliness, the slight grievance she had felt earlier, which had scared her away, suddenly turned into a deep sense of pity.

Sigh, why bother arguing with a patient who is "not quite right in the head"?

She took a deep breath, stopped hesitating, and walked over quickly.

This time, the footsteps were no longer concealed and rang out clearly on the quiet lakeside.

Lu Tingzhao straightened his back slightly, but he did not turn around.

Lin Xiaoman stopped beside him. Instead of sitting down, she squatted down so that she could look up and see his profile... even though he couldn't see her.

This posture carries an unconscious sense of vulnerability and intimacy.

"Chairman,"

Her voice was very soft.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have run away just now."

Lu Tingzhao's fingers, which were resting on his cane, twitched slightly.

Lin Xiaoman continued in a soft voice, with a coaxing patience:

"I know you didn't mean it just now... Look, it's dark and cold by the lake. Shall we go back? Aunt Mei made your favorite steamed fish and hot soup. It'll be nice to warm up."

She reached out and tentatively, gently tugged at the cuff of his coat, her tone soft and sincere.

"Let's not stand here in the cold wind, okay?"

The slight tugging at his cuff and her gentle, pleading voice, so close to him, were like a warm breeze, dispelling the last vestiges of ice and irritation in Lu Tingzhao's heart.

He remained silent for a moment, then slowly turned his head to "look" in her direction.

In the darkness, his voice was low and slow, carrying an unprecedented seriousness:

"Lin Xiaoman, I'm asking you one last time."

He paused, then spoke each word clearly:

"Are you really willing to stay? To work for me?"

Lin Xiaoman nodded without hesitation, and remembering that he was blind, she immediately replied in a clear voice:

"Yes! I really want to!"

For the sake of gratitude, for the promise, and also for... this man before me, who is clearly very strong but seems somewhat lonely at this moment.

Lu Tingzhao's fingertips gently caressed the white cane.

"So,"

His voice lowered, blending into the evening breeze, carrying an almost bewitching gentleness, yet each word was clear.

Are you also willing to... accept all the consequences that might come with staying?

He leaned slightly closer to her. Although he couldn't see her, his focused gaze made Lin Xiaoman subconsciously hold her breath.

"for example,"

He slowly listed them,

"Those rumors... perhaps, other, even more unpredictable things will happen."

The man spoke slowly, as if deliberately stalling for time:

"For example, I might... need you more than I do now. Care about you more. Even..."

He paused there at the opportune moment, without finishing his sentence.

Lin Xiaoman looked up and listened attentively.

She automatically interpreted "needs you more" as her condition worsening and requiring more care, and "cares about you" as the employer's dependence on a reliable employee.

As for what follows "even", it's probably "even worse temper"!

She immediately raised three fingers as if swearing an oath, her eyes clear and resolute, her tone firm and decisive:

"I'm willing to endure it! Chairman, please rest assured, no matter what happens, no matter what you become, no matter what you need me to do, I will take good care of you and stay by your side! This is my promise, Lin Xiaoman!"

She spoke with a strong and resolute voice, full of a sense of responsibility and mission.

Lu Tingzhao listened quietly to her passionate and straightforward assurance.

A tender feeling quietly blossomed in his heart.

Her answer was so pure, so firm, without any complicated calculations or fears.

A faint smile, yet deep enough to reach his eyes, finally spread slowly across his lips.

"it is good."

Lu Tingzhao responded softly.