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After leaving the traditional Chinese medicine clinic, Hu Ouhua pondered. If she could find a part-time job until the eve of the college entrance exam, she could not only avoid Wang Chunlan’s schemes but also distance herself from her entanglement with Yang Wei.
Once she left Ning City for university elsewhere…
Without hesitation, she put her plan into action.
Hu Ouhua went to the community office and sought out Aunt Zhang, whom she was familiar with, to inquire about part-time job opportunities.
Aunt Zhang knew the Hu family’s situation well and was also aware of Wang Chunlan’s favoritism. She rummaged through a stack of documents on her desk and finally pulled out a registration form, wrote down an address, and handed it to Hu Ouhua.
“Go to this place under the Bell and Drum Tower in Ning City. They’re looking for a live-in household helper for just a month, so it won’t interfere with your college entrance exam. The employer is offering 50 yuan for the month. Many people have been vying for the job, but I didn’t agree to anyone yet,” Aunt Zhang said.
Fifty yuan!
Hu Ouhua was stunned.
Her father worked from dawn till dusk, and his monthly salary, at best, was only 35 yuan… In an instant, she felt both gratitude and curiosity toward the employer.
After thanking Aunt Zhang, she made her way to the Bell and Drum Tower, following the house number to a courtyard-style home. She knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Hello, I’m here for the job interview.”
“Come in, the door’s not locked.”
Hu Ouhua pushed open the courtyard gate and walked up to the house’s entrance.
Creak.
The door opened, revealing the man she had encountered at the clinic—a tall, broad-shouldered military officer with sharp, icy features. His imposing presence, amplified by his crisp military uniform, exuded an air of authority.
Lowering her gaze to minimize her presence, Hu Ouhua cautiously spoke.
“Excuse me, are you hiring a household helper? My name is Hu Ouhua. I can cook, clean, and do laundry. You can assess my work first before deciding…”
“Mm.”
Lu Yuetang lowered his gaze and unintentionally caught a glimpse of her white blouse revealing a trace of skin. He quickly turned away and walked toward the stairs. Just as he lifted his foot, he turned back.
“Familiarize yourself with the house first. My food must be light and simple. Other than that, handle things as you see fit.”
With that, he forcefully suppressed an inexplicable irritation and went upstairs.
Hu Ouhua kept her head down, feeling that his voice sounded familiar, but she dismissed the thought as absurd and forced herself to stop overthinking.
After surveying the courtyard, she swiftly started cleaning. Within an hour, the house was spotless, with even the floor gleaming.
This house was most likely a remnant of an aristocratic estate from the past. The layout and decor were no less luxurious than those of wealthy modern households, only lacking some electrical appliances.
As noon approached, Hu Ouhua started cooking.
In her past life, the Yang family had been particular about food and didn’t like rice cooked in an electric cooker. They insisted on the traditional draining and steaming method. Now, using old-style kitchenware felt completely natural to her.
On the second floor, Lu Yuetang listened to the sounds of pots and pans clanking downstairs. The image of a delicate woman bustling around the kitchen unexpectedly painted a harmonious picture in his mind…
Thud.
Frustrated, he threw down his pen, completely losing focus on his training report.
Every time he came to Ning City for military drills, he stayed for a month or two. Normally, he would reside in the military quarters, but since he needed herbal baths every two days at the clinic, the political commissar, concerned about his condition, arranged this courtyard house for him to recuperate on non-training days.
But today, for some reason, he just couldn’t focus.
His mind kept flashing back to that intoxicating moment in the herbal bath. He couldn’t even recall the woman’s face, yet her soft, full figure and faint sobbing seemed to linger, haunting him…
“Commander, the meal is ready. Should I bring it up, or will you come down to eat?”
A clear, pleasant voice called from downstairs.
Lu Yuetang stood up and headed down.
In the living room, the dining table was set with a plate of stir-fried greens, a tomato egg soup, and a bowl of steamed egg custard. It was as if she had read his mind—every dish was exactly to his liking.
He frowned. “Did you investigate my preferences beforehand?”
“Huh?”
Hu Ouhua was bewildered.
She was starting to find him oddly familiar—arrogant and full of himself. But to keep her job, she tactfully replied, “Commander, these are just common home-cooked dishes. Anyone can make them.”
Lu Yuetang didn’t believe her but said nothing.
He sat down and picked up his chopsticks, just as the courtyard gate was flung open.
A gust of wind swept in as someone rushed inside.
Shen Fubai, looking quite at home, dashed to the dining table.
“Wow, that smells amazing!”
He grabbed a spoon and scooped up half a bowl of egg custard, shoveling it into his mouth.
“Delicious! Who made this?”
Lifting his head, he suddenly noticed two pairs of eyes staring at him like he was a ghost. It was only then that he realized there was a new person in the house—a beautiful woman.
Boom!
His face turned crimson, and he quickly stood up to explain. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to barge in. I was just starving after dealing with a bunch of troublemakers all morning.”
The Yang family was a real headache.
One moment they wanted him to drive them around, the next they were taking advantage of him, making him buy this and that.
Remembering this, he pulled out a stack of receipts and handed them to Lu Yuetang.
“Brother Lu, you better reimburse me for all of this. Those people are crafty, and honestly… a little greedy.”
He had originally planned to urge Lu Yuetang to take responsibility and marry the woman.
But now, forget about passing the Lu family’s scrutiny—even he was fed up with them.
“Don’t worry, I’m not short on money.”
Lu Yuetang picked up a bite of greens and tasted it.
Hmm, not bad.
Before long, his bowl was empty.
Shen Fubai was amazed.
Lu Yuetang’s illness made his appetite poor. On bad days, he couldn’t even finish half a bite of food. Yet, today, he devoured an entire bowl?
Trying not to make it obvious, Shen Fubai turned to Hu Ouhua with a grin.
“Don’t be shy. Join us. We’re not too formal here.”
Lu Yuetang nodded slightly.
He took 25 yuan from his pocket and slid it toward Hu Ouhua.
“I’m paying you half your wages upfront. Once you complete the month, I’ll settle the rest, including any bonuses.”
Hu Ouhua was stunned.
Did this mean… she got the job?
Her face lit up with joy.
Lu Yuetang caught her smile, and for a fleeting moment, something stirred in his eyes.
She looks… quite beautiful when she smiles.
Shen Fubai groaned. “Brother Lu, I know you prefer light food, but you should at least treat yourself to some pork once in a while!”
“Scram. Go to the military cafeteria if you want a feast. Stop mooching off me,” Lu Yuetang snapped.
After eating, Shen Fubai left.
That afternoon, Lu Yuetang briefly instructed Hu Ouhua on a few matters before leaving for training, handing her a key and a month’s worth of grocery money and ration tickets.
Looking at the stack of cash and tickets, Hu Ouhua sighed.
Rich people really live well, no matter the era.
But just as she started studying her borrowed high school textbooks, someone knocked on the door.
Opening it, her expression changed drastically.
She had gone to such lengths to avoid the Yang family, yet here they were.
Fate really had a twisted sense of humor.