Jiang Mo never expected her videos to go viral overnight.
After all, most influencers build their following gradually, and only a lucky few strike gold with a single video.
Just as she predicted, after uploading six videos over the past few days, the first one only garnered tens of thousands of views, while the later ones reached hundreds of thousands.
For a beginner, she thought these numbers were quite impressive.
It helped that she tapped into the universal love for food—something ingrained in everyone’s DNA—otherwise, the results wouldn’t have been this good.
Chef Li had also followed her account. "Heh, so many people watching and following! Jiang Mo, you young folks really have talent."
"Only because you’re the one with the skills—your dishes are amazing."
Chef Li scrolled through the account, reinvigorated, and immediately went back to experimenting with new recipes, eager to show off more to the online audience.
Su Yunjin finished her yoga session and cuddled her golden tabby cat. "What’s for lunch today?"
Jiang Mo listed the dishes and asked, "Madam, is there anything else you’d like?"
"I’ve had no appetite lately—it’s always the same old things," Su Yunjin coughed lightly and lowered her voice. "Actually… I thought that noodle dish and the sweet drink you had last time were pretty good."
Even the healthiest, tastiest meals can get boring.
The snacks Jiang Mo had introduced her to before were things she usually dismissed as junk food—stuff she never let the kids touch.
But today, for some reason, she found herself craving them.
Jiang Mo instantly understood. "Madam, you want those, huh?"
"Don’t you?" Su Yunjin blinked. Over the past few days, she’d occasionally caught Jiang Mo ordering takeout and sipping on sweet drinks.
The aroma alone was intoxicating—who knew what they put in those things?
This girl never even bothered to invite her.
Not that she, as the lady of the house, could openly order junk food.
"I do! I absolutely do!"
Su Yunjin feigned reluctance. "Well, if you want it, go ahead and order. You’re still growing—I’ll cover the cost."
After playing along with the act, Jiang Mo swiftly placed an order for a variety of snacks and bubble tea.
Wang Xia spotted her carrying the takeout again, her eyes practically screaming disapproval.
"This time, it’s for Madam," Jiang Mo confessed before the other woman could even open her mouth.
"Madam wants this stuff? Jiang Mo, you’re getting bolder with your lies," Wang Xia scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "As if Madam would eat the garbage you do."
Jiang Mo nodded emphatically—oh, she absolutely would. In fact, she already had.
"Fine, watch this."
Jiang Mo found Su Yunjin lounging on the massage chair. "Madam, I accidentally ordered too much takeout and bubble tea. Would you like to try some?"
Might as well commit to the bit.
Su Yunjin opened her eyes and turned off the massage chair. "You ordered too much? Wasting food is bad—I suppose I’ll have a taste."
Jiang Mo shot Wang Xia a triumphant look—see? This time, it really wasn’t just her cravings.
Well… maybe just a little.
She had ordered five or six different snacks, all delivered via express courier to ensure they arrived piping hot.
Su Yunjin slipped on disposable gloves and bit into a piece of honey-mustard-glazed fried chicken—the flavor was explosive.
She then tried another fried item. "What’s this?"
"Fried mushrooms."
"Fried mushrooms? I never would’ve guessed."
As the two chatted happily over fried chicken and bubble tea, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed through the yard.
Moments later, a Rimowa suitcase rolled into the living room.
A young man with dyed green hair, sunburn-style makeup, and a white T-shirt paired with ripped light-blue jeans strode in.
"Mom, I’m home!" Gu Ye announced his arrival from the center of the room.
He turned and saw his mother sitting on the sofa.
Beside her was a girl with a ponytail, though her face was turned away.
"I’m exhausted," Gu Ye groaned, collapsing onto the couch opposite Su Yunjin.
Wait… why was the coffee table covered in takeout?
He sat up and finally got a clear look at the girl next to his mother—his eyes lit up. "Jiang Mo!"
"What are you doing here?"
Jiang Mo dropped the fried chicken in her hand and mustered an awkward but polite smile. "Long time no see. I, uh… work here now."
Meeting an old classmate after years apart? Awkwardness was inevitable—but if you pretended it didn’t exist, the other person would be the uncomfortable one.
The two had been high school classmates but hadn’t crossed paths much since graduation.
Jiang Mo knew Gu Ye had been scouted by an entertainment agency in college and had since become a popular actor with a massive fanbase.
As for his acting skills… well, let’s just say there was room for improvement.
Gu Ye leaned forward. "Working for my family? What’s your position?"
He remembered Jiang Mo had attended a top university with a solid major.
"A housemaid," she answered matter-of-factly.
Su Yunjin wiped her mouth and chimed in, "I adore this girl, so I invited her to help out around the house. Don’t you dare bully her, you little rascal."
"Mom, come on—since when have I been that kind of person?" Gu Ye rubbed the back of his neck.
Gu Ye had been filming in Hengdian and had just wrapped up before rushing to a brand endorsement event.
This was his first break in ages.
With the young master home, the staff had work to do.
Jiang Mo eyed the suitcase, ready to carry it upstairs and unpack.
She tugged—the suitcase didn’t budge.
Gu Ye hurried over. "Uh, I’ll handle that."
Between his hectic schedule and unwashed laundry, the suitcase was stuffed with dirty clothes.
And two dumbbells.
"Young Master, have you eaten? Should I prepare something for you?"
Gu Ye nearly tripped on the stairs at the title. "Jiang Mo, can we talk like normal people? This isn’t a drama."
Jiang Mo shrugged. "I’m a housemaid. If I don’t address you properly, what should I call you?"
A thought struck her. "Lord Ye?"
The moment the nickname left her lips, Gu Ye’s face flushed crimson, the heat spreading to the tips of his ears.
Youthful foolishness led to embarrassing phases—in high school, he’d dubbed himself "Lord Ye" to sound cool.
Hearing it now made him want to dig a hole and disappear.
"…Just call me Gu Ye."
He quickly changed the subject.
"Why didn’t you join a big firm? Becoming a housemaid seems… not what I expected. Not that there’s anything wrong with it—just feels like a waste of your potential."
Jiang Mo deadpanned, "The pay’s great. Most companies can’t match this salary."
"But I thought you studied law—are you giving up on that?"
He recalled a speech she’d given in high school, which was why she’d pursued law in college.
"Between unemployment and starvation, I chose employment. Besides, you’re doing way better than me—a full-blown celebrity now."
Sigh. Comparisons were truly the thief of joy.
Born into wealth, and now in an industry that printed money.
Money always flows to those who already have it.
"You think being a big celebrity is easy? People online curse me and trash me every day—there’s a whole crowd of haters," Gu Ye shrugged. "Luckily, I’ve got thick skin."
"If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the spotlight. Who told you to be the top male actor?" Jiang Mo stepped forward and opened the suitcase, ready to organize it.
The moment the suitcase popped open, a black… something tumbled out.
"What the heck is this?"
"Don’t touch it!" Gu Ye rushed over in a flash, scooping up the black fabric from the floor.
"Just some dirty laundry. I’ll handle it myself," he muttered, clutching his black underwear tightly.
Jiang Mo blinked, then clapped her hands and stood up. "Fine, suit yourself."
Gu Ye stuffed the underwear back into the suitcase and shoved the whole thing into the walk-in closet—out of sight, out of mind. He’d ask Aunt Wang to sneak in and tidy up later.
"So… how’s working at my place? My parents, my brother—they haven’t given you a hard time, have they?"
"No, everyone’s been really nice," Jiang Mo replied, glancing around Gu Ye’s room. The overall style was much brighter compared to Gu Xun’s, a stark contrast.
"Good. If there’s ever any trouble, just come to me. I’ve got your back. After all, we’re old classmates."
Jiang Mo nodded. This guy… even after becoming a star, he hadn’t matured much, had he?
"Still in touch with anyone from high school? I heard our class monitor got married—Tan Yangming even went to the wedding," Gu Ye casually brought up their old classmates’ updates.
"Wow, the class monitor married this early?" Jiang Mo was genuinely surprised.
The only high school friends she still kept in touch with were two close girlfriends from her dorm. Any gossip about their old classmates usually came from them.
"Yeah, heard it was an online romance—met through gaming," Gu Ye scratched his head, hesitating before adding, "By the way… why did you delete me from your friends list back then?"
The question caught Jiang Mo off guard. She pulled out her phone, baffled. "I deleted you? I don’t even remember that."
Truthfully, she couldn’t recall when they’d even added each other. "Must’ve been a mistake or something."
