Jiang Mo listened to the conversation between the two but pretended not to hear, offering an awkward smile.
Who said gossip had to happen behind someone’s back? It could just as easily happen right in front of them.
Though she loved money, she still had some self-awareness—she never accepted anything expensive. In the other person’s eyes, these things might not matter much.
"Grandpa Liu, I really can’t accept these."
"It’s nothing expensive. I have plenty at home. If you don’t like this agate, I have a whole cabinet of jade," Liu Guochuan swiftly pulled open a large drawer. "Jade looks lovely on girls. Pick whichever one you like."
A servant nearby muttered under their breath, "Even the cheapest jade piece costs tens of thousands."
"Grandpa Liu, if you really insist on giving me these things, I won’t dare visit you again," Jiang Mo said, closing the drawer.
"If you really want to give me something, how about making me a Labubu figurine out of wood?"
Liu Guochuan looked puzzled. "What’s a Labubu?"
Jiang Mo pulled up a picture of Labubu on her phone. "This little character. It’s super popular right now."
"Let me find my reading glasses," Liu Guochuan put on his glasses and glanced at the image. "This thing? Easy. Stay and relax for a bit—I’ll make it for you right now."
Liu Guochuan loved woodworking, so his workshop was spacious and fully equipped with tools.
Jiang Mo watched the process closely, casually recording it on her phone.
And you know what?
The finished Labubu figurine was absolutely perfect.
"It’s an exact replica! You know, with skills like yours, this could sell for a hefty price."
Liu Guochuan puffed out his chest. "This little thing didn’t even require a tenth of my skill."
Finally meeting someone who appreciated his craft and could chat so easily, Liu Guochuan wasn’t about to let her leave so soon.
He started laying on the guilt.
"You’ve got to stay and have a meal with this old man today. I always eat alone—no one to talk to."
"Everyone just finds me boring…"
Jiang Mo couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright, I’ll shamelessly impose on you for dinner today."
She didn’t refuse this time.
Because today was her day off—a rare break from being a corporate drone!
Liu Guochuan immediately instructed the servants, "Make more dishes the young lady would like."
"No need, no need. Just cook whatever you usually have."
The Liu family servants prepared five dishes. The flavors were decent, though a bit on the bland side.
With company to chat with over the meal, Liu Guochuan’s appetite improved. Without realizing it, he ate two full bowls of rice.
After dinner, he reluctantly bid her farewell.
The moment Jiang Mo left, the house felt eerily quiet.
He pondered, "Maybe I should hire a younger housekeeper…"
The servant washing dishes pricked up their ears. Oh no, their job might be in danger.
Weren’t older housekeepers supposed to be more reliable?
Meanwhile, Jiang Mo rode home with the gifts Liu Guochuan had given her.
Unable to refuse his kindness, she’d accepted a few things—fortunately, nothing too extravagant, just some food.
Back home, she changed into pajamas, ordered bubble tea, and lounged on the sofa, snacking on fruit while watching TV.
She casually uploaded the video of Liu Guochuan making the Labubu figurine online.
After eating and drinking her fill, she took a nap and woke up at four in the afternoon.
Stretching lazily, she noticed a message from Gu Ye.
His profile picture was a cartoon of Crayon Shin-chan sticking out his butt.
"Where are you? I didn’t see you at home."
Jiang Mo clenched her tiny fist. "Capitalist! Have a heart—even workhorses need rest."
"Uh, I was just asking. Didn’t know you were off today."
A moment later, another message popped up.
Gu Ye: "Help me, help me… I’m stuck in the fence."
Jiang Mo swore she wasn’t rushing to the Gu residence just to laugh at him.
She arrived in ten minutes less than usual, parked her bike, and headed straight to the backyard.
Gu Ye had been stuck with one leg wedged in the fence for a while now. He’d tried wriggling free from every angle but couldn’t get his leg out.
With no one else at home, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask Jiang Mo for help.
Seeing Gu Ye’s predicament, Jiang Mo’s lips curled up, and she promptly took out her phone to snap a photo.
Gu Ye had already given up resisting. "Stop taking pictures and just help me."
"How did you even get stuck like this?" After securing the photo, Jiang Mo asked earnestly.
"You might not believe it, but… I was just doing leg exercises and wondered if my leg could fit through the fence. So I tried… and this happened."
"Seriously, that’s all it was."
Curiosity killed the cat.
Jiang Mo finished laughing and seriously studied how to free his thigh.
She grabbed his leg and yanked hard.
"Put some effort into it too!"
Gu Ye’s pale face slowly turned red—whether from frustration or exertion, it was hard to tell.
"Uh, maybe you should find a tool to pry the fence open a bit. If there’s some space, I can pull my leg out."
"Fine, wait here. I’ll get something." Jiang Mo shook out her hands and ran inside, returning with a hammer.
After a few strikes, the railing bent slightly, creating enough space for Gu Ye to finally free his leg.
Gu Ye straightened his pant leg and brushed off nonexistent dust. "Don’t tell anyone about this."
"Got it. The great Gu Ye has an image to maintain."
Back in the living room, they each grabbed a bottle of water.
A loud growling sound interrupted the silence.
"You haven’t eaten?" Jiang Mo turned in shock. That stomach rumble was thunderous.
Gu Ye feigned nonchalance. "Slept in, missed mealtime, couldn’t be bothered to eat."
Jiang Mo remembered she’d recently been learning cooking from Chef Li and still wasn’t sure how good she really was.
An idea struck her. "Well then, I’ll reluctantly cook for you."
"You can cook? You’re not trying to poison me, are you?" Gu Ye looked uneasy. "I’ll just have some fruit."
"Of course I can cook! Don’t underestimate me. Just wait and eat."
A fancy meal was out of the question, so she settled on something quick—beef noodles, a recipe Chef Li had taught her.
Luckily, the fridge had all the ingredients.
When the noodles were ready, Gu Ye, who’d been gaming in the living room, commented, "Doesn’t look half bad."
"Just trying to be polite, I’ll taste it."
Expecting the worst, he took a bite—then another, and another.
Jiang Mo watched eagerly. "Well?"
"Wow, didn’t see this coming. You’re actually pretty good. It’s delicious."
"Really?"
"Really."
Jiang Mo was overjoyed, swelling with pride as she watched him finish every last bite.
Her first attempt at this dish, and it was a success? Maybe she really was a hidden culinary genius.
