Zhou Qian seemed utterly incapable of understanding human speech. "There's no need to put on airs in front of me. Being a maid, doing servant's work—how could you possibly manage that?"
In other words: Stop trying to save face around me.
"Move. If you don’t, don’t blame me if I step on your foot," Jiang Mo rolled her eyes at him, unwilling to waste any more breath.
Her perfectly good mood and appetite had already been ruined halfway just by running into this guy.
"Since we’ve met, it must be fate. Let’s exchange contact info," Zhou Qian pulled out his phone. "Let’s not dwell on the past."
Back then, Jiang Mo had agreed to be his girlfriend—only for the whole thing to fall apart mere hours later. Even now, he still couldn’t quite let it go.
Realizing he was beyond reason, Jiang Mo ignored him and walked straight toward him.
Zhou Qian actually seemed afraid she’d stomp on his foot, because he stepped aside just as she reached him.
Gu Ye, who had been watching Jiang Mo fetch drinks and wondering why she hadn’t returned yet, finally spotted her coming back—though her expression was noticeably sour.
"What’s wrong? Did something happen?" He opened the drink and handed it to her.
"Ran into someone cursed," Jiang Mo grumbled before gulping down half the bottle.
How could anyone be so shameless? Even after being exposed, he still had the nerve to ask for her contact info.
What, did she look like an easy target?
Gu Ye studied her. "Who? Who made you this mad? Want me to curse him out for you?"
Jiang Mo shook her head. "No need. I already did. Besides, I wouldn’t dare ask you to curse someone out—next thing I know, you’ll get dragged online, and then I’ll be the one getting flamed."
"I could wear sunglasses and a mask while doing it," Gu Ye offered. "But you still haven’t told me who it was."
Should she say it? After a brief internal struggle, Jiang Mo caved under Gu Ye’s expectant gaze and spilled everything.
As he listened, Gu Ye’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper, until he nearly slammed the table. "What kind of dog of a man is this?"
From behind a nearby partition came two female voices chiming in: "Exactly! What a trashy, sleazy guy!"
Jiang Mo: "…"
Gu Ye: "…"
Nosiness was human nature, especially when juicy gossip was right under your nose. The two girls at the next table had been quietly eating until, at some point, they’d gotten sucked into the dramatic story unfolding behind the partition.
The storyteller’s voice was pleasant, her delivery vivid—so much so that they’d ended up chiming in without thinking.
Only when silence fell did the two girls realize: Oh no. Awkward.
You’re supposed to eavesdrop on drama, not get caught reacting to it. What a mess.
Jiang Mo, caught off guard by their interjections, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"A relationship that lasted hours doesn’t even qualify as an ex," Gu Ye declared. "Why didn’t you mention this when I asked before?"
Back when he’d asked an old high school classmate about Jiang Mo, they’d claimed she was dating someone. Clearly, that so-called "reliable source" was anything but.
Jiang Mo propped her chin on her hand, slightly embarrassed. "It’s not exactly a proud moment. More like a dark history—why would I bring it up?"
If not for running into Zhou Qian today and Gu Ye pressing her, she would’ve taken this secret to the grave.
Gu Ye tsked. "Your taste in men is terrible. Were you brainwashed or something back then?"
"Fine, fine, I admit my judgment was off," Jiang Mo shot back. "But that’s because you men are too good at lying."
"That trashbag was good at lying. Don’t generalize—there are plenty of decent guys out there." Gu Ye straightened his clothes with a flourish. "Like yours truly, for example. Top-tier material."
"Pfft—so full of yourself," Jiang Mo scoffed. "That’s just shameless self-promotion."
Gu Ye wagged a finger. "Nuh-uh. I’m not exaggerating. I am premium-grade."
"Sure, sure, premium-grade," Jiang Mo rolled her eyes. "You done eating? I’m going to pay and use the restroom. Wait for me."
Once she left, Gu Ye stood, slipped on his sunglasses, and began scanning the restaurant.
A staff member approached. "Sir, are you looking for something?"
"Just browsing," Gu Ye replied casually, though his sharp gaze betrayed his real goal: locating the trash man.
Jiang Mo returned from the restroom. "Let’s go, Young Master Gu. Dinner’s over, time to bounce."
"We’re already here—might as well walk around the mall," Gu Ye suggested. "You paid for dinner, so I’ll treat you to boba to wash it down."
Jiang Mo figured taking a drink home wouldn’t hurt.
But fate had other plans—while waiting at the boba shop, they ran into Zhou Qian again.
This time, he was with a young-looking girl.
"I’m gonna use the restroom," Jiang Mo lied, noticing Zhou Qian’s frequent glances. "Grab the drinks and meet me outside."
Ugh, why did I crave boba? Now I’m stuck facing this creep again.
Gu Ye frowned. "Didn’t you just go?"
Then he caught her fidgeting. Something was up.
"I drank too much water, okay?" Jiang Mo blinked innocently before bolting.
Zhou Qian had spotted Jiang Mo and her companion the moment he entered. The guy wore sunglasses, making his face hard to read, but his outfit screamed money.
No wonder she blew me off—already latched onto a richer one. Wonder if he knows she’s a maid?
Gu Ye, meanwhile, sized up Zhou Qian. Not as handsome as me. Dresses decently, but still a scumbag.
After collecting their order, Gu Ye found Jiang Mo outside. "Why’d you run? I saw that trash guy."
"How’d you notice?" Jiang Mo facepalmed.
Gu Ye smirked. "Anyone with eyes would’ve. Did you really think you were being subtle?"
Jiang Mo: "…Fair."
Back home, Gu Baotian lounged on his massage chair with the dog Fugui at his feet. He glanced at the returnees. "Ah, so you two went out for a private feast. My cooking not good enough?"
"Grandpa Gu, we were cleaning Young Master Gu’s new place and just ate out afterward," Jiang Mo explained sweetly.
"I believe you went to clean," Gu Baotian eyed his grandson. "You went to your brother’s place to clean too?"
"I was just checking out his new place," Gu Ye said. "It’s nice."
Sure you were, Gu Baotian thought. I’ll pretend I don’t see through you. Aloud, he teased, "Jiang Mo, if you ever go out while this rascal’s free, make him chauffeur you. He’s got nothing better to do. Right, Gu Ye? Heh."
Jiang Mo waved her hands. "No need, Grandpa! I have my scooter, and I’ll be practicing driving soon anyway."
Gu Ye, slightly flustered, muttered, "I can give you rides if you want."
"Um, Grandpa, I’ll get back to work now," Jiang Mo excused herself, leaving the two alone.
"Grandpa, you’re staying longer this time, right?" Gu Ye scratched Fugui’s head.
Gu Baotian: "Hmm, I'll stay a while longer. I haven't had my fill of fun yet, and I've just made a few old friends."
Gu Ye: "If you ask me, it’s better to stay in the city. You insisted on moving back to the countryside before—why not just move back here for good?"
"Your grandpa likes to split his time—some in the countryside, some in the city," Gu Baotian retorted dismissively. "You weren’t born and raised in the countryside before moving out, so you wouldn’t understand."
Gu Ye nodded. "Right, right, I don’t understand."
"You’re at that fiery age, young man. Do you have a girl you like? If so, bring her home for me to meet." Gu Baotian stood up from the massage chair.
The golden retriever, Fugui, who had been lying at his feet, also got up and followed him.
Gu Ye rubbed his nose. "Grandpa, why are you suddenly asking this? If I had a girlfriend, of course I’d bring her home to meet you."
"Heh, I think you’re not much good at chasing girls, kid. You’ve got to put in more effort," Gu Baotian said, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked out. "You don’t have half the charm I did in my youth."
...
Jiang Mo returned to her room, changed clothes, and went to the cat room to clean.
Her two feline overlords had long fur, and to avoid cat hair flying everywhere, she had to vacuum frequently.
Of course, she couldn’t resist petting them either.
Having cats at home was great—no need to visit cat cafés anymore.
After sitting on the floor and playing with the cats for a while, Jiang Mo decided she’d start making gifts later.
A while ago, Grandma Zhong had invited her to a birthday party, and she’d been fretting over what to give as a present.
The woman had seen plenty of expensive, high-quality things and probably wouldn’t care much for them.
After some thought, Jiang Mo decided handmade sachets would be perfect—elegant and traditional, in soft colors like pale blue and pink, adorned with tiny pearls and matching tassels.
Inside, she’d fill them with different fragrances like sandalwood and agarwood.
She’d noticed Grandma Zhong often wore cheongsams, and these sachets would complement them nicely.
Once she’d made up her mind, she ordered the materials online.
But she hadn’t had time to start until now.
After leaving the cat room, she brought the supplies to the small living room and got to work.
Fugui came trotting in from outside.
"Fugui, what are you doing here? Go play outside—I don’t have time for you right now," Jiang Mo teased, making clicking sounds at the little dog.
The older golden retriever, Fugui’s mother, wandered in, glanced at Jiang Mo, then nudged her pup with a low growl, as if saying, "Get out of here, you rascal. Don’t bother your aunt while she’s working."
But the mischievous pup refused to leave, so the mother dog gently grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him out.
Gu Baotian came looking for the dogs and noticed the items on the table. "What’s all this?"
"Making sachets, Grandpa Gu," Jiang Mo replied without stopping her work. "There’s a birthday party for Grandma Zhong in the villa in a couple of days. She invited me, so I thought I’d make these as gifts."
"You’re quite popular, aren’t you?" Gu Baotian praised.
"Hehe, I actually met her through Grandfather Liu. By the way, Grandpa Gu, would you like to come to the party with me?" Jiang Mo suggested. Since they were both elderly, he and Grandma Zhong might hit it off.
Gu Baotian coughed. "Would it be alright if I joined you?"
Jiang Mo nodded. "Of course! I’ll let Grandma Zhong know."
Gu Baotian grinned. "Then it’s settled. I’ll go with you—give you some backup so no one gives you trouble."
Jiang Mo chuckled and sent a message to Zhong Xiaoqin.
Zhong Xiaoqin replied: "No problem at all. Bring your grandpa along."
Gu Baotian asked about the venue—a famous estate—which told him the hostess was a woman of taste and means.
Since Jiang Mo was preparing a gift, he couldn’t show up empty-handed either.
And his outfit had to be on point.
"Tomorrow morning, you’re coming out with me," Gu Baotian declared.
Jiang Mo blinked. "Where are we going?"
Gu Baotian waved a hand. "You’ll find out when we get there."
He also roped Gu Ye into driving them.
Gu Ye, still groggy after an early breakfast, asked, "Grandpa, what’s this all about?"
Instead of answering, Gu Baotian called out to the yard, "Jiang Mo, you ready yet?"
"Coming, Grandpa! All set!" Jiang Mo abandoned her watering can and rushed over.
"Take us shopping for clothes," Gu Baotian finally announced, waving grandly. "And don’t bring that flashy sports car of yours."
Gu Ye pouted. What’s so flashy about my beloved car?
On the way, he finally learned they were attending a birthday party and needed new outfits.
"Custom tailoring’s out of the question now, so we’ll buy off the rack," Gu Baotian said. "Clothes, bags—I’ll cover it all. No need for you to spend a cent."
Jiang Mo protested, "Grandpa, if I’d known you were taking me clothes shopping, I wouldn’t have come. I have plenty to wear—Madam Su gave me a dress last time, and it’s still good."
"What she gave you is hers. What I give you is mine," Gu Baotian huffed, feigning indifference to ease her hesitation. "Besides, it’s not like I’m taking you just for that. I need clothes too—you’re just tagging along."
"If you don’t dress well, what will Grandfather Liu think? What will Grandma Zhong think? They’ll assume I mistreat you at home, and that’d embarrass me."
With that, Jiang Mo couldn’t refuse without seeming presumptuous.
Gu Ye, steering the wheel, chimed in, "Just listen to Grandpa."
Jiang Mo nodded. "Then thank you in advance, Grandpa."
They drove straight to SKP.
After getting out, Gu Baotian asked, "Have you been here with Madam Su before?"
"Yes, a couple of times."
"Then we’ll go straight to the store she took you to. Her taste is impeccable," Gu Baotian decided.
And so, Jiang Mo found herself face-to-face with the same sales associate again.
Gu Baotian, exuding authority, settled onto a sofa. "Bring out all your best dresses for a young lady. Let her try them on."
"Grandpa Gu, that’s not necessary. I can just pick a couple to try," Jiang Mo interjected—trying on clothes was exhausting.
"Fine, go ahead and choose yourself."
Jiang Mo followed the sales associate to browse. The woman asked, "What kind of style are you looking for? And for what occasion?"
"Something elegant and gentle for a grandmother’s birthday party," Jiang Mo replied.
"Then these dresses here would suit you—very ladylike," the associate suggested before curiosity got the better of her.
The girl had visited twice with Madam Su, who’d even gifted her clothes and shoes before.
She wasn’t Madam Su’s daughter, nor did she seem like a relative’s child.
Unable to resist, the associate whispered, "If you don’t mind me asking… what’s your relationship with Madam Su?"
