"Miss, is that medicine on your face? Are you injured somewhere or what? Should we have your family doctor come and check you out?"

"Ah, this." Xie Li paused for a moment. "It's okay, I've been taking medicine, I'll be fine soon."

She was wearing long sleeves and trousers, so no one could see what was wrong with her arms.

Without giving it much thought, Aunt Zhang said, "We still need to have the family doctor come over to help you get some treatment. You've gotten so thin!"

Aunt Zhang went out, grumbling on and on. The moment she closed the door, she saw Xie Li roll up his sleeves, revealing what appeared to be hideous scars on his arms…

Zhang Ma's heart pounded. She wanted to open the door to check, but then she thought it was inappropriate.

"Miss, on your arm..."

"It's nothing, just some medicine."

Hearing this strong and resonant answer, Zhang Ma calmed down and relaxed.

Maybe she misread it.

——

Xie Li took a long bath, and Zhang Ma, unable to sit still, hurriedly went downstairs to prepare a bedtime bird's nest soup for Xie Li.

Downstairs, the villa was quiet. The housekeeper had ordered some minor renovations that afternoon, but now it's all a joke.

The servants exchanged knowing glances, said nothing more, and simply kept their heads down to continue their work.

With a sullen face, Zhang Ma went to the kitchen to get busy. Before the bird's nest soup was even cooked, she heard a noisy conversation at the door.

Could I faintly hear the young lady's name?

Which servant is being so ignorant and gossiping? Zhang Ma, seething with anger, hurried over and found two servants arguing.

One person said, "You must have misheard. How could it be a gift for Miss Xie Li? Miss Xie Li only returned today and hasn't even left the house yet. How could the owner of the house next door possibly know Miss Xie Li?!"

Another said, "But the butler specifically said it was for Miss Xie Li!"

After listening for a while, Zhang Ma finally understood.

The villa next door has been uninhabited for many years. It seems that the owners live in Beijing and only occasionally have a cleaning lady come to clean.

The old man returned from the capital today and plans to stay for an extended period. He happened to hear that a young lady from the Xie family was also returning today, and said it was fate, so he had the butler send over a gift.

Zhang Ma said, "Since it was specifically requested for the young lady, then give it to me and I'll take it to her room."

The male servant who had been arguing earlier retorted, "It's possible there's a mistake. Miss Cousin also went home today!"

With Xie Li's pathetic appearance, how could he possibly win the favor of the nobleman next door? They're not blind!

Aunt Zhang's face immediately darkened: "Is Miss Biao's name Xie Li? Or did you send this gift?"

The male servant curled his lip, "I'm just stating the facts..."

Zhang Ma was furious. "Young Miss just arrived home today, and you, a mere servant, dare to make decisions for her? Who do you think you are?"

A look of humiliation flashed across the male servant's face. He glared at Zhang Ma with resentment and fell silent.

Aunt Zhang spat and took the bags and packages, then went upstairs.

When Xie Li came out of the bath, he was stunned for a moment when he saw the large and small bags piled on the sofa.

This exaggerated style... it feels so familiar...

Aunt Zhang was quite pleased and served her the bird's nest soup, saying, "Young Miss, what a coincidence..."

——

At the same time, just after ten o'clock, the sound of a car came from downstairs.

The male servant guarding the door had been holding back his anger for a long time. As soon as he saw Jiang Baili get out of the car, he ran over as if he had springs under his feet.

"Miss, you're finally back!"