Chapter 4 The Young Lady in the Wheelchair 4: Stay for Dinner?
It was getting late; the sun had completely set, and the bright moon shone in the sky.
Inside the garden, the overhead lights illuminated the figures at the table, softening their innate aloofness.
A girl wearing a baggy school uniform and carrying a backpack stood at the edge of the light. Her slightly long bangs hadn't been cut yet, and they covered half of her eyes.
But this did not prevent Cheng Zhishu from seeing the other person completely.
The person sitting at the table was aloof and refined. In fact, the table and chair she was sitting on were her wheelchair, and a thicker blanket had been placed on her knees, hanging down on her footrests.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Xi Congshuang knew exactly who the person in front of her was, and she was asking a question she already knew the answer to.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the girl straightened her slender back slightly, licked her dry lower lip, and introduced herself: "Cheng Zhishu. Zhi as in knowing, Shu as in comfortable."
Seeing the other person's brow furrow slightly, Cheng Zhishu realized that this wasn't what she wanted to ask, and added, "My father is Cheng... Xi Wenyong."
Just a few days ago, Cheng Wenyong changed his surname to Xi, and his younger brother, who was on leave at home, also changed his surname. The family was so happy that they forgot about Cheng Zhishu, who was staying at school.
However, Cheng Zhishu didn't have much of an opinion about changing her surname. Her name was just a label, and she felt it was fine to share the same surname as her grandmother.
Sure enough, she frowned slightly and then asked after a moment, "Who is Xi Wenyong?"
Cheng Zhishu: "..."
It makes sense. Yesterday, Xi Congshuang was seen being treated with such awe by the servants of the Xi residence. She must be a high-ranking young lady in the family, so it's normal that she wouldn't know who else was in the household.
However, such a direct question still left Cheng Zhishu feeling somewhat at a loss, unsure of how to explain her origins.
Should I put it this way?
Am I the daughter of Xi Dong's sixth younger brother's illegitimate son?
That sounds like a cuckoo taking over someone else's nest.
Young people are easily embarrassed, and Cheng Zhishu couldn't bring herself to say such a thing.
Xi Congshuang didn't dwell on the question: "Cheng Zhishu, why are you here alone? I'm waiting for my caregiver, what about you?"
"I'm looking for my house." Cheng Zhishu was a little embarrassed, her hands gripping the straps of her backpack and twirling them between her fingers. "This place is too big, I don't really know the way."
"Don't you know the way?" Xi Congshuang hadn't expected this reason. Her clear, gentle voice held a hint of surprise. "Then do you remember which building you live in?"
Cheng Zhishu: "I remember the doorplate said Wencanlou."
Xi Congshuang: "Then you've come to the wrong place. This is Wenhai Building, where I live."
Cheng Zhishu exclaimed, looked around, and couldn't tell any difference from the area around Wencanlou; it was all very elegant and luxurious. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take the wrong turn."
Everyone else lives in a building with different people on each floor, but I never expected that she would live in an entire building all by herself.
She really is an ethereal young lady who doesn't seem to care about worldly affairs.
Xi Congshuang seemed to chuckle: "Do you ever deliberately take the wrong turn?"
Young people are indeed shy. Cheng Zhishu didn't notice that her ears were already red. She lowered her head, revealing her fluffy head.
"Miss Xi, the meal is ready. Let me take you back to eat." Zheng Momo's voice came from behind.
She came from the blue brick path and saw someone standing in front of Xi Congshuang, head bowed: "Eh? Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Cheng Zhishu repeated her name dryly again, then stood straight in place, just like a well-behaved student in school.
As she got closer, Zheng Momo finally recognized the girl. It was the same girl she had seen yesterday, but she was wearing a different school uniform today, and she almost didn't recognize her.
Why are they all wearing school uniforms? Doesn't she have her own everyday clothes?
It's surprising that Miss Xi still has the mood to talk to strangers. Back then, she went through a lot of trouble to get Xi Congshuang to accept her care for this job.
But can working be the same as living? Zheng Momo had just thought this when Xi Congshuang asked, "It's getting late, shall we eat before we leave?"
"It just means you'll have to make do with the bland nutritional meals meant for patients."
Cheng Zhishu took it as politeness from an adult and wouldn't actually accept it, shaking her head and saying, "My family is still waiting for me, I'd better go back and eat. Thank you."
She was very polite and well-behaved; there was absolutely no indication that she would hate Xi Congshuang so much that she would personally kill her.
Xi Congshuang said, "She lives in Wencan Building. Zheng Momo, you should take her back."
In fact, Cheng Zhishu was not mistaken. Xi Congshuang did not really consider inviting people to stay for dinner. She did not like too many people encroaching on her living space.
There was nothing she could do about her serious illness in the past, but now she will only live life the way she likes.
Zheng Momo: "And what about you, Miss Xi?"
Xi Congshuang: "I'll drive my wheelchair back myself."
Since the employer had said so, Zheng Momo had no choice but to comply and personally escort the person back.
I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but I always feel that Xi Congshuang’s tone is full of eagerness, as if she really wants to drive her wheelchair back herself.
Wait a minute, can we use the word "drive" for a wheelchair?
Thinking of Xi Congshuang, who never lifted a finger and refused to accept the fact that her legs were crippled, and who refused to learn how to operate a wheelchair.
In just a few seconds, countless images flashed through Zheng Momo's mind, including but not limited to Miss Xi falling down after mishandling her wheelchair, falling down after the wheel got caught on something, falling down after being unable to climb the stairs... In short, all sorts of falls!
If that happens, her career is over!
Unable to understand why, Cheng Zhishu quickened her pace and followed suit.
After dropping her off near Wencanlou, he pointed in the direction: "Just follow this road to the end. I need to hurry back to take care of Miss Xi."
After saying that, she turned and left, walking hurriedly.
After struggling with this decision the whole way, Cheng Zhishu still couldn't bring herself to ask who the other person was, and could only stand there and watch them leave.
*
Xi Congshuang put the tablet away on her lap, then shook the joystick and walked backward in the direction she had come from.
The night breeze was cool, and while it felt refreshing on her skin, Xi Congshuang felt a bit cold.
Suddenly, the wind blew harder, and the bright red apple reappeared: "You've seen the person, what are you going to do now?"
Xi Congshuang countered, "And what about you? Do you have any constructive suggestions?"
Red Apple: "Generally speaking, there are countless solutions to this situation, but in summary, there are only two."
Xi Congshuang: "I would like to hear the details."
Red Apple got excited and flapped its wings to fly after her: "The first option is to continue with Xi Congshuang's original vicious young lady route, torment and ridicule her in front of outsiders, but in private only allow her to get close and rely on her, so as to achieve the effect of two negatives making a positive."
"The second approach is to win someone over before things break out, treat them well in every way, be accommodating, solve all their problems, be tolerant and loving, until their deterioration level drops to a safe level."
Xi Congshuang continued pushing the lever forward: "This is indeed a very constructive suggestion."
Are you mocking me?
Xi Congshuang: "No."
"If you don't have one, why don't you turn to look at me?"
Xi Congshuang: "I need to watch the road."
Red Apple: "Which method do you choose, A or B?"
Xi Congshuang had already arrived at the back door of her residence. The servants came out to greet her, but they didn't hear Xi Congshuang reply, "I choose draw."
Red Apple flapped its wings angrily: "..."
The person had already been pushed inside. When Xi Congshuang turned around, the red apple with its flapping wings had disappeared.
It always appeared and disappeared mysteriously, depending on its mood, and Xi Congshuang was quite curious about where it went.
Is it hiding nearby or living in one's own mind?
Will shaking your head make it come out?
Xi Congshuang tried it, and only the maid replied in surprise, "Miss, aren't you going to have corn and pork rib soup today? How about lotus root instead?"
“…” Xi Congshuang, “Yes, that’s fine.”
The experimental result is that neither of the above two is true.
*
Following the path pointed out by Zheng Momo, Cheng Zhishu arrived at the familiar Wencan Building.
She returned late; most of the servants had gone back to their quarters to rest, and there was hardly anyone around.
I've heard from other servants that Mr. Xi has been very busy lately and is rarely home, so even fewer people come out.
Cheng Zhishu went upstairs alone, walked to the third floor, turned left, and walked all the way to the end to reach her room.
As Cheng Zhishu passed by a door, she stopped and hesitated whether to knock and go in to say something.
Today was her first day at the new school, and she was unfamiliar with many things, so she instinctively sought comfort from those close to her.
He hesitated for a long time after raising his hand, but couldn't knock on the door. Cheng Zhishu carefully put his ear close to the door and finally heard some sounds.
After dinner, the family of three talked inside.
"Xiao Yao is so amazing! He knows so many words. Can you read this lesson to Mommy too?"
"No, I'm already very tired today, I don't want to miss it."
"Alright, alright, I won't read it today. Both of these little cakes are yours."
"Xiao Yao, you have two cakes. What if you can't finish them? Give Dad a bite too."
"No! If I can't finish it, I'll put it in the fridge and eat it tonight. If I still can't finish it, I'll eat it tomorrow. If I still can't finish it, I'll just throw it away. Expired food can't be eaten..."
"Xiao Yao even knows to throw away the trash, that's amazing..."
Cheng Zhishu didn't listen to the whole thing. She straightened up, turned around, and walked towards her room.
There was an insulated bag with a lunchbox inside placed in front of the room.
Her room door was locked, so the people in the kitchen had to put the food in a thermal container and leave it in front of Cheng Zhishu's door.
She'll take it in and eat it when she gets back.
The servants in the Xi residence considered that Cheng Zhishu was still a student, and they were all hired servants, so there was no need to mistreat a child.
As for the employer's grudges and the issue of whether the child was born out of wedlock or legitimate, those have nothing to do with them.
There's enough food anyway, so there's no need to target an insignificant child.
Moreover, since the other residents of Wencan Building didn't say anything, they certainly wouldn't say anything either.
Young Cheng Zhishu had no idea about the intricacies of the building. She sat down quietly, ate her meal, washed the lunchbox, and returned it to the kitchen.
She was used to going anywhere without causing trouble for anyone.
The people in the kitchen were a little surprised. They gestured for Cheng Zhishu to leave the things there and told her that she didn't need to bring them herself next time, as someone would clean them up.
Cheng Zhishu asked, "Won't this increase your workload?"
The kitchen staff laughed: "This is our job, there's no such thing as adding or not adding anything, go back and learn."
After being given another washed apple, Cheng Zhishu turned and walked back.
The chef, who was washing his hands, suddenly called out to her, "Have you eaten the dessert that was delivered today? Was it delicious?"
Cheng Zhishu nodded: "It's delicious."
The chef smiled and said, "My cooking is sure to be delicious. You can go home now."
Cheng Zhishu went back, and as she went up the stairs, someone was walking down.
Her high heels clicked softly on the carpeted stairs. Dressed in a sharp black outfit, she descended the steps, her expressionless face exuding an air of authority.
Cheng Zhishu stopped where she was, preparing to let the other person go first.
The staircase was wide enough for two people to walk side by side, but Cheng Zhishu was still not used to it and chose to give way.
and……
The other person was the young woman I looked down from the greenhouse yesterday, the sister her father had mentioned as difficult to get along with.
The young woman with her arms crossed looked down at Cheng Zhishu, her pale eyes giving her an indifferent air. Her gaze swept across Cheng Zhishu's face.
Xi Hanran said, "Are you really Cheng Wenyong's daughter?"
She stepped down the stairs, stopped a step away from Cheng Zhishu, bent down, and said, "Why do you two look so different to me?"
————————
Orange Pastry: You're being long-winded.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com