Volume 1, Chapter 11: Finding a Nanny Job
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Meng Xinhao instinctively straightened up.
Not only did he feel that he had guessed correctly, he also thought that his cousin had suddenly become so severe because he had taken a liking to little Sister Su Wan.
After Su Wan and Su Xiaohui finished eating, Old Madam Huo had Aunt Wu help move Su Xiaohui’s luggage to the room on the second floor that had already been prepared.
“Su Wan, we didn’t know you were coming to Beiping, so for the time being, there’s only one vacant room in the house. Xiaohui has injured her leg, so you’ll have to share a room with Aunt Wu.”
Old Madam Huo gave a light cough before speaking.
“All right, Grandma Huo.”
Su Wan’s voice was clear and bright. Without the slightest objection, she rose and began gathering the bowls and chopsticks from the table.
Seeing this, Su Xiaohui hurriedly got up to help.
“Xiaohui, you injured your leg and have been on the train for two days and one night. Go upstairs and rest early. Let Aunt Wu clean up.”
Old Madam Huo turned her eyes toward Su Xiaohui.
“That’s right, that’s right. Put those down. I’ll clean up.”
Carrying Su Xiaohui’s luggage, Aunt Wu helped her up to the second floor.
Standing on the wooden staircase, Su Xiaohui watched Su Wan carry the dishes into the kitchen and curled her lips in a mocking smile.
It seemed that Grandma Huo and Uncle Huo liked her very much. They must already have accepted her as their future daughter-in-law.
Huo Jianguo had intended to tell Su Wan to return to her room and rest early as well, but Old Madam Huo stopped him with a glance.
Only after the living room was left with just the two of them did Huo Jianguo finally say, “Mom, aren’t you being a little too hard on Su Wan? Let the two of them share a room. It’s not as though one bed won’t be enough.”
Old Madam Huo lifted her teacup and took a sip. Glancing at Huo Jianguo, she instructed, “Call your younger sister later and tell her to keep an eye on Xinhao. Don’t let him have any contact with Su Wan.”
“Mom, what are you trying to do?” Huo Jianguo frowned. “If Xinhao tutors Su Wan, perhaps her grades will improve after school starts.”
“Hmph. You saw her pretending to be honest and well-behaved, and you’ve already forgotten what Xiaohan told you over the phone.”
Old Madam Huo let out a cold snort.
“To marry Xiaohan, Su Wan even harmed her own younger sister and threatened to kill herself by jumping into a river. Did she come here to study? It’s obvious she’s here to climb the social ladder and find herself a good match. Who knows whether she’ll set her sights on Xinhao?”
“Mom, seeing is believing, while hearsay is unreliable. From what I saw today, Su Wan is nothing like what Xiaohan described over the phone. There must be some misunderstanding.”
Huo Jianguo tried to persuade her in a low voice.
He held a high position in the military and possessed an exceptionally discerning eye. Even a highly trained spy standing before him would reveal himself after just a few probing exchanges.
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A moment earlier, he had deliberately taken out the gifts meant for Su Xiaohui in front of Su Wan precisely to observe her reaction. Yet from beginning to end, she had behaved properly and appropriately. Her clear, pure eyes had shown not the slightest trace of displeasure or jealousy.
“Xiaohan personally verified the situation with the village party secretary before reporting it to you. What misunderstanding could there be?”
Old Madam Huo placed her teacup on the table. Her attitude was firm and left no room for argument.
“I’ll say the same thing as before. If she behaves herself, we’ll support her until she finishes high school. But if she has improper intentions and starts flirting around the compound, we’ll send her straight back to the countryside. From now on, just focus on cultivating and looking after Xiaohui.”
After saying this, Old Madam Huo stood up and returned to her room.
Su Wan washed the pots, bowls, and dishes, then wiped the stove clean. Only after hearing the two people in the living room leave did she emerge from the kitchen.
The kitchen door faced directly toward the living room. It was obvious that Grandma Huo had deliberately arranged things so she could hear everything.
Su Wan had already made up her mind on the train. She intended to find a summer job as a live-in domestic helper so that she would not have to stay at the Huo family’s home.
That was why her eyes had lit up when she first saw Aunt Wu, and why she had been so exceptionally polite and courteous.
Grandma Huo’s decision to have her share a room with Aunt Wu suited her perfectly.
When Aunt Wu came downstairs and saw the spotless kitchen, with every pot, bowl, and utensil neatly put away, she was delighted. She felt that this girl was not only beautiful but also exceptionally diligent and efficient.
“You really are something, girl. You’re a guest. How could I let you do the work? Hurry back to your room and rest.”
“Aunt Wu, my sister and I are staying at the Huo family’s home, so we’re already causing you trouble. From now on, you’ll have to do the work and cook the meals for two extra people.”
Su Wan spoke with understanding and consideration, her voice sweet and sincere.
Those words went straight to Aunt Wu’s heart, making her like Su Wan even more.
After all, the sisters would be staying for at least a year, which would add quite a bit to her workload.
Originally, she had only needed to prepare meals for five people, including herself. Now that number had become seven.
She would also have two more people’s clothes to wash. Summer was manageable, but by winter, her hands would surely be covered in chilblains.
Moreover, Grandma Huo was advanced in years, while Huo Xinyi was still young. Every day, Aunt Wu already had countless things to worry about.
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“So, Aunt Wu, to avoid causing trouble for you and Uncle Huo, I’d like to find a job during the summer vacation—cooking and washing clothes for someone, just like you. Looking after children would be fine too. I’d also like to earn some money for my high school tuition. I wonder if you know anyone who—”
Before Su Wan could finish, Aunt Wu took her hand and smiled until her eyes narrowed.
“Isn’t that a stroke of luck? I know a Madam Wang from the market. She works as a housekeeper for the family of a university president. Her husband broke his leg in an accident at work, and she wants to return to her hometown to care for him.
“But no one in the president’s family knows how to cook. She can’t leave until she finds someone to replace her. If you’re really interested, I’ll ask her when I run into her at the market tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Aunt Wu. I’ll go with you tomorrow morning and help carry the groceries.”
Su Wan’s voice was as sweet as if it had been steeped in honey. When she smiled, her cheeks dimpled charmingly, and her eyes curved into crescents.
Aunt Wu’s heart softened at the sight, sweetened as though she had just eaten a piece of candy.
Such a gentle and lovable girl—who knew why Old Madam Huo and Huo Xiaohan seemed not to like her?
The difference in their attitudes toward the two sisters was simply too obvious.
At four-thirty the next morning, Su Wan rose with Aunt Wu to prepare breakfast, then accompanied her to the market to buy groceries.
By the time Huo Xiaohan arrived to take Su Xiaohui to the hospital, the entire family had already finished breakfast, and Huo Jianguo had gone to the military district for a meeting.
When Huo Xiaohan did not see Su Wan in the living room, he naturally assumed that she was still asleep in her room.
After greeting Old Madam Huo, he took Su Xiaohui to the military hospital to have her injured leg treated.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Su Xiaohui’s heart pounded wildly. When Brother Huo leaned over to fasten her seat belt, her face flushed involuntarily.
Throughout the journey, her sun-darkened hands remained clasped around the seat belt.
Recalling what she had heard Old Madam Huo say while standing at the top of the stairs the previous night, she pressed her lips together lightly.
Turning to Huo Xiaohan, who was concentrating on driving, she asked timidly and hesitantly, “Brother Huo, do you know whether Brother Xinhao is seeing anyone?”