From Dropout to Housemaid-The Upper Crust's Favorite - Chapter 39 - Stubborn

Jiang Xianyu watched Su Linyuan’s retreating figure as he ascended the stairs, remaining silent for a long time.

What was it with this man, always getting angry?

She hadn’t done anything out of line, had she?

She had diligently completed her duties as a housemaid, even going above and beyond by helping him with work-related matters, without charging him extra.

Not to mention, she had lent a hand with the Yuan Yi Technology issue, at least by warning him to be cautious.

She lowered her gaze to the table, where the delicious meal lay untouched, feeling a sudden wave of frustration.

No conscience?

Who was really lacking conscience here?

It was baffling.

Looking at the barely touched food on the table, Jiang Xianyu picked up a piece and ate it heartily.

Waste is shameful.

She had her own temper too.

Just because she was a housemaid didn’t mean he could vent his anger on her for no reason.

Her temper lasted only until the end of dinner.

Her relationship with Su Linyuan was that of employee and employer; she couldn’t afford to throw a tantrum in front of him.

She was here to work, and she couldn’t slack off on her duties. Even if the employer’s mood was unpredictable, she had to keep her emotions stable, especially as the job was nearing its end. She needed to perform well, or else her bonuses and allowances might be reduced.

With this in mind, she prepared some more food and brought it upstairs to Su Linyuan.

The door to the master bedroom on the third floor was closed, and there was no sound from inside.

Jiang Xianyu placed the food in the third-floor lounge and knocked on the bedroom door.

Su Linyuan had been lying on the bed since he went upstairs.

He had been lying there for over an hour.

His stomach growling, he was finding it hard to stay put.

When Jiang Xianyu’s knocking sounded, he sat up abruptly.

He habitually went to open the door but suddenly remembered her indifferent expression, and he lay back down.

The knocking continued, and Su Linyuan found the noise increasingly unsettling.

He pulled the blanket over his head, but the sound persisted.

Finally, he angrily got out of bed to open the door.

Jiang Xianyu’s knocking hand almost hit his chest.

Su Linyuan asked coldly, “What is it?”

It was the first time Jiang Xianyu had seen him in such a bad mood; his expression was just like when she had seen him at a banquet before her rebirth.

She remembered he had refused several women who approached him for conversation, his brows filled with impatience.

Jiang Xianyu’s eyes flickered slightly, and her courage to speak diminished significantly.

Su Linyuan didn’t miss Jiang Xianyu’s momentary retreat, and his face grew darker, though his tone unconsciously softened a bit. “Do you need something?”

Jiang Xianyu awkwardly withdrew her raised hand, her voice businesslike, “Mr. Su, I noticed you didn’t eat much dinner. Perhaps the meal didn’t suit your taste. I’ve prepared something else for you to try.”

Jiang Xianyu’s actions were the epitome of a housemaid’s demeanor, yet Su Linyuan found her accommodating attitude infuriating.

Didn’t she have any temper?

Jiang Xianyu was still waiting for Su Linyuan’s response.

Su Linyuan looked down at her, his tone icy, “No need, I’m not hungry.”

With that, he closed the door.

Jiang Xianyu stared at the door, her brows furrowed tightly.

Inside the bedroom, after Su Linyuan closed the door, he walked heavily back to the bed, then kicked off his slippers and tiptoed back to the door.

He pressed his ear against the door, trying to catch any sound from outside.

Ten seconds passed, then a minute, then two.

Silence.

Su Linyuan touched the door, thinking he shouldn’t have installed such a soundproof door during the renovation. Now, he couldn’t hear a thing from outside, not even if she was cursing him.

Secretly, he hoped she would curse him, though he couldn’t quite fathom why he had such a ridiculous wish.

After about ten minutes, Su Linyuan quietly opened the door a crack.

The hallway was silent, with no sign of Jiang Xianyu.

Su Linyuan gritted his teeth. He had stood at the door for over twenty minutes, and she had left long ago!

He felt like a foolish and pathetic creep.

Back on the bed, he was genuinely annoyed now.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xianyu had taken the food downstairs after Su Linyuan closed the door.

She kept the food warm and returned to the living room to watch TV.

It was the same drama as last time, but today she found herself distracted.

At ten o’clock, Jiang Xianyu checked the food in the kitchen, ensuring everything was fine, then went upstairs to wash up and sleep.

Entering her temporary bedroom, she didn’t notice the door across the hall was slightly ajar, with an eye watching her direction.

Su Linyuan crouched at the door, only standing up when he saw Jiang Xianyu enter her room, his stomach growling.

Ugh, so hungry!

He had been so suave pushing the food away earlier, but now he was awkwardly crouching by the door, starving.

After waiting two more minutes, Su Linyuan confirmed she wouldn’t come out again and quietly slipped out of his room.

Sneaking downstairs, he headed straight for the kitchen.

He expected Jiang Xianyu had tidied up the kitchen, planning to rummage through the fridge for something to fill his stomach.

But upon entering, he found the food still warm in the pot.

He checked the rice cooker, and it was still plugged in, keeping warm.

Su Linyuan felt a pang of tenderness and guilt.

He took out a bowl, served himself some rice, and scooped out the food, a six-foot-three man huddled by the stove eating.

Mmm, delicious.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xianyu watched the bright kitchen light from the third-floor railing, sighing deeply.

Some people just refuse to be led, preferring to sneak around.

Does sneaking food make it taste better?

Su Linyuan ate quickly, using all his speed.

The longer he took, the greater the risk of being caught.

Jiang Xianyu watched for a while, then quietly descended to the first-floor staircase, curious to see how Su Linyuan would tidy up the kitchen.

After eating, Su Linyuan didn’t immediately return to his room.

Having so firmly and coldly refused Jiang Xianyu’s offer to bring food upstairs, he couldn’t let her find out he had eaten.

As for whether Jiang Xianyu would notice the missing food the next morning, that wasn’t his concern.

Without evidence, it wasn’t him who ate it.

But he couldn’t leave dirty dishes as evidence.

Gritting his teeth, he recalled how Jiang Xianyu washed dishes, mimicking her actions to clean up.

With dish soap making the plates slippery, he accidentally dropped one into the sink with a clatter.

Su Linyuan’s heart skipped a beat, glancing toward the third floor.

Seeing no one coming out, he picked up the plate and continued washing, reassuring himself that the house’s soundproofing was good, she wouldn’t hear.

Jiang Xianyu, witnessing the whole scene: …

After several clattering sounds, Su Linyuan finally finished cleaning the dishes.

He wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead and stealthily sneaked upstairs.

Jiang Xianyu had hidden away as he finished washing.

Once he was upstairs, she emerged.

She had no other intention but to check Su Linyuan’s handiwork in the kitchen, ensuring no safety hazards were left.

In the kitchen, water stains were left on the counter, and the floor was dotted with water.

The food was finished, and the rice cooker was still plugged in.

She checked the cleaned dishes.

Despite the chaotic washing, the cleanliness was assured by someone with a touch of OCD.

It was impressive he managed to wash the dishes without breaking any.

She still vividly remembered the battlefield-like kitchen from before.