From Dropout to Housemaid-The Upper Crust's Favorite - Chapter 40 - Mr. Su, You're Out of Step

After quietly tidying up Su Linyuan’s mess, Jiang Xianyu finally went upstairs to sleep.

Since it was still during the New Year’s Day holiday, Su Linyuan didn’t go to the office.

In the morning, he spent quite some time in front of the bathroom mirror, mentally preparing himself before stepping out with a heavy heart.

In the kitchen downstairs, Jiang Xianyu was already busy preparing breakfast.

Su Linyuan tilted his head, casting a sideways glance towards the kitchen.

Thinking about how Jiang Xianyu would react upon discovering the missing food, his face grew warm.

Did she notice he had snuck some food?

She must have. He had left a noticeable gap in the rice cooker.

Was she grumbling about his ingratitude while cooking?

The more he thought about it, the warmer his face became. By the time Jiang Xianyu turned to look at him, his face was burning.

Jiang Xianyu paused her work, greeting him naturally, “Good morning, Mr. Su.”

Su Linyuan stiffly acknowledged her with a nod, then awkwardly made his way to the sofa, moving in an uncoordinated manner.

Jiang Xianyu’s lips twitched; she was tempted to point out his awkward gait.

But seeing how flushed he was, she decided to hold her tongue.

Once breakfast was served, Su Linyuan and Jiang Xianyu sat at opposite ends of the table, both silent.

Several times, Su Linyuan’s gaze swept over Jiang Xianyu’s face, only to quickly look away when she glanced back.

Jiang Xianyu pretended not to notice.

Her job was to do her work well.

Su Linyuan found no taste in his breakfast.

After the meal, Jiang Xianyu cleaned up the dining room and kitchen before heading upstairs to continue her chores.

A couple of minutes later, Su Linyuan followed her.

While Jiang Xianyu cleaned, he lay on the bed reading a magazine.

He held the magazine up to cover most of his face, his eyes following Jiang Xianyu’s movements.

When she cleaned the left side, he rolled to the left; when she moved to the right, he rolled to the right.

He had mastered the art of being quietly noticeable.

Jiang Xianyu straightened up and looked at Su Linyuan, “Mr. Su, maybe you’d be more comfortable in the study. It’s quieter there.”

Su Linyuan put down the magazine, briefly smiled, then retracted it, “No, this is my house. I’ll read wherever I want.”

Jiang Xianyu closed her eyes briefly, maintaining a calm demeanor, “Mr. Su, do I have to spell it out that you’re disrupting my work?”

“I haven’t even made the bed yet.”

“With you lying there, how am I supposed to change the sheets?”

Su Linyuan, a bit annoyed, tossed the magazine onto the bedside table, his face flushed as he tried to save face, “Fine, I’ll go.”

With that, he tiptoed out, carefully avoiding the freshly cleaned areas, hopping like a frog.

Jiang Xianyu’s eyes crinkled with amusement; even after his tough words, he was considerate enough not to dirty the floor she had just cleaned.

She shook her head with a smile and proceeded to change the bedding.

Last night, his sudden outburst had upset her, but seeing him sneak into the kitchen late at night for food and then wash the dishes, her anger dissipated.

Regardless, he was her employer. Whether she was upset or not, she had to say what needed to be said and do what needed to be done.

She couldn’t afford to have a cold war with her employer.

After finishing up on the third floor, Jiang Xianyu went back to the first floor to tend to her own matters.

In the study, Su Linyuan kept the door ajar, his attention fixed on any movement at the entrance. As soon as Jiang Xianyu appeared, his head perked up.

Seeing her descend the stairs, he waited a moment before following suit.

Downstairs, Jiang Xianyu sat on the carpet, her eyes sparkling as she watched the stock market trends on her laptop.

Su Linyuan passed behind her, glancing at the screen, “The growth looks promising.”

Jiang Xianyu turned to him, asking, “Are you finally speaking properly?”

Su Linyuan felt a tinge of embarrassment, “Who hasn’t been speaking properly? It’s just you, about to finish your work and rid yourself of my troubles. Must be thrilled, huh?”

Jiang Xianyu closed her laptop, speaking earnestly, “I am indeed happy to be completing my work soon, but you have never been a trouble.”

Su Linyuan’s expression shifted from dark to bright in an instant.

Jiang Xianyu looked at his handsome face, sincerely saying, “Before graduating, I took on many housemaid jobs. Throughout my career, you are undoubtedly a good person-kind, reasonable, and generous, never nitpicking or bossy. I’m glad to work here.”

Of course, she silently added, excluding the recent bouts of temper.

Su Linyuan’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes reflecting amusement, though he maintained his facade, “Good that you know. Employers like me are rare, yet you don’t appreciate it, eager to leave. Anyone would think I mistreated you.”

Jiang Xianyu played along, “Indeed, bosses like Mr. Su are rare, but we only have a one-month contract. Regardless, I have to leave.”

Su Linyuan paused before speaking, “Have you decided where you’ll go next?”

Jiang Xianyu shook her head, “It’s almost New Year, not planning to find anything before then. I’ll consider it after the holiday.”

Her tone was calm, lacking the excitement one might expect for a break. Her eyes were serene.

Su Linyuan observed her, finding her tranquility puzzling.

“With the New Year approaching, you don’t seem very happy?”

Jiang Xianyu smiled slightly, “Not unhappy, just no special feelings.”

Su Linyuan was puzzled, “The New Year, spending time with family, isn’t that nice?”

Jiang Xianyu’s gaze shifted elsewhere, “I suppose it is.”

Her family now consisted of her Uncle, aunt, and sister.

Su Linyuan scrutinized her, as if trying to decipher something from her face, but ultimately understood nothing.

Even though the New Year wasn’t as fun as childhood, he still enjoyed putting work aside to be with family.

Su Linyuan couldn’t quite grasp Jiang Xianyu, but this was the closest he’d gotten to her inner world.

That evening, after dinner, they each retreated to their rooms.

Su Linyuan picked up his phone and dialed Qian’s number.

Soon, the call connected, and before speaking, he heard a child’s cries on the other end.

“Young Master, is there something you need?”

With her grandson crying, Qian’s voice was cautious.

She wondered if the Young Master wanted her to return to work early.

Su Linyuan said, “Qian, with the New Year approaching, I thought I wouldn’t have you come back and forth. I’ll give you another month’s leave. Take good care of your grandson, no need to worry about things here.”

Qian’s heart relaxed, repeatedly assuring, “Yes, yes, if there’s anything, feel free to contact me.”

Her heart was fully invested in her grandson.

Having cared for him for nearly a month, watching the little one grow from a tiny red bundle, she couldn’t bear to leave him for work.

Qian thought, another month would be perfect.

By then, her daughter-in-law would have recovered, able to manage.

After hanging up, Su Linyuan’s joy remained undiminished.

He rolled on the bed, grinning at his phone.

Then, in a moment of clumsiness, his grip loosened, and the phone slipped, hitting his nose.

“Ouch.” He rubbed his nose, relieved there was no bleeding, and resumed his happiness.

Tomorrow, tomorrow he’d discuss extending the contract with Jiang Xianyu.

Surely she’d agree.

After all, she herself said, bosses like him are hard to come by.