The Housekeeper wore a relieved expression on his face: "What a smart and good child you are."
Sui Yan accepted the praise without modesty: "Of course! And this good child wants to have some of your liquor later."
The Housekeeper's expression changed instantly: "No way!"
Sui Yan: "...But I want to drink it!"
The Housekeeper was exasperated: "Young Miss, if you drink more alcohol, I will have no choice but to inform your mother."
Sui Yan looked a bit puzzled: "Why? Didn't you used to tattle on me to my brother instead?"
The Housekeeper smiled: "Because I've realized that Mr. Bai Yuanmo can't discipline you at all, so Lady Liu's words will be more effective."
Sui Yan snorted coldly: "You should know who you're working for. Be careful, or I'll cut your salary!"
The Housekeeper paused for a second: "Young Miss, excuse my impertinence, but Mr. Bai now covers all the expenses of the manor and our salaries."
Sui Yan took out her phone: "Just wait, I'll have my brother stop paying you, and your future salaries will come from me."
The Housekeeper still smiled: "Young Miss, Mr. Bai has advanced us five years' worth of salaries, all stored on the manor's card."
Sui Yan: "..."
It doesn't seem so great when her brother is too reliable!
Realizing that she couldn't intimidate the Housekeeper no matter what, the angry Sui Yan got out of the car, ran a few steps, and shouted at the Housekeeper from a distance: "Uncle! Look this way!"
The bewildered Housekeeper looked over, only to see Sui Yan running onto the lawn he tended so carefully and stomping on it forcefully.
The Housekeeper was dumbfounded, and when he realized what was happening, he almost wanted to grab a stick and chase Sui Yan away: "Young Miss! Don't trample on the lawn outside!"
Sui Yan made a silly face: "Bleh bleh bleh~"
After doing this series of crazy antics, she ran back to her room in a hurry.
Sui Yan knew the Housekeeper cared deeply about that lawn. So she wouldn't actually trample it, only making it look like she was stomping hard, just to annoy the Housekeeper a bit.
The Housekeeper rushed to the trampled lawn area, carefully examining it.
The grass was only flattened by Sui Yan's stomping, without any major damage.
As the Housekeeper gently propped up the blades of grass, he marveled at Sui Yan's thoughtfulness in her heart.
This kid, quite the mischievous one! But her mischief is within bounds.
The next morning when Sui Yan woke up and walked out of her room, she saw Qi Linhan sitting in the grand hall downstairs, with a large bouquet of roses by his side as usual.
She lazily leaned on the railing: "Qi Linhan!"
At the very moment Sui Yan called out, Qi Linhan seemed to share a psychic connection with her, simultaneously raising his head to meet her gaze.
He chuckled lightly: "Ah Yan, come down for breakfast."
Sui Yan seemed a bit impatient as she tousled her messy long hair and sat down across from Qi Linhan: "What's for breakfast? Did you make it?"
Qi Linhan brought her breakfast from the dining room: "I made it, but you might not like it very much."
He usually made Sui Yan's favorites like small rice porridge and fried eggs, but this time...
Sui Yan frowned: "Don't tell me you followed the Housekeeper's diet plan?"
Qi Linhan ruffled her hair: "Your health is more important, and we need to help you gain some weight."
Sui Yan pouted: "But I'm perfectly healthy."
Qi Linhan placed the herbal tonic in front of Sui Yan: "This diet plan was carefully discussed by several professors from your research institute, Lady Liu, and Qiao Ze. You've lost too much during the recent period, so you need to recuperate properly."
Sui Yan showed no reaction upon hearing Qiao Ze's name and reluctantly accepted the herbal tonic: "But I've been eating this stuff for so long. When can I stop?"
Qi Linhan avoided the question: "Lady Liu said she's bringing Mo to visit you. Did you see the message?"
Sui Yan frowned as she ate her breakfast: "No, I haven't checked my phone since waking up. I'll look later. Doesn't Mo have school?"
Qi Linhan wasn't very clear about that either: "Apparently, since he did exceptionally well on his recent exams, Lady Liu just gave him a day off."
Sui Yan nodded: "Hmm, Mo's grades have always been excellent, and my mom is as willful as ever."
Qi Linhan couldn't help but smile, yet he felt Sui Yan was right.
"Young Miss, Mr. Su has sent you a bouquet of fresh flowers. Would you like to see it?" The Housekeeper brought someone over, who was carrying a large bouquet of vibrant red roses.
Sui Yan quickly finished her herbal tonic, then patted her stomach and burped: "Hmm... Send them back. I'm not close with him, so why did he send me flowers?"
The Housekeeper made a risky remark: "Young Miss, but you went to the park with him last night, didn't you?"
Sui Yan tilted her chin towards Qi Linhan: "Didn't I bring him along? If Su Ziye were sensible, he would understand my intention."
Qi Linhan's eyes lit up: "So Ah Yan has chosen me?"
Sui Yan said calmly: "No, what I mean is, I have someone on my side who is better than him in every way. So no matter what, I won't like him. If he were sensible, he wouldn't come looking for me anymore."
Qi Linhan looked a bit disappointed: "I see..."
The person holding the bouquet, upon hearing this, immediately prepared to return the flowers to Su Ziye at the manor's gate.
Among the large bouquet of flowers, a tiny disc the size of a fingernail was blinking with a faint red light.
At that moment, Su Ziye was standing at the gate of this manor, with Sui Yan's words playing in his earpiece:
"...If he were sensible, he wouldn't come looking for me anymore."
Su Ziye clenched his fists and chuckled coldly.
"Sir, our Young Miss said she's not close with you and can't accept the flowers you sent." The gate was opened, and the person holding the bouquet spoke from inside.
Su Ziye appeared apologetic: "I've caused you trouble. If she doesn't want them, please discard these flowers."
The manor servant smiled: "Certainly, sir. Please return home."
...
Qi Linhan toyed with a strand of Sui Yan's hair: "Ah Yan said he was my romantic rival. Why did you reject him so quickly?"
Sui Yan had her feet propped up on Ti Zi's back as she played with her phone: "I think his level is too low. Next time, I'll find you a rival at a higher level."
Qi Linhan: "...That won't be necessary."
