Luosang had no choice but to go downstairs and bring him a gla.s.s of water. She began to rack her brains to find a way out of her difficulties. Otherwise, although she was young, she would drop dead for lack of sleep.
……
The next morning, the breakfast was ready when Luosang went downstairs. She saw a great variety of food, including Chinese-style food and Western-style food, on the long table, just like a buffet in a big hotel.
The kitchen maid, Lan was in charge of Nian Junting’s breakfast. So Luosang didn’t need to do the cooking. She could have a rest at breakfast time.
Lan pointed at the end of the table and said, “Luosang, this is your breakfast.”
“Thank you, Lan.” Luosang walked over and sat on the end of the table.
Lan was an affable middle-aged woman. She had prepared a wonderful breakfast, including sweet corn, milk, eggs and small steamed buns, for Luosang. Last night Luosang didn’t sleep well. She was so hungry that her stomach was beginning to gurgle.
But she held back the impulse of eating. By the time Lan filled a bowl with porridge and began to feed Nian Junting, Luosang finally pick up the chopsticks and had her breakfast.
Nian Junting was in a bad mood because of insufficient sleep. He just ate some porridge and a fried egg before he stopped eating.
He looked across at the woman who was eating with a good appet.i.te. She took a bite of the corn and then took a sip of milk, her face shinning with happiness as if she was eating the most delicious food in the world.
Nian Junting suddenly got a feeling of displeasure. Then he decided to do something to ameliorate his annoyance.
He tapped on his knee with his slender fingers, raised his chin and pointed at Luosang. “She is just a caregiver. Do you think she deserves such a good breakfast?”
Lan was dazed for a moment before she replied, “Master, she is eating the same as me.”
“You can"t equate her with you.” Nian Junting said ironically, “As my caregiver, she has stayed in my villa and looked after me for several days. But I haven"t been better at all. In other words, she makes no contribution to my illness. So, from tomorrow on, give her a steamed bun as her breakfast.”
On hearing his remarks, Luosang was choked by the boiled egg in her throat and began to cough.
Lan cast a glance at Luosang with pity and summoned up her courage to say, “Master, she has taken the job for just three days. It"s impossible for you to get better in such a short time. The doctor says that you need at least a month to recuperate. Master… Don’t you think… you are too stingy? As the saying goes, if you want to be healthy, you should have a good breakfast. In order to look after you, Luosang needs to eat well.”
Nian Junting’s face clouded. “Lan, if I was stingy, you wouldn"t have had a chance to fatten yourself up. You were thin when you first came to my villa. But now, look at yourself. You are so fat, just like a ball. I can keep a fat woman in my villa. But I don"t want her to be as fat as you. It"s not a pretty sight.”
His words were a severe blow to Lan"s self-esteem and she became dejected.
“If she is unsatisfied with the food, she can cook for herself. I’m your employer. I hire you to serve me and not to cook for her.” After a short pause, Nian Junting added, “By the way, from now on, just serve her some Chinese cabbage and bean curd as lunch and dinner.”
Lan frowned. Luosang put down the chopsticks and shook her head at Lan. “Never mind, Lan. Just do as Mr. Nian wishes.”
When Luosang first came to Xia City, she lived a poor life and had to eat steamed buns and salted vegetables every day. Now her life was better than before.
Lan could do nothing but let out a long sigh helplessly.
…
After breakfast, Wu walked into the dining room, coughing weakly. “Master, I"m feeling a bit ill today. I seem to have a fever. So I want to ask for leave and go to hospital to see a doctor.”
Nian Junting suddenly recalled what Luosang had told him last night. He furrowed his brow and nodded, “Okay. When will you come back?”
“If there"s nothing serious with my body, I will be back as soon as possible,” Wu replied.
After Wu left, Nian Junting looked back at Luosang who twisted her lips into a meaningful smile and quietly gazed at him as if to say— “You see? Wu is really uncomfortable. I didn"t lie to you.”
Nian Junting curled his upper lip in a show of contempt and said, “You"ve indeed found a good excuse to grope me.”
Luosang was at a loss for words.