94: Mr. Lu worked hard all night!

Inside Lu Family Manor.

Chen Mengyao was squatting by the laundry tub, her slender hands busily moving through the suds.

Her daily routine now basically consisted of laundry, cooking, and cleaning, in a constant cycle.

Apart from that, she had no other tasks.

As she mechanically rubbed the clothes in her hands, her gaze was somewhat vacant, her thoughts drifting far away.

To be honest, this job was easy and high-paying; she should have been content.

The manor environment was beautiful and serene, the workload wasn't heavy, and the pay was quite generous—anyone else would probably jump at the chance.

But a strange sense of unease inexplicably rose in Chen Mengyao's heart; it wasn't dissatisfaction with the present situation, but an indescribable longing—

She felt that she could perhaps do more for Lu Chen, just like his two capable secretaries who could assist him in his work.

“Maybe I can change my major...”

A sudden thought flashed in Chen Mengyao's mind, and her eyes instantly lit up.

She would start school in two months, and by then she could switch from her current major to secretarial studies, so she might also become one of Lu Chen's secretaries in the future.

This fleeting thought seemed to open a door to new possibilities for her, allowing her to see a glimmer of hope amidst her dim self-doubt.

With this thought, Chen Mengyao's movements while washing clothes unconsciously sped up, sending suds flying.

A sweet smile also bloomed on her face, like the first peach blossom in spring, delicate and charming.

A blush lightly spread across her cheeks, and the smile that radiated from the corners of her mouth extended all the way to her eyes and brows; the sparkle in her eyes made her whole person come alive, sweeping away her previous despondency.

Just then, Xun Xiaoxiao walked in with light steps, and seeing the smile on Chen Mengyao's face, she couldn't help but tease:

“Mengyao, what are you thinking about again? Why are you smiling so happily?”

Chen Mengyao's face instantly flushed red, as if her little secret had been exposed, the red quickly spreading from her cheeks to her earlobes, like a ripe tomato.

She lowered her eyes guiltily, her gaze flitting nervously to Xun Xiaoxiao, then quickly looking away, stammering: “Nothing, I’m just happy the laundry is almost done.”

Her voice was soft, with a hint of an imperceptible tremor, like a fawn afraid of having its thoughts seen through.

Xun Xiaoxiao's lips curved into a meaningful smile, her eyes showing a hint of mischief and playfulness: “Is that really it? Not because you were thinking of Mr. Lu?”

Chen Mengyao became even more flustered by this direct revelation, her face turning crimson, like the burning sunset in the sky.

She frantically waved her hands, her arms flailing in the air, her hair disheveled, urgently denying: “How could that be? I, I really didn’t...”

Seeing her like this, Xun Xiaoxiao smiled and waved her hand, her tone carrying a hint of indulgence: “Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore; if not, then not.”

Chen Mengyao then breathed a sigh of relief, lightly patting her chest, though the blush on her cheeks had not faded.

She lowered her head slightly and continued to bury herself in washing clothes, but the reddening of her earlobes still betrayed the ripples in her heart.

Just then, Xun Xiaoxiao stepped forward and said to her, “You don’t need to wash anymore. Mr. Lu said he’s hungry now and wants to eat.”

Chen Mengyao quickly stood up, frantically wiping her hands on her apron a few times, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes as she softly said, “Why is Mr. Lu hungry so quickly today?”

Upon hearing this, Xun Xiaoxiao's face inexplicably flushed, like a delicate peach blossom brushed by a spring breeze, vibrant and ready to drop.

Her gaze drifted, as if she dared not meet Chen Mengyao's eyes, and she stammered in response: “Because Mr. Lu was busy from last night until this morning, so he might be a bit hungry.”

Chen Mengyao nodded as if enlightened, a trace of pity instantly flashing across her face, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes full of concern, as she softly murmured:

“So that’s it. He actually worked for so long, not caring about his own body at all...”

Seeing Chen Mengyao like this, Xun Xiaoxiao's face became even redder, as if scorched by fire.

She frantically turned her head away, not letting Chen Mengyao see the blush on her face, but secretly thought to herself:

Yes, Mr. Lu played the role of a hospital dean all last night, how could he not be tired... Thinking of her own role as a nurse last night, Xun Xiaoxiao only felt her face grow even hotter... Fortunately, at this moment, Chen Mengyao was solely concerned about Lu Chen's health and didn't notice Xun Xiaoxiao's unusual behavior.

She rushed out of the laundry room in a hurry, her footsteps quick, her clothes slightly fluttering.

Then she went straight to the spacious and bright dining room outside, and without stopping, she began to busy herself preparing Lu Chen's daily fixed menu.

Lu Chen was particular about his diet, with daily dishes meticulously planned and listed on a special menu. Chen Mengyao had long memorized it and only needed to prepare accordingly.

Xun Xiaoxiao also quickly came to her side, deftly helping out, passing plates and fetching seasonings.

Their cooperation over this period had become increasingly tacit; in a fluid motion, in just about an hour, the delicious dishes on the menu were all served, steaming hot, on the dining plates.

“I’ll go call Mr. Lu,” Xun Xiaoxiao said, and Chen Mengyao nodded lightly, her gaze still focused on the tableware she was wiping, ensuring no oil stains remained.

Xun Xiaoxiao turned and quickly left, her steps light, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Chen Mengyao then quietly tidied up the kitchen. She picked up a clean rag, bent down slightly, and carefully wiped the stovetop, from edge to center, not missing an inch, her movements gentle yet firm, as if polishing a rare treasure.

Everywhere she cleaned became spotless and gleaming.

Just then, her phone in her pocket suddenly rang with a crisp sound, particularly abrupt in the quiet kitchen.

Chen Mengyao paused slightly, looking confused. Why was her phone, which rarely rang on weekdays, ringing now?

She subconsciously wiped her hands on her apron and carefully took out her phone from her pocket. The moment her eyes met the caller ID, her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were filled with surprise.

Why was it her mother calling? Had something happened?

Chen Mengyao didn't dare to hesitate for a moment, and her finger quickly pressed the answer button.

“Hello, Mom, what’s wrong?” As soon as the call connected, Chen Mengyao eagerly asked, her voice tinged with anxiety and unease.

However, no familiar voice came from the other end of the line; a brief silence, like a chasm, lay between them.

Chen Mengyao’s heart immediately sank with a “thump,” as if clutched by an invisible hand, and panic instantly surged within her.

She quickly raised her voice and said again, “Hello, Mom, what exactly is wrong? Please say something!”

At this moment, a hoarse male voice slowly came from the other end of the phone: “Mengyao, it’s me.”

Upon hearing these four words, Chen Mengyao’s heart instantly plunged into a valley, as if she had fallen into an endless ice cellar, a chill instantly rising around her.

Her face instantly turned ghastly pale, completely devoid of color, and her lips instantly lost their redness, trembling slightly.

Her pupils suddenly constricted, the light in her eyes seemingly drained away in an instant, leaving only endless terror and despair, and her body swayed slightly, almost losing her balance.