Gu Xiuji fell silent, her face so gaunt that her features were barely discernible, and murky tears streamed down.
Then, Gu Xiuji suddenly seemed a bit vacant and foolish as she hid the embroidery in her bosom and said, "Jiaye, shh, don’t tell anyone, I embroidered something again."
"Otherwise, people will accuse us of enjoying capitalism again."
Having said that, she became immensely panicked and shivered uncontrollably.
Knowing his wife was delusional again, Professor Bao hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, hide it, hide it."
After soothing her, Professor Bao stood up, lowered the mosquito net, and said to Xia Chuyi, "Let’s go outside."
Once outside, Professor Bao sighed heavily, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly walked back to the study with Xia Chuyi.
Upon reaching the study, Professor Bao casually pointed to a stool nearby and said, "You may sit down."
Xia Chuyi walked over to the stool but did not sit until Professor Bao sat down in his work chair.
Professor Bao removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes before addressing her, "I presume you’ve heard that I have a bad temper?"
He placed his glasses on the table and bluntly said to her, "And you’ve probably heard the rumors that I bring in students to be assistants but actually have them act as servants?"
"What do you think about this?" Professor Bao asked Xia Chuyi with a stern face.
After carefully considering the question...
Xia Chuyi replied, "I think that you are not such a person, Professor you..."
"I am exactly that kind of person," Professor Bao interrupted her directly and candidly said, "I bring people in indeed to take care of my wife. Can you endure this?"
Professor Bao watched her intently.
Xia Chuyi smiled and said, "If it’s true, there’s nothing wrong. Consider it respecting the elderly."
Her attitude was incredibly composed.
Hearing this, Professor Bao took a few more glances at her and remarked, "Though your words sound pleasant, acting on them isn’t easy."
"Just consider," continued Professor Bao, "there were some kids before you, much sweeter talkers than you, who emphatically promised they could do well."
"In the end, after two weeks, they realized I really had them taking care of someone."
"They left immediately."
There was a clear hint of irony in Professor Bao’s eyes.
Xia Chuyi looked at him and shook her head, saying, "Professor Bao, let me be honest with you, I didn’t come here voluntarily."
"Someone else registered for me."
"Thus, coming here, I had no intentions or expectations from you, hence no disillusionment from reality."
With these words, she pinpointed that the previous assistants had likely come hoping to learn from Professor Bao, only to end up serving a patient.
Eventually, feeling their dignity as university students was insulted, they retreated.
Professor Bao put his glasses back on and looked at her seriously, saying, "You are very insightful."
"Given that, you can stay on."
"Every Thursday and Saturday, your task will be to accompany your Master."
"Walking, talking, dining—whatever she likes, you do."
Professor Bao instructed rather brusquely.
Xia Chuyi listened very calmly and said, "Alright, I understand."
"But, what about today?" she hesitated slightly.
Professor Bao waved his hand and said, "Your Master has just been agitated, it’s not suitable to disturb her further. Go back today and come again on Saturday."
"Alright, then, Professor, I will take my leave now." Xia Chuyi stood up and politely bid farewell.