Madam Yin saw through it all.
The famous actor, however, had no such awareness.
She was delighted, for He Jitang’s favor was unique to her.
She wielded power and brought blessings within the He Residence.
As it happened, the old mistress of the He Residence was not at home, and Jitang had also stepped out.
The Housekeeper could not control the situation.
He had no choice but to ask for Su Ruanruan’s help.
*
When Su Ruanruan arrived at the He Residence,
the famous actor had already made a scene once.
A young maid had been kneeling for two hours, her knees swollen.
The cook, disliked for not preparing tasty dishes, was also made to stand under the scorching sun.
Currently suffering was Chen Er, a man with a face full of flab.
In the chilly autumn weather, the famous actor had someone fill a bucket with ice water for Chen Er to soak in.
Su Ruanruan observed from a distance.
She pondered: Chen Er had not yet endured the worst. If she presented herself at the moment of his unbearable pain, he would surely be immensely grateful.
Su Ruanruan had the Housekeeper brew tea.
She said, "Wait a bit longer."
The Housekeeper peeked and smiled, "Listening to Miss Su."
As he brewed the fragrant tea, he whispered, "The mistress of the house is strict but has never humiliated anyone like this! After all, she isn’t from a decent background; she’s taken herself for the master after sleeping with him a few times."
Su Ruanruan smiled demurely.
She said, "She knows how to seize the opportunity. Otherwise, look at Chen Er, he dares not resist."
She added: "Chen Er is fierce, but he also knows the power of a woman’s influence beside the bed."
The Housekeeper was most impressed by her.
He respectfully stood aside, adding water to her tea.
Su Ruanruan had two cups of tea, feeling it was about time.
She slowly stood up: "Let’s go!"
...
She was not in a hurry on this end, but on the other end, the famous actor Shui Linglong was very pleased.
She had heard early on that Miss Su was coming over, yet she did not change her behavior.
Shui Linglong became even more arrogant.
She thought to herself: With Jitang’s affection for her, even Miss Su had to give way to her.
She intensified her tormenting of Chen Er.
Imitating what she saw on TV, she used needles against him, even contemplating ending his lineage.
Chen Er, submerged in the ice water,
was barely alive, suffering a fate worse than death.
At that moment, a voice came from the entrance: "What are you doing?"
It was the Housekeeper’s voice.
The Housekeeper entered and respectfully ushered in Su Ruanruan: "Miss Su, it’s cramped here, be careful where you step."
Su Ruanruan smiled faintly.
The famous actor’s movements slowed for a moment.
She lazily pulled back her hand, saying, "I thought it was someone else, so it’s just the young mistress returning."
She twisted her snake-like waist and settled on an opulent divan.
She struck a somewhat forced pose.
The Housekeeper scolded: "Miss Su is not of any relation that allows you to call her little niece. Have some self-respect, Miss Shui."
Su Ruanruan ignored this.
She ordered people to lift Chen Er out of the ice water.
Chen Er, with his flabby body, knelt before Su Ruanruan with a splash.
He blurted out: "Miss Su, you’ve finally arrived. If you had not come, I would have died at the hands of this venomous woman."
He was shaking all over, clad only in a long pair of pants.
Su Ruanruan had someone fetch a quilt for him to wrap up in.
She also poured him ginger tea.
Once Chen Er felt somewhat better, he implored Su Ruanruan to decide for him.
The young maid and the cook also came forward, asking Su Ruanruan to deal with that despicable person.
Su Ruanruan had not yet spoken.
Holding her favor, the famous actor said: "I belong to Master Jitang; I still have the right to deal with a servant or two."
She sipped her tea, paying little attention to Su Ruanruan.
Su Ruanruan smiled faintly.
She asked the Housekeeper to bring over a chair, and gently took a seat.
Once seated, she glanced at the Housekeeper: "What are you waiting for?"
The Housekeeper was puzzled: "Waiting for what?"
Su Ruanruan’s face became stern: "Aren’t you dragging her into this ice water to soak? Don’t let her out until she’s soaked for a couple of hours."
The famous actor was startled.
She screamed, "Who dares? I belong to Master Jitang."
Su Ruanruan smirked coldly, saying: "If I lay a hand on you, I will explain it to my third brother myself."