"She’s awake, but she won’t speak; just keeps shedding tears non-stop. Occasionally, when she isn’t crying, her gaze is hauntingly piercing!"
"..."
Xie Zhinuan responded faintly with a hum.
That girl had crawled from Mass Grave Mound to the roadside, her spine broken; had it not been for the old man’s soft heart at that time, who gave her half a medicine pill, she probably would not have survived.
It must have been that her time had not yet come.
"Ensure the people taking care of her are attentive. Clean her up properly, but don’t aggravate her injuries!" Xie Zhinuan instructed.
Chunyu immediately acknowledged the order.
"Manager Chen came by earlier; he saw that you were reading, Miss, and he busied himself with other matters!"
Manager Chen? Xie Zhinuan vaguely realized after a moment that it was Dong Sheng.
"There’s still some time before the meal. I’ll go see him now, and you call him over!"
No sooner had Chunyu agreed than Lichun, who had been silent all along, said, "Miss, let me go!"
"Alright!"
Xie Zhinuan didn’t think too much of it.
Upon receiving permission, Lichun immediately went to fetch Dong Sheng.
Chunyu watched Lichun’s retreating figure, pursed her lips, but said nothing.
During the few days with Lichun, Chunyu realized that Lichun was actually very thoughtful. She wanted to advise her a few times, but Lichun might not listen. She might even grow resentful because of it.
Looking again at Xie Zhinuan, she saw that she had not paid any attention, which made Chunyu somewhat anxious.
Dong Sheng had been very busy these past few days; this job was different from the previous ones. It was his only chance, and he did not dare to be careless. Even purchasing items required multiple visits to different stores to compare prices, out of fear of overpaying or buying low quality. Although exhausted, he felt a great sense of accomplishment. He had come to the manor today to update Xie Zhinuan that the business could basically start the day after tomorrow.
There was also a pickled meat shop in Gaocheng County, whose business was neither good nor bad. The owner’s surname was Zhou. Dong Sheng had someone buy from there once, and found the taste of the meat was far inferior. He was not worried in the least that Xieji’s pickled meat shop would lack for business once it was open.
Upon his arrival, he learned that Xie Zhinuan was studying medicine. Since his business was not urgent, he did not disturb her and retired to the small courtyard to rest.
When he heard the young manservant calling out, "Sister Lichun!"
He knew it was Xie Zhinuan summoning him and promptly got up to leave the room.
"..." Lichun watched Dong Sheng.
He was clean-cut and somewhat handsome. After a moment of thought, she called out, "Brother Dong Sheng!"
"..." Dong Sheng was taken aback, slightly surprised, and hastily replied, "I couldn’t, I couldn’t. Just calling me Dong Sheng is fine, or Manager Chen—everyone calls me that nowadays!"
"..." Lichun was not surprised, she just smiled softly and said, "Well then, Dong Sheng, the young miss wants to see you, please follow me!"
"Alright!"
Dong Sheng followed at her side, keeping a step behind.
Lichun asked him, "Dong Sheng, is it lively outside? Is the shop very busy?"
"It’s lively, but not too busy!" Dong Sheng responded indifferently.
He did not take Lichun’s enthusiasm to heart.
Considering she served closely beside Xie Zhinuan and often conversed with her, he did not dare to offend.
Lichun asked, and he would answer.
"Dong Sheng, if you ever need anything sewn or mended, you can come to me!" Lichun said, then looked at Dong Sheng cautiously.
Seeing his bewildered look, standing rooted to the spot, looking at her perplexed.
She immediately blushed, "I, I..." she stuttered, hurrying to explain.
"No need for that, I’m quite good with needlework myself. Simple sewing and mending are no trouble for me!" Dong Sheng said with a smile.
His skills were indeed passable.
Not to say that he could embroider a beautiful flower, but everyday sewing and mending tasks were certainly not an issue.
After all, in pursuit of Xiaoyuan, he had once sewn a pouch for her.