Chapter 212: Chapter 201: Curiosity Killed the Cat Chapter 212: Chapter 201: Curiosity Killed the Cat Guh Xiuxiu didn’t come downstairs for dinner because she was feeling unwell. After finishing her meal, Lu Jiaxin wanted to check on her but was stopped by Aunt Mei.
Aunt Mei whispered, “The old lady has just fallen asleep, and you will wake her up if you go in now. Miss Cousin, whatever it is, let’s talk about it tomorrow!”
Lu Jiaxin was dissatisfied with Aunt Hong and didn’t trust Aunt Mei much either. To be precise, she didn’t trust anyone from the Guh Residence at the moment.
When she returned to her room and opened her drawer to take something out, she noticed that her things had been tampered with. The maids in the house, when cleaning, would only clean tables and wipe down cabinets, and would not open drawers or tidy up the contents inside, unless specifically instructed to do so.
Thinking that Guh Xiuxiu had already fallen asleep, Jiaxin held back from lashing out. However, the next morning when she got up, she called Aunt Hong and Aunt Mei and asked, “Someone has been through my drawers and cabinets. Who did it?”
Aunt Mei frowned and didn’t speak.
Aunt Hong replied, “Miss Cousin, your room is cleaned by Ah Mei. She told me your cabinet was a mess, and the things in your drawers were also very disordered, so I had her tidy them up.”
Lu Jiaxin was disgusted and didn’t mince her words, “One would think you’re the lady of the house, rather than a maid, if they didn’t know any better.”
Aunt Hong’s face turned purple with anger, “Miss Cousin, I’m the butler here. It is my responsibility to ensure that the rooms are cleaned properly.”
Aunt Mei, thinking that a quarrel wouldn’t be good, said softly, “Miss Cousin, Aunt Hong was at fault here. She should have asked for your permission before instructing Ah Mei to tidy up the cabinet and drawers.”
Lu Jiaxin then went upstairs to find Guh Xiuxiu and spoke of the incident, “Aunt, I previously told her that when cleaning my room, she is not to touch anything inside. She’s treating my words as if they meant nothing.”
Guh Xiuxiu, looking somewhat out of sorts and leaning against the headboard, said, “I’ll speak to her later.”
Silent for a moment, Jiaxin then asked, “Aunt, what is the reason that you are able to tolerate someone like her who has betrayed your trust?”
Guh Xiuxiu still shook her head and replied, “Aunt Hong is just getting old and has become a bit obstinate, but her heart is still with me.”
Seeing that she still wouldn’t disclose anything, Jiaxin’s brows furrowed tightly.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
Jiaxin, seeing the severity of her cough, went over to gently pat her back. Her original plan had been to move out after starting school. Guh Xiuxiu had been quite kind to her, and she had thought about coming back to stay one night each week, but Aunt Hong’s actions were intolerable. With Guh Xiuxiu looking this ill, however, she couldn’t bring herself to talk about moving out.
Guh Xiuxiu held her hand and said, “Aunt knows you’re a good child. It’s just that Aunt Mei and Aunt Hong have been taking care of me for thirty years, and I can’t do without them now.”
Lu Jiaxin hung her head and didn’t speak. Through her recent interactions, she knew that Guh Xiuxiu was not a foolish person. She defended Aunt Hong, not likely due to an inability to let go of a thirty-year relationship, but probably for some deeper reason. Jiaxin guessed that Guh Xiuxiu must have been compromised in some way by He Zhuliang, and whatever leverage he had on her was fatal; otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown such forbearance. But she didn’t ask – curiosity killed the cat, after all. Some secrets, once known, could cause trouble, and in severe cases, might even be deadly.
Aunt Hong called from outside, “Old lady, it’s time for your medicine.”
Aunt Hong brought in the medicine and, after placing it by the bed, looked at Lu Jiaxin, “Miss Cousin, please step aside for a moment. I need to give the old lady her medicine.”
Lu Jiaxin frowned and said, “How can she take medicine on an empty stomach?”
Aunt Hong gently placed the medicine in Guh Xiuxiu’s mouth, then handed her the water. Her movements were gentle, and her expression was caring; she couldn’t be faulted in her attentive care.
After Guh Xiuxiu had taken her medicine, Aunt Hong said with a smile, “The doctor instructed that this medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, and that she can eat only one hour afterward.”
Seeing that Guh Xiuxiu wasn’t very lively, Jiaxin didn’t feel it was good to stay any longer, “Aunt, you should rest well. I’ll go downstairs now.”
Guh Xiuxiu had Aunt Hong leave first and, once the door was closed, asked, “Jiaxin, are you keeping up with your schoolwork?”
Jiaxin didn’t hide it from her, answering, “I’m struggling a bit with math, history, and natural science. I’ve already called Teacher Jin to ask her to recommend a good tutor for me.”
Teacher Jin was the one who had tutored her in math before she entered school. Hong Kong was full of cram schools and training classes, and it was difficult to get into some of the more famous ones. However, Jiaxin needed one-on-one tutoring for more efficient learning. As for the cost, it was something she could afford herself, but Guh Xiuxiu had taken on the expense.
Guh Xiuxiu knew that Senior Middle School 7 was critical, especially for Jiaxin, who had transferred from the Mainland and needed extra tutoring, “This is a crucial time for you. It’s too chaotic here for you to study peacefully, and it’s inconvenient for your tutor to come over for lessons. Don’t come over on the weekends anymore if you don’t have to; the time saved can be spent on studying.”
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, “Aunt, with how you are right now, how can I not come back?”
Guh Xiuxiu smiled, “You needn’t worry. It’s just a minor cold, but because of my age, recovery is slower. Your studies are what’s most important right now, and every minute is precious. Aim to get into Hong Kong University next year.”
Jiaxin didn’t refuse but thought to wait until Guh Xiuxiu recovered before moving out.
Guh Xiuxiu felt reassured, as all the children she had raised were very filial, “Aunt Mei and Aunt Hong are here, and if I feel unwell, I will call Doctor Xu or go straight to the hospital. You can’t help much by being here; you’d be better off going back to review your lessons. Jiaxin, getting into university will be a great advantage for your future.”
The big families and the wealthy certainly had their own ideas; maybe they didn’t care much for family background, but a daughter-in-law that entered their doors had to be smart and capable. The intelligence of someone who couldn’t even get into a university would be questioned, and who knows, it might even affect future generations. Of course, in Hong Kong, there are plenty of rich kids who marry celebrities, but these individuals are generally not considered for inheriting the family business.
Jiaxin promised to work hard and definitely get into Hong Kong University next year.
The smile on Guh Xiuxiu’s face deepened, “It can’t just be talk; you need to put it into action. Now, go have your breakfast and after that, go back and study.”
Unable to argue with her, Lu Jiaxin could only have breakfast and then go to her room to pack her things. She might still come back occasionally, so she left some clothes behind, but she packed everything else to take with her.
While Lu Jiaxin was packing, Guh Haifan arrived.
Seeing the suitcase on the floor, Haifan asked with a downcast voice, “Cousin, Aunt Hong said you’re moving out. Is it true?”
Jiaxin smiled and said, “I’m not moving out; I just have a lot of studying to do right now. Aunt wants me to spend more time on my lessons. I’ll still come over every week.”
She worried about Guh Xiuxiu, and Haifan, still too young to understand many things, necessitated her frequent visits.