After a while, Sheng Mingyuan finished his call and returned, seeing her sitting quietly there, wearing a white dress, her long black hair cascading down to her waist, exuding a clean and pure aura.
Though she appeared gentle and obedient, her phoenix eyes brimmed with spirit, tempered with determination and stubbornness.
He cleared his throat and sat back in his chair, crossing his legs as he spoke, "Considering the acquaintance with Lu Beichen, and since you’re the first person he personally introduced, I’ll reluctantly take you in. However, Miss Ji, a mentor can only lead the way, but the cultivation depends on the individual. Also, don’t think you can gain anything just by relying on Lu Beichen’s name!"
"I won’t! I also don’t want others to know I have any connection with him!" Ji Niandong was overjoyed to hear he was willing to teach her, immediately standing up to reach out her hand, "I have a simple acquaintance with him only, Mr. Sheng, please rest assured, and I apologize in advance for any trouble I might cause you!"
Sheng Mingyuan didn’t take her offered hand, maintaining his posture of looking up at her, leaning against the chair, "You saw the grass outside the company, and the potted plants above, didn’t you see them when you came in, Miss Ji?"
Ji Niandong nodded, "Yes, I saw them. No need to be so formal with me, just call me Tongtong!"
"Tongtong?" Sheng Mingyuan chuckled slightly and waved his hand impatiently, "Those flowers and plants haven’t been watered for days, go tend to them. If they all wither away in a few days, I’ll hold you responsible!"
"Ah?" Ji Niandong was taken aback.
"What do you mean ’ah’? Hurry up and go!" Sheng Mingyuan said impatiently.
"Oh!" Ji Niandong nodded and then left.
The studio has two floors, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows facing outside, uniquely designed. Through the glass, Sheng Mingyuan frowned, watching Ji Niandong outside.
She had changed into the cleaning lady’s attire, her slender body enveloped in loose overalls, and the waterproof boots underfoot didn’t fit.
This Mr. Sheng is really perplexing, but there’s no choice but to follow his orders.
Fortunately, during the five years at home, without much to do, she often planted some flowers and grass, so she didn’t mind, she turned on the faucet and slowly started watering.
She was careful and serious, afraid of missing a single flower or blade of grass.
After working hard for a while, she wiped her sweat, and when she finished watering, she picked up scissors and began trimming alongside.
In the office, Sheng Mingyuan squinted his eyes and rose to go downstairs.
"I only asked you to water, who told you to trim!" Ji Niandong was focused on pruning, when a low, stern voice startled her, accidentally touching a newly formed flower bud, which immediately broke off and fell onto the lawn.
Seeing Sheng Mingyuan glaring at her in anger, Ji Niandong hurriedly apologized, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to!"
"You didn’t mean to, so it must have been intentional on my part?" His words were merciless, lacking any sense of cherishing, "I told you to water, did I say to trim?"
Ji Niandong glanced around at the potted plants, "These pots haven’t been fertilized or pruned for a long time. Even if just watered, the dead branches and leaves will steal nutrients and moisture, and some plants won’t live long without pruning. You might not have told me to trim, but you also said if they die, it’s on me."
Her eyes were steadfast, her words well-reasoned, leaving Sheng Mingyuan momentarily speechless, "Alright, you don’t have to worry about it anymore, go inside first!"