Chapter 810: 810, just call me Brother Xiao.
“There’s nothing to be ‘but’ about, a Maid should be conscious of her duties,” Xiao Yuchuan’s sharp eyes saw through Qinghe’s expression and knew what he was thinking. “If second brother likes her, then we’ll talk about the household chores after she really becomes second sister-in-law.”
“Alright,” Qinghe nodded. His gaze fell on his own legs, conscious that he was already a burden; it was his wife who earned the money for the Xiao Family, so they could not afford to support another person for nothing.
“Third brother, what nonsense are you talking about!” Xiao Yishan walked out of the room with a dark face, “I’ve already said, there’s nothing between me and Li Rong’er!”
Overhearing Xiao Yishan, Li Rong’er’s face showed embarrassment, yet she immediately went into the yard, intending to take the firewood from Xiao Qinghe’s hands, “Fourth young Master, let me take over the household chores from now on.”
Xiao Qinghe, when she called him fourth young Master, felt uncomfortable, “You go get some from the woodpile; I’ll put this stack of firewood back myself.”
She understood he was setting boundaries with her. Regardless, she wouldn’t consider having designs on a disabled man, handsome as he might be. Once a man’s legs were useless, he was of no use, “Oh.”
She took another pile of firewood into the kitchen, placing it by the stove.
Xiao Qinghe put the bundle of firewood he was carrying back in the woodpile in the firewood shed in the courtyard.
Used to getting up in the morning to cook, now that someone else did it, he found himself with free time.
He didn’t waste his time; returning to his room, he picked up the medical books third brother had given him and read them carefully, combining the medical skills his wife had taught him, pondering deeply.
Li Rong’er lifted the lid of the rice vat and saw a vat full of refined rice. She scooped more than a bowl of rice into the basin to wash it.
Xiao Yishan entered the kitchen, saw the amount of rice in the basin, and said, “That’s not enough to eat. My wife eats a bowl of rice per meal, fourth brother two, and both third brother and I need to eat five bowls each. Calculate the portion accordingly when you wash the rice.”
“Third young Master eats that much too?” she exclaimed in surprise.
“Third brother certainly has his strength,” he replied.
“Oh,” she nodded, “Second young Master, you’re big, but I didn’t expect third young Master to eat so much, not being as robust as you.”
She added more refined rice to the basin, washed the rice, and then skillfully lit the stove fire.
Xiao Yishan watched her do the chores efficiently, “You’re quite adept at handling the housework.”
“I was dedicated to serving young Lady at the Fang Mansion, though I didn’t have to do any kitchen chores. But the young Lady was kind-hearted and allowed me to go home for two days each month. At home, I did all sorts of rough work,” she said, implying that although she didn’t do these chores in the Fang Mansion, she did them at the Xiao Family.
After hearing this, Xiao Yishan looked at her beautiful face, feeling a touch of compassion, “You’ve had it tough at the Xiao Family.”
“Not at all,” she smiled sweetly, but her expression suddenly became forlorn, “If it weren’t for second young Master’s kind heart in saving me, my family would have already sold me to a kiln.”
Xiao Yishan was somewhat angry, “How could your family be so heartless!”
“I have many sisters at home, one elder brother, six daughters.” She truly felt distressed, “The burden was heavy, and my sister-in-law was harsh, she couldn’t stand me, so…” Although this time it was a ruse, being nearly sold to a kiln was part of the plan. Yet, her parents not caring for her and her sister-in-law not being able to stand her was the reality.
He spoke to comfort her, “From now on, you can stay at peace in the Xiao Family. No matter what, my family wouldn’t sell you.”
“Thank you, second young Master!” Gratitude filled her face.
Seeing her moved face, Xiao Yishan’s heart softened a little, “I told you, just call me Brother Xiao in private.”