Unable to provide money or sex, she forced herself to do many things she didn't actually know how to do.
It's hard to imagine how a pampered young lady could learn to do these things in such a short time.
They must have paid a heavy price.
When Liang Shi first started learning to do housework, he often bumped into things.
This probably explains why Xu Qingzhu could bandage wounds so skillfully.
It must be that after being injured many times, one becomes skilled at treating illnesses over time.
Her gaze toward Xu Qingzhu was slightly complicated, while Xu Qingzhu avoided her gaze with affection.
Liang Shi sighed inwardly and said in a low voice, "No need, I'll have someone come and clean it up now."
She was filled with anxiety when she called the housekeeper, fearing he would tell her that the original owner had dismissed all the servants.
Fortunately, the original owner wasn't that ruthless.
Some of the servants still lived in the small two-story building behind the villa, and the housekeeper quickly brought people over to clean it.
Liang Shi and Xu Qingzhu waited outside for a while.
Xu Qingya kept her head down, playing on her phone, and didn't interact with the two of them at all.
Xu Qingzhu, her brows furrowed and her expression worried, was deep in thought about her family's affairs.
Liang Shi stood there, and seeing that there was nothing else to do, he started playing Snake.
The snake's body nimbly dodged on the screen. She didn't put too much effort into playing it; she just used it to clear her mind a little.
The maid worked very efficiently, cleaning the house until it looked brand new in less than half an hour. The butler stepped forward and bowed, asking, "Miss, would you like to have a meal?"
Liang Shi put away his phone and nodded. "Okay, just make something simple and homey, as soon as possible."
Upon hearing the instructions, the housekeeper called for people to get to work in the kitchen.
They are all professionally trained, and their movements are so light that they are almost inaudible in the living room.
Liang Shi stood in the living room, waiting for Xu Qingzhu to assign him a room.
They had agreed to separate on the way, but given the current situation, it seems impossible to do so.
If the two of them are going to stay in the master bedroom upstairs, where will Xu Qingya stay?
"You live downstairs, in that room," Xu Qingzhu said, pointing to the second room on the right. "Pack your things and come out for dinner."
Xu Qingya had no objection, "Okay."
After Xu Qingzhu finished speaking, she turned around and walked upstairs.
She went back to the master bedroom, and as she went upstairs, she turned back and asked, "Are you coming?"
It was a very soft question, but the way she said it in a cold tone, with a slight upward inflection at the end, gave it a touch of allure.
Liang Shi was stunned, and pointed incredulously to the tip of his nose, "Me?"
Xu Qingzhu nodded slightly.
Xu Qingya was already sitting comfortably on the sofa, her phone playing a dance video with great background music. She raised her arm and waved, "Don't worry about me, just pretend I don't exist. This is your home, make yourself at home, don't be shy."
They're quite outgoing and friendly.
But it was said in a rather pleasing way.
Liang Shi treated her like a little sister, and jokingly teased her, "Then you should be more casual about it too."
Xu Qingya shrugged. "Have I been being too polite with you?"
Liang Shi chuckled, "This is fine."
"Alright," Xu Qingya said, getting up. "I'm going back to my room. If you want to have a private chat, go back to your room too. I'm not going to be a third wheel. You two..."
She winked at the two of them knowingly, "Enjoy your time alone together."
Liang Shi: "..."
//
The room was still the same as before.
That day was Xu Qingzhu's heat cycle. She lay on the bed for a while, looking ferocious, so the white sheets were all wrinkled.
The entire room has a very luxurious style, even the chandelier is gilded.
The luxurious carpet felt soft and fluffy underfoot; it was a light color, and the room's decor was quite nice.
This was the only time Liang Shi acknowledged the original owner's judgment.
After closing the door, Xu Qingzhu went to collect the bed sheets. She was quite quick, but she seemed less skilled when it came to making the new sheets.
Liang Shi immediately stepped forward to help.
She is someone who doesn't like others interfering in her life, and has lived alone for many years.
It feels quite awkward to suddenly have to share a room with someone else.
Even though the other party was a stunningly beautiful woman.
Perhaps that's why her sense of rejection wasn't so strong, but she still had a heavy psychological burden.
How am I going to sleep tonight?
There's a good chance I'll be sleeping on the floor.
Liang Shi glanced at the carpet; it was barely clean.
However, even if something you step on looks clean, it still contains a lot of bacteria.
Her obsessive-compulsive disorder made it impossible for her to accept.
It would be more practical to just put away the carpet and make the bed with blankets.
As she thought about it, she and Xu Qingzhu finished making the bed. After they finished, Xu Qingzhu was a little tired and sat on one side of the bed, panting slightly.
She wore a high-necked, fitted black sweater, her fair face tinged with a light camel pink, her eyes bright, and when she lowered her eyelashes, her thick lashes cast deep shadows on her eyes. Her hair was casually tied into a bun, with many wispy strands in front of her forehead, but it didn't look messy at all.
Whether it's because she has too many worries or because of her physical condition, she is very thin.
Even when sitting down while wearing a tight sweater, there wasn't an ounce of fat on her lower abdomen.
She walked barefoot on the soft carpet, her white toes blending seamlessly with the carpet like a natural painting.
"I'm sorry," Xu Qingzhu said after regaining some strength. "I broke my promise and couldn't persuade my sister to go back. I've caused you trouble these past few days."
"Huh?" Liang Shi looked at her, who had accidentally drifted off into thought. When she came to her senses, all she heard was "causing trouble."
Liang Shi lowered his head, slightly embarrassed. "What did you say?"
"I'm sorry." Xu Qingzhu patiently repeated, her cold and clear voice like snowmelt from a glacier, but it failed to cool Liang Shi down. "I'm sorry to trouble you. My family situation is not good right now, so I can only bother you."
"Ah, it's nothing," Liang Shi said. "It's nothing, and besides... we're family, your family is my family too."
Xu Qingzhu looked up at her.
She just licked her lips, which were now glistening, like jelly sprinkled with glitter.
Liang Shi turned his face away, not daring to look again.
“Xu Qingzhu.” Liang Shi felt it necessary to reiterate, “What I said in the ward before was all true.”
"Hmm?" Xu Qingzhu asked softly, her voice carrying a cool yet intimate tone, "Which ones?"
“I truly meant it when I said I wouldn’t hurt you anymore,” Liang Shi said. “No matter what mistakes I made to you in the past, it’s all in the past. I know I can’t bring myself to ask for your forgiveness, since the damage is irreversible.”
“But…” Liang Shi paused, then said sincerely, “I will change, and this is not just empty talk.”
Xu Qingzhu looked at her and suddenly smiled.
Her lips curved into a perfect arc, her eyes were half-closed, and her fair face looked rosy and tender, like cherry blossoms falling in a flurry.
At that moment, Liang Shi could even smell the scent of spring.
She felt that Xu Qingzhu seemed to be under a spell.
He immediately turned his face away.
Xu Qingzhu said in a low voice, "I believe you."
The final syllable still rises upward, like a small feather, specifically targeting a person's softest spot.
“However… I still have to apologize.” Xu Qingzhu stood up. “It’s just a matter of politeness.”
“Alright.” Liang Shi breathed a slight sigh of relief. “I’m just stating that from now on, this is your home. You can do whatever you want with it; there’s no need to ask my opinion. Of course… if…”
She coughed softly, "If you're in a good mood, you can listen to my opinion occasionally."
Xu Qingzhu was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"I'll try my best," Xu Qingzhu said. "The food should be almost ready. Let's go down and eat."
"Wait a minute," Liang Shi stopped him.
"What's wrong?"
Liang Shi stared at the carpet and asked, "Are there any new carpets? Or can we remove them?"
She really couldn't stand sleeping on a blanket full of bacteria.
"Yes, we do have some," Xu Qingzhu said. "We'll change them when we come back after dinner."
“Okay,” Liang Shi readily agreed.
She reached out to open the door, and Xu Qingzhu was right behind her. Xu Qingzhu moved forward slightly, getting very close to her again.
Afraid of being overheard, Xu Qingzhu lowered her voice and said, "You'll sleep in the bed tonight."
Liang Shi: "...?"
Chapter 21
Liang Shi only understood the full meaning of that sentence after he went downstairs.
It should be—you sleep in the bed at night, and I sleep on the floor.