Chapter 5: The Man is Back

Chapter 5

Originally thought that once back at the Maos' would be able to see the legendary male owner, but was very disappointed that the male owner had not returned.

It must be said that this family of three generations and six people was also somewhat unconventional. Lu Chenchen while cleaning found that the master bedroom only had Mrs. Mao's bedding, and no male owner's clothes. On the contrary, the study not only had a single bed but also a single wardrobe, and the not too many clothes inside were all men's.

Well, strange things cannot be said, once said there would be too many.

The four buns that Uncle Xu had insisted on giving, Lu Chenchen the next morning steamed two of them. She had said they were for herself to eat, but possibly because of the alluring meaty aroma when she split them open, Big Mao immediately asked why she had buns when he didn't.

Lu Chenchen smiled awkwardly and explained that milk and sandwiches were more nutritious, buns were made of ordinary flour and not tasty.

Big Mao wanted her to give him half of the split one to taste.

Lu Chenchen hesitated, because she saw Mrs. Mao's face show unease.

Big Mao impatiently reached over to grab it.

Lu Chenchen had no choice but to split the already-opened half into two and give Big Mao the piece with meat.

Mrs. Mao didn't make a sound at the time, but after finishing eating and leaving the table, she gently tapped on the table and said softly to Lu Chenchen, "Don't let him see it next time."

Lu Chenchen nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

Who knew that the next morning, Big Mao clinked his fork and said he wanted to eat buns...

Seeing Mrs. Mao's face instantly change from sunny to cloudy, Lu Chenchen felt that crying foul would be too late. Fortunately her mind turned quickly, she immediately smiled apologetically to Mrs. Mao and said, "It looks like that little piece of bun yesterday got our young master's appetite going. What do you think, should we buy some flour for me to make pan-fried buns for him? Freshly made, just to change up the taste occasionally."

She was hoping to divert the topic and not offend either the big or small Mao, of course Mrs. Mao could see through her intentions. Mrs. Mao snorted, and seriously told her, "I don't object to varying up the breakfast for the children, I just don't want them to casually eat foods from outside. Also," she turned to Big Mao and scolded, "don't act like you're starving and thirsty. Have I ever shortchanged your meals? Tell me, what have you not eaten before?"

Big Mao lowered his head.

Lu Chenchen made a show of checking the time, "I'm going to call Second Mao and Little Ming to get up and go to preschool."

When she came back downstairs with the two children, Mrs. Mao had already sent Big Mao to school.

Second Mao and Little Ming ate breakfast at preschool. Lu Chenchen let them each drink a small cup of water, then prepared to take them to the preschool in the residential compound.

Lu Chenchen respectfully lowered her head and answered "Yes."

"Do you know if the previous auntie left voluntarily or was fired by them?" Mao Yuanning asked again.

Lu Chenchen widened her innocent eyes. "Previous auntie?"

Mao Yuanning waved his hand. "Looks like you don't know either."

He then asked again, "What's your surname?"

"My humble surname is Lu, you can call me Auntie Lu or Auntie Lu." Lu Chenchen put down the cleaver and stood straight to answer.

"Sally told me the new auntie has a child. Is that you? Doesn't look like it." As Mao Yuanning spoke, he looked her up and down, very curious in his heart. This girl who looked like a student herself already had a child?

Lu Chenchen nodded. "Yes."

Mao Yuanning casually asked again, "How old is the child? In Wuhan?"

"Six years old. In my hometown Yichang. My husband is taking care of him."

"Six years old?" Mao Yuanning was shocked. This girl desperately trying to seem mature yet with a student's face already had a six year old child? "So you're alone in Wuhan? Don't you miss your child? What does your husband do?"

When it came to hiring help, it had to be admitted men were more rational and controlling. Mrs. Mao had also asked Lu Chenchen about her circumstances, but clearly not as in depth and direct as Mao Yuanning.

For some reason Lu Chenchen felt a bit nervous. Her palms curled into fists out of view. She could feel the dampness in her palms.

Taking a breath, she paused before saying, "Yes, no choice, my husband's health is not good. He can't find a well-paying job out here, it's better for him to watch our child at home."

Mao Yuanning stared at her and asked, "How often do you usually go back?"

"Not regular. If I have a steady job I'll just go back for Spring Festival. If I lose a job and don't have a new one I can start, then it's better to go back first."

Lu Chenchen didn't look Mao Yuanning in the eye the whole time. She kept her head slightly lowered, her gaze on the floor.

But even so, she still had the feeling of being suppressed by the man's imposing manner.