Chapter 32: She Gave Too Much.

Yu Baowei, still voraciously eating, felt a jolt in her heart. He had noticed that day. What a sharp guy.

Swallowing her food, she grabbed a napkin to wipe the oil from her lips.

She glanced at Lu Zhao, about to speak, but her gaze wavered, her delicate tongue nervously licking her lower lip.

After a moment’s silence, she spoke. “Have you… met Yan Ruyue?”

Her head was lowered, hiding her expression from Lu Zhao.

Caught off guard by the question, he thought she might know something, instinctively tightening his grip on his fingers under the table.

But then, if she knew, she’d have shown shock earlier.

Her demeanor suggested it wasn’t about him.

“I have. Qingxin took me to meet her a few days ago.”

“What do you think of her?”

Yu Baowei looked up, her eyes locking onto his, swirling with complex emotions.

Lu Zhao couldn’t read them, but his gut told him this question mattered deeply to her.

After a moment’s thought, he gave an honest answer.

“She’s exceptional—so exceptional you don’t even dare compare yourself to her.”

“Yeah, she really is… incredibly exceptional.” A bitter smile tugged at Yu Baowei’s lips.

“Let me tell you a story.” She took a deep breath, as if clearing a cloud from her mind.

“Sure, I’m listening.”

Her eyes lost focus, sinking into memories.

Their families had always been close. Yu Baowei, a few years younger, trailed Yan Ruyue like a shadow when they were kids.

Back then, they were just innocent playmates, free of rivalry.

But school changed things.

They say school is a microcosm of society, and Yu Baowei felt it keenly.

The comparisons didn’t come from her or her classmates.

They came from her parents.

“Look at your sister Ruyue, all perfect scores again.”

“Look at your sister Ruyue, winning another award.”

“Look at your sister Ruyue, got into…”

“Look at you…”

Yu Baowei wasn’t lacking. Compared to her peers, she was outstanding.

But she lived in Yan Ruyue’s shadow, perpetually overshadowed.

Even if Yan Ruyue didn’t intend it, the constant comparisons crushed Yu Baowei’s budding confidence just as it formed.

She grew to resent Yan Ruyue, her parents for comparing her, and herself for not being the best.

Finally, she gave up.

If she could never catch up, why bother?

She left home for a new city, choosing to coast through life.

Living in a haze, avoiding troubles—until she ran into Yan Qingxin and Lu Zhao by chance.

The story was brief, her tone flat, but the bitterness and years of heartache were hers alone to bear.

“And Qingxin? What about her?” Lu Zhao cared about her attitude toward his girlfriend, who clearly adored this “auntie.”

Yu Baowei sighed with a hint of complaint. “You really dote on her, huh?”

“Of course. I’m her boyfriend, aren’t I?”

“She’s a good kid. I like her a lot. But seeing her reminds me of Yan Ruyue, and it sours my mood.”

So, sneaking her snacks as a kid was genuine.

Lu Zhao didn’t say it aloud—he just wanted clarity on this.

“Well, Miss Yu, you’d better get used to it. Qingxin’s bound to visit me, and you’re right next door.”

He smiled, his light tone carrying a jab that hit her sore spot.

His grin reeked of schadenfreude to her.

So punchable! That handsome face with such a smug expression! And…

“Who’re you calling Auntie? Do I look old?”

Her agitation made the Pikachu on her shirt quiver.

“Not old at all, but don’t I have to follow Qingxin’s lead?”

“No need.” She waved it off. “Keep calling me Miss Yu, or Sister Yu, or even just my name. Just not Auntie Yu, got it?”

Her reaction left him speechless.

Guess women, in any world, are touchy about age.

“Alright, Miss Yu.”

“Good.” She nodded, satisfied, and resumed eating.

After dinner, she washed dishes.

“Oh, I forgot to ask—what university are you at?”

Lu Zhao, stacking a clean plate, answered casually, “Goose City University.”

“Uh… what?”

Her hands froze, and she stared at him, shocked.

“What’s wrong? Problem?”

“Oh, no, no problem. None at all.”

Her odd smile didn’t faze him. He just thought, She’s so weird. Too much wine, maybe?

After tidying up, he prepared to leave when she called out.

“Hm? Something else?”

“Well…” She hesitated, as if struggling to speak.

“Just say it. Given your tie to Qingxin, I don’t mind helping if you’re in trouble.”

“Really? Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal. Hold on.”

She strode inside on her long legs, returning with a piece of paper for him.

It was a contract.

“You’re… hiring me as a housekeeper? How could—”

Before he could refuse, she cut in. “Don’t say no yet. Check the pay first.”

He looked again, eyes landing on the salary.

“!”

They widened. He shook his head, looking again in disbelief.

“No way, you sure? It says two meals a day, no weekends, for… ten thousand?”

Some housekeepers earned that, but the workload was intense.

“Yup, that’s it. I’m sick of takeout. Coming home to a hot meal after work—you know how much that means to an office worker?”

“Sister, what do you do? Paying me this much, what’s left for you?”

Just curiosity. From her story, she was another rich kid… ugh, filthy rich people!

Yu Baowei propped her arm, squishing Pikachu’s face.

“None of your business. So, you in? It’s a friend’s rate.”

Lu Zhao was tempted. Since starting university, he’d had no income.

Though Yan Qingxin often covered meals, daily expenses added up. He couldn’t let her pay for everything.

It wasn’t sustainable.

He’d hesitated because she was a friend, and being her housekeeper felt odd.

Plus, if Yan Qingxin found out, it’d be awkwardly embarrassing.

But now… the pay was too good. Weird or not, he’d take it.

“Alright. When do I start?”

“Tomorrow. Deal?” She smirked, extending her right hand.

He smiled back, shaking it. “Deal.”