Siheyuan: tomb robbing? I am serious about hunting.

Chapter 1085 Uncle Zhang

Her father died young, leaving her and her mother to depend on each other. To raise money, she sold her mother's beloved sewing machine and quit her job as a kitchen helper at a small restaurant. She would leave home before dawn each day, crisscrossing Xinggang City for interviews. But either because she lacked education—after graduating from high school, she had given up the chance to go to college to care for her mother—or because she needed frequent leave to go to the hospital, no employer would hire her. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was a text from the hospital nurse: "Ms. Su, your mother's hospital bills are three days overdue. If you don't pay by tomorrow, her medication will be discontinued." Su Wan's fingertips paled, and her breathing became rapid. She looked up ahead. Halfway up the mountain, the outline of a single-family villa gradually became clear in the twilight. That was where she was interviewing today: the private villa of Lu Chengyuan, the president of Xinggang Group. They were looking for a live-in maid, offering a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan, including food and accommodation. For Su Wan, this salary was a lifeline. She took a deep breath and carefully placed her resume into the innermost layer of her canvas bag, then straightened her pale light blue shirt and black trousers. The collar of her shirt was a little loose, so she took out a black hair tie from her bag and tied her hair into a high ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead, trying to make herself look more energetic. Walking up the winding mountain road, every step was particularly heavy. The mountain road was lined with evergreen trees, and the wind blew through the gaps between the leaves, making a rustling sound, as if someone was whispering in her ear. Su Wan couldn't help but speed up her pace, until the villa appeared completely in front of her, she stopped and took a breath. It was a European-style single-family villa, with an exterior wall made of light gray marble and a roof of red tiles, which glowed coldly in the twilight. The villa's main entrance was a black wrought iron gate, intricately woven with patterns. On either side stood a stone lion, its eyes inlaid with black glazed tiles. In the afterglow of the setting sun, it exuded a majestic aura, aloof from strangers. Su Wan stood before the gate, hesitating for a moment before pressing the doorbell. The chime wasn't a typical "ding-dong," but a soothing piano melody, but to Su Wan, it sounded like a death warrant. A few seconds later, the gate slowly opened, revealing a bluestone-paved courtyard. The courtyard was large, with a circular fountain in the center. Water jetted from the beak of a stone swan in the center, splashing into the pool. Neatly trimmed shrubs surrounded the pool, and hidden within them were small landscape lights, already lit, emitting a warm yellow glow. However, this light failed to dispel the villa's coldness, instead making the entire building look like a silent ice sculpture. A middle-aged man in a black butler's uniform emerged. He was about fifty, his hair meticulously combed, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses. His eyes were gentle, yet held a distance that came from years of working for a wealthy family. He looked Su Wan over for a moment before asking, "Are you Miss Su Wan?" Su Wan nodded quickly, her hands nervously at her sides. "Yes, hello. I'm Su Wan, here for an interview for a maid position." "I'm the butler here. You can just call me Uncle Zhang," he said calmly. "Mr. Lu is waiting in the study. Follow me." Su Wan followed Uncle Zhang into the villa and was stunned by the sight of the living room. The living room's ceilings soared at least five meters. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its pendants reflecting the light so brightly that it almost blinded her. The living room's floor was paved with white marble tiles, so shiny that it reflected the chandelier's shadow. Several priceless paintings hung on the walls, their frames intricately carved with gold patterns. In the corner stood a large antique vase, painted with a blue and white lotus pattern. Su Wan had seen similar vases in magazines, rumored to be worth tens of millions. Yet, there was no trace of life here. The sofa cushions were neatly arranged, not a single wrinkle; the coffee table was barren, not even a book. The air was filled with the faint scent of disinfectant, mixed with the fir scent of the aromatherapy diffuser, a chill that made her heart clench. Su Wan couldn't help but wonder, could she really be happy living in a place like this? Uncle Zhang led her through the living room and up the spiral staircase. The handrail was made of mahogany, intricately carved, and each step was covered with thick carpet, making it soundless. The second-floor hallway was long, and on the walls hung black and white photos of a little boy, seemingly five or six, wearing a suit and with a serious expression, like a little adult. Su Wan guessed that they must be photos of Lu Chengyuan as a child. "Mr. Lu has a rather aloof personality. He doesn't enjoy crowds or conversation. When you see him later, try to keep your mouth shut and just answer whatever questions he's asked." Uncle Zhang paused at the study door and whispered to Su Wan. Su Wan nodded quickly, feeling even more nervous. Uncle Zhang knocked gently on the study door, and a deep male voice rang out from within: "Come in." The moment Su Wan opened the door, she saw a man sitting on a leather sofa. He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit. The fabric looked expensive and was ironed to perfection, with not a single wrinkle. His shirt was white, meticulously tied at the collar, and his tie was dark gray, matching the color of his suit. An unlit cigar was tucked between the fingers of his left hand. The cigar's dark brown body shone glossy in the light. The man's profile was sharply defined, with prominent brow bones, deep eye sockets, a prominent nose bridge, and a jawline as sharp as a knife, like the most meticulous work of God. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and behind the lenses, his dark eyes were as deep as a cold pond, devoid of any emotion. He was looking at Su Wan through the lenses, his gaze, as if examining an object, devoid of any warmth. Su Wan's heartbeat instantly accelerated, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at him again. "Lu Chengyuan," the man said, his voice low and magnetic, like the bass of a cello, yet carrying an undeniable authority. "I've read your resume." He paused, his gaze settling on Su Wan. "Can you cook and clean? Can you live with me 24 hours a day, and strictly abide by a confidentiality agreement?" Su Wan quickly raised her head and nodded vigorously, her hands nervously twisting the corners of her clothes. "Yes, Mr. Lu, I can do it all. I worked as a kitchen helper at a 'home-style restaurant' in the south of the city for two years. The head chef loved me and said my cooking was very homely. I'm also very skilled at housework. My mother is in poor health, so I've always done all the chores. I'm also very secretive. I never pry into other people's private affairs, and I certainly won't tell anyone about my work." Her voice trembled, not out of fear, but from sheer desire to get the job. Lu Chengyuan didn't ask any more questions. He picked up a long-prepared contract from the table and pushed it towards Su Wan.