Meng Nianyao contemplated the teasing and mocking she might endure after calling Gu Wencheng and decided against it. Her eyes scanned the bathroom, and she noticed a man's bathrobe hanging on the hook beside the bathtub. It appeared unused.
Holding onto the wall, Meng Nianyao gingerly made her way over to the bathrobe and removed her wet clothes. She put on the bathrobe.
Outside, Gu Wencheng waited for over an hour and began to grow concerned. He walked up to the bathroom door and called out, "Mrs. Gu, are you finished?"
Meng Nianyao, now clad in the bathrobe, struggled with its oversized fit, causing her chest to be inadvertently exposed.
Not receiving a response, Gu Wencheng raised his voice, "Meng Nianyao? If you don't answer, I'm coming in."
"Hold on..." Meng Nianyao hurriedly fastened the bathrobe's straps and clutched the collar with her teeth just as the bathroom door swung open. Gu Wencheng hadn't expected to encounter such a scene. Meng Nianyao, feeling helpless, forced a sheepish smile when she saw him.
Gu Wencheng's gaze wandered from head to toe, lingering on Meng Nianyao's slightly curled toes. He couldn't help but smile mysteriously before approaching to lift her up.
Meng Nianyao's hair was still damp as Gu Wencheng set her down on the sofa. He headed to the bathroom to fetch a towel.
Meng Nianyao had nothing on beneath the bathrobe and felt quite exposed. When she saw Gu Wencheng's return, she couldn't help but say, "Could you please carry me back to the bedroom first? I need to change into pajamas."
Gu Wencheng, a smile in his eyes, glanced at her before lifting her and carrying her back to the bedroom.
Sitting on the bed, Meng Nianyao breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
"Do you need me to get your clothes?" Gu Wencheng inquired.
Meng Nianyao was rendered speechless. "No, thank you."
Once Gu Wencheng left the room, Meng Nianyao gingerly made her way to the wardrobe and retrieved her pajamas to change into. Just as she had finished dressing, Gu Wencheng knocked on the door. "Are you ready?"
Meng Nianyao had no desire to respond. In fact, she didn't want to see Gu Wencheng at all. She felt a mixture of embarrassment and irritation at being carried around by him.
Regrettably, Gu Wencheng had equal rights to the use of this bedroom. Seeing Meng Nianyao's silence, he opened the door and entered. As their eyes met, filled with her frustration, he smiled and waved a hairdryer in his hand. "I've come to dry your hair."
...
The following day, Meng Nianyao requested time off from work and remained at home. When she awoke, Gu Wencheng was no longer in the apartment.
Someone knocked on the door.
The unfamiliar middle-aged woman's voice surprised Meng Nianyao for a moment. The voice from outside continued, "Madam, Sir hired me to take care of you. You may call me Aunt Zhang."
Meng Nianyao was at a loss for words. "Please come in."
After Aunt Zhang entered, she presented Meng Nianyao's slippers beside the bed and asked, "Would you like to freshen up now, Madam?"
Meng Nianyao had never been looked after in such a manner, so she felt somewhat embarrassed when Aunt Zhang offered her slippers. "Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome." Aunt Zhang smiled and approached to assist Meng Nianyao.
Aunt Zhang appeared to be highly skilled in caring for individuals. She seemed to anticipate Meng Nianyao's needs without her having to ask. Nonetheless, Meng Nianyao was still acclimating to the presence of this stranger in her apartment.
Upon Gu Wencheng's return from work, Meng Nianyao made her first request. "Gu Wencheng, I can take care of myself. Could you ask Aunt Zhang not to come?"
Gu Wencheng glanced at her feet. "Is your ankle healed?"
Meng Nianyao was left speechless.
After a few days of this arrangement, Meng Nianyao gradually grew accustomed to Aunt Zhang's presence, although she still felt uneasy being served. She preferred to handle things herself.
Over time, Meng Nianyao lost track of the days spent being cared for until Meng Haotian called her. She had been reading a book at the time, and seeing "Meng Haotian" on her phone screen made it feel like an eternity had passed.
She set her book aside and glanced at Mrs. Zhang, who was busy in the kitchen. She picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Nianyao, I'm back. Whose colleague's house are you at?" Meng Haotian inquired. "Shall I come to pick you up?"
Meng Haotian was aware of Meng Nianyao's sprained ankle. He had initially suggested sending Wang Shulan to take care of her, but Meng Nianyao had declined, claiming she would be staying at a colleague's place.