A/N: Because Calix thought of Leslie as Charlene, I'll use Charlene's name to refer to Leslie in Calix-oriented chapters
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When Calix first entered the bedroom where his newlywedded wife Charlene was placed, he was a bundle of energy. Yet, when he came out of it, he seemed to be depleted of his vitality.
While walking down the stairs, Calix's confused mind recalled everything Charlene told him, including her request.
"I won't intervene with your life. But, I really hope you'll do me a favor soon. I'll stay away from you if that's your condition."
Charlene's countenance and voice carried a hint of desperation. Even though she was in her soul form, the vividness of her expression was cemented into Calix's mind.
"What kind of favor? I need to listen to it first."
Even though Charlene's offer was so tempting, Calix still had to know its essence.
Well... even though he was aware that he took advantage of her current situation, he couldn't blindly agree to her request.
Charlene didn't immediately respond to him. She seemed to be caught in a dilemma. Sorrow glinted in her eyes, barely seen by Calix because she quickly lowered her head.
"I will tell you soon. I need... I need to rearrange my mind."
From how Charlene's expression sank, Calix had a hunch it was something difficult. Still, he would wait until she was ready to tell him.
Before Calix walked out of the room, he notified Charlene that he also had to gather his thoughts. He was still surprised by the unexpected meeting with his newly wedded wife in her soul form.
"Did I actually go crazy?"
Mumbling under his breath, Calix held back the impulse to return to Charlene's bedroom and check whether there were two versions of her inside. He didn't realize that his legs brought him to the kitchen.
"Oh, you're still alive, Boss Xu."
Edward's voice penetrated annoyingly into Calix's ears. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at his chief personal assistant. The younger man was sitting at the kitchen island.
Edward was leisurely enjoying a small bowl of mango pudding made by Aunt Wendy. She was the housekeeper and the cook for Calix's private residence.
"What? Do you want me dead?" Calix huffed. He jumped on the chair next to Edward.
"I thought you're dead after admiring your new wife's beauty nonstop," replied Edward without any fear. He took another bite of the pudding.
Calix rolled his eyes, "Don't make it sound like I'm a pervert. Are you itching to get another huge workload?"
"No," declined Edward without missing a beat.
Aunt Wendy who was nearby laughed softly as she watched the two men's interaction. She looked at Calix, "Do you want some pudding, Mr. Calix? I added strawberry slices in it."
Calix's attention was instantly piqued. He nodded, "Of course! How could I say no to your delicious pudding, Aunt Wendy."
Instead of entertaining his personal assistant's bad behavior, he should have some dessert to lighten up his mood.
"Mr. Calix, who will take care of your wife? Ah, may I call her Mrs. Charlene?"
Aunt Wendy came up with the questions as she placed a pudding bowl in front of Calix. Her soft countenance had a gentle smile.
"Oh... yes, you can call her that, Aunt Wendy. But, what do you mean?"
Calix unintentionally thought that Aunt Wendy and Charlene had a similar vibe. Both of them had the vibe of a kindhearted woman.
Crap!
Did she follow him here?
Calix abruptly looked behind him. Widening his eyes, he tried to see if Charlene actually came downstairs instead of staying inside the bedroom.
Calix's weird action caught Edward and Aunt Wendy's attention.
"Mr. Calix, what's wrong?" asked Aunt Wendy in concern, "Are you looking for something? Ah, what's wrong with your cheek? Did you get slapped by someone?"
Aunty Wendy had just noticed the redness on Calix's right cheek. It seemed as if a hand was imprinted there but, did she see it wrong?
Calix laughed awkwardly, "Haha... ha... a mosquito bit me so, I tried to smack it."
"Oh no! You slapped yourself in the process?"
"...yes."
Calix lowered his head. He couldn't bring himself to tell the truth. His cheek still stung.
"Ignore him, Aunt. It's his normal behavior," responded Edward disinterestedly. He continued eating the pudding.
Aunt Wendy Lao and her husband, Uncle Raymond Zhang were actually Edward's relatives. Uncle Raymond was his late mother's elder brother.
Edward's parents died when he was still young. His father passed away due to a fatal heart attack when Edward was five while his mother left when he had just turned eleven. Her cause of death was pneumonia.
Uncle Raymond and Aunt Wendy didn't have any children. Even though they had little money, they did everything they could to raise Edward.
Fate led the young man to Calix during his first year at the university abroad. Since then, they had grown closer until Edward gained his complete trust.
Aunt Wendy and Uncle Raymond got to know Calix even before they were hired to take care of the man's private residence. When the young man first suggested it, the spouses were overjoyed.
Edward actually wanted his beloved uncle and aunt to stop working and enjoy their retirement but, Aunt Wendy and Uncle Raymond refused. They said they didn't want to stay idle.
Hearing Edward's reply, Calix smacked the young man's back, "Finish the pudding and go back to work."
Edward shrugged. He answered monotonously, "It's nearing the end of work hours, Boss. I'll head home to my beloved dog. Unlike you, I don't have a wife."
Calix clicked his tongue while Aunt Wendy laughed. The housekeeper repeated her earlier question to the former.
"Mr. Calix, should I assist in taking care of Mrs. Charlene? Even though the air is cool, she might sweat. I can wipe her body."
Calix blinked. He had totally forgotten about that!
Aside from bathing her, her diapers also needed to be changed. The maids of the Li family had given Charlene necessities to his helpers when they went to get her belongings.
Aside from Charlene's clothes, her medicine and adult diapers were also included.
"...let me think about it," replied Calix stiffly.
Aunt Wendy's smile didn't fluctuate, "Alright, Mr. Calix. Just call me if you need any help."
Edward threw a sly look at Calix. A corner of his lips lifted up.
What crossed the aunt and nephew's mind was so obvious. Heat flared up from Calix's cheeks down to his neck.
He had just gotten married to a woman he barely knew yet, he sounded like he wanted to personally take care of her intimate matters.
Cough!
In the end, Calix made up excuses. He said he planned to call Charlene's father and inquire further about who was her caretaker.
Calix hastily finished the pudding before jumping to his feet. His face was still beet red.
"Aunt Wendy, you don't have to prepare dinner for me. Just take care of yours and Uncle Raymond's. Edward, finish the report I told you about this morning. Bye."
Without looking at Aunt Wendy's gentle smile and Edward's sneer, Calix hurriedly ran upstairs.