Xiao Qingxuan pondered for a considerable duration before letting out a sigh, "Although there might be some misunderstandings between us, your assistance yesterday touched me deeply. I present these to you, merely seeking to reciprocate your kindness. Please, do not misconstrue my intentions."
Misunderstanding? What a joke! It seems like this young lady has some misconceptions. Lin Wanrong chuckled heartily, "No need to worry. I am a person of loyalty, kindness, handsomeness, and generosity. Helping you once is a trivial matter; doing it every day is also not an issue."
Hearing his nonsensical words, Xiao Qingxuan's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly said, "You are always so frivolous. I'll present something else to you; it seems more fitting for you."
Lin Wanrong inquired, "What is it?"
Without uttering a word, Xiao Qingxuan took out a handful of medicine packets from her bosom—everything from wound-healing salves, hangover remedies, sunscreen, to hand creams, and many more.
She picked one packet and said, "This is for you."
Curious, Lin Wanrong asked, "What exactly is it?"
Suppressing a laugh, Xiao Qingxuan said, "Sweat-inducing medicine."
Suddenly, Lin Wanrong felt a bead of sweat forming. This little lady is playing a trick on me. What would I do with this sweat-inducing medicine? Am I supposed to engage in some illicit activities?
Seeing him puzzled, Xiao Qingxuan's face revealed a hint of a smile. She snorted, "You are full of bad ideas and mischief. This sweat-inducing medicine should come in handy for you."
Lin Wanrong wryly smiled, "I'm not as incorrigible as you say."
With a triumphant smile, Xiao Qingxuan sighed helplessly, "You are sharp-tongued and prone to envy. Be cautious when you travel outside, lest you inadvertently tread on someone's path. Since you're not skilled in martial arts, I'll see who will come to your rescue when the time comes."
Speaking in a gentle tone, quite different from her cold demeanor, Xiao Qingxuan added, "Be careful out there. I'm leaving."
Lin Wanrong said, "When you climb the wall, be careful not to fall."
Xiao Qingxuan cast him a glance, almost wishing to stab him with a sword. You jinx, with your ominous words. Why is it that my exquisite skills have led to such a situation? Now that I'm leaving, can't you say something nice?
Looking up, she saw Lin Wanrong suppressing a smile, knowing he was engaging in verbal banter again. Somehow, she felt a warm sensation in her heart, blushing a bit, and quickly headed outside.
"Will you come again tomorrow?" Lin Wanrong shamelessly inquired.
Seeing her seemingly not hearing him as she walked away, Lin Wanrong shook his head. This young lady has a thin skin.
Just as he thought about it, a soft snort echoed in the wind, "Hmm."
When he looked up, Xiao Qingxuan had already disappeared.
A sense of melancholy welled up in Lin Wanrong's heart. In this world, there were only two women he truly felt something for. One was Dong Qiaqiao—gentle, kind, enjoyed listening to him, and held him in high regard. Lin Wanrong liked her, and he wouldn't let anyone harm her. She was suitable to be his wife.
As for the relationship with Xiao Qingxuan, it felt strange. It wasn't love or friendship. If it had to be defined, it was greater than friendship but less than love. It had a sense of confidant-like connection, even though they had only interacted a few times, and most of them were under duress. Strangely, he felt this way.
Looks like I'm quite skilled at playing ambiguous games. Xiao Qingxuan had long disappeared, and Lin Wanrong was still immersed in self-admiration.
After composing himself, he carefully compared the essence blends, trying to recall his limited knowledge of perfumes. Xiao Qingxuan's reaction just now provided him with ample confidence. Even a noble lady like her seemed to be enamored with this fragrance; others would likely be even more captivated.
Lin Wanrong, now sleeping on a figurative gold mine, became more meticulous in his experiments. He recorded the different ratios meticulously, contemplated the steps repeatedly, and documented them on paper. Fortunately, during his time as a sales manager, he developed his own way of recording to ensure confidentiality.
After a while, he sealed the small cups with different ratios. Testing fragrances was crucial in perfume making; the scent varied at different times. Lin Wanrong understood this principle.
Busy for a while, he heard a maidservant calling his name outside. Considering the late hour, he realized it was time to go to Xiao Yushuang to tell stories.
Ah, with talent comes more responsibilities.
Xiao Yushuang's embroidery building was located in the center of the Xiao residence. In the front were the living quarters of the young ladies, and in the back was where Madam Xiao resided. When Xiao Yushuang was still young, she lived together with her sister. However, when she turned sixteen and started wearing her hair in a bun, symbolizing her coming of age, she moved to a separate embroidery building prepared specifically for her.
The small building was square and ordinary, with four red lacquered pillars at each corner and yellow tiles with carved flying birds on the eaves. It appeared rather commonplace, except for the gold-trimmed plaque above the main entrance.
Upon entering the building, one would find a tranquil small study. The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and through the study, there was a small reception room. Xiao Yushuang, with a smile as radiant as flowers, saw Lin San arrive and hurriedly ran over, grabbing his hand, "Lin San, you're here."
Lin Wanrong smiled, "How could I dare not come when you, Second Miss, ordered it?!"
A maidservant brought a cup of tea. Xiao Yushuang personally handed it to Lin Wanrong, "Lin San, this is Rainflower Tea that just arrived yesterday. Please taste it. How does it taste?"
Accepting the tea, Lin Wanrong took a sip. Indeed, it had a refreshing aroma that lingered, even someone like him, not well-versed in tea, couldn't help but admire the good tea.
Seeing him finish the tea in one go, Xiao Yushuang, covering her small mouth, laughed, "Who drinks tea like this? Why are you in such a hurry, and there's no one competing with you?" After saying that, she waved her hand, asking the maidservant to bring another cup.
Lin Wanrong smiled, "With such good tea, presented by Second Miss herself, how could I dare to neglect it? Even if it were bitter, I would have still drunk it all."
"You're such a bad person." Xiao Yushuang covered her mouth and smiled, "By the way, about the matter I told you earlier today, do you have a solution?"
Offering a courtesy where there's no solicitation; he couldn't avoid it. Lin Wanrong sighed
, "Second Miss, I may have some thoughts, but merely having thoughts doesn't necessarily mean a solution. Unfortunately, if we form a joint venture with others, our Xiao family would be heading toward destruction."
"Do you really mean that?" Xiao Yushuang asked with a tremor in her voice.
Lin Wanrong realized his decisive tone had frightened this young girl. After all, although she was the Second Miss, she hadn't participated in the family's affairs due to her young age. What she said didn't carry much weight.
"I won't deceive you, Second Miss. This joint venture idea is like a wolf in sheep's clothing, hiding profound dangers. You must not underestimate it," Lin Wanrong said, softening his tone.
Xiao Yushuang didn't understand these things, but she had an almost blindly trust in Lin San. In a worried tone, she grabbed his hand, "Lin San, what should we do? Just now, I overheard my mother and sister's conversation, and it seemed like they were swayed by that Mr. Tao."
Being trusted so wholeheartedly by this young girl in the Xiao family's grand residence moved Lin Wanrong. However, as a servant, he had no way of getting involved in the family's management, nor did he want to. He was just a servant, was he supposed to showcase the spirit of a master?
Seeing Xiao Yushuang sigh, Lin Wanrong comforted her, "Second Miss, that is only the worst-case scenario. Moreover, with the intelligence and wisdom of the eldest Miss and Madam, how could they not see through it? You can rest assured."
Xiao Yushuang sighed softly, "I hope it turns out as you think."
Lin Wanrong smiled, "You can rest easy. That is the worst-case scenario. You don't need to worry too much."
Xiao Yushuang sighed again, "I am so afraid. What if our Xiao family falls? What will happen to my mother and sister? What about me? What about you?"
This little girl is truly lovable. Lin Wanrong hurriedly consoled her, "You can be at ease. That's just the worst-case scenario. Besides, with the wit and intelligence of the eldest Miss and Madam, how could they not see through it? You don't need to worry too much."
"I hope it turns out as you think."
Lin Wanrong saw that it was getting late and said, "Second Miss, it's getting late. You should rest early. I'll go back now."
Xiao Yushuang hurriedly grabbed his hand, "You haven't told me a story yet. I've been having nightmares these past few days and am quite scared. Lin San, tell me a story, alright?"
This little girl looked pitiable. Lin Wanrong kindly said, "Alright, today, I'll tell you a story about the Heroic Legend of the Condor Heroes."
"Okay." The little girl rested her head on the table, supporting her chin with her hands, eagerly awaiting the story.
Lin Wanrong, having been a sales manager for a long time, had honed his exaggerated storytelling skills. Whether it was a small tale or an epic one, he knew how to embellish it. This time, the story he told was both thrilling and awe-inspiring, with each character evoking sighs.
"...Guo Jing and Huang Rong lived happily on Peach Blossom Island." Goodness, this Heroic Legend of the Condor Heroes is truly lengthy! Despite Lin Wanrong's attempts to condense the content, he still narrated for over an hour, drinking a whole pot of Rainflower Tea. It seems he should choose a shorter story next time, perhaps a tale about a street hawker.
The Second Miss listened with great interest for a long time. When he finished, her face wore a contented smile, "Lin San, where did you hear this story? It feels like I was listening to a storyteller. It was so entertaining. I loved it! From now on, before I go to sleep, you must tell me stories, alright?"