"Beast, how can you cook so well?—Bao'er, slow down, it's hot—" Tang Guo said as she fed herself porridge, watching Lin Bao'er devour it hungrily.
"Why aren't you afraid of the heat? Strange, the beast's porridge is different from Mo Nong's—it's so fragrant—"
Shen Mo Nong rolled her eyes. These two traitors—who would cook for them in the future? Although her stomach was growling and the porridge smelled unexpectedly good, she still ate it elegantly and gracefully with a gleaming stainless steel spoon, unlike Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er, who gobbled it down and kept an eye on each other's bowls, fearing the other would eat more or faster.
Ye Qiu had added some cilantro powder he brought from the mountains to the porridge. Cilantro was a common rural seasoning, green in color and aromatic. When dried and ground into powder, it added a unique flavor to dishes or porridge. Purely natural, without additives, and free of melamine.
He hadn't expected this rural specialty to so thoroughly whet the appetites of these three rich young ladies. He had even asked them beforehand if they wanted to eat, rushing to the bathroom when they said no. Never believe a woman's words too easily. Poor Ye Qiu returned just in time to get his share; otherwise, he would have only had the dishes to clean.
As they finished the entire pot of porridge, Lin Bao'er licked the residue from her spoon while Tang Guo patted her round belly and shot a sideways glance at Ye Qiu. With a stern face, she said, "Seeing how well you cook, I've decided to let you stay."
On TV, leaders usually made decisions after everyone else had spoken. Ye Qiu just sat there, smiling at her, with no intention of speaking up.
Tang Guo felt annoyed but maintained her composure. "Aren't you going to say something?" she asked.
Ye Qiu shook his head with a smile. Could he say that he had anticipated this outcome?
"Rude guy," Tang Guo muttered, then continued, "You can stay, but there are some conditions you must follow."
Stripping Ye Qiu of his choice, Tang Guo laid down her rules: "First, you must cook for us at least three times a week, and we decide the dishes."
Tang Guo was straightforward about her intention. Since they couldn't return the bodyguard, they might as well use him as a cook.
"Three times is too few. Six times, or better yet, twelve times," Lin Bao'er pouted.
"Bao'er, we're starting school soon, so we won't be home all the time. And I said at least three times—that means if we want to eat, he has to cook anytime."
Satisfied with the explanation, Lin Bao'er resumed licking the rice grains from her bowl until Tang Guo slapped her hand away, forcing her to end her unladylike behavior and stick out her tongue at Shen Mo Nong.
"Second, you will clean the living room and yard on odd days, and we will clean on even days."
"Tang Tang, why do we get the even days?" Lin Bao'er asked again.
"Bao'er, you're so dumb. There are four odd days a week and three even days. If we take the even days, we each clean one day. It would be hard to divide the odd days among us."
"Oh, I see," Lin Bao'er nodded in agreement.
"Third, no drinking or bringing other women into the villa. Sister Mo Nong is allergic to alcohol, and I hate those vulgar women. Although I doubt any woman would come back with you—hahaha—"
"—"
"Fourth, the second floor is our private space. You're not allowed up there."
"Fifth, you can't use the indoor bathrooms. The one outside is all yours. We won't compete with you for it. And remember to flush and wash your hands."
"Sixth, you can't follow me to school."
"Seventh, when I meet friends, you need to stay at least one hundred meters—no, three hundred meters away."
"Eighth, you are not allowed to look at or secretly take our underwear when we hang them to dry."
"Tang Tang, what are you saying?" Shen Mo Nong blushed and glared at Tang Guo.
"Ninth, you are not allowed to have perverted thoughts about Sister Mo Nong," Lin Bao'er added with a giggle.
"You two brats, are you looking for a beating?" Shen Mo Nong reached out to smack Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er's mouths.
"Sister Mo Nong, we're sorry—we're just worried he'd try something. We're just looking out for you," they pleaded.
After a bit more teasing, Tang Guo's serious expression returned as she faced Ye Qiu. "Eleventh—"
"Tang Tang, it should be the tenth," Lin Bao'er kindly reminded her.
"—Can't I say the eleventh first? Eleventh, you must follow the first ten rules unconditionally, without objection. Tenth, we reserve the right to add new rules based on the situation. Sister Mo Nong, Bao'er, anything else to add?"
Both girls shook their heads. They couldn't think of anything more to add.
"Okay, that's it for now. Oh, and since you used the pot and bowls today, you should wash them. Don't worry, we won't bully you. If we cook, we'll wash our own dishes."
Ye Qiu nearly cried. If this wasn't bullying, what was?
After washing the dishes, Ye Qiu saw the three women still in the living room. Shen Mo Nong was reading a book, while Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er were playing a battle game on their laptops, their faces glowing with happiness.
Ye Qiu stood at the door for a while, watching until Shen Mo Nong raised her head, her eyes alert. Nodding to her, he turned and walked out. Shen Mo Nong nodded back, adjusting her amethyst glasses and pondering.
This man was a mystery to her.