Chapter 91

After Auntie Jing's reminder, Ding Hao recalled that one day he had a sudden whim and posted a job advertisement at a real estate agency, which he had almost forgotten about. Back then, he had tried hard to persuade Chen Fang to come back and live with him, but she ignored him, saying she didn't want to interfere with Ding Hao's dating life.

Zuo Xueying, on the other hand, was fully devoted to the management of Shanwai Mountain under the encouragement of her godmother. Due to the recent significant changes, Zuo Xueying was so busy that she was almost falling apart and naturally had no time to visit Ding Hao. Teacher Zeng hadn't returned from his recruitment trip, and Gu Wen was still in Yungang... As a result, there was no one to talk to about dating, and no one to take care of his daily life.

It wasn't really Ding Hao's fault. The tourism season was approaching again, and his Shanwai Mountain restaurant was getting busy. General Manager Zuo Xueying insisted that he help out at the company. The house was already in chaos, and if he started working at the restaurant, the university would be reopening soon...

Ding Hao also needed to enter the magical space to level up and search for his family... He really needed a nanny. Eating boxed meals every day wasn't a long-term solution.

He didn't expect that someone would actually come to apply for the job today. Actually, Ding Hao's requirements weren't high. He just wanted someone diligent, who could keep the place clean and cook decent meals. Whether they knew how to cook French cuisine was irrelevant; he had added that to emphasize his identity as a French-Chinese expatriate.

Auntie Tian was really enthusiastic, getting involved in everything. When an employer hires a nanny, they should let the two parties talk it out themselves, but she clearly didn't want Ding Hao to have a choice, insisting on directly hiring this girl. However, this also showed that Auntie Tian was a good person, hoping to help the girl who was working her way through school.

But as Ding Hao looked at the girl, who had just shed her naivety, he didn't object to her working her way through school. After all, he needed a nanny, and it didn't matter who came. However, it wasn't good to deceive people. Could someone so young really know how to cook French cuisine?

He turned to the girl and asked seriously, "Can you cook French cuisine?"

"Yes, Mr. Ding, I can. Not only can I cook French cuisine, but I am even more skilled at Chinese cuisine. If you don't believe me, I can cook a whole meal for you to taste. If you're not satisfied, you don't have to hire me," Li Lei answered confidently, as she could tell that Ding Hao was clearly doubting her abilities.

"That's not necessary. It's good that you can. Auntie Tian has already told you, right? If the salary and benefits are fine, you can stay," Ding Hao said, also sensing her thoughts. He wasn't against testing her, but there was nothing in the house to cook with except the leftover boxed meals.

Besides, hiring a nanny who could cook French cuisine was just a facade to emphasize his French-Chinese expatriate identity. If she really cooked, Ding Hao wasn't sure he could judge it.

At this moment, Auntie Tian tugged at Ding Hao's hand and gave him a meaningful look, then pulled him aside and whispered, "I'm warning you, boy, be on your best behavior. It's not easy for this girl to come out and work her way through school. If you dare to have any ulterior motives, don't blame me for taking drastic action!"

Ding Hao was speechless as he looked at the auntie in front of him. He wondered if she watched too many soap operas at night, coming up with such extreme ideas. This was a law-based society, and if he really did anything, he would be held legally responsible. Ding Hao considered himself a law-abiding citizen most of the time.

Even if he were extremely desperate, he wouldn't target a young girl like this. Even rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrows. He wasn't short of money; if he really needed to, he could just go out and find someone, and the quality would be much better than this inexperienced girl.

Sister Chen Fang was always welcoming him to visit, and with a bit of effort, he might even win Liu Xia's heart. As a wealthy French-Chinese expatriate with millions in property and a billion-dollar company, if he were to stoop to raping a nanny, he would have lived in vain.

"Alright, alright, I understand, Auntie Tian. Do I look like that kind of person? You were just trying to set me up with someone, and now I'm a pervert? I just have a bit of a chaotic lifestyle. Actually, I often help old ladies cross the street, and I give up my seat to pregnant women on the bus. If someone falls from a building in the neighborhood, I would reach out to catch them."

"Also, Auntie, I'm about to start working, which is why I'm hiring a nanny. Do you think a young man like me who is so ambitious would bully anyone? Don't worry, Auntie Tian, I won't make any mistakes. Here, this is the sponsorship fee for the Mid-Autumn Festival, I'll pay it now."

Ding Hao admired Auntie Tian. There was nothing in the neighborhood she didn't meddle in. Now, a month before the Mid-Autumn Festival, she was already collecting donations. It was better to pay up and shut her up.

Auntie Tian took the money, looked at Ding Hao, and nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, you have a high level of awareness. It's good that you're going to work. It's better than sleeping all day. I won't say anything more. I'm busy, so I won't stay here."

"Daughter, I work at the office by the entrance of the neighborhood. If you need any help or if this boy bullies you, come find me, and I'll stand up for you!" With that, Auntie Tian finally left in a huff.

Ding Hao finally understood why there were always some aunties with red armbands patrolling the neighborhood. He used to think it was just for show, and that thieves and bad people wouldn't be afraid of these older women. How could they catch thieves?

But today, he realized that these aunties could be quite powerful! At least Ding Hao was afraid of them, and he believed that every young person was afraid of their nagging, and thieves probably were too!

"Lei Lei, right? You can stay in the bedroom upstairs. I'll give you the key in a bit, and of course, you can change the lock if you want," Ding Hao pointed to a room next to his.

Li Lei clearly didn't realize he was calling her. She stared at Ding Hao blankly for a while before coming to her senses and saying, "Ah? Are you calling me?"

Ding Hao was amused by Li Lei. "Is there anyone else in this room besides us two?"

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Ding. I rarely go out, and few people call me that way except for my family, so I didn't react. I apologize for making you laugh," Li Lei explained awkwardly. She had indeed been distracted. Before coming, she had thought of a thousand possibilities.

But she never imagined that her employer would be a young rich man around her age. In Li Lei's mind, it should be a middle-aged man who had achieved success and was living independently, needing a nanny. On the way, she had worried about what to do if the employer was a creepy old man.

It seemed that her prepared speech wouldn't be useful. But this person seemed to be afraid of Auntie Tian, so he probably wasn't a bad person.

"I think it's best if we get along naturally and warmly since we'll be living together. It won't feel tiring. If you don't like it, I can call you by your full name," Ding Hao shrugged.

"No, no, I think it's quite warm," Li Lei quickly replied.

"That's good. Then don't call me Mr. Ding. It makes me sound old. Since I look a bit older, if you don't mind, you can call me Hao Ge," Ding Hao suggested kindly.

"Hey, old man, can you be any more shameless? Look at your stubble, you must be in your thirties. What gives you the nerve to ask me to call you brother? Even though you're my employer, I can't say something that goes against my conscience!" Clearly, Li Lei was repulsed by this closeness.

Ding Hao was taken aback. The girl who seemed so well-behaved just a moment ago could suddenly say such things. Was it that he really looked older, or had the world changed? He regretted letting Auntie Tian leave so quickly. What kind of person had she brought? She didn't even know basic manners, yet she was coming to be a nanny? But looking at Li Lei's youthful appearance, Ding Hao decided to let it go.

"Actually, I'm only twenty years old. Calling me brother isn't too much. Besides, if you call me brother, it will make us feel closer and happier. When I'm happy..." Ding Hao was about to say that when he was happy, their master-servant relationship would be smoother, and it would be easier to get along. But before he could finish, Li Lei cut him off.

"Cut it out, old man. You need to have the awareness of being an old man. I'm here to cook and clean for you, not to entertain you. Of course, if you're willing to pay extra, I can consider it." The little girl wasn't willing to lose and didn't let him off easily.

Actually, Li Lei didn't think Ding Hao was old; she just believed it was better to keep some distance from her employer. At least until they got to know each other better!

"Pack your things. By the way, where is your luggage? I'll drive and help you bring it over," Ding Hao didn't want to argue about this, so he changed the subject.

He knew that if they continued, he might end up being called an old man. He looked at Li Lei's empty hands and thought she was just checking the place out today, and her luggage was probably stored elsewhere.

Li Lei smiled awkwardly and said, "I don't have much luggage. I just brought myself and the backpack I'm wearing."

Ding Hao looked at the cross-body bag Li Lei was wearing and examined it carefully. It was a small bag for a girl to carry small items, and it looked like a limited edition LV. He couldn't imagine a working student could afford such an expensive item. Something was off, and it made him nervous.

Interesting, very interesting. I felt something was off from the first glance. Auntie Tian must have been deceived. This girl is definitely not a poor student working her way through school. Could she be sent by Liu Yiding? Or the Qinglong family?

---

The page flips, and the advertisement begins.

The page flips, and the advertisement ends.