"Ziyu, put your dirty clothes there when you're done changing. I'll come wash them for you after I finish boiling the brown sugar ginger water," Gu Xiuyu said, bending over towards the gap in the door.
There was no sound from inside. After waiting for a few seconds, he turned and left.
Coming downstairs, Gu Xiuyu saw a woman standing by the sofa in the living room. She stood as still as a pillar, her eyes fixed on the stairs.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Gu Xiuyu asked.
Chen Yaping earnestly reiterated, "Mr. Gu, you left in a hurry just now and might not have heard what I said. It's like this, I am here to take care of you and Madam's daily needs as your housekeeper. In the future, anything you need will be purchased by me and brought back."
"He arranged it?" Gu Xiuyu pressed.
"Yes," Chen Yaping nodded.
Actually, Chen Yaping didn't know who the "he" Gu Xiuyu was referring to. The people arranging things behind the scenes communicated with her, and the fees provided were several times higher than those from ordinary employers.
Gu Xiuyu was silent for a few seconds, glanced at the kitchen, and said, "Go and boil a bowl of brown sugar ginger water."
"Okay," Chen Yaping walked towards the kitchen.
Seeing her quick movements and serious attitude, Gu Xiuyu withdrew his gaze and went to the window with his phone.
Before he could make the call, the other party, as if telepathically connected, called him first.
"Did you arrange for the housekeeper?" Gu Xiuyu questioned the voice on the other end as he answered the call.
"Mm, you'll need help on your island, and in the future, if you need anything, she can take the yacht out. Compared to you, she has an even lower profile."
"Is the person reliable?"
"Don't you trust me to handle things?"
"Alright, I understand."
Gu Xiuyu hung up the phone and looked back at the kitchen.
Chen Yaping was boiling the brown sugar ginger tea. She watched the pot while occasionally glancing at the timer in her hand.
He walked towards the kitchen, and Gu Xiuyu stood behind her. Without him speaking, Chen Yaping was so focused that she didn't notice.
"Is it ready?" Gu Xiuyu asked.
Chen Yaping flinched from the surprise and looked at Gu Xiuyu, holding the spoon.
"How much longer?" Gu Xiuyu pressed.
"Two more minutes," Chen Yaping replied. "I boiled the ginger water first; it needs to be simmered longer to bring out its effects. I just added the brown sugar. Both need to be simmered for a few minutes to taste good." After speaking, Chen Yaping stirred the contents with the spoon.
Watching the boiling liquid in the pot, Gu Xiuyu leaned against the side, waiting.
Although Ye Shaoting considered Chen Yaping to be reliable, Gu Xiuyu still had concerns. Especially since Ye Ziyu had always wanted to escape, he worried she might find a way to use Chen Yaping to leave.
During his contemplation, Chen Yaping poured the brown sugar ginger water into a bowl and placed it on a tray, preparing to take it upstairs with him.
"Give it to me," Gu Xiuyu reached out. After the tray fell into his hands, he added, "Also, your scope from now on is only the first floor. There's a room at the end of the corridor. When we don't need you, you can rest inside. Don't linger around Madam during normal times."
"Mr. Di, I don't quite understand what 'don't need' means," Chen Yaping asked sincerely.
She appeared as a housekeeper, did they expect her to rest in a room like a master?
Gu Xiuyu spoke again to clarify, "You haven't misunderstood. Apart from daily cleaning and cooking, you are not to come out of your room unless I arrange it."
With her assumptions confirmed, Chen Yaping could hardly believe it. She had worked as a housekeeper for many wealthy families, but his family was the strangest, and the salary was also the highest.
Without further explanation, Gu Xiuyu took the brown sugar ginger water upstairs.