When Fu Ning opened the door, her eyes widened.
"Miss, he... he..."
"He what?" Chu Qianli looked up, and in the next moment, she saw the figure standing by the door.
A flicker of astonishment crossed her eyes.
Having seen so many exceptionally handsome men, for someone to still amaze her now could only mean that this man was a different kind of beauty.
But he was timid.
He kept his head down, not daring to meet their gaze.
As if unaccustomed to being looked at, he instinctively tried to turn sideways, to shield his face.
It didn't seem like acting; it was too real, a genuine discomfort and resistance.
Chu Qianli's gaze shifted to Fu Ning.
This girl was staring, her eyes glazed over, still lost in a daze.
She cleared her throat lightly, but Fu Ning showed no reaction.
She coughed more forcefully, yet Fu Ning remained unresponsive.
Chu Qianli sighed, "Are you trying to swallow him whole?"
"Miss, what are you... saying?" Fu Ning's gaze remained fixed on the man's face.
There were countless types of handsome men, but this one, right here, was exactly the kind that captured Fu Ning's heart!
Chu Qianli realized she couldn't talk to her; this girl!
She could only change her direction, "You may come in."
The man was still wearing light grey clothes, servant's attire.
But on him, it had a different charm, his demeanor entirely unlike that of a servant.
Even with his timidity, he looked like a noble prince.
A melancholy prince.
The melancholy prince passed by Fu Ning and walked in, not approaching, but standing in a corner, waiting for Chu Qianli's instructions.
"Do you really want to stay by my side?"
Chu Qianli glanced at him casually, her initial astonishment already fading. "What can you do?"
"Miss, he can't speak!" Fu Ning, afraid Chu Qianli would mistreat him, immediately interjected, "He just arrived, he doesn't understand anything yet, and hasn't adapted to the environment. Miss, perhaps you should let him rest for a few days first."
"..." Chu Qianli felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. It seemed she hadn't brought back someone to work, but rather invited a pampered guest!
"If he doesn't work, what am I keeping him here for?" Chu Qianli was about to roll her eyes at Fu Ning.
Fu Ning quickly said, "I didn't say he wouldn't work, just that he's new. He needs time to learn and adapt to a new environment."
"Besides, Miss, we're not short of people to do the work here..."
"Not short of people to do the work, do you mean I can let him go?" Chu Qianli was truly about to roll her eyes now.
What a fickle friend, prioritizing looks over friendship!
Did she only have eyes for this incredibly handsome man now?
She had warned her to be careful, but this situation made it seem like there was nothing to be careful about. It would be a miracle if they didn't end up spilling all their secrets to him at once!
Lust is a sharp blade above one's head; they'd be ruined sooner or later.
"Miss, I'll arrange things for him, okay?" Fu Ning quickly plastered a smile on her face.
She couldn't afford to anger her lady, or what if she really drove him away?
"Also, what is your name?" Fu Ning looked at the man.
The man, however, still paid no attention, his gaze fixed on Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli said helplessly, "You arrange it yourself. I need to rest."
She stood up and walked towards the inner room.
Fu Ning quickly followed a couple of steps, glanced at the man, then at Chu Qianli, "Miss, he might... not even have a name. How about you give him one?"
Chu Qianli, too lazy to bother, waved her hand, "With looks like that, let's call him Qingcheng."
Fu Ning's eyes lit up, and she immediately turned to the man, "Alright! From now on, your name is Qingcheng!"