Finest Servant

Chapter 462 You Are My Teacup

Yuzhu trembled in fright, her small feet hopping as she hid behind Xu Zhiqing. She peeked out her head, both astonished and delighted, "Miss, Miss, this doll can talk! And his voice sounds just like Young Master Lin's! Ah, look, he can even walk! Oh my heavens, he's actually walking out by himself! What an adorable plush toy!"

Lin Wanrong rolled his eyes at hearing this. ‘How on earth did you grow those eyes of yours? Have you ever seen a plush toy so dashing? I'm the first one you've dared call 'cute,' aren't I?’

Xu Zhiqing's eyes were sharp as daggers. Her delicate face flushed a light pink as she hummed dismissively, "What plush toy? More like a living ghost. You are becoming more and more ignorant. This is my private chamber; how could you let a strange man barge in? Have someone kick him out immediately."

"Are you really Young Master Lin? Not a doll?" Yuzhu was still unconvinced, pointing a tiny finger and blinking her large eyes inquisitively.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Have you ever seen such a handsome 'doll'? If you still don't believe, come and touch me again—just don't go for any crucial areas this time. Don't worry; I won't charge you."

Yuzhu let out a soft cry, her hands clamping over her reddened cheeks, not daring to make a sound. Who else would dare to speak so frivolously in front of the Miss? No one would believe he was anyone but Lin San.

Lin Wanrong took a few slow steps and propped himself next to a life-sized plush toy that was about his height. After giving it a quick once-over, he nodded approvingly, "Old pal, the more I look at you, the more handsome you seem."

"Yuzhu, why are you still talking to him?" Watching Lin Wanrong praise himself, Xu Zhiqing felt like laughing but restrained herself and let out another hum, "Quickly, kick this shameless man out before my father and stepmother see him."

Lin Wanrong winked, ‘That's the funniest joke I've ever heard. Your father sold you off long ago; you probably just don't know it yet.’ Xu Zhiqing saw his suggestive expression and her heart pounded. Forcing down her embarrassment, she whispered, "Yuzhu, what are you waiting for? Quickly, tell him to leave."

Yuzhu did not dare to go against Xu Zhiqing's wishes. Lowering her hands, she said timidly, "Master Lin, this is the Miss's chamber. She, she requests that you leave."

Master Lin's eyes widened, "Leave? Yuzhu, my dear, you must be mistaken! When did I even enter? I was sitting in my sedan, here to talk with Lord Xu, and before I knew it, I was carried into this chamber. I haven't even uttered a single word and you want to kick me out? This seems somewhat unreasonable. You should know that I haven't done anything wrong from beginning to end!"

This seemed reasonable enough. Just moments ago, she and the Miss hadn't yet determined the right or wrong of the situation and had already carried Master Lin's sedan in. Ultimately, he wasn't to blame.

"Miss—" Yuzhu looked at Xu Zhiqing in embarrassment, not knowing how to proceed.

Xu Zhiqing knew very well that Yuzhu was no match for a slick character like Lin San. Even if she herself were to step up, she would likely be defeated within a few moves. Seeing Lin San's eyes gleaming as they looked at her, her heart rate quickened. She quickly lowered her head and huffed softly, "Yuzhu, ask him what he's here for. If he can't give a satisfactory answer, then kick him out!"

Yuzhu playfully stuck out her tongue and giggled, "Master Lin, did you hear that? My Miss is asking, what business brings you here to seek her? If you have none, you're kindly asked to leave."

Master Lin sighed, a look of sorrow covering his face. "The world is truly a difficult place; people have lost their virtues. Who would have thought that even giving someone a gift would be met with so much scrutiny? Think about it, young lady, I've gone through great trouble to find out someone's birthday, painstakingly prepared a gift for them, and even discreetly avoided her parents. And yet, all I receive is suspicion and interrogation. How would you feel in my shoes?"

Yuzhu nodded sympathetically. Xu Zhiqing blushed and muttered under her breath, "You scoundrel, always bullying people. I don't believe you. Yuzhu, ask him where he learned my birthdate."

Chuckling, Yuzhu relayed, "Master Lin, my Miss says you're a scoundrel who loves to bully people. She also wants to know how you found out her birthdate."

Xu Zhiqing huffed softly, her face flushed. "You silly girl, who asked you to repeat it word for word?"

In this era, a woman's birthdate, much like her age, was a closely guarded secret, discussed only in the context of marriage arrangements. Understandably, Miss Xu wanted to clarify this matter. Lin Wanrong and Xu Zhiqing were standing just a few steps apart, and could hear each other clearly. Despite her embarrassment, Miss Xu spoke through her maid. Lin Wanrong didn't mind; he chuckled, "As for the birthdate, I searched for it in the Household Registry. Oh my, such a thick volume, I flipped through each page, and it took me three days and nights without sleep."

His exaggerated hand gestures had Yuzhu laughing uncontrollably, and even Xu Zhiqing couldn't help but smile. Though she knew he was lying, she no longer cared to pursue it. What a woman wanted was the feeling of being cherished and protected.

Seeing her Miss' flushed cheeks and soft gaze, Yuzhu whispered in Xu Zhiqing's ear, "Miss, do you still want to send him away?"

Xu Zhiqing hesitated and quickly turned her head, "Send him away—later! Ask him, what exactly is this gift? It's so big; isn't he intentionally making my parents laugh?"

Lin Wanrong almost burst out laughing. This Miss Xu always had her father in mind. He patted the large cloth doll and said, "This? It's called Lin San Doll, my own unique invention. Look how tall and handsome it is, absolutely lovable. There's only one in the whole world. Yuzhu, could you please ask Miss Xu if she likes this Lin San Doll?"

Yuzhu looked at the doll once more, "It's such a big Lin San! Miss, do you like it?"

What kind of question was this? How could she answer? Her cheeks burning, Xu Zhiqing hummed softly, not daring to look up. She sneaked a glance at Lin San who was nodding and shaking his head, looking incomprehensibly pleased with himself. Unwilling to concede, she whispered a few words into Yuzhu's ear. Yuzhu stifled a laugh and said, "Master Lin, my Miss says that if the doll's face were covered and its appearance concealed, she would like it very, very much. But if its true face were exposed, she would dislike it very, very much."

Hearing the maidservant's coquettish tone and seeing Xu Zhiqing's bashful beauty, Lin Wanrong felt as if a weight had been lifted from his bones. He chuckled in a flirtatious manner, "Really? I also find him quite annoying, quite annoying indeed!"

"Scoundrel!" Both the maidservant and her mistress spat out the word, their faces blushing beyond their ears. They intended to scold him, but somehow, their words stuck in their throats.

"Miss, should we continue to question him? From what I see, it seems we'll never get a straight answer out of Master Lin. He's quite the rascal," the maidservant hesitantly and softly inquired, her face flushed.

"Ask. Of course we will ask," Xu Zhiqing replied, her pretty face burning. Despite her embarrassment, there was a hint of defiance in her voice. "We can't let him get away with it. Ask him again, what am I to him? Why is he giving me this gift?"

Yuzhu nodded repeatedly, thinking her mistress indeed was astute for not overlooking such a crucial question. She stared at Lin Wanrong and smilingly said, "Master Lin, my mistress wants to know why you're giving her such an extravagant gift. What exactly is she to you?"

This was a difficult question. Answer too deeply, and they might not understand; answer too shallowly, and he would appear superficial. Lin Wanrong pondered for a moment before grinning, "She's my teacup!"

"Teacup?" Not only was Yuzhu puzzled, but even Xu Zhiqing was at a loss. She mused for a while, then subtly signaled Yuzhu with her eyes. The maidservant caught on quickly and sweetly asked, "Master Lin, could you please clarify? I'm having some difficulty understanding."

Lin Wanrong shook his head, offering a shy smile, "Little sister, let's leave it at that. I'm an introverted person and not very good at expressing my emotions—besides, it might not be appropriate to discuss this with you."

"Ha!" Xu Zhiqing and the maidservant both scoffed simultaneously. Lin San, introverted? Even pigs would laugh at that.

Yuzhu leaned into Xu Zhiqing's ear and whispered, "Miss, Master Lin is truly an interesting man. Whoever ends up with him would have an endless supply of happiness in life."

Xu Zhiqing blushed, retorting, "What do you know, little girl? Mere wit won't suffice. He must be resourceful, adaptable, and capable of serving the people—"

Yuzhu looked at her in astonishment and broke into laughter, "Ah, I see, Miss. Are these criteria for choosing your husband?"

Xu Zhiqing's cheeks were suffused with a rosy glow. She lightly spat out, "Nonsense! What choosing a husband? You're the one with spring fever."

Yuzhu giggled, "If it's not the criteria for choosing a husband, why are you comparing Master Lin to them? Aren't all the qualities you mentioned Lin Wanrong's strong points? Not only is he romantic, but he also stands up for the people. Could you find someone better who'd earn both your and the master's admiration?"

Xu Zhiqing lowered her gaze, remaining silent. Just as her maidservant had pointed out, although Lin San appeared to be unserious and frivolous, everything he had done was extraordinary and awe-inspiring. Even the gift he presented was consistently surprising and delightful. She softly smiled, her voice gentle, "This man certainly knows how to scheme. Don't be taken in by him. Quickly find out, what does he mean by saying I'm his teacup? What a vulgar metaphor!"

The mistress and her maid were conversing in hushed tones. Lin Wanrong pricked up his ears but couldn't catch a single word. Just as he was about to inch closer to eavesdrop, Yuzhu looked up and grinned. "Master Lin, my Miss said that as long as you explain the story behind this teacup, she will not drive you away."

"Must I really explain?" Lin Wanrong asked awkwardly. Seeing the maid's assured expression and Miss Xu's coy, bashful gaze, he sighed and shook his head. "Little sister Yuzhu, please pour me a cup of tea."

Before the Miss could give the order, Yuzhu happily complied, handing him a cup of hot tea. After watching him take a sip, she softly said, "Master Lin, tell us, why did you ask my mistress to be your teacup?"

Lin Wanrong grinned mysteriously and sighed, "—So I can hold her in the palm of my hand."

"Ah!" Both women blushed furiously. Lin San had no filter; he could actually utter such cheesy lines. Yuzhu chuckled, her face red, "Miss, Master Lin, better save such words for yourselves. They're not quite appropriate for a maid like me to hear— hee hee—"

Twirling around, the young maid gracefully scampered out. Xu Zhiqing called out a few times but to no avail. Only she and Lin Wanrong remained in the room, in total silence.

Noticing that he was staring at her but saying nothing, Xu Zhiqing felt uneasy. Her face flushed up to her neck. She spat out, "What are you looking at?"

Lin Wanrong took a few steps closer, looked her up and down, and asked solemnly, "Miss Xu, how old are you today?"

Hearing this, Xu Zhiqing's face darkened. She was a widow who had lost her husband before even crossing the threshold into his home. She had been in mourning for years, her youth slipping away. In the capital, everyone knew her story. Lin Wanrong's question struck her where it hurt the most. She lowered her head, tears forming, and angrily turned away. "If you're repulsed by me, just say it. I don't need your pity!"

Lin Wanrong seemed not to have heard her. Fixated on her lovely face, he sighed, "Ah, you look more beautiful than a dew-kissed begonia, more stunning by far. How will I celebrate your nineteenth birthday next year? It's really a headache!"

"You— you're annoying!" Xu Zhiqing was both angry and pleased, bursting into a smile. She finally understood that this scoundrel was deliberately praising her beauty, making her feel miserable for a moment.

Already renowned for her beauty, Miss Xu looked even more enchanting with her coyness, resembling a begonia blushing in shame—unparalleled in the world. Lin Wanrong took her trembling hand and said softly, "Miss Xu, let's stop being at odds. Wasn't it nice when we got along in Shandong?"

With a snort, Xu Zhiqing almost conceded. Though famous for her intelligence, she couldn't withstand his sweet talk. A flush of red soared to her cheeks, and she tried to pull her hand away. "You scoundrel! You're only good at talking. I don't know how many innocent girls you've deceived. I don't believe a word you say—what was so good about our time in Shandong? All you did was bully me!"

"I'm not just good with words," Lin Wanrong chuckled, tightly holding her small hand. "Miss Xu, you are mistaken if you think I'd bother with just any woman. It's only you—"

Seeing his shameless demeanor, Miss Xu wanted nothing more than to give him a good whack on the head. After hesitating for a moment, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she humphed, "Don't just say things that sound nice. You have a strong-willed wife at home. Can you even make such decisions? Let her speak for herself!"

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