Auntie Li called the restaurant and ordered lunch. She put away her phone and said to Xiao Mei,"Miss Zheng, according to Mr. Stanley's instructions, I'll bring you around to take a look before dinner. I'll let you understand the living environment here and also let you know some rules that you should abide by. You'll be living here for a long time. You'll only be able to adapt to life here and live a relaxed and happy life if you get familiar with the environment, facilities, rules, and codes of conduct here. Otherwise, if you break the rules, Mr. Stanley will blame me for not giving you a clear explanation.”Auntie Li was the housekeeper of the villa. This was her responsibility and Zhang Jingye had just instructed her. Xiao Mei had nothing to say. She could only nod and stand up wordlessly.
"Let's introduce this building first," Auntie Li said."It's the main and central place where you live here. However, Mr. Stanley had instructed him that there were some places in this building that he could go to, but there were also some places that he could not go to. There were some things that you could use, and some things that you couldn't. When I introduce you, you have to listen carefully and remember clearly. Don't remember wrongly, in case you misunderstand and make everyone unhappy.”Xiao Mei nodded again.
Mrs. Lewis said that the first floor of this building was the hall. It was where Mr. Stanley received guests and rested. Look, there was a sofa, a coffee table, an air conditioner, and a television. Everything was available. When you have nothing to do, you can also come here to drink tea, watch TV, and rest. The second floor was Mr. Stanley's bedroom, study, and office. Your bedroom is also on the second floor. It's another room. The bed, wardrobe, and cosmetics are all new. This is the key to your bedroom. Go up and take a closer look later. Check if there's anything missing. Tell me and buy it again. You can also go to Mr. Stanley's study room to read, but you can't take the books out of the study room. This is the key to the study. Remember, don't forget to lock the door when you leave the study. You are not allowed to enter Mr. Stanley's bedroom and office without his permission. On the third floor was Mr. Stanley's gym. There was a treadmill, barbells, and a strength-trainer. You can also go in to exercise. After the exercise, put the equipment back in its original place. Don't throw it around. This is the key. Keep it safe and don't lose it. "I'm not allowed to go in and out of the second and third floors unless I have something to do, so Mr. Stanley instructed that you're in charge of cleaning the rooms on these two floors. I'll be in charge of the first floor.
"Do you understand?" Auntie Li asked.”Xiao Mei nodded and asked in confusion,"Auntie Li, your apartment isn't in this building?”Auntie Li shook her head.”She pointed at the guard room next to the main door." My room is there. I have to be on duty day and night. "When Mr. Stanley comes back at night, the outer door is open. If I don't open the door here, he won't be able to enter. Therefore, my room is also in the guard room. It's the same as the security guards outside, but there are more facilities inside.”Xiao Mei thought to herself," It seems like you're just a security guard in charge. You're an old member of Zhang Jingye's family. He trusts you and asked you to be the supervisor. According to Zhang Jingye's wishes, you're just in charge of us."
Mrs. Lewis pointed outside and said,"Miss Zheng, let's go. I'll take you to Mr. Stanley's garden to have a look." The garden was huge, with many scenic spots and complete facilities. There were flowers, trees, small bridges, and flowing water. There was also a goldfish pond, a lotus pond, a swing, and a small pavilion. If you are bored, you can take a walk in the garden, take a look, appreciate the scenery, and move around. You will feel better.”
Xiao Mei agreed and followed Auntie Li out of the living room of the building. They followed the green brick path to the garden.
The garden was located behind the building on the hillside. A small stream slowly flowed past the east and west walls. The water was clear and clean. There was a small arched stone bridge over the stream with carved railings on both sides. On both sides of the stream, there are weeping willows, tall bamboos and flower beds. Peony, peony, rose, azalea, and other herbs and plants were planted in the flower beds. Among the flowers and trees, there were pavilions, swings, lotus ponds, fish ponds, strange stones, and carved monuments for sightseeing.
"You're managing such a big garden by yourself?" Xiao Mei asked Auntie Li.”"How can I manage such a big garden by myself? The security guards outside were not allowed to come in, and they only invited the craftsmen outside to plant or trim on time.”
"It would cost a lot of money to hire craftsmen outside to plant and trim all year round, right?”
"Of course. However, Mr. Stanley was never afraid of spending money in this area. He said that no matter how spectacular and beautiful the park outside was, it was shared by millions of people. Only the garden here was his own and could be used exclusively. Every time Mr. Stanley comes to the villa, he will come to the garden to tour and guide me on how to manage it.”
Then, she looked at Xiao Mei and said,"Miss Zheng, you have an extraordinary position in Mr. Stanley's heart!" Ordinary people were not allowed to enter this garden, Mr. Stanley. It's rare for you to be allowed in without any restrictions. It shows that your status is extraordinary!”
"What are you talking about? You are the manager of the villa and an old member of the Zhang family. You came in earlier than me. Longer time? You naturally have a higher status in Mr. Stanley's heart, so it's even more unusual!”
"I'm different from you. I'm here to manage the garden. I need to worry and sweat, not to enjoy myself. You came to the garden purely to take a walk, admire, and enjoy yourself. If you're not satisfied, you can even accuse me of poor management. You're just like a deputy master. How can I compare to your status? Naturally, it's higher than mine."
Xiao Mei could tell that Auntie Li's words were flattering, sarcastic, and jealous, so she said,
"Look at what you're saying. It's even worse than scolding people. What kind of deputy master am I? She was just a bird in a cage. She was bored and came to look at the garden to relax. What was the difference? Managing the garden? Not admiring? Not enjoyment? If you think my status is higher, let's switch. You can admire and enjoy it, and I'll manage the garden. How about that? I'm used to working at home. I'm not afraid of worrying and sweating.”Xiao Mei felt like venting her anger.
"I don't dare, I don't dare. What am I? She was old and withered. No one had the qualifications like Miss Zheng. She was young and beautiful, and she could move Mr. Stanley. I won't say it anymore, I won't say it. I'm really sorry. Look, I've made Miss Zheng unhappy and angry by spouting nonsense. I'm really sorry." Auntie Li waved her hands repeatedly and apologized. Xiao Mei could not say anything else and could only laugh it off.
Xiao Mei thought angrily,'Now that I've fallen into such a situation, I'm a bird in a cage, a fish in a jar, and I'm at the mercy of others. There are actually people who are jealous and mocking me. How ridiculous!' If I had the money to pay for my son's surgery, would I have come all the way here to be detained and do such shameful things? Could this be considered enjoyment? Zhang Jingye allowed me to view his garden, but like the owner of a zoo, he provided a good environment for his animals so that they could live without being trapped or anxious to death. This made the visitors and tourists more happy, and the owner gained more profits. Ask the animals in the zoo if they are happy. Are you willing? You don't understand my situation. You think I'm a frivolous and flashy woman who came here to make money and enjoy myself. You're really wronged! On second thought, she thought that Auntie Li might have her own story and difficulties to complain about, just like Auntie Li did not understand her.
Xiao Mei was a little dissatisfied with Auntie Li's insinuation. She did not understand and felt that she could not tolerate it, so she retaliated. Auntie Li also felt Xiao Mei's displeasure, so she stopped talking about this matter.
Auntie Li brought Xiao Mei to the stone arch bridge and stood on the top of the bridge to look at the garden. She told Xiao Mei which scenic spot was in which direction, where to enter, where to go out, what characteristics there were, when the scenery was the most beautiful, and when it was the best to watch. After the introduction, the two of them went down the stone arch bridge and came to the stream. They saw the clear stream flowing in from the wall hole in the west. The stars sparkled as it slowly passed through the garden and flowed out from the wall hole in the east. They couldn't see the source and didn't know where it went. It was a pity. They sat down in a pavilion and rested while admiring the surrounding scenery.
After a short break, Auntie Li pointed to the swing beside her and said,"Miss Zheng, if you're in the mood, go up and swing. It's very fun!”Xiao Mei said,"I grew up in the countryside and have never played on a swing." If Auntie Li was in the mood, she could go up and play by herself. I'll be able to learn by watching from here.”Auntie Li believed what she said. How could a rural woman know how to swing? She sat on the swing and started swinging herself."At the beginning, you can slow down a little and swing a little. Slowly, as you got familiar with it, you would be able to experience the excitement and pleasure of swinging on the swing.”As he spoke, he started to swing faster, flying up and down like a swallow shuttling back and forth.
Auntie Li gradually slowed down after swinging for a while. She got off the swing and said to Xiao Mei,"Why don't you come up and try?" Xiao Mei still shook her head and said," I'm tired today. I don't feel like moving around. Let's do it next time."”
Auntie Li saw that Xiao Mei was not very interested in playing on the swing. Perhaps she was really tired, so she stopped persuading her. She returned to the pavilion and sat down beside Xiao Mei. She pointed at the stream and introduced," This stream is formed by the spring water in the mountain stream of Nanshan Hill. It is clear and piercingly cold, without any pollution. The surrounding mountains and rivers are beautiful, and the scenery is beautiful. Therefore, it attracted the attention of the developers. They built villas along the stream. Rich people came here to buy things in pursuit of enjoyment. Mr. Stanley liked the quiet, so he bought a villa here. The stream flowed through the hillside, passed through the walls of the villas, and flowed eastward into the Pearl River.”
Xiao Mei listened quietly and looked in the direction Auntie Li was pointing at. He thought to himself," This stream was clear when it flowed out of the mountains, but after being polluted by so many rich people's villas, it might not be clear on the surface." That was all she thought. She didn't ask or answer Auntie Li. Moreover, at this moment, she couldn't tell the east, west, north, and south at all. She didn't know where the Pearl River was or where Guangzhou City was. At this moment, she was not in the mood to understand these things. She was only thinking about how to deal with Zhang Jingye when he came tonight. If she agreed, she would be unwilling from the bottom of her heart, but if she didn't agree, she would take his money and have to agree to the contract. After thinking about it repeatedly, his heart felt like it was being roasted by fire. He was in unbearable pain. How could he still have the mood to play on the swing and look at the scenic garden? As for Auntie Li's introduction and invitation, he could only deal with it.
Seeing that Xiao Mei was in a bad mood, Mrs. Lewis did not introduce her further. She only followed Mr. Stanley's instructions and went through the motions. So they got up and left the pavilion. They went to the lotus pond and the goldfish pond to take a look before going back.
Xiao Mei said,"I'm really tired after running for half a day. I want to go back to my room to rest."”Auntie Li looked at the time and said,"It's almost lunchtime. Go back to your room and rest after lunch." I'll accompany you to check if there's anything missing and then report to Mr. Stanley. Either I buy it, or Mr. Stanley asks someone to buy it and bring it back.”He brought Xiao Mei to the guard room where she lived.
This was a row of three interconnected bungalows. The outermost room was a guard room with office tables and chairs, sweeping tools, clocks and various charts hanging on the walls. In the middle was a dining room cum lounge. There was a dining table on one side, a sofa, a coffee table, and a television on the other. At the end was Auntie Li's bedroom.
Auntie Li took Xiao Mei through the guard room and came to the dining room in the middle. The two of them went to the bathroom to wash their hands and faces, then sat on the sofa to rest, watch TV, and wait for dinner. Auntie Li told Xiao Mei,"From now on, you will dine here three times a day. I will accompany you." You are not allowed to bring the food back to the living room or the bedroom to eat. This is a rule, and you can't violate it." Xiao Mei nodded and asked,"Mr. Stanley and Mrs. Stanley are eating here too?" Did you order the food?" "They're not eating here. They're eating in Mr. Stanley's study. There's another dining table there." I ordered the food, but they ordered it. They are the masters, so their food is naturally different from ours.”
After a while, the security guard called Auntie Li and told her that the Chinese food had been delivered. Xiao Mei found it strange." Didn't the hotel send it directly? Why did they ask the guard to get it?" she asked.”"Mr. Stanley has made it a rule that outsiders are not allowed in, so the restaurant's chef only sends the food to the guard. The guard will receive it and then inform me to get it.”Xiao Mei was puzzled again." You're the manager. You can just ask the security guards to send the food over. Why do you have to go and get it yourself?"”Mrs. Lewis said,"Mr. Stanley also stipulated that the security guard is not allowed to enter the inner courtyard. His scope of activity is only limited to the outer courtyard, which is the place between the two walls." Therefore, although I am the manager, I can only go to the guard room to get food.”Xiao Mei said,"This Mr. Stanley has so many rules and regulations. He's not afraid of trouble. He's really trapping me!" There's a lot of food today. You can't carry it alone. I'll go with you.”Auntie Li quickly waved her hand to stop him. She said,"Chairman Zhang has stipulated that your activities are limited to the inner courtyard. You are not allowed to leave the inner courtyard." So, you can just sit here and wait for your meal. I'll take it myself. We and the security guard had two sets of food. The restaurant used special lunch boxes to pack them separately. I took them back in one go. It was not troublesome.”
Auntie Li went to get the food. Xiao Mei thought, Zhang Jingye made so many rules to deal with me. He wants to trap me in this courtyard. I can't get out, the security guards outside and Yuying can't get in. Dasheng doesn't know where I am, and Auntie Li can't tell outsiders. In the future, even if I die here, no one will know the inside story. At this moment, she missed her son and husband who were far away in her hometown even more. She didn't know if Qian Dasheng had received the money she had sent, when Yu Lang's surgery would be done, and how her family was doing. Now that Zhang Jingye had taken his phone, he could not make a phone call, write a letter, or send a letter. He could not understand everything at home. Thinking of this, she felt even more afraid, uneasy, and sad. She couldn't help but feel sad and cry.
Auntie Li came back with food and saw Xiao Mei sitting on the sofa with tears in her eyes. She said,"She was fine just now. Why are you crying now? Come and eat quickly. There will be wine and dishes for lunch today. I'll welcome you!”As he spoke, he placed the dishes on the dining table one by one. He then took out two goblets and filled them with beer. Xiao Mei could only wipe her tears and sit at the dining table to eat.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]