Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The boy knew how to bathe on his own, though his execution was quite clumsy. Half an hour later, he carefully climbed out of the bathtub and grabbed a towel to hide his private parts before announcing, “I’m done!”
“Oh, okay; I’ll help you get dressed.”
“No need! I can wear my clothes on my own; I don’t need your assistance.”
The helpless maid brought the clean set of clothes to the boy, who put them on rather clumsily and then walked to the full-length mirror, where he admired his reflection rather shamelessly. However, he could not help feeling slightly disappointed when he noticed how untidy he looked.
Thus, he fixed his clothes again until the mirror reflected him looking clean and tidy, and only then did he smile in satisfaction.
The clothes were slightly oversized on him, but it was because they were not bought based on his measurements. Last night, when Gu Jinglian ordered his subordinates to give the boy clean clothes, they could only search all around the house for kidswear since apparel shops had already closed by that time. Luckily, the butler had some new clothes, which were originally meant for his six-year-old son and offered a set to the boy.
Even though the sleeves and hems were slightly long, the clothes fit him rather nicely.
“Ooh, those look cute on you!” gushed the maid in admiration when she took a look at him. Finding the boy so irresistibly adorable, she could not help but keep staring at him.
Baby Chu’s face turned scalding hot from shyness as he wrung his top’s hem nervously and uneasily.
“Don’t keep staring at me,” he mumbled, only to hear a rumble from his empty stomach a second later.
Ah, I’m hungry again.
He looked up at the maid with doe eyes, which got her suppressing the urge to laugh as she asked gently, “Should we get you some breakfast?”
“Yes!”
The mention of breakfast had the boy’s eyes twinkling in delight, and he allowed the maid to take him to the dining room.
The Gu residence was located at a pricy, suburban estate villa. It was said to be a piece of auspicious land which was hard to come by and had been passed down through generations, so this mansion had a history of over a century. A decade ago, though, it underwent a massive renovation and received a spanking, new look.
It was so huge that it could accommodate the elders, the four hall masters, and the over a hundred members of the main family, all living there in relative comfort.
Precisely put, the land covered an area of more than a hundred acres, about sixty-five percent of which was a courtyard with finely pruned trees and plants. The north-facing mansion had nearly a hundred fifty bedrooms, a side door facing the east meant for the servants, and five other secret exits.
Aside from the two majestic lion statues placed at the main entrance to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, the gates had ornate hardware, including knockers with ancient beast heads and totems of tortoises, snakes, lions, tigers, phoenixes, et cetera.
Further in from the main entrance was a spirit screen, made of marble and jade, which had rosewood relief carvings of various animals. Right behind it was the courtyard, where artificial waterfalls, pavilions, and a long, winding promenade could be found. There were also the servants’ dormitories—male at the left and female at the right. The horse stable was located much further inside on the left, while the kitchen, laundry room, and storeroom were on the right.
Past the courtyard was the main hall, which had an altar unit, a table, and chairs, and connecting to it was a long cloister, leading one to the main abode. A large pond, which was home to many beautiful red carp, and a garden could be found on the two sides of the cloister.
Baby Chu felt a little breathless as he followed the maid while being held by the hand.
