Standing in the luxurious and spacious living room, Du Xiaoxian was so nervous that she didn't know where to place her hands and feet. She lowered her head and looked down at her tattered cloth shoes. Although the shoes were old with a few small holes on the surface, they were clean and even the blue cloth was washed to the point of looking white.
Xiao Bonian looked at her up and down. She wasn't tall, and was extremely thin. She stood there like a junior middle school student. Her hair was fine and smooth but slightly yellowish, and she seemed to be malnourished. She was pretty and clean, and had the look of an honest girl.
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen." The little girl was very nervous and her voice was timid.
Xiao Bonian smiled gently and said, "I'm the housekeeper here. Just call me Uncle Xiao. Don't be nervous. The Master and Ladyship are always nice to servants. The young lady is easy to get along with. But the young master has some special rules that you need to remember. The young master likes to be quiet. You should stay away from his room. If he doesn't call anyone, try not to appear in his sight. Also, you can't enter his room or mess with his things without his order. And there is nothing else. Other servants here are also good-tempered. You should get along well with them in the future."
"Yes, Uncle Xiao, I understand."
"You have just come here and have no prior experience. So you just start by cleaning the yard. There is a parasol tree in the front yard. When autumn comes, leaves fall everywhere. The Ladyship doesn't like that. Make sure you do a good cleaning job."
"Yes, Uncle Xiao, I remember." She hung her head, and her voice always sounded timid.
"Ah Ling, take Xiaoxian to her room and find a uniform for her."
"Yes, Uncle Xiao." The maid named Ah Ling had been here for almost five years. She smiled at Du Xiaoxian and bent down to pick up her luggage. Du Xiaoxian rushed to snatch it. "I, I'll do that myself."
"It’s okay. I’ll take it for you." Ah Ling felt a little pity for her when she saw her thin and timid appearance.
Du Xiaoxian insisted on taking back her luggage from her hands. Ah Ling said jokingly, "Xiaoxian, is there any treasure in your bag that you keep such a close eye on it?"
Du Xiaoxian's face flushed instantly, and her voice was as low as a mosquito's. "No."
Xiao Bonian smiled and said, "She's new here and so young. Don't tease her. Ah Ling, take good care of her in the future."
"Don't worry, Uncle Xiao. I’ll take care of her."
Du Xiaoxian followed Ah Ling and peeped around. When she first came in, she kept her head down. Now that she saw everything, she felt as if she was dreaming: High carved hall, clear Italian crystal chandelier, magnificent European furniture and marble floor as clean as a mirror. Not daring to breathe, Du Xiaoxian walked on tiptoes, afraid that she would leave footprints on the clean floor.
Ah Ling took Du Xiaoxian to the servant’s room. She pointed to an empty bed and said, "You will sleep here from now on."
It was a one-meter-wide single bed with a light-colored sheet. There was a blue quilt on it. Although it was not a new one, it was already very good for Du Xiaoxian. They were at least better than the bed and quilt in her home.
Just as she was about to bend over and get her luggage under the bed, Ah Ling stopped her and pointed to the wardrobe by the wall and said, "That’s your wardrobe. You can put your things in it."
Du Xiaoxian was stunned, not expecting to have a wardrobe of her own since she had been given such a good bed. After a moment of hesitation, she walked over and opened the wardrobe. It was empty, and there was a good smell of wood. She gently touched the wood plate with her hand. It was very smooth, really good. There was no burr at all so clothes would not get worn out.
