"Kid, why are you calling her 'Miss Jian'? Call her 'Big Sister.'" Before Jian Ran could say anything, Zhao Meng interjected.
Then, she added in a somewhat earnest tone, "Girls all like to be called 'Big Sister.'"
Especially by a handsome younger brother like Chu Lulin.
Jian Ran frowned unconsciously. Who said all girls liked being called 'Big Sister'? At least she...
"Hello, Big Sister."
Jian Ran's eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Fine. She was probably a few years older than him, so it was fair for him to call her 'Big Sister.'
Zhao Meng, who had spent years in the service industry, was skilled at reading and anticipating guests' thoughts. She quickly judged that Jian Ran didn't mind Chu Lulin as her butler, which gave her some idea.
"Miss Jian, please don't mind him. Xiao Chu is a college student working a summer job here. He's only nineteen. If there's anything inadequate, please feel free to point it out."
Only nineteen?
Jian Ran was a bit surprised. She had guessed he was young but didn't expect him to be that young. She thought he would be at least twenty.
"I'll be twenty in two months," Chu Lulin said, perhaps guessing her thoughts, and offered an explanation.
Hearing this, Zhao Meng couldn't help laughing. "This kid, still so young. He's always eager to grow up. When you're at my age, kid, you'll know that you won't add that extra year until the second before your birthday at midnight."
Jian Ran smiled along with her for once.
That was indeed true. She hadn't felt it before, but after turning twenty-five last month, she no longer allowed her family to count her nominal age.
"Xiao Chu studies in Jing City. I noticed you're also from Jing City, Miss Jian, so I arranged for him to be your butler here. It should make communication easier when you go out," Zhao Meng explained.
Jian Ran gave a soft "Mm," tacitly accepting the arrangement.
For her, it didn't matter who her butler was. She wasn't in the mood to go out anyway; she just wanted to sleep for a few days in a new place. She probably wouldn't need the villa's tour services.
Zhao Meng briefly introduced the villa's facilities, then turned to Chu Lulin. "Take Miss Jian to her room first. If she's not satisfied, we can make adjustments anytime."
Chu Lulin stepped forward two paces and took the suitcase. "This way, please."
Jian Ran nodded lightly and walked in the direction he indicated.
The distance between them now was just one step. As Jian Ran passed by Chu Lulin, the hem of her dress happened to brush against his white sneakers.
Red and white intertwined, complementing each other perfectly.
Zhao Meng's eyes lit up. Beautiful things always made people want to take a second look.
"Manager, don't you think Xiao Chu and Miss Jian look perfect together?" the front desk girl leaned in and whispered mysteriously.
Zhao Meng thought, wasn't that the truth? When she first saw Chu Lulin, she had thought that this child was too good-looking. She wondered what kind of girl could stand beside him without being overshadowed. And today, she had found just that.
It had to be said that such a combination of top-tier handsome man and beautiful woman was rare, even for someone as experienced as her.
"But Miss Jian seems a bit hard to get along with," the front desk girl said, intimidated by Jian Ran's noble, cold, and expressionless face.
Zhao Meng had noticed it too. From start to finish, Jian Ran had exuded a 'stay away' vibe. Being her butler wouldn't be easy. She wondered if Xiao Chu could handle it.
The villa's butler salary mainly consisted of basic pay and bonuses. Bonuses were a large part and were determined by guest feedback.
If the guest was difficult, the bonus might be in jeopardy.
"What do you mean 'perfect together'? How many times have I told you not to gossip about guests behind their backs?" Zhao Meng glared at the front desk girl and said sternly, "This is the last time. Otherwise, I'll deduct your bonus."
The front desk girl shrank back sheepishly.
Jian Ran, of course, had no idea she had left the impression of being 'hard to get along with.' But even if she knew, she wouldn't care. What could she do about her naturally cold face?
Quanyun Mountain Villa was built into the mountain. The overall design emphasized the surrounding natural environment—green shade, winding paths, and secluded spots.
Jian Ran followed Chu Lulin through a long corridor. They maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far. When she got slightly closer, she could catch a faint scent of mint from him.
It was a rare, clean, and refreshing presence in this sticky summer, and it smelled nice.
It took about five or six minutes to walk from the front hall to the room. The accommodations here were all row houses made of wood.
Chu Lulin swiped the key card to open the door, then stepped aside. After Jian Ran entered, he placed the suitcase by the door.
Jian Ran had booked the room over the phone. According to the villa's usual practice, if she had any complaints, she could request a change on the spot.
She gave the room a simple once-over. Surprisingly, the layout and overall style matched her taste perfectly.
"I'll take this one. No need to change."
Having said that, Jian Ran thought Chu Lulin would leave, but he remained standing at the door without any intention of going.
She looked at him in confusion. "Something else?"
Chu Lulin hesitated for a few seconds, as if a little embarrassed to speak. "Big Sister, would it be convenient to add each other on WeChat?"
Jian Ran raised an eyebrow, looking at him with some curiosity. "Convenient."
To be honest, it had been a long time since she'd seen such a shy and reserved big boy. Adding each other on WeChat for work purposes—what was there to be embarrassed about?
One would think he was asking a girl he liked for her contact info.
After they successfully added each other on WeChat, Chu Lulin didn't linger and left directly.
Jian Ran tidied up a bit in the room. The more she looked, the more she liked it. It felt as if she had carefully chosen it herself.