Sister, can I become a maid too?

Chapter 4 Villa? Even a dog wouldn't live there!

By the time Jiang Yubai returned home, it was already past one in the afternoon.

Upon entering, the empty room was so quiet that you could hear your own breathing.

He clutched his rumbling stomach and habitually raised his voice twice, calling out, "Mom? Mom—"

Receiving no response, Jiang Yu clicked his tongue and resignedly went into the kitchen, intending to scavenge something to temporarily fill his stomach.

He opened the refrigerator door and sighed at the two eggs, half a wilted scallion, and a bottle of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce that were left inside.

Jiang Yubai glanced again at the half-pot of rice left over from yesterday in the corner, and finally resignedly rolled up his sleeves—okay, that's it.

He heated oil in a wok, cracked eggs and chopped scallions, then poured in the cold rice, mixing them together with some difficulty.

Seeing the rice mushy and the overcooked eggs in the pot, Jiang Yubai hurriedly scooped in a large spoonful of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, causing oil droplets to splatter and startle him so much that he jumped back half a step.

The final product was a patchwork of light and dark colors, with burnt scallions mixed in with the rice grains; it looked... barely edible.

As long as there's food to eat... as long as there's food to eat...

Jiang Yubai hypnotized himself like this as he carried the shabby-looking bowl of fried rice out the door.

Lin Jianxia was right about some things; Jiang Yubai was indeed a "second-generation demolition beneficiary".

Back then, during the urban redevelopment, my family's several ancestral homes in good locations were included in the policy.

After receiving a substantial compensation for the demolition, the mother, who had a knack for investing, seized the opportunity and decisively bought several residential and commercial properties for rent before housing prices skyrocketed.

In addition, I've made some small investments over the years. While I'm not extremely wealthy, I'm certainly financially secure.

So my father, who used to be a driver at his company, quit his job and happily went fishing with a few old friends every day; while my mother transformed herself into a well-known landlady in the district.

After sitting down at the table, Jiang Yubai didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he took out his phone from his pocket, found the number saved as "Empress Dowager," and dialed it.

"Feed? Your son?"

The call was quickly answered, and my mother's exceptionally loud and cheerful voice came from the other end, accompanied by the whistling of the wind and the faint sounds of laughter in the background, making it sound very lively.

Jiang Yubai subconsciously moved the phone away from his ear before speaking, "Hello, Mom, I've collected the rent from the Jinxiu New Village."

"Wow, as expected of my son, he's so efficient! Impressive!"

It's just going to get some money, what's so impressive about that...?

Jiang Yubai's lips twitched slightly, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "By the way, one family is temporarily unable to pay. I told them they'll pay next Saturday."

The voice on the other end of the phone sounded very casual, and there seemed to be faint sounds of a tour guide explaining things in the background.

"Okay, you can handle it as you see fit... By the way, did that family give you any trouble?"

"Make things difficult for me?" Jiang Yu was taken aback. "Why would they make things difficult for me?"

My mom's voice was lazy:

"You don't know, some tenants are short of money and can't pay their rent. Not only do they not feel guilty, they will also blame us for charging too much and being unreasonable. It's not uncommon for them to curse and swear. You're young and easily embarrassed, I'm afraid you'll suffer."

Jiang Yubai inexplicably recalled Lin Jianxia's eyes, which were trying hard to maintain composure, and Lin Tingwan's quiet writing posture.

If we're talking about putting others in a difficult position... I think I'm the one who's putting others in a difficult position.

I bet the older twin is holed up at home right now, brooding over money, and maybe even berating herself in front of her younger sister.

The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly before he spoke, "No, they're quite reasonable."

"That's good... Oh, right, son, remember to collect the rent from those shops next to No. 3 Middle School next weekend. The ledgers are in my study."

"Next week?" Jiang Yubai's voice unconsciously rose a few decibels. "No, where are you?!"

There was a noticeable pause in the voice on the other end of the phone, followed by a slightly awkward laugh:

"Um... son, I've made some last-minute plans with your aunts to go to the beach for a few days to relax. I'll leave the house in your care for now."

"The rent is fine, consider it pocket money. How about it? Isn't Mom good to you?"

Jiang Yubai almost laughed in anger upon hearing this:

"Dad said he was going ice fishing up north last week, and he slipped away so fast it was one thing, but now you've run off without a word too?"

"You're leaving it all to me to take care of... Is it possible that I'm the one who needs to be taken care of?"

"What kind of care do you need?" Mom's voice was lazy. "The school cafeteria provides meals during the day, and you can just order takeout when you get home at night, isn't that enough?"

It would have been better if this topic hadn't been brought up, because the moment it was, Jiang Yubai's anger flared up instantly.

"I'll tell you! Why did you two insist on buying this villa in the suburbs? The location is terribly out of the way, completely isolated!"

"Ordering takeout? Within a ten-kilometer radius, the only options are those expensive and awful home-cooked restaurants or convenience store sandwiches! This plate of fried rice I made was cobbled together from the last bits of food in the fridge!"

"The cleaning lady we hired only did the cleaning; in the end, I still had to cook all the meals myself!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before someone spoke softly:

"I know, otherwise why do you think your dad and I go out to play every day? Isn't it just to eat something good?"

Jiang Yubai: "?"

"Alright, alright, you got scammed by that house seller," Mom's voice immediately softened, with a hint of coaxing. "They said it was a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains, but who knew it would be this remote, desolate place."

She paused, then quickly added, "Oh right, didn't you say you wanted to find a place to move out and live on your own?"

"Just go and look around. If you find something you like, just tell Mom. Mom will reimburse you for the rent. I definitely won't let you suffer, okay?"

Jiang Yubai felt a little better: "That's more like it."

"Okay, remember to collect the rent from the shops near No. 3 Middle School next week too," the voice on the other end of the phone brightened. "My seafood feast is all cooked, so I won't say any more. I'm hanging up now!"

Jiang Yubai: "......."

He listened to the busy tone on the phone, then looked at the disastrous bowl of fried rice on his table, and remained speechless for a long time.

To be honest, if there were even a decent restaurant around this suburban villa, Jiang Yubai wouldn't have bothered to cook this dish himself.

Not to mention restaurants, even the nearest milk tea shop is nearly ten kilometers away, the kind that delivery riders are unwilling to deliver to.

Even after much pleading and persuasion, people often pay extra for delivery, but the delivered items are often mishaps—either spilled or cold.

On several occasions, the deliveryman was even prevented from entering by the security guards at the entrance, and he had to go and rescue them himself.

tired.

Jiang Yubai stared at the plate, took a deep breath, and finally, with a tragic expression of "the sooner I die, the sooner I'll be reborn," scooped up a full spoonful, closed his eyes, and stuffed it into his mouth.

The sun is scorched.

Jiang Yubai gritted his teeth and chewed the strangely textured fried rice in his mouth while secretly making a vow in his heart.

Spacious rooms, tranquil environment... it's all an illusion.

This time, I must find a house right next to a food street.

It would be even more perfect if it were closer to the school.

A villa? Even a dog wouldn't live there!