The hosuekeeper was ready to retire for the night, and was on her way to her bedroom when she heard Zhang Liling's muffled cries.
At first, she thought she had been mistaken and had to stop to listen.
Coming closer to the door, she leaned sideways and when she heard the cries clearer, she guessed she was right and looked worried.
She had never seen or head Zhang Liling cry before.
That girl was so bubbly and full of energy. And not forgetting, mischievous.
Soemtjing must have happened for her to be in years.
"Miss Zhang?" Ms. Chu called out before pushing the door open.
Peeping through the small gap, she saw the head full of hair at the top of the bed before walking in proper.
She was right on time on seeing Zhang Liling get off the phone.
Just as Zhang Liling out her phone away, she tilted her head to the side to see the hosuekeeper walking in.
"..."
A gasp of shock escaped Ms. Chu's lips as she closed her lips with her hand.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSeeing the face full of tears, she quickly hurried to her side in worry.
"Miss Zhang, what happened to you? Why are you crying?" She beckoned on her as her brows knitted in a tight frown.
She was taken by surprise to see Zhang Liling crying because just 2 hours ago, she had a smile on her face.
She had neglected her work and gone shopping which made her happy.
Being asked that question provoked her emotions again, because it reminded her of her mother's current condition.
Instead of replying the anxious housekeeper kneeling by her side, she started to cry again. This time around, she hid her face away from her view.
"M-Miss Zhang, don't scare me, what happened? Does it have to do with school? No... No..."
Ms. Chu just remembered that she was through with college, so obviously, it had nothing to do with school.
After making a few more guessed without getting any response, she tried to pry of the fingers covering the teary red face and finally succeeded in that one.
That red nose, tear stained cheeks, puffy eyes and red rim under her eyes, provoked the emotions.
Black lines appeared on Ms. Chu's face as worry laced on her face.
"Why are you crying so much, what happened?"
Finally, Zhang Liling tilted her head to the side so she could see her face proper, but the tears blurred her vision.
Instinctively, she reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes while replying, "My mother is gravely ill."
"Oh my!" Ms. Chu exclaimed in surprise.
She didn't even need to ask anymore questions to know that things were serious. That word, 'gravely' had already explained things to her.
She understood that it must be life threatening and sighed tiredly.
She felt pity for the poor girl. She didn't know which family Zhang Liling came from and anything related to her, so she couldn't guess anything.
But from what she could see, Zhang Liling was close to her mother.
"If you mother is seriously ill, then you have to visit her. Tell Mr. Fang about it, and he will give you a some days off. Family is important." She stated as she patted Liling's shoulders.
'Mr. Fang?' Zhang Liling thought to herself. She had almost forgotten about him.
Not just him, but her job and all her plans.
Because of her mother's problem, she was too invested in crying not to think about her plans.
But what could she do now? It's not like she could leave her mother to stay in Paris all by herself.
She liked Mr. Fang a lot. She got a job in her dream workplace. She loved her mother a lot and she was the only family she had left.
She had to pick between Paris and City S. What would she pick?
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLess than a minute was all Zhang Liling needed to make her decision. She didn't need to think took much.
Turning to Ms. Chu, she asked in an urgent tone, "Ms. Chu, I need to see Mr. Fang now, do you think he is still in his study?"
Thinking that she was going to see him for some time off, she hurriedly replied.
"Yes, I think you should go to meet him. But if you don't find him in his study, don't go to his bedroom as he might be preparing to rest for the night." She advised.
The hosuekeeper thought it to be wrong to disturb Fang Bingwen with family issues if he had already returned to his bedroom which was right.
Zhang Liling nodded in understanding and quickly got up with her phone in hand.
Even if Mr. Fang had gone to his bedroom, she would find him there. The only reason she wouldn't disturb him, was if he was already sleeping by the time she appeared.
She had important matters to talk to him about. Also, her mother had booked her a flight for tomorrow morning. She still had to return to her apartment to pack her important stuff.
Quickly rising to her feet, she hurried towards the door.
Ms. Chu released a long sigh before walking towards the door unhurriedly.
She was not going to follow her to meet Mr. Fang, but she was going to wait for her to see her things turned out, and in case she needed her help.
Zhang Liling climbed the stairs in lightening speed without caring of the safety measures.
Skipping a step and falling off was not in her thoughts. All that was in her mind was to meet Mr. Fang as soon as possible.
Luckily for her, she met Mr. Fang head-on just as he opened the door to his study to head out.
Mr. Fang closed his laptop after letting out a yawn. He was ready to go to bed.
Picking up his phone from his desk, he rose to his feet and made his way towards the door. And just as he opened it, he saw the figure that almost collided into him.
Instinctively, he took a step backward as his gaze furrowed.