"Is it because of money?" Qi Xuan asked, surprised. "Private jets can be expensive, but there are also cheaper ones. With your current financial situation, you can absolutely afford it."
"Let's forget about it," Ye Zhi shook her head. "I'm still in the startup phase. The money should be spent on more meaningful things. At this stage, there's no need to focus too much on personal enjoyment. Uh... I didn't mean that buying a private jet is a bad thing."
Qi Xuan found it amusing, wondering why she was suddenly so cautious.
He said with a chuckle, "You don't need to be so formal when talking to me. I won't overthink or get angry because of a single sentence you say."
Ye Zhi said jokingly, "You're my 'sugar daddy,' so of course, I have to care about your thoughts and not let you misunderstand."
Qi Xuan: ...
Is he just a sugar daddy? It really is a case of 'we had no destiny, it all depends on my spending.'
Ye Zhi was a bit bewildered. Why did it seem like Qi Xuan was unhappy, even a little resentful, after her last remark?
Indeed, men's mouths are like liars. He said he wouldn't be angry, but he became unhappy in an instant. The problem was, after thinking about it carefully, she had just made a joke. Had she gone too far with the joke?
Unable to figure it out, Ye Zhi decided to change the subject.
"How is Auntie liking the foot bath I sent her?" Ye Zhi asked.
"Mhm," Qi Xuan nodded. "My mother loves it, but my father isn't too happy."
"Why?" Ye Zhi asked curiously.
"Because my mother keeps bragging about it to him but refuses to let him use it," Qi Xuan said with a chuckle.
Ye Zhi instinctively asked, "Does your dad have smelly feet too?"
Qi Xuan: ...
How did she come to that conclusion?
Ye Zhi coughed awkwardly, "My mom didn't let my dad use her foot bath because she disliked his smelly feet. I thought Auntie was also concerned about that... I'll send your dad one another day. We can't let them fall out over such a small matter."
"Okay," Qi Xuan smiled faintly. "My dad will definitely like it."
Ye Zhi was genuinely surprised. Foot baths were that popular? The preferences of these wealthy people were truly unique! It seemed that Qi Xuan's parents, like her, enjoyed practical gifts.
However, this topic had become a bit awkward, so she decided to switch again.
"Right, there was a time I proactively asked the butler's name, wanting to use a more familiar address, but he just smiled and brushed it off, saying it was fine to call him Butler. So I've always been curious, and too embarrassed to ask, why he wouldn't tell me his name?" Ye Zhi asked, puzzled.
"This is related to an old incident," Qi Xuan said slowly. "When I was little, we had a maid who had a good relationship with my grandmother. My grandmother trusted her a lot and treated her like a sister.
Once, a distant relative brought their young nephew to visit. While the butler was playing chase with the nephew, the nephew accidentally knocked over a vase.
It was an accident, and our family didn't mind a vase. But the maid at the time became so agitated that she directly hit the nephew and yelled at him. The incident was very unpleasant. Although our family dismissed the maid, the relatives naturally grew distant from us.
It was because of this incident that the butler started to reflect. He believed that he was in an employer-employee relationship with us. No matter how close they were, there had to be a sense of proportion and boundaries. Otherwise, it was easy to develop a distorted perception and even do things that overstepped, leading to an unresolvable situation.
From then on, he required everyone to call him only 'Butler,' which was also a reminder to himself. Although our family didn't mind much, we respected his decision."
Ye Zhi was astonished. So that's what happened?
She recalled that the butler was indeed very caring towards Qi Xuan, much like an elder towards a younger generation. Their relationship was as close as family.
But the butler never presented himself as an elder, taking the initiative to decide anything for Qi Xuan. Often, the butler's stance merely represented Qi Xuan's attitude.
"However, it's holiday time now, and the employment relationship is temporarily suspended. The butler's name is Song Ping. When we see him, we can call him Uncle Song."
Ye Zhi nodded and made a mental note. She then asked, "How many people are in Uncle Song's family? I didn't prepare anything when I came. I should buy some gifts first when we get to the airport!"
Qi Xuan's gaze deepened slightly. He sighed and said, "Uncle Song only has himself left in his family."
Ye Zhi froze, looking at Qi Xuan in shock.
Qi Xuan said gravely, "Uncle Song's financial situation was not good in his early years. His wife was quite frail, and she didn't get enough nourishment during her pregnancy. They originally planned to postpone having children until their conditions improved.
But his wife insisted on giving birth. The child died not long after birth. To care for his wife's health, they didn't have any more children.
Two years ago, his wife passed away. They both loved children very much. Respecting his wife's dying wish, Uncle Song used their savings to donate a primary school in his hometown.
Uncle Song returns to his hometown several times a year to see the children and his beloved wife, who rests in their hometown."
Ye Zhi listened quietly. She finally understood why the butler always looked at her and Qi Xuan with such warmth and affection.
She said with emotion, "Uncle Song is truly a person of great loyalty and righteousness."
Qi Xuan explained, "He asked me to help mail the books he prepared for the children at the school. They were to be donated to the school library, but he forgot to take them. If you want to give gifts, prepare some stationery, notebooks, and the like for the children. Uncle Song will be very happy."
Ye Zhi: ...
But she suspected those children might not be very happy.
It seemed that in addition to stationery, she should give some other practical gifts.
Seeing the weariness on Ye Zhi's face, Qi Xuan said gently, "If you're feeling sleepy, go to the bedroom and get some sleep first. We'll arrive when you wake up."
"What about you?" Ye Zhi asked.
"I still have some work to handle," Qi Xuan replied.
Ye Zhi looked at him with admiration and couldn't help but advise, "Don't push yourself too hard. While earning money is important, remember to take breaks for yourself! Otherwise, it's hard for workaholics like you to find time to resolve emotional issues!"
Qi Xuan: ...
For whom was he doing all this?
Seeing Qi Xuan appear to become melancholic again, Ye Zhi was somewhat puzzled.
She was concerned about Qi Xuan, so why did he seem unhappy again?
Never mind, men's thoughts are so hard to guess. She might as well go to sleep.
After sleeping for a while, the plane arrived at G City Airport.
Qi Xuan had already arranged for a car to pick them up. At Ye Zhi's suggestion, they first found a supermarket that was open on the first day of the Lunar New Year to buy gifts, and then drove towards Song Village in G City, where the butler lived.