Chapter 13: A Distinction of Status

Her mother often told her not to disturb Jiang Hao'en, especially when the master and mistress of the Jiang family were present.

She didn't feel like she was disturbing him; she simply enjoyed being by his side. Even if they just sat together in silence without saying a word, she was happy. However, when the master and mistress came to visit Jiang Hao'en, she had to leave; otherwise, it would truly be an intrusion. They were the masters, and she and her mother were the servants—their stations were different. This was what her mother constantly reminded her.

Returning to her room after finishing her homework, Shi Zhaodi dared not take a bath due to the injury on her back. She simply wiped herself down, changed into fresh clothes, and washed the soiled ones. Only then did she run out to help her mother.

Her mother was tidying up the kitchen, so Shi Zhaodi grabbed a rag and began cleaning the stove and countertops.

"Zhaodi, I bought you a few warm sweaters today. Try them on when you get back to your room later. If they don't fit, I'll take them back to exchange tomorrow," Mrs. Shi said while scrubbing a pot.

"Mom, don't I already have a few? Why buy more?" Shi Zhaodi turned to ask.

"Those are old and don't keep you warm anymore. It's time to replace them," Mrs. Shi said quietly.

"I’m doing just fine in what I have."

"You're in middle school now; you should dress a bit better so your classmates don't look down on you," Mrs. Shi said, looking at her daughter with gentle eyes.

"They wouldn't! They’re all very nice to me," Shi Zhaodi said with a smile, adding silently to herself, *except for Zou Kai.*

Before the morning reading bell rang, Shi Zhaodi was surprised to see Zou Kai walk into the classroom with his backpack—a truly unprecedented event. It was a record-breaking morning; not only was he not late for class, but he had arrived before the reading session even began. However, he was clearly sleep-deprived, his eyes half-closed with a dazed expression, and his gait was light and unsteady. In this state, he looked even more endearing than his usual lazy self. Shi Zhaodi couldn't help but smile as she watched him.

"Are you all right?" Zou Kai asked as he sat down, sounding slightly irritable. He didn't look at her, and it was unclear what he was even staring at. If she hadn't known he was speaking to her, she would have assumed he was talking to someone else.

"I'm fine!" Shi Zhaodi replied with a smile.

Zou Kai glanced at her, paused for a moment, then stiffened his expression and laid his head straight down on his desk. Shi Zhaodi didn't know how she had offended him again, but he was always so temperamental that she had already grown used to it. She lowered her head and continued reading her textbook.

When class ended, Qian Duoduo asked Shi Zhaodi to go to the restroom with her.

"The sun must have risen in the west today for Zou Kai to come to school so early. He looks so cute and sexy with those dazed eyes!" Qian Duoduo whispered excitedly.

"He just hasn't had enough sleep," Shi Zhaodi said truthfully, instantly shattering Qian Duoduo's illusions.