Chapter 225: Became a Relationship Consultant
Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Became a Relationship Consultant
Lunch today was the taro and pork dumplings we made last night.
[System 009: Congratulations on completing the Level 2 mission: Collect the wishes of two small animals. Reward: Lizard Dictionary, 50 points, and 500,000 cash.]
A smile touched Renee’s lips as she picked up a dumpling and dipped it in vinegar. "Mom, you should start thinking about what kind of housekeeper to hire."
After she finished her dumpling, she continued, "Or better yet, let’s hire two. One to cook and one to do chores. Or we could have them take turns, each working for a week."
Rhea was surprised. "Two? Isn’t that a bit extravagant?"
"Not at all." Renee took a napkin and wiped her mouth. "Mom, for a place like Eastgate Villa, two housekeepers is on the low end. Most families here have five, minimum."
Her eyes wide, Rhea held up five fingers. "Five? How much must that cost!"
Renee smiled. "Money is no object for the people who live here."
If she had even more money, she’d want to hire a driver to take Zane and Jasmine to and from school.
"The expenses of living in a villa are so high. How about we just hire one housekeeper? I can split the work with her." Rhea could hardly believe it.
"No, we’re not doing that." Renee said helplessly. "Don’t you worry about the money. I’ll pay their salaries. All you need to do now is enjoy life and be happy."
A pleased smile spread across Rhea’s face. "Alright, alright, I know."
Renee glanced at the date on her phone. "Tomorrow’s Saturday. Want to ask my sister to go car shopping?"
"Sure." Rhea nodded, then asked after a moment’s thought, "What about you? Are you going to get a new car?"
"I’ll see if I find anything I like tomorrow." Renee had indeed been considering it. "My current car is a bit of a gas-guzzler."
Besides, she didn’t like red anymore.
"Deal," Rhea said. "When you two buy your cars tomorrow, I’ll chip in fifty thousand for each of you."
Renee raised an eyebrow and made a finger-heart gesture. "Thank you, my beautiful and generous Ms. Dempsey. Love you."
She picked up her phone, tapping away as she spoke. "I’ve got to tell my sister the good news."
After finishing her chat, Renee opened Douyin. Her message to Melora Luxury Furniture was still marked as unread.
She then opened her message requests from people she didn’t follow, and the first thing she saw was a message from LycheeSoda.
"Streamer, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t know who else to turn to..."
"I found some... things... in his room."
"I feel so helpless. What am I supposed to do?"
"Sorry for bothering you."
Renee pursed her lips, her slender brows slowly furrowing.
Rhea, who had finished clearing the dishes, asked casually, "What are you looking at? You’re frowning."
"Mom, I feel like I’m turning into a relationship counselor," Renee joked.
Rhea asked, "What do you mean, relationship counselor?"
Renee explained, "My stream bio says I’m skilled at communicating with animals, but it’s somehow turned into me telling people that their significant others are cheating."
"You have a point." Rhea’s brow furrowed in concern. "Seeing so much of this, aren’t you worried you’ll develop a fear of marriage?"
Renee was speechless. "..."
’Is that really the important part?’
She muttered under her breath, "I wasn’t planning on getting married anyway."
"What did you just say?" Rhea’s voice suddenly shot up.
Renee stuck her tongue out playfully and grinned. "Nothing. I didn’t say anything."
She lowered her gaze to send LycheeSoda a few suggestions, then scrolled through her other private messages.
Most were just people trying to be clever, so Renee put her phone down after a few minutes.
She walked out to the front yard, and several of her fur babies immediately ran toward her: Blueberry, Cici, Bella, Pippi, and Pudding the Ragdoll cat, who was brave enough to fight with Blueberry.
Renee looked up and saw Eggy and the others a short distance away, wagging their tails at her but not coming closer.
She called out, "Come on over! Let’s play together."
Eggy, Tutu, and the other dogs exchanged glances, then bounded happily over to her.
"Wanna play frisbee?" Renee grinned at them. "Whoever fetches the most gets a cookie."
At that, the fur babies all started circling her excitedly.
Even though the dogs were faster than the cats, Renee simply wanted to play with them for a while. Win or lose, they would all definitely get cookies in the end.
"Reeeaaady..." Renee had the fur babies line up. Seeing they were all poised to sprint, she grinned and shouted, "Go!"
The moment she finished speaking, she threw the small frisbee.
Drake, the tiger-striped hound, shot forward like a cheetah, his paws a blur as he left the other fur babies behind. With a few powerful leaps, he snatched the small, falling frisbee out of midair and raced back.
Seeing this, the fiercely competitive Blueberry snarled in frustration. "Drat! I’ll definitely be number one next round!"
Renee’s eyes curved into crescents as she laughed. "Go for it!"
Blueberry immediately gloated, "Did you guys hear that? Renee is cheering for me!"
Eggy and the others were secretly very envious.
Only Pudding, the aloof Ragdoll, slowly retorted, "So full of yourself. Renee didn’t say, ’Go, Blueberry!’"
"You!" Blueberry glared at him. "You just had to say something!"
Pudding replied, "I’m just telling the truth!"
Blueberry huffed. "I can’t be bothered with you!"
Renee chuckled. "Get ready, the second round is about to start."
After four consecutive rounds, none of the three cats—Blueberry, Cici, or Pudding—had caught the frisbee.
Blueberry was devastated. "How can this be?!"
Cici comforted her. "Blueberry, maybe it’s because we’re smaller and slower."
Bella let out a WOOF. "It’s okay, Blueberry. See? Pippi and I didn’t win either."
Bella was now twenty-six pounds, much bigger than Blueberry and Cici. Pippi was an oversized Bichon weighing twenty-two pounds. But in terms of speed, they were no match for the Wuhēi hound, the tiger-striped hound, or the four-eyed black-and-tan.
Blueberry sighed. "Thanks, but I’m not comforted in the slightest."
"Alright, we’ll play again next time." After five rounds, Renee announced the game was over. "To the little ones who didn’t win, better luck next time~"
Bella panted happily, her pink tongue lolling out. "Hee hee! I may not have won, but Renee called me her little one!"
"I’m Renee’s little one, too!" Pippi said excitedly.
The other dogs were also secretly delighted.
The highly possessive Blueberry gave Renee a wounded look. "You’re such a flirt."
Renee raised an eyebrow. "How am I a flirt? I just want to give a home to all the little ones who are good to me."
She glanced at the time on her phone. It was almost three.
Renee returned to the living room to find Rhea lying on the sofa, scrolling through videos. She walked over and asked, "Mom, do you want to eat out tonight? We could go to the supermarket afterward."
Rhea sat up immediately. "Sure!"
After dinner and a trip to the supermarket, it was almost nine at night by the time they got home.
Now that the house had plenty of bathrooms, there was no need to wait in line for a shower.
After her shower, Renee went to the study to start her stream. As soon as she went live, the chat flooded with comments from viewers telling her she was late.
[SOB] I’ve been waiting for you all night!
[Streamer, you’re late!]
[You’re finally here!!!]
[I almost fell asleep waiting for you!]
Renee gave a sheepish laugh. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. I forgot to announce tonight’s start time this afternoon."