Chapter 11: Getting a Manicure

The next day, Ning Chu called for a manicurist to come to her home. It was Ning Chu’s first time getting a manicure, and she wasn’t very familiar with the process. “Ah Hua, take a look for me,” she said.

Ah Hua had done manicures before, but ever since coming to the Chaoyang Residence, she hadn’t done any; after all, it wasn’t considered proper work.

“Madam, your hands are very beautiful. I think any style would suit you,” Ah Hua replied.

The manicurist smiled warmly as well. “Madam, your nail beds are lovely and your skin is so fair. Would you like to try this design? I think it would really complement your aura.”

She described a pink style adorned with peach blossom glitter. Ah Hua also thought it looked nice. “Madam, this one seems quite good.”

Ning Chu nodded, “Let’s go with this one then.”

Since it was her first time, she found the experience quite novel, though it took a while. She asked Ah Hua to turn on the television. “Play that show ‘Nian Nu Jiao’.”

‘Nian Nu Jiao’ was a popular recent drama about a woman’s tangled love and hatred with several men amid chaotic times—full of melodrama.

Ah Hua quickly switched it on. Usually, the TV in the house was reserved for Dantai Chao to watch the news; servants were generally not allowed to watch carelessly. Ning Chu wasn’t fond of TV either, so it was rarely turned on.

Unexpectedly, Madam actually turned on the TV to watch ‘Nian Nu Jiao’ today. The show was so popular that everyone was watching it. The servants continued their chores while stealing glances at the screen.

The manicurist also glanced up occasionally, yearning to watch but deciding to focus on beautifying this stunningly beautiful madam first.

When Dantai Chao returned, he saw this scene: someone was holding Ning Chu’s hand, working on it, the TV was on playing a drama, and a servant was wiping a vase nearby, eyes fixed on the screen.

As soon as everyone noticed Dantai Chao had come back, they immediately resumed their work seriously. Oh no, they’d been caught slacking off! All because the drama was too captivating.

Ning Chu realized Dantai Chao was back and glanced at the evening sky outside. So early, and he was already home?

She cast him a glance and then turned back to the TV.

This was the first time since she had expressed her desire for a divorce that Dantai Chao came home to see her. He walked over and looked at her hands, noticing something on them. “What is this?”

Ning Chu replied, “…A manicure. If you want one, you can get it too.”

Dantai Chao said, “No need,” and went upstairs.

Ning Chu paid him no mind and continued watching TV. The manicurist was internally ecstatic. Ah, seeing such a super beautiful madam today was exciting enough, but the head of the house was also incredibly handsome!

Today was truly worth the trip! She felt she could have done the manicure for free and still be satisfied.

After Dantai Chao showered and changed clothes, he went to the study. About two hours later, he came downstairs and found Ning Chu still getting her nails done. He frowned slightly—so long?

He said, “I might be late getting back tonight. Don’t wait up for me.”

“Oh.” Ning Chu gave a perfunctory reply without looking at him. It was obvious he was going to some kind of gathering. As the “dutiful madam,” she naturally had no right to ask.

Suddenly, Dantai Chao realized she hadn’t waited for him lately. He left soon after. Ning Chu’s manicure took another hour before it was finished.

“Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! Madam, your hands are so lovely!” Ah Hua praised nonstop.

The manicurist also kept complimenting, “Madam, may I take a photo of your hands? If you agree, this session will be free of charge. I have just one small request: may I post the photo on my studio’s official website?”

In the past, Ning Chu would have refused immediately, but now she didn’t mind a bit. It was just a photo. “Sure.” She was in a good mood today.

“Thank you, Madam.”

“Click, click.” The manicurist didn’t dare take many photos—just two.

After the manicurist left, Ning Chu admired her fingers, had Ah Hua take some pictures, and posted them on her social media.

Soon, a flood of likes and messages poured in.

“Madam Dantai, who did your manicure? Please recommend them—so beautiful!”

“So pretty! Truly worthy of Madam Dantai.”

“Finally, Madam Dantai decided to do a manicure. I told you your hands are perfect for it.”

“Madam Dantai, let’s make an appointment together sometime?”

Ning Chu looked at all the praise addressed to Madam Dantai and wondered if they would flatter her the same way if she were no longer Madam Dantai. Regardless… she still thought her nails looked wonderful.

At dinner that evening, Butler Gu saw her manicure and complimented, “Madam, your manicure is very pretty.”

Ning Chu was momentarily stunned. “Butler Gu, you know about these things too?”

Butler Gu smiled. “My granddaughter often does this. I don’t understand it, but as long as it makes her happy.”

Ning Chu said, “You’re very open-minded.” She wondered how her mother, Mrs. Zhou, would react.

Before going to bed, Ning Chu received a call from Mrs. Zhou, who sounded furious. “Ning Chu! Why did you suddenly get a manicure? Didn’t I tell you not to do such things?”

“As a virtuous and refined socialite, you shouldn’t be doing things like this. The Dantai family won’t like it.”

Ning Chu had expected her anger, but now she didn’t care. “I don’t care if they like it or not.”

“What…?” Zhou Erqin was stunned, clearly not expecting Ning Chu to say such a thing.

Ning Chu said, “I said I don’t care if they like it or not. I like it, and everyone is complimenting how beautiful my nails look.” She looked at her nails, feeling they were truly beautiful.

Zhou Erqin gripped her phone tightly. “You’re not my Ning Chu. Who are you? My Chu Chu would never disobey me.”

Ning Chu replied, “Me? I’m Niugulu Chu.”

Zhou Erqin snapped, “Chu Chu, stop joking! I order you to wash off that manicure immediately. Chu Chu, don’t want to be grounded again, do you?”

Ning Chu laughed coldly. “Grounded? Do you think I’d still be grounded by you? Mom, if you have nothing else, I’m going to rest now. Since you didn’t call to praise my nails, then say no more.”

Ning Chu hung up immediately. On the other end, Zhou Erqin stared wide-eyed at the disconnected call—her daughter actually hung up on her!

Zhou Erqin kept calling, but Ning Chu never answered. Not only that, Ning Chu turned off her phone and went to the bathroom to soak in a bath.

Zhou Erqin sat gasping, furious that the calls wouldn’t get through. The matter of the illegitimate child had been troubling her lately, and others had already mocked her in front of her. Now Ning Chu was suddenly defiant.

Zhou Erqin resolved to visit the Dantai household the next day to see what Ning Chu was really up to! How dare she disobey! Disobedient children must be punished!