C8 I will Raise You in the Future

The Clean Plate Campaign in action!

Whether it was fish or Mapo tofu, every dish was polished off to such a shine that not a single oil stain remained – the plates could have doubled as mirrors.

Had it not been for the fear of getting heaty from the spicy soup, that too would have been guzzled down to the last drop.

At that moment...

The two girls lay sprawled on the sofa, their bellies distended, exclaiming with satisfaction, "I'm stuffed!"

With Claus volunteering for dish duty, Howard had no choice but to take a seat on the opposite couch, chuckling at the pair. "Looking at you now, it's hard to believe you're the same radiant campus beauties. You could pass for pregnant women!"

'It's all your fault!'

Both girls felt a twinge of regret, pondering the weight they'd surely gain after such a feast. In unison, they protested, "If not for you, we wouldn't look like we're expecting!"

Oh!

Howard was momentarily taken aback, as were the girls, but then they all burst into laughter. "You two are such close sisters, even talking in sync!"

"Not at all!" Mollie laughed heartily, then added with a hint of resignation, "It's a good thing I'm all for the single life. I don't care how much I eat. Otherwise, I'd be hounding you to take responsibility for making such irresistible meals!"

"Well, no dinner for you tonight then. You can just order takeout!" Fredia retorted with a huff. "Reaping the benefits and still playing the innocent!"

"Fredia, you little rascal, already so protective and you're not even married yet!"

Mollie, incensed by her best friend's merciless tease, lunged at Fredia, and the two ended up playfully wrestling, a sight to behold.

"Enough, enough, you two. This kind of 'benefit' isn't exactly pleasant for me to witness," Howard joked, feigning a lascivious grin as he eyed the disheveled duo and their fair skin peeking through.

Pervert!

In perfect harmony, the girls laughed and chided him, then settled back down to rub their bellies and aid digestion.

"By the way, Howard, having only Mr. Claus manage your entire estate seems a bit much. Isn't it unfair to leave all the dishwashing to him?"

Mollie had casually struck up a conversation with Claus earlier and was thoroughly impressed by his extensive knowledge. It seemed almost wasteful to have such a talent merely serving as a housekeeper.

"When needed, we have staff from the cleaning service, but it does feel a touch less vibrant around here," Claus remarked as he emerged with a tray of tea, standing behind the sofa. His voice was warm as he continued, "If the ladies don't object, I'd like to hire some maids for the young master. Relying solely on the cleaning service doesn't sit well with me; their expertise is limited to just tidying up the manor."

He had a point.

The intricate landscaping of the manor was beyond the capabilities of any ordinary cleaning service.

Howard nodded in agreement.

"Having female staff is fine; they tend to be more detail-oriented," Fredia commented without much concern, trusting Howard not to make any rash decisions.

"Great, I'll get in touch with a team then. I'll handle the negotiations regarding their pay and benefits," Claus responded earnestly, then added with a chuckle, "Now, all we need is for the young master and madam to have a baby soon. That would really give Claus a sense of purpose!"

At this, Howard felt a twinge of anticipation, while Fredia blushed deeply, stammering with a shy smile, "Claus, there's no rush for you to start thinking about childcare just yet."

Claus laughed heartily, "Alright, I'll go ahead and contact the maid service. Young Master, Madam, and Miss Mollie, please feel free to reach out to me directly if you need anything!"

"Oh, and before I forget—this is for you."

Howard handed over a card, "It's loaded with some operational funds. Keep it on hand for any day-to-day expenses. Whatever you need, just go ahead and purchase it."

Claus accepted the card without hesitation. As he examined the modest bank card, a flicker of ambition crossed his face. "Why should the young master settle for such an unassuming card? I'll see what I can do to multiply the funds significantly!"

Mollie looked on with envy, "You've truly found yourself a gem of a housekeeper! If I had someone like that, I'd be set for life!"

"Don't talk like that," Fredia teased, squeezing her best friend's hand with a giggle, "If you ever find yourself without a place to go, I'll take you in. What's mine is yours!"

"Don't even start."

Mollie rolled her eyes in exasperation. Her best friend's silly, sentimental antics were enough to make anyone think they'd already stepped into the villa.

In the afternoon, Mollie retreated to her room to read. The mansion boasted a cozy library on the third floor, stocked with an array of classic literature and even rare books not found in stores, including numerous ancient TCM volumes.

As a TCM enthusiast, Mollie was eager to seize this chance.

After all, immersing oneself in books in such a setting was pure bliss.

According to Mr. Claus, a maid with professional expertise would arrive tomorrow afternoon. With such a companion, life would surely take a luxurious turn!

Hehe!

If my best friend has snagged an impressive boyfriend, I might as well reap some benefits too!

All my kindness toward Fredia hasn't been for nothing!

Lost in thought, Mollie stretched languidly, stood up, and leaned on the intricately carved white jade railing, gazing out at the distant sea. The gentle breeze whispered, "If I ever find myself with nowhere to go, becoming a private family physician here wouldn't be so bad."

Of course, that was merely a fallback plan. As a decisive woman of the new era, she had her own dreams and life's musings.

Here, with her best friend, she had found her ultimate sanctuary.

She was determined to make this room her own, even if it meant resorting to tears, tantrums, or threats—she'd shamelessly ensure Howard reserved it for her!

Meanwhile, Fredia sat in her room, chin in hand, admiring Howard as he typed away at his laptop.

Howard was undeniably attractive.

His allure only intensified when he was focused on his work.

But what exactly was Howard coding? It looked so neat and orderly!

Though she didn't grasp the specifics, the code was aesthetically pleasing, free of any chaotic or stifling elements.

Coding wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment hobby for Howard.

It was a reward from his two sign-ins: the first granted him the core source code for a future super AI, and the second, a God-level specialization in computer applications.

With each sign-in, his wealth could potentially grow, and establishing a business as a front seemed like an excellent strategy.

This super artificial intelligence provided him with a sense of direction.

What's the most lucrative thing in the world?

Without a doubt, it's technology.

Particularly, technology that's revolutionary for its time!