Zhang Meilan

Biodata

Background / History

Early Life and Career

Zhang Meilan grew up in an orphanage. Her live-in caregiving work meant staying in clients’ homes, and she had no home of her own to return to during time off. Before joining Lin Yi’s household, she had already spent years caring for babies, although she had never had children herself 7 13 47 49.

Joining Lin Yi’s Household

Lin Yi and Jiang Yuehua selected Zhang Meilan after recognizing her photograph in the agency’s roster. They had seen her put herself in danger to shield their baby at an intersection, an act she described as an instinctive reaction. Her courage and professional knowledge convinced them to entrust the child to her 7.

She began work immediately and moved into Yihai Villa. Given a choice of rooms, she selected one on the first floor so she could reach the baby quickly. Alongside caring for the child, she began teaching Lin Yi how to handle everyday parenting tasks himself 8 9.

Su Wanqing’s Return

Zhang Meilan initially misunderstood the absence of Tangtang’s mother, assuming she had died. When Lin Yi brought Su Wanqing and Dabao home, Zhang Meilan worried that Tangtang was about to acquire a stepmother. Lin Yi clarified that Su Wanqing was the birth mother of both children, leaving Zhang Meilan embarrassed by her earlier condolences 12 21.

Her responsibilities expanded to include both twins and meals for Su Wanqing’s postpartum recovery. During a conversation over dinner, she described Lin Yi’s devotion to Tangtang, helping Su Wanqing form a more favorable opinion of him 21 22.

Acceptance as Family

Before the family’s trip to the Imperial Capital and Fengtian, Lin Yi offered Zhang Meilan time off. She declined because she had nowhere to go, so he brought her along. After learning about her upbringing, Lin Yi and Su Wanqing invited her to regard them as family. She was moved to tears and accompanied them aboard the Lin family’s private plane 49.

Employment Terms

Personality

Zhang Meilan is protective and conscientious. She rushes to respond when a baby cries, remains alert even when Lin Yi takes the night shift, and firmly objects when he suggests leaving sleeping Tangtang unattended. After Tangtang’s unexplained coughing episode, she apologizes for failing to look after her properly, although Lin Yi assures her she is not at fault 9 10 11 13 14.

She is also modest and simple-hearted. She initially resists both salary offers and becomes embarrassed by praise or misunderstandings. Her assumption that Tangtang’s mother had died leads her to offer sincere but misplaced comfort, even interrupting Lin Yi’s attempt to explain 7 9 12 21.

She respects the couple’s privacy, resolving to knock before entering their room and considering a move upstairs to avoid disturbing them. Though she sometimes feels like a third wheel, she admires their relationship and hopes to meet a similarly considerate partner 25 28 43.

Abilities & Skills

Infant Care and Parent Instruction

An experienced caregiver, Zhang Meilan teaches Lin Yi practical childcare rather than insisting on doing everything herself 9 11.

• Feeding assessment: Identifies hunger by asking when Tangtang last ate 9.
• Burping: Demonstrates how to support the baby and use gentle, cupped-hand pats after feeding 9.
• Diaper changing: Guides Lin Yi through removing the diaper, cleaning the baby, and fitting a replacement; later corrects how he checks the diaper 11 16.
• Sleep observation: Explains her insistence that someone remain beside the sleeping baby and discusses Tangtang’s wakefulness at night 11 14.
• Limits: Cannot determine the cause of Tangtang’s coughing through routine checks and accompanies Lin Yi to the hospital 10.

Developmental Care

She demonstrates activities and positioning techniques to both parents.

• Teaches gentle palm and sole massage, explaining it as sensory stimulation 12 13.
• Adjusts the twins’ sleeping positions and explains her concerns about leaving them in one position 27.
• Checks Tangtang’s limb strength and demonstrates positioning that helps her roll over 34.
• Advises Su Wanqing on tummy-time play to encourage head lifting 49.

Cooking and Postpartum Support

Zhang Meilan prepares both ordinary home cooking and meals intended for postpartum recovery 16 25.

• Prioritizes Su Wanqing’s meals after her return, preparing dishes such as pork rib soup, steamed egg custard, and stir-fried carrots 25.
• Offers suggestions for easing breast engorgement and agrees to adjust the menu when Lin Yi asks her to stop making milk-promoting soup 47.
• Takes over breakfast after Su Wanqing’s cooking attempt burns the food and blackens the ceiling 31.

Relationships

• Lin Yi — Employer and childcare pupil. At his request, she replaces formal forms of address with “Brother Lin.” She admires his willingness to learn and later accepts his invitation to regard the household as family 8 9 49.
• Tangtang — Her first charge in the household and the baby she protected at the intersection. Her question about the child’s name prompts Lin Yi to choose the nickname Tangtang 7 13.
• Yuanyuan / Dabao — Tangtang’s older twin brother and her second charge. She is astonished when he rolls over much earlier than she expects 21 34.
• Su Wanqing — The twins’ mother, whom she assists with childcare and postpartum meals. Su Wanqing welcomes her at the dining table and asks her to use a less distant form of address than “Sister-in-Law Lin” 22 25 29.
• Jiang Yuehua — Helps select her as caregiver and trusts her because she risked herself to protect her granddaughter 7.

Notable Quotes

“It was an instinctive reaction. There wasn’t time to think too much.”
— Explaining why she protected the baby at the intersection 7.

“Brother Lin, eat more pig’s trotters. They’ll help your milk come in.”
— A habitual postpartum-care remark she immediately realizes is misplaced 11 12.