Chu Yanyi didn’t like to speak when eating in private, so he basically finished every meal in silence.
Similarly, Chu Yanyi had a bad habit when eating in non-social settings: he had to be looking at something to swallow his food.
More often than not, he would stare intently at the content on the virtual screen while absently shoving food into his mouth.
In short… just as Chu Yanqi teased him in private: “No matter which way you look at it, Brother, your table manners are truly unpleasant.”
Chen Ke and the other assistants who had followed Chu Yanyi for a long time were all aware of this habit of his.
At first, they were shocked that Chu Yanyi, who usually acted elegant and proper in every gesture outside, would have a side like this. Once they got used to it, they didn’t think much of it, even briefing new assistants in advance to avoid making any foolish scenes.
After all, a former assistant had once summoned unknown courage to remind Chu Yanyi during a meal: “This is bad for your stomach.”
So he became an ex-assistant.
For some reason today, Chu Yanyi didn’t turn on his terminal. The dining room lights were adjusted to a soft, warm glow, and the room temperature was just right, as if he finally intended to enjoy a proper meal in private.
Glasses clinked softly, and knives and forks slowly cut through meat, making dull sounds. Chu Yanyi hadn’t eaten anything; after a long moment, he lowered his head to pick at a small piece of meat, bringing it to his lips. Raising his eyes, his gaze fell upon Chen Ke.
Chen Ke was entirely engrossed in his food, crunching through bones with loud snaps, completely oblivious to being watched.
Supporting his chin on his hand, Chu Yanyi tilted his head slightly. His peripheral vision swept over another figure: Zhou Yi was gritting his teeth, using the few functioning fingers on his right hand to assist his left hand in a struggle to separate meat from bone.
Seeming to sense someone’s gaze, he raised his head and offered a remarkably cooperative smile toward Chu Yanyi, the grease on his lips looking exceptionally pronounced.
Mostly because he was handsome, this scene carried a touch of vividness amidst the messiness.
Chu Yanyi withdrew his gaze and chewed the meat. The perfectly balanced seasoning mixed with the intrinsic aroma of the meat made Chu Yanyi narrow his eyes in satisfaction.
“When you go to the auction house, look around for any suitable antiques while you’re at it. The President’s birthday is coming up, and we can’t lack proper etiquette.”
Finished with his food, Chu Yanyi leaned back against the chair, picked up his wine glass, and took a few slow sips. His expression was leisurely, yet he had clearly shifted into work mode.
Taking the cue, all the serving staff silently cleared away the tableware and walked out without a word.
Zhou Yi set down his fork and knife as well. Since Chu Yanyi hadn’t told him to leave, he stayed on the side, quietly listening to the conversation between Chu Yanyi and Chen Ke. Had Chen Ke’s eyes not swept past Zhou Yi’s shadow, he almost would have forgotten another person was still in the room.
Chen Ke drank a few gulps of water and cleared his throat: “Mm… I saw they have more than one fan from the Empire’s Ning Dynasty, bearing authentic calligraphy from ancient masters. When the President met with you last time, she had a new painting hung in her office as well. If you think it’s fine, I’ll forward the files to you.”
“No need, use your judgment.”
The two chatted about official matters suitable for polite company as if no one else were present—mostly Chen Ke speaking, with Chu Yanyi occasionally correcting phrasing and details.
“By the way, Mr. Chu, which assistants are you taking with you to the reception in a couple of days? None of them have returned to check back in from leave yet.”
Chen Ke uttered those final words with an exceptionally aggrieved tone. Chu Yanyi gave an amiable laugh: “They still have time; you get to earn more overtime pay than them. As for that reception, I’ll just take Zhou Yi alone. It’s in the Third District anyway.”
Chen Ke choked on his saliva. Covering his mouth, he coughed for a long moment, unable to question anything to his face, and could only cast a suspicious look over Zhou Yi: “Cough… fine… as long as you think it’s good.”
Chu Yanyi tapped the beast head on his cane: “Zhou Yi is indeed very good. Wouldn’t you say so, Zhou Yi?”
Hearing his name, Zhou Yi blinked, seeming to freeze for a second, and only nodded after a long pause.
Chu Yanyi chuckled. He genuinely felt that Zhou Yi’s sharp-featured face paired with a clueless expression was quite amusing: “See? He says so himself.”
Chen Ke pursed his lips, raising his wrist to switch the topic: “How did it get so late? Mr. Chu, out here in your deep mountain forest, what time will I even get home?”
Chu Yanyi raised an eyebrow, teasing: “It’s not as if I don’t have a place for you to sleep here.”
With a loud clatter—
Zhou Yi hurriedly bent down to pick up the chair he had knocked over, lowering his head in flustered helplessness.
Chen Ke frowned slightly: “Mr. Chu, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving first.”
“No rush, there’s still something.” The words were directed at Chen Ke, yet Chu Yanyi cast a deep look at Zhou Yi. Having dyed his hair black, the man actually revealed a touch of youthful greenness that didn’t match his age. His eyes darted around, not daring to meet Chu Yanyi’s gaze.
Just as he subconsciously bent his knees to kneel, Chu Yanyi used his cane to gently block his shin.
“It’s no big deal, what are you doing.”
Zhou Yi pursed his lips. After a moment, he slowly made a gesture of apology.
Chu Yanyi waved his hand noncommittally: “It’s late. Head back to sleep first; you’ll be tired in a few days.”
Draining the wine in his glass, he nodded to Chen Ke, turned around, and walked into the elevator outside the door with Chen Ke.
The manor at night was quiet.
Since the master they served was resting, the servants naturally couldn’t disturb the household. Aside from Chu Yanyi’s brightly lit master bedroom, most rooms only had a nightlight turned on. The housekeeper and supervisors lowered their voices to arrange pending tasks for the coming days.
A moth flew through the cloud layer, its scale-covered wings pressed against the transparent windowpane, occupying almost the entire field of vision.
Zhou Yi stood by the window, drawing the curtains with familiar ease.
The three people who originally lived with him had left this manor one after another for various reasons. Later, a newcomer was assigned, but within a few days, he submitted his resignation as well.
Not knowing if Housekeeper Mo had noticed something amiss, he never assigned Zhou Yi a new roommate again. Only Zhou Yi remained in this four-person room, and having no personal belongings of his own, it looked exceptionally desolate.
In total darkness, he sat by the edge of the bed, rubbing his throbbing head. He pulled out that colorful candy box and poured it onto his deformed right palm; a pill rolled out.
The bitter taste of the medicine spread across his tongue. Zhou Yi slowly crawled under the bed, waiting for the medication to take effect. Unknowingly, he had consumed three months’ worth of medicine. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes—the cold floor was enough for him to sleep in peace.
“What do you think Chu Yanyi and Chen Ke are doing right now? What does a single Alpha want by letting an unmarked Omega stay overnight at his place?”
A voice echoed by his ear like a nightmare. Zhou Yi snapped his eyes open, seeing only darkness.
Gasping heavily, he subconsciously raised his right hand. The light from the terminal waking up pulled him back to reality. He blinked forcefully, the hazy virtual screen gradually turning clear, and he saw a message sent by Mr. Chu.
“Asleep?”
Zhou Yi froze. He hadn’t expected himself to be qualified to receive a message from Mr. Chu.
A few days ago, he had gathered his courage to ask Mr. Chu if he could get Mr. Chu’s contact information. Mr. Chu had looked at him for a good while, and just when he thought he would be punished for overstepping, Mr. Chu suddenly laughed, pulling out his terminal.
“Not counting the time I brought you back, this is the first time in so many days you’ve actively asked me for something.”
Zhou Yi didn’t understand the meaning behind Mr. Chu’s words, but he obtained Mr. Chu’s contact info, which was enough to make him happy for several days… until today, when he met Chen Ke.
Zhou Yi had only met Chen Ke, an Omega, a few times, yet he had heard numerous rumors about him and Mr. Chu.
What? Mr. Chu bought a flyer specifically to make it convenient for Assistant Chen to travel to and from the manor? What? Mr. Chu and Assistant Chen have been together for over a decade? What? Miss Chu was the matchmaker for Mr. Chu and Assistant Chen? What? You’re saying that slave gained favor because Mr. Chu had a fight with Assistant Chen and wanted to spite him on purpose?
Once away from Mr. Chu’s side, those noises were like the buzzing of moth wings, repeating endlessly in Zhou Yi’s mind.
He could only comfort himself: It’s fine. As long as I’m obedient and don’t make mistakes at work, Mr. Chu won’t make me leave, so I must figure out what Mr. Chu means.
Just as Zhou Yi was at a loss on how to reply, Chu Yanyi sent another message: “If you’re not asleep, come over. I have something to give you.”
Not daring to overthink any further, Zhou Yi scrambled up, only for his head to collide straight with a raised spot on the bedframe with a loud bang.
Just as Mr. Chu had said, he truly had forgotten too many things and was far too unclever.
Pressing his hand against the wound on his forehead, he ignored the stickiness on his hand and ran all the way to Chu Yanyi’s master bedroom, even forgetting he could take the elevator.
Only a single desk lamp was lit in the room. When Zhou Yi entered, Chu Yanyi was reclining on the lounger resting with his eyes closed. He had just finished bathing, his hair unbrushed and still damp.
Zhou Yi walked over, picking up a somewhat damp towel nearby with practiced ease, carefully combing through Chu Yanyi’s hair before drying it.
“These are all your things. I told you last time I’d give you a reward.” Chu Yanyi turned his body comfortably, pointing at the document bag on the sofa, letting out a yawn as if exhausted: “There’s a passport, driver’s license, and ID card… Without these, it won’t be convenient if you want to find another job or go elsewhere in the future. If you have no place to keep them, I can hold them for you first…”
Using the warm glow of the lamp, he observed the expression on Zhou Yi’s face, suddenly realizing something was off.
“What happened to your head?” Chu Yanyi caught Zhou Yi’s wrist. “Got into a fight with someone?”
Zhou Yi hurriedly shook his head, set down the blood-stained towel, and used sign language to recap the whole story to Chu Yanyi, leaving out the beginning and end.
“You really are… how do you manage to hit the door frame even with this.” Chu Yanyi smiled helplessly, waving a hand at Zhou Yi as he walked toward the inner bedroom, “Doctor Wu should be asleep already. I have medicine here; find someone or bandage it yourself first, then go see her tomorrow morning for a proper check.”
Yet Zhou Yi stayed frozen. It was his first time harboring a thought of refusal—less of a refusal and more of fear.
Afraid of seeing a messy scene inside the bedroom, and even more afraid of seeing… Chen Ke.
The next second, he realized how utterly unreasonable he was being, his entire body shivering from fear.
Chu Yanyi seemed to chuckle, yet also let out a sigh: “Don’t worry, I’m the only one here. You’re an Alpha too; am I going to eat you alive?”