Looking at the mass of flamboyant, non-mainstream clothing taking up more than half of his wardrobe, Si Shao now found it completely agonizing and embarrassing to behold.
Without hesitation, Si Shao quickly bundled up all the clothes, packing them tight with the intention of taking them away to destroy the evidence.
Since all his clothes were being thrown out, he naturally needed new ones. Turning toward the doorway, Si Shao shouted downstairs at the top of his lungs, “Uncle Lin, have someone send over a complete set of this season’s new arrivals from Versace and Givenchy!”
“Yes, Young Master,” Housekeeper Lin acknowledged loudly from downstairs upon hearing his young master’s command. He then pulled out his cell phone to instruct the staff below to have the young master’s requested clothing delivered immediately.
If there was anyone most relieved to see the notoriously unruly and despised Second Young Master change his ways for the better, it was undoubtedly Housekeeper Lin, with no exceptions.
With the early passing of the Si parents, Si Shao had been very young at the time, and since Si Qin was busy managing the company, the Second Young Master was practically raised single-handedly by Housekeeper Lin. Calling him half a son wouldn’t be an exaggeration at all. However, as he grew older, the Second Young Master’s temperament began to warp. A rebellious teenager prone to flamboyant actions who refused to listen to advice, Uncle Lin could only watch anxiously from the sidelines with his hands tied.
Upon hearing this time that his young master had gotten into a car accident and ended up in the hospital while running wild outside, Uncle Lin had been so worried that painful blisters broke out all over his mouth. Fortunately, Si Shao pulled through without a hitch, remaining safe and sound with no major issues. Afterward, Housekeeper Lin even made a special trip to a temple to pray and cleanse his young master of bad luck. He also offered extensive prayers and offerings to the late master and madam in heaven, asking them to bless both young masters with good health, peace, and smooth sailing. By the way, he also snuck in a prayer asking for the eldest young master to settle down and start a family soon.
“Never mind, cancel the delivery. I’ll go buy them myself,” Si Shao said, waving his hand as a sudden wave of restlessness washed over him. He called out loudly to the housekeeper downstairs.
Thinking of Si Qin who was currently at the company, hm, I might as well go check on my brother while I’m at it, the Second Young Master thought to himself, nodding in agreement.
After sprucing himself up thoroughly, Si Shao headed downstairs, planning to visit his big brother at the company first and then go shopping at the mall for clothes.
Downstairs in the lobby, Uncle Lin, who had been waiting for a while, saw Si Shao coming down, walked up to him, and pulled a golden bank card from his breast pocket. With eyes full of doting affection, he said, “Young Master, this is the bank card the Eldest Young Master left with me. Feel free to swipe it for whatever catches your eye; the Eldest Young Master has plenty of money, and if it’s not enough, Uncle Lin will just ask him for more.”
Listening to Uncle Lin’s affectionate words, Si Shao was moved to tears in an instant. He flung himself into Uncle Lin’s arms, hugging the older man around the waist like a puppy acting spoiled, and showered him with sweet words. He rattled off compliments until Uncle Lin beamed from ear to ear, repeatedly praising how his young master had grown up, become sensible, and learned to care for the elderly.
Having the driver drop him off right outside the headquarters tower of the Si family’s Louyu Group, Si Shao stepped out of the car and looked up at the towering, majestic skyscraper piercing the clouds. This wasn’t his first time visiting the family company, but it was certainly the first time he felt so apprehensive and complex.
Under the watchful gazes of the stern security guards on either side, Si Shao walked into the building, looking straight ahead.
The gleaming, mirror-like ceramic tiles reflected the youth’s slender figure, and his white sneakers made a crisp tap-tap sound as they struck the floor.
The receptionist wore a polished, welcoming, and amiable smile on her pretty face as she greeted him, “Good afternoon! Welcome to Louyu Group, esteemed guest! Is there anything I can help you with?”
Si Shao paced back and forth for a couple of steps, looking around the lobby twice. He had to admit that his older brother Si Qin managed Louyu Group exceptionally well; even the receptionist’s professional etiquette and hospitality were unmatched by other companies.
Withdrawing his gaze, Si Shao stated, “I’m here to see your president.”
Hearing this, the receptionist did not show a shred of contempt or disdain just because he was a youth. Instead, she politely inquired, “Appointments are required to see our president. Do you have an appointment, sir?”
Si Shao secretly nodded to himself and replied, “My name is Si Shao. I’ll go up myself.”
Recognizing the young man’s name and realizing he was the president’s younger brother, the receptionist stopped trying to bar his way.
The youth walked toward the elevators, then suddenly turned back to look at the receptionist with a smile. “You’re doing a great job!”
The young woman, complimented by the youth for doing a great job, responded with a reserved yet genuine smile.
Watching the youth’s figure step into the elevator and disappear behind the closing doors, the receptionist thought to herself, Rumors really are untrustworthy after all! The president’s younger brother seems perfectly fine right up close. Where on earth was he as unmanageable as people outside claim? He’s clearly just a polite and handsome young man!
“Knock, knock, knock.”
“Come in.” Inside the office, hearing the knock, Si Qin didn’t even raise his head as he spoke.
Si Shao turned the doorknob, poked his head inside, and peered around. His lively, animated demeanor made him look precisely like a little hamster peeking its head out to steal some food while the master of the house was away.
Walking into the office on tiptoe, he stood off to the side, gazing at the profile of the man deeply engrossed in his work.
When two full minutes passed and the person who entered still hadn’t said a word, Si Qin lowered his fountain pen, raised his head, and found himself face-to-face with a certain youth staring blankly at him.
The reprimand already resting on the tip of his tongue was swallowed back down. Reaching out, Si Qin ruffled the soft hair on top of the youth’s head and asked quizzically, “Why are you here?”
Simultaneously, a trace of displeasure stirred in his heart: Could this younger brother of mine have messed up again, coming to make me clean up another mess for him?
The youth lowered his fluffy head with a look of disappointment, acting sullen as he asked, “Does big brother not want to see me?”
Noticing the fleeting flash of irritation on the man’s face, Si Shao couldn’t convince himself that his brother didn’t loathe him after all!
Seeing the youth looking so pitiful, Si Qin suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over him, as if he had committed some unforgivable sin. Had he done something wrong to upset the boy? The mighty President Si frowned in perplexity, deep in baffled thought.
“No, you’re my younger brother. I don’t dislike you coming to see me,” the president, who had never quite figured out how to comfort people, racked his brains for ages before squeezing out this single sentence.
“Really?” The youth lifted his head slightly, gazing up like a little hamster that had done something wrong yet eagerly hoped for its master’s forgiveness and comfort, asking with an adorable tilt of his head.
“Really!” the man replied with certainty.
With that, he pulled the youth’s hand and led him over to the seating area’s sofa, staying by his side to talk and keep him company.