Lin Ruohuai was now a man of the world; he wasn’t at all surprised by this. Instead, he accepted it with a calm and easygoing grace.
It’s just acting spoiled—who doesn’t know how to do that? It has nothing to do with feelings; it’s purely the conviction of a worker.
Seeing Ruohuai’s prolonged silence, Shen Qi seemed to sense something. He clasped his hands and rested them over the shawl covering his abdomen, his eyelids drooping slightly. “Even if Xie Yusheng is here, you are still on the clock. Pleasing your employer is part of your job.”
Lin Ruohuai tried his best to push aside other thoughts. He already felt that Shen Qi didn’t actually hate him that much—it seemed he hated Xie Yusheng more?
He lightly scratched the tip of his nose and said in a small voice, “Oh, I understand.”
Unexpectedly, Shen Qi let out a sudden remark: “Your boyfriend probably won’t be angry.”
“Of course he won’t.” Lin Ruohuai pinched the small corner of the shawl, letting the soft fabric curl around his finger. “I couldn’t tell you liked this kind of thing. Did your previous caregivers treat you like this too?”
Shen Qi replied composedly, “It depends on the person.”
Lin Ruohuai immediately asked, “Then do you like my way, or the way the previous ones did it?”
It was the same psychological drive as a child asking for candy. But Lin Ruohuai wasn’t a child, and Shen Qi wasn’t a doting adult. They were in an employer-employee relationship, separated even by opposing factions. The moment the words left his mouth, Lin Ruohuai regretted it.
Shen Qi pulled the shawl out and draped it over Ruohuai’s hand: “You.”
…
Having dealt with so many people all morning, Shen Qi’s recently recovered body couldn’t quite handle the strain. His energy depleted, he needed to sleep. Not wanting to disturb his rest, Lin Ruohuai slipped out to discuss his promotion to a permanent position with Uncle Chen.
A new contract had to be signed. In this technological age, most used electronic contracts for convenience, but Uncle Chen preferred traditional paper printing. Lin Ruohuai waited by his side to sign and leave his thumbprint.
“Uncle Chen, there’s a lot to learn after becoming a permanent employee. I wanted to ask, how long did the previous caregivers usually stay before leaving?”
He wanted to be mentally prepared.
Uncle Chen said flatly, “None of them made it past the fifteen-day probation period.”
Lin Ruohuai was stunned for several seconds, unable to snap back to reality.
Uncle Chen continued, emphasizing his point: “You are the first. Not only did you pass, but you passed early.”
Struck with amazement again, Lin Ruohuai felt like the butler was about to drop some classic lines in the next second.
Sure enough, the old butler sighed inwardly with relief and said, “You are the first person the Young Master has treated specially.”
“…”
You really are more of an NPC than Shen Qi and me…
Lin Ruohuai picked up the pen, the tip hovering. The signing process was so smooth it felt like a trap, but seeing the amount, the salary structure, and the benefits, he signed his name as if possessed.
How could anyone refuse? If anyone was to blame, it was Shen Qi for giving too much.
After it was signed, Uncle Chen tucked it away and shook his hand: “Congratulations on successfully becoming a permanent employee.”
Lin Ruohuai shook back: “Thank you, Uncle Chen~”
Uncle Chen let go, looking at Lin Ruohuai’s rosy face. “Check if there are any items you need added. Will you still be sleeping with the Young Master these next few days?”
Lin Ruohuai’s mind blanked for a moment, his mouth mumbling, “So you knew all along. I won’t have to be sneaky about it anymore.”
The old butler felt a wave of comfort: “Just let nature take its course.”
…
Outside the main building, there was a large lawn where the servants had begun setting up canopies and BBQ grills in preparation for tonight’s party. Uncle Chen walked out to announce the news of his promotion. Everyone was happy for Lin Ruohuai, and the cook even made a makeshift cake to celebrate.
He hadn’t expected those wealthy young heirs to participate. It didn’t fit his stereotype of the elite—he thought they’d be high and mighty, looking down on commoners. It turned out real wealthy people were quite well-bred; TV shows really were exaggerating.
Speaking of which, where did Xie Yusheng and Shen Qingyi go?
Lin Ruohuai didn’t intend to disturb them. He took a perfunctory lap to look and gave up when he couldn’t find them.
On the way back, his steps were light and he hummed a tune, only to run into that idiot Shen Heyu at a corner. Shen Heyu looked the same as their last meeting, looking him up and down with disdain. “Do you know what people outside are saying about you?”
Lin Ruohuai, with a blade of grass in his mouth, spat it out: “What are they saying?”
“They say you’re unmotivated, clinging to the Xie family while refusing to let go of the Shen family. They say you’re shameless!” Shen Heyu said, his face flushed with anger.
The victim of the rumors wasn’t angry, yet the messenger was fuming.
Besides, what was that? It sounded like a compliment to him.
If he remembered correctly, Shen Heyu was a junior in college this year, with one year left until graduation. Now, appearing in Shen Qi’s manor in a suit, his features looked young and his aura was immature—it was obvious he was a college student who hadn’t been beaten down by society yet.
Lin Ruohuai watched Shen Heyu, who looked like a child wearing adult clothes, a half-smile on his face.
Shen Heyu straightened his collar. “You’re not angry?”
“It’s enough that you’re angry for me. I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t told me. Are you telling me on purpose because you want to see me make a fool of myself?”
Shen Heyu remained expressionless and continued, “I’m going for an internship in the second half of the year. If you’re willing, I can save an assistant position for you. A monthly salary of five thousand during the internship—how about it?”
Lin Ruohuai’s face darkened upon hearing this.
Are you saying you want me to give up a monthly salary of hundreds of thousands, plus high bonuses and commissions, to go to your crappy company for five thousand bucks a month?
Though he didn’t have the original owner’s memories, Lin Ruohuai had already realized how boring Shen Heyu’s brain was. He didn’t discriminate against disabilities, except for the “brain-dead” kind.
Lin Ruohuai rolled his eyes slightly. “No thanks.”
“You!” Shen Heyu clenched his fists, suddenly thinking of another possibility. “Are you unable to let go of Xie Yusheng?”
Lin Ruohuai said nothing.
Shen Heyu continued, “Everyone in the circle knows Young Master Xie can’t forget Shen Qingyi. You’re his boyfriend; you’re bound to be cheated on sooner or later.”
“I like being cheated on! If it’s not a green hat, I don’t want it!”
Shen Heyu: “???”
Lin Ruohuai felt that wasn’t enough to spite the guy: “Not only will I wear it, but I’ll also cheat myself! What’s it to you!”
Lin Ruohuai bolted as soon as he finished, leaving Shen Heyu standing there dumbfounded.
He didn’t run far. He stopped at a corner, peeking out to see Shen Heyu’s shocked reaction, curling his lips with satisfaction like he’d won a battle.
Despite his agility, he was still caught.
“Lin Ruohuai, found you.”
Lin Ruohuai felt a weight on his head. Xie Yusheng’s large hand pressed down on his forehead, pinning him in place.
“Brother, you’re messing up my hair.”
Xie Yusheng removed his hand.
Lin Ruohuai used both hands to tidy his hair, looking like a cat grooming its fur.
Only after making himself clean and pretty did he look up, noticing a faint handprint on Xie Yusheng’s right cheek.
Princess Shen has struck again.
Xie Yusheng poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue, acting as if the pain was something to brag about.
Lin Ruohuai felt like he was being treated as a part of their “play.” It was hard to describe: “What do you want with me?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Would I look for you if it wasn’t important?” Xie Yusheng touched his bruised cheek. “Investigate something for me.”
“…” Buddy, you’ve got the wrong guy.
I can even investigate? Since when did I have that function…
This was no different from asking a minor character in Journey to the West to assassinate the Monk’s party.
“Shen Qingyi and Zhou Gaoyi’s engagement is next month. Shen Qi will definitely attend. Find out what he knows then. I suspect they’re faking it.”
Lin Ruohuai gave him the answer directly: “It’s fake.”
Xie Yusheng narrowed his eyes. “Shen Qi said so?”
Lin Ruohuai: “I said so.”
Xie Yusheng cursed: “What the hell use is what you say!”
Lin Ruohuai calmly wiped the spit from his face. “Think about it with your brain. They’ve known each other for so long; if they wanted to be together, they would have been by now. Why wait until now?”
“But the engagement is set in stone.”
“Only by taking the initiative can there be a result.” Lin Ruohuai had never seen a main lead so bad at communicating. “All I know is that if you don’t make a move, time won’t wait for you, and neither will your ‘wife’.”
Xie Yusheng seemed shocked by these words. He didn’t speak for a long time, as if processing the information.
Lin Ruohuai left it at that. The ‘Gong’ (Top) lead should understand; after all, his own role was that of a wingman.
“That’s all then. I’m leaving. Don’t contact me unless it’s necessary. It’ll be a hassle if Shen Qi finds out.”
Xie Yusheng followed behind him, asking abruptly, “What’s it to him?”
Lin Ruohuai reminded him, “Did you forget why he wanted me to be his caregiver in the first place?”
Xie Yusheng sneered, “That old man is calculating. He was unhappy with me before, and he’s still unhappy now that I’m with you.”
Lin Ruohuai’s mouth twitched—the nature of the situation is completely different, okay?
Xie Yusheng suddenly sped up, blocking him with a dangerous aura. “Do you like him?”
Like who?
Shen Qi?
Lin Ruohuai was startled and speechless. “You’re overthinking.”
“You can look for anyone, but you absolutely cannot look for Shen Qi.”
Lin Ruohuai said seriously, “Don’t talk nonsense, I have a boyfriend. I won’t reveal his Chinese name because it might scare you, but his English name is RMB. I love him; I love him no matter what color he wears, though I like it best when he wears pink.”
Xie Yusheng didn’t catch the joke immediately, his temple throbbing. “What era is this? Everyone uses WeChat and Alipay now.”
Lin Ruohuai cupped his face shyly. “I’m a bit traditional.”
Xie Yusheng: “…”
Lin Ruohuai took the chance to bypass him, picking up his pace and rolling his eyes secretly.
…
As dusk fell, large lights illuminated the lawn. The surroundings were lively, the wind carrying the scent of BBQ and a vibrant human energy. The usually deathly quiet manor was now dyed with vivid colors.
Shen Qingyi was cold by nature and didn’t like socializing, but his aura was approachable. The servants enjoyed chatting with him. Xie Yusheng stood coldly by his side, sulking while grilling chicken wings in the flavor Shen Qingyi liked.
As for Shen Heyu, he sat alone by the lake with a few bottles of alcohol at his feet, staring gloomily into the distance, occasionally eating pieces of potato and lotus root brought by the servants.
Several aunts and uncles surrounded Lin Ruohuai to congratulate him on his promotion. Lin Ruohuai blew out the candles and clapped in celebration, cutting the first piece for the old butler.
Once the socializing paused, Lin Ruohuai sat on a small stool eating cake. Shen Qingyi walked up to his side at some point. “Mr. Xiaohuai, why don’t you go and ask my brother to come down?”
The moment Shen Qingyi sat down, a fresh fragrance wafted from him. It was followed by his cold yet pleasant voice.
A true beauty.
In Shen Qi’s study, there was a family photo. Back then, Shen Qi’s legs were fine. He stood behind his parents, with Shen Qingyi on his left.
The two brothers only shared a similar silhouette; their eyes, noses, lips, physiques, and even their temperaments were entirely different.
There was a five-year age gap between them, and the chasm between them was filled with experience and the passage of time.
Lin Ruohuai licked the cream from the corner of his mouth. “Sure. It’s so lively, it’s a shame if the host isn’t here. I’ll go call him.”
Shen Qingyi smiled at him.
Just as Lin Ruohuai was about to smile back, he felt a cold gaze on his cheek. Not far away, Xie Yusheng was staring daggers at him.
“…”
What is wrong with him?
A total psycho.
Lin Ruohuai hurried away, mentally preparing his speech in the elevator. He thought it would take a lot of effort to persuade Shen Qi, but when he mentioned it, Shen Qi agreed immediately.
Lin Ruohuai’s heart stirred as he helped him out of bed. “Take the shawl; it’s windy outside.”
Shen Qi rested one hand on Ruohuai’s shoulder and back as he sat in the wheelchair. Lin Ruohuai didn’t let go, fearing he might fall. Their posture looked like an embrace.
“Lin Ruohuai.”
The sound of his breath brushed against Ruohuai’s neck, turning it a shade of pink. Under his ear, faint blue veins appeared, as beautiful as an engraved tattoo.
“What is it?”
“You’re making me smell your scent.”
“…”
After Shen Qi went downstairs, he refused anyone who tried to talk to him, including Shen Qingyi. A new grill was set up specifically for him. He didn’t eat; he just grilled, making Lin Ruohuai stay by his side.
He looked composed, his eyes slightly indifferent, holding a fork in one hand with elegant movements that were quite pleasant to watch.
There were always people with low EQ who came over to say hello. Although Shen Qi didn’t like it, he responded politely.
Seeing that his complexion was truly poor, Lin Ruohuai took the initiative to send them away. Soon, the area was peaceful again.
“Do you have a social disorder?” Lin Ruohuai asked.
Shen Qi said flatly, “I just don’t like communicating with people I’m not close to. It’s not a ‘disorder.’ I wouldn’t be disabled in two different ways.”
“…Fine, fine. I’ll help you send them off. You just focus on your… wait, it’s burnt! Forget it, if you like it that way.”
Shen Qi remained calm, completely unbothered by the charring. This was how he was—even when facing big events, he was always composed. If he showed expression, he was mostly faking it.
Lin Ruohuai: “Then eat it yourself. I’m not helping you with that.”
Shen Qi looked down and smiled. “You’re rejecting me.”
“…”
Lin Ruohuai could endure many hardships, but not when it came to food. “Why do you like cooking anyway?”
“I like it because I like it. Do I need a reason?” Shen Qi said without changing his expression, his eyelids lifting languidly. “Just like you like money—do you need a reason for that?”
“…”
“Do you want to eat?”
“…”
Lin Ruohuai looked at the blackened chicken wings and didn’t want to take them.
“Then I’ll eat them.”
“Ugh, my lord, give them to me. The meat inside should be edible, just not the skin… So bitter. The meat is okay, tender… Mr. Shen is so amazing, this is so delicious.” Lin Ruohuai ate and quickly offered a few compliments.
Shen Qi was puzzled: “Why aren’t you acting spoiled?”
Lin Ruohuai spoke in a high-pitched, cutesy voice: “Mr. Shen, please give it to me! I love eating it, please please please~”
Shen Qi sneered: “Little glutton.”
“…………Are you done playing?” After a long silence, Lin Ruohuai stopped being afraid of him.
“Almost.”
Lin Ruohuai leaned down slightly and poked his shoulder: “Are you done playing?”
The distance between them was very close. The smell of BBQ smoke drifted between them. They could both see the flickering light in each other’s eyes. The temperature rose, and their breaths intertwined.
Shen Qi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Done.”
“Xiao Huai—”
Not far away, Shen Qingyi called out. He beckoned Lin Ruohuai over to eat something. “There are grilled wings over here.”
The implication was: Don’t eat the trash my brother is making.
Lin Ruohuai cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone: “Thanks, President Shen! I’ll come over and eat in a bit!”
A few minutes later, Xie Yusheng called out coldly, “Xiao Huai, come here. What kind of dog crap are you eating?”
Shen Qi didn’t even look at him.
Lin Ruohuai’s heart jumped, and he instinctively protected his boss: “Why are you cursing? Shut up.”
Xie Yusheng thought to himself: Who wants to come here? If my ‘wife’ hadn’t told me to, I wouldn’t bother!
A moment later, Shen Heyu arrived with a folding stool. “Lin Ruohuai.”
Lin Ruohuai ignored him.
“Lin Ruohuai? Ruohuai? Xiao Huai?”
Lin Ruohuai gave an impatient “Tsk.” “What now?”
“Come on, aren’t you bored being alone?”
“Bored with what? Have you greeted your big brother yet?”
Shen Heyu obediently called out, “Big Brother.”
After saying it, he was in disbelief. Why did he listen to Lin Ruohuai! Damn it!
Lin Ruohuai sent him away. Shen Heyu left reluctantly, muttering that Ruohuai was ungrateful and to watch out for being poisoned.
Xiao Huai, Xiao Huai, Xiao Huai.
Shen Qi pressed the chicken wings into the grill, pressing them hard. They made a sizzling, crackling sound, and the bitter smell of burnt food spread.
Seeing this, Lin Ruohuai said in a low voice, “I’m really not eating this one. It’s too bitter.”
Shen Qi pursed his lips imperceptibly and asked abruptly, “Do you have a childhood nickname?”
Lin Ruohuai paused.
Shen Qi’s voice was colder than the wind and snow: “No?”
For some reason, Lin Ruohuai panicked for a moment, hesitating. “My nickname is very ordinary.”
Shen Qi raised his eyes. “What is it?”
“Xiao Jiu.” (Little Nine)
“The ‘Nine’ as in nine lives.”
Shen Qi didn’t say it aloud, nor did he say it in his heart—the time wasn’t right yet. He spoke unhurriedly: “Does anyone else know?”
Lin Ruohuai shook his head.
Shen Qi’s dark, deep eyes stared at him, saying each word slowly: “Only I know?”
Lin Ruohuai nodded.
A calm smile appeared on Shen Qi’s face, vanishing in an instant. He repeated in a low, almost neurotic whisper: “Only I know.”