After Lin Ruohuai finished speaking, his entire body went numb. He stole a glance at Shen Qi’s expression, finding him staring in deep thought, a slight, flickering shimmer in the depths of his eyes.
He doesn’t seem unhappy. Lin Ruohuai grit his teeth, painfully twitched the corners of his lips, and pulled out a flattering smile. He had practiced expression management, after all, and wasn’t afraid of Shen Qi seeing through him.
Lin Ruohuai was covered in cold sweat, his clothes clinging tightly to his back he was in a sorry state. But just then, Shen Qi’s wheelchair turned around.
The moonlight had disappeared to who-knows-where, and the light grew much dimmer, making Shen Qi’s silhouette appear incredibly vast, looming over the top of Lin Ruohuai’s head.
Shen Qi gave a half-smile: “It seems Mr. Lin has done similar work before to be able to speak so fluently.”
“No, it’s my first time.”
Lin Ruohuai thought to himself: It’s only because you’re special. Who goes around touching other people’s ‘birdies’ for no reason? Isn’t that weird?
The words “first time” sounded exceptionally pleasant to the ear. Shen Qi’s expression softened, and he gave instructions at a moderate pace: “Push me upstairs.”
Lin Ruohuai stood up and noticed his forehead was covered in sweat. Habitually, he grabbed his collar to wipe it, pulling the hem upward and revealing a thin, soft belly that rose and fell slightly with his breathing.
Just as he let go of his collar, he saw Shen Qi suddenly bend down and toss the cotton slippers from his own feet in front of him, saying coldly: “Put them on.”
It was the season heading into autumn, and the wind in the deep mountains at night was particularly cool—easy to catch a chill.
Only then did Lin Ruohuai realize his toes were almost numb from the cold, while the soles of his feet were burning hot from running too fast. It was a mixture of ice and fire. But as he stepped into the cotton slippers, that boiling terror instantly settled into complete peace.
Lin Ruohuai subconsciously asked: “Then how will you get around?”
Shen Qi: “…”
Lin Ruohuai: “…”
Whoosh. A dead silence fell it was even more terrifying and intimidating than his experience just moments ago.
Fortunately, Shen Qi didn’t take offense. Lin Ruohuai conscientiously performed his duties as a “pusher,” muttering under his breath: “I wonder if there’s any frozen tofu in the fridge; I might as well bash my head against it and die.”
Shen Qi remained calm, still showing no reaction, merely pursing his lips slightly.
The rooms on the top floor were much more spacious and quiet. Shen Qi’s room featured a multi-functional area similar to a presidential suite; it was practically the standard configuration of a luxury apartment.
Lin Ruohuai pushed him into the master bedroom and fixed his gaze on a circular, fluffy rug next to the bed. On top of it was a decorative beanbag sofa that looked very suitable for sleeping.
When he helped Shen Qi into bed, his eyes were glued to that rug. It looked so comfortable.
Shen Qi inadvertently raised an eyebrow, his voice cold: “You’re even spacing out while helping me into bed. Is there anything you can do right?”
“I can do many things!” Lin Ruohuai hurried to clear his name, then pulled a pathetic face. “Could you let me stay overnight? It’s convenient for close-range care.”
“You’ve sweated a lot.” Shen Qi’s original intention was for him to go shower.
Unexpectedly, Lin Ruohuai waved his hand and said: “I won’t get on the bed; I’ll just sleep over there.”
As soon as he said it, Shen Qi studied him with a very peculiar gaze. Lin Ruohuai appropriately put on a fragile expression.
Shen Qi’s gaze grew deeper. Perhaps because Lin Ruohuai was particularly disheveled tonight clothes wrinkled, hair a mess, eyes still red with obvious traces of crying—his act of playing pathetic looked very real. Refusing him would seem inhumane.
Lin Ruohuai leaned in with his head down: “If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as a ‘yes’.”
Shen Qi didn’t say yes: “Only for one night.”
“Mr. Shen, goodnight.”
Shen Qi scoffed inwardly. A “goodnight” said so beautifully who was he trying to coax? Perhaps he had been this gentle to Xie Yusheng before. To him, it was only for the sake of 300,000 yuan.
There was a restless chill in Shen Qi’s heart. He closed his eyes for a long time before gradually falling asleep.
Meanwhile, the one leaning on the beanbag sofa had already arched his back and was lying on his side, dreaming sweet dreams, sleeping soundly. From a distance, he looked like a curled-up hedgehog.
Lin Ruohuai didn’t actually sleep soundly; he was in a half-awake, half-dreaming state. When the first glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon, he carefully carried his slippers out the door. After circling the second floor several times, he finally found his bedroom. He showered and changed clothes, but before he could lie on the bed to squint for a bit longer, there was a knock at the door.
It was Uncle Chen.
It was 6:30 AM. Uncle Chen came to wake him up to wash and prepare for the day’s work.
Hearing the word “work,” Lin Ruohuai’s spirit was refreshed. He shook out his hair and said: “I’ve already finished washing up.”
Before Uncle Chen could remind him, Lin Ruohuai whispered an apology and closed the door. Ten minutes later, Lin Ruohuai appeared looking bright in casual but decent clothing.
Uncle Chen remarked: “It seems you really did read that manual. We’ve hired many before, but they either had no rules or were so stiff they wouldn’t talk to anyone. The Young Master will like someone lively and smart like you.”
Lin Ruohuai was a bit surprised to be praised just for changing clothes.
The workplace is a small microcosm of society. Whether colleague relationships are good or bad depends on how one interacts. Especially in front of someone as experienced as Uncle Chen, ability is most important; everything else is fluff. Therefore, Lin Ruohuai could only put effort into his appearance and occasionally play the fragile part to gain the boss’s sympathy. Since he had this face, he naturally had to use it well.
After all, not just anyone could live in the main building. Shen Qi making this arrangement was likely because he wanted to keep him under surveillance. As long as he got through it safely, there would be no problem.
Once a person’s perspective opens up, they tend to get carried away. For instance, right now, the corners of Lin Ruohuai’s mouth were turned up high, completely unhidden.
Lin Ruohuai followed behind the butler: “Uncle Chen, I haven’t officially signed the labor contract yet.”
“It will be arranged once the Young Master wakes up. Don’t worry.”
Throughout the morning, Lin Ruohuai followed the butler in and out but didn’t actually do much. The garden was tended to by professional gardeners, and the cleaning in the manor was handled by maids and robots. The inside and outside were so tidy they wafted a faint fragrance, and even the morning sunlight was gentle.
Basking in this sun wasn’t cheap. Lin Ruohuai marveled again at how good the lives of the rich were.
Uncle Chen stopped and gestured with his arm: “The circuit I just took you on is the Young Master’s living area. It’s best to memorize the route.”
Lin Ruohuai: “…”
Why did he have to pick my Achilles’ heel!
“But it doesn’t matter much. The Young Master usually doesn’t like places with too much sunlight. At most, he strolls around indoors and spends most of his time working in the study. Don’t worry if you can’t remember; you’ll memorize everything over time.” Uncle Chen seemed to see his difficulty.
Lin Ruohuai smiled shyly: “Does Mr. Shen not like to come out and play?”
He seemed quite free, wandering around the corridor in the middle of the night.
“Rarely. He’s only gone out twice this year.” Uncle Chen walked to an open patch of grass, plucked a few leaves, and crushed them between his fingertips. “The Young Master isn’t that hard to get along with. Just figure out his temper and don’t cross his bottom lines, and there will be no problem.”
Lin Ruohuai felt he needed to ask clearly: “The bottom lines are?”
“Do not go to the top floor without permission, and do not enter his room. That is the first.”
Does shamelessly begging for permission count as having permission?
Uncle Chen continued: “Do not touch the Young Master’s personal items. He is a germaphobe; if something is touched, it must be thrown away.”
“And do not display any negative emotions in front of the Young Master, such as crying or being angry. Maintain a good mood at all times; be emotionally stable and patient.”
Lin Ruohuai covered his head in despair.
Uncle Chen smiled: “Other issues can be discussed, but those three points are the most important.”
Lin Ruohuai’s lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing, merely pulling a forced smile: “Mhm, I understand, Uncle Chen. I will… well, well… obey them.”
Seeing how well-behaved he was and that the Young Master had made an exception to let him live in the main building, Uncle Chen asked a few more questions: “Mr. Lin, what was the turning point that made you want to come work here?”
“Because of the money.”
Quite honest. Uncle Chen asked again: “What do you want to do in the future?”
“Save money and live a good life.”
Uncle Chen didn’t quite understand: “Is your life very bitter right now?”
“Not as cool as yours.”
Lin Ruohuai saw Uncle Chen get choked up by his words. The two stood awkwardly for a moment before Uncle Chen made an excuse to leave, leaving behind the words: “Get more familiar with the environment.”
Lin Ruohuai obediently walked around but still got lost. He only made it back after asking a gardener.
Even though it was daytime, he felt as if there were a draft somewhere in the manor—it always felt cold, just like Shen Qi.
If I had transmigrated into a Sentinel/Guide story, this house would definitely be Shen Qi’s manifested spiritual body.
He hadn’t been quiet for more than a few minutes when his phone started ringing wildly. This phone was given to him by the old butler earlier for work; there were only three contacts, represented by numbers instead of real names.
The current caller ID was one of those numbers—1.
Presumably, it was Shen Qi. Lin Ruohuai’s scalp felt tight as he answered: “Hello, Mr. Shen.”
There was silence for a moment on the other end. Then, Shen Qi spoke with a trace of resentment, his voice thick and hoarse: “You said you’d provide ‘close-range care,’ but it turns out to be fake. Where are you?”
Lin Ruohuai explained with a soft voice: “Uncle Chen said I can’t go to the top floor without permission.”
Shen Qi scoffed, his meaning unclear: “Are you going to sign the contract or not?”
“I’ll sign! I’ll sign!” Lin Ruohuai stood up immediately. “Five minutes. I’ll be right there.”
The call stayed connected during the trip. Shen Qi didn’t hang up, and Lin Ruohuai didn’t dare to either. It wasn’t until the elevator reached the top floor and the doors opened that the call hung up without Lin Ruohuai noticing.
Following instructions, Lin Ruohuai arrived at the study door. After knocking a few times, he was permitted to enter. The layout of the study was huge. A faint cold fragrance floated in the air, having a refreshing effect. The curtains were drawn on all sides, with lights providing illumination—it was a different world from the outside.
Shen Qi’s handsome brows knitted slightly: “You hung up on me?”
“…”
How unfair. On second thought, there was likely no signal in the elevator, so it cut off.
Lin Ruohuai’s brain spun a few times: “I came by elevator. I can’t help it if Apple’s signal is this bad, but the signal between my heart and Mr. Shen’s will never hang up. Forever~”
After speaking, he made a finger-heart over his chest.
Uncle Chen said to provide emotional value and here it was.
Shen Qi’s emotions remained calm. He didn’t continue to be angry about Lin Ruohuai hanging up, nor was he happy because of the finger-heart. At most, Lin Ruohuai’s way of coaxing people was a bit special, which earned him a second look nothing more.
The contract was a standard tripartite agreement. He signed if there were no issues. Lin Ruohuai felt a sense of familiarity holding the contract. This one was even more detailed than the last—it included commissions, comprehensive insurance and housing fund, free meals and housing, bonuses, annual leave, and a monthly 50,000 yuan luxury shopping allowance. The base salary of 300,000 remained unchanged. Notably, the probation period was quite short: fifteen days.
Shen Qi’s tone was flat: “If you don’t do well, you can leave anytime. There’s no need to waste each other’s time.”
A god-tier job. Lin Ruohuai signed and stamped his thumbprint without any issues.
Shen Qi glanced at him and added as an afterthought: “The ‘close-range care’ at night is included in this.”
Lin Ruohuai was struck. This meant that if Shen Qi wanted to wake someone up in the middle of the night to do this or that, he would have to circle halfway around the floor and take the elevator up to the top floor. Did Shen Qi know how difficult that path was? And who knew if ghosts would appear? This manor didn’t look like it was built recently; maybe some powerful, high-status ghost was hiding inside.
Thinking of last night’s events, Lin Ruohuai’s back went numb. He said in a trembling voice: “Mr. Shen, I’m afraid of the dark and of ghosts.”
Shen Qi spoke unhurriedly: “That is your problem.”
Lin Ruohuai wilted, resting his chin on the wooden table, looking at him with pure, innocent eyes.
Shen Qi didn’t look at him at all: “My ‘needs’ have been quite high lately.”
“What needs?”
“I can’t sleep and need to wander around. Otherwise, how would you have run into me last night?” Shen Qi raised an eyebrow slightly; his small gestures were made very handsomely.
Lin Ruohuai was dazed by the sight, the tips of his ears turning red. He came to his senses and lowered his head, his face turned away no one knew what he was thinking. Shen Qi’s gaze moved from the corner of his eye to his hair, where a messy clump was sticking up.
His fingertips moved slightly, but in the end, logic suppressed the urge to reach out and smooth it.
Shen Qi said: “Mind your image in the future.”
Lin Ruohuai understood he was talking about his hair. He stroked it a few times but couldn’t flatten it. He said helplessly: “I can’t help it. I had to get up very early today and didn’t have time to fix it.”
Shen Qi’s tone was heartless: “Then improve your sleeping posture.”
What business is it of yours how I sleep? You control too much. Lin Ruohuai rolled his eyes in his heart but responded with a sweet, obedient voice: “Okay, understood.”
After Lin Ruohuai left, the study fell completely silent. Even the light was exceptionally piercing. The mouse was moved slightly, and the computer screen instantly lit up, showing a picture clothing from the new Kartik Research Spring/Summer collection.
It was the “chocolate” outfit Lin Ruohuai had worn at the banquet the day before yesterday.
Currently, the clothes in Lin Ruohuai’s wardrobe were all personally coordinated by Shen Qi. They were of the same nature as a work uniform designed so that when Lin Ruohuai appeared before him, he would be dressed decently and pleasing to the eye.
He hadn’t bought the clothes entirely for him, nor did he have a fetish for dressing up other people’s boyfriends; it was purely to make his own mood more pleasant.
Shen Qi leaned against his wheelchair, his head tilted back slightly, his hands hanging languidly. After a long time, he let out a faint, almost imperceptible chuckle.
The meals at home were determined by a nutritionist. The Young Master’s meals were separate from those of the employees and were delivered by Uncle Chen. This job would be Lin Ruohuai’s responsibility from now on.
Uncle Chen said he was worried that if the Young Master had someone else deliver the meals, he wouldn’t be used to it and would easily lose his appetite, since Lin Ruohuai hadn’t entered the room yet.
Lin Ruohuai stopped chewing his corn: “…”
I’ve entered it, and even slept there for a night. What can I say?
The sun sank in the west, the weather grew cool, and twilight fell. Away from the city’s hustle and bustle, the surrounding forest’s night scenery seemed even more eerie and terrifying.
Lin Ruohuai hadn’t expected that Shen Qi wouldn’t come down all day. Did he hate the sun that much?
He carried a portion of pineapple and chicken fried rice to the dining table alone. The tall, bright environment, equipped with long tables and round tables, could hold many people, but now it was cold and lonely.
After finishing dinner, the gardeners and maids left for the day. The butler also began to organize miscellaneous matters, record the daily log, and incidentally gave the intern a score. Meanwhile, Lin Ruohuai sat in the spacious living room summarizing what he had learned today.
The lights went out again.
Lin Ruohuai headed back to his room in fear. At the turn of the stairs, he ran into the back of the old butler. He immediately chased after him: “Uncle Chen!”
Uncle Chen didn’t turn back, continuing straight ahead and stopping at his room door. Only then did Lin Ruohuai see that he was holding an oversized thermostatic water jug.
Uncle Chen said with a smile: “I didn’t turn back because I was carrying something heavy just now. This was ordered by the Young Master.”
Lin Ruohuai froze for a moment, immensely grateful: “Thank you, Young Master; thank you, Uncle Chen.”
Uncle Chen set down the water jug and went to the side building to rest. Lin Ruohuai waited until Uncle Chen’s figure disappeared before entering his room.
To be honest, the treatment here was too good, but the room was too large and empty, lacking a sense of security. After showering, Lin Ruohuai lay in bed, thinking about having to get up after 6:00 AM. Sleep early and wake up early form good habits.
Closing his eyes, the sound of breathing was everywhere. Hesitantly opening his eyes, it was pitch black. The outlines of the furniture shimmered vaguely as if there was nothing, yet as if there was everything.
Rustle, rustle. Lin Ruohuai pulled the quilt over his head, tucked his feet in, and hid his whole body.
It was stifling, hot even with the air conditioning; his exhaled breath was damp.
A buzzing sound came from far to near, arriving at the door. Lin Ruohuai shivered, his back breaking out in sweat. Not long after, a knoc-knock sounded.
Hearing that familiar buzzing sound again, Lin Ruohuai realized it was the sound of Shen Qi’s wheelchair moving. He immediately shouted with a dry throat: “The door isn’t locked, Mr. Shen!”
Shen Qi maneuvered for a moment, and the wheelchair pushed open the door. Night lights spread from the floor into the bedroom. Looking at the lump on the bed, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Truly a little coward.
The wheelchair came to the bedside, pressing against the edge of the mattress. Looking at the large lump that was about to roll off, Shen Qi lowered his eyelids: “Come out for a walk with me. There’s overtime pay.”
The person in the bedding squirmed a bit, but didn’t fully turn like a caterpillar.
Shen Qi sat quietly for a moment, his eyes dark and gloomy as he looked at the person in the blankets. His gaze felt tangible, hot even through a layer of fabric. After a while, a muffled voice came from inside: “Wait a moment, wait a moment. Mr. Shen, why don’t you go out first? I’ll change clothes. I’m covered in sweat.”
Before he could finish.
Shen Qi’s palm pressed down on top. The person inside instantly fell silent.
Just one hand carried an intense sense of pressure; even breathing became restrained.
Shen Qi’s body didn’t shift an inch. His large hand reached into the bedding, accurately clasping the back of Lin Ruohuai’s head. His palm lightly brushed against his cheek, squeezing the flesh there.
With a sudden burst of brute force, Lin Ruohuai’s head was fished out.
Eyes met. Damp breath sprayed onto each other’s faces.
Shen Qi: “What are you afraid of? It’s me.”