Liu Erxing was coming.
“Every time Young Master Cheng appears, it’s never an ordinary affair,” the old butler muttered beside Yun Fan.
Indeed, who would have thought that such an elite young professional would be inseparable from his cat?
The old butler stepped forward, intending to take the cat carrier from Cheng Yu’s hands. Cheng Yu placed the carrier in his hands, unzipped it, and lifted the cat out.
“Thanks for the trouble.” Cheng Yu hugged the little white cat tightly, rubbing his cheek against its head.
Wen Zhaofu came down from the car directly in his wheelchair. Yun Fan snapped back to attention, watching him move forward bit by bit, and noticed that the wheelchair handled like a little toy in his hands extremely agile.
Meeting Yun Fan’s eyes, Wen Zhaofu smiled first, tilting his head with a somewhat helpless expression.
Just as Wen Zhaofu was about to speak, his phone rang. He said “Excuse me” before answering, his eyebrows lifting as he listened. When he hung up, he looked at the old butler: “Liu Erxing is coming to repair a car says the part is only available in Hong Kong.”
“Uncle Cheng, notify the transport team. Liu Erxing’s helicopter will be landing on the helipad.”
Yun Fan’s eyes went wide. How was it that these wealthy young heirs all made such extraordinary entrances? They had perfectly good land and water transportation, yet they insisted on descending from the sky.
Fine, fine, fine characters in novels have their own rhythm.
“Heh, that one who can’t even speak straight is coming,” the old butler muttered quietly before leaving.
“Xiao Yun, tell Uncle Man to add a few more dishes, please,” Wen Zhaofu said.
Yun Fan wore a confident expression: “No problem, I’ll make sure there’s plenty!”
At that moment, Cheng Yu, holding the cat, glanced over at Yun Fan. Perhaps it was because this unfamiliar young butler’s work demeanor was completely different from everyone else’s that he couldn’t help but take notice.
But when Cheng Yu casually looked at Yun Fan, he froze. As a connoisseur of beauty, he had only one thought about this stranger of a butler.
This one is far too good-looking!
Especially those eyes not only were they beautifully shaped, but they held an extraordinary sparkle. In this era where everyone was crushed under the weight of heavy work, such a sight was rare indeed.
“Ahem…” Cheng Yu’s throat tightened, and he cleared it.
“Let’s head inside the humidity outside is heavy,” the old butler was the first to react. “It’s been raining quite a while today.”
Yun Fan walked alongside Wen Zhaofu, while Cheng Yu followed behind them holding his cat, raising an eyebrow at the contrast in their heights.
Once inside, Yun Fan hurried toward the kitchen to help. Wen Zhaofu smiled and invited Cheng Yu to sit down for tea.
“Where did you find someone like that? Quite unique.” Cheng Yu picked up the small cup and took a sip, it was his favorite black tea.
Wen Zhaofu replied, “A descendant of my grandfather’s friend. Only arrived a few days ago.”
Cheng Yu nodded, lifted his head slightly to glance at Wen Zhaofu, and asked another question: “You like him?”
The old butler, who was refilling their teacups, perked up his ears. The eldest young master’s assessment was of utmost importance.
But the old butler’s feelings didn’t seem to factor into Wen Zhaofu’s considerations at that moment. He simply looked at Cheng Yu with the same gaze Cheng Yu had never been able to read.
“Yes, I do like him.” Wen Zhaofu answered frankly.
Cheng Yu set down his teacup and laughed as if it were within expectations, yet still surprised by Wen Zhaofu’s candor. He proactively changed the subject: “You have capable people here. Help me find someone to consult with. I need to know can I actually win custody of this cat?”
“You…” Wen Zhaofu chuckled, tapped a few times on his phone, “This is the most formidable lawyer in Hong Kong. He can handle cases anywhere. Just say he’s my cousin.”
“Earlier, I heard from Auntie that your relationship was stable, and I thought you were about to settle down.” Wen Zhaofu looked at Cheng Yu, “Who’d have thought you’d now be breaking up over a cat.”
The situation was indeed absurd, but Cheng Yu seemed accustomed to marching to his own beat. He merely shrugged: “Good riddance. Who knew there’d be something more stunning here.”
The pointed reply made Wen Zhaofu’s smile fade. He paused, said “Excuse me,” and headed straight for the kitchen.
Yun Fan was in the kitchen, and sure enough, he’d brought laughter and cheer. He’d already gotten chummy with all four chefs, especially Uncle Man the two were as close as real uncle and nephew.
“Oh, Mr. Wen, you’re here.” Yun Fan was just placing sculpted watermelon rinds onto a fruit platter. “You’re hungry too? Want to taste-test the dishes first?”
“Mmm, I’m hungry.” Wen Zhaofu followed Yun Fan’s lead.
“Whoa” The four chefs gasped in unison, staring at Yun Fan in shock.
Nothing mattered more than filling one’s stomach. Yun Fan grabbed a small bowl, scooped up a few refreshing dishes for Wen Zhaofu.
Wen Zhaofu took it and ate right there in the kitchen, while Yun Fan pulled over a small stool and sat down to watch him eat.
Ever since he was little, he’d loved watching people eat. Seeing others enjoy their food made him happy inside.
The gaze was intense, brimming with delight, and Wen Zhaofu rarely found it hard to bear. He struck up conversation: “Have you tasted everything? Which dish do you like best?”
Yun Fan clapped his hands: “You’ve asked just the right question. These chefs of ours are incredible perfect color, aroma, and taste, and so refined. This isn’t just a meal; it’s pure indulgence.”
Well, well just hearing Yun Fan say that, the chef chopping vegetables found new strength in his arms.
Wen Zhaofu never came to the kitchen normally, and the old steward certainly wouldn’t sing their praises to him. Who was this young man, with honey on his tongue?
The kitchen at Langyun Terrace was bathed in harmony, when a low rumble sounded from outside the window. Wen Zhaofu raised an eyebrow: “Mr. Liu has arrived.”
Liu Erxing lived up to his name slung a backpack over one shoulder and strode through the front door in long, quick steps. After greeting Wen Zhaofu and Cheng Yu, he downed a big glass of ice water.
His hair was long, tied into a small topknot toward the back of his head. He wiped the sweat from his forehead carelessly, and the earring on his right ear glinted, catching Yun Fan’s eye.
Yun Fan instinctively flinched, and when he looked back, Liu Erxing was staring at him.
“So you’re the new steward?” Liu Erxing curled his lips into a grin with a hint of roguishness. “You don’t look that old. What’s your zodiac sign?”
Yun Fan smiled: “You’re from the north?”
“Ah, half Beijing, half Tianjin a mix.” Liu Erxing pulled off his gloves and handed them, along with his backpack, to the old steward. “Much obliged.”
“I’m not tired,” the old steward replied. “Rather, Young Master Liu, flying is no easy feat travel-worn and weary.”
Liu Erxing looked at him with helpless resignation: “Hey, good fortune to you.”
If he hadn’t been biting the soft flesh inside his lip, Yun Fan would have burst out laughing. He could tell at a glance that Liu Erxing feared nothing under heaven or earth except people like the old steward.
It was getting late, and Wen Zhaofu called everyone to take their seats at the table. Liu Erxing leaned close to Yun Fan and muttered: “Every time I come here, I feel like I’ve time-traveled, like I’m entering the imperial palace.”
“You’ve been to the palace?” Yun Fan looked up at Liu’er Xing and asked with a smile.
Liu’er Xing paused for a moment, then broke into a grin. He habitually reached out to pat Yun Fan’s neck when Cheng Yu glanced over.
Though Liu’er Xing was familiar with everyone he met, it seemed he shouldn’t get too chummy with this young steward right now otherwise, he might bring unnecessary trouble to this adorable little steward who looked so endearing at first glance.
Just as he sat down, Liu’er Xing let out a delighted exclamation: “Awesome! They’ve got my favorite red bean double-skin milk.”
“Hey, I’ve been craving this,” Liu’er Xing said as he quickly washed his hands. “Boss Wen, let’s dig in.”
Wen Zhaofu sat at the head of the table, glancing at the empty seat to his left. That was reserved for Wen Haochen, but the kid clearly hadn’t cooled off yet and refused to show his face.
So he nodded and raised his glass: “Welcome to you both. If the hospitality falls short, please forgive me.”
“Short, short, short I’ve never once seen you fall short,” Liu’er Xing said, setting down his glass and chattering away while scooping up a spoonful of double-skin milk.
The first time he’d tried this dessert at Langyun Terrace, he’d been utterly blown away. Their house used honeyed beans, sweet without being cloying. And since it was made fresh to order, it had a rich, creamy aroma the moment it hit your mouth.
“I brought you some milk-skin yogurt made fresh this morning,” Liu’er Xing said. “But now I think I’ll just save it this stuff’s even better!”
Yun Fan walked over to Liu’er Xing’s side and set down another bowl of double-skin milk for him. Liu’er Xing was delighted and asked, “Looks like you want some have you tried it?”
“I’ve already had three bowls,” Yun Fan said with a smile. “Eat up if it’s not enough, I’ll get you more.”
Somehow, Yun Fan felt a natural sense of closeness with Liu’er Xing. Though he wasn’t socially anxious himself, meeting Liu’er Xing seemed to have turned him into a social butterfly too.
Wen Zhaofu furrowed his brow privately. In his view, Liu’er Xing’s personality and way of doing things were completely different from Yun Fan’s, so how could the two of them be so close?
So close it made one want to knock over the vinegar dish.
“How many days is Big Liu staying this time?” Wen Zhaofu asked, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a gentle tone.
Liu’er Xing let out a “Whoa”: “Kicking me out already, and I just got here?”
Wen Zhaofu smiled faintly: “Just asking ahead so I can have the kitchen stock up on more red beans.”
Everyone laughed in unison, but louder than the laughter was Liu’er Xing’s ringtone.
“Hydrogen helium lithium beryllium boron, carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon! Sodium magnesium aluminum silicon phosphorus, sulfur chlorine argon potassium calcium!” (DJ version)
“Odd changes, even stays the same.”
Yun Fan couldn’t hold it back he couldn’t suppress the power of his awakened bloodline and blurted out: “Signs follow the quadrant!”
Liu’er Xing was startled: “Whoa, we’re in sync!”