Yun Fan quickly covered his mouth, his big eyes blinking, full of laughter.
Wen Zhaofu rarely found himself exchanging bewildered glances with Cheng Yu, completely clueless about what was going on. Liu Erxing burst out laughing, while the old butler anxiously wiped sweat from his brow beside them.
Although Wen Zhaofu had never been particularly strict in managing his household, Yun Fan causing such a commotion right after arriving was far beyond what the old butler had expected.
“Mind your manners!” The old butler tugged at Yun Fan.
“No need.”
“It’s fine!”
Wen Zhaofu and Liu Erxing spoke at the same time.
“My apologies, my apologies, I was too forward.” Yun Fan immediately apologized, glancing at Wen Zhaofu.
That look seemed to pierce Wen Zhaofu, who paused for a moment before saying, “It’s a family dinner let’s all relax.”
Liu Erxing was genuinely relaxed, half-leaning back in his chair as he said lazily, “Seems like I and Steward Yun were raised under the same educational system.”
“Those two studied abroad they wouldn’t get it.” Liu Erxing smiled at Yun Fan.
Yun Fan didn’t respond. Loose lips sink ships, and to scrape by and save up more money, he figured it was better to keep a low profile. He thought to himself, It’s not that you and I share the same system it’s that I studied from the same textbook version as the author who wrote this book.
Wen Zhaofu’s father and Cheng Yu’s mother were cousins, and the two men were the same age, with Wen Zhaofu being a few months older. They were relatives, but not particularly close.
Cheng Yu’s maternal grandfather was a researcher who rarely showed his face, devoted entirely to his studies. In earlier years, it was only when Cheng Yu’s mother fought to reclaim their share of the family estate that her father finally stepped out and took the spotlight.
Wen Zhaofu couldn’t judge the grudges of the older generation. He and Cheng Yu weren’t all that familiar, it was simply that they’d both been too busy as they grew up. Being the same age, they were inevitably compared to each other, whether intentionally or not.
And Cheng Yu, indeed, was quietly competing with Wen Zhaofu.
Growing up, too many people had regarded Wen Zhaofu as their rival, and he no longer cared about such things. Toward Cheng Yu, outside of work, he genuinely treated him like a younger brother.
This younger brother was far less troublesome than Wen Haochen. At least he wouldn’t get cheated and still count the money for the swindler.
Compared to the two eldest, Wen Zhaofu and Cheng Yu, Liu Erxing was far more talkative. It was thanks to him that the spacious dining room didn’t feel so cold and lifeless.
Once the atmosphere warmed up, Cheng Yu, who’d had a bit to drink, finally opened up while holding the cat.
“Last week I went to a pub the owner is a classmate of mine. He’s got some original cocktails that taste pretty good.” Cheng Yu stroked the cat’s head, and the kitten let out a lazy meow. “But I still feel like something’s missing.”
Liu Erxing shifted his body and tilted his head to look at Cheng Yu: “You guys call a small business owner a ‘proprietor’ now? That fancy?”
Cheng Yu could pick up on the subtle sarcasm. He pressed his lips together slightly and pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses.
“Yeah, I still think ‘Sliced Jadeite Cucumber’ sounds better.” Cheng Yu let out a light chuckle.
Yun Fan couldn’t help himself and asked, “What’s that?”
“Smashed cucumber,” Liu Erxing looked over. “The no-garlic version.”
“That can’t taste good.” Yun Fan smiled and waved his hand. “No flavor.”
Hearing the two of them chat about garlic, Wen Zhaofu unconsciously furrowed his brow. On any normal day, he wouldn’t bother playing peacemaker. But today, he rarely spoke up before the Cheng-Liu battle could escalate.
“You two, you start arguing the moment you see each other. No wonder Great-Grandpa and Third-Grandpa are always scolding you.”
“Hmph, I’m not eating sesame paste no matter what.”
“Heh, if we sold you sesame paste, we’d have to weigh it by the gram.”
The two young masters finally quieted down, and everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.
Yun Fan could see it now, Liu Erxing had arrived with fire in his heart. After clashing with the old steward of the Ancient Tomb Sect, he was now ready to have a Beijing-versus-Shanghai showdown with Cheng Yu.
So his “Xing” wasn’t the star in the sky it was the spark of fire. When Young Master Liu made his entrance, the flames burned bright.
That evening, since Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing weren’t staying overnight at Langyun Terrace, the old steward didn’t have anyone prepare rooms. Yun Fan noticed the fatigue etched between Wen Zhaofu’s brows and kept signaling the old steward, hoping he’d hint that the banquet could come to an end.
But the old steward seemed to have lost his connection, showing no reaction at all. In the old steward’s view, hosting guests well was his duty and even the master bore that same responsibility. So everyone, suffer together.
Seeing the old steward unmoved, Yun Fan decided to take matters into his own hands. Just as he was about to speak, Wen Haochen burst in. He stood stiffly in place, glancing at Wen Zhaofu clearly still remembering the slap he’d gotten yesterday.
Wen Zhaofu sat without moving. He’d already given Wen Haochen a way out today, but the young master hadn’t accepted it, not even coming to dinner.
At this sight, Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing immediately sensed the tension between the Wen brothers. For once, they were in agreement, both crossing their arms like they were settling in to watch a show.
“Master Haochen, have you eaten?” Yun Fan quickly tried to smooth things over. “The food today is delicious!”
Wen Haochen turned to look at Yun Fan. This steward in his black-and-white tailcoat was gazing at him with bright, expectant eyes, as if sincerely inviting him to enjoy the meal.
These days, not many people genuinely called him over to eat.
For a moment, Wen Haochen forgot all the grievances he’d planned to hurl at Wen Zhaofu. He actually obediently sat down across from Cheng Yu and picked up his chopsticks.
Wen Zhaofu glanced at Wen Haochen without changing his expression, then looked up at Yun Fan, offering a smile tinged with gratitude.
Yun Fan quickly waved his hands, not daring to take the credit. The old steward drew in a breath, watching Yun Fan’s manner, and grew even more convinced that he didn’t follow the rules.
What kind of steward dared to exchange such knowing glances with his employer?
The group continued eating with Wen Haochen for a while. Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing stopped bickering and even clinked their glasses together.
Liu Erxing kept his usual reckless air, while Cheng Yu held his cat, his expression unreadable behind his gold-rimmed glasses both man and beast exuding an air of refinement.
Wen Haochen eventually couldn’t hold it in and spilled the whole story about being scammed when buying caviar. Wen Zhaofu tried to stop him but couldn’t.
“That’s honestly a bit foolish,” Liu Erxing teased. “I say, Little Second, how do you keep falling for these things one after another?”
“Brother Xing!” Wen Haochen, struck where it hurt, scrunched up his handsome features.
Cheng Yu chuckled quietly, stroking the cat’s head: “We don’t waste money. We eat whatever our master gives us. We’re the most obedient.”
The kitten extended its little pink tongue and licked Cheng Yu’s palm.
Yun Fan now understood the four young masters at this table each had their own style. Wen Haochen was simply a rich kid who’d never seen the harshness of the world, what people commonly called a spoiled brat.
Back when he’d worked in business, he’d met plenty of young masters like this. Following the usual playbook, their best bet was to live as idle nobles, never worrying about food or drink for the rest of their lives.
But the truth was, they always wanted to stir up trouble.
Seeing Wen Zhaofu pinch the bridge of his nose again, Yun Fan noticed he had been sitting there far too long. With his legs not being nimble, adjusting his posture was difficult, and bound by gentlemanly etiquette, he wouldn’t take the initiative to leave. In Yun Fan’s eyes, he looked almost pitiful.
So, risking another scolding from the old butler, Yun Fan spoke up again: “Ah, as for the food, there’s no difference between the twelve-year and the two-year both are gone in a flash once they hit your mouth. Just don’t buy them next time.”
Wen Haochen’s eyes widened, while Wen Zhaofu let out a sigh of relief and went along with Yun Fan’s words: “Xiao Yun is right. From now on, don’t buy any of it. Finish eating and get some rest.”
Huh? That’s not right! Wen Haochen’s eyes bulged round. Just this afternoon, a lawyer had contacted him, saying he was commissioned by Wen Zhaofu to prepare a lawsuit on his behalf.
How could Xiao Yun’s single sentence just brush it all aside?
“But I can’t swallow this anger.” Wen Haochen finally revealed the knot in his heart.
“Then curse back at them.” Yun Fan decided to help to the end.
Wen Haochen immediately sat up straight, embracing hope anew. Liu Erxing covered her mouth with one hand, shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Better to have given birth to a piece of char siu than to you like that?” Wen Haochen blinked with eyes full of curiosity.
Yun Fan paused, realizing the young master probably hadn’t received any education on this matter: “Ah, that’s not fierce enough.”
Wen Haochen looked at him with pleading eyes, as if he were his last lifeline: “Butler Yun, I’ll hire you to curse for me. High pay.”
“Haochen.” Wen Zhaofu spoke up to stop him, but saw Yun Fan’s eyes light up.
“No problem!” Yun Fan smiled.
Liu Erxing found Yun Fan utterly amusing and raised an eyebrow: “I’ll go too. No charge.”
Wen Zhaofu lowered his head and gave a faint smile, while Cheng Yu looked at these people in confusion, continuing to soothe the cat in his arms.
The banquet finally came to an end, and Yun Fan was still delighted at having earned some extra money. Just as he was about to head back to his room to wash up, he was blocked by the old butler, whose face was stern.
“Yun Fan, there’s so much to do around the house, and you go off to do something like cursing people not a single proper thing.”
Yun Fan frowned: “Relieving the employer’s worries isn’t that a proper thing?”
The old butler was choked for a moment, glaring at Yun Fan: “How come you’re just like Young Master Liu, with a tongue that can’t speak straight?”
Just then, a young man who bore a striking resemblance to the old butler walked over. He nodded at the old butler, then looked at Yun Fan: “Father, is this the new young butler at the Wen residence?”
Yun Fan took a deep breath, alarm bells ringing loudly in his head.
It’s over, it’s over the one who’s come to take my life is here!