Liu’er Xing and Cheng Yu were locked in a silent battle over Yun Fan…
“Sir, what wind blows you back here?” Yun Fan was somewhat surprised he had originally planned to handle the old butler himself.
Wen Zhaofu gestured for everyone to sit down. “No rush, everyone. Xiao Yun, speak slowly, or Uncle Cheng won’t be able to follow.”
The old butler took a deep breath true enough, he’d only been catching the gist of Yun Fan’s rapid-fire chatter.
Seeing Wen Zhaofu back, the old butler straightened his back and planted his hands on his hips. “On the matter of the clothes, if the young master agrees, then I agree.”
“The other residences they really don’t dress like you all do anymore?” Wen Zhaofu was genuinely curious. He hadn’t visited those households in a long time and was out of the loop.
Liu’er Xing nodded first. “That’s right. At Li Pavilion, everyone wears hoodies. My godfather has always been casual. Every time I come here, I feel like I’ve time-traveled.”
“Hong Xuan too my mother just has everyone wear shirts,” Cheng Yu chimed in. “She said tailcoats are inconvenient and make cleaning harder.”
“Auntie always knows how to pinch pennies.” Wen Zhaofu smiled, then turned to ask Wen Haochen, “And at Father’s place?”
“Oh, my mom doesn’t like having many people around there are only four of us total,” Wen Haochen replied. “They just wear shirts and trousers. They wouldn’t wear those jackets with tails.”
The old butler’s eyes went wide. “They they’ve become so unruly?”
“Rules, rules exist to serve people, not to bind them. If they don’t improve efficiency and cause inconvenience instead, then they’re not good rules.” Yun Fan frowned.
Liu’er Xing clapped his hands. “Uncle Cheng, the Qing Dynasty has been gone for over a hundred years!”
The old butler blinked, not understanding how this had dragged the Qing Dynasty into it. He looked to Wen Zhaofu for help, hoping the employer he served with all his might would back him up.
“Mm, since everyone has done away with tailcoats, then let’s go with whatever’s comfortable.” Wen Zhaofu said in a low voice. “If Xiao Yun doesn’t want to wear one, he doesn’t have to. If Uncle Cheng wants to wear one, he can. Same for everyone else.”
The chef and the others watching from nearby all flashed a “yes” gesture in unison. They wanted to support Yun Fan too, but didn’t dare oppose the old butler, so they could only watch from a distance.
The old butler was rather displeased, but since Wen Zhaofu had spoken, he said no more. Wen Zhaofu smiled, thinking the dispute was over but he could see that neither Yun Fan nor the old butler showed any sign of backing down.
“Fine then since the young master has said so, I have nothing more to say.” The old butler sat up straight again. “But as for your proposal to change the meal times, I don’t agree!”
“The doctor said that eating dinner on time every night is good for the young master’s leg recovery. Surely you don’t want the young master to stay unable to stand?”
“Hey! Old man, you can’t just make things up.” Liu’er Xing rolled up his sleeves, and Yun Fan quickly pulled him back.
“Uncle Cheng, look Mr. Wen has to push back work and rush his commute just to make that dinner time. I’ve only been here a few days, and I’ve already seen him come back out of breath several times. When a person is tired, they lose their appetite, and they end up eating worse, not better.”
Yun Fan glanced at Wen Zhaofu and continued, “I asked Dr. Shi. His instruction is that every meal must be eaten it’s better if it’s on time, but it’s fine if it’s not. Just don’t make it too late.”
“Diet and daily routine should both suit a person’s comfort, Uncle Cheng.” Yun Fan felt he was being truly earnest and patient.
Wen Zhaofu frowned slightly as realization dawned Yun Fan’s true purpose lay here.
If Yun Fan had only asked to change the dinner time, Wen Zhaofu might have felt that so many people were being inconvenienced just for his sake, and might not have agreed.
But tying it to the change in dress code changed the meaning entirely.
In that instant, Wen Zhaofu felt a strong sense that Yun Fan genuinely cared about him.
“Besides, with a bit more time, the kitchen can breathe easier too. Eating is important, but it’s not a task we should all be a little more at ease.”
Uncle Man nodded repeatedly, clutching his chef’s hat tightly, hoping Wen Zhaofu would agree.
The kitten in Cheng Yu’s arms let out a soft “meow,” and he stood up. “Le Ge is hungry. I’ll take him back.”
Wen Zhaofu let out a long sigh and smiled at the old steward. “Uncle Cheng, you’ve always been so attentive to my health, and I feel bad about that. Now that Dr. Shi says I’m much better, perhaps we should all relax a little.”
The moment the words left his mouth, the matter was settled. The old steward’s eyes went wide with disbelief. He whipped his head around to look at Yun Fan, but found no smug, triumphant expression on his face.
Yun Fan just blinked, pressed his lips together, and let his shoulders relax.
How strange, the old steward thought. So this unremarkable Yun Fan really just didn’t want to work hard he wasn’t after his position as head steward?
But then why was Wen Zhaofu happier the more Yun Fan broke the rules?
Yun Fan wasn’t deliberately trying to antagonize the old steward; he just couldn’t stand seeing people suffer. Besides, breaking the rules, in the old steward’s eyes, was a dereliction of duty for a steward which, coincidentally, aligned perfectly with his own slacker philosophy.
But why did Wen Zhaofu always support him?
It wasn’t hard to understand. Wen Zhaofu was unwell. A boss this big others might think he could do whatever he pleased, but from Yun Fan’s observation, he wasn’t the type to make demands based on his own whims.
If he wouldn’t speak up, then Yun Fan would speak for him.
Uncle Man made a traditional Shanghai smoked fish and asked Yun Fan to deliver it to Cheng Yu. The fish required marinating, deep-frying, and soaking in sauce, carrying both a charred aroma and a wine fragrance. A small plate, but requiring great effort.
“I saved some for you,” Uncle Man said with a raised brow. “Come back and eat.”
Yun Fan broke into a broad, easy smile. “Thank you, Uncle Man!”
Hong Xuan was located due south of Taiping Qingshui Ju, and belonged to Cheng Bixia, the eldest daughter of the main branch. She was Cheng Yu’s mother, who had lived overseas in her early years and only returned to Harbor City in the past decade.
The distance from Langyun Terrace to Hong Xuan was considerable, and Yun Fan arrived out of breath, carrying the insulated lunchbox. He looked at the small box in his hands and felt that its ornate decoration added far too much weight.
There was no helping it everything in a wealthy family was this extravagant.
Yun Fan found Cheng Yu without much trouble; he was playing with a cat in the garden. On the emerald green lawn, a little white cat ran back and forth, like a painting.
“Master Cheng,” Yun Fan called out.
Cheng Yu straightened up and looked over with some surprise. Yun Fan raised the box in his hand. “Brought you some smoked fish. Uncle Man made it.”
“Zhaofu is always so thoughtful,” Cheng Yu said with a smile. “Thank you for making the trip.”
Yun Fan replied, “No need to be polite. How’s the lawsuit coming along?”
Cheng Yu glanced at him. “I’m returning to Shanghai tomorrow, bringing the lawyer Zhaofu arranged for me. I think winning won’t be a problem.”
“I’ve seen people fight over dogs and cats in breakups before, but this is the first time I’ve seen it taken all the way to court,” Yun Fan said with a smile.
“You probably think I’m being unreasonable too, right?” Cheng Yu was dressed in casual clothes, without his glasses, which made him look softer somehow.
Yun Fan shook his head. “Everyone has their own bottom line and things they insist on holding onto. There’s no right or wrong in that. I just hope you get what you want.”
Cheng Yu’s eyes widened slightly as he stared fixedly at Yun Fan. Even his mother, who had always supported him, had called this nonsense this time. As he himself had said, most people who heard about it thought he was being ridiculous.
“Maybe this cat brought you a lot of joy, or maybe it helps you remember happier times,” Yun Fan nodded. “So I understand you.”
“The former,” Cheng Yu said firmly. “There’s nothing about that jerk worth remembering.”
Yun Fan burst out laughing, his head tilted slightly back, strands of hair drifting in the wind. His hearty laughter reached Cheng Yu’s heart and quietly loosened the tangled knot there.
“Has anyone ever told you…” Cheng Yu’s words were cut off by a loud voice.
He had been about to say, “Yun Fan, you’re really good-looking.” This compliment from a top-tier appearance connoisseur didn’t come out often.
The opportunity was gone for now. Cheng Yu pursed his lips and glanced at Liu’er Xing.
“I’m heading out now, the car’s fixed.” Liu’er Xing waved at them. “Brother Yu, come find me to hang out sometime.”
“Busy. We’ll see.” Cheng Yu smiled politely.
Liu’er Xing nudged Yun Fan’s back with his elbow. “What about you?”
Yun Fan raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “I’m not my own boss on that one. You’d have to ask Mr. Zhaofu.”
“Just tell him he’ll agree.” Liu’er Xing grinned, then turned to see Cheng Yu looking at him with a meaningful expression.
“How much was the big hammer again?” Liu’er Xing avoided Cheng Yu’s gaze and turned to face Yun Fan.
Yun Fan squinted, knowing he was doing their secret code again, and answered with a smile: “Eighty. Big hammer, eighty!”
“One of us!” Liu’er Xing patted his shoulder. “I’m off! I’ll come back again.”
“I used to not want to come here it felt too stuffy. But now that Little Yun’s here, I think it’s pretty fun.”
“Right, Cheng Yu?”
Before Cheng Yu could answer, Liu’er Xing strode off, just as he had arrived. Cheng Yu smiled and tilted his head toward Yun Fan.
Yun Fan thought that once they all left, his life could probably return to calm.
These Four Kings weren’t so bad after all.