The young noblemen gathered around the fireplace laughed at William’s absurd speculation including William himself. He knew, of course, that it was all nonsense; Wenzel had always been ascetic like a true hermit.
His experience with love and desire was shockingly pure.
Unlike the others, who had had lovers since their student days.
William had even dared to suspect that Wenzel might be impotent.
One time, while swimming with Wenzel, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of the man’s bulging genitals, and immediately abandoned any interest in him, replaced by jealousy.
No man is indifferent to this.
Wenzel was perfectly capable; he was clearly just abstinent.
After everyone finished laughing, they realized Wenzel hadn’t answered their question: “?”
Despite their persistent questioning, Wenzel seemed unfazed and finally spoke: “It’s not that I like him, it’s that Joe likes him.”
A silence fell over the room, probably because they thought it was nonsense.
Joe was Wenzel’s companion beast, how could that be?
They knew Joe fairly well; the guy was aloof, reserved, mysterious, and a true loner. He was wilder than any companion beast they’d ever seen.
Wenzel was very indulgent with Joe, neither overly doting nor interfering too much, like a close friend. Now he even allowed Joe to have someone he liked. Had they misheard? The mysterious Joe had someone he liked besides his master?
Incredulous.
Wenzel was going to tell them that Joe’s intervention to stop the brown bear and the monitor lizard from joining the fight was indeed Joe’s own idea.
They found it hard to accept, yet that’s exactly what Wenzel stated: “Joe really likes him; that wasn’t the first time they met.”
William: “You’ve met before?”
If true, was Wenzel sure his bond with Joe wasn’t broken?
Wenzel: “We bumped into each other once.”
Meeting his friend’s teasing gaze, he unceremoniously shifted the blame to Joe: “Joe wanted to approach him, it has nothing to do with me.”
The car had already driven past. If Joe hadn’t insisted, he wouldn’t have shared a car with a stranger.
Owen exclaimed dramatically: “What? Joe actually asked you to kiss a man?!”
He immediately felt quite displeased for Wenzel: “Has it ever kissed you before?”
Where was the master’s status?
Wenzel gave Owen a half-smile, and was too lazy to say anything more.
William’s lips twitched. He wanted to ask too, but Owen’s acting was over the top; it was obvious Wenzel wasn’t going to answer honestly. Wouldn’t it be better to play dumb like him?
“Um, how about talking about Spencer, Wenzel?” William tactfully changed the subject. Experience told him it was best not to pry into Wenzel’s private life.
Owen perked up his ears.
Wenzel said, “I don’t want to work with an idiot.”
“…”
The room fell silent.
William and Owen exchanged a glance, both seeing a shared sense of melancholy in each other’s eyes.
They thought that if they ever angered Wenzel, the consequences would be even worse.
But as long as they didn’t become Spencer, that idiot—to be honest, they’d tolerated him for a long time.
It was much more comfortable dealing with smart people.
“Understood,” Owen and William said in unison.
This small circle of people represents the very pinnacle of power in the entire capital. If Spencer were to be ousted and lose the support of these families, the Evans family would face isolation and would have to seriously consider whether to replace him with a new heir.
The noble scions who were on good terms with Spencer sighed inwardly. Just a few days ago, Spencer was a core member, and many present had risen to their positions by currying favor with him.
And now, in the blink of an eye, Spencer himself had been kicked out by Wenzel.
They wondered if Spencer would go crazy upon hearing the news.
“You all have your fun. I’m leaving. See you later,” Wenzel said, standing up. As a duke with real power, he wasn’t entirely idle; he still had work and social obligations to fulfill.
An attendant immediately brought a coat and draped it over the Duke.
No sooner had he left than someone informed Spencer.
Spencer, who hadn’t been having a good time these past few days, was seething with anger and plotting how to regain face from Si Ang when he was caught off guard by the devastating news.
How could this be? Impossible!
He didn’t believe it. Wenzel must have said it in anger!
Spencer felt a pang of regret. He had forgotten to apologize to Wenzel afterward. Admittedly, he had felt wronged that day, but given Wenzel’s status—whether a friend or a follower—he should have sincerely apologized to Wenzel.
Spencer’s online attempts to contact him went unanswered. He immediately ordered someone to inquire about Wenzel’s whereabouts.
In the heart of the capital, at Howard Tower, a helicopter landed on the rooftop.
“Your Grace, we’ve arrived.”
Inside the spacious cabin, a tall, blond nobleman with his legs crossed sat on a chair. Hearing this, he opened his eyes and looked outside.
On the rooftop, a large group of people stood, all high-ranking officials working for Howard.
They had come to greet him upon hearing of the Duke’s arrival.
As Wenzel disembarked, none of the officials dared to look him in the eye. At most, their gazes fell on the tips of his shoes, their eyes lowered, not daring to entertain any distracting thoughts.
“Your Grace,” people bowed and greeted him as he passed.
The distinguished man raised a hand.
The crowd watched him enter the elevator, then breathed a heavy sigh of relief before descending in another elevator to continue their work.
In his office, Wenzel had barely sat down when an attendant quietly informed him, “Your Grace, Young Master Spencer has come to visit.”
After a pause, Wenzel’s voice rang out, “Let him in.”
The man’s steps were hurried, stumbling, and his panic was palpable.
He had a thousand words to say, yet even now, he seemed oblivious to his own recklessness and ignorance—inevitable.
No one grows up overnight without experiencing setbacks.
Spencer’s thousand words were thwarted by Wenzel’s cold gaze; he almost uttered a question instead of a reply.
Spencer took a deep breath, his head bowed. “Wenzel, I’m sorry. I’ve come to apologize. I shouldn’t have lost my temper with you that day. It was all my fault.”
Wenzel shook his head, a fleeting pity flickering in his eyes as he looked at Spencer.
In Spencer’s eyes, perhaps he was a childhood friend, but to him, no, Spencer was merely a business partner to be replaced at any time. Heartless? Cold-hearted?
“No, you don’t need to apologize.” Apologies, like a playboy’s sweet talk, are empty and offer no compensation to the one being apologized to.
Wenzel said, “You just need to be useful.”
“As a business partner, you can bring me benefits; as a friend, you can fill the emptiness in my heart.”
“But unfortunately, have you realized?” Wenzel lowered his voice, his tone full of regret: “As a business partner, you haven’t brought me benefits; as a friend, you’re not enough to fill the emptiness in my heart.”
The implication was clear: you are useless.
Spencer suddenly turned pale, and swayed as if about to collapse. Yes…yes, he suddenly realized he wasn’t irreplaceable.
But for the past twenty-five years, he clearly had the opportunity to become irreplaceable. He was wrong; he hadn’t cherished the opportunity, and he hadn’t realized the truth of this world sooner.
All interpersonal relationships are nothing more than exchanges of benefits. Unaware of Libra’s existence is the beginning of destruction…
A few days later, Lin Chen received an excited notification from the Golden Camellia’s butler: the plant had finally sprouted new buds! The butler was very concerned and asked Lin Chen how to care for it.
Lin Chen: “It’s sprouted? That’s good.”
As for care, it didn’t seem to require much.
“Water it when needed, keep it warm when necessary, and there shouldn’t be any problems,” Lin Chen said.
The butler: “Yes, the Earl is very pleased. The master said he will definitely invite you to enjoy the golden camellia when it blooms.”
Lin Chen, while being polite, thought to himself, “Wow, has my reputation been elevated again?”
The butler’s overwhelming respect for him was overwhelming.
Perhaps.
Recently, everyone in the capital’s upper class knew that Duke Howard had kissed Si Ang’s young lover, and this prominent young lover was also rumored to be having an affair with Madam Sandy. It’s said they spent entire days at Madam Sandy’s residence.
Given the decadent atmosphere of aristocratic circles these days, no one would believe they were just gardening, petting foxes, and chatting over tea.
Lin Chen: But that’s the truth!
He wanted to protest. Besides being lovers, didn’t this foolish era allow for retainers and advisors?
Advisors were so refined.
Both Duke Howard and Madam Sandy were highly talked-about figures, possessing immense public attention. Add to that Si Ang, and the rumors were amplified, spreading like wildfire.
By the time the four-way affair reached Lin Chen, it was common knowledge. His first reaction was to apologize to Madam Sandy. In his mind, women always suffered more from such gossip.
But Madam Sandy remained calm, and even comforted Lin Chen that he would get used to it.
Lin Chen was quite convinced. The general impression he got was that in this circle, having a lover was as natural a need as drinking water. Who would be surprised if someone drank a glass of water?
If two people shared a glass of water… that was normal too as long as neither of them found it offensive.
Lin Chen, as that glass of water, felt slightly conflicted.
What if he, a clean-cut, handsome young man, found no one to drink his water from when he was looking for a partner?
Madam Sandy: “Lin Chen, you might really have magic. Those flowers you treated that were in bad condition really came back to life.”
The usually aloof Madam sent several photos, showing her excitement.
Lin Chen, who wasn’t particularly fond of plants, was genuinely happy for Madam Sandy: “That’s wonderful! It’ll grow even better in a while.”
Madam Sandy was surprised: “So you really have magic?”
Lin Chen replied as always: “If you believe, then it is.”
“Alright, are you free?” Madam Sandy asked directly: “Jenny wants to see you.”
Lin Chen: “Of course, I’m free.”
Even if he wasn’t free, he would try his best to make time.
He wanted to befriend Madam Sandy, and even more so, he hoped to help Si Ang. His thoughts might be somewhat self-serving, but genuine friendship and gaining benefits weren’t mutually exclusive.
In fact, this was a more long-term and reliable approach.
Lin Chen tidied up and went to Madam Sandy’s residence again. He petted the little fox, ate and drank, told some jokes, and tried to cheer up Madam Sandy, who had become increasingly melancholic since her husband’s death.
When Lin Chen learned that Madam Sandy used to be very lively, and that she had become like this after her husband’s death, he was quite surprised.
Perhaps it was his preconceived notions; the high society circles he had been exposed to these past few days were filled with extravagance and debauchery, but he had never heard of love.
In his original world, love seemed to be the main theme. Everywhere he looked—movies, music, novels, everyday life—the pursuit of love was omnipresent.
But here, love didn’t seem to be the main theme. Everyone was focused on their careers, including him, a transmigrator who had originally been a lazy bum, but now had unknowingly started building a career.
He even developed an ambition to contribute to his brother Ang’s success.
They say people are products of their environment, and it seems that’s true.
That day, Lin Chen, as usual, was at Madam Sandy’s mansion. He held the adorable red fox, petting it while listening to Madam Sandy and her husband’s poignant love story.
Her husband was Joshua, the youngest brother of the Duke of Evans, and Spencer’s uncle.
According to her lover’s account, this prematurely deceased nobleman was refined, gentle, and kind—a radiant presence, like the sun.
He was outstanding, had an excellent reputation, was a staunch environmentalist, and loved animals.
He knew he had a genetic defect that would prevent him from living a long life, so he never swore a companion beast, lest the loyal companion follow him in death.
He also had no intention of marrying or having children.
But fate is unpredictable; Joshua fell in love with Madam Sandy.
As if by destiny, the young Madam Sandy also fell in love with the refined Joshua.
In their limited time together, they loved openly and then parted. It was beautiful, but the one left behind was destined to suffer.
This was the first time Madam Sandy had shared her story with anyone. The memories flowed like a rewind, and she smiled as she wiped away tears.
Suddenly, she looked at Lin Chen and murmured, “Lin Chen, you remind me a lot of him.”
Lin Chen was taken aback. “Me?”
She nodded, her gaze gentle, as if she were looking into Lin Chen’s eyes and longing for her lover.
Lin Chen smiled obligingly. “Perhaps there’s a little resemblance. I’m honored, and I aspire to be as good as Lord Joshua.”
The atmosphere in the room was harmonious.
A servant passing by the window inadvertently saw Madam Sandy embracing the handsome young man and quickly looked away.
Clearly, they had misunderstood; it was simply a pure embrace devoid of any romantic feelings.
After the day ended, Lin Chen received a generous reward from Madam Sandy. He considered it and didn’t refuse. For him, the generous amount was merely a casual tip from Madam Sandy, and accepting it was the more appropriate course of action.
The next day, he received several gifts, including clothes, accessories, and ornaments, all of considerable value.
Ladies are always more attentive and perceptive to these things.
Lin Chen thanked her and said that if she ever needed his help, he would be at her beck and call.
After disappearing for several days, Si Ang asked what he was doing.
Lin Chen honestly replied, “Accompanying Madam Sandy and her companion beast.”
Si Ang was surprised but also found it quite reasonable; Lin Chen always attracted animals. “Don’t forget Parker, he misses you too.”
Lin Chen: “…Okay.”
Business is so busy, first the fox, then the lion, then the fox…
Thinking about this, Joe’s image suddenly popped into Lin Chen’s mind, instantly capturing his attention.
Since their parting that day, Joe hadn’t come looking for him again, probably taking his words to heart.
That’s good, the master is the companion beast’s first priority; everyone else is just a passerby.
Upon learning that Lin Chen and Madam Sandy got along well, Si Ang said, “Not surprising. I knew she would like you.”
Lin Chen: “…Don’t be so ambiguous.”
Furthermore, he noticed the key point in Si Ang’s words: “What do you mean, ‘you knew’?”
Something’s fishy.
Lin Chen wasn’t stupid; he understood after a moment’s thought. He narrowed his eyes and asked, “Brother Ang, do you know Madam Sandy’s husband?”
“Ahem, I’ve dealt with him.”
“Tsk.” A cunning man.
Lin Chen asked again, “You want to befriend Madam Sandy?”
He answered his own question, “No, to be precise, you want to befriend Madam Sandy’s father, His Highness Prince Orange.”
That was a very influential figure. Since he was royalty, he was independent of the nobility and the wealthy, forming his own faction. If Si Ang could befriend him, there would be no harm in it.
“Hmm,” Si Ang, not wanting Lin Chen to misunderstand, further explained, “I just wanted you to give it a try. Don’t worry, I have no intention of selling you out for personal gain.”
Lin Chen hummed in agreement, lifting his eyelids and pursing his lips, “I’m not blaming you.”
How could he blame Si Ang? He desperately wanted to be useful to Si Ang.
“Do as you please, don’t force yourself,” Si Ang’s smile deepened.
Lin Chen felt the other person’s smile was like a fox’s, and a sense of helplessness washed over him. He hadn’t realized things had turned out this way.
Back then, he would rather smash a cup and swear an oath than be Si Ang’s subordinate.
Now, not as a subordinate, but in a different role, he still worried about Si Ang in every way.
Recently, the Evans family underwent a major change.
Their heir, Spencer, was ostracized by Wenzel and his group of nobles.
This news hadn’t spread widely yet, but those who needed to know already knew.
Spencer was dragged to his study by his father, Duke Evans, who coldly ordered him to recount the events of that day word for word without omitting a single word.
Facing his feared father, Spencer stammered and broke down in tears as he recounted the events.
“Father, I know I was wrong.”
The Duke of Evans’ gaze darkened horribly upon hearing this. “Wenzel is right. If you are Evans’ future, then Evans has no future.”
Spencer felt as if he had fallen into an abyss. Did his father mean to abandon him?
“Father, please, give me a chance!” He crawled to his father’s feet like a child, pleadingly clinging to his leg.
Spencer’s pleas had no effect, or perhaps the Duke of Evans had his own considerations. He brandished his barbed whip and severely punished his eldest son.
To better receive the punishment, Spencer stripped down to only a silk shirt, his back ravaged and bleeding.
The Duke of Evans said coldly, “I’ll give you a month to gain the support of His Highness the Prince of Orange.”
If Spencer failed to do so within a month, then he wouldn’t be so quick to compromise with Wenzel and choose a new heir.
The pain made Spencer break out in a cold sweat, but he forced a nod: “I understand, Father…”
Gaining the Prince of Orange’s support was something he could do—no, he had to do!
Evans and Orange were related by marriage, and Spencer, as his nephew, had some influence with Madam Sandy thanks to his uncle’s connections.
Provided that his secret infatuation with his aunt remained hidden.
If the Prince of Orange found out, his head would likely be chopped off…
Spencer used his miserable punishment to send a message to Madam Sandy.
“Aunt Sandy, I’ve made a mistake and Father has whipped me. Could you come see me?”
In the luxurious private estate, Madam Sandy was chatting with a gentle-looking dark-haired young man to pass the time.
The laughter and chatter were interrupted by his nephew’s voice. Seeing this, the young man stopped tickling the red fox and put a finger to his lips: “Shh.”
Madam Sandy was unaware of the bloody conflict between the lion and the tiger; she was still very concerned about Spencer.
She called and asked with concern, “Oh my god, Spencer, are you alright?”
“What did you do wrong? Why did your father beat you?”
Spencer stammered, “Because I couldn’t please Wenzel. He called me useless… Aunt Sandy, do you also think I’m useless?”
Madam Sandy said, “How could you be?”
Spencer was touched: “You still love me the most, Aunt.”
He seized the opportunity to ask, “May I come to your residence to recuperate?”
Madam Sandy paused, her face showing hesitation. In the past, she would have agreed, but with Spencer present, it would be inconvenient for her to entertain Lin Chen.
She didn’t care about the rumors circulating outside, but she couldn’t very well be laughing and chatting with another man in front of her husband’s nephew.
Madam Sandy hesitated, “Child, if you just don’t want to stay at home, I have a very beautiful villa where I can entertain you.”
Rejected, Spencer was surprised, but dared not delve into the reason for the rejection: “It seems you’re not available, then never mind.”
He hung up the phone, and slumped onto the bed, feeling extremely agitated.
An annoying chuckle came from the doorway. It was Spencer’s younger brother, Dawson, the second in line to the Evans family heir.
Dawson: “Can’t understand why your aunt, who has always doted on you the most, is rejecting you?”
Spencer looked at his brother with a sinister gaze, his expression shifting rapidly. No, his secret shouldn’t have been exposed.
“What do you want to say?” he asked calmly.
Dawson’s eyes gleamed with amusement: “You don’t know yet?”
“Aunt and her lover are having a passionate affair, of course they won’t allow you to interfere.”
“What lover?” Spencer had been so preoccupied with his troubles these past few days that he hadn’t paid attention to what was going on outside.
Dawson replied, “A guy named Lin Chen. They say he’s Si Ang’s lover. He’s really something.”
Madam Sandy and Si Ang were both unattainable social climbers; anyone who could snag either of them was already incredibly successful.
It was said that this guy named Lin Chen also had an ambiguous relationship with Wenzel.
All I can say is, truly formidable.
“Lin Chen?” Spencer felt the name sounded familiar, and when he thought of Si Ang, he remembered.
That was the culprit who had dragged him into this mess! He gritted his teeth at the thought!
Lin Chen, it was all because of this lowly commoner!
He caused Gus to be injured, caused him to be beaten, and even caused him to lose his status as heir.
Now, the other person had become his aunt’s lover, and the person he had longed for had been easily obtained by her. This fact instantly shattered Spencer.
Seeing his brother’s distraught state, Dawson left satisfied. He used to be his brother’s shadow, but from today onward, he would no longer be.
As the little butterfly that changed everything, Lin Chen had been living a comfortable life lately, except… Madam Sandy forced him to study.
Various studies: music, art, dance, appreciation.
Well, after telling all the funny stories, Madam Sandy realized that Lin Chen was just an ordinary child with very limited experience that his environment could provide.
This ignited her desire to mold Lin Chen, to make him more outstanding.
Lin Chen’s words, “I am honored, and I long to be as good as Lord Joshua,” finally captured Madam Sandy’s heart.
Since her husband’s death, Madam Sandy had lost her zest for life, but now she began to dress up and go out, attending various concerts, art exhibitions, and banquets.
Without exception, a handsome young man, gentle, considerate, and attentive to her always accompanied her.
To outsiders, they appeared to be a pair of inseparable lovers, but in reality, Lin Chen felt he had gained an older sister and a mentor.
He finally understood why so many people were proud to be a nobleman’s mistress; to receive the patronage of a nobleman was practically a miracle.
Lin Chen had dinner with Madam Sandy outside, saw her to her car to return to the mansion, and prepared to drive home himself.
He hadn’t gone far when two burly men suddenly blocked his path.
The man said, “Mr. Lin Chen, His Highness the Prince of Orange requests your presence.”
Lin Chen’s heart skipped a beat, and he nearly dropped his car keys.
Thinking he hadn’t heard him clearly, the two men repeated themselves.
“Okay, please lead the way,” Lin Chen said calmly without even blinking.
The Prince of Orange’s subordinate couldn’t help but look at Lin Chen with newfound respect; the young man was quite unfazed. He then led him to a luxury car and drove to where the Prince of Orange was.
It was an opera house. The Prince of Orange loved opera, and his box was one of the best.
When Lin Chen was led inside, the opera was in its most exciting part. The two gentlemen in the box were focused on the stage, and paid no attention to him.
The bodyguard gestured for him to remain quiet.
Lin Chen nodded and tactfully stood aside, but then noticed that one of the gentlemen’s backs looked familiar.
Blonde hair?
Author’s Note:
Wenzel’s motto: Don’t let emotions taint our purely transactional relationship.
Lin Chen: Write this down in a notebook, so the student can surpass the master.
Wenzel: ?