The dining room servants were not present during their conversation.
Now that they had reached an agreement, Wenzel rose and personally led Lin Chen to his bedroom. The guest room next door wasn’t the one from the previous night; it seemed newly furnished and more suitable for living.
“This is your room,” Wenzel said. “You’ll be living here from now on.”
Lin Chen had no objection to moving. His only concern was what would happen to the animals he fed at Maple Forest Evening.
He felt guilty about suddenly stopping feeding them.
Lin Chen’s troubled expression was interpreted as reluctance by Wenzel, who argued logically, “How can you provide me with a satisfactory service experience if you don’t live here?”
Lin Chen thought that the ten-minute walk wasn’t far; he could spend some time attracting the animals over. After all, there were no other houses around Howard’s mansion; it was all mountains and forests, a very peaceful environment.
“You misunderstand,” Lin Chen said with a wry smile. “I’m just worried about moving. It’s like this, I’ve got a bunch of small animals on the back hill.”
He thought Wenzel would laugh at him, after all, the reason was too bizarre.
Unexpectedly, Wenzel’s tone was normal. He said, “I’ll instruct Amber to send someone to help you with that.”
Lin Chen said gratefully, “Thank you, Your Grace.”
There was a sofa at the foot of the bed. Wenzel sat down casually on it. His tone was gentle, but his words were quite impolite: “I don’t need verbal thanks. Just do your job well, that’s the best way to thank me.”
Just like he had told Spencer, he only needed people who were useful to him; everything else was secondary.
Lin Chen instantly understood. It meant less talk, more action—probably what every boss expects of their employees.
“You’re right, that’s exactly how it should be.” Lin Chen nodded, feeling enlightened. He thought Wenzel was truly a competent ruler who clearly distinguished between public and private matters, and was astute in his understanding of human nature.
Perhaps the other person would grow old alone, but they would definitely not suffer.
Lin Chen thought this was fine too. Well, his emotions had built up enough; after all, it was his first time. Suppressing his shyness, he calmly raised his hand and slowly unbuttoned his clothes.
Food and sex are human nature, especially when facing someone like Wenzel, someone you couldn’t find even with a lantern. What more could he ask for? Nothing.
Indoors, he was already lightly dressed, and Lin Chen quickly undressed, leaving him in only shorts.
A well-proportioned, slender, and still somewhat boyish physique was displayed before Wenzel.
Wenzel’s gaze boldly swept over every inch of Lin Chen’s skin, and occasionally paused to scrutinize him as if he were looking at his possession.
As the object of his scrutiny, Lin Chen didn’t mind. This was Wenzel, someone everyone desired. If he were to nitpick even this detail, it would be inappropriate of him.
The Duke nodded, pleased to see the young man he had chosen. He had fair skin, a healthy physique, beautiful lines, no scars or tattoos, and sparse body hair.
He said, “Not bad.”
He wouldn’t offend him.
Lin Chen’s lips twitched slightly.
“Come here.”
Wenzel gestured for Lin Chen to come closer, tentatively touching him. First, his fingertips felt warm, soft, and elastic—a feeling he had longed for. Then, he used the back of his hand. His knuckles tracing the smooth, undulating surfaces, feeling a delicate smoothness like fine silk.
“Passed?” Lin Chen looked down at his employer, who was now fully engaged.
“Mmm.” Wenzel’s throat was dry as his fingertips lingered on the surface.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that this was the first time he had experienced true satisfaction since developing his symptoms.
The intense feedback made him instinctively pull Lin Chen closer, slowly using his cheek to create more contact.
Wenzel’s face was so handsome that Lin Chen didn’t mind him pressing his face against his, but a kiss was out of the question.
Caught off guard by Wenzel’s suggestive behavior, Lin Chen immediately pressed his hand against the man’s forehead: “Your Grace, a kiss comes at a different price; please write it into the contract.”
Wenzel: “…”
He recalled his own arrogant demeanor at the negotiating table, just like Lin Chen at this moment.
“How much?”
“Your Grace is very generous,” Lin Chen flattered, “One day’s payment will suffice.”
He calculated carefully: “200 divided by 30 is 66,000. How about you round it up to 70,000?”
Undoubtedly, this was the first time the Duke had been subjected to such a rounding up, or rather, blatant robbery. He frowned; the other man’s attitude was simply excessive like an insatiable money-devouring beast.
However, Wenzel glanced at the soft, fair skin before him, and recalled the wonderful sensation he had just experienced, and ultimately paid: “I hope your service attitude is as proactive as your attitude towards taking money.”
A slight dissatisfaction was hidden in his words.
“Of course.” Lin Chen, having received the money, immediately released his hand from the Duke’s forehead, and smiled very enthusiastically.
Wenzel had no choice. He then got his wish, using his lips instead of his fingers to feel Lin Chen’s skin, thus satisfying his addiction to skin.
The positions shifted, Lin Chen leaned back, his back sinking into the soft down comforter. Wenzel’s kisses followed closely, and each one imprinted on his slightly heaving chest. He no longer resisted.
It wasn’t that Lin Chen was particularly open-minded; he was simply a sucker for good looks. It was just that the Duke possessed an incredibly charming and handsome face.
Humans are sensual creatures. To be honest, looking down at Wenzel’s engrossed face, if someone less handsome had done this, it would have given off a somewhat lewd impression.
Lin Chen was immediately captivated by the Duke’s beauty upon first sight. It proved that with enough good looks, gender truly could be ignored.
Furthermore, the Duke was generous and seemed to have a pleasant personality—a perfect lover.
Lin Chen still felt like he was dreaming. How could someone so eagerly offer him not only a person and money, but also a captivating leopard?
This dream was wonderful; he not only didn’t lose out, he gained a fortune.
Wenzel kissed Lin Chen, his high, straight nose catching a familiar, fresh scent of herbs. The difference was that last night he had smelled it through Joe’s sensory ‘cloud,’ but now the scent was tangible. It filled his nostrils, entering his lungs, and spreading throughout his body, triggering a series of chain reactions.
Lin Chen was held tightly, Wenzel’s breath warm and long, occasionally causing a slight sting, pulling him out of his euphoric state.
Damn, he almost forgot to ask—just how much of an infatuation did Wenzel mean?!
Lin Chen was horrified: “Your Grace, you’re not seriously ill, are you?”
It’s still not too late to ask. If it’s too perverted, he’ll definitely run away.
Wenzel reluctantly distanced himself from Lin Chen, looked up thoughtfully, and then assessed himself: “I think I’m alright.”
“I hope so,” Lin Chen chuckled dryly, hoping Wenzel’s self-assessment was correct.
He pointed to his skin: “Would you like to continue?”
The subtext was: 70,000 yuan is about enough here; any more and it’ll be a renewal fee.
“No, that’s enough.” Wenzel didn’t want to frighten Lin Chen, so he politely ended their first encounter, even handing Lin Chen his clothes. “Put these on quickly, don’t catch a cold.”
“Thank you,” Lin Chen said, still quite surprised. His mind wandered as he dressed at how many people Wenzel had ‘served’ him.
Wenzel had other plans for the day. He instructed Amber to accompany Lin Chen during the move, and then went out himself.
Lin Chen had only been staying at Maple Forest for half a month, and he had very little stuff. The only thing he needed to trouble Amber with was the flowers—dozens of pots.
Amber was dumbfounded when he saw them: “These are flowers?”
The Howard mansion also had a magnificent garden, but all the flowers there were expensive ready-made plants; they had never tried cultivating seedlings, especially since some of Lin Chen’s pots contained deadwood-like stumps.
Lin Chen understood, “Don’t let their current appearance fool you; they’ll be beautiful when they grow.”
Butler Amber quickly apologized, “I didn’t mean to say these flowers were bad, Young Master Lin Chen. Your attitude towards growing flowers is admirable; you’re a true flower lover.”
Lin Chen: “No, no, these are my cash cows; I’ll sell them in the future.”
Butler Amber: “…”
As for the small animals on the back mountain, Lin Chen planned to change their feeding spot each day, gradually luring them there. How many he attracted in the end depended on fate.
Prince Orange acted swiftly. Within half a day, the rumors circulating in aristocratic circles about Lin Chen and Madam Sandy had been clarified, along with the rumors about Lin Chen and Si Ang, the heir to the Si family.
It turned out that neither of them were lovers.
As everyone knows, scandals are the hardest to clarify; sometimes even falsehoods are difficult to completely dispel. People are more willing to believe trivial matters like lovers.
The clarification was so thorough so many astute individuals sensed something unusual.
Some even speculated that Si Ang might be getting engaged.
This speculation was quite realistic. Based on past experience, these upper-class people only cared about rumors when it came to marriage.
Si Ang, the person directly involved, was completely baffled. He wasn’t engaged, and his family wouldn’t interfere in his private life.
So it must be related to another person involved. He immediately contacted them: “Lin Chen, you’ve struck it rich! Where did you get so much spare money to buy clarification press releases?”
The effect was so good that it must have cost a lot of money. He wondered if he should reimburse his younger brother.
But why would the other party suddenly clarify the rumors? Could it be that they’re about to start dating?
No wonder the public speculated that Si Ang was getting engaged. There’s always a reason behind everything, and Si Ang himself would think the same way.
Lin Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He thought Si Ang had found out about his actions so quickly, but then he realized that didn’t make sense. He might have made a little money, but he hadn’t spent money on PR articles.
“Brother Ang, you mean those clarification press releases?” He explained, “I didn’t buy them, it was probably the Prince of Orange’s doing.”
“The Prince of Orange?”
“Yes, I saw him last night,” Lin Chen said, first recounting the details of clarifying the rumors, then happily sharing, “Brother Ang, he even gave me a gold pocket watch that he always carries with him. He must have a good impression of me.”
Si Ang was also surprised: “He gave you a gold pocket watch?”
Many people know that the Prince of Orange has a favorite gold pocket watch, and for him to give it to Lin Chen certainly means he has a good impression of him.
It’s also possible that he thinks Lin Chen’s status is too low and wanted to elevate his image to avoid Madam Sandy being ridiculed.
“Yes.” Lin Chen, an ordinary student, was unaware of these rumors, but he was quite astute: “Maybe he’s trying to curry favor with Madam Sandy, and not necessarily that he likes me that much.”
“Hmm,” Si Ang said, “Who cares? We can use this to save our lives if necessary.”
Lin Chen was surprised and incredulous. It was actually that powerful?
“Then I’ll keep it safe,” Lin Chen thought, before hearing Si Ang’s worried admonition, “Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Be careful when dealing with these powerful figures.”
“I know, Brother Ang,” Lin Chen replied after a moment’s thought, then added, “There’s something else. Duke Howard was also at the opera house last night.”
Si Ang, signing documents, asked, “What happened? Did he give you a hard time?”
Lin Chen felt unusually guilty and confessed, “No, he didn’t give me any trouble. Brother Ang, you might have some misunderstanding about the Duke.”
Si Ang paused, raising an eyebrow: “Lin Chen, are you speaking up for him? For Wenzel Howard?”
Was Lin Chen serious?
His tone was serious: “Have you forgotten how his friends bullied you last time?”
“If Parker hadn’t been with you, you would have been injured like Gus.”
Lin Chen said softly, “Thank you, little angel Parker, I’ll always love him. But I’m not speaking for Wenzel, I just want to tell you something you don’t know.”
“What? Tell me.” Si Ang gave him a chance.
“Before you came that day, it was Wenzel’s companion beast that came out to stop the brown bear and the monitor lizard. If it weren’t for it, Parker would have had to fight three against one.”
After listening, there was a long silence, then Si Ang said arrogantly, “Is that so? Then Wenzel is still human.”
Fighting against many is inherently unethical, and an unfair victory.
Lin Chen: “Also, I have some inside information. The person who bullied me and Parker, Spencer, was whipped by Duke Evans. I heard it from Madam Sandy.”
“What’s the reason?” Si Ang didn’t know that Wenzel disliked Spencer as Duke Evans had suppressed the matter.
Lin Chen: “It’s related to Wenzel. Apparently, he didn’t curry favor with Wenzel. I suspect the Evans family is about to undergo a change. Is there anything you need me to confirm? I can inquire about it.”
Si Ang: “Your attitude is a bit obsequious. Did you do something wrong?”
Lin Chen: “Brother Ang is truly insightful, but I’m only doing this for your own good. I want to be someone useful to you.”
Si Ang chuckled: “Tell me, what did you do?”
Lin Chen: …
Lin Chen confessed: “I became Wenzel’s lover. Brother Ang, just think of me as an undercover agent. I’ll help you fleece him.”
“His relationship with the Prince of Orange seems quite good. Being close by makes things easier, right? If a direct approach doesn’t work, try a roundabout way.”
He was sincere: “Anyway, my heart is with you and Parker. His Black Panther, no matter how handsome, is just a mirage. We’ll go our separate ways in two years.”
His emphasis on Black Panther actually revealed his true feelings. It’s a psychological effect; the more solemnly people deny something, the more they care about it.
He couldn’t say anything about Wenzel’s skin hunger; he had signed a confidentiality agreement.
There was silence on Si Ang’s end.
Lin Chen chuckled dryly. He truly considered Si Ang his brother, and at this moment, he was genuinely a little apprehensive: “Brother Ang, I’ve thought about it, and it’s harmless and beneficial…”
It was just a brief relationship.
After a long pause, Si Ang said helplessly, “If you like it, that’s fine. However, Wenzel isn’t someone who’s easily fooled. Don’t go too far.”
To be precise, Wenzel wasn’t just difficult to fool; he was practically a cold-blooded animal who only cared about interests and had no feelings.
Si Ang didn’t interfere with Lin Chen’s decision simply because he trusted Lin Chen’s abilities and intelligence. He believed Lin Chen knew what he was doing.
Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief: “Okay, I understand.”
He casually mentioned, “I’ve moved to Howard’s mansion, so I might not have as much time to visit Parker anymore.”
Si Ang: “I want to know, was his choice of you related to your abilities?”
Not entirely, but Lin Chen couldn’t reveal the Duke’s secret, so he vaguely replied, “That’s part of it, plus my personal charm, so he chose me.”
Si Ang: “…”
How come he never knew his little brother was so narcissistic? Come to think of it, Wenzel is eight years older than Lin Chen—a beast.
At the same time, he realized something: no wonder the efforts to clarify the rumors were so strong and effective; it probably wasn’t just the Prince of Orange’s doing but Wenzel must have spent a considerable amount of money as well.
How could the arrogant Duke Howard tolerate his lover being involved in rumors with others?
*Ding*, a special notification sounded; Lin Chen had received the contract draft.
Wenzel: “Lin Chen, take a close look. If there are no problems, I’ll print it out.”
“Okay,” Lin Chen said.
A few minutes later, he replied, “The contract is fine. Could you arrange for us to each have our medical reports as well?”
Wenzel: “Yes.”
The medical exam fee wasn’t much; he didn’t mind Lin Chen taking a small advantage.
He did indeed draft the clarification statement. He gave the order during his free time in the morning, and then drafted the contract during the long and tedious meeting in the afternoon.
Madam Sandy learned that Lin Chen had been summoned by the Prince of Orange. When she called, Lin Chen noticed she was in a bad mood, sounding like she had just had a big argument with someone.
“I’m sorry, Lin Chen, I apologize for my father’s actions. He was utterly unreasonable, and I hope he didn’t cause you any harm.”
The usually aloof Madam Sandy said angrily, “He always likes to interfere in my affairs and even presumptuously tries to clarify our relationship, including yours and Mr. Si Ang. Good heavens, he’s so offensive!”
Lin Chen listened patiently to Madam Sandy’s account, responding thoughtfully as he spoke.
It seemed his guess was correct; perhaps Madam Sandy and the Prince of Orange had a somewhat strained relationship.
He couldn’t interfere in other people’s father-daughter relationship, but he absolutely couldn’t add fuel to the fire. He said, “Madam Sandy, you don’t need to apologize. You may have misunderstood what happened last night.”
“Did you know that Duke Howard was also there last night?”
For the sake of the large gold pocket watch, Lin Chen lied through his teeth: “Actually, it was Duke Howard who wanted to see me, it had nothing to do with His Highness the Prince of Orange.”
“What?” Madam Sandy, upon hearing this, temporarily calmed down from her anger.
“It’s true. Those clarifications you mentioned weren’t His Highness Prince Orange’s fault, they were all Duke Howard’s doing.”
They were both intelligent people, and able to deduce much from a single detail.
Madam Sandy, still suspicious, tentatively asked, “Lin Chen, so you and Duke Howard…you two?”
She felt she might be overthinking things. How could that be?
“Yes,” Lin Chen said shyly but firmly, “We’re together. We’re lovers now.”
Lady Sandy: “…”
Is that so?
No wonder he clarified all the rumors in one go. If that’s the case, it makes sense.
So, she had wronged her father.
Madam Sandy was incredibly annoyed because she had just unleashed a torrent of anger on her father.
She felt very sorry and planned to apologize to her father later—no, after thinking about it, she decided to go back and have dinner with him herself tonight.
Since her husband’s passing, she couldn’t remember the last time she had been home.
Lin Chen, upon learning of Madam Sandy’s plan, suggested, “I remember your orchids in the garden are in full bloom. How about picking one as a gift?”
This was a good idea, and Madam Sandy immediately accepted it.
She smiled sincerely, “Thank you, Lin Chen. I feel much better now.”
Actually, she wasn’t a bad-tempered person but for some reason, she always found it difficult to remain calm when it came to matters concerning her father.
“You’re welcome. I hope my relationship with Duke Howard won’t affect our normal interactions,” Lin Chen said, slightly nervously.
Madam Sandy smiled and said, “Of course not. I remember Wenzel and my father have a good relationship so he shouldn’t mind my association with you.”
Lin Chen: “Of course. His Excellency the Duke values his cooperation with His Highness the Prince of Orange.”
Madam Sandy exclaimed, “You even know that. It seems Wenzel likes you very much.”
Lin Chen smiled but remained silent.
“Don’t be shy. He chose you because you’re so wonderful.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” Lin Chen said. “May I have the honor of helping you choose a flower?”
“Of course.” Madam Sandy chatted happily with Lin Chen as they picked out a pot of Cymbidium orchids in full bloom, their colors vibrant.
The atmosphere at the Prince’s residence that evening was more pleasant than ever.
Madam Sandy’s gesture of goodwill restored the long-separated father and daughter’s relationship to its former state.
“Look,” Madam Sandy said casually, pointing to the Cymbidium orchids she had brought, “the orchids Lin Chen and I chose together are perfect for your study.”
The Prince of Orange had already seen the flower and smiled, “Very beautiful, I like it very much.”
He had heard his daughter mention Lin Chen’s name several times that day, and even her return was largely due to his persuasion.