Xi Xiuran followed Butler Wang and left Shi Xingzhou’s bedroom.
Compared to Emily, Butler Wang was undoubtedly an incredibly competent and excellent butler. He led the way at a leisurely, unhurried pace. Along the way, with an attitude that could never annoy anyone, he warmly introduced the layout of the Admiral’s manor to Xi Xiuran—pointing out the lounges, the reception rooms, and the mecha training rooms.
Midway, noticing Xi Xiuran’s interest in aircraft and mechas, Butler Wang seamlessly detoured them toward the courtyard, where a sleek, cool black aircraft was parked on the central lawn.
Few guys could resist the romance of high-tech, and Xi Xiuran was no exception, as technology brought convenience and comfort to life.
About the size of a car, the aircraft’s exterior lines were exceptionally smooth. The cool black alloy exuded a luxurious gleam under the sunlight. After Butler Wang swiped his card, the aircraft doors slid open. As soon as the two stepped inside, the doors closed automatically, and crystal spheres used for lighting floated in mid-air, emitting a soft glow. The interior decor made Xi Xiuran momentarily think he had stepped into a cozy little reception lounge.
Wow.
As expected of the Interstellar version of a top-tier “luxury car.” Just looking at it screams high status; sitting in it must be incredibly comfortable…
Despite Butler Wang’s enthusiastic invitation, Xi Xiuran decisively refused the offer for a test drive.
A salted fish just needs to look. Lying flat and enjoying it is OK, but doing it myself? Big nope.
After admiring the aircraft, as the two walked back, they passed a room where the sound of whipping and Emily’s blood-curdling screams could be heard.
Xi Xiuran: “…”
Xi Xiuran’s face revealed a look of sympathy as he thought: That sounds like it hurts a lot.
I hope she’s absolutely NOT okay. Beside him, Butler Wang immediately reached out to shut the door, cutting off the screams. He turned to Xi Xiuran and apologized, “Consort, please rest assured. We absolutely do not use illegal lynchings here. This is a penalty carried out strictly in accordance with military law.”
After saying that, for some reason, Butler Wang added, “Please don’t be afraid. Our Admiral is a good person. He constantly wears his energy-suppressor ring and rests in compliance with his medical advice. He isn’t like the rumors outside say, losing control and hurting people at random.”
Xi Xiuran blinked and smiled. “I know Admiral Shi is a good person. His personality is also very gentle. Spending time with him was quite pleasant.”
Butler Wang: “…”
I was just being polite, how do you believe it even more than I do? The Admiral has a gentle personality…?
Butler Wang’s mind raced through a thousand thoughts before he let out a laugh. “It’s for the best that you think so. I won’t speak out of turn anymore. There is a small pavilion ahead…”
He had originally wanted to take Xi Xiuran on a slightly longer tour, but seeing Xi Xiuran discreetly suppress a yawn, he immediately changed his tune. “Past that pavilion is your room, Consort. Emily certainly didn’t introduce it to you earlier, but your room has an excellent view. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the courtyard, and if you wake up early, you can even watch the sunrise.”
Hearing this, Xi Xiuran was deeply moved—and then immediately rejected the idea in his head.
Waking up early is impossible. It will be impossible for this entire lifetime. I’m just here to spend my days as a salted fish.
Thanks to Butler Wang’s careful introduction, Xi Xiuran learned that his room hid many Interstellar-exclusive technological designs. For instance, the interior decor could be switched into holographic scenes at will, the ceiling had a skylight that could be opened to enjoy natural light, and at night, the viewing distance could be adjusted to directly admire the magnificent view of the cosmic galaxy. The balcony could even extend outward to become an open-air swimming pool…
All these high-tech, convenient designs completely satisfied all of Xi Xiuran’s fantasies about a futuristic Interstellar luxury mansion.
He loved it!
Even though it was only his first day “marrying” into the Admiral’s manor, Xi Xiuran absolutely did not treat himself as an outsider. After Butler Wang pulled a beanbag chair out of nowhere for him, he seamlessly transitioned into lying in it, leisurely adjusted to a comfortable position, and stayed paralyzed there.
Mmm, this is too awesome.
If only I had a projector playing movies that I could watch while lying down, plus some snacks and stuff… then my salted fish life would be completely fulfilled.
And in the very next second, Butler Wang actually pulled up the projector for Xi Xiuran.
Smiling amiably, he handed over the remote control and asked, “Do you have any other needs? You can mention anything to me. The Admiral has instructed that I am to try my best to satisfy all your needs.”
Xi Xiuran blinked.
Since you’ve offered with such absolute sincerity, then of course I will accept it with peace of mind!
Twenty minutes later, Xi Xiuran was half-lying in the beanbag chair, holding an Interstellar version of “happy fat otaku water” aka Coca-Cola in his left hand and the remote control in his right. On the coffee table to his right was a mountain of various snacks. A panda-shaped domestic robot stood next to it, using its delicate mechanical hands to peel sunflower seeds and nuts for him.
Xi Xiuran’s eyes sparkled brightly. He looked at the program list on the projection screen, earnestly picking out a movie that suited his tastes.
“Star River Romance”… feels like a serious drama romance film. Skip.
“Deep Woods Promises”… too artsy, can’t guess what it’s about. Skip.
“Code ‘X'”… probably an action blockbuster with heavy special effects. Don’t know if the light pollution will hurt my eyes.
“The Entire Galaxy Loves Me”… this title, you can tell at a glance it’s a brainless Mary Sue sweet story. So cliché.
Xi Xiuran “tsk-tsked” and roasted it, but his hand very honestly clicked on The Entire Galaxy Loves Me.
I’m a basic dog with basic tastes. I just love watching brainless, silly, sweet fluff.
Having picked a TV drama, Xi Xiuran put down the remote, shifted into an even more comfortable position, and started mindlessly binge-watching at 1.5x speed while eating snacks.
In no time at all, Xi Xiuran had binged through two episodes of the drama. He was just about to seamlessly roll into the next episode when a knock came from the door.
Before Xi Xiuran could open his mouth, the domestic robot went and opened the door. Two tall, well-built personal guards pushed a dining cart inside.
Because Shi Xingzhou was at constant risk of losing control, and combined with the presence of domestic robots, most of the servants in the Admiral’s manor had been dismissed. Only a few people—like Butler Wang, who had served the Shi family for decades—remained. The rest were all part of Shi Xingzhou’s personal guard, responsible for patrolling and security. As for the maid, Emily, she had only recently been sent over by His Majesty the Emperor.
The two guards swiftly and deftly set up the dining table. They mounted an auto-heating pot and set out the hotpot broth the chef had just prepared, along with ingredients like marbled beef, tender pork belly, and shrimp paste, placing them one by one on the table.
Hotpot!
A salted fish’s absolute favorite!
Being able to eat all your favorite ingredients in one go!
Xi Xiuran’s eyes instantly brightened by several degrees: “Thank you, sorry for the trouble.”
“You’re too polite, Consort.”
One of the guards replied courteously, but after seeing Xi Xiuran’s face, he froze for a split second.
The youth’s appearance was vastly superior. His green eyes were clear like jewels, and his deep blue, medium-short hair rested on his shoulders, the tips slightly curled. Even though he was lazily half-sprawled on the sofa, it couldn’t mask his striking looks. He resembled a lazy, expensive, purebred house cat.
Didn’t everyone say the eldest young master of the Xi family came from a remote planet, was covered in dirt, and totally unpresentable?
Isn’t he actually incredibly good-looking and very polite?
His voice was nice to listen to as well… Even though he was only a B-rank Omega, this appearance and temperament were completely worthy of their Admiral!
The guard suddenly recalled the idle gossip he had heard in the kitchen before coming over. The sous-chef and a few assistants had been muttering while prepping the ingredients, saying stuff like ‘he really is a country bumpkin from a remote planet, ordering high-end ingredients right off the bat, is he even worthy,‘ and so on.
The guard sneakily stole another glance at the exceptionally good-looking Xi Xiuran and thought to himself: If he isn’t worthy, are you?
After setting out all the ingredients, the two guards pushed the dining cart and prepared to leave. That guard couldn’t resist speaking up to remind him, “Consort, whatever you want to eat, just let the domestic robot boil it for you; you don’t need to do it yourself. Once you’re done eating, just press the button on the table, and we will come over to collect the tableware.”
Xi Xiuran gave a sound of acknowledgment. Waiting until the two guards left, he finally crawled up from the sofa and sat at the dining table. Smelling the tantalizing aroma of the hotpot, he was practically drooling.
Sob, sob. Quarantined at home for two months, he hadn’t eaten hotpot in ages.
Let alone eating hotpot, he had almost starved to death. Supplies couldn’t get delivered at all; he had survived purely on the little bit of dry noodles kindly sent over by the neighborhood committee to sustain his life.
Xi Xiuran couldn’t even wait for the robot to cook for him. He took the initiative to swish a thin slice of beef in the broth himself.
The moment the beef entered his mouth, there was a spicy kick, like a red-hot piece of charcoal had been stuffed in, making Xi Xiuran unavoidably suck in a breath of cold air. But that only lasted a second. In the next moment, following the spiciness, came the tender smoothness of the beef. The fresh, tender meat paired with the spicy, aromatic hotpot broth was simply a match made in heaven.
Duck intestines blanched for ten seconds were the most crisp and refreshing.
Tripe swished up and down seven or eight times was crunchy and tender upon entering the mouth—one bite after another, he couldn’t stop at all.
Sob, sob, so satisfying!
This right here is the immortal, divine life most suited for a salted fish.
Watching his drama while eating hotpot, Xi Xiuran’s large, round green eyes narrowed into happy little slits. He was immensely satisfied with the days of being a young, charming, wealthy widow—oh, wait, no, a wealthy noble consort.
…
After eating and drinking his fill, Xi Xiuran sprawled out on the sofa like a flat pancake, starting to feel a bit of a food coma.
Just then, another knock came at the door. Butler Wang stood at the entrance and said respectfully, “Consort, the Admiral asked me to deliver the wedding gifts to you. He said they are entirely yours to handle.”
With that, Butler Wang projected the gift ledger onto the screen. “You may review and inventory them one by one, Consort.”
Xi Xiuran looked at the projected ledger. It was a very long page, complete with pictures and text. He randomly clicked on a few, and holographic images along with their descriptions popped up.
Xi Xiuran: “???”
Is this really a gift ledger, and not the program list for the Interstellar version of ‘National Treasure’?
No matter how you look at it, this pile of stuff belongs in a museum, right?!
Xi Xiuran rubbed his eyes, which were aching from the dazzling golden light of the holograms. In disbelief, he asked once more, “His Excellency really said to leave all of this for me to handle?”
Butler Wang looked at him for a moment, smiled, and nodded. “Yes, Consort.”
Xi Xiuran really didn’t want to move, but he still sluggishly sat up and picked up the ledger to verify the items. “Alright…”
Butler Wang paused, then added, “Oh, right. The Admiral asked me to remind you, Consort, that tomorrow morning you need to accompany the Admiral to the royal palace to dine with His Majesty.”
Staring at the ledger, Xi Xiuran’s eyes were practically sliding shut. “Mm, I remember…”
…
“And then?”
In the study, Shi Xingzhou had finally finished processing the military affairs delayed by his coma. He leaned against the back of his chair and hooked a fingertip inside his collar, loosening the tight uniform collar around his neck, inexplicably adding a hint of lazy languor to his demeanor.
Curling his fingers slightly, Shi Xingzhou tapped lightly on the desktop and asked lazily, “Did he like that pile of things?”
The butler stood respectfully across the desk, his eyes lowered, and answered truthfully, “There was no joy on the Consort’s face. He just confirmed with me once more whether they were all his to handle, and then began checking the gifts against the ledger, and then…”
The butler paused, looking as though he was hesitating to speak, before continuing, “He had only just checked the second item when he fell asleep.”
Shi Xingzhou: “…”
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