Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Shen Tingzhou immediately bowed his head and silently retreated step by step.

Retreating to Xu Xun's side, Shen Tingzhou whispered, "I wasn't..."

He wasn't trying to eavesdrop on the Steward; he was afraid that the Steward would chase after He Ranjie at this moment.

Zhou Zhizhong clearly hadn't gotten over this relationship. If the Steward rushed in now, Shen Tingzhou thought they might end up fighting.

Seeing that Xu Xun was still looking at him, Shen Tingzhou felt weak and helpless: "Eep."

Xu Xun withdrew his gaze and said nothing more, "Let's go take a look then."

Shen Tingzhou followed Xu Xun upstairs.

Pushing open the bedroom door, a gentle breeze blew in from the open window, carrying the fragrance of gardenias.

The elegant white flowers were placed on the desk, with a card standing among the bouquet, revealing a few words faintly.

Shen Tingzhou followed Xu Xun over, but before they could read the words, footsteps sounded from the corridor outside.

Shen Tingzhou's scalp tingled, and he frantically looked around, pulling Xu Xun to quickly hide under the bed.

The footsteps approached, and soon entered the room.

Shen Tingzhou lay on the ground, his heart pounding wildly. He nervously swallowed, glancing at Xu Xun instinctively.

Xu Xun remained calm, seemingly unperturbed by their "thievery."

Shen Tingzhou admired him but couldn't reach such a state of composure. As those feet drew closer, his heart rate spiked.

At this moment, Xu Xun suddenly moved closer, transmitting his body heat through a layer of clothing.

Shen Tingzhou turned his head, using his eyes to ask what was wrong.

Xu Xun didn't speak, only moved closer to Shen Tingzhou, slowly lowering his eyelashes.

Shen Tingzhou immediately understood; he was tired. Generously, he shifted his shoulder for the delicate and weak Xu Xun to lean on.

Xu Xun slowly rested his chin on Shen Tingzhou's shoulder, his face against Shen Tingzhou's ear, staring at the fine hairs on Shen Tingzhou's earlobe.

Warm breath brushed against Shen Tingzhou's neck and ear, making him shift uncomfortably.

To be honest, so close, he smelled a faint scent of tea on Xu Xun.

As expected of someone who had steeped Longjing tea, he carried a natural tea aroma!

-

The Steward walked back and forth in the room, approaching the bed several times. Shen Tingzhou held his breath in fear.

Fortunately, the Steward didn't stay long. As soon as he left, the eager Shen Tingzhou burst out from under the bed like a tiger leaping out of the mountains, with lightning speed.

Suddenly losing support, Xu Xun tilted to the left.

Shen Tingzhou turned back and saw him still in a twisted position, staring at him quietly.

Shen Tingzhou: S... Sorry.

Xu Xun came out of the bed expressionlessly, accidentally knocking over a lamp with his elbow, causing a loud crash.

He showed no awareness of having illegally entered someone's room, calmly picking up the lamp and placing it back in its original position.

Shen Tingzhou was terrified, fearing the Steward might hear them.

Just as he worried, a scream echoed down the corridor, "There seems to be some movement in the room."

The Steward calmly replied, "It's nothing, just two little mice."

The housekeeper: !!!

Do you know what you're saying!

How could she allow such filthy creatures in her domain!

The housekeeper grabbed a mop, ready to charge in and catch the mice, her eyes blazing with determination.

Before she could open the door, the Steward held her back.

She turned to meet the Steward's calm, controlled gaze and was momentarily stunned.

The Steward said meaningfully, "Go clean the kitchen. Two little mice won't cause much trouble. They'll settle down after a while."

The housekeeper vaguely understood and smiled, heading downstairs.

Hearing everything clearly inside, Shen Tingzhou: ...

As the footsteps faded away, Shen Tingzhou dared to ask Xu Xun, "Did he know we were in his room?"

"Yes," Xu Xun said, moving forward to pull the doorknob. As expected, the door was locked from the outside.

This type of lock, if the key is inserted from the outside, cannot be opened from within.

Shen Tingzhou tried to pull the door open, dumbfounded, "It's really locked."

Xu Xun displayed a calm acceptance, walking over to pick up the card and glance at it, his eyes flickering.

Shen Tingzhou approached, "What does it say?"

Xu Xun said nothing, handing the card to him.

Shen Tingzhou quickly glanced at it and was a bit stunned. The steward had written on the card that it was a gift for Shen Tingzhou, signed by Xu Xun.

He was so shocked he couldn't utter a complete sentence, "This..."

Xu Xun glanced at Shen Tingzhou and then threw the card back, "Boring."

Shen Tingzhou suspected the steward was fishing for something; otherwise, the card wouldn't be written like this.

So this was all just a prank from start to finish?

If it really was a prank, that would be great, indicating that the steward didn't like He Ranjie.

Generally, in situations like He Ranjie and Zhou Zhizhong's, the steward's role was too much like a devoted second male lead.

Using the term "white-knighting" might sound harsh, but it indeed wouldn't end well.

"When will he let us out?"

"Do you like flowers?"

Shen Tingzhou and Xu Xun's voices overlapped. Both were taken aback and then answered together.

"Yes."

"I don't know."

Shen Tingzhou couldn't help but laugh, "You go first."

Xu Xun remained silent, only folding a gardenia flower and handing it over.

Shen Tingzhou looked bewildered, subconsciously accepting it, "Uh, thanks."

Xu Xun turned his eyes away, saying softly, "He'll come and open the door when he wants to let us out."

Shen Tingzhou, holding the flower Xu Xun gave him, asked, "What do we do now?"

Xu Xun found a place to sit down, "We can only wait."

Shen Tingzhou sighed; there was no better option than waiting. After all, they had sneaked into someone's bedroom.

Shen Tingzhou sat next to Xu Xun, looking out at the courtyard.

It was dusk, with the setting sun casting a vast expanse of afterglow, making the clouds in the sky appear splendidly colorful.

Life in modern times moves fast, and Shen Tingzhou couldn't remember the last time he had looked up at the sky to appreciate its beauty.

Looking at the fiery clouds, Shen Tingzhou sincerely exclaimed, "How beautiful."

Xu Xun hummed in agreement.

Shen Tingzhou turned around and saw Xu Xun staring at him, those phoenix eyes, tinged with the glow of sunset, intensely focused. Shen Tingzhou felt a gentle flutter in his heart.

Shen Tingzhou's throat tightened, "Wh... what is it?"

"Nothing," Xu Xun shifted his gaze to the window, "I just thought it looked nice."

Shen Tingzhou assumed he was talking about the sunset and nodded in agreement, "Sometimes it's good to put down our phones and work, and just watch the sunrise and sunset."

Xu Xun glanced at him but said nothing.

Until the sun set and night fell, the crisp sound of keys turning in the lock echoed outside the door.

Shen Tingzhou immediately tensed up, unsure how to face the steward.

The anticipated awkwardness did not occur. The steward opened the door lock and left without entering the room to scold the two little mice.

Shen Tingzhou and Xu Xun exchanged glances for a moment, and the latter got up to open the door.

As they went downstairs, the steward was ironing a pristine white tablecloth, ignoring them.

Shen Tingzhou tried to make conversation, "Um... where are the cats?"

The steward replied, "There are rats in the house, so I sent them to patrol."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Shen Tingzhou conceded defeat, bowing his head in shame.

Little Rat Number Two, Xiao Xu, stepped forward, directly stating, "You don't need to be sarcastic; we did enter your room."

Wow.

Shen Tingzhou's eyes lit up as he glanced at Xu Xun: What a perfect mindset, never self-reflecting, always boldly admitting any wrongdoing.

But the steward still knocked Xu Xun down with one sentence, "If you're not satisfied, forget it from now on."

Xu Xun deflated instantly, turning his face away and saying nothing more.

Shen Tingzhou couldn't believe how Xu Xun had been defeated.

In any case, both were silenced by the steward, sitting side by side on the sofa, heads drooping, until they were called for dinner.

Seeing the table laid with a pristine lace tablecloth, lit by scented candles, and set with Western cutlery, Shen Tingzhou's lips twitched.

So this is what a candlelit dinner looks like.

The steward took the bouquet of gardenias and was placing them in a vase.

Noticing Shen Tingzhou standing there in a daze, the steward smiled, "Doctor Shen, are you not satisfied?"

Shen Tingzhou hurriedly shook his head. "Do you think I dare to breathe deeply?"

The Steward finished arranging the flowers and helped Shen Tingzhou pull out his chair. "Sit down, Dr. Shen."

Shen Tingzhou sat down obediently. "Thank you."

This was his first candlelit dinner, and he never expected the companion to be a man, let alone his employer.

Shen Tingzhou glanced at Xu Xun through the candlelight. The latter had already cut his steak and exchanged it with Shen Tingzhou's uneaten one.

Shen Tingzhou: ... Quite committed to the act.

In return, Shen Tingzhou passed the plate of western-style seafood stew to Xu Xun.

As they were being friendly and helpful, a flash suddenly lit up in the corner. The Steward was taking their picture.

Shen Tingzhou looked puzzled. "Why are you taking a photo?"

The Steward spoke naturally. "For the wedding, Dr. Shen. Don't move, I'll take another one."

Shen Tingzhou nodded blankly. "Oh, okay."

After the Steward left, Shen Tingzhou realized something and turned to ask Xu Xun, "What wedding?"

Under the candlelight, Xu Xun's eyes shimmered vaguely. "Let's eat first."

Shen Tingzhou didn't think much of it and sat down to eat.

-

After dinner, Shen Tingzhou didn't stay long and drove home.

Halfway there, Shen Tingzhou received a call from his second employer, Song Qingning.

"Dr. Shen," Song Qingning's voice sounded urgent. "Could you come over? Muye is injured."

Just as Shen Tingzhou was about to speak, Li Muye's resentful voice came through. "Why bother with me? Wouldn't it be better if I died?"

Did they have an argument?

Shen Tingzhou hung up the phone and turned the car around.

Upon arriving, Shen Tingzhou parked the car at the entrance. The iron gate of the courtyard was open, and he walked in quickly.

Only the ground lights were on in the courtyard, casting a faint green glow that barely illuminated two entangled figures ahead.

Before Shen Tingzhou could get closer, he heard voices arguing.

"Muye, don't be like this."

"I just want to know, are you with my brother now? We agreed to compete fairly after Dad left. How could you do this?"

Hearing this cry of frustration, Shen Tingzhou froze, his scalp tingling with shock.

What did he mean by agreeing to compete fairly after Dad left!

He had only been away from this house for a little over a week. How did things turn into such a mess?