Chapter 70

Chapter 70

The more adorable Xiao Xu was, the more Shen Tingzhou suffered.

The next day, Shen Tingzhou slept until half past nine. After washing up, he descended the stairs with a guilty look on his face. The Steward didn’t say anything and continued to fuss over his potted plants.

Only when the Steward left the living room for the courtyard did Shen Tingzhou let out a breath of relief.

Xu Xun brought down the food that had been kept warm on the stove and called Shen Tingzhou over to eat.

Seeing how calm and composed Xu Xun was, Shen Tingzhou felt a sense of admiration. It was no wonder he could withstand the Steward’s “verbal education” so well; his stress resistance was truly impressive.

After finishing their meal, Xu Xun wanted to take Shen Tingzhou out for a walk.

"Where?" Shen Tingzhou was somewhat surprised that Xiao Xu, who was usually a homebody, would want to go out.

Xu Xun started to wrap a cashmere scarf around Shen Tingzhou’s neck, "To a..."

Before he could finish, a car pulled into the courtyard, and Shen Tingzhou looked up.

The car door opened, and Xiao Sang and Fu Huaifei stepped out one after the other. Xu Xun frowned slightly.

Due to their unexpected visit, Shen Tingzhou and Xu Xun had to put their outing plans on hold.

-

Fu Huaifei’s tea was always personally prepared by Sangyan, who usually handed it directly to him. Today, however, the atmosphere between them was noticeably strange. Sangyan placed the teacup on the small round table after serving it.

Only after Sangyan withdrew his hand and straightened up did Fu Huaifei pick up the cup and take a sip.

They never made eye contact, still awkward from yesterday’s accidental kiss.

Shen Tingzhou tried hard to ease the tension, but the two across from him were completely oblivious, leading to frequent awkward silences.

Their current situation reminded Shen Tingzhou of the time he and Xu Xun had been awkward about the top-bottom position issue, and the Steward had locked them in a room to sort things out like men.

Should he replicate the Steward’s simple yet effective method?

Shen Tingzhou’s gaze swept over Fu Huaifei and Sangyan.

Fu Huaifei took another sip of tea, absent-mindedly burning his lips. He let out a delicate hiss.

Sangyan looked worried and hurriedly asked, "What’s wrong, sir?"

Fu Huaifei glanced at Sangyan, then quickly looked away and silently shook his head.

Xu Xun suddenly said, "My mother’s brooch has a missing diamond. Uncle, can you help me see if it can be fixed?"

Fu Huaifei, who had worked as a jewelry repairman, asked, "Where is it?"

Xu Xun got up and went upstairs to fetch it.

It was a very unique brooch with a small diamond embedded in it. After taking it off, Xu Xun handed it to Sangyan.

Sangyan held it as if it were something scalding, swallowed nervously, and then lowered his eyes to pass it to Fu Huaifei.

Fu Huaifei reached out, then pulled back, changing his angle to try again.

But the diamond was too small, and he couldn’t grab it without touching Sangyan.

Sangyan seemed equally troubled. When he placed the diamond in his palm, Fu Huaifei opened his hand, and Sangyan immediately understood, reaching to place the diamond on Fu Huaifei’s palm, only for Fu Huaifei to pull back and reach for the diamond in Sangyan’s palm instead.

For a while, they alternated between opening their palms for each other to take or place the diamond.

Even Shen Tingzhou, usually patient, grew a bit impatient. Just as he was about to help them complete the transfer, Xu Xun beat him to it.

He pressed Fu Huaifei’s hand onto Sangyan’s hand and calmly said, "Uncle, touching Steward Sang won’t hurt him."

When their hands touched, both Fu Huaifei and Sangyan stiffened.

Breaking the subtle standoff of not touching each other, the atmosphere between them eased slightly, though they still couldn’t bring themselves to make eye contact.

Sangyan spoke with a slight stutter, "Then I... I’ll get the toolbox for you, sir."

Fu Huaifei nodded, "Mm."

Sangyan fetched a toolbox from the trunk, and Fu Huaifei put on his magnifying glasses to fix the brooch for Xu Xun.

Xu Xun then said, "Uncle, could you also help trim our cat’s nails? Your skills are better than those at a pet grooming salon."

Rarely praised by Xu Xun, Fu Huaifei’s lips curved slightly, modestly saying, "Not really, I’m just a bit more meticulous than others."

Xu Xun nodded in agreement: "This kind of work requires someone meticulous like you."

Fu Huaifei’s smile widened a little more.

Usually, Xu Xun was quite sarcastic towards Fu Huaifei. What was going on today...

Shen Tingzhou glanced at Xu Xun in surprise, then looked out the window at the sun, suspecting it might have risen in the west today.

Trimming a cat’s nails wasn’t a one-person job, especially when Xu Xun handed the most restless orange cat to Fu Huaifei.

Sangyan held the orange cat, soothing its mood while helping Fu Huaifei hold the cat’s paw. Fu Huaifei sat opposite him.

Seeing the two working together, Shen Tingzhou suddenly understood Xiao Xu’s intentions.

He gave Xu Xun a meaningful look, and the two quietly went to the kitchen, leaving the living room to Fu Huaifei and Sangyan.

Shen Tingzhou whispered, "Are you trying to set them up?"

Xu Xun did not deny it, but the answer was — no.

Fu Huaifei and Sangyan came over without saying a word; there was no need to ask—they must have been chased out by the old lady at home.

As for why they were chased out, the reason was obvious. They must have been acting awkwardly at home, annoying the old lady.

Although Sangyan had given Fu Huaifei mouth-to-mouth resuscitation twice before, he had only been focused on saving him and hadn't thought about it as kissing.

And Fu Huaifei had been unconscious at the time, so both of them had overlooked those two instances of their lips touching.

From this morning, something had been off with them. Old Lady Fu watched the drama for a while, but eventually, she could no longer tolerate it.

"If you know, you'd think they kissed; if you didn't, you'd think one of them was wearing an invisibility cloak. Xiao Sang, take your blind-sighted wisteria to the eye hospital quickly. Don't come back until it's cured!"

After being scolded by the old lady, Sangyan had no choice but to bring Fu Huaifei to seek refuge with Xu Xun.

Seeing the claws hidden in the cushion, Sangyan worried they might scratch Fu Huaifei's hand. "Sir, shall I cut them for you?"

Fu Huaifei brushed his long hair behind his shoulder and muttered, "It's fine."

Sangyan moved his lips, wanting to say something but not knowing how to start. At that moment, Fu Huaifei looked up.

For some inexplicable reason, Sangyan softly asked, "Does your... mouth still hurt?"

Fu Huaifei held back for a few seconds, then quickly parted his lips, letting Sangyan see the small cut inside his mouth.

Yesterday, when they kissed, Fu Huaifei's mouth had been injured by his teeth, and it was still slightly swollen.

Sangyan felt even more guilty and hurriedly said, "I'll go find Doctor Shen for some medicine."

Fu Huaifei shook his head, "...No need. It's not a big deal."

Out of caution, Sangyan asked, "Sir, can I take another look?"

Fu Huaifei fluttered his eyelashes twice, said nothing, and silently tilted his head back slightly.

Sangyan carefully used his thumb to pull down Fu Huaifei's lower lip and examined the wound seriously. It was surrounded by a white ring, looking like a tiny ulcer at first glance.

Fu Huaifei looked up at Sangyan, and their eyes met for a moment before they both looked away.

Sangyan said, "We have medicine at home. I'll apply it for you when we get back."

Fu Huaifei nodded lightly, "Mm."

Letting go of Fu Huaifei, Sangyan whispered, "...I was too careless yesterday. Please don't be angry. I'll be more careful in the future."

"I'm not angry," Fu Huaifei glanced at Sangyan, somewhat resentfully, "It's just that you ignored me."

Sangyan was taken aback, "I didn't ignore you, sir. I just feel... sorry towards you."

Fu Huaifei believed in fairy tale romances and expected them. Sangyan knew he had deprived him of the fantasy of kissing.

Fu Huaifei's eyes flickered, and he said awkwardly, "I will never be angry with you, no matter what you do."

Sangyan stared at Fu Huaifei, feeling a slight stir in his heart, and slowly smiled.

The strange magnetic field between them finally dissipated, and Shen Tingzhou felt relieved.

The orange cat had slipped away while Sangyan was checking Fu Huaifei's wound, and Sangyan didn't bother with it. Seeing Fu Huaifei's hair loose, he felt a bit negligent.

He always took care of Fu Huaifei's hair, but because of yesterday's incident, it had been awkward this morning, and he hadn't properly styled it.

How could he let his master come out like this?

Sangyan, who was skilled in daily tasks, found something handy from Fu Huaifei's toolbox and used it as a comb to smooth out his hair. Then he folded a silk scarf into a triangle and wrapped it around Fu Huaifei's head, braiding his hair.

Watching Sangyan casually twist a few strings together and tie a beautiful bow around Fu Huaifei's hair, Shen Tingzhou marveled, "Xiao Sang, you're so skilled."

Even though Fu Huaifei was wearing a silk scarf and a bow, he didn't look effeminate; it was a neutral, heroic beauty.

After tying the hair, Sangyan tidied it up, making the braid fluffy.

Shen Tingzhou marveled again, "You're really skilled."

Not long after, a flower wreath ring was handed over.

Shen Tingzhou was surprised and turned to look at Xu Xun, seeing him pluck some baby's breath from the dining table and weave it into the ring. He smiled.

He praised generously, "Your hands are also very skilled. How did you make it? I wouldn't know how."

Xu Xun was satisfied, "If you like it, I'll make one for you every day."

Shen Tingzhou put it on, "I love it!"

-

After Fu Huaifei and Sangyan reconciled, they didn't stay for lunch.

Finally having "chased" them away, Xu Xun drove Shen Tingzhou to a store.

Upon arrival, Shen Tingzhou realized it was a boutique, and Xu Xun led him straight to the hat section at the back.

Seeing those fluffy, adorable hats, Shen Tingzhou was charmed but also felt a strange ache in his waist.

Xu Xun asked him, "Which one do you like?"

Shen Tingzhou didn't know how to respond, "They're all good..."

Xu Xun directly said, "If you like them all, let's buy them all."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

At this moment, a pleasant voice came from outside the shop, "Doctor Shen."

Shen Tingzhou looked over and saw Song Qingning.

Xu Xun recognized Song Qingning but still deliberately asked, "Who is he?"

Shen Tingzhou: The male little mom of the second employer's family, and also his junior from high school.