Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The Filipino maid subtly observed Jiang Yao. After repeatedly confirming the sincere expression on his face, she finally said, "Mr. Jiang is truly dedicated to his work."

Jiang Yao smiled warmly. "I'm merely serving Mr. Shen, and I'm just an ordinary butler."

The monthly salary for a regular servant in the Shen household was 20,000 euros, a rather impressive income.

All the servants on break had gathered in the small kitchen for their meal, except for Jenny and some of those managing the main dining room. Only the bodyguards were absent.

Jiang Yao enjoyed a French meal and afterward offered high praise to the chef.

In the afternoon, Jiang Yao was escorted to his accommodation. His facial and fingerprint data had not yet been recorded, so he could only knock on the door.

Jiang Yao set down his suitcase and waited patiently. Repeated knocking would be impolite, of course, but if someone was inside and refused to open the door, that would be equally rude.

In just two breaths, a man, soaking wet and shirtless, pulled open the door from inside, simultaneously tightening his drawstring pants. "Wait a moment, I'll just... Who are you?"

Jiang Yao picked up his suitcase, his eyes crinkling with a smile, and extended his hand to shake Jing Yan's. "I'm the new intern butler, Jiang. Hello, may I ask your name?"

The man was burly, his skin a healthy Mediterranean tan, his muscles beautifully defined—truly robust, not the result of supplements.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, deep-set eyes, his physique and features, along with his broad chest, exuded a sense of security. Jiang Yao subtly glanced at those pectorals, then raised a hand to his lower lip in thought, suppressing the urge to smile.

"An East Asian?" the man introduced himself. "I'm Jing Yan."

The room was a two-bedroom suite. According to Jing Yan, he was Shen Mo's personal bodyguard. "What would you like to drink?" Jing Yan opened the living room refrigerator, asking politely.

Jiang Yao replied courteously, "A drink, please. Thank you."

Jing Yan tossed him a can of energy drink. "No alcohol?"

Shen Mo owned the largest wine estate in Country G, so the servants in the mansion never lacked for wine.

Jiang Yao caught the cold drink and glanced at the can's label—"Exclusive Supply from Shen Mo Estate." He said softly, "Mr. Shen Mo might summon me at any moment. I need to remain clear-headed."

Jing Yan looked at the wine glass in his hand, hesitated for two seconds, then put it back and opted for a drink instead. "As Mr. Shen's bodyguard, I seem to have become a bit lax."

"During your shift change, you certainly have every right to rest and relax," Jiang Yao said, waving the driver and bodyguard duty roster with a remarkably bright smile. "You've worked hard, Mr. Jing."

Jing Yan felt momentarily dazzled by Jiang Yao's smile and pointed behind him. "Your room."

Jiang Yao slowly but steadily drained the drink. To be honest, he had been parched for a long time since disembarking from the ship and enduring two hours of questioning, but he hadn't had a chance to drink water.

Jing Yan, wearing work pants, shook out a tank top from the sofa. Once he put it on, the fabric clung tightly to his abdominal and pectoral muscles, revealing his tanned skin.

Uncomfortable in wet clothes, Jing Yan absentmindedly tugged at the clinging tank top while checking his phone for any messages from Mr. Shen Mo.

The fabric stretched and snapped back, hitting his firm muscles with a soft thud.

Jiang Yao sat on the sofa, flipping through the caregiver profiles. He looked up, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Jing Yan from head to toe. *Ah, BL novels are truly BL novels—even a random guy has such an outstanding physique and face.*

Bodyguards were highly attuned to being watched. Jing Yan immediately turned his head, only to see Jiang Yao sitting properly, flipping through the thick stack of resumes. Had he imagined it?

*Gentle and refined.*

Those two words came to Jing Yan's mind, feeling perfectly suited to Jiang Yao. Unconsciously, he found himself staring at Jiang Yao, lost in thought.

Jiang Yao found Sean's file, smirked, and looked up to meet Jing Yan's startled gaze. "What's wrong?"

Jing Yan stammered, "What? N-no, I just... I wanted to ask if you need help?" Without waiting for Jiang Yao's refusal, he picked up the suitcase Jiang Yao had temporarily placed on the floor and carried it into his room.

Jiang Yao's face lit up with surprise, and he eagerly followed. "Thank you! My suitcase is quite heavy. Does your hand hurt?"

Jiang Yao took Jing Yan's right hand in his. The latter's expression went blank for a moment before he finally stammered, "I-I-I-I-I... I-I-I..."

Jiang Yao: "Hmm?"

Jing Yan abruptly pulled his hand back and walked out of the room awkwardly. "Y-you should unpack your suitcase or whatever first. I-I'm going out."

Jiang Yao's suitcase had been taken for a thorough scan and inspection upon his arrival at the mansion and was only returned after Jenny's interrogation concluded.

Once the door closed, Jing Yan sat back at the bar, drinking water. He took a sip, glanced at his wrist, took another sip, and glanced again. A peculiar expression appeared on his usually honest face.

*East Asians... are East Asian men's hands really that soft? Like a woman's. He even locks the door to change clothes and buttons his collar all the way up. What's so private about his body?*

Those pitiful eyes, as if on the verge of tears at any moment, soft as a lamb.

Jing Yan's large hand brushed over his own chest as he murmured, "East Asian..."

*It should be different. My hands are rough and broad, but his are long and pale. If hands like that brushed over my chest, it would feel like a soft, white cloud...* A jolt of electricity shot through the back of his head. Jing Yan stiffened for a moment, and two patches of red bloomed on his tanned face.

The system asked curiously: [What was wrong with that bodyguard just now?]

Jiang Yao unbuttoned his shirt with one hand and walked towards the bathroom, casually closing the door. His lean but clearly defined side profile was reflected in the mirror.

Jiang Yao ran a hand through his hair, kicked off his pants, and then casually turned on the shower, his expression indifferent. "Who knows? Bodyguards for billionaires probably all have some quirks."

Outside the door, Jing Yan had turned the color of a Country G sunset. He couldn't stop his mind from racing, fantasizing about two men alone in a room.

The sound of water from the bathroom, the body hidden beneath that tightly buttoned shirt—slender yet strong, and Jiang Yao's concerned gaze when he worried about him.

"How do I look?"

Jing Yan snapped out of his thoughts to find Jiang Yao, freshly showered, opening the door and smiling at him.

Jiang Yao's soft black hair, long legs encased in dress pants, a vest accentuating his narrow waist, broad shoulders—the lingering dampness around his eyes made him appear slightly languid, yet it added to his elegant masculine charm.

As a bodyguard, Jing Yan stammered, "W-what?"

Jiang Yao raised his arms and spun around once. "How do I look in this outfit?"

Jing Yan looked slightly uncomfortable. "Very good. This outfit suits you perfectly!"

"Oh? It's already so late," Jiang Yao mumbled, checking his watch. "I need to get to work, Mr. Jing Yan."

Jing Yan stammered, "Jiang, Butler... May I ask, do you have a boyfriend?"

Jiang Yao looked puzzled. "Hmm?"

Jing Yan: "I'm sorry, I just..."

Jing Yan's handsome face immediately flushed bright red. "I-I-I-I..." He stammered for a long time, unable to form a complete sentence, and could only stare at Jiang Yao, flustered.

The system: [That bodyguard is so strange, Host. Is he sick?]

Jiang Yao replied lazily: [Possibly.]

So, he considerately asked, "Mr. Jing Yan, are you coming down with something?"

Jiang Yao straightened his clothes and hurried towards the main building: [No way! Mr. Jing Yan must be overly concerned about Mr. Shen's safety, which is why he's paying extra attention to my information. That's just how bodyguards are—they have to be extremely cautious.]

It was 1:40 in the afternoon.

According to the timeline, young master Ian should have just woken up from his nap, and Housekeeper Jenny would be taking him to a preschool for socialization training.

Jiang Yao had set an alarm for 4:15, planning to personally go to the pier to welcome Aunt Zhou and her family.

This was the first time Aunt Zhou's family had come to Country G, and their visit was quite sudden, so many preparations were needed.

Of course, this was the story from other perspectives.

From Jiang Yao's perspective as a self-aware NPC, this aunt had another purpose: as the antagonists of this story, her family would soon be clashing with Sean.

Jiang Yao wasn't too concerned about the specifics of their conflict; he was just a minor character and didn't need to know too much. The rest could be left to the main characters.

Jiang Yao adjusted his wristwatch, feeling quite motivated, though his brows furrowed slightly.

If he emptied the Shen family's assets overnight, could he make 30 billion? But how would he pawn them off? How would he find sales channels and buyers? How could he escape safely?

The system asked curiously: [What are you thinking about?]

Jiang Yao: [Of course, I'm thinking about how to better serve the Shen family. After all, I'm just an ordinary housekeeper.]

The system: [You're acting weird.]

Inside the room.

Jing Yan clutched his chest, grabbed his phone, and sent a message to his colleague and friend: [Simon! I think I've fallen in love at first sight!]

In a bar, a shirtless, burly man picked up his phone, took a deep drag from his cigarette, and squinted through the thick white smoke as he replied: [Must be a stunner.]

The other end fired back indignantly: [He's a gentleman! A gentle East Asian! The estate's new butler!]

Simon: [I'm not into guys, don't worry. Your sweetie is safe with me.]