Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Jiang Yao poured himself a glass of water. The cool liquid soothed him as he leaned against the sink, sleepily raking a hand through his hair.

It was late.

Tomorrow, he needed to finalize preparations for the weekend party. Jiang Yao pulled out his phone, calculated the time difference across the ocean, and messaged a party designer to schedule a meeting.

It was for Shen Mo’s bachelor party. Jiang Yao picked up the glass, drained the last sip, rinsed it, and inverted it on the drying rack.

Turning around, he saw Jing Yan standing there, unsure how long he’d been present.

Jiang Yao was surprised—it was past midnight, and Jing Yan was still awake. “Jing Yan, what’s wrong?”

Jing Yan had dark circles under his eyes. He rubbed his face. “Where have you been?”

Jiang Yao replied, “After reporting to Housekeeper Jenny, I went out for dinner with a friend.”

Jing Yan nodded. “Alright, I see…”

Jiang Yao studied him curiously. Jing Yan wasn’t in loungewear. Unlike Simon, who always looked like a tough guy in camouflage, Jing Yan dressed more subtly, appearing slender next to the burly Simon.

As Jiang Yao reached his room and took hold of the doorknob, he suddenly asked, “Did you go out, Jing Yan?”

Jing Yan: “…”

After two seconds without a response, Jiang Yao turned the knob. “Goodnight, Jing Yan.”

“Jiang Yao!” Jing Yan called out. “Mr. Shen… told me to keep tabs on you. He already knows about your… meeting with two men at a romantic restaurant tonight. This… is what he told me to give you.”

Jiang Yao was slightly taken aback. He accepted the item, nodded, and bid goodnight again before entering his room.

Jing Yan felt crushed. He slumped back into his room, recalling the moment he received Shen Mo’s orders.

The young tycoon had inquired about his years of service to the Shen family, idly toying with an ornate gift box. After Jing Yan answered, Shen Mo instructed him to deliver the box to Jiang Yao.

At that moment, Jing Yan knew he was being completely removed from the running for Shen Mo’s affections.

He couldn't defy Mr. Shen's unspoken orders. Any defiance would cast doubt on his loyalty, leading to expulsion from the Shen family—leaving him with nowhere to go.

Loyalty was the Jing family's proudest virtue. Coming from humble beginnings, with five younger sisters, Jing Yan and his family had sworn lifelong allegiance to Mr. Shen when he was chosen.

Lying in bed, Jing Yan sighed heavily. He pulled out his phone, staring at the wallpaper—a photo of Jiang Yao hanging a drool bib for Young Master Ian. Under the sunlight, Jiang Yao looked casually attractive, his lips slightly curved in amusement as he argued with Fu Xiaoen, a wry smile on his face.

If only his Mandarin were better, he might have deciphered their conversation. Jing Yan switched to his messaging app, replying to a few texts from his sisters.

Recently, the wild berries on their family farm had ripened. His sister mentioned they had picked some, jarred them, and mailed a portion to him—arriving today. She asked him to share some with Mr. Shen.

These berries grew in harsh conditions, and every year, his hometown sent some for both him and Mr. Shen. Shen Mo particularly enjoyed pairing them with toast.

Jing Yan locked his phone and rolled over, facing the night sky outside his window as he drifted to sleep.

A watch.

This Patek Philippe was worth over 2 million. Jiang Yao tried it on, admired it for a moment, then returned it to its box.

System: “You’re not wearing it? Shen Mo would be thrilled if he saw you with it.”

Jiang Yao took out his phone, snapped a photo of the watch, and listed it on a luxury resale site.

System: “Are you crazy?”

“I’m tired.” Jiang Yao took a quick shower and dabbed ointment on his split lip. “Damn Victor.”

System: “…”

“Goodnight, Mr. System.”

System: “Seventy percent of your 210,000 euro salary was transferred to the company account. Keep it up—you’re getting closer to the 30 billion goal. The higher-ups say you’ve got great potential.”

A mere drop in the bucket. Jiang Yao couldn’t fathom how the system had the nerve to claim he was “not far” from 30 billion. Yawning lazily, he muttered, “The company overestimates me. I’m just a regular butler.”

Just as the system thought Jiang Yao was about to fall asleep, he suddenly asked, “Is the 30 billion target serious? I’ve been thinking—if every person near death is burdened with crushing debt to survive, how did those who succeeded before me manage it?”

System: “Uh…”

Jiang Yao fell silent.

The system cautiously reminded him, “You still have two chances left with your special ability. Aren’t you going to use them?”

Jiang Yao: “Not needed for now.”

-

The next morning.

Jiang Yao dressed, wearing the lapel pin and luxury watch Shen Mo had gifted him. At breakfast, a plate of brightly colored berries caught his eye.

“Never seen these before,” Jiang Yao remarked.

The system sounded surprised. “There’s actually something you don’t know? I thought you were a walking encyclopedia!”

Jiang Yao chuckled, assuming the berries were prepared by the staff. He paired them with toast—much better than peanut butter.

Shen Mo was leaving for a business trip today—another royal gala, rumored to last a full week. He had returned late last night, clearly not one for these affairs.

“This one?” Jiang Yao’s finger hovered over Shen Mo’s accessories before landing on the sun deity pin, matching the crescent moon on his own chest. “Sir.”

Shen Mo, listening to financial news through his Bluetooth earpiece—currently reporting on riots abroad—answered distractedly, “You decide.”

So Jiang Yao moved his hand, selecting a different gemstone pin instead. Just as he was about to pin it on, Shen Mo’s mental voice reached him.

*“Why not the first one?”*

Jiang Yao pretended not to hear until Shen Mo spoke aloud. “Switch to the one that matches yours.”

Jiang Yao nodded and switched them, then straightened Shen Mo’s tie.

Shen Mo: “Something interesting happened at the prince’s banquet.”

*“Keeping him close might keep him in line.”*

Jiang Yao glanced up, puzzled. “Hm?”

“If I had a wife, it’d save me a lot of trouble.” Shen Mo grasped Jiang Yao’s wrist, brushing back his sleeve to reveal the watch he had gifted. The storm in his eyes calmed slightly.

*“Where were you last night? Why didn’t you report it yourself?”*

Images flashed through his mind. As a billionaire, even princes showed Shen Mo deference, but business couldn’t escape social obligations. He had endured tedious networking with ministers and tycoons. A wife could’ve spared him much hassle—pretending to scold him for drinking, letting him play the whipped husband to dodge unwanted toasts.

The richest man would have such ordinary fantasies? Jiang Yao smiled slightly and said, "The party designer is arriving today. I'll work with the lady to compile a list and invite some young ladies aboard under the guise of attending the ball."

Shen Mo's expression darkened immediately. He turned his back and held out his arms. "Oh, is that so?"

*“Where did the new cut on your lip come from? What is Jing Yan hiding from me? Or is it you...”* Shen Mo stared intently at Jiang Yao's reflection in the mirror.

Jiang Yao fixed his sleeves for him, tucking his shirt neatly into Shen Mo's trousers. "It will surely be a memorable matchmaking party."

*“Enough!”* He didn’t want to hear it!

Shen Mo turned to face Jiang Yao. "Where did that new cut on your lip come from?"

Jiang Yao pressed his lips together, running his tongue over the wound. "Is it that obvious? I met with Mr. Victor last night. Victor enjoys playing little jokes on me."

"Jokes?" The man's voice was thick with sarcasm.

Jiang Yao stopped organizing the wardrobe.

Along with Shen Mo's laughter came an intense surge of jealousy.

"Butler Jiang," Shen Mo suddenly gripped Jiang Yao's chin, forcing him to look up. Even under control, Jiang Yao's slanted eyes still formed crescents. "I thought I was pursuing you."

Jiang Yao's eyes widened in shock. "Sir..."

Shen Mo: "I don’t like forcing you, but while I’m pursuing you, shouldn’t you stay away from others?"

Jiang Yao blinked. "I... why?"

"Why what?" Shen Mo retorted. His expression was cold and elegant, but the dissatisfaction in his heart had already overflowed like a cup filled to the brim.

*“Bargaining?”*

Jiang Yao: "If you’re pursuing me, sir, then the initiative should lie with me."

*“Give an inch, take a mile, little rabbit.”*

Shen Mo snorted, his gaze as if looking at a spoiled pet that forgot its place—and indeed, that was exactly what his thoughts conveyed to Jiang Yao.

This man liked him, but it was far from enough. Jiang Yao met Shen Mo's gaze, feigning innocence and hesitation, his lips opening and closing as if wanting to explain but not daring to defy.

But that thought alone was enough to anger Shen Mo.

Shen Mo's gaze turned cold and dangerous. He stared at Jiang Yao as if he wished to bare the fangs beneath his human facade and tear Jiang Yao apart.

Shen Mo was unusually young—not yet 35—and already the wealthiest man in the country. Calling him a genius among geniuses would be no exaggeration. But his youth and handsome looks often made people overlook his danger.

This was the first time Jiang Yao had felt such extreme peril from Shen Mo.

"Do you think you have a choice?" Shen Mo pushed Jiang Yao aside. They were running out of time; he needed to board the helicopter. "Before I return, settle whatever is between you and Victor. I hope after today, you won’t see each other again."

His fingertips brushed lightly over Jiang Yao’s chin, the tickling sensation making Jiang Yao uncomfortable—like a beast not yet hungry idly licking its prey.

Shen Mo kissed him, biting carefully at the scab on Jiang Yao’s lip until it broke anew, tasting the ironic sweetness.

"What did you have for breakfast?" Shen Mo asked gently, noticing another taste.

Jiang Yao replied hoarsely, utterly compliant. "Toast... and warm milk."

"And?" Shen Mo kissed him again.

Jiang Yao, kiss-dazed, murmured helplessly, "Some berries... it hurts..."

Shen Mo's kiss suddenly turned fierce.

Time was up. Simon, when Shen Mo didn't appear, grew concerned. As his personal bodyguard, he had some discretion. Thinking his employer might be in danger, he cautiously stepped onto the bedroom carpet, gun drawn—only to stop dead in shock at the scene before him.

Jiang Yao was pinned against the full-length mirror in the dressing room, one leg forcibly lifted by Shen Mo.

Shen Mo’s hands roamed his back, rumpling his shirt, moving from his spine to his chest, and even venturing lower.

...

"Apologies, sir." Simon snapped himself out of it, lowering his gun. "It’s time to leave."

Jiang Yao narrowly escaped. Standing back on the ground, he quickly straightened Shen Mo’s clothes. "Have a safe trip, sir."

Shen Mo stared at the mark he’d left on Jiang Yao’s lip and finally smiled in satisfaction. "One more thing—handle it personally."

"Yes, your orders?"

"Fire Jing Yan."