Chapter 22

Chapter 22

“Snap!” A rubber glove flicked against Jiang Yao’s palm. He glanced around, a smile playing on his lips, “Two days of heavy rain—quite unexpected, really.”

The entire villa staff was fully equipped—aprons, masks, gloves—holding brooms, dustpans, vacuum cleaners, and high-pressure hoses, all awaiting Jiang Yao’s command.

Fu Xiaoen fitted Ian with a small mask and tied his little apron, gleefully snapping photos of the adorable boy with his phone. Only when reviewing the pictures later did he realize Ian had slipped away unnoticed.

Jiang Yao checked the time and announced, “Alright! Does everyone have the confidence to clean the villa before Mr. Shen returns?”

“Yes!”

“Of course!”

“Let’s get started! Rewards for everyone who finishes!”

Jiang Yao smiled as he wiped the eaves. Being tall, he naturally took on tasks that required height. As he worked, a sudden chill touched his feet. He looked down—a small hose had appeared from nowhere, spraying water that soaked his trouser leg.

Jiang Yao covered his mouth, stifling a laugh.

Ian emerged from behind a pillar, wielding the small hose and gleefully spraying everyone in sight.

Jesse, bent over mimicking the adults while scrubbing the floor, didn’t even notice when his backside got drenched.

Fu Xiaoen shouted, “Little Ian!”

“Mind you don’t slip, Young Master!” Jenny arrived late, rushing to check on the thoroughly soaked Jesse. “Mr. Fu, hurry and change Young Master Jesse’s clothes.”

Jesse scoffed, “Hmph!”

Ian blinked, completely unaware of the trouble he’d caused. He raised the hose overhead, water splashing onto freshly dried spots, ready to wreak more havoc—until a firm grip yanked him by the back of his pants.

Jiang Yao hoisted the child onto his shoulder and gave the mischievous backside a light smack. “Young Master, if the floors aren’t cleaned in time, Uncle Blackbeard might not have time to make ice cream after dinner.”

Jesse, being carried upstairs, protested, “No way! Hurry up and clean! I must have ice cream! Mr. Fu! Release me! I won’t take a bath! No!”

“Ha ha ha!” The entire staff burst into laughter.

Jerry, studying in the library, nearly snapped his pen in frustration at the commotion downstairs.

His tutor remarked, “Living in such a lively household must be heartwarming.”

Jerry shot a cold glance. “You’re mistaken. This isn’t my home.”

Upstairs, Jesse waited for Sean to change his diaper, but nothing happened. He turned to see Fu Xiaoen standing by the window, diaper in one hand, phone in the other, snapping pictures of Jiang Yao crossing the courtyard.

Jiang Yao directed the staff in clearing the villa’s accumulated water and fallen leaves, with three-year-old Ian perched on his shoulder. The boy was constantly mischievous—tousling Jiang Yao’s hair one moment, yanking his tie the next.

Yet no matter how wildly Ian squirmed, Jiang Yao always miraculously managed to keep him secure with one free hand.

Fu Xiaoen zoomed in with his camera—capturing Jiang Yao’s smiling profile, the collarbone peeking from his loosened collar, his exposed wrist, and the belt tugged askew by Ian.

He zoomed in further, and further still.

“Do you like that bad guy?” Jesse suddenly asked.

Fu Xiaoen startled, whipping around to face the four-year-old boy. “Running around naked but so observant already, huh?”

Jesse grabbed the diaper and put it on himself. “I like Xiao Mei from kindergarten too, but too many people like her. Butler Jiang is kinda like Xiao Mei.”

Fu Xiaoen chuckled.

“Xiao Mei doesn’t like me and always eats my candy,” Jesse huffed.

Fu Xiaoen tossed the wet clothes into the laundry basket. “Then perhaps you should fancy someone else.”

Jesse: “You don’t understand. I’m a simp.”

Fu Xiaoen froze, then burst into laughter. “Ha ha ha!”

His laughter gradually faded, shoulders slumping. He sat on the bed and ruffled Jesse’s hair. “Then… do you think I’m a simp too?”

Jesse pondered. “Difficult to tell. Uncle Jiang has far too many simps.”

Fu Xiaoen: “…”

“Yesterday, when I went to kindergarten, a driver came to pick up Uncle Jiang to go shopping. I’ve seen him before—he delivers wine to the villa.”

Fu Xiaoen: “The wine delivery man? And then?”

“I saw him kiss Uncle Jiang.”

“…”

The rest of the day, Fu Xiaoen wandered around in a daze. After Ian’s nap, he just sat there, lost in thought.

“What’s on your mind?” A familiar voice chimed in as a finger flicked his forehead. Jiang Yao stood there. “The tailor from Germany is here. Go get measured.”

Fu Xiaoen blinked. “Huh? I get new clothes too?”

Jiang Yao turned to leave, his expression reminiscent of a carefree aristocrat. “Consider it a rare act of mercy—I made special arrangements for you.”

Fu Xiaoen’s face burned as he hurried after him. “What if Shen Mo finds out?”

Jiang Yao waved lazily. “Relax. Nothing will happen.”

A prickling sensation crept up Fu Xiaoen’s back. He glanced over his shoulder—Simon the bodyguard stood there, his muscular build imposing. “Why’s Simon here?”

Jiang Yao’s smile was dazzling. “Who knows?”

While Fu Xiaoen got measured, Jiang Yao and Simon spoke nearby. For some reason, he felt their conversation was about him.

The sun dipped low, yet Shen Mo still hadn’t returned. The tailors, scheduled to stay only half a day, were about to leave. The forecast predicted more rain tomorrow, so they couldn’t linger.

Jiang Yao had no choice but to see them off. On his way back, Simon followed. “Mr. Shen won’t return today. Lock the gates—it’s unsafe in the rain.”

The villa's heavy doors clanked shut. Jiang Yao tilted his head. “Why are you following me?”

Simon: “The master’s second order—to observe all your activities.”

Jiang Yao laced his fingers behind his head, leisurely enjoying the rain-cooled evening. “Are you loyal enough?”

“Not as much as Jing Yan.” Simon’s gaze swept over Jiang Yao, lingering on his lips. “You should reward me. Lying has consequences.”

Jiang Yao ruffled Simon’s hair. “What have you hidden for me?”

A flicker of madness flashed in Simon’s eyes. “Meeting Kai Li Er, getting Fu Xiaoen fitted for clothes… You’re unusually kind to them.”

“Calm down.” Jiang Yao’s eyelids lowered slightly, all warmth vanished from his phoenix eyes. His gentle tone carried a warning. “Simon, you don’t want to make me angry, do you?”

“I’m hard,” Simon murmured. “Just touching me isn’t enough.”

Jiang Yao withdrew his hand, suppressing a smirk, grossed out by Simon's shameless come-on. “Come on, don’t say such things. It’s not even dark yet.”

Simon followed closely, pushing relentlessly, “Then what about after dark?”

Their voices gradually faded into the distance.

Night fell, and with Christmas approaching, the villa was gradually filled with holiday spirit. Aunt Zhou was busy meeting party planners every day, while the servants were scrambling to prepare for the grand party two weeks later.

Everyone was going all out, hoping to use the Christmas occasion to arrange a fancy matchmaking party for the esteemed Mr. Shen.

Shen Mo’s return was delayed again. Unlike before, when updates solely relied on Secretary Song, this time he personally called.

Jiang Yao held the villa’s landline to his ear, answering with a smile, “Yes, I’ll make sure to remind Young Master Ian...”

Everyone at the dining table perked up, with Aunt Zhou losing her appetite entirely, shooting daggers at Jiang Yao with her eyes.

However, all of this was just Jiang Yao putting on a show.

On the other end of the line, in time-difference Britain where the sun had yet to set, Shen Mo was attending a financial summit. Even while stranded abroad, he had kept busy—he had been invited to participate in a conference on smart technology. His mind wandered from the talks, and he suddenly really missed Jiang Yao.

He stepped out to make the call, but fumbling for words, he only managed, “You...”

Jiang Yao proceeded to keep talking for three minutes on his own.

“That’s right, Young Master Ian has been very well-behaved,” Jiang Yao said brightly.

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow. “Did I ask?”

Jiang Yao’s smile deepened, with a teasing edge. “Madam and Master Dero are also doing just fine.”

At this, everyone at the table automatically sat up straighter.

Shen Mo lowered his voice. “Stay away from Aunt Zhou. Watch your back.”

“Understood,” Jiang Yao replied, lips curving as he hung up on him. “Goodbye, sir. Wishing you all the best.”

“Jiang Yao! You—” The line went dead, leaving Shen Mo equal parts annoyed and amused.

On the third day of Shen Mo’s absence, Jiang Yao successfully sold his Patek Philippe on the second-hand market. Nearly brand-new and impeccably maintained, the watch fetched close to 4 million euros, money in the bank.

The system sighed. “If Shen Mo finds out...”

Stretched out on the balcony lounge, Jiang Yao scrolled through the Formula racing standings on his tablet. “I’ll just tell him I accidentally lost it. He’ll probably buy me another one.”

The system: “...You’re unbelievable.”

The next Formula race was scheduled in Belgium. According to global racing updates, Victor was back with his team prepping for his comeback at the Belgian circuit.

In no time, Jiang Yao registered an account and, amidst an endless list of betting options, zeroed in on Victor’s odds.

Two million euros—he bet on Victor finishing in the top three in Belgium.

The system nearly freaked out. “Host?! Huh?! You—you—”

A knock interrupted them, and Jiang Yao shut off the tablet, ignoring the system’s outraged squawking.

At the door, Jiang Yao was slightly surprised to find Fu Xiaoen hugging a pillow.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yao asked.

Dressed in lamb-patterned pajamas, Fu Xiaoen shuffled his feet. “I dreamed about my brother. I’m too scared to sleep alone.”

Understanding, Jiang Yao stepped aside to let him in. “I’ll stay with you.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a shadow slipped from the balcony into his bedroom in his peripheral vision. Jiang Yao’s brow twitched.

Simon actually climbed through the window in the middle of the night? He was getting bolder every day.