Chapter 23

Chapter 23

"Your room looks a bit different from mine." Just as Fu Xiaoen's fingers brushed the doorknob, Jiang Yao's hand covered his from behind.

Fu Xiaoen froze. "What's wrong?"

Jiang Yao stood so close his back nearly brushed Fu Xiaoen's. When he spoke, his voice, naturally soft, seemed to whisper right by Fu Xiaoen's ear. "Let's change rooms."

There were two bedrooms in the suite. Since Jing Yan left, the other room had remained unoccupied. Fu Xiaoen hesitated. "Are we... sleeping separately?"

Jiang Yao ruffled Fu Xiaoen's hair. "I said I'd sleep with you, and I will. Come on, the room's across the hall."

"Why can't we sleep in this one?" Fu Xiaoen demurred. The door wasn't fully closed, and from his angle, he could see a corner of Jiang Yao's bed bathed in moonlight, covered in soft, plush bedding.

"Why so many questions?" Jiang Yao's voice softened further. "Afraid I've got someone stashed in there?"

Called out, Fu Xiaoen's neck and face flushed. "N-no, I wasn't! Fine, the other room it is."

Jing Yan's old room was spotless, and the closet held freshly laundered silk bedding. Jiang Yao made up the bed for Fu Xiaoen. "I'll go take a shower."

Fu Xiaoen had just lain down when he immediately sat back up, watching Jiang Yao. "How long will that take?"

"Ten minutes." Jiang Yao closed the door behind him.

Simon stood in the middle of the living room, cracking open an ice-cold beer. He downed it in one gulp before glaring at Jiang Yao.

"Sneak," Jiang Yao said as he approached, reaching past Simon to hit the living room light switch. "Why'd you stop hiding?"

Simon grabbed Jiang Yao's wrist. "This stays between us."

Jiang Yao's gaze turned cold, all trace of humor gone from his phoenix eyes as he stared indifferently at Simon. "You're scared."

"Look what happened to Jing Yan!" Simon snapped, caught between Jiang Yao's drama and Shen Mo's demands. He pulled Jiang Yao into a tight embrace, glancing at the other bedroom door before whispering, "You don't want to leave the Shen family like this, do you?"

"Get lost!" Jiang Yao shoved Simon away angrily. Simon stumbled back, landing outside the open French windows.

Jiang Yao sneered, "Simon, I thought you were worth turning down Mr. Shen for. Guess I was wrong about you."

*Bang!*

He slammed the French windows shut. Jiang Yao jerked the curtains closed, blocking out Simon's stunned expression.

With the last sliver of light gone, the living room plunged into darkness. Jiang Yao raised his wrist, the glow of his sports watch displaying the time:

12:11 AM.

The dim glow caught his smirk.

Fu Xiaoen hadn't slept a wink. He lay curled under the blankets, facing the wall. When the door creaked open, he held his breath.

The sound of Jiang Yao settling beside him followed, carrying a hint of steam, amplifying every rustle. Fu Xiaoen faked a sleepy stretch and grumble.

Jiang Yao: "Sorry, did I wake you?"

Fu Xiaoen cursed himself for being so obvious, but when Jiang Yao reached over to ruffle his hair, he swallowed the truth and put on a whiny act instead, "Mmm... I just fell asleep."

Jiang Yao turned on the bedside lamp. His expression was gentle, his clean white pajamas slightly open at the collar, revealing a faint red birthmark near his collarbone.

Fu Xiaoen looked up, caught staring. "Wh-what are you looking at?"

Jiang Yao: "Where were *you* looking?"

Fu Xiaoen: "..."

"Getting all flustered over nothing," Jiang Yao scoffed. "We're both guys. It's fine."

Fu Xiaoen made a show of looking again, then met Jiang Yao's gaze, making a point of looking back and forth to prove he wasn't the least bit flustered.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes," Jiang Yao chuckled. "My mistake."

Fu Xiaoen, who was a sucker for sweet talk, got flustered all over again. "Why do you talk to me like I'm a kid?"

Jiang Yao: "'Cause to me, you are."

Fu Xiaoen: "..."

He turned away, hogging the blankets with a sigh.

Jiang Yao finally asked, "Why can't you sleep?"

*Because you treat me like a child, damn it!* Fu Xiaoen was gay—did Jiang Yao seriously not worry lying so carelessly beside him?

He sighed again, like all the fight had left him, muttering, "I'm getting nowhere with my plans. Shen Mo's too wary of me."

"Hmm..." Jiang Yao's voice deepened. "I might have a solution."

"What is it?" Fu Xiaoen whipped around instantly.

Jiang Yao narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with indulgence. "Make Shen Mo fall for you. Problem solved."

Fu Xiaoen looked like he'd been slapped. "Are you crazy?! He's the enemy! His sister got my brother killed, for god's sake, and you want me to... seduce him? That'd be spitting on my brother's grave!"

Fu Xiaoen's brother and sister had died in a plane crash. Though no one wanted the tragedy, someone had to take the blame—so blame fell on each other's lovers.

Jiang Yao smiled faintly. "It's the best way. If you succeed, wouldn't that be the perfect payback on Shen Mo?"

Fu Xiaoen frowned, then suddenly asked, "Why are you suggesting this? Aren't you loyal to Shen Mo?"

"But I was also your brother's closest friend," Jiang Yao tucked the blankets around him. "You've gotten me in trouble before. Haven't I always sided with you?"

Fu Xiaoen's heart skipped. The feeling of having someone in his corner—something he'd never had—made his eyes burn. He swallowed hard. "Well... sorry. My brother was lucky to have you."

Jiang Yao smiled.

"But what about Shen Mo's feelings if I really take Ian away?" Fu Xiaoen pressed.

*Of course, your happy ending is falling for Shen Mo in Country G, then getting exposed for faking kinship, forced to surrender shares. You'll return home with your brother's child to reclaim his legacy, only for billionaire Shen Mo to swoop in and back you up. The two of you will tear through the Fu family like a storm.*

But Jiang Yao kept that to himself, mischief sparkling in his eyes. "You idiot, I'm worried you'll fall for *me* and not wanna leave."

"……………………"

Jiang Yao: "I don't like men."

Fu Xiaoen went red down to his toes, barely holding back a shout. He gritted his teeth. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

Jiang Yao relaxed, all joking aside, his tone turned deadly serious that made Fu Xiaoen's stomach drop. "Good. Just making sure."

The night fell silent.

After an unknown stretch of time, Fu Xiaoen pressed, "Are you afraid? Afraid I might fall for you."

Jiang Yao remained silent. Fu Xiaoen leaned in closer and found him asleep, his gaze lingering on Jiang Yao's rosy lips. "Jiang Yao, you're not a good man."

The "not a good man" in question slept soundly, looking utterly at peace. Fu Xiaoen wanted to shake him awake but couldn't bring himself to. "Who were you talking to in the living room earlier? You liar, you didn't even shower… You treat me like a child, coaxing me, deceiving me!"

Did he think pretending to sleep would leave Fu Xiaoen helpless? Fu Xiaoen thought viciously, then did what he considered the boldest thing possible—

He kissed Jiang Yao. Once, twice, three times…

Still unsatisfied, he even tried to pry open Jiang Yao's lips, but failed.

"Out cold!" Fu Xiaoen pulled back, panting. He was aroused, but at least he knew his place—what could a submissive do to a man fast asleep?

Nothing. Yet he wanted to do everything. The more timid he appeared on the surface, the bolder his thoughts became. He really wanted to take Jiang Yao, to hell with the consequences.

But then he remembered Jiang Yao's warning not to fall for him, and his heart ached. Should he really act? He had no experience, and his courage was even scarcer.

Just thinking about it was as far as he could go.

Fu Xiaoen closed his eyes in frustration. With his meager bravery, all he could hope for was a dream where he and Jiang Yao were the only central figures.

The next morning, Fu Xiaoen woke to an empty room. At the foot of the bed were fresh clothes, a stack of clean sheets, and a note from Jiang Yao:

*"The sheets got dirty. Little lamb Xiaoen, be a dear and change them."*

Dirty?

Fu Xiaoen frowned. How could they be dirty after one night? Then it hit him. He yanked the covers aside.

One second. Ten seconds.

Three minutes later.

Fu Xiaoen covered his face, mortified, turning as red as a roasted lamb.

***

"Where's Butler Jiang?" Early in the morning, Fu Xiaoen skulked around the villa, asking everyone. He wasn't looking to confront Jiang Yao—quite the opposite. He wanted to know his whereabouts so he could avoid him.

Blackbeard, during breakfast, said, "At this hour? Probably taking Master Jesse to school."

Fu Xiaoen grabbed a bottle of milk, bit into a slice of toast, and wandered aimlessly before sneaking out the back door. Not spotting Jiang Yao, he exited through the side gate and walked down the slope outside the estate for over two hundred meters.

There, beneath a tree, he saw Jiang Yao—pushed up against the tree, kissed until his face was flushed, eyes dazed.

The milk bottle slipped from Fu Xiaoen's grip, clattering to the ground and rolling down the slope until it bumped against Jiang Yao's foot. Jiang Yao pushed the man away, glanced down, then looked up in surprise, their gazes locked with Fu Xiaoen.

Milk spilled everywhere, only a couple of sips left in the bottle. Jiang Yao picked it up, shooed Kai Li Er away, and strode toward Fu Xiaoen. Silence stretched between them.

Fu Xiaoen forced a smile more pitiful than tears. "Hah, haha… Didn't you say you don't like men? How… how can someone get caught in a lie the moment they tell it?"

Jiang Yao's lips curled in a humorless smirk. "Is Master Ian up yet?"

Fu Xiaoen: "Housekeeper Jenny stayed with him last night."

"Then…?" Jiang Yao glanced at his watch. "I've got ten minutes. Care for a walk?"

He offered the milk. Fu Xiaoen clenched his fists, straining to pretend as if nothing had happened. "You drink it, you hypocrite!"

Jiang Yao downed the last drops and tossed the bottle into a nearby trash bin.

They walked in silence for minutes before Fu Xiaoen cracked. "Aren't you going to explain?"

"Don't cry," Jiang Yao said.

Fu Xiaoen: "I'm not crying!"

Jiang Yao smiled. "I'm not explaining because I don't want you thinking I'm making excuses."

Fu Xiaoen: "I'm giving you a chance!"

"Want the truth?" Jiang Yao asked.

Fu Xiaoen's heart pounded. His gut warned him he wouldn't like what came next, but it was too late to stop it.

"Men have needs," Jiang Yao shrugged, his phoenix eyes glinting with mischief—teasing, reminiscing, desiring. He swiped a thumb over his lips, then flicked his gaze to Fu Xiaoen's conflicted expression, dashing any hope with blunt finality. "You're not my type."

"Why?!" Fu Xiaoen nearly sobbed, voice cracking with indignation, accusation, and the sting of rejection. He never imagined he'd be this pathetic, like a pathetic stray begging for affection.

Jiang Yao replied coldly, "I don't get involved with my friends' little brothers. That's all the time we have. Let's head back."

Jiang Yao was unapologetic—unapologetically biased, unapologetically lustful, openly disinterested! Fu Xiaoen hated that honesty most of all!

Fists clenched, mind in chaos, Fu Xiaoen dogged Jiang Yao, relentless. "Are you really this easy? Simon can have you? Kai Li Er can have you?"

Jiang Yao didn't slow, his steps even lighter. His amused voice floated back. "Sure. A few kisses, a few touches—it's not like I lose a piece of myself."

"Slut!" It was the foulest word Fu Xiaoen could muster. "You—you whore!"

Jiang Yao ignored him. A white jogger was being harassed by a Black man on the roadside. Jiang Yao bounded over and kicked the aggressor away.

The man flew five meters, landing at Fu Xiaoen's feet, wailing, doubled over in pain.

Fu Xiaoen: "…"

"Should we call the police?" Jiang Yao checked on the jogger, who thanked him before dragging the assailant into a cab to the police station.

Jiang Yao left his contact, volunteering to provide surveillance footage as evidence.

"Sigh," Jiang Yao glanced at his watch. "I scheduled half an hour to trim the Christmas tree. Now I'll be late."

Fu Xiaoen: "Why… why help him? He's a grown man. What's the big deal if he gets harassed?"

Jiang Yao detected the barb but only smiled.

Fu Xiaoen pressed. "Say something! Talk!"

"Xiaoen," Jiang Yao said softly, "because I wanted to."

That was the last straw. Fu Xiaoen fled back to the estate, tears streaming.

System: *"You've really upset him."*

Jiang Yao quirked a brow, pulling out his phone to text Kai Li Er: *"We've been seen. The boss can't know. Let's cool it for a while."*

Kai Li Er kept calling repeatedly, but Jiang Yao hit mute. The moment he stepped inside, he spotted Simon posted up beside Ian.

He merely nodded in acknowledgment before cutting across the hallway to the backyard to trim the Christmas tree.

"I was wrong!" Simon chased after him, backing Jiang Yao into a corner. "I thought... I thought you were just toying with me!"

Last night, Jiang Yao's words—*I thought you were worth refusing Mr. Shen for*—had hit Simon like a ton of bricks.

He couldn't even fathom that Jiang Yao would go that far for him. After a night of soul-searching, he decided he had to make things right.

"I love you, I'm willing..." Simon held onto Jiang Yao for dear life, his lips brushing against his temples, mouth, and the back of his ears, while his hard-on dug unmistakably into him.

"I swear my loyalty to you, Jiang Yao—on the life I clawed back from the battlefield! Believe me! Please believe me!"

Jiang Yao pried Simon's hands away, his expression cold enough to stop Simon's heart.

Simon froze, not daring to take another step.

Jiang Yao walked away, ensuring Simon didn't follow before scrubbing a hand down his face. "I'm wiped."

Just as he relaxed, his phone buzzed.

A message from Shen Mo:

"Flights resumed. The summit went smoothly. Picked up some gifts for you at the auction house."

"Hope you've tied up your loose ends—everyone I know about, and those I don't."

Jiang Yao rubbed at his temples, then put on his practiced, perfect smile in the reflection of the nearby window, reciting his well-rehearsed line: "I'm just an ordinary butler, nothing more."

Sigh...

What did he do to deserve this?