Chapter 38

Chapter 38

-

"Kaelir..." Jiang Yao stumbled backward, flustered by Kaelir's sudden, forceful advance.

Pushed against the window, his elbow knocked a vase on the sill. Kaelir, quick as a flash, snatched it from falling, set it aside, and then, in the same motion, pulled Jiang Yao close, leaning in.

He whispered into Jiang Yao's ear, "Why won't you see me?"

Jiang Yao averted his gaze. "I..."

"You said Mr. Shen would mind," Kaelir murmured, burying his face in Jiang Yao's neck, "but doesn't he have a fiancée?"

Jiang Yao looked at Kaelir, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. His long lashes fluttered, betraying his unease as he tried to avoid Kaelir's gaze.

Kaelir cupped Jiang Yao's face, his heart aching. "Do you love him? Shen Mo?"

Jiang Yao opened his mouth, then fell silent.

*System: "Host, why aren’t you saying anything?"*

Jiang Yao: "Kaelir seems genuinely heartbroken for me."

*System: "Oh my, he really seems to love you—he’s clearly devastated. Shouldn’t you explain?"*

Jiang Yao: "Too many people like me. One must learn to play dumb and reject when necessary."

Just like now, basking in Kaelir's attentions to replenish the energy he’d expended dealing with Shen Mo.

Shen Mo was no obedient dog to tame. Jiang Yao had to stay vigilant to outmaneuver that top-tier billionaire, a man formidable in both wits and strength.

Shen Mo was cunning. If Jiang Yao revealed even a hint of special affection, Shen Mo would exploit it—extorting, cajoling, puppeteering.

But luckily, Jiang Yao was just as sly.

"Enough..." Jiang Yao pushed away the man nuzzling his neck, letting out a muffled groan as his lips throbbed from Kaelir’s fervent kisses. "It hurts."

"You think acting weak will make me stop?" Kaelir lifted his head, the percentage above him surging to 80%. A mere kiss couldn't satisfy him—he wanted more.

Jiang Yao raised a hand, brushing the sheen from Kaelir’s mouth. "Because you remember what I said... I told you..."

"You said you’re a reserved Eastern man!" Kaelir suddenly lifted Jiang Yao, who gasped as his arms braced against the window frame, now seated precariously on the narrow windowsill.

"So I studied your Eastern culture. I know that to be with you, I must follow your rules."

Jiang Yao gave a languid hum of assent. From this angle, Kaelir had to look up at him, his coarse palms sliding over the fine fabric of Jiang Yao’s trousers, abrading delicate flesh, making Jiang Yao wince slightly.

Kaelir: "My father already agreed. All you have to do is say yes to marrying me..."

Jiang Yao chuckled, but the sound only spurred Kaelir to chase his lips again, gripping his waist tightly as he claimed every gasp.

The weightless sensation of hanging backward forced Jiang Yao to clutch the window frame with one hand and Kaelir’s collar with the other.

The kiss overwhelmed him—Jiang Yao struggled to keep up. He pressed a hand to Kaelir’s chest, then twisted sharply when the man’s breathing grew ragged.

Kaelir released him, eyes smoldering with restraint. "You refuse?"

"I don’t love you," Jiang Yao said softly.

Kaelir seized his chin. "You love Shen Mo? You’d remain in the Shen household, watching him with his wife day and night?"

Jiang Yao fell silent.

"To me, you’re a prized rose," Kaelir’s heart ached. "Would you really degrade yourself for him?"

Jiang Yao let out a muffled sound as Kaelir refused to relent, employing every skill to unravel him.

"Let me down..." Jiang Yao’s voice softened, his teasing tone trembling. His cheeks flushed, breath hot, the cordovan loafers on his feet scraping weakly against the wall. When he couldn’t take it anymore, he kicked Kaelir, who only grunted and held on tighter.

Jiang Yao feigned restraint: "Kaelir! Stop! We... ah... aren’t we best friends?"

Kaelir was past reason—the percentage above him skyrocketed to 100!

He growled, "Fine. Friends. The kind that shares beds."

Jiang Yao’s eyes shone with unshed tears as he looked down at Kaelir.

Arching his throat, he exhaled shakily. Kaelir's work-roughened fingertips made his vision blur. Instinct made him squirm, his balance tipping dangerously backward.

His gaze grew hazy, amber eyes mirroring the azure sky as a flock of birds suddenly took flight.

Jiang Yao licked his lips and kicked Kaelir in annoyance—he was too rough, marking virgin territory.

Kaelir was shoved back but immediately closed the distance again, not stopping until he tasted sweetness. When he finally looked up, his eyes were full of hope.

Jiang Yao lounged lazily against the window frame, his sated demeanor making Kaelir’s heart race.

His long lashes cast shadows over his eyes, like willows veiling a glimmering pool—just barely concealing its depths.

Kaelir had savored a drop of that spring, like a hound bestowed scraps by its keeper. Defying instinct, he’d trusted the cruelest human, sheathing fangs to sip delicately at fingertips.

Pleading, conniving, tail between legs—all for a scrap of affection, begging for another taste.

Though his body ached, Kaelir was content. He watched Jiang Yao eagerly, waiting for words that never came. The deeper he looked, the more his hope chilled.

Jiang Yao wasn’t lost in passion—his eyes held only frosty detachment.

Kaelir couldn’t bear it. He kissed him again.

Suddenly—

A gunshot!

Birds scattered, dogs barked!

Shards of tile showered down as a dead bird thudded beside them. The kiss broke as both turned toward the window.

Thirty feet away, Shen Mo watched them entwined.

A gunshot in Peaceful Nation meant trouble—Shen Mo would have a mess to clean up. Jiang Yao pushed Kaelir away, deliberately fastening his collar under Shen Mo’s gaze.

As he adjusted his clothes, the door burst open. Aili rushed in, shouting, "Gunshots!" Then froze, eyeing Jiang Yao’s undone fly with an awkward laugh.

Aili: "Sorry, Butler Jiang, did I...?"

At the door, Jerry gaped in shock. Fu Xiaoen, covering Ian’s eyes, shot Jiang Yao a wounded look before leaving.

Downstairs, Shen Mo was halted by Kaelir’s guards, who’d rushed over at the noise.

Simon snarled at encroaching guards, but even he couldn't breach the cordon for Shen Mo.

Kaelir had to handle this situation. "I'll go come clean to Mr. Shen. Before that, don't go downstairs."

"Miss Aili!" Kaelir yanked the window shut and turned to look at the pale-faced Aili. "Please stay with Butler Jiang. Thank you. Lock up from the inside—it'll be hard for outsiders to get in!"

Jiang Yao: "Huh?"

"Hey!" Just as Jiang Yao was about to speak, Kaelir had already hurried downstairs.

To him, Shen Mo stumbling upon this was an opportunity. He would talk things over with Shen Mo properly. After all, Shen Mo's fiancée was present, and he believed the Shen family wouldn't easily give up a chance for an alliance.

Aili still didn’t know it was Shen Mo who had arrived. As a gesture of sincerity in their conversation, Kaelir was naturally willing to help Shen Mo keep it from his fiancée.

Aili watched Kaelir’s retreating figure and said cautiously, "Don’t worry, I’ll keep Butler Jiang safe."

With that, Aili gently locked the door. After ensuring it was secure, she turned to Jiang Yao, who licked his lips, staring at the "100%" excitement meter above Aili’s head.

"Miss Aili..."

"Call me Mr. Ace." Aili stepped closer to Jiang Yao, smiling, his voice now deep and brimming with masculine charm.

"So sexy, darling." Aili gazed at Jiang Yao obsessively. "How far did you go with him?"—asking how far things had gone between Jiang Yao and Kaelir.

Jiang Yao said, "Kaelir gives good head."

Aili’s breathing instantly quickened. He clung to Jiang Yao relentlessly, as if oblivious to the commotion downstairs, his voluminous skirts covering Jiang Yao’s leather shoes.

"Let me get in on this too, darling," Aili said.

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow. He lifted his hand and wiped his palm, still damp from Kaelir, on Aili’s favorite skirt. "Did you clean up properly?"

Aili narrowed his eyes in bliss. "Damn, just one sentence from you gets me hot, Butler Jiang..."

Aili grabbed Jiang Yao’s hand and moved it to his cheek. "Wipe it clean here."

Jiang Yao’s palm tingled from Aili’s breath. He didn’t pull away. "Still covered in makeup. Not clean enough."

Aili chuckled and began licking Jiang Yao’s palm clean, from the center to the base of his fingers, then to the most sensitive fingertips.

He even gave two playful nips with his teeth.

Jiang Yao pulled his hand back, his desire reignited. But he wasn’t one to indulge in lust. His purpose for visiting Kaelir today had already been fulfilled.

After venting, he had no interest in round two anytime soon. "Miss Aili, we should go downstairs and check."

Aili hissed under his breath. "You’re rejecting me! Jiang Yao!"

Aili was furious. He ripped off his bonnet, grabbed Jiang Yao, twisted his arms behind his back, and shoved him against the couch.

"Am I not as good as Shen Mo? Or Kaelir?"

"Or are you just a one-shot wonder?"

Jiang Yao exhaled softly. He thought it was time to put Aili in his place.

Aili worked in a special operations division. The nature of his company required every non-logistics operative to master combat skills beyond the ordinary.

So, Aili hardly worried about being overpowered by a deceptively slender Asian man. Yet the reality was, not only was he overpowered, but his skirt was also pushed up to his hips.

Aili immediately surrendered.

Jiang Yao waited—one second, two, ten... Then he suddenly smirked. "Aili, you’re begging for me to fuck you, aren’t you, you slut?"

Aili’s face burned red. He turned his head and saw Jiang Yao’s wicked grin, the lingering satisfaction making him look like an overripe fruit ready to split.

Aili had never been a bottom, but suddenly, the idea didn’t seem so bad—if it was Jiang Yao. "So, are we doing it?"

"Here?" Jiang Yao undid Aili’s corset ties.

Aili instinctively arched his back, pressing his hips up invitingly.

The noise downstairs faded. The sound of a door opening came from the next room—Jiang Yao recognized the footsteps. Shen Mo must've caved, giving Kaelir a chance to talk.

Aili tensed up. "They can't hear us, right? I haven’t gotten what I came for yet..."

"Now you’re scared?" Jiang Yao pressed down, something hot pressing against him. Aili shuddered, glancing back fearfully. A long-fingered hand gripped his chin. "What are you looking at?"

Aili: "You wouldn’t... I just wanted to check..."

"Fucking you would be easy," Jiang Yao murmured. "You waxed?"

Aili: "Yeah... Fuck, no lube...? Wait—?"

Aili suddenly shoved Jiang Yao away, staring at him in disbelief.

Jiang Yao stumbled back, bumping into the desk behind him. He burst out laughing, twirling a calligraphy brush about the thickness of a finger in his hand.

Aili was livid. Jiang Yao was seriously going to use that brush to—

Aili: "Jiang Yao! You fucking bastard!"

"Shh." Jiang Yao whispered. "Angry? Not your pretty self, Miss Aili."

Aili immediately pulled out a mirror from his handbag, confirming he still looked like a dashing woman before glaring at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao crooked his finger, beckoning him closer, then brushed the brush’s bristles over Aili’s lips. "Aili, relax. There’ll be plenty of time for that later. Don’t worry."

Aili eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

Jiang Yao hummed. "But I think you should do something more important now."

Aili: "What?"

Jiang Yao reminded him, "Shen Mo isn’t here. Neither is Ian. They’ll take over half the villa’s bodyguards. This is the perfect opportunity."

Aili froze, then came back to his senses. He spun twice, picked up his hat—trampled earlier—and placed it back on his head. Extending his white-gloved hand with delicate fingers, he said, "Butler Jiang, I’m tired."

"Of course, my dear Miss Aili." Jiang Yao bowed gracefully, took his hand, and brushed his lips over it. "I’ve already called a car."

Aili: "When?"

"Ten minutes ago." When Shen Mo appeared downstairs.

Aili: "...You sly fox! You were toying with me all along!"

Jiang Yao escorted Aili downstairs. From another parlor, Shen Mo observed from the window, taking in the scene. Behind him, Kaelir and his father had been bickering endlessly.

The Kaelir family had been entrenched in Country G for over a century, supplying fine liquor to the island’s elite and amassing connections. Going against them now would bring no immediate advantage.

Shen Mo’s face darkened. "Butler Jiang will serve the Shen family for life."

This sentence completely shattered the illusions of Kaelir and his father.

Kaelir said unhappily, "Can't he get married?"

"He is the butler," Shen Mo replied. "A day in service to the Shens means a lifetime in service."

"Simon, let's go." Shen Mo said coldly, leading Simon away. At the door, he noticed the flower basket on the table.

Kaelir's father said, "This is a gift from Butler Jiang, along with a renewal contract for next year's liquor supply to the Shen family."

With that, Kaelir's father handed one of the signed contracts to Shen Mo, who took it, glanced at it casually, and tore it up on the spot.

"No need for renewal," Shen Mo said. "The Kaelir family is in decline, but even a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. I suppose you don’t really need the Shen family’s insignificant contract."

Kaelir frowned, holding back his agitated father. "Mr. Shen, do not slander my family."

"Your family refuses to embrace advanced civilization. The only path awaiting you is destruction! Wake up, Kaelir! What do you have to compete with me?" Shen Mo's voice was low, like the threatening growl of a lion.

Kaelir retorted, "Does advanced civilization also mean disloyalty to one's partner? Does it mean carrying firearms in the Peaceful Nation?"

Shen Mo curled his lips and scoffed, "Kaelir, it's a pity you'll never understand the intoxicating allure of power."

Shen Mo picked up the tea from the table, sniffed it, then flipped his hand, spilling it onto the floor. "My apologies. The Kaelir family should stick to drinking wine."

Kaelir's father trembled with rage. Having known Shen Mo and his father for nearly forty years, this was the first time he realized that the seemingly refined businessman could be so ruthless and despicable!

All because the Kaelir family refused to engage in commerce or politics! Simply by relying on their wine collection business, they were gradually looked down upon by the Peaceful Nation's new billionaires!

When Shen Mo went downstairs, Jiang Yao was still standing with his hands folded in front of him, waiting. Seeing Shen Mo, he smiled gently. "Sir, what brings you here?"

Jerry, standing two meters away, guiltily averted his gaze.

Fu Xiaoen held Ian and paid a servant a hundred euros to buy a small rabbit.

On the way back, the car was as silent as the night.

Upon returning to the villa, Shen Mo only said two words: "Come up."

The entire house instantly froze over.

Fu Xiaoen shot Jiang Yao a nervous glance.

Even Simon slowly shook his head at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao said, "I'll go up first."

Fu Xiaoen whispered, "Let's go..."

"Fool." Jiang Yao chuckled and turned to go upstairs.

Simon asked, "You told Jiang Yao to go with you? Where?"

Fu Xiaoen was startled—he had just spoken to Jiang Yao in Chinese. How did Simon, a foreigner, understand?

"You..." Fu Xiaoen hesitated.

Simon replied in halting Mandarin, "I learned a little." For Jiang Yao.

Fu Xiaoen waved his hand. "It's nothing, only teasing."

Simon kindly reminded him, "Jiang Yao can't leave. Do you know Housekeeper Jenny?"

"Didn't Housekeeper Jenny retire?" Fu Xiaoen asked, puzzled.

Simon said, "Housekeeper Jenny knew too much. Though retired, Mr. Shen won’t allow her to move freely."

Buying her an estate sounded like gratitude for her service to the Shen family, ensuring her and her family’s comfortable retirement. But in reality, the estate would be surrounded by Shen family's people, watching Jenny till she dies—

So she could never reveal the Shen family’s secrets.

Fu Xiaoen went cold as he stared wide-eyed at Simon.

Simon fidgeted with his watch. The peaceful life had made him forget the danger until today, when he saw Shen Mo accurately shoot a moving bird high in the sky.

It shocked him awake—what had passed between them was tantamount to provoking an opponent with absolute authority.

If he and Shen Mo were discovered like this, without even the Kaelir family’s background, would Shen Mo let him live?

Simon wasn’t sure.

-

"What do you want?" Jiang Yao asked lazily, already tired of dealing with Shen Mo in the same place every time.

Shen Mo’s eyes gleamed with madness. "What parts of you did he touch?"

Jiang Yao remained silent, only gazing at Shen Mo with unreadable dark eyes.

Shen Mo knelt before him, fingers clawing into the carpet as he begged humbly, "I know I shouldn’t interfere with your interactions... but... could you just keep me as your one and only dog?"

Jiang Yao raised his wrist, checking how long Aili had been gone and whether she had stolen what he wanted.

Shen Mo didn’t accuse or blame Jiang Yao. He seemed afraid to mention Jiang Yao’s intimacy with others, frantically pivoting. "On the flight back, I saw an island. Maybe we could vacation there briefly... What do you like? There’s an art exhibition in M Country—I’ll have someone acquire pieces you'd enjoy... Or money? Your account can only receive €2M daily. I’ve already wired it..."

Jiang Yao lounged on Shen Mo’s sofa, scrolling absently on his phone when a notification flashed.

"Victor wins first place in Polish Grand Prix! He won! He’s advancing to the finals!" Jiang Yao lit up, unable to contain his delighted expression!

Shen Mo’s fragile smile instantly crumbled.

Jiang Yao said, "Want to please me? Then give Victor a hundred million to secure his F1 championship."

Shen Mo held his tongue, biting back refusal.

Jiang Yao added, "Of course, you can refuse."

"No!" Shen Mo muttered. "I don’t want to defy you in anything... Yes, I’ll pledge a hundred million to Victor... to buy his F1 championship."

Jiang Yao smiled, smug. "That's my good boy. Hungry? Let me check what's in the kitchen."

Pushing his luck for a favor, Shen Mo rasped, "I want Chinese food."

"Of course!"

"Eggs have a hundred preparations!"

Jiang Yao’s voice trailed off as he exited. Shen Mo pushed off his knees and slowly stood up, setting his jaw as he walked to the desk and dialed a number.

"A hundred million euros—buy Ferrari Victor."

"A billion euros—make sure Ferrari Senna wins, and break Victor’s legs."

A few days passed.

Jiang Yao was watching the servants care for the horses at the farm in the back mountain. Spring was approaching, and a foal would soon be born.

The letters Jiang Yao had sent out under Shen Mo's name started receiving replies.

Some were penned by housekeepers, while a few wealthy individuals expressed great admiration for Jiang Yao through their words.

Most, however, were from various company executives who collaborated with Shen Mo.

The letters all remarked that they had assumed this year's New Year gifts would still be prepared by Housekeeper Jenny, only to find they had been replaced by a young butler.

Thus, aside from the usual pleasantries, the perfumes, scarves, and other items traditionally gifted to Jenny had been swapped for gifts more appropriate for a young man.

Jiang Yao was swamped with gifts.

The system tsked in disbelief, could hardly believe that Jiang Yao had profited once again.