Chapter 3: Yin-Yang Milk Tea

Chapter 3: Yuanyang Milk Tea

Wen Zhaofu smiled again, but this time, he lowered his head.

"You all carry on; I'm heading back to my room. Shi Ning will be here this afternoon for my check-up." Wen Zhaofu manipulated the spherical button on his wheelchair's armrest, and the chair, with him in it, turned ninety degrees.

The old butler pushed the wheelchair a few steps. "Time for another check-up already? How quickly the days fly by."

Wen Zhaofu said nothing, merely raising a hand, and the old butler stopped following. Yun Fan watched as he skillfully maneuvered the wheelchair into the elevator alone.

Unlike his earlier demeanor, before the elevator doors closed, Wen Zhaofu’s expression was serene, his gaze cast downward, as if lost in thought.

"Ah, don’t be fooled by how Young Master Zhaofu always seems so composed on the outside—he’s had it tough, really," the old butler said, sitting back down and picking up a box from the chair.

Perhaps out of professional discretion, the old butler didn’t elaborate. Yun Fan thought to himself, this is practically the standard tragic backstory for a powerful character in a novel. It’s not enough to be handsome; you have to be strong too. And if you’re both handsome and strong, you still have to suffer.

Excelling in all aspects, earning a chorus of gasps and admiration.

The old butler’s voice pulled Yun Fan from his thoughts as he began explaining the job requirements. At first, Yun Fan could keep up, but as the page filled with more and more words, he grew increasingly anxious.

"You’ll be staying in the room next to Young Master Zhaofu. Any time he has a request, you must respond to it."

"When Master Haochen returns home, he may also stay here. The same service requirements and standards apply."

"There are quite a few staff at the Wen Yanlan residence. Professional interactions are fine, but avoid personal ones."

"Most importantly, a butler must never fall in love with their employer."

"Remember, we must live up to the compensation we receive from our employers."

Hearing this, Yun Fan’s eyes lit up. The old butler gave a faint, insincere smile: "The Wen family has always been generous. Your annual salary is 2.5 million yuan, plus holiday bonuses."

Yun Fan took a sharp breath. Aside from the number being inauspicious, he had no complaints about the money itself! The old butler shot him a sidelong glance: "Of course, your income is still less than mine, but you’re young—there’s plenty of room for raises."

"I’m satisfied!" Yun Fan immediately sat up straight, and even the dense notes seemed less daunting now.

Temporarily pumped up, Yun Fan mustered his energy to listen to the old butler’s earnest instructions. Seeing Yun Fan’s serious attitude, the old butler clasped his hands, then picked up a book as thick as a brick from the side.

The old butler glanced around cautiously, confirming no one was nearby, before stroking the book’s cover reverently.

"Well, this 'Wen Family Butler Regulations' was passed down from my grandfather, to my father, then to me," the old butler said meaningfully. "Now, I’m giving it to you."

With that, the old butler solemnly lifted the hefty book with both hands and placed it in Yun Fan’s hands. Yun Fan swallowed hard, noticing the mottled marks on the cover. This book was far older than him—it was practically an antique.

He carefully set the book on the table, rubbed his hands together, and turned to the first page. What greeted him was elegant English script. He read it with a frown: "To you, who serve the Wen family."

As he flipped further, he saw it was all in English, entirely handwritten, and nearly illegible.

Yun Fan looked up at the old butler. The old butler nodded: "Your English is decent, right?"

"Well, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, SAT, TOEIC, BEC…" Yun Fan listed them off one by one, and the old butler’s eyes filled with anticipation. "Yeah, I never took any of those."

"I just passed Level 6 in college."

The light in the old butler’s eyes went out.

After a moment, the old butler seemed to pep himself up and patted Yun Fan cheerfully: "Young man, just keep learning."

Then he stood up, leaving Yun Fan alone, staring blankly at the hefty tome.

*

Top-tier wealthy families—more rules than the Forbidden City.

The more Yun Fan read, the more despair he felt, which reminded him of his time working on the 53rd floor. He couldn’t understand how anyone’s brain could hold so many rules, nor what the original creators of these rules were thinking.

Propping his chin in his hands, he gazed at the neatly trimmed trees in the distance, trying to calm himself and piece together the novel’s plot.

Soon, the main gong would approach him, this insignificant butler, and use his connection to ingratiate himself with the wealthy. Then the main shou would use the path laid by the main gong as a springboard to enter other wealthy families.

In the end, the main gong would abandon him. Heartbroken and worn down from overwork, he would fall ill and die in a foreign land.

Yun Fan shuddered, snapped out of it. What? Suffer at work, and then suffer in love too?

Whoever wants that can have it—he’s not having any!

In his previous life, he collapsed at work. Now that he’s transmigrated into a book, is he still doomed to a workhorse fate? No way—he can’t repeat the same ending twice. This time, he’s going to change things!

But the pay from this wealthy family is really high… Yun Fan shrugged and scratched his cheek.

Not far away, Wen Zhaofu, who had just emerged from the elevator in his wheelchair, saw Yun Fan sitting there, alternating between looking energized and dejected.

Wen Zhaofu smiled slightly, pressed a button, and his silent wheelchair glided forward slowly. Yun Fan, lost in his own world, didn’t notice at all.

"No, my life is most important!" Yun Fan clenched his fist and slammed the table. "Time to slack off! Gloriously slack off!"

Instantly, he devised a plan. He shut the butler’s bible firmly, locking away his heart. Stay away from scumbags, lie flat and slack off. Wait until the time is right, get fired by the Wen family, and go home to farm.

That’s right—life’s too short to work yourself to death. Hide your abilities, make a big show of it, and start slacking off now!

He wasn’t afraid of a bad employment record or having to swallow his pride. He was going home to farm.

Wen Zhaofu watched Yun Fan’s thin back with some confusion, seeing him clench and unclench his fist, straighten his back, and take deep breaths as if performing a ritual.

"Xiao Yun." Wen Zhaofu spoke softly, afraid of startling him.

Still immersed in his own world, Yun Fan jumped slightly and turned around abruptly: "M-Master? Do you move without making a sound?"

As soon as he said it, Yun Fan covered his mouth. Wen Zhaofu indeed didn’t walk—he couldn’t.

Wen Zhaofu waved it off with a smile and pointed at the hefty book, lowering his voice: "I’m not that hard to deal with. You can relax."

As soon as he saw Wen Zhaofu’s face, Yun Fan couldn’t help but stare blankly. He wondered: Is this god-like boss testing him?

He still needs to save some money. It seems he can’t slack off too much for now, or else the severance pay (N+1) will be too little. Who knows if this family will even recognize his previous work experience?

"Xiao Yun?" Seeing no response after a while, Wen Zhaofu called again.

Yun Fan quickly let out a long "Ohhh," and cleared his throat. Being stared at by such a handsome guy—frankly, it made him a bit shy.

"Okay, Master." Yun Fan put on a professional smile and turned back to Wen Zhaofu.

But then, Yun Fan noticed Wen Zhaofu wasn’t smiling anymore. He was just gazing steadily, his expression profound. Yun Fan had no idea what he was thinking and felt inexplicably nervous.

"Don’t call me 'Master,'" Wen Zhaofu said.

Yun Fan paused, responding instinctively: "Then… Boss?"

Wen Zhaofu continued looking at Yun Fan, his expression calm, his voice steady. But if you looked closely, you could see his hand clenched into a fist at his side.

"Sir. Mr. Wen."

*

After dinner, Yun Fan planned to study some English from the butler's manual. He had just sat down in his room when the elderly butler had someone summon him downstairs.

"The Grand Madame wants to see you," the elderly butler said with concern. "Be mindful of your words and actions."

The elderly butler escorted Yun Fan out and was about to give him directions to Taiping Qingshui Residence when he noticed Wen Zhaofu waiting on the garden path.

"Young Master?!" the elderly butler exclaimed in surprise.

"I'll take Yun Fan there," Wen Zhaofu said with a nod to the elderly butler.

Yun Fan followed Wen Zhaofu for a few steps before glancing back at the elderly butler, who looked both shocked and worried before finally waving him off.

Taiping Qingshui Residence was located at the center of Wen Yanlan's estate, with a direct path leading southwest from Langyun Terrace.

It was dark, and the path lights were dim. Yun Fan hadn't had the chance to see what the prestigious Wen family estate looked like.

As they walked—Yun Fan on foot, Wen Zhaofu in his wheelchair—Yun Fan cautiously glanced at Wen Zhaofu but was caught in the act.

"It's alright, the wheelchair has speed settings. Just walk at your normal pace," Wen Zhaofu said gently.

Yun Fan replied, "So advanced, like something from *The Terminator*."

Wen Zhaofu laughed. Yun Fan's words always managed to amuse him.

"Grandma just wants to meet you. There's no need to be nervous. She often says she owes your family a debt, and now she can finally repay it."

Yun Fan responded with an "Okay," curiously thinking to himself that Wen Zhaofu always told him not to be nervous.

In truth, he had always been highly adaptable since childhood, able to handle both stressful and relaxed days. Perhaps his earlier fainting spell had frightened the head of this wealthy family.

"My name is 'Not Nervous,'" Yun Fan declared confidently.

Wen Zhaofu looked up and saw Yun Fan under the soft yellow light. Yun Fan's profile was strikingly smooth, with a high nose bridge, and the lighting softened his contours.

The hazy atmosphere made Wen Zhaofu feel that this little butler, who had seemingly fallen from the sky, was a free-spirited little elf.

Grandma was already 93 years old. Dressed in a qipao, she greeted Wen Zhaofu and Yun Fan as they entered, saying, "Zhaofu, go make me a cup of yuanyang."

"At your service," Wen Zhaofu replied, patting Yun Fan's wrist. "You go to Grandma."

Around his elder, Wen Zhaofu set aside all the authoritative demeanor he carried at Langyun Terrace, becoming much more relaxed.

Yun Fan quickly walked over to Grandma and greeted her with a smile. Grandma pulled him down to sit beside her. "Good boy, follow Zhaofu's lead and call me Grandma too."

Lin Jiali was Wen Zhaofu's great-grandmother. His great-grandfather had passed away many years earlier. Wen Zhaofu had spent much of his childhood with her, and they shared a deep bond.

"Zhaofu makes excellent yuanyang milk tea. You should try some later," Grandma said with a slight raise of her eyebrow, smiling at Yun Fan.

Though her hair was white, the nonagenarian was still full of energy.

"There's some for me too?" Yun Fan exclaimed in delight.

At this, Grandma slightly withdrew her smile and said seriously, "Xiao Yun, times have changed. The butler's job is no different from any other—everyone is equal."

Yun Fan nodded obediently, thinking to himself, "That suits me just fine."

Wen Zhaofu, seated in his wheelchair, held a tray steadily on the armrest. As he approached the table, Yun Fan caught a rich, enticing aroma.

Just then, a young man burst through the main entrance. Hearing the commotion, Yun Fan quickly turned to look and saw someone with a bruised face and a crooked bowtie around his neck.

"Wen Haochen," Wen Zhaofu's voice carried clear displeasure.

The frowning young man stared directly at the porcelain cup in front of Wen Zhaofu and shouted, "Brother, I want yuanyang too!"

"None for you," Wen Zhaofu said, placing three cups on the table. "One for Grandma, one for Xiao Yun, and one for me."

"You—kneel in punishment."

Author's Note:

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The four kings are making their appearances one by one~