Chapter 14: Australian Rock Lobster

Chapter 14: Australian Rock Lobster

"During spring break, my friends and I want to go to Fiji. Big brother, could you arrange a private jet charter for us?" Wen Haochen asked cautiously, his index finger tracing patterns on the tabletop.

Wen Zhaofu's smile vanished, replaced by a direct, unwavering gaze at Wen Haochen.

Whenever Wen Zhaofu adopted that serious expression, Wen Haochen genuinely felt a pang of apprehension. He shivered slightly, but for the sake of his dear friends, he resolved to endure.

"Aren't commercial flights available?" Wen Zhaofu asked, still reining in his emotions.

Wen Haochen offered an awkward laugh. "They are, but a charter would be more convenient, wouldn't it?"

"Xiao Yun, please calculate how much they could save by not chartering a private jet," Wen Zhaofu said in a low voice.

The head butler turned to fetch a pen and paper for Yun Fan, but Yun Fan waved him off, merely furrowing his brow slightly, muttering to himself while counting on his fingers.

"Oh, young master, if you take a commercial flight, you could afford eight to ten more snorkeling trips, five or six more skydiving sessions, and even chase after dolphins three or four times. You could also indulge freely in food and drinks—even an Australian rock lobster per person wouldn't be out of the question."

Wen Haochen swallowed hard. "How did you calculate that so quickly?"

"I'm thrifty," Yun Fan said, patting his chest. "Of course, I have to be meticulous with my calculations."

Seeing Wen Haochen convinced, Wen Zhaofu finally spoke. "Other families are doing their best to cut expenses. We can't give the public an impression of extravagance."

"Which of your friends can't have their parents arrange a private jet? Why does it have to be you making the request?"

Wen Haochen's eyes widened in disbelief, looking first at Wen Zhaofu and then turning to Yun Fan. Yun Fan nodded sympathetically, thinking to himself, "Young master, you've been duped again."

"Ah! I'm not going! They're bullying me!" Wen Haochen exclaimed angrily, pressing his hands against his head.

Wen Zhaofu gently tapped the table. "You should still go. Strengthening friendships is important. Listen to Xiao Yun and spend your money where it truly matters."

Huh? Wasn't this family supposed to listen to Big Brother? How did it become about listening to Xiao Yun?

Wen Haochen looked up. This newcomer, Yun Fan—was he a butler or more like a boss?

*

The next day, the head butler formally assigned the task of preparing afternoon tea. The Matriarch had specifically requested to see Yun Fan's ideas, so the head butler had no choice but to let Yun Fan take charge.

The head butler had already witnessed enough of Yun Fan's unpredictability. He hoped Yun Fan would stick to the rules and complete this task without any mishaps.

Yun Fan hadn't thought that far ahead yet; he was still marveling at the extravagance of the wealthy family. Of course, he understood the Matriarch's intention—this was his first time making an appearance before the Wen family, and she wanted him to establish a firm footing.

The head butler took Yun Fan and Uncle Man to a major hotel under the Wen Group to learn how to prepare afternoon tea.

This was a routine every household followed, and the head butler had to go through the process as well.

Whenever he left the house, Yun Fan grew excited. While waiting for Uncle Man in the courtyard, Wen Haochen ran over. Yun Fan blinked and asked him, "Don't you have to go to school?"

"I have to go sign a contract. This is more important," Wen Haochen said enthusiastically. "This is the first time I'm independently completing a project. It's very significant."

Yun Fan nodded, thinking that perhaps wealthy families had a different approach to raising children. He widened his eyes and asked Wen Haochen what was going on, only to see Wen Haochen pull a book out from his chest.

"I found a Michelin supermarket guide. Want to go explore it with me?" Wen Haochen said excitedly. "Don't worry, I'll pay for it myself. I won't use the family's money."

Yun Fan shook his head. "Sorry, I have work to do."

"Accompanying me to the supermarket is work too," Wen Haochen said, patting him. "I'll go talk to Uncle Cheng."

Yun Fan still shook his head. "To be honest with you, even though I usually slack off, this time I can't embarrass Mr. Zhaofu."

Wen Haochen paused mid-step, looking at Yun Fan in surprise. "This doesn't seem like you. You even dared to summon my big brother with a bell. Why would you care about his reputation?"

"And you—using a Michelin guide to go supermarket shopping," Yun Fan looked at him, shaking his head with a smile.

Watching Yun Fan get into the head butler’s car, Wen Haochen pouted. He had just had his hair styled, radiating a clean, sunny freshness.

While at the barber’s, he remembered the feel of sun-warmed laundry and asked for a haircut that evoked the same sensation.

Previously, Wen Haochen thought Yun Fan was an unconventional type, inherently unruly, since he kept breaking the butler’s rules. But now, to think he would obediently get into the car to learn a skill for Wen Zhaofu’s sake—this surprised him greatly.

*

Considering Uncle Man’s size, Yun Fan took the initiative to sit in the back seat of the sports car. This was a car Wen Zhaofu had rewarded the head butler with last year. It was slightly better than Wen Haochen’s, as it had a roof.

"Well, the young master has always been generous, so you all need to do your best," the head butler said while driving. "Especially you, Yun Fan. You need to turn over a new leaf."

Yun Fan nearly laughed out loud. Uncle Man turned to look at him and noticed he didn’t seem displeased at all. Yun Fan replied, "Alright, I'll be so proper it's almost rebellious."

"Butler Xiao Yun is quite good. After he arrived, I finally found someone who understands me," Uncle Man said with unusual certainty.

Yun Fan patted Uncle Man’s back, stopping him from saying more. Uncle Man had been under a lot of pressure before, and Yun Fan had advised him plenty. But he didn’t want Uncle Man to argue with the head butler on his behalf, so he cut him off in time.

"Work isn't about making friends. Do you understand what I'm saying?" the head butler shook his head helplessly.

Seeing that Uncle Man was about to argue again, Yun Fan quickly said, "Uncle Man, since we're out, let's think about how to fill the fridge!"

"Heh heh, good idea," Uncle Man replied. "You mentioned before what the young master likes to eat. I'll stock up on more of that."

"Pudding. Mr. Zhaofu likes pudding," Yun Fan said. "He really liked the mango pudding you made. If it hadn't been so late that day, he would've asked for another."

The head butler looked puzzled. "Really? How come I didn't know about this?"

"Uncle Cheng, these things require an observant eye, not rigid rules," Uncle Man said mysteriously.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew awkward, especially since the head butler considered himself the one who knew Wen Zhaofu best.

The car fell silent for a while before the head butler changed the subject. "Hey, Yun Fan, are you feeling stuffy? Should I open the sunroof?"

"Oh, thanks, but no need—" Before Yun Fan could finish, the head butler had already pressed the button.

The dark cloud drifting in the sky seemed to have chosen that exact moment to dump a bucket of rain. Yun Fan was instantly drenched by the sudden downpour, yelping in surprise as he wiped his face.

"Uncle Cheng! Do you have a grudge against me?" Yun Fan exclaimed in shock.

This accident was something the head butler truly hadn’t anticipated. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to look at Yun Fan with deep apology.

Since they were going to meet chefs from a major hotel today, Yun Fan had specifically worn formal attire. Now, both his jacket and shirt were completely soaked through.

They were already halfway there. Turning back to Wen Yanlan’s residence to change would make them late for their appointment.

"Is the Wen Group nearby?" Uncle Man glanced outside. They were parked on a mountain road near the harbor.

"That tall building is it," Yun Fan pointed. "Let me ask Mr. Zhaofu if I can go there to change."

This decision shocked the head butler. Was such a small matter worth disturbing Wen Zhaofu? But since he was the one who caused Yun Fan to get drenched, he couldn't very well stop him.

"Right, you need to get cleaned up. The AC is on full blast—you could catch a cold," Uncle Man added.

Yun Fan quickly sent a message to Wen Zhaofu. To his surprise, Wen Zhaofu replied immediately, telling them to come to the group’s building right away.

When they arrived at the towering skyscraper, Wen Zhaofu’s assistant was waiting at the entrance. As soon as he saw Yun Fan, he immediately brought out a large towel and wrapped him up.

"Mr. Wen is in a meeting and sent me to get you." The assistant turned to the head butler and Uncle Man, "You two can go to the tea room to wait."

Wen Zhaofu's assistant was very efficient. Though his attitude wasn't forceful, he had everything arranged so thoroughly that it left no opening for others to interject.

He took Yun Fan up the elevator, going up to the higher floors. Yun Fan watched as the buildings on the ground grew smaller and smaller, until they looked like matchboxes.

The vastness of the sea spread out before him. The higher the elevator climbed, the closer the sky seemed.

"Achoo!" As the elevator doors opened, a blast of cooler air hit him. Yun Fan couldn't hold back and let out a hearty sneeze.

His damp clothes clung to him, uncomfortable. The assistant quickly led him inside, stopping at a door toward the back of the floor and knocking.

"Come in." It was Wen Zhaofu's voice.

The door opened, and Wen Zhaofu, who had just returned to his office and was still seated in his wheelchair, caught sight of a drenched Yun Fan.

Having already taken off his jacket, Yun Fan was tightly wrapped in his white shirt. The water had soaked through, clinging to his frame. His moist eyes met Wen Zhaofu's gaze, his bangs plastered to his forehead.

Wen Zhaofu's throat tightened, and his hands unconsciously clenched. He had never seen Yun Fan like this, yet he felt a sense of relief that he had been able to respond to Yun Fan's call for help.

He looks so obedient, Wen Zhaofu thought.

Author's Note:

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Haochen: Xiao Yun is like a secret weapon for dealing with the boss [chin in hand].