Chapter 9

Chapter 9

That was too close!

The air conditioning was set low, yet a steady heat pressed against his waist.

In his shock, Jiang Jining forgot all about almost falling, putting his hands up to push, "...Let me down."

Fu Yuze let him go the moment he spoke, bending slightly as he said, "Steady now."

Jiang Jining forgot his manners the moment his feet touched the ground.

He quickly stepped back onto a stair, holding onto the pillar as he tried to figure out what was going on. Had the housekeeper mentioned any guests coming today?

The housekeeper in the living room had just finished setting out the morning tea. Seeing the situation by the stairs, she grabbed a throw blanket from the armchair. "Oh, it's chilly in the morning. Why did you come down without changing?"

Bundled up in the blanket, Jiang Jining didn't even get a chance to glance at Fu Yuze. Without a word, he dashed upstairs.

"This child—"

As she watched him go, the housekeeper hurriedly called after him, "Ningning, what did you need just now? I didn't quite catch it."

His footsteps stopped.

Jiang Jining's gold bracelet *thudded* against the railing. He leaned out, revealing a third of his body, yet his eyes first landed on Fu Yuze, who was now seated behind the coffee table to sip his tea. He averted his gaze and replied to the housekeeper, "To wash my hair."

The housekeeper gestured toward the courtyard. "Alright, come down to the greenhouse later then. I'll go tell Sister Xu."

Jiang Jining turned his back and went upstairs.

Fu Yuze watched the housekeepers going about their tasks methodically, a familiar sight. He asked, "He's willing to let the housekeeper wash it?"

In his impression, Jiang Jining disliked being touched by others, as he'd just demonstrated.

"Yes, it's always been like this," replied the housekeeper currently attending to him. She had known Fu Yuze for as long as she'd held her position and was completely open with him. "Is President Bian going on a long business trip this time? He's even entrusted Ningning to you."

"The return date isn't confirmed yet."

Fu Yuze offered no further explanation.

A stack of neatly piled books lay on the coffee table. He casually picked one up and began flipping through it. "Take your time, no need to rush him."

The pages had been left open for too long, leaving creases.

The stack consisted mostly of poetry and novels—ranging from the *Three Hundred Tang Poems*, *Analects*, and *Book of Songs*, to modern literary criticism, and numerous storybooks.

There were many annotations.

Fu Yuze initially thought they were written by the "Teacher Lin" the housekeeper mentioned. But upon closer inspection, the further he flipped, the more the annotations shifted from hard-tip pen to brush pen. It seemed the writer had acquired a more suitable tool, as the handwriting grew increasingly elegant and neat.

The annotations moved from the books themselves to slips of paper tucked between the pages... In moments of inspiration, the writing became crooked and uneven, even accompanied by little drawings.

Fu Yuze raised an eyebrow slightly.

He understood immediately who the writer was.

Most of it was overly sentimental and fanciful, but to be fair, the diction, phrasing, and classical grammar were flawless, and the calligraphy was beautiful.

*Snap!*

The moment Jiang Jining came downstairs and saw his book in Fu Yuze's hands, he immediately went over, took it with both hands, and closed it.

He, he was definitely going to be laughed at.

He read historical texts and books on propriety too, it wasn't like he only loved romantic fluff. Yet Fu Yuze had to pick *this* one!

No matter how embarrassed he felt inside, Jiang Jining didn't show it. He slowly set the book down and met Fu Yuze's composed, inscrutable gaze. "Why are you here so early in the morning?"

Fu Yuze inadvertently caught sight of his reddening ears. "Bian Jiacheng asked me to take you away."

?

Jiang Jining suddenly remembered something. "He went on a business trip?"

Seeing his utterly clueless expression, Fu Yuze said, "The housekeeper is waiting for you in the greenhouse."

Jiang Jining had many questions, but he still felt the lingering, greasy scent of food in his hair, having persisted through the night. It was really bothering him, so he decided to take care of himself first.

Fu Yuze watched the greenhouse from afar through the floor-to-ceiling window and called out to the housekeeper, "When did Jiacheng bring him back?"

The housekeeper thought for a moment. "Late May."

Fu Yuze: "Who is he? Where's his family? Why did Bian Jiacheng bring him to live here?"

Faced with this census-like interrogation, the housekeeper was momentarily stunned. "We don't know much about Ningning's affairs. However, it wasn't that President Bian forced him to stay."

So Jiang Jining chose to stay on his own?

Fu Yuze didn't doubt that might indicate something wrong with his head.

But the housekeeper continued, "The day Ningning arrived, President Bian was out celebrating Miss Han's birthday. He brought him back when he returned, saying Miss Han would be on a long business trip, working non-stop, and had asked him to look after Ningning for a while."

Bian Han.

Fu Yuze finally had a key piece of information.

They weren't close friends, having only crossed paths a few times.

Bian Jiacheng was the sole heir of the Jiasheng Group. Regardless of how lively and unrestrained his personality seemed, he genuinely wielded real power from his father. Within the entire extended family, everyone older or younger treated him with respect.

But Bian Han was the exception.

In terms of seniority, Bian Jiacheng called her his elder cousin.

With a five-year age gap, Bian Han feared nothing. As children, when visiting, she would reduce the little troublemaker Bian Jiacheng to tears, then suck on a lollipop pretending to be well-behaved while watching the show. When Bian Jiacheng acted like a king on his birthday, Bian Han would catch a toad and gift it to him. During a math class, Bian Han once received a call from her younger cousin bragging about an impending fight. Thinking he was about to get beaten up, she ran for fifteen minutes from her elementary school to his kindergarten to have his back.

As children, they played by their own rules.

Even now, they remained the closest among all their peers.

Bian Jiacheng's parents both adored this niece, crediting her with preventing their son from becoming a spoiled playboy and teaching him that the world still had rules.

Having been friends with Bian Jiacheng for over a decade, Fu Yuze was no stranger to her.

"What is Jiang Jining to Bian Han?"

Fu Yuze stood with his hands behind his back, looking towards the glass greenhouse where Jiang Jining was lying face down on a sofa, a housekeeper brushing his hair beside him.

"We never asked about that," the housekeeper answered truthfully. "Miss Han is very attached to Ningning. She said Ningning went through some severe trauma, lost his memory, and his parents and relatives aren't around. She'll come get Ningning once her work over there is finished."

After all that.

Fu Yuze could only guess one scenario—a love child.

But that was too farlandish.

Jiang Jining was nineteen, Bian Han was thirty-two this year.

At first glance, it might seem possible, but upon closer scrutiny, it could land someone in jail.

"Got it."

Fu Yuze watched Jiang Jining holding his hair, sniffing and smelling it, then squinting slightly with a faint smile before sitting up properly to wait for the nanny to put his hair up. "I'm going to take him with me soon. Could you get his things ready?"

The nanny said, "Alright."

...

Ten minutes later.

Jiang Jining glared at the luggage in front of him, his face set, and locked eyes with Fu Yuze. "When did I say I was going with you?"

Bian Jiacheng was really going too far.

He could clearly stay home alone, so why all this extra trouble?

The nanny brought over a thin booklet and handed it to Fu Yuze, who took it. "Shishu's trial operation for a week saw profits far exceeded expectations. The model needs appropriate adjustments. Once foot traffic hits a certain level, the restaurant will fully implement a reservation system."

Jiang Jining's head was spinning: "..."

What was he talking about?

Fu Yuze casually flipped through a few pages of the booklet, his gaze pausing for a few seconds before looking at Jiang Jining. "Come stay at my place. I'll cook for you, so you won't have to cab over to Shishu alone just to use your prepaid card."

Jiang Jining: "..."

He actually knew all along.

The nannies all shot him surprised looks.

"So that's how it is..."

"Ningning hasn't wanted to eat anything since that fainting spell from the blood and had that medicinal meal. No wonder he was going out every day before that."

"Mr. Fu owns a restaurant himself. The food at his place must be amazing. Go on, Ningning!"

The key to plumping Jiang Jining up was right there!

It's now or never.

Fu Yuze saw Jiang Jining's back ramrod straight, wringing his hands, and inexplicably sensed a hint of his unease. He told the maids to get back to work. "Let him decide for himself."

The longest-serving nanny wiped the table and said, "It's alright if he doesn't go. There'll always be someone here for him."

Even as they walked away, the nannies murmured their approval: "No wonder Boss Bian isn't worried... They say it's good for men to be hands-on with kids. See how different Young Master Fu is? He's so capable, just shows up and knows what to do."

Jiang Jining glanced at Fu Yuze.

Child? Could one have a child here without being married?

His pupils were round, gradually glazed with a layer of trust, which he quickly concealed with a blink, pursing his lips.

Fu Yuze just waited.

Jiang Jining turned it over in his mind, leaving only one last question: "When will Bian Jiacheng be back?"

"It's up in the air for now." Fu Yuze gave him a dose of reassurance. "But once Bian Han returns to Jingzhou, you can go home with her."

Jiang Jining was surprised he'd already looked into it.

Then again, it was the same thing the maids knew.

Fu Yuze decisively pulled out the big move: "Accommodation and food expenses will be deducted from the 118,000 yuan you have on your Shishu card. How about that?"

Jiang Jining felt even more reassured upon hearing this.

This way, it was an exchange of benefits, not a matter of owing a favor.

Moreover, he'd get the chef's special every day, no reservation needed. How great would that be?

"Alright."

A deal satisfactory to all was struck.

Not long after, this was the second time the butler, Uncle Lu, had seen Jiang Jining. Seeing his boss head to the trunk first, he smiled. "Xiao Ning is here."

"Take him to his room."

Fu Yuze handed the suitcase to the nanny, Aunt Tao, and added, "Uncle Lu, come with me for a moment."

They went their separate ways.

In the kitchen, with its large central island, Fu Yuze handed the booklet he had brought to Uncle Lu. "These are some of his daily habits. The earlier items have lower tolerance for error. Don't make him uncomfortable."

Uncle Lu started leafing through it right away. "Understood."

This "Jiang Jining Care Guide" was bound into a booklet.

First rule: No males allowed near.

Second rule: Jiang Jining needs his own room on his own floor. Do not disturb unless necessary. He values his quiet.

Third rule: Jiang Jining goes to bed at 8 PM and wakes up at 5 AM.

Fourth rule: Wash his hair every two days.

Fifth rule...

In total, there were only fifteen rules, all quite standard.

Uncle Lu could quickly memorize them all, not thinking this list of dos and don'ts was excessive in the least. If they were really raising a child at home, the precautions would far exceed these fifteen.

But one question arose—

"What does this first rule mean..."

Uncle Lu walked over to Fu Yuze, who had just changed into his kitchen uniform, and pointed at the line "No males allowed near."

Fu Yuze glanced at it, opened the disinfected cabinet, and took out the bowls and plates for meal prep. "Has Ningning's room been moved to the west second floor?"

Uncle Lu gave a nod. "Yes."

"Don't go up there unless you have to." Fu Yuze put on his food-grade black rubber gloves, pulled one of the woven baskets on the island counter, removed the oiled paper, and began preparing a piece of fresh pork belly with perfect marbling. "He's had some trouble at home and hasn't been around male elders much since childhood. He's wary of people stronger than himself, so please keep that in mind."

Uncle Lu asked, his words carrying a double meaning, "Does he only interact with girls?"

Fu Yuze began preparing ingredients, his knife never stopping as he gave a soft hum of agreement.

Uncle Lu had been pleased for some time upon learning about Bian Jiacheng's unrequited love. Jiang Jining happened to be a boy, and Fu Yuze was sure to like him—the Xieting estate, such a large property, had finally welcomed another new master.

But now it seemed like it was all for nothing.

Uncle Lu studied Fu Yuze covertly. He thought to himself: *Ningning is so beautiful—could he really have no interest at all?*

"You can leave now. Take care of what needs to be done."

When Fu Yuze took over the kitchen at home, he laid down the law—no chattering on the sidelines.

Uncle Lu sighed to himself. "Alright."

*

Jiang Jining hadn't had a quiet moment all morning and hadn't eaten breakfast properly either. So when Aunt Tao came to tell him that lunch would be served early, it was just what he wanted. "Good, I'll be there in a moment."

Aunt Tao added a special reminder, "The young master is about to go to the dining room."

Leaving again?

Fu Yuze must really enjoy playing the role of the helpful 'snail girl.'

Jiang Jining was even afraid that if he walked too slowly, he'd miss him altogether. As the new arrival, he couldn't be so rude. "I'll be quick."

After Aunt Tao left, he tidied up the books on the cabinet, took out a long, rectangular brocade box, unfastened the copper lock, and inside lay two purple-hair brushes of different thicknesses, which he set on the desk nearby.

He lit some cypress incense in the burner.

Jiang Jining loved the smell.

On impulse, he decided he'd practice calligraphy later. Once he was done, he stepped out of the small building and headed toward the dining room.

Fu Yuze's estate was named Xieting, a traditional courtyard-style residence in Jingzhou with double-story buildings on all four sides.

This time, Jiang Jining had been put up in the west courtyard, on the second floor.

The first floor combined a tea room and a library, clearly separated, inside and out, without interfering with each other. The tea room occupied only the outer area, while the inner section housed the library—floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with books, ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign. The indoor bookshelves even had a two-story staircase, like its own little world.

Jiang Jining had 'claimed' the place the moment he laid eyes on it.

Interestingly, there was a small door on the second level of the bookshelf that led directly to the corridor outside his bedroom.

Jiang Jining had spent the entire morning immersed in this paradise, totally forgetting the time.

He had, in fact, made a request on the way over, saying he didn’t want to stay in his previous room—mainly because it was too close to Fu Yuze’s master bedroom.

Fu Yuze said he would change it for him.

And this change landed him in a room he was happy to call his own.

Jiang Jining crossed the long corridor and stepped into the dining room to find Fu Yuze wiping his hands. Seeing him, Fu Yuze asked, "How’s the new room?"

Jiang Jining didn't hold back. "It's great."

"Then eat well."

Fu Yuze took the watch from Uncle Lu, glanced at the time, and fastened it to his wrist, not mentioning anything about leaving.

Jiang Jining looked at the table full of delicious food and still asked, "Have you eaten?"

Fu Yuze replied, "Not yet."

"Then finish eating before you go."

After inviting him to stay, Jiang Jining had nothing more to say.

They both had impeccable table manners, speaking little. Fu Yuze only said one thing when he first sat down: "Someone will come this afternoon to maintain the backyard swimming pool. You can go for a swim later."

Bian Jiacheng had specifically mentioned that Jiang Jining was extremely averse to exercise.

Based on the previous incident of jumping into the river.

Swimming might be a feasible option.

Swimming... pool?

Jiang Jining’s heart gave a little jump, missing a beat. So he had a large pool at home!