Chapter 5

Yuan Ying fell silent for a few seconds before suddenly turning to look out the window.

At her ostrich-like behavior, Zhu Feng let out a soft chuckle from his throat. He lowered his head to align the four corners of the duvet with the duvet cover, flipped it over, gave it a firm shake to smooth it out, then zipped it up—just like that, the duvet was perfectly fitted.

Yuan Ying had already shifted her gaze back to him while he continued working.

Watching his efficient movements, she had to admit that despite his roguish appearance, this man was annoyingly skilled at household chores.

After finishing all the bedding for four rooms, he wiped tables, mopped floors, opened windows for ventilation, and watered the plants.

By the time everything was tidied up, Yuan Ying had finished her lollipop. As she turned to leave, Zhu Feng blocked her path.

While working earlier, he had undone the top two buttons of his shirt. With him standing in her way, Yuan Ying’s face was now level with his faintly visible chest muscles.

Catching the faint scent of soap from him, she instinctively leaned back. What do you want?

I helped you finish all the work. Not even a glass of water? Zhu Feng retorted.

Yuan Ying frowned. Wasn’t it voluntary?

Zhu Feng laughed in disbelief. So just because it was voluntary, I don’t get water?

Yuan Ying stared at him for a few seconds before asking, Why did you really come to find me?

She had asked the same question yesterday, and Zhu Feng’s answer at the time was that he didn’t want a long-distance relationship anymore.

To prevent him from spouting nonsense again, Yuan Ying cut in before he could speak, Don’t say it’s because you don’t want a long-distance relationship. We’ve already broken up.

Zhu Feng looked down at her, his silver-gray hair trembling slightly in the air. We haven’t broken up.

Yuan Ying rolled her eyes, her gaze shifting to his chest muscles… or more precisely, the collar of the shirt covering them.

She was just an ordinary person with little exposure to luxury brands in daily life, but she still recognized the LV logo.

Glancing at the small label on his shirt, then at Zhu Feng’s extravagant face, and back to the label again, Yuan Ying understood. I know why you came to find me.

Zhu Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. Though he was certain her answer would be wildly off the mark, he still wanted to hear it.

Sure enough, Yuan Ying sneered, You’ve squandered all your family fortune and now you’re looking for a naive person to bail you out, right?

Zhu Feng fell silent for a moment before replying sincerely, My current assets are so substantial that even if the two of us spent recklessly day and night, we probably couldn’t exhaust them.

Oh really? Rich guy, prove it—transfer five million to me, Yuan Ying said, extending her hand.

Zhu Feng grasped her hand. I can, but it’ll take some time.

His palm was so warm it felt like it was overwhelming all her senses.

Yuan Ying had intended to pull away, but his words made her pause. Why?

My assets need three months to be unfrozen, Zhu Feng replied.

Yuan Ying smiled coldly. Do you also need me to pay an unfreezing fee?

That won’t be necessary.

Having had enough of the scammer’s nonsense, Yuan Ying pulled her hand back and slapped his wrist.

It didn’t hurt, but Zhu Feng deliberately let out a soft grunt.

Hearing it, Yuan Ying’s mood instantly improved. Just as she was about to cause more trouble, she noticed someone approaching from the staircase and immediately composed herself.

Zhu Feng smiled silently and tactfully took a step back, leaning against the wall as casually as an unrelated passerby.

Boss! the newcomer greeted warmly.

Recognizing who it was, Yuan Ying’s expression cooled slightly, though she remained polite. Aunt Feng, you’re late.

It was Feng Juan, the cleaning auntie from Jin Yuanbao.

Sorry, sorry, my electric bike suddenly broke down on the way. I spent a long time fixing it, Feng Juan quickly apologized. I’ll start working right away.

It’s already been tidied up. Go organize the courtyard instead, Yuan Ying said helplessly.

Feng Juan gave an embarrassed laugh: Okay, okay, I’ll go now.

With that, she turned and went downstairs.

Aunt Feng, Yuan Ying called after her.

Feng Juan stopped: Boss, is there something else?

Summer vacation is coming soon, and we might get more visitors. Please don’t take any leave for the next three months, and I hope there won’t be any more incidents of being late, Yuan Ying reminded her.

Feng Juan exclaimed: But most tourists come here during winter! There won’t be many people during summer vacation.

Regardless of how many people there are, you can’t be late anymore, Yuan Ying said with a smile.

Her tone was gentle and her attitude pleasant—even when giving a warning, it was hard to detect.

Feng Juan gave a perfunctory agreement and went straight downstairs.

After this small incident, the corridor fell quiet.

Yuan Ying rubbed her temples and turned her head to meet Zhu Feng’s thoughtful gaze.

What? she asked warily, expecting him to comment on her way of handling employees.

But Zhu Feng just smiled: It’s nothing.

Yuan Ying was taken aback. After a few seconds of silence, she went upstairs.

Zhu Feng watched her until she disappeared, then casually rubbed the red mark on his wrist where she had struck him.

Downstairs, Shu Lin—who was dedicated to building good relationships with everyone around the Queen—swam over to the front desk as soon as Feng Juan went upstairs: Was that another employee of Jin Yuanbao?

Without looking up, Xiao Yu replied: Yes, she’s the cleaner at our guesthouse.

Shu Lin glanced at the staircase to make sure no one was coming down before saying: I saw her at Qixian Erwo this morning.

Yeah, her nephew is the owner of Qixian Erwo, Xiao Yu responded dismissively.

Shu Lin paused: Then why doesn’t she work at her nephew’s shop… Never mind, that’s not the point. Did she just say she was late because her electric bike broke down?

Mm-hmm.

She’s lying. I ran into her at eight. Qixian Erwo is only five hundred meters from here—she could have walked over. There’s no way she’d be this late, Shu Lin whispered.

Xiao Yu glanced at him and continued staring at her computer: Oh.

…Just an ‘oh’? Shu Lin was speechless.

Xiao Yu: What else?

Go tell Boss Yuan! Shu Lin slapped the table, then grew suspicious. Or are you in cahoots with the cleaner?

Bullshit, of course I’m on the boss’s side.

Shu Lin: Then hurry up and tell Boss Yuan! That cleaner is terrible—she deliberately showed up late knowing there were group check-outs today, just to avoid work. Make sure Boss Yuan isn’t fooled.

Xiao Yu ignored him.

Frowning, Shu Lin kept urging her.

After the third reminder, Xiao Yu shut her computer and said, barely containing her impatience: This is an internal matter for Jin Yuanbao. As a guest, you really don’t need to worry about it.

Shu Lin stared at her for a few seconds, then turned and left: I’ll tell her myself!

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes, pulled out her phone, and started slacking off.

Adhering to his principle that the Queen’s business is my business, the Queen’s shop is my shop, Shu Lin hurried upstairs.

Just then, Yuan Ying—who had just finished showering and changing—was coming downstairs, and the two met on the staircase.

King… Boss Yuan, Shu Lin immediately recounted the entire incident from start to finish, concluding, Your cleaning lady isn’t honest!

Yuan Ying wasn’t one to take her anger out on others easily, even if this person was brought by Zhu Feng.

Seeing Shu Lin’s righteous indignation, Yuan Ying couldn’t help but laugh softly: Thank you for telling me this.

Shu Lin was momentarily disarmed by the Queen’s gentleness, his face flushing: N-Not at all. So how do you plan to handle this?

Yuan Ying seemed stumped by his question, hesitating for a long moment before saying: Actually, it’s normal for employees to occasionally arrive late or leave early. Just remind her and let it go. If it truly becomes a repeated offense despite warnings, then we can deal with it later.

Shu Lin gasped in disbelief: Just let it slide like that?

Yuan Ying smiled. Just then Xiao Yu called for her, so she nodded and went downstairs.

Shu Lin watched her retreating figure, his brow gradually furrowing.

One minute later, he appeared in Zhu Feng’s room.

You were alone with the Queen for so long just now—did you say everything you needed to? he asked expectantly.

Zhu Feng was playing with a wobbling pig figurine on the table and didn’t look up: No.

Shu Lin frowned: Why not?

Her anger hasn’t subsided yet, Zhu Feng fiddled with the pig’s head, No rush, we’ll take it slow.

Shu Lin: …You’re quite patient.

Who was it, after all, that chose to take a 25-hour hard seat train one day earlier instead of the comfortable first-class flight the next day, just to see the Queen an hour sooner?

Detecting his sarcasm, Zhu Feng glanced at him.

Shu Lin knew when to stop and grinned as he leaned closer: King, I know how to make the Queen less angry.

Zhu Feng raised an eyebrow, signaling him to spit it out.

Shu Lin immediately recounted the cleaning lady’s lie.

This kind of thing definitely isn’t a one-time occurrence. Even if the Queen doesn’t say it out loud, it doesn’t mean she isn’t bothered. If you can help the cleaning lady correct her lazy and deceitful habits, she’ll definitely feel grateful toward you… Are you even listening to me?

Hmm? Zhu Feng applied too much force and pulled the pig’s head off.

Shu Lin: King!

Zhu Feng remained unperturbed: Stop barking. What’s the name of Qixian Erwo’s owner?

How would I know, Shu Lin answered reflexively.

Zhu Feng looked up at him.

Shu Lin immediately pulled out his phone: The booking app has the B&B’s business license, I’ll check… Surname Feng, named Feng Zhuangzhuang.

Zhu Feng nodded: Also surnamed Feng.

…Did you hear what I said earlier? Shu Lin tried to steer the conversation back.

Zhu Feng withdrew his gaze and continued playing with the figurine: Heard it.

So?

Don’t meddle in other people’s business.

What? Shu Lin couldn’t believe his ears, That’s the Queen we’re talking about!

How could handling the Queen’s affairs be considered meddling?

Zhu Feng ignored him, studying how to reattach the pig’s head.

Furious but not daring to show it, Shu Lin could only leave with a stifled expression.

As soon as he left, the pig’s head was reattached, continuing to wobble carefree.

Zhu Feng glanced out the window, where he could just see the Qixian Erwo’s rooftop sign.

The sky in Jinlin Town always darkened particularly early, and the people here were accustomed to going to bed early.

By eight in the evening, the streets were already empty. By ten, even the night owls were asleep.

But Feng Zhuangzhuang, owner of Qixian Erwo who had been busy all day, found himself slightly sleepless tonight.
In the darkness, he had been lying there for quite some time without any sign of sleepiness. Just as he was about to scroll through some short videos, he suddenly met a pair of cold, heavy eyes through the window.

Feng Zhuangzhuang let out a terrified scream, scrambling up in a panic to turn on the light.

Outside the window, there was no one in sight—only the faint, undulating outline of distant mountains.

Tonight had turned cold, with temperatures just above freezing.

Yuan Ying rolled over, and her blanket fell to the floor.

She groped around groggily but couldn’t find anything to cover herself with. Just as she was about to give up, the missing blanket suddenly landed on her.

Yuan Ying frowned and, in her half-asleep state, saw a familiar figure.

She mumbled drowsily, Come here…

Zhu Feng curled the corner of his mouth and immediately leaned in.

Slap!

Yuan Ying smacked him across the face, then hugged the blanket contentedly and fell asleep.

Zhu Feng: …

💝 Support the Team

soowe05

✍️ Translator

💙 PayPal