Chapter 7

Butler x Young Master (7)

Although the collateral heirs weren’t clear about what exactly happened at Miss Chu’s birthday banquet, gathering information was effortless for them. They naturally deduced the schemes involved.

Huo Shu, whom they had always underestimated and looked down upon, not only managed to tarnish the reputation of the legitimate second young master Huo Ye but also provoked a reprimand and punishment from the family head.

Most crucially, it seemed that Miss Chu Muci of the Chu family had taken a liking to the illegitimate son Huo Shu.

Huo Liuzhou, residing in the North Courtyard, was consumed with jealousy.

Of course, it wasn’t just jealousy envy that played its part as well.

As a child, he believed that if he worked harder than all the other heirs, he would earn praise from the family head Huo Yuan.

Yet contrary to his hopes, the family head’s eyes were only on the legitimate line, even if their abilities were far from outstanding.

Countless nights, he fantasized about what it would be like if he were also Huo Yuan’s child—then he wouldn’t just be a collateral relative whose name barely held any weight.

That was until Huo Shu moved into the Huo Family Old Mansion.

A shameful, illegitimate son who couldn’t see the light of day and was despised by the family head.

So, what if he had legitimate bloodline? He could never become the family head.

A lowlife like him should have died long ago why did he have to appear before his eyes?

Butler’s Cafeteria.

Even after a week, Jiang You’s leg injury still ached when she walked. Limping to the dining table, she quickly began her meal.

She had only taken a few bites when a figure appeared in her peripheral vision. Just as she thought it might be another butler looking for trouble, a voice as gentle as a spring breeze unexpectedly reached her ears.

“Butler Jiang, how is your leg injury?”

Jiang You looked up and relaxed when she saw who it was. Swallowing her food, she replied, “It’s almost healed.”

Steward Li, who served the third young lady Huo Jing, was holding a tray with one hand while pulling a tube of healing balm from his pocket with the other. He offered it to her.

“Applying this will help it heal faster. It’s for you.”

Jiang You recognized the brand on the balm, it was from the renowned He family of physicians in Jiangcheng, known for producing the best external injury medicine. Its price was exorbitantly high, far beyond what ordinary families could afford.

Even Huo Shu’s medical kit didn’t contain such expensive balm.

While continuing to eat, she shook her head, her cheeks stuffed with food, and mumbled indistinctly, “I don’t need it.”

Accepting a piece of chocolate was one thing, but this healing balm was far too valuable she couldn’t possibly accept it.

Seeing her reaction, Steward Li chuckled lightly. His refined and scholarly face appeared even more amiable, making it hard to refuse. “Butlers should help each other out. Besides, you even disregarded the Butler Handbook for Young Master Huo Shu’s safety. I truly admire your actions and hope you’ll accept this.”

Both his expression and tone were utterly sincere, with no hint of deception.

If Jiang You refused again, she would truly feel ungrateful for the chocolate he had given her last time.

She reached out and accepted it, nodding in gratitude. “Thank you, Steward Li.”

Steward Li waved his hand dismissively and sat at another table, promptly starting his meal.

However, while harmony prevailed on their side, the main hall’s dining table presented a completely different scene.

Huo Liuzhou’s gaze swept across the room before finally settling on Huo Jing, who was eating leisurely at the front table.

Among all the female heirs, Huo Jing possessed the most striking appearance. In contrast, her personality was as cold as ice distant and unapproachable, like a block that would never thaw.

He approached her and lowered his voice. “Third Young Lady Huo, Huo Shu is cunning and treacherous he set up Second Young Master Huo. I have a way to make him wish he was dead.”

Huo Jing cast him a cold glance, lost her appetite, and set down her utensils.

Seeing this, Huo Liuzhou thought things were progressing smoothly and pressed on eagerly: “If Third Young Miss Huo would just give a little push, I could”

Before he could finish, Huo Jing icily cut him off: “Get out.”

Huo Liuzhou thought he’d misheard: “Wh-what?”

Huo Jing stood up, her eyes tinged with frost. “I said get out.”

With that, she strode past him without hesitation, leaving the dining room.

Outside, Jiang You and Steward Li chatted while waiting.

Steward Li rested his chin on his hand and remarked, “Though Young Master Huo Shu seems difficult to get along with, I can tell he isn’t bad at heart.”

Jiang You, not worried about breaking character in front of him, thought for a moment and said, “He’s alright. What about Young Miss Huo Jing is she easy to get along with?”

Steward Li smiled. “Young Miss Huo Jing is kind, gentle, and treats everyone warmly. She’s very easy to be around.”

No sooner had he spoken than Huo Jing’s figure swept into view, radiating a chilling coldness. They heard her snort coldly: “Follow me.”

Steward Li, looking awkward, scratched his head and bid Jiang You farewell: “Let’s talk another time.”

With that, he hurried after her.

Left alone, Jiang You was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.

Hahahaha.

“What’s so funny?”

Suddenly, a questioning voice came from beside her.

She turned her head and unexpectedly met the youth’s deep, unfathomable dark eyes. He was watching her expressionlessly.

It was unclear how long he had been standing there, calmly waiting for her answer.

The smile on Jiang You’s lips abruptly froze and quickly vanished, her expression reverting to its usual wooden and serious demeanor.

“Nothing, Young Master.”

What the hell was she laughing about?

Fortunately, Huo Shu didn’t press further. He simply gave her an inscrutable look before subtly shifting his gaze away.

Following behind him, Jiang You felt her heart pound nervously. She pressed her lips together slightly and prayed inwardly.

Please, don’t deduct any more points.

Perhaps heaven heard her plea, for the System remained silent all the way back to their quarters.

Just as she was beginning to feel smug, she heard the youth standing at the entryway ask in a low voice:

“Are you close to Huo Jing’s steward?”

Every nerve in Jiang You’s body tensed again. Her downcast eyes darted back and forth as she ignored his casual use of his half-sister’s name and carefully replied:

“Not close. We’ve only spoken once or twice.”

The air seemed to freeze, thick with intangible pressure.

It lasted only a few seconds before dissipating.

Huo Shu went upstairs without saying another word, his footsteps never pausing until he disappeared around the second-floor corner.

Jiang You gave the second floor a puzzled glance, then reached into her pocket, pulled out the healing balm, and began applying it.

The youth’s emotional fluctuations were minimal, as if he lacked the joys and sorrows typical of humans. It made it difficult to discern what he truly thought.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was that she hadn’t lost any points today.

As she happily applied the balm, she failed to notice the faint red light blinking in an inconspicuous corner.

Meanwhile, before the surveillance monitor, Huo Shu watched her take out the healing balm and narrowed his eyes. Moments later, his eyes closed in the shifting light, as if he had found a sufficient and definite reason. The lines of his face grew increasingly cold and unfeeling.

Of course.

In this hellish old mansion, how could there be anyone different?

The Huo Family’s secret training ground.

Every prominent family possesses such a training ground, let alone the Huo family, which operates perennially in the gray areas. If the head of the family lacks exceptional physical prowess, even the most brilliant mind would succumb to bullets and strife.

After a month apart, Second Young Master Huo Ye remained as haughty and arrogant as ever except when facing Huo Shu, where his eyes betrayed an irrepressible shadow of gloom and distortion.

💝 Support the Team

Zephyr Yizelle

✍️ Translator

🍵 Ko-fi