AMBTICPIB Chapter 5

As Chu Yi descended the stairs, he saw Shen Jin already eating breakfast.

Behind him, the morning sun bathed the green lawn in a soft glow.

Ever since their encounter, Chu Yi had been seeing Shen Jin frequently.

Shen Jin often returned for dinner, and Chu Yi usually found him at the breakfast table when he came down in the morning.

Chu Yi greeted him, “Good morning, Mr. Shen.”

Hearing the voice, Shen Jin looked up, his gaze lingering briefly before he nodded. “Mm.”

Chu Yi exhaled, relieved. It had been some time since he’d cried in front of Shen Jin, and he’d initially worried Shen Jin might kick him out.

But nothing had happened.

Chu Yi realized that while Shen Jin appeared stern and unapproachable, as long as he didn’t cry in front of him, everything seemed to be fine. Butler Wen had told him this on his very first day at the Shen Family residence.

“Good morning, Uncle Wen,” Chu Yi greeted Butler Wen before sitting across from Shen Jin and picking up a steamed bun.

Chu Yi loved Butler Wen’s steamed buns. The filling was incredibly fragrant and delicious, so much so that he could eat several without feeling full. Instead, each bite only made him want more. Knowing this, Butler Wen steamed buns for Chu Yi every few days.

Steamed buns are, of course, best when freshly made.

Butler Wen, being elderly, went to bed early and woke up early. After some morning exercise and practicing the Eight Brocade Movements, he began preparing breakfast.

Chu Yi loved steamed buns, so that was on the menu today.

The meat filling was made from Black Mountain Pig, exclusively supplied to the Shen Family. Raised without any hormone-laced feed, the meat was tender and flavorful, with no earthy aftertaste. A simple seasoning was all it needed to make delicious steamed buns.

Besides the buns, there were also steamed yams, corn, and round, plump taro.

After eating three buns, Chu Yi glanced at Shen Jin. He was eating a sandwich and sipping coffee. Even across the table, Chu Yi could smell the coffee’s unique aroma—freshly ground coffee was truly fragrant.

Chu Yi had tried coffee before, but he still preferred milk and juice. Even with sugar, coffee remained bitter. He preferred sweet things.

Eating with Shen Jin still made Chu Yi a little nervous, but the allure of the food was strong. As he ate, his tension gradually eased.

While drinking his milk, Chu Yi noticed something different about Shen Jin’s demeanor when he drank coffee. The usual aura of aloofness that surrounded him seemed to soften slightly, though only by a fraction.

Chu Yi glanced at him again. Despite his fierce appearance, Shen Jin was exceptionally handsome—the most beautiful person Chu Yi had ever seen.

When drinking coffee, his long eyelashes drooped slightly, and his nose bridge was perfectly straight.

It was hard to believe that someone so tall and handsome had been rumored to be a greasy, lecherous old man.

As Chu Yi was lost in thought, Butler Wen spoke to Shen Jin: “They’re asking you to return for dinner today.”

Chu Yi glanced at Shen Jin, who placed his coffee cup on the table.

Butler Wen knew Shen Jin didn’t want to go, so he added, “People outside are watching. I think it would be best if you took Chu Yi with you.”

Shen Jin replied coldly, “Why should I care what those outsiders say?”

Butler Wen sighed inwardly. He knew Shen Jin loathed the other side more than anything.

Chu Yi finished his milk, signaling that he was full.

As Chu Yi was about to stand up, he heard Shen Jin speak. “Come back early today. I’ll take you somewhere tonight.”

This was the first time Shen Jin had spoken to him of his own accord. Chu Yi almost thought he’d misheard. He looked at Shen Jin, who was indeed looking at him. He hadn’t misheard; Shen Jin was really talking to him.

“Oh, okay,” Chu Yi replied. “I’ll come back early after school.”

After taking a few steps, Chu Yi turned back to assure Shen Jin, “Mr. Shen, don’t worry. I’ll definitely be back early.”

As Chu Yi left, he didn’t realize he was walking a little awkwardly. Overwhelmed by a mix of excitement and nervousness at Shen Jin’s sudden initiative, he had somehow managed to step with the same foot at the same time.

Seeing this, Butler Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. “Chu Yi is such a sweet boy.”

Shen Jin glanced at him.

Butler Wen continued, “You should be gentler with him in the future. He’s a good kid, nothing like those people from the Chu Family.”

Having lived so long, Butler Wen had seen and met countless people. The longer Chu Yi stayed, the fonder he grew of the boy.

Shen Jin remained noncommittal.

After school, as Chu Yi was packing up, Jiang Xu draped an arm around his shoulders. “Wanna grab dinner tonight? That barbecue place near our school is pretty good.”

They had made plans to go for barbecue together earlier.

Chu Yi shook his head. “I can’t make it tonight. I have something else planned.”

Jiang Xu looked at him curiously. “Really? You’re busy when I invite you to dinner? Are you going on a date?”

Chu Yi said, “I really do have something to do. Let’s get barbecue together another time.”

Jiang Xu didn’t press further. “Alright, we’ll go another time.”

Back at home, Chu Yi learned that Shen Jin was taking him to Shen Chunhan’s for dinner. Shen Chunhan was Shen Jin’s father.

This was the first time Chu Yi and Shen Jin had ever ridden in the same car.

The car’s interior was spacious, but as soon as Chu Yi got in, it felt cramped. This was probably because Shen Jin was so tall.

Chu Yi sat quietly beside Shen Jin. After getting in the car, Shen Jin remained silent. Chu Yi subtly turned his head and saw the same expression on Shen Jin’s face as the day he had cried in front of him. He could sense that Shen Jin wasn’t in a good mood.

He couldn’t help but recall the conversation he’d overheard at the Chu Family and the words of the two maids that day. Shen Jin and Shen Chunhan’s relationship was strained, but no one knew the exact reason. Some speculated it had to do with Shen Jin’s mother, who had passed away when he was very young.

The car continued silently in one direction for about an hour before pulling up at a courtyard. Unlike the manicured grounds of their villa, this courtyard was filled with exotic flowers, rare plants, and precious vegetation, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Chu Yi realized they must have reached their destination. He followed Shen Jin out of the car and remained quietly by his side.

As they stepped out, the villa’s butler emerged to greet them.

Inside, Shen Chunhan was nowhere to be seen. The butler explained to Shen Jin, “Master is resting upstairs. I’ll go up and fetch him now.”

Shen Jin grunted in response, and Chu Yi sat silently on the sofa. It was clear that the relationship between Shen Jin and Shen Chunhan was indeed strained. Shen Jin had come all this way, yet Shen Chunhan was deliberately keeping him waiting.

If Chu Yi could see it, Shen Jin certainly knew it too.

Whenever Butler Wen saw Shen Jin, his heart would flutter with unease. Shen Jin’s eyes were truly terrifying, making it impossible to meet his gaze. He quickly hurried upstairs.

Long ago, Shen Jin had stopped living with Shen Chunhan.

Over the years, Shen Jin had been abroad. Even after returning to China, he never lived with Shen Chunhan.

Two days ago, Shen Chunhan had sent someone to inform Shen Jin to bring Chu Yi home for dinner in the next couple of days. After all, he was Shen Jin’s father, and it was only natural to express his feelings now that his son was married.

Of course, Shen Jin’s reason for returning wasn’t because of Shen Chunhan’s title as his so-called father. He was there to retrieve the final item from his mother’s estate.

Shen Chunhan had no choice but to comply. Over the past few months, Shen Jin had systematically purged Shen Chunhan’s most trusted lieutenants from the group.

Shen Chunhan seemed to understand the inevitable shift in power, which was why he deliberately invited Shen Jin and Chu Yi for dinner. His intention was to provoke Shen Jin, as he had heard Shen Jin was deeply dissatisfied with his arranged marriage partner.

Butler Wen went upstairs and knocked on Shen Chunhan’s door.

“Master, Shen Jin and the others have arrived.”