Shen Jin had been away on a business trip for several days. In Chu Yi’s subconscious, he had assumed he wouldn’t see Shen Jin for a long time.
So when he suddenly saw Shen Jin, Chu Yi was completely unprepared.
He never expected Shen Jin to return so quickly.
Even more unexpected was their encounter in the courtyard, where Chu Yi had accidentally bumped into him.
“I’m so sorry,” Chu Yi stammered, “I didn’t mean to. I…”
He noticed the faint green light on Shen Jin’s wristband had stopped flashing.
Butler Wen had solemnly warned him never to cry in front of Shen Jin. But the more he tried to stop the tears, the less control he had over his tear ducts.
Before he could finish explaining, tears began streaming down his face like a broken string of pearls.
“I really didn’t mean to cry,” Chu Yi said, his voice choked with emotion.
He hadn’t been that close to tears before, but Shen Jin’s gaze was fierce. His eyes were dark and deep, and the way he frowned at Chu Yi sent shivers down his spine. The more frightened he became, the harder he cried.
Although Shen Jin didn’t look as terrifying as rumors claimed, it was true that everyone in the Shen Family feared him. Even the servants spoke of him with reverence, as if he had a terrible temper.
So when Chu Yi saw Shen Jin move his arm, he assumed the man was about to hit him or shove him away, and he cried even harder. But Shen Jin seemed to have only moved his arm slightly.
The bodyguards and driver behind Chu Yi watched the scene unfold, their hearts pounding in their chests. Everyone knew Mr. Shen hated people crying in front of him, and he especially disliked anyone getting too close.
Yet this Chu Yi had not only bumped into Mr. Shen but was now wailing right in front of him—a direct affront to the man’s sensibilities.
Watching Chu Yi’s tear-streaked face, Shen Jin’s frown deepened. He truly loathed people crying in front of him, and he detested those who burst into tears at the slightest provocation.
In the Shen Family, no one dared to cry in his presence, not even those affiliated with Shen Chunhan.
The bodyguards behind him feared Mr. Shen’s next move would be to toss Chu Yi aside. They stood frozen in place, afraid to move a muscle lest they incur his wrath.
Just then, Butler Wen emerged. “Shen Jin, Chu Yi, you’re back! Chu Yi, come help me shell these edamame. I’m going too slow on my own.”
Butler Wen’s position in the Shen Family was indeed high, and Shen Jin respected him greatly. When he saw Butler Wen, Shen Jin’s brow furrow eased slightly. Chu Yi felt the oppressive gaze that had been fixed on him finally lift. The bodyguards and drivers in the courtyard inexplicably breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Chu Yi quickly followed Butler Wen into the house, daring not to glance back at Shen Jin’s expression.
Once inside, Butler Wen said gently, “Your face is all smeared. You must be exhausted. Go take a shower first.”
Chu Yi replied, “I’ll help you shell the edamame first.”
Butler Wen chuckled. “No need to rush. Go take a shower first.”
Chu Yi considered his sweaty body and tear-stained face, realizing Butler Wen was trying to ease the tension. He decided to take a shower first.
After showering, Chu Yi still remembered helping Butler Wen shell the edamame and didn’t delay a moment.
As he emerged from his room, he overheard voices discussing the earlier incident. He froze in place, unsure whether to continue walking or to avoid them.
“Did you see it just now? Chu Yi bumped into Mr. Shen.”
“Of course, I saw it. Not only did Chu Yi bump into Mr. Shen, but he even cried in front of him. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
“Do you remember how Xiao Liu cried in front of Mr. Shen last year after his breakup? Mr. Shen’s face was absolutely terrifying that day, and Xiao Liu left immediately. Look at Chu Yi now, crying like a floodgate has opened. Mr. Shen’s face is even worse than it was that time. I’m sure Chu Yi is going to be kicked out.”
“But Chu Yi is Mr. Shen’s arranged marriage partner. Surely they won’t do that, considering the Chu Family’s standing.”
“Forget it. He was only recently brought back. He’s completely unwelcome in the Chu Family. Why do you think it’s him who’s come to the Shen Family? Probably because no one else dared to marry our Mr. Shen.”
“That’s true. I heard the Chu Family only wanted to marry into the Shen Family to secure that project and didn’t want to sacrifice Chu Yang. So they found Chu Yi instead.”
“Actually, I can understand the Chu Family’s feelings. Mr. Shen is truly terrifying. I heard he and his father have always been at odds.”
“Shhh, stop talking. Don’t let anyone hear you. If Mr. Shen finds out, we’ll be in serious trouble.”
Chu Yi stood rooted to the spot, silently wiping his eyes. Tears welled up again. He berated himself inwardly. It was just people talking behind his back—nothing that could actually hurt him. Why was he being so pathetic and crying like this?
*I must hold back. If Shen Jin sees me like this, I’ll definitely be kicked out.*
Chu Yi calmed his emotions and walked out as if nothing had happened. When he saw Butler Wen, the two maids’ expressions changed, as if they feared he had overheard their conversation.
After he left, the maids were terrified.
“Do you think he heard us?”
“He probably didn’t. We were speaking so softly. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s get back to work.”
Chu Yi went straight to the kitchen, where Butler Wen gave him a small basket of edamame to shell together.
Butler Wen, sensing Chu Yi’s low spirits, asked, “The military training is over, right? You must be exhausted after these few days.”
“Not at all,” Chu Yi replied. “Thank you so much for the cooling device, Uncle Wen. Almost everyone in our class used it, and it worked wonders.”
“That’s good to hear,” Butler Wen said. “Do you like edamame, Chu Yi?”
“I do,” Chu Yi replied.
Chu Yi worked efficiently, shelling the edamame perfectly. It was clear this child had suffered a lot in the past.
Butler Wen suggested, “How about we make stir-fried shrimp and edamame later?”
Chu Yi placed the shelled edamame in a small bowl. “Sounds great, Uncle Wen. Everything you make is delicious.”
Chu Yi was telling the truth. Butler Wen’s culinary skills were extraordinary. His cooking was exceptionally flavorful, and even simple stir-fried vegetables tasted extremely fragrant when he prepared them. Chu Yi always finished two large bowls of rice whenever Butler Wen cooked.
The mention of food instantly lifted Chu Yi’s spirits. Butler Wen breathed a silent sigh of relief; Chu Yi’s eyes had been red when he came downstairs, likely from being frightened.
This was the first time Chu Yi had ever eaten dinner with Shen Jin since arriving at the Shen Family residence.
Shen Jin had changed into a black shirt and a stiff, wrinkle-free waistcoat.
Though Chu Yi had always wanted to see Shen Jin up close, he felt nervous sitting across from him, fearing Shen Jin might throw him out.
Fortunately, Shen Jin ate in silence, saying nothing.
Chu Yi couldn’t resist stealing a glance at him. As he looked up, a cold, stern gaze met his.
Chu Yi quickly lowered his head and ate a few bites. When he looked up again, Shen Jin was still watching him. He thought, “Shen Jin’s vigilance is incredible. He even noticed me sneaking a peek from behind last time.”
Those eyes were still as fierce as ever, radiating an innate authority. Chu Yi’s eyes reddened again, and he dared not steal another glance.
Chu Yi spent the evening in trepidation, knowing he wouldn’t be kicked out by Shen Jin for the time being.
At the Chu Family villa, Chu Yang listened to the butler’s report on Chu Yi’s situation, his face splitting into a wide grin.
Chu Yang gloated, “He really cried?”
The butler replied, “Yes. I heard he bumped into Shen Jin and cried terribly in front of him.”
Chu Yang asked, “Shen Jin didn’t throw him out?”
The butler said, “No, but I heard Shen Jin’s face was quite unpleasant at the time.”
Chu Yang breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn’t the one betrothed to Shen Jin. He was also incredibly curious about how terrifyingly fierce or ugly Shen Jin must be, considering Chu Yi had been so frightened he cried.
He couldn’t wait to see Chu Yi being tormented by that perverted Shen Jin.
As the two men were talking, Madam Chu approached. “What are you two discussing?”
Chu Yang said, “I just heard that Chu Yi offended Shen Jin over there and cried in front of him.”
The moment she heard it was about Chu Yi, Madam Chu lost all interest. After all, the Chu Family had already secured the project, so Chu Yi’s fate was of no concern to them.
Madam Chu frowned. “How can someone so grown up still cry so easily? He was like this here, and he’s still like this over there. It’s so embarrassing. Just looking at him is annoying.”
Hearing his mother’s words, Chu Yang felt a surge of satisfaction as he watched her face contort with disgust and loathing at the mention of Chu Yi.
