Long Aotian’s Beautiful Butler Has Run Away chapter 81

Chapter 81: Vying to Matchmake

“Impossible.” Rong Xie shook his head, throwing the thought out of his mind.

How could Uncle Wang be Shen Bingsi?

Although Shen Bingsi knew the Bone Shrinking Art and could change his height and body shape at will, a person’s temperament couldn’t undergo such a drastic change. Uncle Wang’s honest and simple appearance, and his fleeing back after encountering Lu Yinglin—no matter how you looked at it, it didn’t seem like something Shen Bingsi could act out.

“…”

Even thinking this, in reality, Rong Xie couldn’t help but look for clues. And surprisingly, he actually found some evidence.

The Flowing Red Clothing Shop had removed the bright garments hanging at the entrance and replaced them with plain-colored fabrics. Among them were several colors Rong Xie liked very much. It was hard not to suspect someone had given instructions behind the scenes.

When Rong Xie asked Steward Wang of the Lanyuan Villa District about Uncle Wang, the steward looked bewildered. After a while, he seemed to realize something and spoke ambiguously, looking as if he were covering for someone.

Half a month later, Rong Xie officially took up the post of Garden Steward at the Lanyuan Villa District. He received the list of all the rough-work laborers in the garden and identified them one by one.

Confirmed: there was no such person as Uncle Wang.

A chill ran down Rong Xie’s spine.

He hadn’t expected Shen Bingsi to actually disguise himself as someone else to spy on his life. After spying, he would probably go back and speak smugly, as if seeing Rong Xie living in straitened circumstances made him comfortable. How could there be such a wretched person in the world!

Rong Xie clutched the laborer list in annoyance, a thin flush rising on his face.

Seeing Rong Xie like this, Steward Wang thought he had been angered by some laborer and came over to offer a few comforting words. “The laborers here are no different from elsewhere. They sell their strength and speak vulgarly. Young Master Rong shouldn’t take it too much to heart.”

Rong Xie snapped back to reality, his gaze toward Steward Wang now containing a bit more wariness. However, on second thought, Steward Wang couldn’t be blamed. When Shen Bingsi was forceful, few could go against his will.

“Steward Wang misunderstands. The laborers here are diligent and honest; there’s nothing to blame them for. It’s just… I’ll be bold and ask: did the Grand Secretary agree to hire me as a steward out of consideration for my friendship with Shen Bingsi?” Rong Xie asked directly.

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“Hehe, Young Master Rong worries too much. You were personally interviewed by our Master. Garden Steward is such an important position; if the Master only considered the relationship with Daoist Shen, he could have just given you an idle position as a retainer,” Steward Wang laughed.

“So that’s how it is.” Rong Xie nodded. If Grand Secretary Wang had hired him solely out of consideration for Shen Bingsi, he would have to reconsider how long he could hold this steward position. Once Grand Secretary Wang discovered he had no dealings with Shen Bingsi, would he still keep him?

Now, Steward Wang’s answer gave him reassurance. He had to seize this opportunity firmly and let Grand Secretary Wang know that hiring him was a very correct decision.

“Since there are no other considerations, please treat me with the attitude you would a normal steward, Steward Wang,” Rong Xie bowed slightly to Steward Wang. “Just call me Rong Xie. If there’s anything you need me to do, feel free to instruct.”

“This…” Steward Wang thought for a moment. Handling it this way was indeed simplest. “Alright.”

In the time that followed, Steward Wang discussed the monthly salary for the Garden Steward position with Rong Xie: eighteen taels a month. The amount was much more generous than Rong Xie expected, and this was only the starting salary. With accumulated time and improved performance, the salary would rise accordingly.

Besides that, Rong Xie’s relationship with the Lanyuan Villa District was completely independent. He didn’t need to pledge his identity documents to them, nor did he need to stay in the garden every day. As long as Rong Xie could guarantee no problems arose in his area of responsibility, he could come whenever he wanted, reporting to Steward Wang on the last day of every ten-day period.

Rong Xie was also given a private room to handle garden affairs. Steward Wang showed Rong Xie the place; it was in a courtyard with a very nice environment. Outside the window grew several plantain trees with large leaves like carriage covers.

It had snowed the day before the visit. Snow pressed down on the plantain leaves. When the wind blew, a whole chunk of accumulated snow would slide off the leaves with a flump, hitting the snowy grass and making a loud noise.

The working environment and salary were satisfactory, and he wasn’t tied down to the Wang family, free to arrange his own time. Such an ideal livelihood was something the Rong Xie of half a month ago wouldn’t have dared to dream of, yet now it had come true.

After a busy day ended, light snow fell again at dusk. Rong Xie stepped on the snow to return to Zhuli Lane and took up his pen to write a second long letter to Shen Yan and the others.

The main content of this long letter remained winter management of the villa. Rong Xie added some experience learned from Steward Wang, plus the results of his own practice in managing the garden. He wrote several large sheets of paper volubly and sent them to Huanxue Villa.

Some people at Huanxue Villa were already unable to sit still.

According to Shen Bingsi’s expectation, once Rong Xie had played enough outside and realized life wasn’t easy, he would naturally return.

As for what gave Shen Bingsi such confidence, it came down to the results of his last inspection trip—Rong Xie’s house was rented, the Photo-Electric White Orchid wasn’t sold at all, and his purchases were rough things he wouldn’t have glanced at before. How could Rong Xie endure such a life?

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Shen Bingsi couldn’t help but thank himself. It was he who created the best living environment for Rong Xie. It was he who couldn’t bear for Rong Xie to live in the disciple quarters and spent heavily to buy Huanxue Villa. It was he who piled gold and jade to build the exquisite life Rong Xie had grown accustomed to.

Habit is a terrifying thing. Once Rong Xie discovered that the life he was used to wasn’t so easily obtained, he would likely rethink whether he wanted the illusory “like” or a tangible life.

A person like Rong Xie, who prioritized quality of life, should make the correct choice very soon.

Could “like” be eaten as a meal? Could “like” let Rong Xie live in a luxurious villa fit for a prince? Could “like” let Rong Xie open and read first-hand ancient scriptures? Could “like” let Rong Xie use exquisitely carved precious porcelain?

“Like” couldn’t, but Shen Bingsi, who couldn’t “like,” could. A smart person like Rong Xie naturally knew which one to choose.

Harboring such beautiful expectations for the future, Shen Bingsi sat and waited in the villa for a month. By the time the second long letter arrived, the lake in Huanxue Valley had frozen over, yet Rong Xie still hadn’t returned.

Of course, the second long letter didn’t mention Shen Bingsi either.

Bang!

Shen Bingsi slammed his palm on the desk.

Shen Yan stood by the desk holding Rong Xie’s letter. He had just read the letter from beginning to end under Shen Bingsi’s order.

Shen Bingsi’s smile went from existing to nonexistent in the short time it took to finish a sentence.

“What? That’s it?” Shen Bingsi was annoyed. “Bring it here for me to see!”

Shen Yan placed the letter on the table, and Shen Bingsi snatched it up. He quickly scanned it from beginning to end. None. Indeed, not a single word mentioned him.

How could Rong Xie be so heartless, so cruel!

Even a friend with whom one had broken off relations—after leaving, one would still be unable to resist asking about their current situation, right? Rong Xie actually managed to hold back from asking, not mentioning a single word, as if he really intended to cast him completely to the back of his mind.

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No, that wasn’t right.

Shen Bingsi’s gaze darkened.

The letter Rong Xie wrote clearly didn’t match the actual situation.

His letter made absolutely no mention of his financial straits, nor did he complain about being unable to buy suitable goods at the North Gate Market. Rong Xie said nothing about the unpleasant facts Shen Bingsi had seen.

What did this prove? It proved Rong Xie was lying, whitewashing peace, saying one thing but meaning another.

Shen Bingsi slowly put down the letter and waved his hand at Shen Yan, signaling he could leave.

“Villa Master, this letter…” Shen Yan said. “When can I come to copy it?”

He hadn’t planned on getting Rong Xie’s original handwriting anyway.

“Another day.”

“Another day is… which day?” Shen Yan insisted on asking.

Shen Bingsi raised his eyebrows and glanced at him. Rarely, he didn’t get angry, but simply said flatly, “I’ll copy it and leave it on the table. Come get it yourself tomorrow, alright?”

“Alright.” Shen Yan withdrew.

Shen Bingsi decided to go to Lanyuan again.

He could, of course, do nothing and just wait for Rong Xie to come back on his own.

But he couldn’t do it. Knowing his best friend was holding out stubbornly while he sat steadily in the villa waiting—that was too hard for him. Right now, it felt like he was sitting on fire caltrops grown in the Western Desert. He had to stand up immediately and do something.

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For example, exposing Rong Xie’s stubborn endurance to his face.

It just so happened that the lines he laid out earlier had been in place for a month. It was time to reel them in. Simply brilliant.

That afternoon, Shen Bingsi left Huanxue Villa on his sword.

As soon as he left, Shen Yan notified Rong Xie.

When Rong Xie received the notification, he was doing the end-of-period report at the Lanyuan Villa District. The matters were trivial but had been handled properly. Steward Wang was satisfied and told Rong Xie to rest in the small hall for a moment.

Rong Xie used this opportunity to communicate the situation with Shen Yan: After reading the letter, Shen Bingsi seemed very dissatisfied that Rong Xie hadn’t mentioned him, and then flew out on his sword.

“Brother Rong, you must be careful. The Villa Master seems absolutely certain you are living poorly and wants to bring you back.”

“Mm, I know,” Rong Xie replied calmly.

Putting away the transmission stone, Rong Xie continued with his business.

Steward Wang finished checking the accounts and came in from the side door with a group of other stewards. The stewards swarmed around, exchanging warm greetings with this newly arrived colleague whom they had heard of for a long time.

Rong Xie stood up from his seat, smiling as he responded to the stewards’ greetings.

Although the stewards hadn’t officially interacted with this colleague yet, they had heard many legends about him: answering fluently before Grand Secretary Wang on a holiday, boldly claiming expertise in garden management during the talent display, and even rumors that this new colleague was a disciple of an immortal sect, cultivating longevity and magic arts.

Now having the chance to meet him, naturally, they wouldn’t let Rong Xie off easily.

Especially since the position of steward was generally held by able-bodied, experienced house servants or older women. They had never seen such a young and handsome lad take it on, and couldn’t help but want to show him more care.

“Just moved to Zhuli Lane? That’s a good place, you have good taste.”

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“Came alone? No one else in the family? Have you considered settling down?”

“Your household registration is here, so you’re planning to stay… Any girl you fancy?”

“What, not yet? Steward Rong must have high standards.”

“Steward Rong is so young and promising, and handsome too. What kind of girl couldn’t you find? It must be the cultivation in the mountains that delayed you. Don’t worry, us old folks have quite a few connections. We guarantee to find you a girl to your liking, delaying nothing.”

“Hiss, speaking of which, there really are a few noble daughters from wealthy families recruiting live-in sons-in-law. Would Steward Rong consider marrying in?”

“Steward Rong is different from us. He has a clean background, an independent household, and property in Zhuli Lane. Matching with a small family’s daughter is more than enough; why marry in?”

The stewards chattered around Rong Xie. In the blink of an eye, they had planned several marriages for him, and even thought about how many children he would have and where they would go to private school.

Rong Xie felt somewhat awkward. He did think about starting a family, but his idea of a family was likely different from what these enthusiastic colleagues were planning. He didn’t want to delay any girl; he only wanted to adopt a homeless child he felt an affinity with and raise them as his own. This idea would probably be hard for these enthusiastic colleagues to understand.

Thinking of the startled eyes and overwhelming questions from his colleagues if he revealed his thoughts, Rong Xie felt it wasn’t worth it. Better to just smile and let it pass.

Unexpectedly, in the eyes of the stewards, his ambiguous attitude was interpreted as the shyness of a young man, which further incited their impulse to matchmake for him. Although they didn’t say it aloud, they secretly competed to see who could solve this young colleague’s personal problem first.