Long Aotian’s Beautiful Butler Has Run Away chapter 11

Chapter 11: Welcoming Guests

“Wait,” Shen Bingsi raised a hand, signaling Cui Xingmiao to let him finish. “I agree, but I also have three conditions.”

“One,” before Cui Xingmiao could respond, Shen Bingsi held up three fingers, lowering one with each point. “I can stay silent and cooperate, but I won’t lie. I won’t nod along to any nonsense you make up.”

“Why so nervous? Afraid I’ll gossip and slander you?” Cui Xingmiao covered her mouth, chuckling lightly.

“Two,” Shen Bingsi continued without intending to negotiate, “Rong Xie grew up with me since childhood. After leaving the Shen Garden, he went straight to the Lingjing Sect. He hasn’t had contact with the outside world and doesn’t know about the diverse and chaotic affairs of the Jianghu. Don’t use those Jianghu matters to influence him.”

“…” Cui Xingmiao’s smile stiffened slightly. So, Shen Bingsi was disgusted that words like “Hehuan Sect” and “furnace cauldron” might taint his pure and innocent best friend? His best friend was over thirty, right? A whole twelve years older than her! Who was the real “fairy” here?

“Three,” Shen Bingsi curled all his fingers into a fist. “My bond of friendship with Rong Xie is not to be questioned. No matter what you say or do, you must not violate this fundamental principle.”

“…” Cui Xingmiao could no longer smile. She even doubted whether Shen Bingsi was serious or just joking to scare her. Was this really a set of ground rules for meeting a friend? Even a father hosting his daughter’s first birthday banquet wouldn’t be this tense.

“Shen Bingsi, sometimes I’m really curious about just how far you and your ‘best friend’ have developed.” Before Cui Xingmiao could finish, she saw Shen Bingsi raise three fingers again. She sighed. “…Fine, I promise not to use foul language or taint your pure friendship. Is that acceptable?”

“Acceptable.” Shen Bingsi nodded.

The Great Villa Master Shen finally agreed to take out his jade pendant and contact the golden egg he hid in his nest… oh no, his best friend.

Buzz— A short sound from the jade, and the call connected immediately.

It was as if Rong Xie had been guarding the jade, waiting for this very contact.

“Shen Bingsi!” An urgent and aggrieved voice came from the jade. “Come back quickly! When are you coming back?”

Shen Bingsi hurriedly brought the jade to his mouth, about to reply, when a hand reached out and pressed down on the jade.

Shen Bingsi looked up at Cui Xingmiao, who shook her head at him.

He took a deep breath, forcibly swallowing the words back down his throat.

Listening to Rong Xie’s voice, full of energy, it didn’t seem like he was in danger. There was also the background noise of chickens and ducks squawking loudly—he had likely gone to the Outer Sect Market again.

“Shen Bingsi, um…” The voice called his name again, then suddenly quieted down, muttering to itself, “Oh no, I forgot… Did I expose his identity? What do I do now…”

Hearing Rong Xie mumbling to himself on the other end, the corners of Shen Bingsi’s mouth rose uncontrollably. Rong Xie must have missed him terribly; the moment he made contact, Rong Xie blurted out his name, completely forgetting their prior agreement that Shen Bingsi would give a fake name first.

Cui Xingmiao looked at him, shaking her head with a “hopeless” expression.

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However, Shen Bingsi had no intention of putting away his smug smile. Smiling through the jade wouldn’t affect Cui Xingmiao’s consultation, would it?

Cui Xingmiao made a gesture, signaling him to say his lines according to the plan.

“Mm, Fairy Xingmiao is coming to visit Huanxue Villa for a tour. Please make preparations,” Shen Bingsi said.

“Huh?” Rong Xie was clearly stunned for a moment. “Who did you say?”

“Fairy Xingmiao,” Shen Bingsi explained. “A medical cultivator friend.”

Cui Xingmiao immediately made a cutting motion in the air, telling him to shut up.

“Oh…” The tone of Rong Xie’s voice dropped. “When is she coming?”

This time Shen Bingsi didn’t speak. He looked at Cui Xingmiao first. She pinched the space between her eyebrows.

“Let me speak,” Cui Xingmiao signaled Shen Bingsi to bring the jade over.

Shen Bingsi complied.

Cui Xingmiao switched to an ethereal, gentle voice: “I wonder when it would be convenient for Steward Rong?”

Shen Bingsi’s eyelid twitched slightly.

Silence from the other end of the jade.

Just as Shen Bingsi was worrying about whether Rong Xie was unhappy, a gentle, gracious voice that felt like a spring breeze came through the jade: “If the Fairy is willing to grace us with her presence, the Villa welcomes you at any time.”

Shen Bingsi’s eyebrows shot up.

He hadn’t heard Rong Xie speak like that in a long time. It sounded nice, sure, but it was a bit fake. He was speaking normally just a moment ago.

“Then three days from now, around Si hour (9-11 AM), Shen Bingsi and I will come together,” Cui Xingmiao said. “My surname is Cui; Steward Rong can just call me Miss Cui.”

Rong Xie then asked if Cui Xingmiao had any habits or dietary restrictions, acting completely like a well-trained professional butler.

“That is excellent,” Rong Xie laughed. “I wonder if the Second Young Master is nearby? I still have some questions to ask him.”

Shen Bingsi felt wrong all over, but under Cui Xingmiao’s surveillance, he had a no-nonsense conversation with Rong Xie.

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The situation was roughly that the elders of various peaks had sent a large batch of live animals to Huanxue Villa, and Rong Xie couldn’t feed them all, hence the noisy chicken and duck sounds at the beginning.

Rong Xie hoped Shen Bingsi could get back to Elder Yun Feng and ask them to move the excess livestock away, leaving only a portion to receive Miss Cui.

Shen Bingsi wanted to argue a bit—keeping them to eat later was fine too—but now wasn’t the time to talk, so he could only grunt in agreement.

With matters settled, Shen Bingsi ended the Same-Heart transmission, still feeling a bit odd and uneasy.

From what Rong Xie said, it seemed he was preparing to go all out and set up a banquet to welcome Cui Xingmiao. But Cui Xingmiao didn’t look like she could eat much, and Rong Xie didn’t have any help. It would be terrible if he worked himself to the bone preparing a feast only for Cui Xingmiao to eat two bites.

Shen Bingsi was about to mention this to Cui Xingmiao when he saw her looking full of longing, the wrinkles of her disguise stretching out with her smile.

“Steward Rong is different from what I imagined.”

“Different how?” Shen Bingsi asked absentmindedly.

“I thought he was the type of delicate beauty whose fingers never touched spring water, usually just reading and writing in the study, tending flowers or teasing birds. I didn’t expect him to be so considerate,” Cui Xingmiao paused, looking at Shen Bingsi with expectation. “Also, why didn’t you tell me your villa has a master chef? Are you preparing a banquet to welcome me? That’s great! I love good food. Can I order dishes?”

“Order your head,” Shen Bingsi swallowed back cruder words. “You eat whatever Rong Xie makes. Whether you like it or not, try to eat a few more bites. It’s not easy for him to prepare a table alone, understand?”

“Ah… so Steward Rong is cooking personally? Actually, there’s no need for such trouble…” Cui Xingmiao was slightly disappointed; she thought she would get to eat private dishes from a Lingjing Sect master chef.

“Then I’ll notify him now and tell him not to cook.” Shen Bingsi picked up the jade.

“No, no, no,” Cui Xingmiao stopped him. “Don’t make it look like I’m high-maintenance before I even arrive. I’ll just enjoy whatever arrangement Steward Rong makes.”

Shen Bingsi showed an expression that said, That’s more like it.

And so, it was decided.

Three days later.

Cui Xingmiao wasn’t someone who hadn’t seen the world, but upon first arriving at Huanxue Valley, she was still captivated by the scenery before her.

The emerald green grass was like a carpet; lying on it to sunbathe would surely be comfortable. Scattered among the grass were colorful little wildflowers, swaying in clusters with the wind. The scent of sprouting life wafted through the air.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Shen Bingsi’s stiff voice came from the middle of the path.

“Picking a few more, just a few more and I’ll go.” Cui Xingmiao lifted her skirt, picking here and there like a little girl on an outing. Unknowingly, she gathered a large handful of colorful flowers and raised them happily into the air. “Look!”

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However, the person she wanted to show had already disappeared; the path was empty.

“What’s the rush?” Cui Xingmiao used a movement spell to catch up to Shen Bingsi. “It’s not time yet, is it?”

“What do you mean ‘not time’? It’s almost passed.” Shen Bingsi walked swiftly. “Listen, the main peak strikes the bell at exactly Si hour. They’ve already taken the striker down.”

“I’m not you; I don’t have ears that can hear the wind.” Cui Xingmiao tugged at a small flower.

“Besides, Rong Xie contacted me. I told him we’d arrive very soon.”

“Eh? When?” Cui Xingmiao was surprised. “Why didn’t I know?”

“Starting from Yin hour (3-5 AM), once every interval. Which time are you asking about?” Shen Bingsi glanced at her.

“Wow, I didn’t expect Steward Rong to be so attentive and detailed.” Cui Xingmiao opened her eyes wide, holding the flowers to her chest. “Then I’ll present this bouquet to him later. Our Steward Rong has worked hard.”

“…”

Hearing her understated words, Shen Bingsi felt a burst of anger. He didn’t know exactly how much preparation Rong Xie had done and deeply regretted agreeing to play along with Cui Xingmiao’s game. With thousands of divine doctors in the world, did he really have to hang himself on this single tree called Cui Xingmiao?

“Hey, you’re not angry, are you?” Cui Xingmiao assessed his expression. She knew Shen Bingsi’s temper was stubborn and foul, and it showed on his face. However, he was also quite easy to read.

“I have my reasons for doing this, of course. The more effort Steward Rong puts into preparation, the more thoroughly his spiritual energy will be depleted. When I check his pulse later, it will be easier to identify the crux of the problem. Besides, with his meridians empty of spiritual energy, they won’t conflict with mine,” Cui Xingmiao said seriously.

“…” Shen Bingsi’s expression indeed improved slightly.

“So, put your heart back in your stomach. Don’t question my actions like you just did, and no more contacting Steward Rong secretly in private, got it?”

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of the main gate of Huanxue Villa.

Huanxue Villa was situated beside a mirror-like lake. The water reflected the staggered green tiles and vermilion railings, looking like a villa established by some royal noble from Shengjing.

“Truly magnificent,” Cui Xingmiao praised.

“Naturally,” Shen Bingsi replied unceremoniously.

“No, I mean Steward Rong.” Cui Xingmiao pointed at the steps.

A figure in moon-white robes stood on the steps before the gate, hands clasped in front, quietly waiting for the two.

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“Who else would it be?” Shen Bingsi didn’t understand.

“…You’re incredible.” Cui Xingmiao was speechless. She slapped the flowers in her hand into Shen Bingsi’s arms and whispered, “Remember what you promised.”

With that, she strode forward, walking towards Rong Xie on the steps. She performed a graceful curtsy: “Greetings, Steward Rong. This humble girl is Cui Xingmiao. Thank you for coming out specially to welcome us.”

Rong Xie seemed to zone out for a split second. His gaze shifted from Shen Bingsi to the beautiful young maiden up close. His face was slightly pale, looking as if he hadn’t slept for three days and could be blown away by the wind. Even so, he elegantly performed a lifting gesture to signal Cui Xingmiao to rise, saying warmly, “Miss Cui is too polite. Please feel at home. Since you are a guest at the Villa, treat it as your own home and be at ease.”

Cui Xingmiao felt the atmospheric pressure behind her drop again. She sighed inwardly, but when she looked up, her eyes brightened. “Magnificent from afar, and unparalleled in the world upon closer inspection.”

Rong Xie was dazzled by her ethereal smile and automatically explained, “Miss Cui has a keen eye. This Huanxue Villa was designed and built by a famous junior artisan from the Shengjing Palace Works. Backed by the mountain for momentum, facing the lake for reflection…”

“No, I meant you.” Cui Xingmiao smiled, taking Rong Xie’s hand and walking towards the main gate. “Don’t stand in the wind; let’s go inside to talk.”

Rong Xie froze. The words of introduction stuck in his throat, and his ears grew slightly warm. This Miss Cui’s style of speech was so… bold, leaving him unsure how to respond.

Perhaps this was a Jianghu daughter—possessing a carefree and bold spirit that he lacked.

“Miss Cui jests.” Rong Xie followed Cui Xingmiao into the courtyard. He wanted to compliment her back, but couldn’t bring himself to say it. As a butler, how could he judge a guest’s appearance? Especially a VIP of Shen Bingsi. It was better not to say anything superfluous.

He could feel Shen Bingsi’s gaze fixed on his hand, which had touched Cui Xingmiao’s for just a moment. An inexplicable pressure made him feel like he had thorns on his back. He’d better avoid Miss Cui a little next time.