Ch 31: How To Be A Good Lackey

Gyms were crowded places, with all kinds of people coming and going. After working out, people naturally needed to hydrate, which made it a perfect place to slip something into a drink. After some discussion, they happily settled on the plan.

They invited Shao Ye to the gym—surely he wouldn’t go and report them again, right?

But to get him to agree, they first had to build a good relationship with him. They changed their group chat name to “Avengers Alliance 1: Enduring Humiliation,” then, with heavy hearts, went to find him.

When they arrived, Shao Ye was holding a hose, watering the lawn. Seeing them all smiling like a pack of weasels, he couldn’t help but grow suspicious. Did they know he was about to become the chief steward of the residence, so they came to curry favor and admit their mistakes?

The “weasels” exchanged glances, then surrounded him and began flattering him.

“Wow! Brother Ye, it’s only been a few days, and you’re looking even more handsome!”

Shao Ye glanced at him. “Didn’t we just see each other last night? Did the dogs chase you stupid?”

“……”

“He doesn’t know how to talk, ignore him, Brother Ye,” another “weasel” came over, squeezing Shao Ye’s arm. He immediately exclaimed in admiration, “Brother Ye, your muscles are amazing! How did you train them? I want to learn too!”

“Yeah, yeah! I’ve always wanted pecs like yours! But it’s always been either studying or working—I never have time.”

Hearing his muscles being praised, Shao Ye’s mood immediately brightened. Well, these guys might not be much, but at least they weren’t blind.

“Brother Ye, could you knock out two guys like me with one punch?”

Shao Ye turned to look him up and down. Just under 180 cm, well-proportioned build, some muscle on his exposed arms—clearly someone who trained. Shao Ye shook his head disapprovingly. “Don’t say that.”

The man grinned. “Brother Ye, you’re too modest—”

Before he could finish, Shao Ye raised a hand and gestured. “At least five.”

“……”

Damn! This guy has no shame! Should they just fight right now?!

Another chimed in, “Five is too few. I think Brother Ye could take ten of him!”

Shao Ye’s face practically bloomed with a smile, though he still pretended modesty. “Keep it low-key, keep it low-key.”

The group suppressed their urge to complain, continuing to flatter him with smiling faces. Shao Ye thoroughly enjoyed it and was soon completely swept up in their praise.

“We’ve been messing around these past couple of days and caused you trouble, Brother Ye. We won’t do it again. I’ve been feeling bad about it—how about we treat you to a meal today?” said the eldest son from his fifth uncle’s family, sounding apologetic.

Shao Ye refused immediately. “No need. The food at the residence is pretty good.”

Another cousin quickly added, “Why bother with a meal? Brother Ye, I heard there’s a new gym nearby—how about we go check it out today?”

“A gym?” Shao Ye was tempted.

Seeing him hesitate, someone added fuel to the fire. “Brother Ye, I feel like your chest muscles aren’t as big as when you first came to the residence. Have you not been training properly these past couple of days?”

“Really?” Shao Ye quickly looked down. He couldn’t really tell any difference, but after hearing them say it, he started to feel like they had shrunk.

The exercises he could do at the residence were limited—nothing compared to proper equipment.

Still, he didn’t agree immediately. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I need to go tell Seventh Uncle first.”

What was he, a little kid? Reporting even something this small to a guardian!

The others grumbled inwardly. They hadn’t realized before that his relationship with Seventh Uncle was this close. Hadn’t he only returned from abroad this year? Translated on Hololo novels. Before coming to the residence, he couldn’t have met Seventh Uncle more than five times total—the ten-thousand-dollar report from their investigator had made that perfectly clear.

Could there be some hidden connection they didn’t know about? They would definitely need to find a way to dig into it later.

Shao Ye quickly got Pei Fangyan’s approval, got into their car, and set off toward the gym of his dreams.

After getting in, the cousin driving casually asked, “Hey, Brother Ye, you’ve met Seventh Uncle before, right?”

“Why are you asking?” Shao Ye said cautiously.

“Nothing, just curious. It seems like Seventh Uncle really likes you,” he said. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let him stay at the residence this long, letting him swagger around with three Rottweilers.

Shao Ye felt proud, lifting his chin. “Of course.”

“……”

“Brother Ye, can you tell us how you got Seventh Uncle to like you? We want to learn too.”

If they learned, what would be left for him?

Shao Ye rolled his eyes. “Mind your own business.”

Then he turned his head to look out the window, ignoring them. The tall roadside trees flashed past his gaze. At this moment, what would Seventh Uncle be doing back at the residence? Would he be thinking about him?

Suddenly, Shao Ye felt there was actually no need to go to an outside gym at all. He could just buy equipment and bring it back to the residence. It wasn’t like he lacked the money, and the residence certainly had the space.

Leaning back against his seat, he yawned lazily, listening as his cousins chatted about various stories of the old residence. For some reason, he recalled the first time he met his Seventh Uncle.

It had been the day after he returned to the country. Early that morning, his father dragged him out of bed, saying they were going to visit the head of the Pei family. Along the way, his father kept reminding him to perform well in front of the family head so their family could get a larger share at the end of the year.

In the end, his father’s preparation had been completely inadequate. Only after arriving at the old residence did they learn that Pei Fangyan had been in the hospital for checkups these past few days.

Shao Ye and his father looked at each other. Shao Ye thought to himself, with his dad’s level of competence, he still wanted a bigger share? In the end, this family would have to rely on him.

They drove to the hospital, but their timing was unfortunate. Pei Fangyan was in the middle of trying out a newly developed high-end foreign technology to stimulate his leg muscles, with neither the time nor the energy to receive them.

Standing outside the treatment room, Shao Ye looked through the glass at Pei Fangyan. Dressed in a hospital gown and seated in a wheelchair, he was surrounded by several specialists discussing something with him.

He didn’t look as overwhelmingly powerful and untouchable as Shao Ye had imagined. Yet his expression was calm, his posture composed. Even though he couldn’t walk, it felt as though everything in the world lay within his grasp—he simply had no interest in it.

At that moment, Shao Ye thought, this head of the family might need some psychological healing as well.

Just as he was wondering what kind of methods might help, Pei Fangyan suddenly turned his head and looked toward him. Not long before, medical staff had told Shao Ye that the glass was one-way, that people inside couldn’t see out—but Shao Ye still felt that Pei Fangyan had seen him. That his gaze had lingered on him for a long moment before shifting away.

Under that deep gaze, Shao Ye’s heart began to race uncontrollably. Even though he didn’t carry the Pei surname, he still recognized himself as part of the Pei family. As a person of noble character from the Pei family, it was only natural that he should stand by the family head’s side. Besides, there was the added benefit of a bigger year-end share. Right then and there, Shao Ye decided he would become the most loyal follower of the family head.

The gym wasn’t far from the residence—just over ten minutes by car. Since it had just opened and was running promotions, it was packed with people.

The moment Shao Ye walked in, he drew a lot of attention. People gathered around him—some asking how he had built his physique, how long he had trained, others asking to add him as a contact.

Shao Ye had always been tolerant toward fellow fitness enthusiasts. He accepted all friend requests. Translated on Hololo novels. Looking at the long list of new contacts added in just a few days, he couldn’t help but wonder how many would actually remain.

Still remembering what his cousin had said earlier about his chest shrinking, Shao Ye had only one goal at the gym today: train chest, train chest, and train chest again.

After working up a sweat, he showered and stepped out. A cousin eagerly handed him a drink. Without suspicion, he downed it in one gulp.

The “weasels” exchanged glances. Perfect.

They had studied it—this drug would take effect in about half an hour. At first, it would cause drowsiness and sluggish thinking, then it would stimulate physical desire, and eventually leave only the instinct to release that desire.

They planned to lure Shao Ye to Su Yuexiang’s villa. When he got entangled with her, they would rush in as “good people,” restrain him, and deliver him to Pei Fangyan—a perfect two-birds-with-one-stone plan.

With surveillance as evidence, Shao Ye wouldn’t be able to deny anything.

After showering, Shao Ye wanted to head back to the residence. He had promised his Seventh Uncle he’d return before three in the afternoon to help with the massage. The others agreed—this timing was just right.

On the way back, Shao Ye sat in the back seat with one of his cousins. Tugging at his collar, he fanned himself. “Why do I feel so hot?”

The cousin quietly scooted farther away and gave an awkward laugh. “Maybe the AC isn’t on.”

Then he quickly signaled the driver to hurry. If Shao Ye lost control in the car, they’d all be on the news the next day.

Ten minutes later, they safely arrived at the residence. After getting out, Shao Ye kept yawning. His mind felt like frozen paste, unable to tell north from south.

Someone pointed toward a two-story villa in the distance. “Brother Ye, go rest over there.”

Shao Ye looked ahead and asked, “Why?”

He just wanted to rest where he was.

Why so many questions? In his current state, shouldn’t he just follow whatever they said?

The cousin who had suggested drugging him came up with another “brilliant” excuse—one Shao Ye wouldn’t refuse. “Seventh Uncle is over there.”

Shao Ye believed him. He nodded and headed in that direction.

But halfway there, he overheard servants mentioning the time—it was almost three. Three o’clock meant massage time, and that would be in the innermost building. Shao Ye hesitated at the fork in the road, then turned and took a different path.

Watching from the car, the “weasels” panicked.

“Why did he change direction?!”

“Someone go stop him!”

“There are cameras everywhere in the residence. If we stop him and then dump him at Su Yuexiang’s place, wouldn’t that be like a thief crying ‘stop thief’?”

“So we’re just not going to do anything?”

“It’s fine. Even if it’s not Su Yuexiang, if he harasses any servant, Pei Fangyan won’t keep him. Let’s follow and make sure things don’t get out of hand.”

They crept along behind him, watching as Shao Ye staggered forward down a path, curiosity growing.

“Who is he going to see?” someone asked.

“Maybe he’s heading back to his own room.”

“But he doesn’t live over there, does he?”

“Then who lives there?”

“S-Seventh Uncle…”

“Besides Seventh Uncle?”

“No one else, I think.”

“…Then he’s definitely going to die even worse.”

The group fell silent, as if mourning in advance.

Then suddenly someone shrieked, “Don’t just stand there! If he goes to Seventh Uncle and causes trouble, Seventh Uncle will definitely investigate it thoroughly. We might all end up going down with him! Hurry and stop him—”

Messing around with others and messing around in front of Seventh Uncle were two completely different outcomes.

Four or five of them immediately took off, chasing after Shao Ye. Seeing that in broad daylight someone actually dared to stop him from giving Seventh Uncle a massage, Shao Ye grew annoyed and started throwing punches at them.

Before long, all of them were lying on the ground bruised and battered. Only then did they realize that when Shao Ye said earlier he could take on all five of them with one punch, he hadn’t been joking.

But wasn’t this a bit too strong? What were they supposed to do if he really went to see Seventh Uncle later?

They were doomed. They might as well hurry up and pick out a nice burial plot. They heard their eldest uncle had recently been looking into that sort of thing, maybe they could consult him first.

Shao Ye successfully arrived at Pei Fangyan’s lounge before three o’clock. Aside from his slightly flushed face, he looked no different from usual.

He stood by the bed and seriously began massaging Pei Fangyan’s legs. Translated on Hololo novels. However, there was no strength in his hands at all, just soft and limp. Shao Ye himself didn’t notice it, and Pei Fangyan couldn’t feel it either.

After a while, Shao Ye couldn’t help but complain to Pei Fangyan, “Seventh Uncle, I’m so hot. Did you not turn on the air conditioning?”

Pei Fangyan had been reading documents. Only when he heard him speak did he look up. Seeing Shao Ye’s flushed cheeks, he immediately knew something was off and asked, “Did you drink outside?”

Shao Ye shook his head and said somewhat dazedly, “Didn’t drink. I had plain water.”

Pei Fangyan didn’t seem convinced and asked again, “What flavor of plain water?”

Shao Ye blinked and tilted his head, looking at him in confusion. Since when did plain water have a flavor?

Pei Fangyan’s gaze dropped, and he asked, “Doesn’t it feel uncomfortable?”

Shao Ye’s hands hadn’t stopped moving the entire time. Seeing Pei Fangyan look over, he said pitifully, “It’s uncomfortable.”

It felt like he was about to burst.

“If it’s uncomfortable, why didn’t you go back?” Pei Fangyan asked.

Shao Ye barely had any ability to think now. He answered whatever Pei Fangyan asked. “I need to massage Seventh Uncle first,” he said earnestly.

Pei Fangyan paused, then smiled. He picked up his phone, intending to call the steward to take Shao Ye away, but halfway through, he slowly put the phone back down. Then he pointed at the bathroom door and said to Shao Ye, “Go in and take care of it yourself.”

Shao Ye obediently walked in and immediately started taking off his pants.

Pei Fangyan said helplessly, “Close the door.”

Shao Ye responded with an “oh.” His brain had already stopped working. Now he just did whatever Pei Fangyan told him.

Pei Fangyan sat on the bed and continued reading the documents his subordinates had sent. Before long, hurried, heavy breathing mixed with the sound of running water came from the bathroom, along with a couple of low moans.

Pei Fangyan turned his head to look. Suddenly, he regretted reminding him to close the door earlier.

The document in his hand was impossible to keep reading. After a while, the sounds gradually stopped, but Shao Ye still didn’t come out.

Pei Fangyan waited another five minutes, but there was still no sign of him. He moved into his wheelchair and controlled it over to the bathroom.

He pushed the door open and saw Shao Ye’s shirt soaked through, clinging half-transparently to his honey-colored chest, clearly outlining his full pectorals and firm abdomen. His pants had been pulled down to the back of his knees, and slightly cloudy droplets of water slowly ran down his strong thighs.

He was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall behind him, eyes closed, as if he had already fallen asleep.

“Xiao Ye?” Pei Fangyan called.

Shao Ye opened his eyes. They were wet, as if he were about to cry. In a trembling voice, he said, “Seventh Uncle, it still feels uncomfortable.”

A sudden surge of excitement rose from the depths of Pei Fangyan’s heart. So strong, yet now so pitiful… truly adorable.

---

Author’s Note:

【Neverland, you’ve really outdone yourself. Last world you released swans, this time you switched to koi. Why are you even running a livestream? Just go make an animal documentary already!】

: Which stream is progressing this fast?! Who is the female lead with now?

: Not the female lead. It’s No. 6, with Seventh Uncle.

: The moment I saw “Seventh Uncle,” I jumped out of my chair. Then I saw it was No. 6 and quietly sat back down.

: Quietly? Didn’t the coach smack you back into your seat?

: As expected of him.

: Is No. 6 some kind of reincarnated succubus? Didn’t they say the official setup maxed out the female lead’s charm this time? What’s going on now?

: Don’t spread rumors! No. 6 and Seventh Uncle just have a pure uncle-nephew relationship. He even kindly reminded him to close the door.

: But his expression afterward looked kind of regretful, like he wished he could turn into laser eyes and blast the bathroom door open.

: He fans above, calm down. You don’t want me to start another thread explaining how He Jiahuai ate dirt, right?

: …………I’m leaving.

: Pure uncle-nephew relationship? That sounds familiar. The Qingming crowd used to say the same thing about the president and No. 6.

: I’m more and more convinced Seventh Uncle and the president are the same person.

: That’s definitely not true, okay? Don’t talk nonsense. The president is shameless and openly flirts with No. 6 all the time, but Seventh Uncle is the restrained, deeply devoted type. Translated on Hololo novels. He loved the female lead for years and never confessed.

: Is it possible he doesn’t actually love the female lead? Just a thought.

: Impossible! Every time the president gets flustered by No. 6, he crosses his legs, but Seventh Uncle never does. That proves he has no inappropriate thoughts about No. 6!

: That actually makes sense… I can’t even argue with that.

: …

: Wait, isn’t that comparison a bit too messed up? Even if Seventh Uncle wanted to cross his legs, with his condition, could he even do it?!

≽^•⩊•^≼

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