Ch 38: How To Be A Good Lackey

Shao Ye suspected he had misheard, but after hesitating, he still didn’t dare ask Pei Fangyan to repeat what he’d just said.

After thinking it over, he said, “Seventh Uncle, the doctor already checked me. I really don’t have any other injuries.”

Pei Fangyan turned his wheelchair and looked up at him.

Shao Ye stood straight, hands pressed along the seams of his pants, posture impeccable. If he lifted his chin a bit more, he could’ve gone straight to military training.

“Why did you follow Su Yuexiang to the cemetery yesterday?” Pei Fangyan asked.

Shao Ye let out an “ah,” suddenly remembering, and quickly explained, “Right, I forgot to tell you. Yesterday at noon I saw He Jiahuai secretly pass her a document. I suspected he was leaking company secrets, so I followed to investigate.”

He bared his neat white teeth, his face full of “praise me quickly” pride.

Pei Fangyan nodded, accepting the explanation. Then he said, “Alright. You can take off your pants now.”

“Wait… what?” Shao Ye immediately pulled a long face. He crouched down in front of Pei Fangyan, looking up at him. “Seventh Uncle, what exactly are you trying to do? Can you tell me first so I can mentally prepare?”

Pei Fangyan only said, “You’ll know in a moment.”

So what exactly is it?!

Shao Ye stood back up, gripping his waistband, still hesitating.

Pei Fangyan’s gaze fell on his hands. After a long moment, he said lightly, “So what I say doesn’t matter anymore?”

That line made Shao Ye’s scalp tighten. If he kept stalling, he felt like he’d be labeled “unfilial” on the spot. He quickly replied, “It matters.”

It’s just taking off pants, right? No big deal! Nothing to be embarrassed about!

He swiftly removed his outer casual trousers, leaving only his underwear. Then he couldn’t help asking, “All of it?”

Pei Fangyan gave a quiet “mm,” his gaze lingering on Shao Ye’s muscular, well-defined thighs.

Even though Shao Ye still found the request strange, he’d already come this far. One more piece of clothing didn’t matter. In a few quick motions, he stripped off the last of it and tossed it onto the pile.

He sneaked a glance at Pei Fangyan. The latter had lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

…Alright then.

Shao Ye sighed silently and turned, about to lie down on the bed as instructed. But just as his body touched the sheets, a sudden realization struck him. He turned back and asked, “Seventh Uncle… am I getting punished again?”

Wait. Why did he say “again”?

Pei Fangyan looked up at him, somewhat surprised, then asked, “So you know what you did wrong?”

So it really is a punishment?!

Even though Shao Ye had no idea what he’d done wrong, he nodded rapidly. “I do, Seventh Uncle.”

Pei Fangyan gave a small “mm.” “Then tell me. What exactly did you do wrong?”

More than one thing?!

Shao Ye froze. He thought hard, but couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong at all.

Sure, he’d been captured by kidnappers while following Su Yuexiang yesterday—but he’d escaped through his own wit, saved his uncle three million, and even uncovered a secret involving He Jiahuai and Su Yuexiang. If anything, he deserved merit!

After thinking for a long time, he finally lowered his head in defeat. “I… don’t know.”

Pei Fangyan nodded. “Didn’t you just say you knew? Lying adds another charge.”

Shao Ye: “……”

How is that fair… if I’d known, I wouldn’t have said anything!

Pei Fangyan rolled his wheelchair to the bedside. Outside, the evening sky was painted with brilliant clouds. Sunlight streamed through the window, tracing a golden outline across the bed.

He looked at the smooth curve before him, imagining the feel of his hand against it. He didn’t act immediately, instead asking again, “Anything else you want to say? If not, I’ll start.”

His uncle was oddly considerate, still giving him a chance to defend himself.

After thinking it through, Shao Ye chose what he believed was his strongest argument. “Seventh Uncle, for the sake of the three million I saved you… could you not hit my butt?”

He wasn’t afraid of pain. He’d taken hits to the head yesterday and was fine. But getting spanked was just too humiliating. He was twenty-three—his own father had never done that to him.

“Three million?” Pei Fangyan repeated.

“Yes, yes!” Shao Ye nodded eagerly.

Pei Fangyan chuckled softly. As he rolled up his sleeves, he said slowly, “To find you yesterday, I mobilized Xu You and his team. Five million each as a bonus. Since the kidnappers contacted us from overseas, I also involved foreign forces—fifty million. Add in pulling surveillance, greasing connections, and all the follow-up handling… take a guess. How much did I spend in one night?”

Shao Ye: “……”

He couldn’t guess, but it sounded like a lot. Enough to ransom several of him.

He buried his face into the soft pillow. Looks like this beating is unavoidable… how did it cost so much?!

Seeing him fall silent, Pei Fangyan didn’t press further. He lightly tapped the edge of the bed and said, “Move closer. You’re too far. I can’t reach.”

Not only was he getting punished, he had to scoot himself into position too. Absolute psychological torture.

Grumbling inwardly, Shao Ye obediently shuffled closer to his uncle’s hand.

The bedroom was silent. Pei Fangyan hadn’t turned on the lights. In the dim glow of the setting sun, the last golden rays illuminated the smooth curve of Shao Ye’s skin.

He lay there waiting… and waiting… but no pain came.

He couldn’t help thinking: why hasn’t Seventh Uncle started yet? Did he change his mind?

After all, even if he got beaten now, the money wouldn’t come back.

But it was really a lot of money…

Smack!

A sharp crack broke the silence of the bedroom, snapping Shao Ye out of his tangled thoughts.

Pei Fangyan hadn’t held back. The strike came suddenly. Shao Ye had still been thinking his uncle might go easy on him, only to be hit hard. The shock almost made him spring off the bed, but he forced himself to suppress the instinct.

Pei Fangyan withdrew his hand. The spot he’d struck trembled slightly, like a tempting delicacy.

His tongue slowly traced along his teeth, as if he could already taste it. His voice was low and hoarse as he said, “That was for not listening yesterday. I told you to stay at the company, and you still ran off on your own.”

Shao Ye wanted to argue. He’d gone out before too, and his uncle hadn’t said anything then.

But instinct told him now was not the time. Better to shut up and play mute.

Smack!

Another strike. Shao Ye clutched the pillow tighter, his whole body tensing.

Behind him came Pei Fangyan’s deep voice. “That one’s for not thinking to protect yourself when you were in danger, and insisting on showing off instead.”

If he’d tried to leave after taking that hit from the kidnappers, with his abilities, he could’ve escaped.

But Shao Ye didn’t think he’d been reckless. If those kidnappers hadn’t pulled out a stun baton, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.

He really should get himself some insulated gear.

Smack!

“That one’s for trying to lie to me just now.”

That one, Shao Ye accepted. Still, he felt the punishment didn’t quite fit the crime.

Smack!

Another strike landed. Shao Ye hugged the pillow and waited, but after a long pause, no explanation came.

Was this one so bad it couldn’t even be said out loud? What had he even done?

“Seventh Uncle?” Shao Ye turned his head and blinked.

Pei Fangyan knew exactly what he was asking and didn’t bother hiding it. “I wasn’t done yet.”

Shao Ye: “……”

That counts as a reason?!

How can he say that so confidently?!

Smack, smack, smack! This time, several strikes in a row, though lighter than before.

Shao Ye shifted his legs uneasily. The feeling was strange. The initial pain had faded, replaced by a numbness that made him almost—

No. Don’t think about it.

After more than ten strikes, Pei Fangyan finally stopped. His narrow eyes narrowed in satisfaction as he admired his handiwork.

He reached out and lightly brushed over the reddened skin, feeling the faint tremor from Shao Ye’s body.

Pei Fangyan smiled slowly.

He had once arrogantly thought this was just a bird that had wandered into his dull life, something to tease and play with before losing interest. But without realizing it, that bird had already taken root in his heart. If he tried to pull it out now, it would tear out flesh and blood along with it.

Perhaps from the very beginning, it should have become part of him.

Shao Ye waited a long time, but no more strikes came. He guessed his uncle was finally done. But he’d developed an inconvenient reaction and didn’t dare get up, so he could only lie there obediently.

Pei Fangyan’s hand rested at the base of Shao Ye’s spine, his fingertip tracing slow circles. It only made things worse. If his uncle noticed, wouldn’t he get another round?

He turned his head to sneak a look at Pei Fangyan’s expression, but every time Pei Fangyan seemed about to look back, he quickly turned away. After several repetitions, it became impossible not to notice.

To Pei Fangyan, he looked like a small animal—knowing the outside was dangerous, yet unable to resist poking its head out to look.

Adorable.

He really should’ve just swallowed him whole today.

After lying there for a while, Shao Ye suddenly remembered something else he’d forgotten to mention. A little guiltily, he called out, “Seventh Uncle…”

“Speak.”

Shao Ye hesitated, then said awkwardly, “A friend of mine got scammed out of three million. Maybe more. I want to use the secondary card you gave me to pay him back.”

He’d just told his uncle he’d saved him three million, only to lose it again. This beating really wasn’t undeserved.

Pei Fangyan’s fingers slid slightly lower, idly rubbing over the smooth skin as he asked, “What happened?”

Shao Ye told him everything about that “friend” in full detail.

A month in exchange for three million? Getting scammed seemed deserved. Why pay it back?

Pei Fangyan thought for a moment, then asked, “That’s your… friend?”

Shao Ye considered seriously. “Uh… maybe not after I pay him back.”

Pei Fangyan gave him a pinch, barely suppressing certain less-than-harmonious thoughts, and said, “Since I gave you the card, how you use it is up to you.”

Shao Ye sucked in a breath from the pinch and quietly shifted his body farther away. Then he sincerely suggested, “Seventh Uncle, next time… can you not hit my butt?”

Pei Fangyan asked in return, “Then next time, can you behave?”

“I think I behave pretty well…” Shao Ye said.

Pei Fangyan: “So obedient that you followed someone all the way to a cemetery?”

“This kidnapping was completely an accident,” Shao Ye said, lacking confidence.

“So you still don’t think you did anything wrong, is that it?” Pei Fangyan’s tone turned dangerous, and the place his fingertips were about to touch seemed even more dangerous.

“I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong,” Shao Ye quickly admitted, knowing when to yield. “I really know I was wrong, Seventh Uncle.”

Pei Fangyan finally withdrew his hand. Shao Ye immediately scrambled up from the bed, using a pillow to cover himself as he hurriedly jumped down.

Pei Fangyan watched him but didn’t stop him. In a calm tone, he asked, “So, you’re planning to leave?”

Of course he wanted to leave. Shao Ye felt that if he didn’t go now, he might lose control and scare his Seventh Uncle.

But the tone his Seventh Uncle used didn’t sound very friendly. Shao Ye paused while bending down to pick up his pants, then turned around nervously and asked, “Seventh Uncle, you’re not going to hit me again, are you?”

Pei Fangyan replied, “Do I seem like someone who enjoys hitting people?”

Shao Ye felt that question was off. Whether he liked hitting people might be debatable, but he definitely seemed to like hitting him.

Shao Ye spoke based on facts. “But Seventh Uncle, you hit me quite a few extra times just now.”

“Did it hurt?” Pei Fangyan asked.

It didn’t hurt, but honestly, it might have been better if it had. Shao Ye glanced downward, feeling even more guilty, and muttered softly, “If I’d known I’d get hit when I came over, I would’ve…”

“Would’ve what?” Pei Fangyan asked.

Shao Ye couldn’t answer. Not come at all? That wasn’t realistic. If not today, then tomorrow. Maybe he should just get a chastity lock, at least then it wouldn’t be this awkward.

Shao Ye wailed internally. Was he some kind of masochist? Why could he react like this even after getting hit?!

Pei Fangyan didn’t get an answer and didn’t press further. He looked at Shao Ye’s posture as he bent over, reached out to turn on the light and adjust its brightness, then sat quietly in his wheelchair without saying a word.

After Shao Ye finished putting on his pants and turned around, he noticed that Pei Fangyan’s face looked even paler than it had that morning. He hurried over and placed his hand on Pei Fangyan’s forehead. “Seventh Uncle, your forehead is so hot. Do you have a fever?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. If you want to leave, go ahead,” Pei Fangyan brushed his hand away and rubbed his temple.

How could he leave now? Earlier in the day, Shao Ye had already thought something was off with him and suggested he get checked at the hospital, but he refused, saying rest would be enough. And now he had a fever.

“Seventh Uncle, wait here. I’ll go get a doctor,” Shao Ye said.

Pei Fangyan refused immediately. “No. Don’t.”

“Why? If you don’t see a doctor, what will you do?” Shao Ye frowned, clearly disagreeing.

“I’m fine,” Pei Fangyan said.

Why was his Seventh Uncle so stubborn! After observing him for a moment, Shao Ye asked suspiciously, “Seventh Uncle, are you angry?”

Pei Fangyan forced a stiff smile. “No. What would I be angry about? Don’t worry about me. Go do whatever you need to do.”

The more he said that, the more Shao Ye felt something was wrong. Was he really angry? Why? Because he hadn’t hit him enough just now?

That couldn’t be it…

But his Seventh Uncle did seem pretty happy while hitting him earlier.

Shao Ye felt like he had gone through an intense inner struggle, though in reality not even half a minute had passed. He took off the pants he had just put on, lay face down by the bed, and consciously got into position.

“Seventh Uncle, how about you hit me again?” he said.

After a pause, he added, “But after that, you have to call a doctor.”

---

Author’s Note:

【I still think there’s something shady about Neverland. Once is one thing, but the same plot happening again?】

Didn’t they say the female lead’s charm had already been maxed out? What exactly is No. 6, some kind of real succubus reincarnation?

: The chief eunuch, we’ve said it many times

: …

: Maybe it’s maxed at 10 points, but Seventh Uncle’s scale is out of 100

: If you trust the official side, you’re done for

: What do you mean? Do you know some inside info?

: No, but I’ve seen this kind of official game manipulation before. Not surprising. Just complain more and you’ll feel better

: Does complaining actually help?

: It helps your mood

: …

: But Seventh Uncle turned so smoothly though

: Is it possible he wasn’t that straight to begin with

: I also think there’s something shady. Why do those koi get so much screen time? Are our Rottweilers not worthy?

: Our Rottweilers are Seventh Uncle and No. 6’s legitimate children, the proper heirs!

: Are you looking for “Three Babies at Once: The Alluring Seventh Uncle, Go Easy on Me”

: Fragile Seventh Uncle, huh. I finally saw a clip in the middle, his little face was so pale, and then the next second it cut back to koi again

: Why don’t you tag that OP who deleted their thread earlier for this “fragile” scene

: That’s just brutal

: Why won’t you show it to me! Why won’t you show it! If you won’t show it, it’s all fake! All shady! Female lead–Seventh Uncle shippers, hurry up and report them!

: They’re still crying. Probably won’t think of reporting anytime soon

: They’re really crying? Let me see.jpg

: What’s there to cry about? Seventh Uncle wasn’t that sincere toward the female lead to begin with

: Crying over my misplaced feelings

: I don’t understand! Then what about the legs he lost for the female lead back then? What does that count for?!

: Maybe… it just means he was ruthless?

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