Qin Mu lifted his eyelids. “Is that necessary?”
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never lose a hundred battles.” The man’s eyes curved, like a cat dangling bait and waiting for the fish to bite.
“When?”
“These spoiled young masters live in a haze of wine and luxury, drinking and partying every night. If we’re going to meet, it has to be at a nightlife venue.” After saying that, Shen Liu realised he was describing himself as one of those ‘decadent types’. He smoothly shifted his tone. “I’m different, though—untainted despite being in the mud. I never go to nightclubs, sleep early, rise early, live a disciplined life, no bad habits whatsoever.”
Always so eager to paint himself in gold.
Qin Mu was about to mock him when Shen Liu lazily added, “Except for missing you.”
This man had clearly spent too long in the dating scene; corny flirtations rolled off his tongue effortlessly. He was relentlessly flirting early in the morning; it was as if he was begging for a beating. Qin Mu said blankly, “If you were a sub, I’d make sure the mere thought of me made your whole body ache.”
Shen Liu smiled. “I’ll make sure to try that someday.”
He looked at the man before him and thought bitterly that he really was hopeless. All those people who had thrown themselves at him over the years couldn’t stir even half his interest—yet he was utterly obsessed with this cold, unyielding man who could turn his back on him without hesitation. Whenever Qin Mu was around, his heart seemed to come alive, pulsing like it had taken a dose of aphrodisiac. Every glance, every fleeting expression could daze him, and his mind couldn’t stop replaying the sensations of the night before—the body pressed into soft sheets, the arching waist that moved with every thrust, the eyes wet and hazy with pleasure, the sounds that trembled between desire and resistance… His body began to heat uncontrollably; his ears buzzed, and he barely registered a word that was being said.
It wasn’t until he caught the look in Qin Mu’s eyes that he snapped back to his senses and thought that he was done for.
Doms were experts at reading people through their eyes—especially someone who knew him this well. Fantasising about him to his face was downright disrespectful.
Qin Mu said nothing, just stood and left the table. Shen Liu immediately followed.
“Is there anything else?” Qin Mu asked, pausing at the bedroom door.
“Yes.” Shen Liu stood outside, for once behaving like a gentleman who respected the rule of ‘no entry without permission’. He then asked, “May I get some clothes?”
A clumsy excuse. With all his wealth, Boss Shen’s wardrobe was the size of a small apartment—why would he need to enter this room to find clothes?
Qin Mu was about to speak when two maids pushed a cleaning cart out of the elevator at the end of the hall. Seeing the two men, they quickly lowered their heads and retreated. The younger one even flushed red.
Qin Mu frowned, turning toward Shen Liu. “You let them clean in there too?”
Shen Liu started to say no, but caught himself midway, mumbling an ambiguous “Eh?”
Qin Mu stepped aside and said coolly, “Open the door.”
Shen Liu entered openly.
That ‘dark room’ had always been one he cleaned himself. Apart from handing off the used sheets for washing, he never let anyone else touch it. Qin Mu had always been fastidious about such things—he used to handle the cleanup personally after their sessions. Last night’s ‘madness’ was already an act of indulgent loss of control for him; he didn’t want anyone else to see the aftermath and form any indecent imaginations.
Since the guest was cleaning, the host couldn’t very well stand idle. Shen Liu tossed the freshly washed vibrator into the steriliser and took the nipple clamps from Qin Mu’s hands, smiling. “Want me to wash the sheets too?”
Qin Mu glanced at him without answering.
Watching the man’s back, Shen Liu suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu—like he was back in the town of Tingyun. He almost reached out to wrap his arms around that waist, but managed to restrain himself, sitting down at the edge of the bed instead. After a moment, he spoke quietly. “I haven’t used this room in a long time.”
The words came out of nowhere, making Qin Mu pause slightly. Then Shen Liu continued, his tone unhurried. “In the beginning, I went wild for a while. I took in all kinds of subs, played with every trick in the book, and stirred up the scene. Then one day, I suddenly found it meaningless, and the excitement faded.” He paused. “I haven’t held a whip in ages. Last night, I didn’t dare use even the soft one. I was afraid I’d lost my touch and might hurt you.”
The words sounded halfway between a confession and casual conversation. The truth lay hidden within, like a single leaf deep in a dense forest—you knew it was there, but couldn’t quite find it.
For a brief moment, Qin Mu wanted to ask why, but stopped himself. Sharing that kind of privacy was too intimate, and after all, they were just two people taking what they needed from a one-night stand.
He put the ruler back into its case and walked up to Shen Liu.
Shen Liu’s heart stirred as he tilted his head to look up at him.
“Move. I’m changing the sheets.”
“…”
If a person’s heart were a boat, then time was the ballast stone weighing it down. Qin Mu’s boat carried especially heavy stones—solid, steady, unmoved by any storm. Even the finest swordsman couldn’t win against a wooden training dummy that refused to spar.
Shen Liu stood, smirking. “So diligent. Why not stay here and work? At your consultation rate, I could pay three thousand an hour.”
“The employer has a record of sexual harassment. The working environment’s too toxic. I’ll pass.” Qin Mu bundled up the sheets and shoved them into his arms before heading out to wash his hands.
Tao Ze froze when he saw Shen Liu emerging from the room with an armful of dirty bedding. Then, holding back laughter, he asked, “Boss, are you planning to wash those yourself, or should I find a vacuum bag to preserve them for you?”
Shen Liu gave him a cold, humourless grin. “You trying to forfeit your salary this month?”
“I was wrong, Boss.” Tao Ze quickly straightened his face and shifted to business. “For today’s lunch meeting, everyone’s confirmed except the three who couldn’t make the trip in time. Here’s the menu—please have a look.”
“Just keep it to the family-dinner standard,” Shen Liu said after skimming it. He had no objections.
“And for lunch… should we make separate arrangements for Lawyer Qin, or…?”
“Together. Seat him next to me.”
“Have you told him in advance?”
“When you’re catching a rabbit, do you put up a sign saying ‘trap ahead’?” Shen Liu shot him a glare.
“Well, you could, but the rabbit can’t read anyway,” Tao Ze replied, flashing a row of white teeth.
Shen Liu gave him a look. “You’re feeling pretty funny today, aren’t you, Tao Ze?”
“Just doing my best, Boss.”
“Everyone coming today is important. Butler Jin’s getting old—you handle the greeting.”
“…” Tao Ze went rigid with shock, then pulled a face and said miserably, “Boss, I was wrong. Some rabbits can read…”
“Cut the crap and get moving.”
–
There was a reason Tao Ze had managed to stay by Shen Liu’s side all these years.
The luncheon had been arranged in haste, yet within an extremely limited timeframe, he had organised every detail with meticulous precision so that Shen Liu wouldn’t have to lift a finger. The reception room had both Eastern and Western-style refreshments and drinks ready. Ingredients for lunch were prepared in advance, with dishes carefully avoiding any ingredients aligned with the guests’ dietary restrictions. Even the seating arrangements were thoughtfully designed to reflect relationships and hierarchy, and the napkins had been deliberately replaced with ones of elegant, understated colour.
At ten-thirty sharp, Assistant Tao stood in the front hall, his posture tense as if facing a battlefield. The elderly butler, Old Jin, smiled behind him.
“Relax a little.”
Tao Ze gave a bitter smile, but before he could reply, the low rumble of an approaching engine drowned his words. Moments later, a bright yellow Ferrari swept across the lawn and stopped at the front steps. The bodyguard jogged forward to open the door, and out stepped a young man dressed in expensive designer streetwear, with sunglasses so large they hid half his face.
“Where’s Shen Liu?” was his first question upon getting out of the car.
Snapping out of his grief over ‘that lawn was just re-sodded last week’, Tao Ze plastered on his best professional smile and went forward.
“Young Master Rong, you must be tired from your journey. President Shen is in his study taking care of some business. Please have a seat in the reception room for now.”
The young man frowned as he walked. “Didn’t he invite me for lunch? I’m here, so can we eat already? I skipped breakfast—I’m starving.”
Tao Ze kept his smile polite. “Please wait just a moment.”
The young man’s steps faltered. Something clicked in his mind, “He invited other people too, didn’t he?”
“There are a few more guests. You’re the first to arrive.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His face darkened instantly. “Who else did he invite? Did he hide it from me because he thought I wouldn’t come? Don’t tell me that brat Shen Xiao is coming too?”
Tao Ze hesitated for just half a second—enough for the man to spin on his heel and head for the exit. Cold sweat broke out down Tao Ze’s back. He hurried after him, pleading, “Young Master Rong, you’re already here…”
They hadn’t gone far before two more men entered through the front doors. Their faces bore a striking resemblance, though one looked to be in his thirties—serious in a formal suit—while the younger, in his early twenties, wore a warm, easy smile.
“Well, well, Shen Rong, long time no see,” the younger greeted first.
The first arrival ignored him, removing his sunglasses to reveal a clean-cut face, and turned toward the elder. “Ting ge.”
“Mm,” Shen Ting nodded. The younger, Shen Xiao, added, “You’re leaving already?”
“Why would I leave?” Shen Rong replied coldly. “Just thought I’d take a look around.”
“Really? I thought you were afraid to see me.” Shen Xiao smirked. “I messed up last time—been meaning to apologise. But then I figured it was just some bar singer. Hardly worth letting her ruin our brotherhood. You didn’t take it to heart, right?”
Shen Rong’s smile was thin and sharp. “You’re right. There’s no shortage of women. Just for next time—if you like one, tell me directly. I’ll wrap her up and deliver her to you myself. But don’t pull that ‘take first, ask later’ crap again. Being timid in business is one thing, but being small-minded in bed? That’s just pathetic.”
Shen Xiao’s smile froze. Tao Ze, drenched in sweat, jumped in to divert, “Young Master Ting, refreshments are ready—please, have some tea.”
Shen Ting nodded and walked in. With that interruption, the other two couldn’t keep arguing and followed him inside. Once tea was served, Tao Ze returned to the entrance. As he turned the corner, the sigh of relief he had just felt disappeared; this time, his nerves were on edge.
This time, two female guests arrived. The one on the left had delicate brows and almond eyes, her black hair cascading like silk, embodying the gentle grace unique to Eastern women. The one on the right, slightly older, wore her hair short; her beauty was sharper, brighter—refined yet cutting. If the first was a pearl in a box, the second was a blade in its sheath.
The short-haired woman shrugged off her coat and handed it to a maid. Her first words were, “Where’s Tao Ze?”
The assistant instinctively shrank behind a cabinet, but remembering his duty, he stepped out with a forced smile. “Miss Anning,” he greeted, then turned to the younger woman, “Miss Jiahe.”
Shen Anning smiled brightly. “Missed me?”
Tao Ze froze—there was no safe answer to that. He settled for diplomacy, “I’ve been looking forward to your arrival.”
“Do I look good today?” she pressed.
“You always look beautiful.”
“Who’s prettier, me or Jiahe?”
There it was, the killer question… Shen Jiahe covered her mouth, laughing quietly to watch the show.
Tao Ze, driven by sheer survival instinct, replied, “You’re both beautiful in your own ways.”
“Describe it,” Anning insisted mercilessly.
“I’m not good with words,” he said weakly, “but you’re both the kind of beauty men would gladly fall head over heels for.”
Anning narrowed her eyes. “Is that so? Then how come I still don’t have a boyfriend? People say you should be with someone who appreciates you. Seems like you’re the only one who does. Why don’t we give it a try?”
Cold sweat trickled down his back. He ducked his head. “I’m not worthy. The man fit for you must be a true dragon among men. The meal will start soon—please, come sit inside.”
Anning eyed him. “Funny, your mouth doesn’t sound clumsy at all. Smooth talker like you—Shen Liu’s wasting your talent as a butler. Why don’t you come work for me? I’ll double your salary.”
“Tsk, poaching from under my roof—isn’t that a bit improper?” came a man’s voice, saving Tao Ze from disaster.
“Liu ge,” Jiahe greeted.
Shen Liu nodded. “Thank you for coming all this way.”
“What, and I didn’t?” Anning huffed. “I came straight here from the airport. You dare call me improper?”
Shen Liu chuckled. “Touching, truly. I’ll make sure to serve you and Jiahe something special to wash off the travel dust.”
“Forget it,” she muttered. “Your banquets always feel like traps.” Still, she headed inside of her own accord.
Tao Ze exhaled in relief.
Shen Liu shot him a knowing smile.
Guests arrived one after another. The air in the reception room grew heavy with the invisible smoke of social warfare. Outwardly, everyone maintained the grace and poise of high society—sipping tea, nibbling pastries, trading elegant pleasantries—but their words were full of barbs. Every polite phrase hid an insult; every compliment, a veiled jab. It was verbal fencing at its finest: subtle, poisonous, and lethal.
Even as an outsider, Tao Ze felt pricked just listening. Yet Shen Liu sat in the middle of it all, smiling like a spring breeze, completely unfazed.
When all eight guests had arrived, they moved to the dining room.
Shen Li, the last to show, was nursing a hangover from last night’s drinking session. He rubbed his temples. “Shen Liu, if you’ve got something to say, just say it. Once you’re done, I’m going home to sleep. What’s this dinner for anyway? It’s not New Year’s, no need for another fake display of family harmony.”
“Tired? Should I have a bed brought over?” Shen Liu asked mildly.
It sounded like a joke, but there was pressure under the words. The others exchanged glances and fell silent. Shen Li gave an awkward cough and straightened in his seat.
The ones at this ‘family dinner’ were all the true power players among the younger Shen generation. The fact that Shen Liu could summon them meant he had leverage.
“I did invite you all for a reason,” Shen Liu said, unhurried. “But first, let’s eat. Considering how our family relations aren’t exactly good enough for everyone to share the same dishes, I decided to go with French cuisine.”
For once, Tao Ze saw unanimous approval in their eyes.
Noticing the empty seat beside Shen Liu, Shen Jiahe asked, “Is someone else still coming?”
Shen Liu glanced at his watch—the hands pointed to 11:30. He looked toward the door, smiling. “Considering that listening to all that nonsense and mockery while eating might cause indigestion, I’ve invited a special guest to join us. Please, everyone, stay calm and well-mannered—let’s not embarrass the Shen family.”
Then he rose to his feet. “Allow me to introduce someone I greatly respect… my lawyer friend—Qin Mu.”
And that was how Lawyer Qin, completely unprepared, found himself stepping into the dining room still wearing his pyjamas under a tableful of assessing stares.
T/N:
Uh oh, sorry, I haven’t finished translating this when I scheduled it T_T
I totally forgot I scheduled it already
IDK WHAT HAPPENED THO
It looks okay when I logged in…
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