Gold-Devouring Bottom: A Guide to Pampering - Chapter 6

While the assistant waited in trepidation, Ye Xiuchen didn’t blow his top as expected. Instead, his long, elegant fingers scrolled across the screen, finally coming to a stop on a specific image.

Ye Xiuchen: The second set.

He actually didn’t get angry? The assistant rubbed his eyes, widening them in disbelief. He must have seen wrong.

When Shen Xinghuai saw the message, he hesitated slightly: That color suit can only be paired with a white shirt. If I wear that, what will you wear? It’ll be hard to match.

Ye Xiuchen’s relaxed brow instantly furrowed into a deep scowl: What does it have to do with what I wear? Found a new excuse?

Shen Xinghuai: Of course it matters! I want to wear clothes with “couple elements” with you.

Shen Xinghuai: I originally wanted to wear a shirt in the same color family as yours, but this set only works with white. White is too plain; no one will be able to tell we’re wearing a couple’s outfit [Aggrieved finger-poking emoji].

This time, Shen Xinghuai intended to charm Old Master Ye in his capacity as Ye Xiuchen’s “official boyfriend.” He had to consider every angle; not a single detail could be overlooked.

Ye Xiuchen stopped in his tracks. Looking at the pouting emoji at the end of the message, he let out a breath: Custom-made. Tell the designer whatever requirements you have.

Shen Xinghuai: Let’s get a matching couple’s set [Acting spoiled] GIF

Ye Xiuchen: Hmm.

Shen Xinghuai: [Big loud mwah/kiss] GIF

Ye Xiuchen stared at the screen and let out a disdainful huff. “Scheming and crafty, quite the people-pleaser.” He then gestured to his assistant. “Arrange for the fashion designer to go to the house and tailor some clothes for Shen Xinghuai.”

The assistant didn’t dare delay: “Yes, I’ll go right away.”

Shen Xinghuai lay in the garden for a while until the sky suddenly turned overcast. He moved back to the living room to play games while waiting for the designer to arrive.

Ye Xiuchen hadn’t shown his face at home for a day and a night. After being cooped up for twenty-four hours, Shen Xinghuai felt like he was starting to grow mold from boredom by the next morning.

After breakfast, he stood in the yard looking at the sky. The sun was out, and the breeze was mild—it would be a shame not to go out on such a beautiful day.

Without much thought, he pulled up Tian Yuanyuan’s number and dialed.

Tian Yuanyuan was surprised on the other end: “You’re back in Lincheng so soon?”

Only then did Shen Xinghuai remember that he had told Yuanyuan two days ago that he was going out of town to see a show. He stammered for a moment: “There was a bit of an unexpected hiccup, so I didn’t end up going.”

“Then come out and play! The weather is great! I’ll come pick you up.” Tian Yuanyuan had a blunt, carefree personality and trusted Shen Xinghuai implicitly. Whatever Shen said, he believed.

“No need. Where are you? I’ll come find you.”

“I’m at the stables. Once you get here, we can decide where else to go.”

Shen Xinghuai informed Uncle Ming that he was heading out, and Uncle Ming immediately arranged for two bodyguards to accompany him.

When Shen Xinghuai arrived at the stables, Tian Yuanyuan was busy washing his favorite horse. Seeing him arrive, Yuanyuan tossed the brush to a nearby staff member and ran over.

He skidded to a halt a few paces away, looking at the two burly men behind Shen Xinghua in surprise.

Approaching Shen Xinghuai warily, Tian Yuanyuan grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the giants, whispering, “Why are Ye Madm—Ye Xiuchen’s bodyguards following you?”

Shen Xinghuai didn’t intend to keep it from him and gave a brief account of his sudden kidnapping the other day. Tian Yuanyuan’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “Holy crap, that’s terrifying! No wonder Ye Xiuchen doesn’t feel safe letting you go out alone.” Tian Yuanyuan peeked at the bodyguards again, lowering his voice: “At first, I thought that pervert Ye sent them to monitor you.”

“Brother Shen, why are you here?” A group of people stood at the entrance of the stables. One of them, a slim, fair-skinned boy with large eyes, hurried toward them.

Shen Xinghuai narrowed his eyes, his brow arching slightly.

Oh, here we go! His “Green Tea” step-brother, Bai Xiang’an—related by neither blood nor bond—was trotting his way.

Tian Yuanyuan followed his gaze and glared fiercely at Bai Xiang’an. The boy’s fake, delicate aura made him feel nauseous. “How unlucky. What is he doing here?”

By the time Tian Yuanyuan finished speaking, Bai Xiang’an had reached them. He reached out to grab Shen Xinghuai’s arm: “Brother, you—”

“Don’t get too close!” The bodyguard behind Shen Xinghuai extended an arm, blocking Bai Xiang’an.

Interrupted mid-rehearsed line, Bai Xiang’an looked at the bodyguard in disbelief before turning to Shen Xinghuai: “Brother, who are they?”

“Bodyguards. People responsible for the employer’s personal safety,” Shen Xinghuai explained pleasantly, playing the part of a very good older brother.

Bai Xiang’an’s confusion deepened: “Where did you get the money to hire bodyguards?”

To be fair, the original owner of this body really didn’t have much money. His scumbag father, Shen Hong, was a complete idiot—stingy enough to deny his biological son tuition fees for years, yet granting every request of his unrelated stepson.

Shen Xinghuai gestured slightly with his wrist, and the bodyguard immediately stepped back behind him.

Bai Xiang’an stared at Shen Xinghuai intently, as if trying to bore a hole through him. “Brother, are those shameful things they say online true? Are you really out there selling your body and sleeping around?”

Shameful? Selling my body?

Before Shen Xinghuai could speak, Tian Yuanyuan exploded: “Bullsh*t! Do you even know how to talk? Xinghuai is in a legitimate relationship. How does that turn into ‘selling his body’ in your mouth?”

Bai Xiang’an flinched back two steps, his eyes instantly welling with tears. “Brother Yuan, why are you being so mean? I didn’t say anything wrong.”

Tian Yuanyuan hated this “damsel in distress” act the most. In the past, when Bai Xiang’an made snide remarks, Shen Xinghuai was too concerned with his dignity to fight back and ended up swallowing his anger every time. “This is mean? Let me show you what mean really looks like!” He stepped forward, raising a hand as if to strike.

Shen Xinghuai caught his wrist. “Yuanyuan, don’t be impulsive.” Let me handle this little Green Tea.

Tian Yuanyuan was frustrated by what he saw as weakness: “Xinghuai, don’t always let him have his way.”

Bai Xiang’an looked at Tian Yuanyuan provocatively, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

Shen Xinghuai looked at Bai Xiang’an, his voice so gentle it could practically melt. “Little brother, don’t judge others by your own standards. Just because you sell your body for money and juggle multiple ‘boats’ at once doesn’t mean I do.

We are not the same.”

Tian Yuanyuan froze for a second, then burst out laughing.

Bai Xiang’an snapped out of it, his face turning from white to an ashen green. His voice rose uncontrollably: “Brother, you’re insulting me? You actually insulted me!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the people he had arrived with caught up and heard everything clearly.

Among them was a fellow connoisseur of “the art of tea” named Han Jing, who had been Bai Xiang’an’s boyfriend for quite some time. Seeing Bai Xiang’an upset, Han Jing flared up as well, shielding the boy behind him. “Shen Xinghuai, did you just insult An-an?”

Usually, in a situation like this, the original Shen Xinghuai—aloof and obsessed with his image—would try to explain himself, which was a futile effort that only left him looking worse.

But today was different. Shen Xinghuai smiled and admitted it openly: “That’s right, I insulted him. So what? Is it not allowed?”

The onlookers were stunned, staring at him in a daze.

Han Jing’s eyes turned bloodshot with rage. “Say that one more time and see what happens!”

Challenge accepted.

Shen Xinghuai looked at Bai Xiang’an and repeated his insult word-for-word. He then looked at the two long-faced men with an air of pure sincerity: “Want to hear it again? I have plenty more.”

Upon hearing the phrase “juggling multiple boats,” the expressions of the other onlookers became quite vivid as they began to piece the gossip together.

With tears trembling in his eyes, Bai Xiang’an clutched Han Jing’s hand: “Jing-ge, I didn’t! He’s lying!”

Han Jing’s anger reached its peak, and he lunged toward Shen Xinghuai. “Shen Xinghuai, you’re full of sh*t!” One couldn’t blame his volatility; anyone’s sanity would snap at the suggestion of being cheated on.

He had barely taken two steps when his shoulder was pinned by Shen Xinghuai’s bodyguard. With a swift twist, his arms were locked painfully behind his back, forcing a scream from his throat.

The others initially moved to intervene, but once they realized the bodyguards were Ye Xiuchen’s men, they silently retreated. Not a single person dared to step forward; they all stood aside in hushed silence.

Bai Xiang’an watched as his dirty laundry was aired out, unable to fight back physically or verbally. His face looked like a tipped-over paint palette. Meanwhile, Han Jing was proving to be a paper tiger, howling in pain, making Bai Xiang’an want to find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Shen Xinghuai didn’t give the order to let go, so the bodyguard kept the pressure on. Han Jing yelled frantically, “Let me go! Shen Xinghuai, tell your man to let go!”

Shen Xinghuai walked unhurriedly up to him and gave the bodyguard a look.

The bodyguard immediately jerked Han Jing’s wrists upward a few more inches. The searing pain in his shoulders nearly brought Han Jing to his knees. “Shen Xinghuai, let go of me!”

Shen Xinghuai peered at Han Jing with a beaming smile. “It’s not that I can’t let you go, but Bai Xiang’an just accused me of lying and slandering him. He needs to apologize to me first.”

An apology would be an admission of his cheating. Bai Xiang’an bit his lip so hard it nearly bled, glaring at Shen Xinghuai with pure venom.

Shen Xinghuai wasn’t bothered by the stare. His lips remained curved as he mimicked Bai Xiang’an’s usual “Green Tea” tone: “You don’t want to apologize? He’s only in this much pain because he’s trying to protect you, yet you won’t even say ‘sorry’ for his sake? Tsk, tsk, it’s so sad to be your boyfriend.”

He then turned back to Han Jing, the poor cuckold. “Sad indeed, but luckily you aren’t the only sad soul. There’s also,” Shen Xinghuai intentionally dragged out the ending.

Bai Xiang’an’s hands balled into fists. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and gritted his teeth. “It was my fault. I’m sorry, Brother.” He was truly terrified that Shen Xinghuai would start naming his other “boats,” which would make the situation impossible to salvage.

Shen Xinghuai’s brow arched. He waved his hand magnanimously, his tone carrying the indulgence of an elder toward a wayward child: “It’s good that you know you were wrong. I’ll forgive you this time, but don’t let it happen again.”

At his signal, the bodyguard shoved Han Jing away.

Bai Xiang’an had never been so humiliated. He turned and bolted from the stables, with Han Jing clutching his shoulder and chasing after him in a rage.

The remaining people looked at each other, the atmosphere sinking into a bizarre silence. Shen Xinghuai ignored them completely and pulled Tian Yuanyuan along. “Let’s go. We’ll play somewhere else.”

After Tian Yuanyuan showered and changed, the two walked out of the stables together. Before they could reach their car, a black business sedan swerved to block their path.

Before the car even came to a full stop, the door was shoved open. A man with long legs, broad shoulders, and a refined, scholarly look stepped out.

The man hurried toward Shen Xinghuai with an air of desperation. “Xiao Huai, you’re really here!”

As Shen Xinghuai recognized the man blocking his way, his expression soured, and his temples began to throb.

This man was Lu Yan.

In this novel, he was Ye Xiuchen’s greatest rival, and Shen Xinghuai was the “White Moonlight” he constantly claimed to love.

A large part of why the original Shen Xinghuai was tortured by the “Madman Ye” was thanks to this man!

He was a constant talker, always claiming he couldn’t forget the original owner. Using the excuse of “winning back” Shen Xinghuai, he constantly provoked Ye Xiuchen, which only served to make Ye Xiuchen vent his fury on Shen Xinghuai even more violently.

Shen Xinghuai wanted nothing to do with this man; he wished he could tattoo the words “Stay the Hell Away” across his forehead.

Lu Yan, however, was visibly excited, his eyes shining as he stared at Shen Xinghuai. “Lu Wei told me you were here. I rushed over as fast as I could.”

Lu Wei was his younger brother and one of the spectators back at the stables. In fact, Han Jing was also loosely related to them—he was the cousin of Lu Wei’s fiancé.

Seeing Shen Xinghuai’s cold expression, Lu Yan frowned slightly and stepped closer, reaching for his hand. “Xiao Huai, don’t be afraid. I’ll take you away. No one will ever hurt you again.”

Shen Xinghuai pivoted nimbly, dodging the outstretched hand with practiced ease. His voice was icy and distant. “Mr. Lu, no one is hurting me.”

Lu Yan looked mournfully at his hand, which remained frozen in mid-air, his fingertips trembling. “I know you’re suffering in silence. Xiao Huai, believe in me. Don’t be afraid, I will protect you.” He had a steady personality and an elegant temperament; anyone who didn’t know his true nature would surely be fooled by this display of deep, repressed affection.

But Shen Xinghuai knew better. This man was a world-class hypocrite and a top-tier scumbag.

He claimed to love the original owner, yet when the original owner was in trouble, he never lifted a finger to help. He would claim he was “too heartbroken to act” while spending every night getting wasted at bars.

While the original owner was being imprisoned and tortured by Ye Xiuchen, Lu Yan only stirred up trouble without ever attempting a rescue. Instead, he kept a “stand-in” lover who looked a bit like the original owner by his side, claiming it was to “numb the pain” and that treating the substitute well was a way to compensate for his guilt toward Shen Xinghuai.

Thinking of his past actions, Shen Xinghuai’s disgust became impossible to hide. “Mr. Lu, my life is wonderful. I am not suffering at all. Please do not come looking for me again; there is no reason for us to meet.” His tone was crisp and unwavering. He grabbed Tian Yuanyuan’s arm and walked away without looking back.

Lu Yan watched him leave, his gaze turning dark and sinister.

Shen Xinghuai quickly forgot the morning’s little interlude and spent the rest of the day having a blast with Tian Yuanyuan.

By the time he returned home, it was nearly 9:00 PM. Ye Xiuchen still hadn’t returned. The five-story villa, the sprawling gardens, and the dozen or so servants were all left to Shen Xinghuai alone. It was solitary and quiet.

However, Shen Xinghuai felt life was going quite well. Though he was “poor” now, he figured he could just tighten his belt and live a bit more frugally.

After snacking on some fruit and pastries prepared by the staff, Shen Xinghuai went upstairs for a relaxing soak in the tub before collapsing onto his new bed.

This bed was the same model as Ye Xiuchen’s; Uncle Ming had just had it installed today. Although it was still a bit smaller than his bed in his previous life, he decided to embrace a spirit of “hardship and simplicity” and make do with it.

Lying in bed, he picked up his phone and opened a game.

Just as he finished selecting his hero, a WeChat notification popped up. It was a message from Ye Xiuchen.