Chapter 17: Riverside Penthouse

In the upstairs room, Wei Tingxia leaned against the headboard and casually tossed two berries into his mouth.

In the real-time footage provided by the system, Yan Xinfeng weighed the black leather box in his hand, his gaze thoughtful, but in the end, he put it back untouched.

The electronic voice of System 0188 chimed in at the right moment: [He didn’t open it.]

Wei Tingxia snorted a laugh. “Of course he didn’t open it.”

He hadn’t taken the box out in front of Yan Xinfeng, which made it clear he didn’t want him to know what was inside.

The two of them had just reconciled on the surface, so Yan Xinfeng definitely wouldn’t stir up trouble or do anything to damage their relationship at a time like this.

There wasn’t much in the box anyway—just a phone that might never turn on again, and a cheap old silver ring. On the second day aboard the Stardust, Wei Tingxia had put them away, not wanting anyone to see them—especially Yan Xinfeng.

[Actually, if he discovered them, it would be beneficial for you.] System 0188 stated objectively.

The phone and ring were both gifts from Yan Xinfeng, their actual significance far outweighing their material value.

Yan Xinfeng had always believed that Wei Tingxia had no feelings for him. If he saw those items, he might start doubting his own judgment.

It would be all benefits and no harm for Wei Tingxia.

But Wei Tingxia refused. “I’m not showing them to him.”

He walked toward the bathroom, and the sound of running water drowned out the latter half of his mutter. “As if I care that much.”

As water droplets dripped through his fingers, a knock sounded at the door. Yan Xinfeng stood in the doorway, his voice steady. “It’s time to go.”

A distance that wasn’t too long or too short separated the two of them. Wei Tingxia said nothing, shook off the water droplets, straightened up, and met Yan Xinfeng’s eyes in the mirror, a hint of amusement flowing in his gaze.

He wasn’t known for a good temper on ordinary days, so his rare smiles rarely came across as warm or approachable. Yan Xinfeng grew wary.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Wei Tingxia shook his head, still smiling faintly, drew closer, and softly leaned against Yan Xinfeng’s chest. His fingertip trailed over a button, then he tiptoed slightly and planted a kiss on Yan Xinfeng’s cheek.

After the kiss, he stepped back half a pace, ignoring the man-eating glare from Yan Xinfeng.

“Let’s go!”

…

To be precise, Wei Tingxia really hadn’t returned to City A for a long time.

Five years was enough time for a city to change. After getting off the plane, Yan Xinfeng took a phone call. Wei Tingxia caught a glimpse of his slightly furrowed brow from the corner of his eye and knew he was handling business.

The driver had been waiting for quite a while. When he saw Wei Tingxia, he merely nodded politely in greeting, showing no surprise or confusion at his sudden appearance.

“Mr. Wei.”

Even while the Stardust was sailing, these people had received the news that Wei Tingxia was returning, so everyone except Hu Yao and the assistant had made preparations.

Wei Tingxia smiled. “Hello.”

“Get in the car.” Yan Xinfeng curtly interrupted the pleasantries and opened the car door for him. “Home first?”

Home?

Wei Tingxia got into the car and frowned slightly. “Are you taking me to meet your family again?”

He didn’t really want to interact with Yan Xinfeng’s family; their previous encounters had proven they just didn’t get along.

“No,” Yan Xinfeng said, “at least not this time.”

That was fine, then. Wei Tingxia settled in comfortably and watched as the driver started the car, taking them away from the airport.

The sedan finally stopped in front of a modern-style three-story villa. Yan Xinfeng showed no intention of getting out. “There’s a card in the drawer; the password hasn’t changed.” He paused. “Get anything you need from the housekeeper.”

Wei Tingxia glanced briefly toward the villa and casually asked, “Are you heading back to the company?”

“Pretty much,” Yan Xinfeng said without elaborating. “I’ll go take a personal look.”

“Okay.”

Wei Tingxia opened the car door and got out. Through the car window, he thoughtfully reminded him, “Be careful, don’t work yourself to death.”

“I won’t.” Yan Xinfeng didn’t even look up. “You won’t live that long.”

…

The car drove away. Wei Tingxia turned around and saw that the villa door was already open, with a middle-aged woman standing in the doorway.

She bowed slightly. “Mr. Wei.”

“Oh, hello.”

Wei Tingxia approached, and the woman took the jacket from his hand. “Young Master Yan mentioned your habits,” she said. “The bath is drawn, and your room is on the third floor.”

“My room.” Wei Tingxia repeated.

The woman nodded without changing expression. “Yes.”

The two of them entered the villa. As soon as the door closed, the woman suddenly turned around to face Wei Tingxia directly.

“There’s something I need to explain to you first,” she said. “I only took over this house from the previous housekeeper two days ago, so I might not have fully grasped some of the facilities or your personal habits yet. If anything falls short, please bear with me.”

Wei Tingxia waved it off amiably. “I don’t have many habits. No need to be so tense.”

But the implication in her words still piqued his curiosity. The house in front of him was fully and exquisitely furnished, but it was clear at a glance that it wasn’t new—at least three years old. Housekeepers weren’t like regular servants who could be hired and fired at will; they usually signed long-term contracts.

The previous housekeeper hadn’t been replaced early or late, but right before Wei Tingxia was set to move in.

Something was off.

“Do you know why the previous housekeeper left?” he asked.

The woman thought for a moment, wrinkles forming between her brows. “He didn’t leave; he just transferred to another place.”

Oh? So Yan Xinfeng had another home?

The smile on Wei Tingxia’s face deepened as he continued softly, “And where did he go?”

If Yan Xinfeng dared to keep someone else behind his back, Wei Tingxia would send him on a six-month ICU vacation tonight.

“He went back to Mrs. Yan’s side,” the woman said cautiously.

She always felt that Mr. Wei’s smile was a bit off, like he was plotting something sinister—it gave her chills.

After answering, she instinctively added, “That’s Young Master Yan’s mother.”

“Oh, I see.”

Wei Tingxia nodded, still smiling, but his demeanor had changed, no longer carrying that eerie vibe. The woman felt she had given the right answer.

She probed, “Shall I let you rest first, then?”

“Sure,” Wei Tingxia didn’t refuse. He took two steps toward the stairs, then suddenly remembered something. “Should you really be telling me these things?”

Wei Tingxia was just a guest; her boss was Yan Xinfeng. By normal professional ethics, she should keep things confidential for Yan Xinfeng.

Faced with the question, the woman’s answer was, “In the contract Young Master Yan signed with me, there are two employers: you and him.”

So she was supposed to answer Wei Tingxia’s questions; that was what Yan Xinfeng had required.

“…I don’t even know how to address you.”

The woman looked up and found that Wei Tingxia’s features had softened.

She answered, “I’m Yao Ling.”

Wei Tingxia’s bedroom was on the third floor, and on the third floor, only one room had a bed.

His luggage was neatly placed at the entrance to the walk-in closet. When Wei Tingxia went in, he saw clothing that took up half the space—sized for Yan Xinfeng.

This wasn’t a guest room at all; it was the master bedroom.

Good one with the subtle setup—first making Wei Tingxia think he was staying in a guest room, then letting him discover the surprise himself once he got upstairs.

System 0188 couldn’t help but chime in: [Excited?]

“Why ask that?”

[I want you to be happy.] System 0188 replied. [I’ve been neglecting your mental health, and facts prove that’s a grave mistake. I should care more about you…]

Wei Tingxia paused in the middle of undressing and looked up as if he’d seen a ghost. “Are you sick?”

From the moment he became the host and partnered with 0188, he’d never heard it say anything like that. Far from moved, he felt a chill, like putting a toad in his mouth.

“You’re not cut out for heartfelt stuff, really,” Wei Tingxia said with unusual sincerity. “I’d rather you threaten me with mutual destruction.”

System 0188: [Alright, I think I’m not suited for it either. I only said that to spark your determination to work harder.]

Wei Tingxia walked into the bathroom and muttered, “I’ve been working hard all along.”

[But I feel like you’ve been angry ever since entering this world,] System 0188 said. [This makes me wonder if your actions before leaving also mixed in some anger and revenge.]

Wei Tingxia countered, “Why would I be angry?”

[I don’t know. Maybe… related to what the protagonist’s father said to you?]

System 0188’s response was curt. It didn’t understand the flow of human emotions, but that didn’t stop it from searching, summarizing, and inferring.

After hearing its speculation, Wei Tingxia’s gaze darkened.

In an instant, countless images surged through his mind, and his expression suddenly stiffened. The overhead light poured down, casting heavy shadows on his profile and outlining a hard, icy contour like cold iron.

“I’m fine.”

After a long while, Wei Tingxia slowly spoke. “I know what you’re thinking. But I’m fine, and I’ll complete the mission.”

His tone and gaze built an invisible wall, clearly refusing to continue the topic. System 0188 was stubborn enough but also knew not to truly push Wei Tingxia to the breaking point.

[Okay, as long as you know.]

With that, it fell silent.

Wei Tingxia stood alone in the steamy bathroom, staring at the rippling water surface. Only when all sounds had completely faded did he slowly exhale a turbid breath.

It wasn’t until then that he realized his body had been tense like stone all along.

He really should spend money to buy 0188 a gag package, he thought darkly.

In truth, Yan Xinfeng had been in such a hurry today—not just for business, but probably also to probe Wei Tingxia’s intentions.

In the short half-month, Wei Tingxia had shown too many flaws in front of him. The image of the heartless little villain from before was on the verge of collapse.

Not that he really wanted to maintain it—that wasn’t a good reputation anyway.

It was just…

Hot water lapped over his chest, and Wei Tingxia leaned back, letting himself sink to the bottom.

He just wasn’t willing.

After his bath, Wei Tingxia calmed down a bit.

He changed clothes and went downstairs, asking Yao Ling, “Any cars available?”

“Yes, they’re all in the garage.”

Yao Ling took out a box of car keys—every brand, and all expensive.

Wei Tingxia picked one at random. “I’m going out for a bit; I’ll be back before dinner.”

He planned to check out that Riverside Penthouse to cool off.

“Understood.”

Yao Ling put away the other keys and opened the door for Wei Tingxia.

She didn’t ask where he was going, maintaining the professional distance befitting a housekeeper.