Butler Tao, How Much per Session?

Tang He arrived fully disguised.

He had a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, not missing a single item. As he entered, he gave Tao Zhiyan a couple of extra looks and explained with a smile, "I've been pretty popular lately. I'm worried someone might recognize me."

"I understand." Tao Zhiyan nodded politely and reached for the things in Tang He's hands. "Let me put those away for you."

"Sure. So you're Butler Tao." Tang He smiled too. As he handed his things over, he brushed Tao Zhiyan's hand, whether intentionally or deliberately.

"You've been quite the sensation online lately."

"That's me." Holding the man's belongings, Tao Zhiyan took half a step back. "You're too kind."

"It's true. That... ahem, music festival video of yours-I watched it several times."

Tang He looked Tao Zhiyan up and down several times, finding the young man before him rather different from his carefree, uninhibited self at the music festival.

But this refined, courteous manner only made him more interested.

"Do you know who I am? I've been in plenty of shows," Tang He said. "You must have seen some, right? My latest one, 'The Great Wall,' is huge on short-video platforms. There are loads of clips."

Tao Zhiyan shook his head. "Sorry, I don't watch short videos much."

"Oh, really?" Tang He wasn't very pleased, and his smile faded a little. "You've actually never seen it? Unbelievable."

Tao Zhiyan lowered his eyes politely. "Sorry."

Good thing I haven't.

You seem pretty full of yourself.

Just then, Feng Yiqian arrived. Standing in the living room, he waved enthusiastically at Tang He. "Tang, you're finally here! Come on in!"

At his voice, Tang He reluctantly tore his gaze away from Tao Zhiyan, nodded to Feng Yiqian, and walked over.

Tao Zhiyan let out a breath. He had just looked up when a line of text appeared above Tang He's head: [A school bully who bullies his colleagues, a player who leaves Feng Yiqian to raise his child.]

*?*

School bullying???

Tao Zhiyan's expression changed instantly. He couldn't hide the disgust in his eyes.

School bullies were utterly vile.

As though throwing away something filthy, Tao Zhiyan tossed all of Tang He's belongings aside.

"It's been about six months since we last saw each other, hasn't it, Yi Qian?" Tang He sat on the sofa, making himself completely at home.

He lit a cigarette, crossed his legs, and said with a smile, "You really were born lucky. You managed to smooth over something that big. Clearly you grew up spoiled by your family, didn't you, you big baby?"

Tao Zhiyan couldn't help shooting Tang He a sidelong glance.

Why was this guy so passive-aggressive?

"Big, maybe?" Feng Yiqian grinned. He rolled up his sleeve and patted his upper arm. "You noticed too? I thought I'd bulked up lately!"

Tao Zhiyan: "?"

Was that what he meant?

Tang He paused, clearly not expecting that response.

Feng Yiqian spoke first. "Oh, right. You said you had some amazing news. What is it?"

At the mention of it, Tang He's expression changed instantly. He gave a cold laugh. "You've been nominated for the Milky Way Award. Best actor."

Feng Yiqian's eyes went wide, and he immediately sat up straight. "Really?!"

"Yeah." Tang He cast him a glance, his tone chilly. "Even someone like you gets to compete with me for best actor. Feeling honored?"

Wait...

Tao Zhiyan frowned.

Wasn't everything he said just putting himself on a pedestal and putting Feng Yiqian down?

"Very honored!" Feng Yiqian wasn't angry at all. In fact, his cheeks flushed slightly with excitement, making the tear mole beneath his eye stand out even more. "I just need the Red Peach best actor award to complete my grand slam! If I win, dinner's on me!"

Tao Zhiyan: "."

Third Young Master, you...

Tao Zhiyan was rendered utterly speechless.

Third Young Master, did you give all your social awareness to the eldest young master?

Tang He choked.

He hadn't expected Feng Yiqian not only to miss his anger, but to take his words and run with them.

"...Ha. Dinner's on you?" Tang He let out two angry laughs, deliberately pitching his voice up in mockery. "Then that dinner's as good as booked, Third Young Master, isn't it?"

"With all the effort you've put in behind the scenes, who else could they possibly give the award to?"

Tao Zhiyan looked at Feng Yiqian.

He figured Feng Yiqian had to catch on this time.

All that effort behind the scenes-wasn't he accusing him of pulling strings?

"Oh, it's nothing." A little bashful, Feng Yiqian rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, then ruffled the red hair atop his head. "Our line of work pays so much, after all. Putting in some effort is only right."

"If you ask me, you should put in some effort too," Feng Yiqian replied. "Your fans all seem pretty focused on your career. Some even go to your studio to yell at you."

"...You!" Tang He was so angry he couldn't even maintain his fake smile. He pressed his hand against the sofa, his knuckles whitening with the force, yet couldn't get another word out.

Feng Yiqian was still bewildered. He looked at Tang He and gave a completely innocent, "Hm?"

Tang He nearly burst a blood vessel.

Tao Zhiyan wanted to laugh. He really ought to applaud Feng Yiqian.

After that response, he couldn't tell whether the third young master was doing it on purpose or genuinely hadn't caught on.

Tang He had come specifically to needle Feng Yiqian, but instead of getting angry, Feng Yiqian was enjoying himself.

Tang He lost all interest in talking to Feng Yiqian and prepared to leave before even half an hour had passed.

Tao Zhiyan invited him to stay for lunch, but Tang He refused that too.

He really must have been furious.

"Wait a second. I'll take you home." Feng Yiqian stood up, intending to get his hat from his room.

Just hearing Feng Yiqian speak gave Tang He a headache. There was no way he would let him drive him home. He waved a hand and couldn't resist sneering, "Forget it. How could I possibly deserve a ride from the future Milky Way Award best actor?"

"The Feng Family's third young master has such powerful backing. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to chauffeur a nobody like me."

"Oh, okay. It's too hot anyway. I don't feel like moving either." Feng Yiqian actually dropped the offer. He turned to Tao Zhiyan. "Butler Tao, you take him."

Tang He's expression cracked completely. "..."

Fuck, there was definitely something wrong with Feng Yiqian's brain!

What the fuck did I even come here for???

Fuck!

His chest heaved with anger. He grabbed his hat and mask and slammed the door on his way out.

Tao Zhiyan was almost hurting himself trying to hold back his laughter. Once Tang He was outside, he couldn't resist giving Feng Yiqian a thumbs-up.

Feng Yiqian, you are the god of shutting down passive-aggressive bullshit! No arguments!

The Feng Family had three drivers, but they generally needed ten minutes' notice before a car was required.

Tang He was leaving in such a hurry that Tao Zhiyan didn't call a driver and drove him himself.

But the moment he got into the car, Tao Zhiyan began to regret it.

Generally speaking, employers sat in the back.

The back seat was quieter, more comfortable, and more private. Tao Zhiyan was used to his employers sitting there.

Tang He, however, sat in the passenger seat.

Not only that, he stared at Tao Zhiyan the entire time, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Tang He seemed to notice too. Looking at Tao Zhiyan's tightly pressed lips, he chuckled twice and deliberately lowered his voice. "What's wrong? Feeling shy because I'm looking at you?"

Tao Zhiyan took a deep breath. "No, sir."

"I'm just joking. Don't take it seriously." Tang He turned a little farther toward him and leaned against the window, deliberately showing off his jawline as he appraised Tao Zhiyan.

This Butler Tao really was something.

Good-looking, with a great figure too. Tang He's gaze moved down to Tao Zhiyan's waist, and he clicked his tongue. So fucking slim.

"Butler Tao, being a butler is a waste of your talents."

Tao Zhiyan fought down his discomfort. "Not at all. The Feng Family treats me very well."

Tang He shook his head and leaned closer, adding a little vocal fry to his voice. "No. No matter how well they treat you, your talents are being wasted."

Tao Zhiyan was reaching his limit. "They aren't."

"They are." Tang He chuckled softly and leaned closer still. "I think you'd be better suited to being mine, Butler Tao. That would really be putting you to the best. Possible. Use."

His eyes darkened. He seemed to be teasing, yet also seemed to mean it. "Why don't you name your price? How much per session?"

He had put up with it again and again. There was no need to put up with any more.

Tao Zhiyan turned the wheel, pulled over by the roadside, took a deep breath, and turned to look at Tang He.

Tang He sat there composed, even a little expectant.

"Mr. Tang."

Tang He's tone was relaxed. "What is it, Butler Tao?"

Tao Zhiyan tilted his head with a smile. "My usual rate is seven thousand per session."

"Since we know each other, I'll give you a discount. Six thousand five hundred."

Tang He hadn't expected Tao Zhiyan to be so accommodating. He immediately laughed and reached out to touch his face. "Well, well. Looks like this isn't your first time, Butler Tao?"

"Do you charge the Feng Family's young masters the same rate? Hahaha."

"No. The Feng Family's young masters don't get this service." Tao Zhiyan tilted his head aside to evade the hand, then raised his eyes. "But rest assured, I'm a professional."

"I can't do the funeral vigil, though. You younger family members have to handle that yourselves. And if there are a lot of deaths in your family..." Tao Zhiyan's expression was perfectly calm, yet his slightly upturned eyes made him seem as though he had been smiling all along. "That costs extra. But I'll wail a little louder. Does that work for you?"