"Host, Luo Bai went to your biological mother for help," the system said excitedly.
"Let them. It doesn't matter." Luo Beishi was carefully trimming Huo Cixiao's nails, terrified of cutting his god of wealth's flesh.
"Host, don't you care at all about how close they are?"
"Whatever. It's none of my business. I've already unilaterally cut ties with the Qin Family."
Luo Beishi couldn't have cared less. After awakening, he had long since let go of the care and familial affection he had once yearned for.
Now, seeing their displays of motherly love and filial devotion only struck him as funny and ridiculous.
And then there was all that brotherly affection between Luo Bai and the Qin Family. How entertaining it would be if they knew what Luo Bai had done. But there was no rush. He would wait until Mother Qin helped Luo Bai.
The face-slapping might come late, but it would come.
"Has Host become emotionless, just like Tongtong?"
"Tongtong, why have you picked up an accent lately? Have you been watching too many TV dramas?" Having finished one hand, Luo Beishi grabbed some tissues and climbed onto the bed to trim his god of wealth's other hand.
"Host, I have to keep up with the times. I really like this world's culture."
"All right, go back to watching. Don't interrupt me while I trim my husband's nails." Luo Beishi kept his head lowered, so painstakingly careful that it was as though drawing blood would cost him his life.
"Hubby, those little white crescents on your nails are so pretty. So untouched by the mortal world, like a little fairy, pure and ethereal."
Huo Cixiao: "..." Lovely compliments. Please never give me any again. I'm begging you.
Couldn't he call me mighty and imposing, or dignified and majestic? Seriously, this little academic failure of a wife.
Just how much does my bargain wife like me... He won't even leave my nails alone. He even insists on doing them himself.
Don't think I, Huo Cixiao, can be moved so easily. Falling for my bargain wife is impossible. I, Huo Cixiao, will stay single for life. No one is worthy of me.
But considering how much my bargain wife loves me, I won't mind giving him a little more money when we divorce, as compensation.
"Hubby, the bodyguards have guarded you diligently for a whole year, and they've been on edge that entire time, terrified something else might happen to you. They haven't had any time off, either.
"A Hu told me the guys haven't had a team-building event in a year. After what happened to you, there was even less chance of one.
"So I'm planning to hold a barbecue at the estate tonight to treat the guys. You don't mind, do you, hubby?"
Luo Beishi rattled all of this off while watching Huo Cixiao, whose eyes were tightly shut.
Huo Cixiao: "..." Asking a man in a vegetative state? He's clearly just informing me, isn't he?
But that makes sense. They say love extends to everything associated with the beloved. It's normal for my bargain wife to want to get along better with my subordinates. Maybe once I wake up, they'll even put in a good word for him.
Sorry, bargain wife, but even in a vegetative state, I can hear your little calculations loud and clear!
Luo Beishi said, "Sigh, honestly, I'm the one craving it. But eating alone doesn't seem right, and grilling everything myself would be a hassle. I want to lie flat like you, too."
That single remark cut off Huo Cixiao's speculation about him. He really had overestimated his bargain wife. To think he was just a little glutton.
Hmph. Fine, have your barbecue. I'll reluctantly agree.
That night.
None of the bodyguards had to stand watch. They were having a barbecue at the estate, and Madam had even provided beer, the especially expensive kind brought in from a high-end winery. There were even professional barbecue chefs grilling for them. They couldn't have been happier!
They gathered around several tables, with all three teams present.
"Captain, nobody's patrolling... Is that okay?" A-Niu asked worriedly.
"It's fine. Plenty of cameras have been installed lately, and Madam had all the perimeter walls electrified. We're fine."
"What about Boss's door? Is anyone guarding it?" A-Niu still couldn't relax.
"It's fine. Madam is in the room. Just bring him some barbecue in a bit."
After a whole year, they had finally regained their spirits and shed much of their psychological burden. Madam was letting them indulge for one night.
After spending these past days with him, A Long also knew Madam wouldn't do anything he wasn't confident about, so he felt quite reassured.
"Uncle Chen, come have some!" A Hu called from another table in his loud, booming voice.
Uncle Chen nodded and walked over, his face kind and gentle as he said, "You boys eat. Don't worry about an old man like me. I'm getting on in years. I can't eat things that cause internal heat."
Hearing that, A Hu didn't insist. He smiled. "All right. Thanks for all the work arranging tonight, Uncle Chen."
Uncle Chen said, "It was no trouble. If you're having fun, Madam is happy too."
Those words made the bodyguards admire Luo Beishi even more. Life under Madam really couldn't have been better.
Madam had also recently adjusted their shifts, staggering them so that each of them had a full day off every week. Before, they had only gotten half a day.
But to prevent any of the bodyguards from betraying them, Madam had also installed a tracking system on each of their phones, along with some kind of anti-spyware software.
He had also said that even if they changed phones later, they could still be tracked, and advised them to abandon any thoughts of betrayal. Only if they stopped working here would he remove it.
Rather than making the guys uncomfortable, this had actually given them a whole new respect for Madam.
This would keep them from being tempted by outsiders into doing anything harmful to Boss, and they wouldn't end up caught in that sort of dilemma in the future. How great was that!
Now they really were free of worries. Most importantly, they no longer had to spend every day guarding against one another. It was so much more relaxing.
But they could actually have objected. After all, Boss was the only person who could give them orders. Still, for the sake of that forty billion and Madam's meticulous care for the young master, they let Madam do as he pleased.
The aroma on the balcony was driving Luo Beishi wild. He turned and went back inside, shutting the window tight. "Hubby, they're grilling so slowly... I'm practically drooling."
Huo Cixiao: "..." Go ahead and drool. Just not on me, thanks.
Luo Beishi abruptly changed the subject. "I've been feeling pretty free lately. I finish my homework quickly, too."
Huo Cixiao: "..." Oh. And?
"I think later, after I eat the barbecue, take a shower, and give you a massage, we should do some partner yoga together! Maybe it'll help you recover faster."
Luo Beishi suddenly walked over to him and said excitedly.
Huo Cixiao: "..." I refuse. Seriously. If you dare do that, I really will throw you to the sharks!
"I haven't really practiced much, but I don't think it should be hard?" Luo Beishi added, sounding a little uncertain.
Huo Cixiao recalled all the different yoga poses... Then he thought about how slender his bargain wife's waist might be. Besides, if his bargain wife didn't know how, why do yoga at all?
In a place as awkward as the bed, what if he fractures something on me while I'm in a vegetative state? Who am I supposed to complain to?
Will Uncle Chen misunderstand and think my bargain wife did something to me?
Ah, this is going to kill me! Stop your terrible ideas right now, Luo Beishi!
Knock, knock, knock! "Madam, your barbecue is here!"