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Chapter Text

Taking care of people came naturally for Ye Xiu. Being born in a high-rate most-sought-after butler family, he was also trained for it. While he loved his family’s tradition, he didn’t like the high demand for them to be as perfect as possible and to choose a master.

But still, taking care of things came naturally for Ye Xiu. Taking care of his brother, taking care of the hopeless Su siblings, taking care of Su Mucheng after Su Muqiu’s passing. He did it all without even thinking.

Su Muqiu once teased him about it. “Rather than a butler, you’re like a housewife.” Followed by, “You should marry me. Isn’t a husband the same as the master of the house?”

Ye Xiu usually added extra salt in his food after that, Su Muqiu always shut his mouth faster when his face was all scrunched up and when he made weird noise at the back of his throat to retch it all out.

If he didn’t stop, then acting as a kind butler while giving him the most disgusting-looking edible food usually did the trick.

Su Muqiu always poked fun of Ye Xiu’s nature as a butler. Some were more endearing than others. He gave up all his arena points just for the sake of exchanging it for a set of butler outfits that was certainly created not for effectiveness but for visual, trash for them. Then, he’d pester Ye Xiu to make One Autumn Leaf wear it.

Ye Xiu swore he didn’t know where Su Muqiu got the pimp clothes for Autumn Tree, he even found a matching cowboy hat for it. Regardless of the incredulity of it, they sometimes ran across the first server, role-playing and trolling the hell out of everyone. Ye Xiu had to admit, there was something charming in pushing enemy guild members off the cliff while wearing a pimp and butler outfit, he cherished that memory like a treasure.

However, when Su Muqiu passed and Excellent Era started, Ye Xiu slowly lost his time to take care of something. Every time he wanted to help Tao Xuan in any physical job, he was always forbidden to.

“You’ll hurt your precious hands.” Tao Xuan had said with a kind smile.

Su Mucheng also then grew up and no longer needed his help.

She smiled at him and patted him on the arm. “Take care of yourself more. I can take care of myself.”

So he stopped doing his hobby and started focusing more in Glory, his true passion. In the team, everyone had a role, Ye Xiu was the captain so he was busy with many things for his team. He switched from taking care of people in real life and started taking care of them in Glory.

This went on for years until the night he got kicked out of Excellent Era and ended up in an Internet Cafe down the street.

Getting the job was simple, Ye Xiu was not one to fuss over small details like salary.

“It’s a bit messy, but...” Chen Guo said awkwardly when she presented the room (shed?) she had if Ye Xiu wanted to be a stay-at-the-cafe employee. “I’m sure a little cleaning will make it better,” she finished lamely.

Ye Xiu gazed at the small room, he never liked small rooms, both he and Ye Qiu were claustrophobic but he managed to suppress it over the years thanks to the humble lifestyle with Su Muqiu. But he knew beggars don’t get to choose. “It’s perfect,” he first complimented. “Do you have any cleaning supply I can use?” He then asked.

“Uh, sure.” Chen Guo pointed at an isolated room at the end of the hallway. “There’s the storeroom, I kept everything in there. You may use anything there if you want to clean up.”

Chen Guo woke up that morning feeling a little bit at peace because she woke up later than she usually did, thanks to staying up late the night before. What could be said? A new server opening was still big no matter what.

She recalled the new guy, Ye Xiu, that she had hired the night before. She stretched lazily, wondering what would she eat this morning. She was craving for some fried rice and scrambled eggs. The nearby restaurant’s fried rice tasted the best.

“Morning, boss.”

“Yes, morning,” Chen Guo yawned and paused when she saw someone was using her little kitchen.

It was Ye Xiu.

“You’re cooking?” Chen Guo asked. She did allow Ye Xiu to use anything in the fridge and use the kitchen if he ever felt hungry. But she expected him to just make himself a cup noodle, not using the frying pan.

“Yes, I made you an omelet rice.”

Chen Guo stared suspiciously at a plate of omelet rice, it didn’t look steaming hot but it was very recent. “You don’t have to, seriously...” Chen Guo was a bit embarrassed as she looked at Ye Xiu.

“I was just cooking because I’m hungry before I sleep,” Ye Xiu said. “I had figured you’ll wake up, I won’t feel at ease if I only cook for myself.” Ye Xiu pulled a chair for her.

Chen Guo took a seat and cleared her throat, “I don’t know how to react if you’re so thoughtful like this.” Where did the shameless guy from the night before? Though, Chen Guo can’t complain much. She wasn’t a hypocrite that scorn people for being shameless and then disliking them for being respectful.

It was at this time that Chen Guo noticed that her kitchen was spotlessly clean. Really clean. Now, she wasn’t a lazy person, her kitchen was certainly not dirty yesterday, but it was not this clean either.

Chen Guo picked up a pair of chopsticks and began to dig in. When she put the bit of omelet in her mouth, she began to seriously wonder about her life choices. She wasn’t one to cook, she was pretty sure the spices in her kitchen couldn’t possibly make an egg tasted so good. She choked.

A glass of water was placed in front of her. “Boss, don’t eat while you’re asleep,” Ye Xiu disdained and Chen Guo’s face burned.

She quickly drank the water and cleared her throat. “My throat is just a bit dry, shut up will you?” she glared. “Did you make this?”

“If not me, who else?” Ye Xiu raised his brows. Didn’t he just say he cooked?

“You’re a good cook,” Chen Guo sincerely complimented.

“This is only an average level of cooking, anyone who learns how to cook can do it,” Ye Xiu said casually, slamming down Chen Guo’s pride as a human being who had learned how to cook but can’t make it this good.

“You’re going to sleep?” Chen Guo asked.

“The little sister of the morning shift had come an hour ago,” Ye Xiu nodded.

“Oh, okay. Good night,” Chen Guo nodded graciously. “Wait, did you have a blanket?”

“I have a jacket.” Ye Xiu opened his room.

“Wait,” Chen Guo headed to her room and came out holding a folded blanket. She walked up to Ye Xiu and handed it to him, but when her eyes caught the inside of the room, she paused in disbelief. “That...?”

Ye Xiu received the blanket and blinked. “Huh?”

“The room,” Chen Guo gasped. “You cleaned it?” No, how could that be the small room from yesterday?!

“I did,” Ye Xiu nodded. “It’s pretty good now, a lot of space when everything is arranged properly.”

This kind of arrangement was top-notch! Chen Guo gawked at the sight of the room that looked like a minimalist room of an expensive apartment. The spider webs that kept reappearing at the corner were gone too as if was never there.

Ye Xiu yawned. “I’ll go to sleep first, boss.” He stepped into his room and closed the door, leaving Chen Guo still gaping dumbly in front of the door.

Tang Rou wasn’t sure how to feel about the newcomer. Chen Guo liked and trusted him, so Tang Rou also treated him nicely. From what she observed, he was a frequent offender of the no-smoking policy within the no-smoking area. He was fun to be around with and Tang Rou liked his personality.

He also got Tang Rou to be interested in Glory when she initially thought of it as a mere game that didn’t hold any kind of excitement. But there was something about him that made Tang Rou felt strange. A mix of nostalgic and familiar feelings.

“What are you making?” Ye Xiu asked.

“Tea,” Tang Rou said simply.

Ye Xiu reached out to pick up a jar of cinnamon and opened the tea kettle. He added a certain amount of cinnamon powder and a spoonful of citrus extract- since when they had that?

“You don’t like it sweet, right?”

“Sweet is fine, but I prefer it less so,” Tang Rou answered.

A minute later, Tang Rou was seated on the dining table and Ye Xiu poured her a cup of tea. The aroma wafted to Tang Rou’s nose as she picked up the cup and took a light sip. “It’s subtle, but I can taste the cinnamon. It mixes well with the tea and the light citrusy scent. Truly well-made,” she sighed.

“I’m glad you like it,” Ye Xiu said.

Tang Rou lightly smiled into her tea and took another sip when she noticed Chen Guo in the doorway. She paused. “GuoGuo, want some tea?” she offered. “What are you doing leaning on the doorway like that?”

Chen Guo gazed at Tang Rou and then at Ye Xiu strangely. “I don’t know, when I saw the both of you, I felt like I would disturb the mood if I walked in.”

“What mood?” Ye Xiu arched an eyebrow.

“You guys look like a butler and a young miss,” Chen Guo looked away. “I felt like a dirty commoner if I walk in.”

Ye Xiu tilted his head and Tang Rou paused.

She snuck a glance at Ye Xiu and finally found the source of familiar feeling. Ye Xiu reminded her a lot of her family’s butler.

She took another sip of her tea. ‘I wonder why...’

“I came this far, sacrificing my time, risking getting found out, using up all my ability to disguise like this, all for what? You! I’m fine if you want to shamelessly use me, that’s what friends for, you use me and I use you- wait, that sounds wrong,” Huang Shaotian backtracked. “Anyway, where’s your sincerity? I don’t even get offered anything when I stepped here. Not even a glass of water? Snacks? How about treating me with that potato chips in the vending machine over there?”

Ye Xiu sighed as he stood up and walked away.

“Hey, hey! Did you hear me out? Why are you ignoring me? I will not be ignored! You asked me to come here, why are you ignoring me???” Huang Shaotian whined, but ultimately not daring to be too loud as he kept on tugging on his blue scarf to hide his face more. He sighed in annoyance and pouted as he returned his focus to the screen.

Heartless gamer is heartless. Huang Shaotian kept on mumbling in complain.

Suddenly, a cup of water was placed in front of him. Huang Shaotian gazed at the dainty hand and long fingers wrapped around the cup and turned to look at the owner of the familiar beautiful hand.

“There, your water. I’m poor currently, I can’t buy you anything fancy,” Ye Xiu said.

Huang Shaotian picked up the cup and took a sip, he did feel a bit thirsty after all that talking.

Ding! A-13...

“Can I get a beef ramen?”

Huang Shaotian noticed someone looking their way and instinctively ducked.

“Please wait for a minute, sir,” Ye Xiu immediately left Huang Shaotian’s side. Just then, Huang Shaotian recalled this was an internet cafe. So Ye Xiu, not only as the operator but also someone who delivered orders to the customers?

Huang Shaotian felt pity rising in his heart. The Battle God being reduced to this? How could that be?

Ye Xiu returned with a tray, he sauntered elegantly to seat A-13 and carefully put down the instant beef ramen. “Careful, sir, it’s still hot. It should be ready in another three minutes if you will. The sauce is at the side in case you’re not fond of spicy taste. Would you like some spring onions to go with it?”

“No, thanks. Is there a drink?” The man asked.

“Of course. Do you want a bottle of mineral water, or might I suggest getting a nice cold kombucha tea,” Ye Xiu said as he eyed the man spilled some of the ramen soup when he tried to move it and immediately pulled a sheet of tissue to wipe it off.

“Do you have green tea?”

“We do. What size you want to order it in?”

“Medium size is fine. Thanks.” The man handed the money and Ye Xiu fetched the green tea.

Putting down the can of tea with a straw on the side. Ye Xiu tilted his head. “Anything else, sir?”

“No,” The man shook his head. “Thank you for your service,” the man coughed a bit in embarrassment.

“It’s my pleasure,” Ye Xiu smiled.

“Brother Butler, I also want that tea,” Another man said.

“Right away, sir.”

“Butler Ye, do you have a lighter?”

“Please refrain yourself from smoking in the restricted area,” Ye Xiu answered. “There should be a communal lighter in the smoking area.”

“Oh, you’re right. This father didn’t see it.”

When Ye Xiu returned to his seat beside Huang Shaotian, Huang Shaotian was gawking incredulously at him.

“What?” Ye Xiu said bluntly.

“You’re role-playing here?” Huang Shaotian blurted out in disbelief. “As a butler?”

Ye Xiu sighed. “I did not initially. I only talked politely and did the required customer service and everyone suddenly called me a butler.” He really couldn’t run from his blood. “Eventually, it just sticks. And everyone actually ordered more things when I ‘acted like a butler’ so my boss told me to keep doing it.”

Huang Shaotian stared at Ye Xiu, his eyes were so wide-open that Ye Xiu was worried they would fall out.

“So you are role-playing?” Huang Shaotian asked bluntly.

Ye Xiu sighed. “Yes.”

A weird glint appeared in Huang Shaotian’s eyes as he put his attention solely on Ye Xiu. “Then, I want to order the classic ramen.”

Ye Xiu looked at him. “Are you hungry?”

Huang Shaotian shrugged. “I haven’t got the chance to eat anything before coming here,” he lied. “Why do you think I was snacking on that fries earlier?”

“Then, wait here for a bit,” Ye Xiu stood up again and left.

He returned five minutes later just when Huang Shaotian had started to got bored.

“Here you go,” Ye Xiu said as he put down the bowl and handed Huang Shoatian the chopsticks. “I snuck an egg for you.”

Huang Shaotian tore apart the wrapper of his chopsticks and arched an eyebrow at Ye Xiu. “Snuck an egg?”

“The egg from the kitchen on the second floor,” Ye Xiu said.

“You stole an egg for me? Aww,” Huang Shaotian preened.

“It’s not as much as stealing as taking for my own purpose from a communal kitchen,” Ye Xiu said.

Huang Shaotian looked at him, “Aren’t you role-playing as a butler?”

“... What?”

“Don’t talk so casually to me,” Huang Shaotian said. “Also, call me Huang Shao*.”

“...You’re interested in this?” Ye Xiu asked in bewilderment.

“Ah, ah, Huang Shao,” Huang Shaotian insisted as he shifted the bowl. “I’m a paying customer, treat me like one,” he said haughtily.

“... Huang Shao,” Ye Xiu said helplessly.

Huang Shaotian smiled, “What about the drink- oops?” Huang Shaotian spilled some of the ramen soup to his lap.

“Careful, Huang Shao,” Ye Xiu sighed as he pulled a napkin, flapped it, and gently put it on Huang Shaotian’s lap.

Huang Shaotian looked at the napkin then back at Ye Xiu. “Thoughtful,” he coughed slightly, Ye Xiu truly acted like a real butler there. “Refill the water for me,” he graciously handed the empty cup to Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu grabbed the cup and left. He returned not a minute later with a cup of warm water.

Huang Shaotian complained. “Why warm? I want cold.”

“Warm water is healthier for your digestive system,” Ye Xiu said.

“But you gave the other customers a cold drink?” Huang Shaotian scowled.

“Because they’re customers.”

“I’m a customer too,” Huang Shaotian protested with a hushed tone. “I’m paying for this.”

“Yes, but Huang Shao is different,” Ye Xiu said. “To other customers, I have no responsibility aside for making them satisfied. But towards you, I have the responsibility to give you the right advice for your own good,” he nudged the cup closer to Huang Shaotian. “A code of butler differs between other people and people they care about."

Huang Shaotian’s breath hitched and he stared at Ye Xiu for a long time.

“Old Ye...”

“Hm?”

“How much do you want for acting like this for the entire night?” Huang Shaotian asked seriously.

Su Mucheng saw Huang Shaotian’s status at Weibo, she usually ignored him, because his status was mostly nonsense anyway, but she stopped when she saw the food. Huh, Huang Shaotian rarely made a post about food.

Huang Shaotian V : A food made with love by a precious someone. Tonight, I really feel like I’ve been pampered >//< (◡‿◡✿) ♪～(￣ε￣)

What a disgusting mushy mess, Su Mucheng smirked. And then she backtracked.

Wait, didn’t Huang Shaotian just help them breaking the record in the tenth server? How did he find the time to go out and eat so fast?

Su Mucheng sat up straight. This... a bowl of instant ramen, a cup of water, subtle fluorescent light that resembled computer light. Huang Shaotian was in the internet cafe Ye Xiu worked in.

Precious someone? Wasn’t that Ye Xiu?

Su Mucheng: Did Ye Xiu make that for you?

Huang Shaotian: Yup, yup, yup, yup, yup. You really know him the best. I’m with him right now.

Su Mucheng: Did he act like a butler or something like that?

Huang Shaotian: Yes, it’s kind of his thing here? Everyone calls him butler this butler that. He got the talent, I have to say, ah. I’m completely charmed, there’s no going back, I just want him to look at me and call me “Huang Shao” until I’m bored.

Huang Shaotian: I didn’t mean to write that, I got carried away. Delete this when we’re done.

Su Mucheng: You spilled more embarrassing things in the past.

Su Mucheng: Forget about it. So Ye Xiu’s doing his butler-y thing there?

Su Mucheng thought he had stopped doing that years ago. She was naturally amused that Ye Xiu still had the instinct, it had been a long time since she saw that side of him.

Huang Shaotian: Yeah, ah. I asked him to act like he’s my butler for the rest of the night. Of course, with a little bit of payment.

Su Mucheng: Isn’t that basically prostitution?

Huang Shaotian: Of course not. Our relationship is very pure, mind you.

Huang Shaotian: Afk to get a shoulder massage from Old Ye.

Su Mucheng: Wait, what?

Huang Shaotian: ;) I’m not one to turn down a kind offer.

Su Mucheng: Why would he offer you that!?

Su Mucheng tossed aside her phone. “A shoulder massage? Only my brother ever got that before,” she mumbled disbelievingly.

“So, it’s true he’s using a different class?” Yu Wenzhou asked.

“Yes, a butler—I mean, Unspecialized,” Huang Shaotian amended.

Yu Wenzhou arched an eyebrow. “A butler?”

“I meant to say Unspecialized, I don’t know what’s gotten to me, my mouth just says butler out of nowhere, stupid right? Hahaha.” Huang Shaotian scratched his head awkwardly.

“Have you been to Happy Internet Cafe?”

“No, I frequented a lot to the other one.”

“I heard it’s changing its theme.”

“Theme? An internet cafe has a theme?”

“Yeah, I heard it’s going to be a mix of Butler Cafe and Internet Cafe, especially at night. They named it Butler Night.”

“Butler night? That sounds so inappropriate and hot, how many butlers did they have?”

“I heard they’re recruiting at first, but they have this handsome guy as the operator and he role-played as a butler a lot, which is why the owner wants to implement the butler cafe idea.”

“Cool. I’ll go there to check it out.”

Sun Xiang listened to the girls on the other table as he sank himself deeper to the menu. Butler Cafe and Internet Cafe into a mix? How weird. Sun Xiang criticized this idea, but couldn’t help being curious.

He always wanted to go to a butler cafe.

Sun Xiang sighed longingly. Maybe he should check out this weird Butler/Internet Hybrid Cafe. If the butler was handsome that would be a bonus.

Chapter Text

Tang Rou tore her gaze away from the arena, without Chen Guo with them, she finally pointed out her suspicions to Ye Xiu and the guy simply smiled at her, basically confirming.

“So you are indeed that Ye Qiu,” Tang Rou frowned. “But if you’re formerly a gamer, why do you feel like a butler?”

“Ah, Xiao Tang thinks so?” Ye Xiu’s eyes flashed with mischief.

Tang Rou lowered her hands to her lap. “You know, there’s a family named Ye which produced finest butlers. Even though they were regarded as a high-class family, they still didn’t stop their tradition in educating their family members to be top-class butlers. My own family had tried to find a connection to get their main line’s successor as my butler a few years ago, but it was rejected.” She pursed her lips, “Are you a part of that family?”

Ye Xiu leaned back, crossing his arms. “Yes. I’m the first son of the main line.”

Tang Rou finally relaxed, her smile grew more genuine. A line seemed to connect them as both heirs to a big family but living in obscurity. “As expected.”

“I heard you role-played as a butler in the internet cafe you worked in?” Su Mucheng said with mirth in her eyes as she stuffed a scoop of ice cream into her mouth. “How could that happen?”

“I don’t know how. I was only doing the minimum required customer service, but everyone saw my real background quickly,” Ye Xiu frowned. “It’s troublesome that everyone kept being interested in me. It took me away from Glory.”

Su Mucheng paused. “Question. The minimum customer service you have in your mind, who set it up? The country’s service bureau?” She tilted her head.

Ye Xiu raised his brows. “My family’s guideline of customer service of course.”

No wonder. “Your family is a family of butler and you used their guideline, how could the others not notice your specialty then?” Su Mucheng tittered. “Also, you played butler-master with Huang Shaotian?” she arched an eyebrow.

“He was really persistent. Since he was also a customer I decided to entertain him,” Ye Xiu said with a smile. “He’s a curious guy.”

“Uh-huh. I heard he paid for the service,” Su Mucheng said.

“You know I won’t reject easy money,” Ye Xiu said.

Su Mucheng smirked. “What a lie, you just liked doing it. Even without him paying, I bet if he pushed you a bit to act as a butler, you’ll still do it without any reservation.”

“Excuse me?”

Chen Guo turned around and saw Ye Xiu at the entrance. She opened her mouth, wait, didn’t he go to the backroom just now? How could he be at the entrance.

Hang on.

Chen Guo squinted. Despite the obvious similarity, there was something off about this Ye Xiu.

“Does Ye Xiu live here?” The familiar handsome guy asked with a gentle polite tone, it made Chen Guo felt like she was listening to some kind of a lull, this guy’s tone felt so smooth like butter. “...Or maybe Ye Qiu?”

Chen Guo snapped out of her daze and straightened as she took in the guy’s get-up. A proper and smart black tuxedo, elegant dark blue ribbon tied into a bow around his collar and pressed down by a brooch that looked like two dangling golden leaves on a silver branch, he had his coat neatly folded on his right wrist, his hands were covered with pristine white gloves.

“Boss, I re-arranged the grocery at the—what are you doing here?” Ye Xiu walked out and caught the sight of the man at the entrance, he instantly scowled.

Chen Guo looked back to see Ye Xiu, jaw dropping slowly, and then gazed back at the handsome man on the entrance.

The man on the entrance scowled back. “What else? To ask you to return home, of course!”

Ye Xiu approached them and stood in front of the man, “Boss, he didn’t do anything audacious, right?”

“Eh? Huh? Ah?” Chen Guo dumbly responded.

“Audacious? The only audacious thing here is you. You disgraceful brother, when are you returning home?!” The proper and perfect posture the man had completely crumbling down in front of Ye Xiu who stood there unimpressed.

“When I’m done with my business. What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be at work?” Ye Xiu shot back sharply.

“It’s lunar new year! Why would I be at work? I’m not a masochist nor a workaholic.”

Ye Xiu smirked. “Here I thought you’re unemployed.” Ye Qiu fumed.

“Um,” Chen Guo cleared her throat and the twins looked back at her. Chen Guo smiled a bit and gestured to the man in tuxedo. “Who is this?”

The twins looked at each other.

“So your name is truly Ye Xiu, you just brought your twin’s ID to sign up with Excellent Era?!” Chen Guo gasped as she gazed at the two handsome brothers in front of her.

“It could be said like that,” Ye Xiu nodded.

“I apologize for the confusion,” Ye Qiu gracefully nodded.

“No, no, that actually clears things up,” Chen Guo said as she covered her mouth. Twins? Who knew? So convenient. She felt like she just jumped into a soap drama.

“Yeah, things are clear now. You go back home,” Ye Xiu shot a sharp glance at his twin brother.

“You have no right to tell me to go home,” Ye Qiu retorted. “If you don’t want to go home now, just tell me when.”

“Naturally, I will go home but not now.”

“Liar, go home now with me. You’re stealing my freedom.

“Shut up. I will go home, but not now. And what freedom? What the hell are you going to do after you pushed me back and ran away?” Ye Xiu glared.

Chen Guo watched as the brothers fell into another heated argument, she felt like she shouldn’t listen to this but who told them to break into arguments in front of somebody and within that somebody’s place at that.

Just when they began to raise their voices against each other, Chen Guo interrupted them. “You two are brothers. Talk nicely to each other.”

“He started it!” Both brothers pointed sharply at each other.

Chen Guo really couldn’t see how this would end.

“Then, let me challenge you to a showdown!” Ye Qiu pointed his brother by the nose. “Let’s see who’s the better butler!”

“How did this broil down to this?” Chen Guo asked, genuinely confused and lost as she poured herself a glass of wine.

“Okay, fine then, you little shit,” Ye Xiu’s eyes twitched slightly. As expected, they still know how to tick each other the best. “Though I’m only doing it as a hobby now, as expected, the thing that has been hammered into my head since childhood can’t just scram off. I can’t let my pride as a butler to be damaged,” especially by his own little brother.  “Boss, please,” Ye Xiu bowed down.

“Are you guys really serious?” Chen Guo raised her brows.

“Lady Chen, I beg you. Please let us have a butler showdown in this cafe. I assure you, I won’t make you lose money,” Ye Qiu also bowed down.

Chen Guo was initially annoyed, but she was also helpless. Seeing them still bowing to her, she felt guilty too. “Alright... When?” Chen Guo asked.

“Anytime my brother can,” Ye Xiu smirked and straightened.

“Anytime soon is fine,” Ye Qiu shot back as he picked up his phone and dialed a number. He put it beside his ear and spoke up after a few rings, “Cancel up everything I have for the next week. I’m having a showdown.”

There was no sound from the other side before finally a sigh and an affirmation.

Chen Guo gulped. The tension was thick here, she couldn’t believe it. Being from butler family could be this intense too... she had no idea. She cleared her throat. “Alright, since it was still new year, how about in three days? Mr. Ye Qiu also needs to familiarize himself with the internet cafe and the customers prior to it. Where would Mr. Ye Qiu live until then and during the event?”

“I will stay at a hotel nearby,” Ye Qiu said seriously. However, a second later, his expression changed and brightened. “Is that a wine? Let’s drink for the new year.”

Chen Guo seriously didn’t know how she wound up with two hot butlers living with her, she would pay a sum of money for someone to tell her why?

Seriously, what was this scenario!? Did she somehow triggered something along the line of her life to have her usually normal life becoming this exciting and novel?!

“I sure do hope you have no allergy, Lady Chen,” Ye Qiu said with a repentant tone. “I took the liberty to buy some ingredients and serve you your breakfast for the trouble I have put you last night. I’m terribly sorry.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Chen Guo sweatdropped. She was pretty sure that he was the one who got wasted the night before, how could he woke up earlier than her and even had the time to do some grocery and cook for her?!

Chen Guo once again felt ashamed of herself. This was upbringing. She could only watch and be ashamed.

“You’re overdoing it again,” Ye Xiu commented as he took off his apron. “How many times do I have to tell you, the problem is not in quantity but quality?”

“What’s wrong with quality in quantity?” Ye Qiu rolled his eyes. “Look at the food I serve, do you dare to say they’re not of quality?”

Ye Xiu raised his brows. “Naturally not. Your skill has improved.”

“Improved? It’s been ten years, of course, my skill will change.”

“But what can be done with the left-over? My boss is not going to finish the whole thing no matter how much of a hoarder she is in secret.” Ye Xiu gestured.

“Hey!” Chen Guo protested.

“This is my guilty cooking, if I don’t do more I’ll feel guiltier,” Ye Qiu then turned to Chen Guo, apologetic. “Once again, I’m so sorry, Lady Chen.”

“It’s fine, really! Rather, how much do you buy to make this exactly?” Chen Guo gazed at the table in doubt.

“I re-stocked your fridge,” Ye Qiu said. “Please don’t refuse, I have intruded you enough after all.” He then placed a napkin on the table and put a spoon, a fork, and a pair of chopsticks there. He then folded another napkin and placed it on the other side for Chen Guo to use, “Please.”

“Your drink, boss,” Ye Xiu put a glass of water on the table. Normally, Chen Guo would feel that Ye Xiu was really attentive, but with Ye Qiu as a comparison, he was indeed lacking.

“How could you serve your employer’s drink like that?” Ye Qiu scolded his elder brother.

Ye Xiu frowned. “Excuse me? This is the bare-minimum service!”

“But she’s your employer!” Ye Qiu argued.

“Guys, guys, please. I don’t mind,” Chen Guo said and suddenly had another wave of disbelief crashing into her. What the hell, she really felt like those female leads in the cheap romance dramas she always tried to avoid. “I’m going to eat now,” she said and began to dig in. Chen Guo began to regret it when she took a bite. This tasted way better than any take-out she ever bought, however, she was silently thankful that it was Ye Xiu who worked for her and not Ye Qiu.

If she was served this kind of food every day, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to eat anything else because her taste bud would absolutely spoiled.

While Chen Guo was eating, she expected the twins would argue again, but they actually stopped and began to talk normally.

“What kind of haircut is that?” Ye Qiu said as he reached and ruffled Ye Xiu’s hair. “How could you present yourself like this?” he fussed.

“You didn’t know how to turn on the stove earlier, I saw you flinched, let me see,” Ye Xiu lowered his head and took Ye Qiu’s right hand and peeled off the white glove.

“How could you be this sloppy?” Ye Qiu said as he swept Ye Xiu’s hair back with his left hand

“How could you be so reckless?” Ye Xiu sighed when he saw the first-degree burn at the back of his twin’s hand.

Chen Guo who heard that felt calm. She picked up her drink and took a sip. For some reason, she stopped feeling like she was the female lead of a cheap romance show and becoming a complete audience.

‘Those brothers sure love each other deep down.’ Chen Guo smiled and shook her head.

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!” Su Mucheng laughed as she shot her confetti gun towards the butler-like man who opened the door.

Ye Qiu blinked in surprise and gazed down at her. “Miss?”

Su Mucheng blinked playfully as she grinned up at him and as soon as she got a good look at him, she paused. “Oh, you’re not Ye Xiu,” she said. She really thought that it was Ye Xiu cosplaying seriously as a butler.

Ye Qiu smiled respectfully. “Yes. I’m not Ye Xiu, I’m Ye Qiu,” he stepped back and bowed down. “I’ll escort you to my brother immediately.”

Su Mucheng covered her mouth and giggled. “I know.” She looked at him, “You don’t remember me?”

Ye Qiu blinked. “Do I know you, miss?”

“Ye Qiu, who’s at the door?” Chen Guo popped out and froze in disbelief when she saw Su Mucheng standing at the door. “S-Su Mucheng?!” she gasped.

Su Mucheng waved at her and walked in, skipping in her steps. “Hi!” she greeted Chen Guo.

Ye Xiu came out after that. “I thought I recognize that voice,” he said and Su Mucheng immediately went to shoot him with her confetti gun, making him wince. “Happy new year!” She hugged Ye Xiu.

“Happy new year,” Ye Xiu replied. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me just for this?”

“Duh,” Su Mucheng pulled away and smiled. She then turned to Chen Guo. “Hello, I’m Su Mucheng. Thank you for taking care of Ye Xiu,” she bowed to Chen Guo.

“N-no problem!” Chen Guo said. “I’m your biggest fan actually. I’m Chen Guo.”

Su Mucheng beamed, “You can call me MuMu if you want. Ye Xiu’s friends are my friends too.”

Chen Guo couldn’t believe this. “Then, call me GuoGuo.”

Ye Xiu tugged Su Mucheng’s jacket and she smoothly let him took it off, Ye Qiu approached them afterward.

“Ladies, would you like some tea to accompany your talk?” Ye Qiu asked.

“If it’s not a bother,” Su Mucheng smiled.

“Of course, not,” Ye Qiu nodded and disappeared into the kitchen area.

They then sat down at the nearby table and after asking about Ye Xiu’s health, Su Mucheng moved to talk and familiarize herself with Chen Guo until Ye Qiu returned with the tea.

“Oh, I almost forgot, why is Ye Qiu here?” Su Mucheng asked casually. “Spending new year together?” She gazed at the twins.

“As if,” Ye Xiu said.

“I’m merely visiting, but an unfortunate turn of event made me stay for the night,” Ye Qiu said eloquently.

“Ohh,” Su Mucheng nodded understandingly. “Here, I thought you two are working together to transform this internet cafe to be a butler-themed internet cafe,” she joked.

“...”

“...”

“...It could be said that was half-right,” Ye Xiu answered.

“Wait, really?” Su Mucheng blinked rapidly in bewilderment.

Chen Guo sighed. “Yes, I gave them my permission to do it.” In any case, she had a full confidence about these two, she had faith it wouldn’t be a disaster. “I was originally going to give them all a week vacation, but...” With these two’s request, forget it. At least they would only open at night.

Su Mucheng gasped. “So you guys are going to be the butlers?!”

“You can say that,” Ye Xiu nodded.

Su Mucheng’s eyes gleamed. “When?”

“In three days?”

“Still within my vacation!” Su Mucheng cheered. She’s living here!

The traffic had been pretty hectic the last few nights, but strangely, Chen Guo didn’t have to lift a finger to add extra effort at all. She can only watch in fascination as her internet cafe was taken over by the two excellent butlers.

They even did the re-arrangement for the butler night themselves so as to not disturb the customers who only came to play computer and not role-playing. Turned out, it didn’t actually matter as everyone basically wanted to join in when they saw the performance and what was offered by Butler Night.

They only added a few new homecooked additions to the menu because ultimately this wasn’t a real cafe, but customers seemed to be perfectly content. There was a dramatic surge of female customers these few nights too, which obviously connected to the presence of a pair of hot twin butlers. Their words, not Chen Guo’s.

Tang Rou decided to return quicker than she planned when Chen Guo told her about it, for her own amusement. She became the voluntary operator whilst the brothers were busy with their sibling rivalry.

Tang Rou rolled her eyes again as a group of girls squealed when Ye Qiu personally put a napkin on their lap. She shook her head when she heard another pair of suppressed squeal as Ye Xiu called them ‘Young misses.’

Pretending to be rich was really fun, huh? She wouldn’t know. Tang Rou took a sip of her mixed berry smoothie that Ye Qiu made for her when she heard a jiggling of a bell and looked up to find a heavily-dressed man.

“Renting a computer?” Tang Rou asked casually.

“Err, yeah,” the man cleared his throat.

“ID card, please,” Tang Rou took another sip of her smoothie and extended her hand.

The man seemed really reluctant and even looked like he was going to retreat, but eventually, he took out his ID. “Please don’t tell anyone,” he begged.

Okay? Tang Rou looked at the ID card. Name, Sun Xiang. Age, 19. Huh, what was the problem then? The picture also looked pretty much like any other guy his age. Suddenly, an idea struck Tang Rou as she looked at Sun Xiang up and down.

Sun Xiang felt his back drenched in a cold sweat, please don’t exclaim, please don’t announce his identity, please he just wanted to see butlers. He was curious!

“Are you here for Butler Night?” Tang Rou asked.

Sun Xiang nodded, “Yes.”

“I see,” Tang Rou smiled. “Well, young master, your identity is safe with us.”

Huh? Sun Xiang felt moved. This internet cafe was not so bad after all. They were willing to keep his identity a secret- not like going here was bad for his reputation or anything, he just didn’t want to be... mauled by his fans... that’s all.

Tang Rou returned his ID card and looked around to find the nearest Ye brother. He spotted one, a closer look she found the golden leaves brooch and immediately called out. “Second Ye, a computer for one!”

Ye Qiu delicately stopped pouring the lavender tea into the cup and put it down. “Enjoy your tea, my lady.” He then turned around, “Coming.”

When Sun Xiang saw the butler walking up to him, he felt dazed. Indeed, that form, that uniform, those looked authentic. The face was also very handsome, but wasn’t he too familiar?

“Ye Qiu?” Sun Xiang gawked behind his mask and the butler paused in front of him.

Tang Rou bit her straw and stopped taking a sip to look at them both.

Ye Qiu smiled. “Young master recognizes me?”

Sun Xiang gawked. Why did Ye Qiu use such an unfamiliar tone? “Uhh. I didn’t know you worked here.” He coughed and said indifferently.

Now Ye Qiu was positive he recognized the wrong person, but Ye Qiu was never one to break the news himself. He simply smiled, “Young master, may I know your name?”

Sun Xiang looked at Ye Qiu in disbelief. Was his disguise so powerful? He lowered his mask cautiously after a look around and showed his full face to Ye Qiu. “It’s me. Sun Xiang.”

“So it’s young master Sun,” Ye Qiu nodded. There was no flash of recognition in his tone nor gaze, making Sun Xiang felt surreal.

Tang Rou took a bite of the honey biscuits prepared by Ye Xiu earlier today and checked her computer. “Area D computer 13,” she said. “It’s pretty isolated, don’t worry, young master,” Tang Rou assured. Since he wanted to role-play, then let him role-play.

Ye Qiu bowed slightly, “Shall we?”

He then brought Sun Xiang to his computer and asked several questions about his comfort, but with the tone he used, it didn’t feel invasive or annoying. Finally, Ye Qiu asked, “Is there anything you’d like to have?”

Sun Xiang looked at the small pamphlet of ‘specialty’ and decided to just get a drink.

Sun Xiang watched him leave to get his order and couldn’t help but to feel like he was in a secret affair. Ye Qiu pretty much severed his relationship with Excellent Era when Sun Xiang came, he even chose to work on the internet cafe down the street rather than being a coach. Now, Sun Xiang was sitting in the same internet cafe.

But it didn’t seem like Ye Qiu wanted to bring up their private lives at job. Sun Xiang was relieved. At the very least, for the night, there was no judgment or resentment between them. Sun Xiang could repress his embarrassment for a bit. They could go on on their lives, and forget they ever meet each other tonight. Sun Xiang’s curiosity would be satisfied and Ye Qiu had a paying customer. Win-win for both.

“Here you go, young master,” Ye Qiu returned and put a coaster on the desk before putting the drink. It was a mixed berry smoothie that the woman at the front counter was drinking.

“Thanks,” Sun Xiang nodded. He was so thirsty so he directly lowered his mask and took a sip. It only took one sip, but he suddenly wondered if he was really in an internet cafe and not a high-end restaurant. No wonder the sister operator couldn’t stop taking a sip, it was so delicious.

“Is there anything else you wish for, young master?” Ye Qiu asked. “I could explain the components of the beverage if you would like so.”

“Second Ye!”

Ye Qiu lowered his gaze and turned around, brows tauted slightly. “What is it?”

Sun Xiang took another sip of his drink with gusto and casually glanced up to look at the person who was coming their ways.

Bad choice.

Sun Xiang choked and immediately spurted out his smoothie through his nose, earning the attention of the two butlers.

“Young master, are you alright?” Ye Qiu fussed and patted Sun Xiang’s back through his coughing-up storm.

Sun Xiang wanted to die. He covered his face with his sleeve as his body’s natural mechanism still forced him to cough to get rid of the liquid that mistakenly entered his breathing tract. He tried to assure Ye Qiu (?) that he was fine but all he could manage was making a noise that sounded like a dying horse.

Ye Xiu picked up the drink and put it further away with the coaster. He then gazed at the customer in sympathy and tried to help too. “Young master, here use this.” Ye Xiu took out his handkerchief when he saw there was no napkin around.

Sun Xiang peered at the face in front of him and felt even more embarrassed to show his pathetic appearance. Ye Xiu naturally saw this and shoved his handkerchief to Sun Xiang’s other hand. Without even any prompting the two brothers looked away seamlessly with Ye Xiu calling out Tang Rou for napkins and Ye Qiu assuring the other guests that there was nothing to see here.

Sun Xiang quickly took the handkerchief and wiped his disgrace away as much as he could. When he finally stopped coughing and wiped his face dry, he tearfully looked up at the two butlers who finally looked back at him to make sure he was okay.

“Thanks,” Sun Xiang cleared his throat and lowered the handkerchief, tucking it close.

Ye Xiu blinked, finally getting a good look at the customer. “Sun Xiang?” He tilted his head.

Sun Xiang stared at Ye Xiu and then looked at Ye Qiu who was serving him since the start. He paled. “You...” He looked at Ye Xiu. “Ye Qiu, but he... You’re... He-you?” Sun Xiang’s vision spun.

Ye Xiu glanced at his twin who looked at him indifferently. He then returned his gaze to Sun Xiang. “He and me, what?”

Ye Qiu nudged him. “How could you talk like that to young master Sun?” He hissed.

Ye Xiu paused, he looked at Sun Xiang in understanding. “Ah, pardon me, young master Sun. It was a pleasure to see you here. If you need anything please call me.”

Sun Xiang stared blankly for a while, gaze alternating between Ye Xiu and Ye Qiu. His originally colourful face turned even redder. “S-sure.” Think later, enjoy first. “Your handkerchief... I’ll get you a new one,” like hell Sun Xiang going to return the messed up handkerchief, he’d rather throw it away somewhere else or burn it together with his shame.

Ye Xiu smiled. “Young master, what I have is naturally yours. Please don’t mind such a cheap handkerchief.”

Sun Xiang inhaled deeply, in that moment, he forgot that the one standing in front of him was someone he snatched One Autumn Leaf from a few months ago, he could only see two handsome butlers.

Well, Sun Xiang’s goal coming here was to see handsome butlers after all. What can be said? He was a teenager.

In the end, Sun Xiang didn’t throw away the handkerchief after all.

Han Wenqing noticed a certain someone sitting in the corner, crossing her arms petulantly like a child throwing tantrum. He arched an eyebrow and didn’t hesitate to walk over to her, thinking what might make her look so terrible, he said, “Down because of your team’s loss?” Tyranny did just defeat Excellent Era after all.

Su Mucheng sneered, “Down? Why should I be down? My performance is great as always.”

Han Wenqing didn’t expect the bitterness in her tone. While he and Su Mucheng might not be friends who talked to each other casually, he still had a rough understanding of her because she always trailed after Ye Qiu like a chick after her mother hen, so he was not that awkward with her either. He hesitated, “Did something happen in the team?” He asked casually.

What a joke. Of course all top-tier players noticed something off in Excellent Era when Ye Qiu suddenly retired without even a word. Han Wenqing was honestly surprised that Su Mucheng was still with the team at all, considering how attached she was to Ye Qiu.

“Something always happened in the team,” Su Mucheng commented offhandedly. “No, it’s about the new owner.”

The only new owner in Excellent Era was someone who had replaced Ye Qiu. A new owner of One Autumn Leaf. “What happened?” Han Wenqing asked seriously. Su Mucheng was a woman after all, if he found out anything happened to her while Ye Qiu was not with her, Han Wenqing would be the one who extends his help.

Su Mucheng murmured darkly under her breath. “I don’t like how he acted like he did no wrong and acted so casually like that to Ye Xi- Qiu...”

“Acted like how?” Han Wenqing asked.

“I mean the way he shamelessly stalked Ye Qiu and made him act as his butler!” Su Mucheng blurted out.

“What?” Han Wenqing blinked rapidly. “He did what?”

“The butler thing,” Su Mucheng repeated without context once again. “I don’t know how on earth he found out that Ye Qiu worked in an internet cafe and role-played as a butler for its event, but he did and he shamelessly go there to role-play as a young master. He came when I headed back to Excellent Era too. How sly...” Su Mucheng took a deep breath. Naturally, she learned what happened from Ye Xiu in their call, and she didn’t take the news with pleasure, she didn’t trust anyone in Excellent Era after their betrayal, and she naturally didn’t believe that Sun Xiang had no ill will.

Su Mucheng grabbed one of the orange juice boxes lined up beside her and stabbed a straw through it mercilessly.

Han Wenqing took a moment to digest the new information as Su Mucheng emptied her juice box. Finally, he said, “Ye Qiu worked in an internet cafe now? And he role-played as a butler?” Han Wenqing felt it was surreal when the words left his mouth. The first part? Though surprising for the top player of alliance becoming a worker in an internet cafe straight after retirement, Han Wenqing felt like it suited Ye Qiu’s devil-may-care character.

But as a butler?

What the hell Excellent Era did? How could their former captain fall that low?

“I can’t accept it, I can’t accept it, I can’t accept it,” Su Mucheng murmured. “If Liu Hao finds out and goes there to mock him...” Su Mucheng’s gaze darkened. She didn’t care if she was bullied, but her blood boiled when she saw Ye Xiu getting bullied.

“Calm down,” Han Wenqing furrowed his brows. He didn’t understand how such a delicate-looking pretty young woman contain so much anger in her, no wonder Ye Qiu once said he was kinda afraid of her. “Everything can be solved peacefully,” Han Wenqing said, but his mind was still too preoccupied with the fact Ye Qiu was working in an internet cafe now, and role-playing as a butler at that.

“Yes,” Su Mucheng squeezed the empty juice box in her palm. “I’ll peacefully persuade him to shut his mouth.” Her gaze darkened.

“But Ye Qiu worked as a role-playing butler in an internet cafe now?” Han Wenqing pushed forward the most important issue.

“Guys, please stop it before you disturb GuoGuo upstairs,” Tang Rou said indifferently as she took another sip of her tea while watching the brothers settling their siblings rivalry after they ended the last night of Butler Night and sent off the customers. After all, for Butler Night they only operated for four hours and the customers knew it well. Most came for the butlers after all, not for the important things that required more time.

“I won!” Ye Qiu declared.

“Yeah, but the male customers all mostly chose me.”

“But I won the best service.”

Tang Rou dipped her honey biscuit into her tea and took a bite.

“Remember that time when we were twelve?”

“Oh, Ye Qiu, you still don’t change, don’t you?”

“Pot calling kettle black.”

“At least I’m not whiny about it.”

Tang Rou finished the income report for the night and stretched out, sometimes softly calling them out to settle down.

“How many times do I have to tell you, that you should really settle down and chose a master.”

“What about you? Don’t tell me what to do when you don’t even do it.”

Tang Rou opened Glory and went straight to the arena.

The twins still argued while tidying up in the background as she put on her headphone and smiled when she finally muffled their argument. They were just arguing for the sake of arguing right now.

Tang Rou didn’t even notice someone in front of the Internet Cafe’s entrance until they pushed open the glass door.

“Evening!” Su Mucheng cheerfully greeted.

When Han Wenqing entered the Internet Cafe, he was immediately greeted with the sight of Ye Xiu shoving the face of another man away with his entire palm.

“Eve-“ Ye Xiu turned around and paused when he saw the extra guest Su Mucheng had brought with her. “Ning...?” Ye Xiu used his other hand to push down Ye Qiu’s head and kicked him down to hide him behind a desk as an instinctive reflex. “Mucheng. Old Han?”

Han Wenqing took in Ye Xiu’s appearance and had no doubt he did work an extra job role-playing as a butler and Su Mucheng was not pulling his legs.

Once again, Han Wenqing really wanted to have a talk with Excellent Era’s boss and manager.

“Good work for today,” Tang Rou had taken off her headphone and immediately went around the counter to give Su Mucheng a hug. “It was a great match.”

“Haha, standard, standard,” Su Mucheng said. “You guys don’t mind if I bring a friend, right?” she gestured to Han Wenqing.

Tang Rou looked at Han Wenqing, recognized him as that really good player, the captain of Tyranny, and nodded. “Feel free to come in. Just treat it as your home, do you bring your card?” Tang Rou asked pleasantly.

Han Wenqing saw the notice board and naturally took out his ID card.

Tang Rou shook her head. “Not that. I meant your account card. Let’s PK.”

“...” Han Wenqing furrowed his brows.

Su Mucheng burst out laughing. “Oh, RouRou, please. If Captain Han bring out Desert Dust, the entire arena would be shaken. Try to beat that guy over there down to half-health first,” she pointed to Ye Xiu.

Tang Rou seemed disappointed but was pretty understanding. “I will.” She nodded.

“Why did you bring him here?” Ye Xiu directed the question to Su Mucheng. He then turned to Han Wenqing without waiting for Su Mucheng’s answer, “Did she abduct you here? Need me to call your manager or at least Zhang Xinjie?”

“Rude,” Su Mucheng snorted. “I was going to bring Zhang Xinjie too, but it was nearing his curfew.”

“So, why are you here?” Ye Xiu asked Han Wenqing with a smile. “We’re closed for the night, but if you want some refreshment, I can give some to you.” He gestured Han Wenqing to a nearby table near the entrance as he picked up the menu from a stack nearby.

Su Mucheng happily sat down at the table, beckoning Han Wenqing to do the same.

Han Wenqing hesitated, but figured he might talk to Ye Xiu for a long time.

Ye Xiu gave Han Wenqing the menu. “I know you won’t eat at night. How about a drink? Which one do you prefer? Coffee or tea?”

Han Wenqing looked up at Ye Xiu and furrowed his brows. “Talk like you usually do,” it made him uneasy to hear Ye Xiu being so attentive.

“Is that how you prefer? Very well,” Ye Xiu said. “So, any order?”

“Brother, there’s a gum stuck below this desk.”

Ye Xiu forgot about Han Wenqing entirely. “What?” he turned walked back to his little brother who was inspecting the underside of the desk seriously. “Oh, those people,” Ye Xiu facepalmed. “I’ll fetch an icepack and a knife real quick.”

Han Wenqing watched as Ye Xiu disappeared to the back. He then saw someone else climbing up from behind the desk and stood up.

“Hi, Ye Qiu!” Su Mucheng grinned and greeted him, fully aware of Han Wenqing’s glance.

“Hello there, Miss Su,” Ye Qiu answered smoothly. He then nodded at Han Wenqing, “Friend of Miss Su.”

Ye Xiu returned then and handed the ice pack to Ye Qiu. “Help me with those, I’m taking an order,” he then walked back to Han Wenqing’s table. “What do you want?” Ye Xiu asked casually.

“I just want to check,” Han Wenqing said. “You really worked here?”

“As you can see,” Ye Xiu shrugged. “Pretty great, eh? Got lucky I found the place the same day of my retirement, decent payment, and got a room .”

Han Wenqing caught the key information and furrowed his brows. “The same day as retirement? Did you get kicked out of Excellent Era’s building or something?”

“...”

Su Mucheng didn’t speak and simply browse the internet with her phone, a leisure smile on her face but a storm in her eyes.

“How about some chamomile tea?” Ye Xiu suggested.

“So, I was right?” Han Wenqing arched an eyebrow.

“Wait, you got kicked out of your previous workplace?” Ye Qiu popped back up. “Hahaha! Serves you right!” he mocked.

Ye Xiu rolled his eyes.

“Was it still the same place?” Ye Qiu stopped laughing and asked seriously. “The building down the street with big maple leaf plastered on it?”

“Ye Qiu, shut up,” Ye Xiu furrowed his brows.

“And who is that?” Han Wenqing finally asked, looking pointedly at Ye Qiu.

“Sigh, well,” Ye Xiu started, might as well bite the bullet now. “He’s my twin brother. Ye Qiu. My name is Ye Xiu.”

Han Wenqing then looked pointedly at Ye Xiu. “Do I wanna know?”

“It’s complicated.”

“You should go home instead,” Ye Qiu commented, directed at Ye Xiu.

"Ye Qiu, how about you help me in the kitchen?" Ye Xiu said and his twin brother shrugged, going back to the kitchen.

Han Wenqing closed his eyes. “Ye Xiu.”

“Yes? Have you decided?” Ye Xiu turned back to look at him.

“Sit down,” Han Wenqing said. “Let’s talk.”

“Talk? Oh, you want an advice from a butler?” Ye Xiu asked in amusement.

“You don’t have to role-play,” Han Wenqing said.

“He’s not, tho?” Su Mucheng said. “The brochure did say it’s ‘role-playing’ but it’s anything but that for Ye Xiu.”

“Old Han, you’re undermining my identity as a proper butler? I’m hurt,” Ye Xiu sighed lamentingly.

“You’re third-rank butler officially. The last time you took the test is ten years ago!” Ye Qiu protested as he went out of the kitchen with a pot of re-heated tea.

Su Mucheng leaned on to whisper to Han Wenqing. “Ye Xiu’s family is a family of butler. He’s technically not role-playing.”

“...”

As Ye Xiu elegantly poured down a cup of tea for Han Wenqing, Han Wenqing wondered how many more unsaid secrets he’d discover before the night ended.

Chapter Text

“I’ll miss you guys doing this.” Su Mucheng mentioned. Han Wenqing had left early in the morning after briefly talking about Ye Xiu’s situation and why he retired, Su Mucheng headed back to Excellent Era that night to fetch some things when Ye Xiu (And a few other people) made a remark that he had to wait for his laundry to avoid going around half-dressed or wearing Chen Guo’s late dad’s clothes.

As night progressed, Han Wenqing was roped in by Ye Xiu to help him breaking a record and hunt a few bosses with tenth server’s Striker account that Su Mucheng also snatched from Excellent Era’s alt stash.

Eventually, the King of Fighting stayed the night and had a cat nap on the resting area before leaving first thing in the morning, of course, not after Ye Xiu cooked him a good healthy breakfast. Needless to say, Han Wenqing was impressed that Ye Xiu knew anything about ‘healthy’ at all recalling his choice of food was more often ‘fast’ than ‘healthy’.

After Han Wenqing left, Ye Qiu had tidied the place some more to satisfy his mild OCD, which came with being a butler, before announcing that he would leave for B City to prepare for a competition to snatch a golden badge for butlership in England.

“It’s just a one-time thing, your fault for being attached,” Ye Xiu said blankly.

“We could have more butler cafe in the future,” Chen Guo said at the same time.

“Really?” Su Mucheng gasped.

“No,” Ye Xiu said.

“Yes,” Chen Guo nodded.

“Boss, Ye Qiu is not going to be here forever,” Ye Xiu sighed.

“Well...” Chen Guo blinked innocently. “We’re making a team, aren’t we?”

“What?” Ye Xiu looked at her in disbelief.

“Cough!” Tang Rou covered her mouth and nose when she heard that. “Steamed Bun as butler,” she choked out, between absolutely terrified and extremely intrigued. For the first time, Tang Rou felt being creating a team might not be so bad after all.

Su Mucheng V: Secret date~ Lmao, nope, not my date. I was chaperoning. [Su Mucheng snapping a picture with her phone sneakily in the mirror, winking, with Han Wenqing sitting across her. Han Wenqing looked absolutely fed up at a man dressed in a butler outfit by their table. The butler was only half captured by camera because he was standing up and his back was to the mirror.img]

• Huang Shaotian V: [wideeyes][shook][cough][cough] What??? The??? Hell??? Sis Su, what are you doing with Old Han and why at all?

• Li Xuan V: Don’t get it.

• Wu Yuce V: “Chaperoning” Oh, oh, got it.

• Chu Yunxiu V: Put aside the obvious things. You never post any picture eating out with your team but post one with Old Han? Ehem, this doesn’t make me nervous at all. Nope.

• Fang Rui V: Well, this makes me nervous, you should explain.

• To the future we go: Goddess Su in a cafe with Tyranny’s Captain, Han Wenqing? @Excellent Era PR Explain! Please tell me it’s just a friendly interaction and not more!

• Tyrannical Crab: Conspiration theorists are squawking right now.

• Rebel With A Cause: Just saw a random headline hoax with this picture saying Su Mucheng will transfer to Tyranny.

• Anxious Mom: Goddess Chu said it the best, though. Su Mucheng never posted anything in her account about her team unless it was for a match. She didn’t even post any welcome for Sun Xiang when he transferred over.

• Monkey King: Su Mucheng is in a friendly relationship with Han Wenqing? I thought Ye Qiu and Han Wenqing were enemies.

• Tyrannical Fist: Who cares about Ye Qiu anymore? Haha, his team didn’t even say anything when he left out of nowhere, Excellent Era probably hates him to death. Only dared to show up in All-Stars and then ran off without showing his face. Bet beneath all those “We respect Ye Qiu’s decision” there are more than meet the eyes.

• Jelly Beans You Like Jelly Beans: I went to the comment section to see if there’s going to be anyone doubting the ‘not my date’ part, apparently everyone basically just accepted that. That was rare.

• Yu Wenzhou V: This doesn’t make anyone nervous at all.

• Yang Cong V: I was having a good time before I saw this.

• Wang Jiexi V: I wonder how the two clubs’ PR deal with this...

• Xiao Shiqin V: You’re usually PR friendly.

Dancing Rain: Nope. Not answering any of your questions. Continue spamming me and all of you are going to be blocked.

Dancing Rain: Blocked. Muted. Bye ^^

Troubling Rain: Su Mucheng, you bitch! How are you not expecting questions when you post that picture?! Tell me, is Old Ye going to be in Tyranny. Holy fuck, if that’s true that’s like me transferring to Tiny Herb, absolutely insane! No one will accept me there! The fans will go ballistic and I’d sooner suffocate Wang Jiexi to death before I call him ‘captain’

Vaccaria: No one wants you here too @Troubling Rain

Troubling Rain: Good. It makes me nervous when the people I disdain have a wet dream about me.

Windy Rain: Talk dirty again, and I’m asking an admin to mute you.

Troubling Rain: What is this? A PG chatroom? Everyone is an adult here, if you can’t accept it then fuck off!

Life Extinguisher: Why don’t we ask Senior Han himself about the detail? It’s not good if we get carried away with fake news.

Swoksaar: You call him.

Life Extinguisher: ...

Doubtful Demon: LMAO

Sobbing Ghost: Anyone who dared to summon Senior Han, I’ll send you a hundred yuan. Instant.

Receding Tide: That’s a fucking piss poor price.

Carving Ghost: ^ Because whoever accepted that is making a piss poor decision.

Scene Killer: Are we going to keep arguing like this or what?

Swoksaar: @Immovable Rock Any thought on this matter? Is Senior Ye going to transfer there?

Sobbing Ghost: I fucking forgot about Zhang Xinjie.

Windy Rain: Sometimes, we all can collectively only share a brain cell. It astonishes me how dumb we can be.

Immovable Rock: No. As far as I know, he won’t.

Troubling Rain: YESSS Finally a conclusion! Was it really that hard to just answer a fucking question @Dancing Rain Idc you’re muting or blocking me, I won’t be silenced!

Immovable Rock: But let me ask the captain first.

Swoksaar: ...

Cloud Piercer: ...

Windy Rain: ...

Doubtful Demon: ...

Demon Subduer: ...

Desert Dust: No.

Boundless Sea: It’s a hoax, everybody.

Windy Rain: I finally can rest at night.

Troubling Rain: Phew, finally a true conclusion, anybody up for a late-night discussion instead?

Vaccaria: I have always thought that was a dubious idea.

Angelica: At least we know now.

Demon Subduer: @Desert Dust But you did meet him, right? How is he now? What is he doing after retirement?

Desert Dust: He’s doing fine. Never ask me about this again.

Troubling Rain: Yes, ah. Old Lin, just let Old Ye live his life, ah. We don’t have to worry about him, I’m sure he’s doing alright and is enjoying his early retirement and one year suspension from the Alliance. Totally not weird at all. In fact, he’s probably off somewhere working a simple normal job while playing Glory and bullying tenth server’s noobs.

Demon Subduer: I... I see...?

Troubling Rain: It’s good that you see it.

Troubling Rain: By the way, Chu Yunxiu, the last ramen place you recommended in your city is bland. What the hell did you think when you recommended it? I wrote a review of that place online and had to cut it to half because it didn’t let me to say more than 1000 words, I’m not satisfied at all

Time passed, Samsara won Season 8 with an overbearing victory that caused heat in-game between Blue Brook and Samsara. It was a never-ending battlefield with both teams’ fanbase, whether in normal servers or in Heavenly Domain, it became embarrassingly easy to scrap pick.

Summer Transfer rolled in and team Happy was preparing to sign in their team for the Challenger League. Wei Chen had came way before that and had made himself comfortable in H City. All they needed to do was to wait for other members to come and when they all finally gathered, they celebrated the birth of their grassroots team despite Mo Fan’s obvious unwillingness.

Afterward, however...

“The fuck are you talking about?” Wei Chen said disbelievingly.

“Calm down,” Ye Xiu started.

“You want us to do what buttfuck you’re proposing again?” Wei Chen cursed.

Ye Xiu sighed. “Well...” Ye Xiu gestured. “You see, we’re a very poor team, right? Our only sponsor is our boss, which cannot be counted. We have to search a way to promote ourselves and gave us a steady income for months to come at least until Challenger League became too challenging.”

“I’m telling you to repeat the hell you just said, not telling me a scripture of bullshit,” Wei Chen glared.

“We’re doing butler cafe,” Ye Xiu sighed long-sufferingly.

“I knew it. I knew it! I didn’t hear it wrong,” Wei Chen groaned.

“Now, this isn’t my idea. Our boss said so,” Ye Xiu gestured to Chen Guo who was talking with Tang Rou and Su Mucheng, who had come to stay over for the summer. “It’s okay, it’s only in the afternoon, only for three hours duration, we’re serving a limited number of guests. It could be at night too if you want,” Ye Xiu said.

“Why the fuck are we doing that?!” Wei Chen cried out.

“You’re excluded, Old Wei,” Ye Xiu rubbed the bridge of his nose in stress. “You and your twenty million can be excluded.”

“Oh,” Wei Chen stopped his dramatics and nodded blankly.

Ye Xiu gestured to Mo Fan too, “You don’t have to do it too. I know you don’t want to.”

Mo Fan didn’t respond.

Qiao Yifan raised his hand. “Will it help to lighten up the team’s burden?”

“Yes. Somewhat. We need publicity and extra income. The cost of the menu in butler cafe was going to be quite a lot,” since they were selling the feeling, not entirely food. While the food was decent, it was the atmosphere that made it more expensive.

“Then, I will try my best,” Qiao Yifan blushed slightly. “I will be in your care. I’ve... never done this before, customer service is not my forte.”

“It’s okay, I’ll teach you,” Ye Xiu nodded. Everything started from somewhere.

“I don’t know about this butler thing, but I can try!” Steamed Bun bounced in his seat. “Or I can be a security bodyguard, do you need a security bodyguard? I can protect all the butlers!”

“You can be whatever you want,” Ye Xiu said indulgingly.

“How much is the salary?” An Wenyi pushed up his glasses and asked critically.

“You always return to that question, don’t you?” Ye Xiu’s lips twitched.

“It’s a professional question,” An Wenyi said calmly. “The contract that I signed only requires me to play Cleric for this team with an agreeable salary. Technically, I’m not obligated to do this, do I?” Since Wei Chen and Mo Fan didn’t. Wei Chen, he could understand, after all, he was also an investor, but Mo Fan? An Wenyi would do it if it was inclusive to everyone, but since it wasn’t, he wanted to see his choices.

Ye Xiu tapped his chin. “Well, if the flow of guests is good. Thirty yuan per hour?”

An Wenyi nodded seriously. “A decent hourly wage for waiters.”

“Butlers.”

“It’s like waiters, right?” An Wenyi said blankly.

“No,” Ye Xiu looked offended. “It’s more than that. A butler has a special skill set of their own. We have a minimum skill to take care of a master’s affair like parties, catering guests, cooking, brewing tea, arranging master’s schedules and made sure they could follow the said schedule without a fail.”

“... So, a waiter with extra steps?” An Wenyi said.

“No,” Ye Xiu furrowed his brows.

“But we aren’t going to arrange a party, we’re just working in this cafe, right?” An Wenyi crossed his arms, not understanding Ye Xiu’s affronted expression. “So, we just have to serve food and talk to them.”

“No, we catered them and treat them like they’re our masters. You’ll also learn how to pour tea elegantly and gracefully to mix the taste well without letting a single droplet touch the white tablecloth. Food and snacks must be arranged beautifully and I’ll teach you all that art too. Every single one of you will have to remember the component of our menu down to every letter and explain it in the most pleasant way without over-explaining it.” Ye Xiu inhaled and tilted his head. “Do you understand?”

Everyone looked at him with wide-eyes, torn between looking horrified or astonished.

“Ye Xiu, chill.” Wei Chen leaned away.

“Maybe this is not as easy as I think...” Luo Ji murmured to Qiao Yifan who pursed his lips.

“Haha, you’re getting too excited again.” Su Mucheng walked close, having noticed their discussion.

“Sorry, it’s a bit hard to control myself on this matter when I got into it,” Ye Xiu sighed apologetically.

“Everyone, don’t mind him. He just feels strongly about butlers since he’s born in a family of one,” Su Mucheng explained for them as she patted Ye Xiu’s shoulder. “So he can’t get too carried away sometimes,” she nudged him.

“What? You? You came from a family of butlers?” Wei Chen’s face twisted.

“Yup!” Su Mucheng nodded. “It’s been a long time since he’s not officially a butler anymore, but it’s just ingrained in him, excuse him if he appears overbearing.”

“Mucheng, I don’t need you to apologize for me,” Ye Xiu sighed.

“A family of butlers? That... sounds like a fairytale. Something like that exists?” Luo Ji asked as he readjusted his glasses that had slipped down a centimeter while Ye Xiu was going off earlier.

“It does exist,” Ye Xiu nodded. “I was born in one from B City. There are several more across the country, but forget that.”

“Wow...” Luo Ji stared in astonishment.                    

Qiao Yifan nodded. “No wonder captain is really passionate about this.”

“Okay, alright. Butlers are butlers,” An Wenyi sweated slightly. “But, do you seriously believe we can learn all those things you mentioned?”

“You will,” Ye Xiu said. “You’re my apprentice butlers now, if I let you all come short, it will be a shame to my name.”

“Wait, who decides that?” An Wenyi gawked.

“Cool! I’m an apprentice butler!” Steamed Bun cheered.

“I’m good at learning,” Luo Ji narrowed his eyes in confidence. He was dumb as a rock in Glory because he couldn’t keep up. But in real life, his ability was the same as every other people. In fact, he had a very good memory, he could surely ace the memorizing and detailed parts.

“Having a real butler coaching us will definitely help,” Qiao Yifan smiled, determination shone in his eyes. “Please teach me how to be a proper butler, Captain!”

“This is going to be a trainwreck and I’m here for it,” Wei Chen shook his head as his eyes shone in glee.

Training montage:

Their schedule was basically decided the next day, having signed in the registration for their team the day before, they were told of their activity. Basically, they would have an hour or two hours of butler training before practicing in Glory.

Today was their first day of training.

“Raise it a bit higher and tilt it like this. That way, it won’t splatter anything,” Ye Xiu said as he raised his teapot high up to pour the tea into the cup but nothing tainted the pure white tablecloth. “Understand?”

“Please hold that form longer,” Luo Ji’s spectacles glinted fiercely as he noted it all down in his note. Qiao Yifan tried to peek into it and could only shake his head and looked away when he only saw math equation in it.

“Done?” Ye Xiu asked.

“Done, would you look at this?” Luo Ji showed him his note. “This is the equation if the teapot is above 70% fullness. But you have to tilt it a bit differently if it past that, right?”

“Right, I don’t know the equation. This is instinct to me, I can only show you how,” Ye Xiu said. “Come, anyone’s going to try?”

Luo Ji raised his hand and went first. He checked the teapot’s content for a brief second before started to pour the tea into a new cup and slowly raised it high. Afterward, he slowly lowered the teapot and put it down.

“Perfect, you’re really good at this,” Ye Xiu smiled in satisfaction.

Luo Ji pushed back his glasses. “I just did a bit equations in mind.” Truth be told, he somewhat enjoyed this, his equations and smarts used to learn something new.

“Hm, your performance is way better than even someone who had learned for a week course. You just have to fix your posture, straighten your spine and lower your right arm a bit. You’ll look far more elegant that way,” Ye Xiu nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Luo Ji nodded.

“Next, Qiao Yifan?” Ye Xiu appointed.

Qiao Yifan pursed his lips. “I’ll do my best.”

“It’s fine, it’s your first day of training. Making mistakes is simply the consequence. Besides, without making mistakes, how could you learn?” Ye Xiu smiled kindly as he dumped back the earlier two cups of tea into the teapot. This was for training anyways, no need to be polite.

Qiao Yifan became more relaxed hearing that and picked up the teapot. He started pouring according to Ye Xiu’s instructions and examples from both Ye Xiu and Luo Ji earlier, his posture was good, Ye Xiu complimented, but he still left a few drops of tea which could be seen obviously on the pure white tablecloth.

Next was An Wenyi and his result was the same as Qiao Yifan. Steamed Bun tried it and made a complete mess which Luo Ji disdained him for.

“Alright, good practice, everyone. Keep doing it and your body would surely gain the instinct in a few days,” Ye Xiu instructed which resulted in another hour of four young men pouring recycled tea into the cup.

Luo Ji only had to fix his posture, after a few tries, Ye Xiu finally nodded at him and he let the others play with the teapot some more.

Ye Xiu called out for a rest after an hour and told them the lesson ended there for today and they would go and play Glory after fifteen minutes of conditioning.

An Wenyi looked at the tainted tablecloth and shook his head. “Perfectly good snow-white tablecloth looked like a dirty rag in an hour.”

“We should wash it right away, right?” Qiao Yifan said as he picked up the teacup, intending to evacuate them before picking up the tablecloth.

Ye Xiu pushed Qiao Yifan’s hands back down. “Another lesson, if you made a mess, don’t burden the masters and mistresses. It’s stressful to pick up everything, are they supposed to wait for you to pick them all up and put them down again to continue eating?”

“Yeah, let them eat in peace before removing it! Right, boss?” Steamed Bun snapped his finger as if he got the right answer.

“No, they don’t deserve such a dirty sight. It’s our failure as a butler if we let them be,” Ye Xiu said. “You do this,” Ye Xiu said as he delicately pinched the edge tablecloth with both hands.

In a snap, Ye Xiu pulled the tablecloth swiftly off the table without picking up anything else from the table except for the cloth. The teapot, teacups, flower vase, everything was still in place but no tablecloth on the table.

Everyone’s jaws dropped.

“Holy shit!” Wei Chen exclaimed.

“How in the hell?!” An Wenyi blurted out.

“MAGIC! MAGIC! Boss knows magic!” Steamed Bun yelled.

“Oh my God,” Luo Ji readjusted his glasses yet again. Because, he couldn’t have seen that right, right?

“Amazing...” Qiao Yifan gasped in astonishment, worship in his eyes.

Even Mo Fan looked absolutely shocked and astonished even though he didn’t voice up anything.

“That’s the proper way to remove a dirty tablecloth in the middle of servings,” Ye Xiu said calmly.

“You can’t expect us to learn that!” An Wenyi cried out. “We’ll shatter them all.”

“Of course not,” Ye Xiu said. “This is just a simple trick, even a first grader would be able to do this. I’ll teach you this tomorrow before the main lesson.”

“Did you even listen to me?!” An Wenyi exclaimed.

Wei Chen whistled lowly. This trainwreck was getting better and would only get better it seemed. He can’t wait till they really open the butler cafe.

They trained and trained every day, they improved greatly in Glory.

As for their other training to be a splendid butler, it was slightly worse but acceptable. Ye Xiu wouldn’t have an unrealistic expectation for them, they weren’t born in a butler family after all.

An Wenyi, who was initially very vocal about the butler training, gradually only reduced to rolling his eyes, especially after he found out that pulling a tablecloth trick was not as hard as it seemed after a few tries as long as he didn’t hesitate, though getting it to Ye Xiu’s level where nothing moved an inch was simply impossible. Luo Ji picked up on the methodical parts of the training the best. Qiao Yifan had the highest drive and passion in learning it. Steamed Bun had the highest excitement though no achievement so Ye Xiu let him be a doorman.

Among the four, however, An Wenyi had the easiest time on the customer service part. Whereas Luo Ji was too rigid and Qiao Yifan was too stiff because of shyness. As for Steamed Bun... He didn’t have any problem in socializing or anything, but he could be a handful in it, in any case, a doorman could be as cheerful and as open as he could.

They opened their butler cafe after three weeks of training when their uniforms had been tailored too. The design and clothes were provided by Tang Rou who volunteered to do it because she was familiar with butler's uniform design and she really wanted to do something to support the boys.

It consisted standard black butler uniform with white shirt underneath. However, Tang Rou added a few other things that made them suitable individually with her teammates’ character. An Wenyi was the sophisticated young butler, Luo Ji was the strait-laced and methodical young butler, Qiao Yifan was the understanding brother-next-door type, Steamed Bun was the cheerful and free doorman/butler. She also snuck it a few extras in case any of the other two also wanted to join in.

The opening of the butler cafe was great, many guests came in curiousity and were surprised with the level of customer service. It was very popular with girls. After discussing the perfect working hours, they decided to open at two in the afternoon and close at five, it was a perfect time for people who wanted to check it out. After all, nighttime might not be a good time to open a new business, and in the morning people were too busy with preparing for school and work.

The first day of opening was a huge success which made everyone proud and happy. Of course, they also subtly brought their team into some conversations. The lapel pin they wore was even Happy’s logo and they all smoothly responded with brief but comprehensive explanation every time a customer got curious and asked about the beautiful red pin.

By the end of the week, they basically began to sell the pins too.

As time went on, they began to accumulate fans as Su Mucheng predicted. Some girls like Qiao Yifan’s bashfulness that couldn’t stop showing no matter how long he had worked. Some girls liked Luo Ji for the novelty of his way of speaking in equations and pointing out their calculus homework that they had to bring along as there was wi-fi here too. Other girls liked An Wenyi for his sophistication.

As for Steamed Bun, he amused some girls and made friends with almost every boy that came to check the place out. The bonus was, every one of them was pretty good-looking too.

Of course, among everyone, Ye Xiu was still the most popular among younger or older women. No one bats an eye, that was the charm of a real butler after all.

After they were done, they returned to the dorm, took a shower, and returned back to Glory. This became a habit, eventually and they began to be used to keep up with it. Even Ye Xiu’s usually chaotic schedule thanks to years of being gamers began to fix itself although not by much.

It honestly surprised Chen Guo that the clean income from the butler cafe flowed in steadily and even almost half as much as the internet cafe’s per day. That was something, recalling they only had to open for three hours. These people... they didn’t squeeze out customers dry, right?

On the other hand, Su Mucheng was not surprised. During the summer vacation, she lived in Happy’s dorm and enjoyed coming and staying at the back and helped them out to prepare some snacks despite Chen Guo’s begging for her to not to. Why not? It was fun decorating cakes and parfaits.

She even roped in Mo Fan to join. How? Long story short, she almost dropped several ingredients when she tried to transport it herself in one walk, Mo Fan was there and helped her out quietly. The next thing she knew, he was beside her decorating parfaits after watching her doing it a few times. She thought it was sweet and cute... the parfait, but Mo Fan was also sweet.

Mo Fan, of course, didn’t work for free. Ye Xiu gave him his hourly wage at the end of the day every day and he always returned. Guess, making money was still making money, no matter how much you detest the boss, in this case, Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu was only grateful. Mo Fan’s presence took a lot of burden off from the other apprentice butlers. They didn’t have extra hands and the cafe was always full. Discerning eyes could see that some of the frequent customers were not simply just college girls or young working women, but second rich generation girls and boys who did come for the quality of the food and the service.

It wasn’t just one or two people who asked Ye Xiu where he studied, hinting at the knowledge and license as a true butler which Ye Xiu side-stepped gracefully. They seemed to understand and appreciate that.

Ring ring...

The door rang as it opened and Ye Xiu turned around with a polite apologetic smile. “Customer, sorry, we’re full.”

“Brother Night, yo,” A familiar girl waved at him, it was the little sister who often did the weekend morning shift in Happy Internet Cafe.

Ye Xiu blinked. “Little morning, here to search for lady boss?” he asked. The young girl liked to call him ‘Brother Night’ because of his shift and how it sounded almost the same as  ‘Brother Ye’, so in return, he called her ‘little morning.’

“Nah, I’m here to escort this guy over here,” The girl pointed behind her and another person walked through the door with a cap and took it off when he was in front of Ye Xiu.

“Qiu Fei?” Ye Xiu blinked rapidly in astonishment.

“Captain,” Qiu Fei bowed slightly in greeting.

“What are you doing here?” Ye Xiu asked and guided him to come to him before turning to the little sister operator again. “Thank you, little morning. I’ll take over from here.”

“No problem,” the girl curiously scanned the cafe. Because of obvious reasons, Chen Guo had separated the internet cafe and butler cafe. She rented out another building a block away and used it as a butler cafe. From the internet cafe to the team’s dorm and to the butler cafe, they could just walk and arrive in no time. “Full house, huh? Good job, good luck,” she snapped a thumb up and Ye Xiu smiled.

“Thank you. You too, keep up the good work,” Ye Xiu said and the girl exited the cafe. He then turned to Qiu Fei who gazed at him with curiousity as he took in his outfit. Ye Xiu shifted the steel try in his arm and ushered him on, “Let’s talk later, go to the back, Mucheng is there.”

“Okay,” Qiu Fei nodded obediently as he let Ye Xiu pushing him to the kitchen where Su Mucheng was decorating a bowl of ice cream.

Su Mucheng paused and stared wide-eyedly when she saw Qiu Fei was pushed into the kitchen by Ye Xiu.

“Sister Su,” Qiu Fei greeted her.

“Mucheng, let him stay here for a while,” Ye Xiu said as he patted Qiu Fei’s back.

“Sure!” Su Mucheng beamed and Ye Xiu left. “Come, come, Qiu Fei! Why didn’t you tell me you’re coming?” she asked.

“I don’t have your number,” Qiu Fei said quietly.

“Oh, right,” Su Mucheng took in Qiu Fei’s appearance and smiled. “Want to help out in the kitchen while you’re here?”

“Everyone, this is Qiu Fei,” Ye Xiu patted Qiu Fei’s shoulder and introduced him to everyone in Happy. “He’s the one that defeated you yesterday, Little Tang,” he said to Tang Rou.

Tang Rou’s curious eyes finally brightened in appreciation, she nodded at the teenager. “You’re strong, I can’t compare at all.”

“Thank you, miss. But I’m sure under Captain’s teaching, you’ll be great in no time,” Qiu Fei said sincerely.

“Captain?” Qiao Yifan tilted his head.

Su Mucheng giggled. “Qiu Fei over here is the initial heir to One Autumn Leaf,” she proudly said as he patted the teen’s arm.

Everyone except Steamed Bun and Mo Fan gasped in astonishment.

“The real heir?!” Chen Guo’s gaze towards Qiu Fei changed into more of worship and pity. Everyone knew it was impossible for him to inherit One Autumn Leaf now.

“No wonder...” An Wenyi shook his head.

Qiao Yifan also looked on in astonishment and gave Qiu Fei a once-over. It was not the first time he saw an heir to a god-tier character, after all. Gao Yingjie, his friend, was also the heir to Vaccaria. But both of them exuded a different atmosphere altogether, there was something steady about Qiu Fei, just like Ye Xiu.

“He’s also Ye Qiu’s favourite kid in the entire Excellent Era,” Su Mucheng said with gusto. “You can see him ignoring everyone but giving preferential treatment to him.”

“I didn’t, I’m always fair, Mucheng. It’s Qiu Fei’s own good character and determination that made me notice him,” Ye Xiu sighed. He turned to Qiu Fei, “So, what are you doing here?” he said as he guided Qiu Fei to sit in the closed cafe.

“I wanted to meet you,” Qiu Fei said calmly. “I ran to Happy Internet Cafe yesterday but I didn’t find you, the sister at the counter noticed and asked me if I was searching for anyone so I told her. She told me that you worked in a different branch as a butler and offered to escort me here in its working hour.”

“I see. Well, you see, I no longer worked there, but I do work here for three hours a day now,” Ye Xiu said. “Too many nuisances coming to the internet cafe, so we lay low here in the butler cafe.” They had two plans for publicity, one of them was the butler cafe to rope in several neutral people or get some non-gamers to be interested in Glory. The other one was basically challenging everyone head-on shamelessly to infuriate arrogant people.

It worked wonders.

“So, you did work as a butler?” Qiu Fei furrowed his brows, stressed for Ye Xiu’s own living condition.

“This is a fine job, I’m telling you that,” Ye Xiu shook his head helplessly. “Why did you react like I’m prostituting myself.”

Su Mucheng elbowed him sharply, “He’s seventeen.” She hissed.

“No, of course not. I think every job, as long as you put your heart and determination in it, is a splendid job,” Qiu Fei said. “But, you just retired from Excellent Era. You went to be an internet operator and then a butler...” Qiu Fei knew very well of his captain. He only cared for Glory and victory, he could understand being an internet operator, but to put aside three hours of his day to be a butler? Not to mention three hours was the work hour, they still needed time for preparation to open and cleaning up after closing. That was simply out of this world, recalling Qiu Fei could not recall Ye Xiu ever leaving the training room for more than two hours with the exception of sleeping.

“Oh, Qiu Fei, he’s fine...” Su Mucheng beamed without anything behind her eyes, that was her way to say it was not fine. “At least here, no one ostracized him. Look, look, we all revolved around him, just as it should be.” A captain was the core and the heart of the team, there was no captain in the alliance that didn’t make sacrifices for their teams and as a payment, the team revolved around him, supporting him. Ye Xiu’s situation back in the Excellent Era, he was like the sun but the only one who was willing to revolve around him was Su Mucheng. A waste of a shining star.

“I know,” Qiu Fei said. “Captain is always steady. I know you won’t do anything you don’t want to do,” Qiu Fei clenched his fists tightly. “Everything you do, it’s always for Glory and victory. This, too, I believe is your way to express yourself for Glory.”

Ye Xiu looked at him and his eyes dimmed slightly, he grabbed Qiu Fei’s right hand and raised it to look closer. “What did you punch recently?” He frowned when he saw the slight scratch and subtle colour of bruising on the base joints of Qiu Fei’s fingers.

Qiu Fei gazed blankly and looked away, flustered. “...The wall,” Chen Yehui’s face, but his captain didn’t need to know that. Also, there was near no difference between the wall and that overstepping guy who could only speak nonsense.

“Since when are you that violent?” Su Mucheng fussed.

“I’m fine,” Qiu Fei took back his hand and rubbed it.

Ye Xiu didn’t push, “Well, now you’re here, what do you want to do, then?” he smiled. “Don’t tell me you want a coaching match?”

“No...” Qiu Fei gazed at the other people and knew his captain was already busy as it was. He shouldn’t be selfish. Especially now he wasn’t his heir anymore and lost all the privilege to have a private coaching match.

Ye Xiu smiled. “It’s fine if you want to come over and trained with me. But do that either in the morning after eight a.m or around six p.m. I’ll use Battle Mage.”

“How could that be?” Qiu Fei frowned. “You have your own team to take care of, I can’t be selfish.”

“It’s just a practice match, it won’t eat up my entire time,” Ye Xiu said.

“Then, let me share your burden,” Qiu Fei said. “Let me be a butler here too.”

“What?”

“Wonderful!” Ye Xiu and Su Mucheng said at the same time.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Summer Transfer is going to end soon, who’s going to take care of him?” Ye Xiu scolded Su Mucheng who pouted at him.

“I can work part-time here.” Qiu Fei said. “I can be your helper here in the meanwhile.”

“Amazing! You can be the little butler!” Steamed Bun exclaimed.

“Bun, hang on,” Ye Xiu sighed. “Being a butler needs training, Little Qiu.”

“If you do it, then I will do it too,” Qiu Fei said seriously. He sounded like an idolizing little brother, a type that would follow his big brother around in a whatever you do I’ll follow kind of way.

“It’s fine, isn’t it?” An Wenyi said. “At least the four of us were already mildly trained, we can just tell him the gist of the job and let him roam to lighten our burden a bit...”

“That’s right, that’s right, he can be a doorman slash butler too,” Chen Guo said encouragingly.

“Brother!” Steamed Bun said happily. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you everything I know as a doorman, to be honest it didn’t differ much from being a security, but we don’t have to look threatening!” Steamed Bun nodded. Steamed Bun’s job was mostly to shoo off any wayward haters that came here when they saw Happy’s logo and wanted to make trouble.

“I’m strong,” Qiu Fei said confidently with a nod.

“You won’t leave even if I said no, right?” Ye Xiu said blankly.

Tang Rou smiled, “Luckily we have an extra uniform.”

“Fine, do whatever you want,” Ye Xiu sighed fondly. “Learn from your senior as you go,” he pointed to the four young men of Happy.

Qiao Yifan scratched his cheek. “I’m Qiao Yifan. L-let’s learn together. I’m also still a beginner.”

“Don’t believe him, he’s good,” An Wenyi pushed back his gold-rim glasses and smiled. “I’m An Wenyi, by the way. Happy cooperation.”

“I’m Luo Ji, and If that fool over there bothers you too much, just tell him off,” Luo Ji pointed at Steamed Bun.

“Cool! I’m your senior now, so listen to me well!” Steamed Bun nodded in satisfaction. “You can call me Bao-ge.”

“His name is Bao Rongxing, but we all called him Bun,” Tang Rou said. “I’m Tang Rou, by the way.”

“My name is Chen Guo, the boss of Happy,” Chen Guo said happily.

“This one is Mo Fan, he helps in the kitchen,” Su Mucheng gestured to the gloomy guy who didn’t talk from start to finish.

“It’s pleasure to meet you all,” Qiu Fei bowed slightly.

“Okay, from now on. You’re my junior apprentice,” Ye Xiu said. Weird, since Ye Xiu knew Qiu Fei the longest and he was absolutely a senior in Glory compared to the people here, but as a butler, he was the junior one.

Well, whatever, Qiu Fei was the youngest, so it fitted too.

“Little Qiu, you came a bit early, didn’t we say you don’t have to come for the preparation?” Su Mucheng said pleasantly when Qiu Fei walked through the back door and put his bag on the chair in the corner.

“I’m going to use my time to observe the environment and way of working,” Qiu Fei said. “Sister Su, you are cleaning the dishes?”

“Just wiping it for good measure,” Su Mucheng said.

“I’ll help,” Qiu Fei said as he picked up another clean rag and picked up the dishes. He was quiet for a while before he started, “Sister Su, I actually lied to captain yesterday.”

“Oh?” Su Mucheng glanced at him with curiousity. “Which one was a lie?”

“The punching the wall part,” Qiu Fei winced. “I knew he’ll be angry if he knows the truth.”

Su Mucheng hummed, “Tell me, what is it?”

“I punched guild manager Chen Yehui,” Qiu Fei said and glanced at Su Mucheng who paused. “He’ll be mad if he knows, right?”

“Why?” Su Mucheng asked calmly.

Qiu Fei looked away. “He was talking nonsense about captain...” he said with no remorse. He didn’t want to lie to his captain, but on the other hand, he knew telling him was not a good idea. So he could only reveal this to Su Mucheng who would know what to do the best.

Su Mucheng put down the plate she had in hand and stared at Qiu Fei until he lowered his too. They gazed at each other. “Yes, he will be pretty mad if he knows. He’ll be scolding you and tell you to sit in the corner to think of the consequence.”

Qiu Fei lowered his head.

“But you know it’ll only because he cares about you and your future,” Su Mucheng said. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him. On the other hand...” She trailed off.

Qiu Fei raised his head to look at her.

Su Mucheng grinned. “Good job!” She squealed and hugged Qiu Fei tightly. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to do that, but didn’t! You’re my spiritual healer, Little Qiu, aww!” she crooned adoringly. “Did you do it hard? How did he look? Miserable, right? I hope so. You’re always a very fit young man, against such a cockroach, you’d surely come on top, no? I’m so proud of you!”

“Umn, Sister Su...” Qiu Fei stayed rigid in her arms until the door to the kitchen was open.

“What’s wrong?” Chen Guo asked, having heard Su Mucheng squeal and went over.

“Nothing, nothing, hehe, Qiu Fei just said he got a good grade,” Su Mucheng pulled away from the teenager and patted his shoulder affectionately.

“Oh, congratulations!” Chen Guo smiled benevolently.

Meanwhile, at the corner, Mo Fan tried as hard as possible to make his presence disappear while arranging the fruity syrups like a robot.

Women are terrifying. Mo Fan shuddered.