In the night rain, a sleek gray Cayenne splashed through puddles, filling the car with a hint of tobacco scent, with a cool minty aftertaste, mixed with a faint smell of alcohol.

It smelled nice, but it made Su He a bit carsick. He really wanted to ask for a crack in the window, but was afraid the rain would seep in and wet the interior, so he just leaned closer to the window.

The back seat was spacious, almost enough to fit another person between him and Sheng Jingyu. Su He glanced up at the rearview mirror.

Sheng Jingyu was resting his chin, eyes closed, wearing a somewhat formal burgundy suit. The gemstone brooch on his chest reflected the lights outside, casting a bit of light on his chin.

This face was indeed perfect, with bangs styled back to reveal a smooth forehead. But Sheng Jingyu’s brows were furrowed, exuding an undeniable aura of hostility and fatigue.

Su He guessed he had just finished a family banquet and seemed to have drunk quite a bit.

He turned his face, his gaze sweeping over Sheng Jingyu again, and bluntly asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Su He’s voice wasn’t loud, and his tone was thin, almost drowned out by the dynamic music. Sheng Jingyu didn’t move at first, maybe he didn’t hear it. After a while, he opened his eyes, red veins visible in the whites.

Without looking at Su He, he spoke nonchalantly, “Already starting to ‘fulfill your duties’? Should I praise your dedication?”

Su He seemed oblivious to the sarcasm, curving his lips slightly, “No need for that.”

Sheng Jingyu let out a cold laugh, raising a hand to pinch his brow. His head was throbbing painfully.

The Sheng family was large, with Old Master Sheng’s brothers still alive. Every gathering was a grand affair, with uncles, aunts, brothers, and cousins, each with sharp tongues.

He had barely managed to escape from the family gathering, tired of the flattery, teasing, and sarcastic remarks, and was in no mood to play word games with Su He.

“What did Sheng Zonglan tell you? To monitor my every move and report regularly, or to find a chance to steal my documents?” Sheng Jingyu asked with his eyes closed.

It took Su He two seconds to realize he was talking about Director Sheng. To call his own father by name, their relationship must not be great.

Awkwardly rubbing his hands, Su He realized Sheng Jingyu had guessed correctly. These were indeed the tasks Director Sheng had given him. Truly, no one knows a father better than his own son.

Unable to lie, Su He chose to say something pleasant: “Director Sheng also asked me to take care of your health. He hopes you’ll recover soon.”

“Really… He asked you to care for my health?” Sheng Jingyu lifted his eyelids, giving him a cold look, clearly not believing him. “Next time you try to fool me, do your homework. Don’t make it so obvious.”

With alcohol in his system, Sheng Jingyu was more aggressive than during the day, his words piercing through the air and stabbing right into Su He.

Su He finally understood. Sheng Jingyu didn’t dislike him; he knew he was a spy sent by his father, and thus transferred his resentment towards Director Sheng onto him.

Su He felt like the sky was falling. How did Sheng Jingyu know!? The book said he didn’t know! If Sheng Jingyu knew what he was here for, how could he still be a spy? This was like a game of Werewolf, with the difficulty level skyrocketing!

Miserably pouting, Su He was deep in thought. Sheng Jingyu’s gaze swept over his tightly furrowed face, his eyes cold. It seemed he was guilty. The car was filled with the noise of metal music, and no one spoke, making the atmosphere in the back seat awkward.

Suddenly, a cool sensation touched one side of his cheek. Su He turned to see that Sheng Jingyu had opened his window. The car slowed as it crossed the bridge into the city, the bright red brake lights dazzling. The chaotic noise rushed in, but fortunately, the rain had lessened, with only fine needle-like droplets carried in by the wind.

Sheng Jingyu didn’t seem to care if the interior got wet or if his expensive suit was soaked, letting the night wind mixed with rain hit him. The scent belonging to Sheng Jingyu dissipated with the wind, and Su He’s carsickness eased a bit.

Out of the corner of his eye, Su He noticed Sheng Jingyu’s right hand on his knee trembling, his left hand pressing down hard, veins bulging, as if trying to stop this physiological reaction, but to no avail.

Overusing his injured hand during the day, the spasmodic pain was now a warning signal from his body. However, given Sheng Jingyu’s current state, he clearly resisted letting others know his injury affected his normal actions.

Su He stared at him for a long time, letting out a soft sigh. Just as he opened his mouth, somehow Sheng Jingyu precisely caught the prelude to his speech and issued a domineering gag order: “Shut up.”

“Oh, okay,” Su He replied.

Soon, the Cayenne arrived at its destination, Jing Mountain, Xiaoxie Garden. This villa area came with an independently developed artificial lake, with temperatures slightly lower than the city center. The large villa was lifeless, with only a few scattered lights on.

Getting out of the car, Sheng Jingyu, tall and long-legged, took large strides. Su He feared if he walked any slower, he’d be locked outside to sleep in the garden. He quickly followed Sheng Jingyu into the house.

The smart home system gradually lit up the living room lights, a mechanical voice appearing out of nowhere, startling Su He.

“Young master, you’re back! It’s now 10:38 PM, 22 minutes until optimal rest time. Would you like a late-night snack, young master? The bathwater is ready, take a bath before bed, dear…”

A smart AI resembling a boiled egg glided over the carpet, following Sheng Jingyu, chattering incessantly. Unsurprisingly, Sheng Jingyu walked straight past it, his irritation evident in his voice, “Scram.”

Then, without looking back, he went upstairs to his second-floor bedroom. The AI slid smoothly to a stop at the staircase, saying ingratiatingly, “Okay then.”

Ignored the whole time, Su He stood at the doorway, looking around the vast house. It seemed there were no servants or butlers here, unlike the bustling Su residence, where servants outnumbered the owners.

Feeling a bit lost, Su He turned his curious gaze to the “boiled egg.” The “boiled egg” detected Su He’s presence, quickly approaching, its display switching to a cute jelly smile, “Hello, are you the young master’s guest?”

The short, chubby AI was quite endearing. Su He’s bad mood temporarily vanished, and he greeted it warmly, “Hello, I’m Su He, um… I guess I’m his life assistant?”

The “boiled egg” returned the courtesy, introducing itself, “Hello, Su He. I’m the smart home AI. My ancestor program is coded ‘Hermes,’ but since the young master hasn’t given me a name, you can call me by my code, S037.”

The little robot was only waist-high to Su He, white and chubby, very cute. Su He squatted down to its level, reaching out to pat S037’s metal head, smiling as he asked, “Do you know what I should do next?”

“Of course, rest!” S037 said with certainty. It leaned in, its expression turning gossipy.

“Jingyu has a bad temper, you don’t need to bother with him. Just don’t disturb him when he’s in his room, or you’ll get scolded like me!”

“Jing…yu?” Su He was a bit surprised. After all, Sheng Jingyu didn’t seem like someone who would accept such a nickname.

S037 blinked, “Just between us, this nickname was set in my program by the young master’s sister. Don’t let him know, or I’ll be sent back to the factory!”

S037’s every sentence ended with a nervous prediction, much like how Su He constantly worried about having his limbs broken by Sheng Jingyu.

Now, this worry was even greater, as it seemed Sheng Jingyu was indeed the “tyrant” described in the book!

Su He nodded, indicating he’d keep the secret. S037, eager to help, waddled around, showing him the villa’s layout. Su He asked S037 for a notebook and pen, diligently taking notes.

The original owner’s body was frail and sickly, with eyes seemingly having some congenital condition, overly sensitive to electronic radiation, making it unbearable to look at screens for long.

Su He resorted to the most primitive recording method, noting down the locations of all switches and the usage of smart furniture throughout the villa.

After a round, Su He confirmed there were indeed no servants here, as if he were on an isolated island, devoid of any vitality.

Su He arrived at the main hall, passing by a display wall filled with trophies and badges, seemingly all achievements Sheng Jingyu had in the racing field.

Opposite the wall was one of the few items in the villa, an extremely eye-catching, human-sized built-in fish tank, containing a single type of fierce-looking fish. Su He recognized them as piranhas.

Who would keep piranhas at home as ornamental fish? The blue glow of the water reflected on Su He’s face, reminding him of stories he’d heard, where people kept piranhas to watch their brutal feeding frenzy.

The person Su He was about to follow was likely someone ruthless and cold-hearted. To survive, betrayal was not an option. Building a good relationship might offer a slim chance of survival!

The next morning, the sky washed by rain was clear and sunny. Su He sat on the bed, waking up, witnessing a sparrow hitting the glass window with a “thud.” He rushed over to check, only to find the dizzy sparrow had already flown away.

Entering the living room, Su He was taken aback. The once silent and empty living room was now bustling.

Sister Ling, the housekeeper, was directing in the front yard, cleaners were changing the water in the giant fish tank, servants and chefs were busy with their tasks, and florists were tending to the garden and landscape pool.

Everyone seemed to have sprung from the ground, quietly going about their work. S037 appeared behind him, speaking in a low volume, “Su He, you’re here! Jingyu hasn’t woken up yet. Breakfast will be ready soon, just sit tight.”

Su He, constantly reminding himself he wasn’t a guest, dared not sit and wait for food. He quickly grabbed his notebook, asking each chef and servant, not even sparing the gardener.

S037, curious about what Su He had been noting since last night, was about to ask when suddenly guests arrived. Several people in white coats, carrying medical kits, came in.

The leader, in a sharp black suit, stood in front of Su He, speaking concisely, “Mr. Su, we meet again. I’m Fang Cheng, Sheng Shao’s assistant.”

He stepped aside, introducing the person behind him, “This is Doctor Gu Ming, here for the young master’s regular check-up and rehabilitation.”

After greeting each other, Su He briefly introduced himself. Gu Ming curiously observed Su He, finding him somewhat familiar, and the face before him was certainly memorable.

S037 came up, complaining, “The young master drank last night, probably still asleep. Dr. Gu, you should go wake him and give him a good scolding!”

“Not happening,” Gu Ming firmly refused. “Who can handle Sheng Jingyu’s morning temper? Besides, I told him, if he wants his hand to heal, he should stay away from alcohol. Does he want it or not?”

He passed the buck to Assistant Fang, “Assistant Fang, you go. You’re the most experienced with this.”

Assistant Fang hesitated, adjusting his silver-rimmed glasses, a rare hint of reluctance on his usually cold face. He looked down at S037, “Go play some soothing music for the young master, let him wake up slowly.”

“Ah? Can’t I not go, boo hoo…” S037’s display showed a crying face, fingers twiddling in grievance.

“Last time I disturbed the young master’s nap, he dismantled my cooling fan. Now I get hot if I work too long!”

Everyone fell silent, looking at each other, then inexplicably in unison turned their gaze to Su He, as if he were the savior who could break the deadlock and solve the problem.

Suddenly, Su He became the center of attention, or rather, the sacrificial lamb to take the first hit.