Rumors have quietly started circulating again within the circle: the elusive Fifth Master Fu, who everyone treads lightly around, has gained a new favorite. After previously sheltering a young celebrity who eventually became his official godson and failing as a cat owner, ultimately giving the cat away, he now has a fresh “darling.” Even more surprising is that this new favorite has quickly won the approval of the two elder Fu family members and has even moved into the Fu household!

Fifth Master Fu brought in a world-renowned chef just for him. Whatever snacks, treats, or fruits he wants—if they can’t be made on the spot, someone is sent out immediately to buy them. For anything overseas, it’s flown in right away. It truly fits the line: “A gallant rider brings a smile to his lady, while no one knows the lychee’s traveled miles.”

He also had a custom keyboard worth millions and an ergonomic computer chair made for him, even bringing in top-notch masseurs…

The rest of it might be understandable, but needing a masseur too? It’s rumored that Fifth Master keeps him shut away in a small, dark room all day, not allowing him to step out. Fifth Master really is too intense!

To others, “favored consort” Xie Lanze is currently experiencing a blend of pain and joy—dining on gourmet delicacies every day, with massages waiting for him once he finishes writing. It’s the life of being “kept” by a domineering tycoon’s readership. However, no matter how fast he types, churning out ten thousand words a day leaves his hands sore and on the verge of tears.

He thinks, with all these story ideas in his head, if only there were some device that could directly translate his thoughts into words without him needing to type.

Even Fang Rui had heard about his young uncle bringing someone home and showering them with endless affection, keeping them locked up in the “little black room.” His uncle had always been aloof and self-restrained, so it seemed rare that he was genuinely moved this time.

Fang Rui’s curiosity was piqued. What kind of person could captivate such a fearsome man as his uncle? He couldn’t resist the urge to stay at the Fu residence for a couple of days to see who this remarkable person truly was.

After greeting his grandparents upon arrival at the Fu residence, Fang Rui tentatively asked, “Grandpa, how’s Uncle’s leg injury? Is he getting better?”

Ever since his uncle had seen him arguing with Xie Lanze backstage, he seemed particularly displeased with Fang Rui, even personally disciplining him twice. Fang Rui still felt tense just thinking about it and hoped his uncle’s anger had cooled. Maybe this “modern-day Daji” of an aunt could put in a good word for him later.

“Him?” The mere mention of Fu Yunshen made Grandpa Fu blow his beard and glare. “Oh, he’s doing just fine! Stirring up trouble all day long.” Grandpa Fu was tempted to send his son back to work already. If only Xie Lanze could be his son-in-law! But instead, his son was doting on this “sworn brother” and keeping him locked up in the study. It was maddening! Grandpa Fu was almost ready to lock Fu Yunshen in there himself.

“Causing trouble all day…” Fang Rui marveled. His uncle was something else—still stirring things up despite being injured in a car accident. “Where are Uncle and Auntie right now? I’ll go check on him.”

Grandpa Fu tapped his cane and snorted, “What auntie? Soon enough, you might end up with another uncle!” Xie Lanze was a good kid, after all, and once Yunshen’s leg healed, it wouldn’t hurt to invite the elders from the Xie family over and make it official as sworn family.

Fang Rui froze for a moment, then thought, “Oh, oh, oh—it’s a guy? Makes sense.”

After finishing his chat with the elders, he followed a servant out to find Fu Yunshen and Xie Lanze.

On one side of the Fu family courtyard was a small lake. In the summer, the green lotus leaves swayed like skirts in the breeze, with clusters of white lotus flowers dotting the verdant scene. Xie Lanze was currently in a pavilion at the center of the lake.

As Fang Rui approached and caught sight of the figure on the chaise, he felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. X-Xie Lanze?!

So Xie Lanze was the “modern-day Daji” who had bewitched his little uncle?!

The air was gently perfumed, with a light mist mingling with the fragrance. Soft, soothing music played, flowing like a tranquil stream. Xie Lanze lay on the chaise, two massage therapists tending to his shoulders, neck, back, and arms.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Lanze’s long, dark lashes trembled slightly. He opened his almond-shaped eyes slowly with an air of elegance, and the beauty mark at the corner of his eye added a touch of allure.

As Fang Rui faced this face he had admired for so many years, he felt a mix of emotions. Unlike Xu Qingli’s fiery boldness, Xie Lanze was graceful and poised, like a young nobleman from an ancient painting. His name, which evoked the elegance of the lines “Crossing rivers to pick lotus blossoms, where orchids and lush grasses grow,” truly suited him. Why had he ever thought Xie Lanze was unromantic or stiff?

Fang Rui was almost reluctant to admit it—even to himself—but Xie Lanze’s aura surpassed Xu Qingli’s by a considerable margin.

Seeing who had arrived, Xie Lanze sat up immediately, his eyes flaring with anger. “You?!”

“Don’t argue. You don’t have time,” Fu Yunshen stated matter-of-factly as he was slowly pushed over by the caregiver. “You still have 5,000 words left to write this afternoon.”

It was as if Xie Lanze had been struck right in the heart. He even forgot his intention to stage an intense family drama with Fang Rui right then and there. A life where you don’t even have time to argue… how pitiful.

Fang Rui, still reeling from the shock of realizing the connection between Xie Lanze and his little uncle, stammered, “Uncle… you…”

Fu Yunshen turned to Xie Lanze and said, “Once you’re done with the massage, get back to work.”

Sore hands, sore shoulders, sore neck—these had all become Xie Lanze’s new excuses for slacking off. Fu Yunshen was known for his strict time management, both for himself and his subordinates, and the king of procrastination, Xie Lanze, seemed to be pushing his limits to the brink.

Fu Yunshen then shot a quick glance at Fang Rui. “Come with me, and don’t disturb him.”

【Don’t disturb my author while he’s writing. Fifth Master, I’ll connect the call for you, hehe.】

Fang Rui quickly scurried over to push Fu Yunshen’s wheelchair and cautiously asked, “Uncle, is this person your new boyfriend…?”

Fang Rui thought that, given his uncle’s personality, he would certainly have investigated anyone getting close to him. Not to mention, on the night of the awards ceremony, his uncle had witnessed him arguing with Xie Lanze, so he definitely knew about their relationship. So how could his uncle end up with Xie Lanze? Xie Lanze was his ex-boyfriend! This connection was too terrifying.

Fang Rui pushed him to the lakeside corridor, and Fu Yunshen countered, “What do you think?”

Fang Rui hesitated. “Yes…? No…not really?” But could it really not be? Who else could enjoy this level of pampering in front of his uncle? Even his grandfather said Xie Lanze was his uncle’s future partner.

Fang Rui trembled. How had he and Qingli humiliated Xie Lanze back then? He didn’t dare to think about it. He absolutely couldn’t let Xie Lanze be with his uncle. Fang Rui said, “Uncle, he’s definitely approaching you with ulterior motives! I know him well. Xie Lanze is a person of low character, extremely malicious, and very jealous…”

Fang Rui both admired and feared Fu Yunshen. Even though his uncle was only four years older than him, in his mind, his uncle was like a god. To be with Xie Lanze was simply beneath him—how could Xie Lanze ever be worthy of his uncle?

Fu Yunshen frowned and interrupted, “Who taught you to deliberately slander others behind their backs?” Hearing this made him want to teach his nephew a lesson even more; wasn’t the original plot of this book basically about the nephew messing things up for his uncle?

“Maybe your card should be cut off by your mother.”

“Uncle! I was wrong!” Fang Rui quickly admitted defeat.

Fu Yunshen said, “It’s about time you start earning your own money.”

He spoke in the tone of a concerned elder, though the content was a bit unexpected: “Come work at home for a few days as a writing assistant. Mr. Xie will handle your salary.”

Fang Rui was completely bewildered, his expression one of confusion. “What??? ”

Fu Yunshen replied, “Do you know Dostoevsky’s The Gambler?”

Fang Rui, being quite the spoiled brat, was even more lost. “Uncle, are you talking about the driver’s gambler?”

Fu Yunshen spoke slowly, “Dostoevsky’s second wife, Anna, was a top graduate from a stenography school. Her shorthand speed was even faster than Dostoevsky’s dictation. With Anna’s help, Dostoevsky completed The Gambler in just one month.”

“I’ve heard you have pretty good reflexes when playing games and are even planning to start a club?”

“Perfect, go be Mr. Xie Lanze’s writing assistant and help him finish his Swordbearer in a month.”

“What???” Fang Rui felt as if he had been struck by lightning again. Why was his uncle giving him such a terrifying assignment?

Fu Yunshen’s expression was calm. “Go on. When Swordbearer is finished, your card will be reactivated.”

Fang Rui thought, “QAQ” Even if I’m just Xie Lanze’s ex-boyfriend, I know how slow he types!!! Uncle, are you trying to kill me?

【I believe Xie Lanze can write faster.】

【Fifth Master, you’re truly a devil.】

Xie Lanze got what he wished for—a typing machine in the form of his worthless ex-boyfriend, Fang Rui.

The two of them were locked together in a small dark room, and surprisingly, they didn’t have the leisure to argue. They had to complete 5,000 words before they could leave, and it was already nearly three in the afternoon.

Xie Lanze recalled how, back when he was diligently revising the script for Black Dawn at home, Fang Rui had impatiently urged him to hurry up when he wanted to go to the bar. Now, the tables had turned; Fang Rui was the one typing while Xie Lanze was reveling in the situation.

Xie Lanze was usually slow when it came to writing, but now that he didn’t have to type himself and instead had Fang Rui doing it for him, he was determined to push him to his limits! He wanted to make sure Fang Rui typed until his hands cramped!

Fang Rui had thought Xie Lanze was just a slacker, but he realized how naive he had been. Xie Lanze’s speaking speed was incredibly fast, like a runaway machine gun, and he kept urging, “Can you go any faster?”

Fang Rui was passionate about gaming, and his reflexes were indeed quick. He only needed to note down what Xie Lanze dictated, so he didn’t have to think too hard, which made remembering easier. But he couldn’t keep up with Xie Lanze’s rapid-fire pace. His hands were flying over the keyboard, almost leaving afterimages as he typed.

By the time dinner rolled around, the two of them had “collaborated seamlessly” to complete 10,000 words. Fang Rui was slumped exhaustedly in his chair, while Xie Lanze gulped down a large glass of water, feeling parched.

Meanwhile, the domineering reader, Fu Yunshen, had received a 15,000-word update today.

…

【So touching! I never expected to see Shuanghua’s work on the diligent update list one day.】

【The author personally proves with this update just how lazy they used to be.】

【15,000??? Shuanghua’s typing speed is terrifying!!!】

【How did Shuanghua go from fine to suddenly going crazy? But… I like it!!! Go faster! Go faster!!! (with a fierce expression)】

【Ahhh! I can’t believe there’s a day when I get to praise Shuanghua’s update speed! I’m filled with tears of joy!】

Xie Lanze felt refreshed; it turned out writing could be such an easy thing!

Pfft, 15,000 words? Is that really all it takes to impress you? Tomorrow, I can do 20,000!