Chapter 24: Warm Touch

Just as Tang Tian was about to carry the last two flowerpots back into the villa, she bent down—and someone approached from the side.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a pair of long, slender legs, the first thing to catch her attention being the bespoke, expensive leather shoes.

Before she could react, the flowerpot in front of her was already lifted by a pair of fair, slender hands.

Tang Tian straightened up and looked at Shen Yanli’s back, unable to hide her surprise.

Was he… helping?

Where had Liu Xiaozhi gone?

She glanced around; Liu Xiaozhi, who had been nearby just moments ago, had disappeared without a trace.

Tang Tian had assumed Shen Yanli was simply lending a hand casually and did not expect him to come back again. She moved to the other side to pick up the last flowerpot.

The moment her hands touched the pot, the light in front of her dimmed, and a slender hand was covered by a warm, large palm, while the dark, intoxicating scent from the man enveloped her senses.

Tang Tian stood frozen for several seconds, the warm touch on the back of her hand feeling as if it had been burned. Her ears flushed bright red, and she hastily withdrew her hand, forgetting about the flowerpot.

He was standing very close to her. The man’s tall, imposing figure seemed to envelop her completely within his space.

The intense masculinity radiating from Shen Yanli pressed down on Tang Tian’s racing heart. That overwhelming sense of dominance washed over her, making it hard for her to even catch her breath.

“Mr. Shen?” Tang Tian nervously stepped back, putting some distance between them.

Shen Yanli appeared unaware of her retreat. His flawless, striking features were hidden in the night’s shadows.

“Get off work early and rest,” he said.

His voice in the quiet night was like the deep tone of a cello—so captivating it was intoxicating.

Tang Tian nodded. “I’ll take care of it.” With their status, having the boss help with chores didn’t feel quite right.

She reached for the flowerpot in his hand, but Shen Yanli strode silently toward the villa, refusing her offer without a word.

Tang Tian could only follow into the villa, but she dared not walk too fast. She was puzzled—why would Shen Yanli help her move things?

Neither in the story nor in the original character’s memories did Shen Yanli ever behave this way, so Tang Tian felt something was off.

Shen Yanli set down the flowerpot and, perhaps because his hands were stained with soil, briefly furrowed his brow.

Tang Tian stood behind him, caught between wanting to leave and wanting to stay, hesitating as she tried to find the right words to thank him.

“Mr. Shen, thank you for your help.”

Shen Yanli turned around, meeting her somewhat uneasy expression.

He said, “No need to thank me. Tang Tian heats a cup of milk and brings it to my room at 7 a.m. every morning.”

Hearing this, Tang Tian breathed a sigh of relief. No wonder he was helping—he just wanted her to get up early every day to prepare warm milk for him. She agreed without hesitation.

“Got it, Mr. Shen.”

“Wait.”

At that moment, Fu Xi’s lazy voice came from behind Tang Tian. She turned around in surprise.

Fu Xi’s perfect model-like figure was dressed casually, hands tucked into his pockets. On his long, fair neck rested a pair of over-ear headphones. His handsome face was bright and charming, with the relaxed aura of someone just stepping out of the gym.

Shen Yanli watched Fu Xi approach without irritation or anger, his expression calm.

“I’m going swimming early tomorrow morning, so I’m afraid, Li Ge, you’ll need to find another servant to deliver your milk.”

Fu Xi casually reached out to sling his arm over Tang Tian’s slender shoulder, but Tang Tian was quick to react, sensing his intention and deftly avoiding his arm.

Fu Xi clicked his tongue, clearly displeased by her evasive move.

“Fu Xi, watch yourself,” Shen Yanli said sternly, stopping him. “Tang Tian is a woman. Mind your boundaries.”

Fu Xi was a bit irritated. “Of course I know she’s a woman. I was just testing her.”

Tang Tian had come to understand Fu Xi over these days—he acted frivolous on the surface but was genuinely undisciplined.

“Mr. Fu, you don’t need to test me anymore. From now on, when I speak to you, I will keep at least three steps away and will have no physical contact with you.”

Fu Xi raised an eyebrow—was she drawing a clear boundary? He stepped closer, but Shen Yanli held him back, preventing him from approaching Tang Tian.

True to her word, Tang Tian stepped back three full steps, putting distance between them.

Fu Xi laughed in exasperation, “Tang Tian, come here.”

Seeing the expression on his face like he was about to cause trouble, Tang Tian refused to go over.

“If the two of you don’t need anything else, I’m off work now.” She turned to leave but still couldn’t escape Chengyuan.

Fu Xi caught her off guard, “This month’s servant bonus…”

Tang Tian immediately turned back with a polite smile. “May I ask if either of you needs anything else to be taken care of?”

She stood firm in principle, but… money could bend even the strongest will. The servant bonus wasn’t some small amount for new servants; the previous bonuses were often as much as her entire monthly salary.

So far, both Liu Huahua and Liu Xiaozhi had been reprimanded by the butler and were unlikely to receive July’s bonus. Tang Tian had a very real chance of getting this hefty bonus.

Fu Xi was amused by her quick change in attitude and teased, “Tang Tian, you used to chase after us, now you’re chasing after the money. Clever.”

Tang Tian smiled politely, “Because I realized the money is more reliable.”

Fu Xi narrowed his eyes as he sized her up, just as he was about to pinch her tender cheek, Shen Yanli intervened again.

Shen Yanli shot him a cold glance, then turned to Tang Tian and said, “Ignore him. Tomorrow the butler will arrange another servant for him.”

Fu Xi said displeased, “The milk delivery in the morning has to be done by you.”

After saying this, Fu Xi turned his head and locked eyes with Shen Yanli. This was the first time Tang Tian sensed the fiery tension between the two of them.

She felt confused—this villa wasn’t staffed by just one servant after all…

Just as Tang Tian was about to speak, Liu Xiaozhi returned and overheard Shen Yanli and Fu Xi actually arguing over Tang Tian?!

Liu Xiaozhi had thought that Mr. Shen and Mr. Fu were unaware that any servants were still working.

She hurried over and stood before the two gentlemen. “Mr. Shen, I will deliver your hot milk to your room in the morning.”

Neither Shen Yanli nor Fu Xi wanted Tang Tian to have too much contact or dealings with them, but if they had to choose one, Liu Xiaozhi chose Shen Yanli.

Shen Yanli glanced at Liu Xiaozhi as she approached; his thin lips pressed into a straight line, but he said nothing.

Tang Tian was delighted to see this. She was just about to message the household staff group to ask which other home servants might be willing to take on the milk delivery task, but unexpectedly, Liu Xiaozhi appeared.

Tang Tian suddenly realized she couldn’t handle both tasks—the butler had said she was responsible for the swimming sessions of several gentlemen, so the only task she could give up was delivering milk to Shen Yanli.

Fu Xi observed Tang Tian with a half-smile, clearly enjoying the drama.

Tang Tian’s reaction was subtle, but Fu Xi still noticed: she seemed somewhat relieved.