Chapter 30: Realizing the implications

His habits and way of life from his previous life had ultimately caused him trouble once again.

Only now did Lin Feng begin to fully realize the implications.

He and Huo Yizhen were not the only people in this house.

There were several other people here—free people, not slaves or servants bound by death contracts.

This was no longer the era when servants were expected to be mute and blind to what their masters did behind closed doors.

This was an era when people talked. They shared information with one another.

And not only were he and Huo Yizhen considered uncle and nephew, they were also both men.

If word of their relationship got out, it would cause an enormous scandal.

Finally realizing the extent of his recklessness, Lin Feng’s face turned pale, and a tremor ran through his body.

In his previous life, his husband had often teased Madam Lin by calling her my silly little wife, saying that she never thought too deeply about hidden meanings, implications, schemes, or grand plans.

Then he would chuckle and continue to say that Madam Lin was fine just the way she was.

Lin Feng had never taken those words seriously.

Instead, he would proudly pout and insist that women should not think too deeply, and that remaining innocent and simple was a virtue for a woman.

How laughable!

Now, those very words seemed to be mocking him.

Huo Yizhen brushed his damp hair back, glaring at the middle-aged housekeeper standing outside the door, annoyed at the disturbance.

Still, he could not fault Housekeeper Yang for doing his job.

In the end, he simply said, "Bring the breakfast upstairs. Lin Feng will be staying in his room today."

He paused before adding, "Yesterday’s work at the vacant lot exhausted him. Prepare some painkillers, and arrange for a masseuse to come over and help ease his sore muscles."

Housekeeper Yang nodded seriously but remained standing where he was.

Huo Yizhen narrowed his eyes.

"Is there something else?"

Unfazed by his master’s dark expression, Housekeeper Yang produced a small box and held it out.

"What is that?" Huo Yizhen asked.

"A phone, Master Hou."

Huo Yizhen glanced at the box in surprise.

Housekeeper Yang explained, "Young Master Lin Feng still doesn’t have a phone of his own. I specially ordered this one with a customized configuration and casing, so it took some time to arrive. It was delivered this morning."

He respectfully presented the box.

"Please give it to Young Master Lin Feng. The reading materials have already been placed inside."

Huo Yizhen did not bother asking what reading materials Housekeeper Yang was referring to. He already knew the boy’s matters from the bodyguards’ reports.

He simply took the box and said, "All right. I understand."

Then he waved Housekeeper Yang away and shut the door without another word, looking every bit like a domineering hooligan guarding his territory.

The door clicked shut.

Housekeeper Yang remained standing in the empty hallway, his stern expression unchanged.

After a few moments, he let out a quiet sigh.

’Hopefully, Young Master Lin Feng will read those materials.’ The thought crossed his mind as he turned and headed toward the kitchen.

’Perhaps those reading materials could help the young master change his mind.’

....

In a nearby villa, a tall man with a sturdy build and a buzz cut lowered the binoculars from his eyes.

His expression was dark and cold.

If he had seen correctly, there was another man inside the room.

That unknown man was tall and powerfully built, almost as broad as he was. His skin was tanned, and a tattoo was visible on his neck.

Something about him felt familiar.

The buzz-cut man was certain he had seen him somewhere before, but he could not remember where.

Still, that was not what bothered him most.

What bothered him was the fact that another man had been inside the room with the youth.

The man had appeared barely dressed, and he had been in the middle of closing the curtains in the morning despite the pleasant weather outside.

The scene left far too much room for speculation.

The more the man with the buzzcut thought about it, the darker his expression became.

Originally, he had intended to take a gentler approach.

What he could not accept was the possibility that the seemingly innocent and pure youth he had been observing was not as untouched as he had imagined.

He returned to his room and looked through the photos and videos he had collected.

In the end, he was forced to admit that his interest had not faded.

The sight of that beautiful youth still stirred something within him.

His eyes darkened.

Since you’re not as innocent as you seem, then perhaps I don’t need to be so patient.

Even so, he knew he could not act recklessly.

The neighboring villa was clearly no ordinary residence. There were bodyguards stationed around the property, and now there was also that dangerous-looking man.

"Hmmm? Wait a moment." His long, narrow eyes brightened a little.

Another thought crossed his mind.

Perhaps he had misunderstood the situation.

Who was to say the youth was there willingly?

The image of a rare and beautiful bird trapped inside a gilded cage suddenly surfaced in his mind.

A creature admired by many, yet unable to spread its wings and fly freely.

As the thought took shape, some of his irritation faded.

If that were the case, perhaps the youth was waiting for someone to rescue him.

And if he happened to be that person, maybe the youth would even thank him for it.

The man licked his lips.

He must find a chance to get close while the boy was alone.

...

After realizing that Housekeeper Yang had likely discovered his incestous affair with Huo Yizhen, Lin Feng was terrified.

He had been trying so hard to integrate into this unfamiliar world. But what if, before Lin Feng could truly settle down, the one person he had finally come to trust turned his back on him?

Would he be able to bear that?

The thought alone filled him with unease.

So when Huo Yizhen tried to continue their intimacy after breakfast, Lin Feng refused.

This time, it was not a casual refusal because his body was sore. He was genuinely unwilling.

Huo Yizhen immediately noticed the difference.

He stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at Lin Feng. A dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes, and his lips curved into an amused smile.