Chapter 33: Softhearted

In the end, he simply couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with him. His earlier words of anger had been harsh enough; just look at the boy’s swollen eyes.

Why was he, Hou Yizhen, becoming such a softhearted fool?

Hou Yizhen cursed himself inwardly before abruptly turning around to leave.

"There’s no need to follow me. Stay here. The servants will see me off."

With that, he walked toward the door, followed by Housekeeper Yang and the servants.

Lin Feng stood where he was, watching the man’s tall figure gradually disappear from view.

His vision blurred slightly.

He quickly blinked the tears away.

Lin Feng had made a serious mistake this time—a careless one born from not thinking things through.

Just as the man had pointed out, Lin Feng had wanted all the good things, but not the rotten apples that came with them in the same basket. He wanted the benefits, but not the consequences.

That was unfair to Hou Yizhen.

Yet even knowing this, Lin Feng still didn’t know what he should do.

He needed time to sort out his feelings before he could speak to Hou Yizhen again.

He was no longer living in the world where he had been forced to depend on a man for everything.

He was a man now.

And in this world, even women could live independently.

He couldn’t simply continue relying on Hou Yizhen without first figuring out what he truly wanted.

....

Outside the house, the bodyguards had already opened the car door.

Just before getting inside, Hou Yizhen suddenly stopped and looked at Housekeeper Yang.

"Give Lin Feng a card."

Housekeeper Yang was momentarily surprised.

Hou Yizhen calmly continued, "I just remembered that he probably doesn’t have any money with him."

He paused before adding, "No matter what, he’s still the young master of this household. Tell him not to worry about anything. If there’s something he wants or needs, he can just buy it."

Housekeeper Yang bowed slightly.

"Yes, Master Hou. I’ll prepare the card and give it to Young Master Lin."

Hou Yizhen nodded and stepped into the car.

Just as the bodyguard was about to close the door, he suddenly stopped him again.

"That phone you gave him—you’ve already charged it, right?"

Housekeeper Yang nodded.

"Yes, Master Hou. I’ve already taken care of it. The phone’s credit will be replenished every month according to the premium package."

"Good."

Hou Yizhen finally seemed satisfied and allowed the door to close.

The engine started, and Housekeeper Yang stepped back.

But before the car could move, the window lowered.

Housekeeper Yang: .....

Hou Yizhen looked at him with a dark expression.

"Housekeeper Yang."

"Yes, Master Hou?"

"Don’t let anyone bully him just because I’m angry with him."

Housekeeper Yang’s mouth twitched slightly.

Hou Yizhen continued seriously, "Like I said, he’s still the young master of this house. Everything that belongs to him should remain his. Make sure to protect him. He must not be wronged in any way. Do you understand?"

Housekeeper Yang sighed inwardly and glanced at the servants standing behind him.

They were all now exchanging bewildered looks.

The usually curt and bad-tempered master had suddenly become unusually talkative! Did the sun rise from the west today?

Housekeeper Yang took back his glance and respectfully replied, "Of course, Master Hou. I’ll keep that in mind."

Only then did Hou Yizhen seem satisfied.

The window rose again.

The car slowly pulled away, passing through the gates of the homestead villa before disappearing down the road leading out of Beigou Village.

Finally!

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

’The rakshasa has finally left!’ They cheered silently, though their faces remained as calm and professional as ever.

They truly could never get used to their master’s temper—or rather, his unpredictable mood swings.

Housekeeper Yang watched the car disappear into the distance before turning back toward the house.

Ring—

A phone suddenly rang.

Housekeeper Yang looked down at the caller ID.

It was Master Hou.

Housekeeper Yang: "....."

He answered the call in resignation.

"Yes, Master Hou. Did you forget something?"

"Don’t let any nonsense reach his ears. That boy is too sensitive. He’ll overthink if he hears anything. Make sure to silence—make sure that everyone keeps their mouths shut, all right?"

Housekeeper Yang: ’I heard that dangerous word, Master Hou.’

"Yes, Master Hou."

The call ended.

Housekeeper Yang stared at his phone for a full minute outside the house, waiting to see if there would be another call.

Fortunately, the master seemed to have finally calmed down.

...

It had been three days since the master of the house left.

Yet it was as if something important had been taken away with his departure.

The work on the empty plot of land—the gardening project intended to become Young Master Lin Feng’s experimental playground for growing easy-to-manage vegetables and flowers—had been put on hold.

Just as noticeably, Lin Feng had stopped taking his usual morning and afternoon walks around the spacious courtyard and gardens. Instead, he remained cooped up in his room, rarely stepping outside.

All the servants were worried.

Had the quarrel between Master Hou and Young Master Lin Feng scared him a lot?

After the warning from the stern housekeeper, everyone naturally refrained from talking about it, but it did not stop them from knowing that the two masters had fought.

It was pretty obvious!

Last time, when Master Hou left, he was clearly angry, while the young master’s eyes were swollen red.

But they dared not neglect the young master at all.

First, it was because the young master himself was a very lovable person.

Second, everyone had great tolerance for beauties.

Last but not least, they had all heard the follow-up words that Master Hou said last time before he left.

So right now, they all worried that their beloved young master might get himself sick with worry and overthinking. What if the rakshasa thought they were neglecting their duties?

Because of this, over the past three days, some of the servants had occasionally made casual remarks within Housekeeper Yang’s earshot.

"Ah, spring. The view outside is really beautiful now."

"There are so many flowers blooming along the roadside, and the trees are much greener too."

"Wow, did you hear? The spring planting season will be in full swing in the next few days. Don’t you think Young Master Lin might be interested in seeing it?"

"Hey, did you hear? There’s a Spring Festival being held for five days for all the residents of Bohai Town."

"Maybe Young Master Lin..."

Housekeeper Yang: It was endless!

One afternoon, Housekeeper Yang walked down the empty hallway, followed by his assistant Edmund with a tray in his hands.

When they reached the door of the master’s bedroom, Housekeeper Yang raised his hand and knocked.

Knock—

A muffled response came from inside.

"Come in."