Despite his hesitation, Mingyu still changed into the uniform, and went out of the room he had been assigned, to go see Jiang Yichen.
He took his time, strolling one step after the other, trying to piece two and two together, to figure out the motive behind Jiang Yichen's actions.
Why would he bring me to his home? He wondered.
You have beautiful eyes. Jiang Yichen's voice replayed in his head, causing Mingyu to pause his movement. He remembered the look in Jiang Yichen's eyes as he said those words like he really meant them.
"Did that lunatic perhaps fall in love with me at first sight?" He said aloud, in shock.
At that moment, a manservant carrying a bucket of water, passed by him, and Mingyu quickly went and stood in his way. "Hold on." He said, as he bent over to look at his reflection in the bucket of water, "He really fell for this face?… That lunatic has really got a poor taste." He chuckled at his own words, as he stood up straight, making eye contact with the manservant, who was looking at him in a way that made Mingyu question his own sanity.
Embarrassed, Mingyu coughed to clear his throat and stepped aside to continue on his way, like nothing had happened.
In a short while, he got to the main entrance which was separated from the servants quarters, and he stopped for a moment, observing the homely surrounding which had a courtyard of blooming flowers, and the servants who where going about their duties.
Now that I think about it, it might actually be safer for me to stay here until I fully recover. And as the young master is head over hills for me, I'm sure he would treat me with love and care. Right? A smirk graced Mingyu's lips as he thought to himself.
He walked into the building, and sought directions from the servants in order to locate Jiang Yichen's room.
Standing before the door to Jiang Yichen's room, Mingyu braced himself, and took in a deep breath as he internally prepared himself for his acting career.
Feigning politeness, which he never had in him before, Mingyu announced his presence, "Young Master. It's me, Yinzhi. May I come in?"
"Come in." He heard a reply from inside.
Mingyu slowly opened the door, walking into the room with the best hundred-watt smile he could afford, plastered on his face.
He saw Jiang Yichen, seated behind a table at the far end of the room, where an opening to the balcony was. The sunlight shimmered into the room, kissing his face and making his already perfect face, glow.
But Mingyu wasn't fazed at all.
Bowing at a 90 degree angle, Mingyu continued his act. "Oh gracious young master. Thank you for saving me, and bringing me to your humble home." He spoke with a sugarcoated voice.
Shocked by the drastic change from the personality he witnessed hours ago at the brothel, and the personality Mingyu was putting on now, Jiang Yichen couldn't help shaking his head in amusement.
But in the blink of an eye, his face turned stone cold and blank, showing no expression as he said, "It took only three men to bring you here. I must say… I'm very disappointed."
Mingyu ignored the obvious mocking tone which Jiang Yichen used to address him, instead, the pretend smile on his face, changed to the look of a pitiful criminal that had been caught red-handed and was seeking for mercy. "It was rude, and foolish of me to threaten you with a crab leg. I don't know what came over me, but I hope you can put that behind you."
The way Mingyu had spoke was very convincing, and if Jiang Yichen had not had a personal encounter with him before, he would have believed his words were genuine.
"You are suddenly so polite." Jiang Yichen commented, now turning to face Mingyu.
"I will do my best to serve you right, and make up for my mistakes." Mingyu said, bowing his head at an angle 90, once again.
"Fine, then." Jiang Yichen said with a smirk. Let's see how long you can keep up with the act when I drill you till your bones scream.
"Yinzhi, go and fetch me some water." Jiang Yichen ordered.
Mingyu was a bit taken aback, not expecting the supposed love-stricken lunatic to order him about, but he quickly recovered. Maybe he's just trying to test me? He thought.
"Yes, Young Master." He replied with a forced smile, before leaving the room to get the water.
About a minute later, he returned back to the room, holding a tray with a cup of water at the center.
Jiang Yichen raised his head, and saw what Mingyu had brought, making him chuckle inwardly. But on the outside, he wore a straight face. Shaking his head, he spoke in a tone that relayed annoyance, "I didn't say I was thirsty. I want to wash my face, and hands."
"Oh." Mingyu could only say, his face hot, out of embarrassment, "I see. I'll go get more water." He said, and went out of the room.
Soon, he was back again with a big basin which contained water that would be more than enough to wash ones face and hands.
Jiang Yichen stood up, and walked towards Mingyu whose forced smile was already starting to crack. "On second thoughts, I would like to have a bath instead." He said, and patted Mingyu on the back as he walked past him.
Mingyu was too stunned to speak…
Determined not to fail whatever test Jiang Yichen was putting him through, Mingyu steeled his resolve, and went out again.
By the time he was back with a large bucket of hot water, Jiang Yichen had already changed into his bathrobe which was exposing his upper body, showcasing his ripped chest and washboard abs.
Mingyu whose strength had waned, and was barely hanging on, couldn't afford to pay attention to Jiang Yichen's body, not to talk of drooling over him.
He followed Jiang Yichen to the bathroom, and poured the hot water into the wooden bathtub.
Jiang Yichen who was internally enjoying Mingyu's turmoil, dipped his toe into the water, and he retracted it immediately, with a hiss. "Yinzhi, this water is too hot!" He complained.
Mingyu suddenly felt the urge to cry.What have I done to deserve this? He cried internally.
But on the outside, he still maintained a smile, although his smile looked a bit weird and awkward – more like a scowl, really. "Right,… Young Master." He forced himself to say, before heading out with the bucket again.
Soon, he was back with a bucket of cold water this time, and he bent down to pour it into the hot water.
Jiang Yichen simply put his toes into the water, and this time he retracted his feet with a light gasp – which felt a little exaggerated, by the way. "It's freezing."
Mingyu who hadn't gotten up, dipped his hand into the water, and his smile immediately vanished, changing into a glare as he eyed Jiang Yichen like if he had a knife, he wouldn't hesitate to slit his throat.
"It's not freezing." Mingyu deadpanned.
"Yes, it is. I'll catch a cold if I have my bath with this water." Jiang Yichen insisted, poking the already angry tiger.
Mingyu was dumbfounded at this point. Was I wrong about him falling for me? He couldn't help but think.
On the outside, he remained silent, and just continued to glare daggers at Jiang Yichen, thinking of a million ways he could end the young man's life in a matter of seconds.
"What's the matter, Yinzhi?" Jiang Yichen taunted. You are so cute, looking at me like that. Are you finally going to give up? He internally smiled at his thoughts.
But to Jiang Yichen's disappointment…
"Yes, Young Master. I'll go fetch some hot water." Mingyu said, and picked up the bucket to go fetch some hot water.
"Ah." Jiang Yichen let out a sigh when Mingyu went out of his room. "It seems he's a very strong-headed person… too bad for him though, I'm more stubborn."