Leo had spent 4 months without Elena so he had a lot of time to clear his mind and doubts. Leo understood that brother Xavi was a good capable young man but Elder sister didn't like this fact, she wants to sabotage brother Xavi to get his status. He can't let her do that to the young master of the house, if she deserves that position Master Aldo would definitely give it to her. Moreover, somewhere from deep in his heart came a desire to protect brother Xavi.
Leo understood that failure was a learning process but that didn't mean he would interfere in the matters of fate and make brother Xavi fail, to give him a chance to learn. What Leo was worried about was that if Elder sister was this desperate to get brother Xavi out of her way, then she would do much more then just make him face project failures. So Leo decided that Elder sister has to keep trusting him, only then will he be able to know about her plans.
When he saw Elena today he knew she would have questions about why brother Xavi didn't fail. So he had already prepared for it. He didn't expect brother Xavi to come as well. Brother Xavi didn't like it when he was alone with Elena, the previous two times it happened, brother Xavi had cried. So when he saw brother Xavi's pale scared face he said and did all that, without thinking much of it.
Shu XinYi reluctantly left after some pleasing from Leo.
"Elder sister, It's good to see you again. I have missed you." Leo said in a docile tone.
"My dear Leo, Why is it that brother Xavier has been successful in this project? He even talked at the table how he wants you as his right hand man." Elena subtly asked.
"Elder sister, I understand your worry. While I was in City X I realized that brother Xavi was not very hard working and relied on me. Think Elder sister, Brother Xavi has always been very vigilant but he has started to rely on me, even trust me. Do you understand?" Leo said in a childish tone.
"My dear Leo, I have taught you well all these years. Since the city X project was his very first major project, it is okay to let him succeed to boost his ego. Once he is at the seams you, my dear Leo, will push him down. That's why you want him to trust you right?" Elena was way too excited to see through Leo's intentions.
"Yes Elder sister. Brother Xavi is not a capable man at all unlike you who has will and ambitions and just beacuse you are a lady, you are not recognized by master. Elder sister, I want you to get what you deserve." Leo understood what Elder sister wanted.
Elena was ecstatic, she wanted Leo totally in her control and dislike brother Xavier. From the time Xavier was born, she always came second, so with Leo she got her first. Not only had Leo become loyal to her, but he also had started thinking of plans to sabotage brother Xavier, by himself. She had finally turned Leo's thoughts into her own and made him her puppet. Elena walked towards Leo with a seductive smile on her face and held his cheek with her palm. She looked into his eyes and kissed his other cheek.
Leo was very irritated so he pushed her away a little saying "Elder sister, this is inappropriate. If Master knows he will-
Elena just thought Leo was being shy so she interjected "Don't be shy my dear Leo, Once brother Xavier is out of the way no one will interfere with us. Come here."
"Elder sister, brother Xavi he has been waiting outside. He will get suspicious if you stay for long." After Leo said this, Elena finally left.
Leo waited for sometime but Xavi didn't come, to his room. Then he remembered that he had bit Xavi's ear. At the time he did it he didn't think much, it felt too natural but now that he thought about it, his whole body shivered. I bit his ear ••• It even sounded inappropriate, but still his skin felt so soft and smooth to touch, I want to do it again. Brother Xavi must be angry with me but, how do I say sorry?
At this time Albert had come to inform him that his duties have changed. He is to be Young master's right hand man from now on and is to live in the main residence. Miss Lisa and Albert also lived in the main residence. This didn't mean they were a part of the family, just that their status was higher from regular servents.
Leo didn't have much stuff in his room, so that very night he moved into the residence. Leo was awake all night thinking about brother Xavi. If even his ear lobe tastes good then, how will the whole of him taste? Leo suddenly felt really hungry. His thoughts were going in a direction even he didn't anticipate.
He imagined licking Xavi's ears again and tied to recall the taste and feel. Brother Xavi's arrogant face was now blushing and teary eyed, in front of his eyes. Brother Xavi looks beautiful to watch, Like the finest painting, untouched and unblemished. Although Leo felt a little embarrassed while trying to relieve himself, he couldn't stop himself from imagining Xavi lying under him with no clothes on and screaming his name with eyes full of pleasure. Ecstasy.
Shu XinYi meanwhile was fast asleep. When Leo had told him to wait while he talked to Elena, he felt a little irritated. It was almost like he was saying sorry by biting my ear even calling me young master with such a seductive tone. Too bad for my health. Humph, first he choses Elena over me then he says sorry like that, that cunning idiot. He was in no mood to talk to him so he just slept.
The next morning Shu XinYi woke up and went down for breakfast after a bath. Miss Lisa served him some breakfast but before she even put the plate on the table Shu XinYi could tell that Leo had made this breakfast. He looked around the kitchen and didn't find Leo anywhere then he looked at Miss Lisa suspiciously. Elena and Isabel were also present at the table, so Shu XinYi didn't say anything and just ate.
After breakfast he went with father to meet with the jewelers they had a contract with, Mr.Albus. He was the one they did dealings with. Father had seen the talented jewelers Mr.Albus was able to gather so he had signed a contract with him. The contract stated that the Xalvadore family would provide them with raw materials and the jewelers will only sell to them for a fair price. Shu XinYi talked with Mr.Albus about sending 30% of regular inventory directly to Arthur in city X. Shu xinYi also discussed some new designs with him and told him about the designs already present in city X.
Next they went to the Perfume and clothes suppliers, both of whom the xalvadore family had monopoly over. Shu XinYi saw that father rarely personally tested the all the perfumes, so he had informed the perfume supplier to bring the new perfumes to him, before launching. The whole day Aldo was busy admiring his son, Xavier has not only improved a lot in his dealings, he also fixes my short comings very naturally.
Shu XinYi came back at dinner time. Although the whole family had the same dinner Shu XinYi could tell that his plate was better from others. Leo had once again cooked for him without telling him. Is this his way to say sorry? That idiot. Shu XinYi didn't bare it in mind and ate like it was his right. At night though he was more than irritated, he didn't see Leo today. Who knows what is going through his head.
For the next week he didn't see Leo at all. He also didn't try to find him because it could be seen from his secretive behavior that he was in a good mood. For the whole week Shu XinYi only ate what Leo made when he was inside the house. He didn't know why Leo is cooking for him yet refuses to show himself. Is he embarrassed and sorry? I can understand why he would be sorry, but why is he embarrassed? Maybe I am just overthinking.
A week turned into a month and this unannounced cold war had continued. Shu XinYi had busied himself in managing the buying and selling in their home city and also visited the Xalvadore shop in home city to oversee the management. His father had been happy to hand over much of his responsibilities to Xavi. Not only had Xavi taken the initiative to learn and execute his teachings, he was also very wise in his decisions. Shu XinYi could tell that Elena was calm during all this, which meant that she had ways to bring Xavi down. Then what could it be, if not using Leo?
Although Shu XinYi didn't believe that Leo would hurt himself again, but he couldn't be sure that Elena wouldn't have other methods to lure Leo. Whatever it is she is doing to Leo, I can't allow her. Shu XinYi found time to have a talk with Leo. He didn't want to be away from him for longer.
Leo on the other hand was utterly and totally confused by his own actions. He was really embarrassed to face Xavi after what he did that night. The next day while he was walking through the kitchen he got a weird feeling in his heart when he saw Miss Lisa cooking for the family. Xavi will also eat this food Miss Lisa is making.. No I don't like that. So from that day forth he had asked Miss Lisa to serve the food he makes to Xavi. Miss Lisa disagreed at first but then he said that he will also eat the same food, if Miss Lisa had any doubts about him spiking the food.
For the next month he had made his habit to cook for Xavi and he loved the feeling of Xavi eating and enjoying the food he made. There was something he was worried about though, brother Xavi he .. seemed angry at him. Leo was even more scared to face Xavi. Leo had tried to understand the feelings he had for Xavi but was utterly unable to.
In the morning Shu XinYi woke up early and it seemed that some people were still sleeping. He changed his clothes and went down to guard the kitchen. He didn't even have to wait for 2 minutes when Leo entered the kitchen very smoothly and quietly. Leo saw Xavi standing in the kitchen with his hands crossed like he was about to scold him so Leo obediently hung his head low and waited for a scolding. Shu XinYi looked at Leo who behaved like a thief caught red handed. Well he was.
"Idiot."
"Hmm."
"What are you doing?"
"Cooking breakfast."
"For whom?"
"For You."
"Why?"
"Are you angry?"
"Maybe. Answer my question truthfully why are you cooking for me?"
"I eat the same food as well, you can ask Miss Lisa. I didn't do anything with the food."
"Wow you'll be a bad thief. Did I ask if you did anything with the food or not. I just asked why are you cooking for me."
"..."
"Idiot."
"Hmm."
"Why were you avoiding me for the past month?"
"....."
"IDIOT."
"Hmm."
"Tch stop being annoying. If you like cooking for me then just cook for me. Don't avoid me and next time don't bite my ear when you are sorry or I will punch you. Understood."
"...Understood."
Shu XinYi started to cook after saying all this and Leo was a bit confused so he asked "Who are you cooking for? I will cook for you so don't make it for yourself."
"Not making for myself."
"Then?"
Shu XinYi gave Leo a very dramatic look then rolled his eyes saying "Not telling."
Leo had a distinctive but strong feeling enter his heart, I love this man. He smiled back at Xavi and played along with him "Young master, are you still angry at this servant?"
"Angry."
"My young master, didn't I already say that night, that I won't do anything that hurts me, even more than that I won't do anything that hurts you. So don't worry. Okay?"
"Idiot, who is "your" young master?" Although Shu XinYi tried to maintain his arrogant farce, his face had already turned red along with his ears. Leo was fascinated by the sight and was in a playful mood saying "You are "my" young master. Who else's?"
"Idiot. What are you blabbering. Go focus on cooking. I won't eat bad food."
"Yes whatever you say my young master."
Shu XinYi had gone fully red, this idiot Leo was playing with him. Humph. Idiot. Shu XinYi left the kitchen and didn't finish his cooking. He was too embarrassed. LiFeng had been this shameless as well but his shameless behavior became prominent after spending an year with him. With Leo it hadn't been even half a hear and he had inherited the same kind of shamelessness. Shu XinYi had always known himself to be a thick skinned person, only at these moments did he became awfully embarrassed.
Leo wasn't in the dark about his feelings anymore after that day. He liked brother Xavi and it was the I want to kiss him and spend a lifetime with him kind of like. At first he had tried to ignore the feeling since both him and brother Xavi were men and brother Xavi obviously wouldn't reciprocate this feeling, but as time passed he couldn't ignore the feelings in his heart since they had only grown stronger and stronger. He could only keep this feeling well hidden in his heart and make sure that he protected brother Xavi.
From that day forth Shu XinYi brought Leo along whenever he went out for business. Shu XinYi obviously didn't notice this change since Leo was behaving like he always did but he could tell that Leo seemed happier especially when he was around him. Like this, several weeks had passed and Shu xinYi along with Leo had replaced Aldo by doing many of his tasks. Aldo was already reaching his retirement age in some time so he was more than happy for letting Xavier handle the matters, he had even decided to make him the official heir of the Xalvadore family soon.
One day at dinner, before the food had been served, Shu XinYi saw Miss Lisa and Isabel arguing in hushed voices. Shu XinYi wanted in on their drama but since he was too far he just asked Snow to relay the live recording.
"Honey, Is it necessary for you to leave? Aren't you happy to just live here?' Isabel said with a worrying voice.
"Izzy my dear, try to understand. I am just a mere Butler in this house. I love you you izzy. I want to spend a lifetime with you but that does not come for free. trust me okay?" Miss Lisa replied.
"haah. I love you too Honey. I won't stop you but where are you going to go and what will you do?"
"I will be going to city X. There is a very nice old lady who runs a restaurant living there. She has no relatives, so when I was little and used to go there a lot, she started teaching me all her ways to cook. I had much to learn from her but I had to move cities with my family so I could only leave. I still send letters to her from time to time and this time she asked me to come there. She wants me to own the restaurant after her and is willing to teach me all of her secrets and recipes."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes izzy. I am. Once my business there is settled then we will not have to worry about our future."
"But then how will we meet? Humph." Isabel said in a childish voice.
"Izzy, don't do that or I would be tempted to stay. I will find a way for us to meet. definitely. Otherwise did you think I can go on without having my favorite meal."
"S-stop it, what if someone hears?"
"Then let them. I want the world to know that I am in love with the most beautiful person in the world. I'll enjoy their jealous faces."
Okay this is getting a bit.. well this is good. Shu XinYi was going to advice Miss Lisa on something of the same caliber. Now that she had made a decision herself to settle a stable future with Isabel, it was one less worry for Shu XinYi.