Shao Cheng stood outside until the carriage has completely disappeared in his vision before letting out a deep sigh because he was positively sure that Ren Yuan has just been acting drunk the whole time since his Uncle Enlai wine wasn't strong enough to cause the man to completely blurred his reason.

Especially when there is no way that Ren Yuan would easily make himself vulnerable just like that, it is one of the reasons why Shao Cheng has simply act the normal way whenever he doesn't know if the man was once more faking his outward behavior.

There is just no way that Shao Cheng could easily predict and absolutely understand what Ren Yuan truly is thinking of, he could do it maybe just half of it, but the whole genuine one?

Shao Cheng hates to admit it but he couldn't do it, which plausibly wouldn't be fulfilled even in this new life.

When it comes to wearing a mask, Ren Yuan is far better than him, although, once could say that in this new life, Shao Cheng was able to finally become equal with lies and deception against him.

The two of them just couldn't be wholeheartedly honest and genuine with their outward appearance and behavior or if he could definite it in a clearer way, although everyone is hiding behind their own mask, the two of them just are far more insistence to never reveal their weakness, vulnerability or flaws.

"...still foolishly stubborn though."

Remembering the way Ren Yuan has tried to act drunk while trying to lower Shao Cheng guard down and figuring out what he has been up to or hiding the whole time cause his lip to form into a small smile since rather than becoming uncomfortable about it, he couldn't help but find Ren Yuan's actions of digging deeper into his situation to be so adorable and delightful.

"..."

Damn, to think that there will be a day that he will use the word adorable and delightful when describing Ren Yuan's actions, ah, how did his life turn out this way? To think that after he has stops seeing Ren Yuan as his enemy that everything would turn out more complicated than their previous life interactions.

"...I'll just see how it will turn out in the future."

Shao Cheng is still safe from it, and that is absolutely the problem since he couldn't help but use the word 'still' because there is a high possibility of another repeat in the previous life which causes his head to throb in pain just thinking about it.

"...becoming oblivious and dense when it really happens…would work out right?"

In the previous life, he has never figured it out, much less perceives the man attraction toward him, so if he stays unaware all the time then there is a high chance that Ren Yuan will never reveal his romantic emotion, much less doing a sudden confession because of fearing about their relationship becoming uncomfortable and strained?

"..."

Damn it, Shao Cheng understands that he could never do such a cruel matter to Ren Yuan after witnessing his burning dedication in the previous life, this is precisely why he never really wanted to deal with the problematic emotions called love.

During Shao Cheng life on Earth, he has witnessed the dramatic lives of others because of falling out of love or having an unrequited one, although he doesn't really have a bad opinion about those people who failed in that regard, nonetheless, romantic emotions are far complicated that he totally doesn't want to experience such a matter in his life.

Yes, Shao Cheng doesn't believe in genuine love, until the day he witnessed Ren Yuan complete and wholehearted devotion that causes his belief to waver.

Nonetheless, Shao Cheng was already having trouble with familial love, so why should he deal with another complicated affair more than he has to?

Especially when regarding the emotions that can cause a person to become blind to the point of having no bottom line depending on how deep they fell?

"... so be it… I'll deal with it when it happened."

Nevertheless, Shao Cheng wouldn't disregard the complicated situation he might face in the future when it's all about Ren Yuan, and since he couldn't run away, much less ignored Ren Yuan or tried to keep his distance from him, then all he needed to do is face the reality of the situation.

Shao Cheng just absolutely hopes that he would know what to do when the time comes.

And so, with all complicated scenarios flashing in Shao Cheng mind that continue to freak him out inside, he has finally returned back inside the Shao Residence, which only for him to directly meets an old man dress in high-quality servant clothes that was showing an extremely solemn expression.

Shao Cheng didn't even manage to open his mouth to speak when the old man has instantly kneeled down hard in the cold ground before groveling with his head touching the icy dirt.

While Shao Chonglin that has been waiting to discuss a piece of important information to his younger brother has immediately become alarmed by their main housekeeper actions.

"Young Master Cheng! This humble servant can only shamelessly pleads before you. Please, pardon my niece's insolent actions! This humble servant begs of you to overlook her actions just this once! Mei is the only remaining family of this old man…so, please…I beg of Younger Master Cheng to please let go... -"

"... alright."

"Eh?"

After cutting off the old man sentence, Shao Cheng just gave an indifferent gaze upon the housekeeper that has been serving their Shao Family for two-generation while secretly glancing around the place and seeing some of their servants hiding in the corner and witnessing the whole situation with wide eyes.

Effectively making Shao Cheng's expression turned extremely colder than usual.

"Ah! Thank you for showing kindness Young Master Cheng! Please, don't worry, this old man will personally keep an eye and teach my niece to know her place! She will never bother you again just like what happened before. I solemnly promise Young Master Cheng!"

Like, I'll believe that.

Shao Cheng coldly eyed the weeping and grateful old man that has begun to bow repeatedly to show how happy he truly felt that his only family was pardon by what she has done, especially when she was finally going to be released in the captive cell that Shao Chonglin has been keeping her the whole time, waiting for Shao Cheng decision and opinion on how to deal with her.

That woman mentality has definitely been greatly affected after being shut off from the past few days, especially that hidden possessive and obsessive personality that was stirred up after the failed attempt of trying to climb his bed or just trying to get close to him.

Either way, Shao Cheng has still use for that woman, just punishing her harshly wouldn't do at all, he wants her to die and the Shao family couldn't punish her unreasonably because of the excellent reputation that they have to the common people.

Shao Cheng will just have to give her a great reason along with others, especially when he gazes upon the old man figure.

And when the old man didn't hear any reply back and all quietness remain, he has finally raised his head to finally take a closer look at the most carefully taken care of young master of the Shao family that he has been serving in two-generation.

It's understandable that he was also extremely curious about the person that has been the talk around the Residence after coming back home from his wandering around outside this time.

Contrary to what the old man expects, his entire body has tense up when freezingly cold sapphire eyes that contain nothing but overwhelming indifference meet his old eyes.

It was extremely cold in a terrifying manner that he couldn't help but doubt if this young man has truly cared about his biological family because what he heard so far from the servants around the residence was completely different from the young man of starting to like his family.

It was truly so cold to the point that his heart trembles in overwhelming fear because the mere thought that this person can simply order to take his life away without any reason and worry definitely has a high chance of happening.

Honestly, the Hollow title that was given to the third son of the Shao family wasn't the right words to convey.

Rather than hollow, one could say that cold will fit the young man better while at the same time he couldn't help but wonder why the Shao Family has remained completely dedicated to their affection over such a person who would never care about others.

This kind of person would undoubtedly become ruthless in a calm manner to others without feeling any guilt at all, even if it's regarding their own biological family.

The old man has witnessed a similar gaze during the time that he has been serving in the military with the Old Head of the Shao Family, he was completely convinced about such gaze even though it has already been long years since he last serves as a soldier.

This kind of person will never be easy to use and control since there is nothing to use against them, even if Mei planned to have something happened between them, there will be no benefit aside from getting the anger of the Shao Family and never receiving their pardon after the young master showed such an uncaring attitude.

"... this humble servant once again offers his gratitude to your kindness Young Master Cheng."

It was simply a mistake for his niece to target this person among the other Shao children to climb on, he just hopes that Mei will listen to his opinion and change to the other Shao brothers, however, when he remembers the appearance of this person that easily outshined his other siblings, he completely feared that his niece was far too deep to her feelings.

So he can only bow his head respectfully one more time and hiding his ambition like usual along with his worries and fears after the short time he was finally able to gaze upon the young man that he has thought to be someone that could easily be used and control with.

And Shao Cheng who is already familiar with ambitious and sly people, especially when the old sly fox in the Royal Court was far more talented and excellent has stopped the bent of his lip in order to show his usual signature gentle smile.

People have their own uses, and Shao Cheng will definitely use this old man that has forgotten to remain loyal and faithful, becoming daring and ambitious after the kindness that the Shao Family showed after seeing the overwhelming displayed of dedication this old man has shown in his younger years.

Passage of time truly can change people, which evokes Shao Cheng's painful memories of the betrayal he experiences in the previous life after seeing the old man trying to hide his thoughts before him.

It has definitely fooled his family all these years, however, the old man act would never be capable enough to hide from Shao Cheng's sharp eyes.

This is the person that his father, Shao Yin, and his grandfather Shao Chuanli have wholeheartedly trusted to manage the entire Shao Residence, completely remaining oblivious at the ambitious thought of the person that they completely consider to be in their side.

It is truly so sad to see that ambition, power, and greed could easily corrupt a faithful and loyal person.

Is having great power and authority, so tempting and desirable?

Although Shao Cheng has experienced the highest honor of holding the great power and authority just below the Emperor's authority, yet, he will never be capable enough to understand the feeling of desiring it just because of greed and ambition.

Shao Cheng knows that it's something he needed in order to survive and protect his love one when living in this sort of world, because, if he was truly the same kind people that extremely desire such power, then he would have been capable enough to become the Emperor if he wanted to.

However, what Shao Cheng desired were only such simple goals which unfortunately Huang Ya and Chang Pei couldn't understand, honestly, didn't they think that if he really wanted to control the Chang Empire then he should have just become the Emperor rather than throning other people?

After all, Chang Pei is the last Royal family that remains alive after the battle to the throne.

Being reminded of the previous life, Shao Cheng felt the darkening emotion that wanted to emerge once more which he was finally been able to control before descending into a deeper depressing manner.

Huh, somehow, he was getting a bit used to dealing with his depressing previous life.

And with a bit lighter mood, Shao Cheng has given one last glance at the old man that continues to show a respectful posture before finally leaving and signaling to his second brother that has been quiet the entire time to follow him back since he will be revealing the fact that he will be secretly going out for a few days.

After all, Shao Cheng couldn't keep using Chen Yu to give the written letter that he already prepared underneath his bed because once of this day, there is a high chance that he will get caught up and that will lead him more trouble to deal with.

"Brother Chonglin, listen…"