2.4 Small talk

The next day both of them went to talk with the old man in his restaurant. The food he sold was good, but the area was surrounded by better food shops. This was a great disadvantage to the old man so he decided to go back to his village to work in the shop there. They negotiated with him for a fairer price and at the end of the day the transfer of ownership was settled. The shop was legally under the name of Xalvadore family.

The first thing Shu XinYi did when he got back was to prepare a carrige back to the city. He should personally go to father and inform him of his ideas.

"Leo, I will be leaving for home tomorrow. Father should know about the situation in City X. Take care of Elder sister Elena and handle the situation in City X well. I am trusting you with this responsibility, I hope you don't mess up." Shu XinYi said. His tone was a little arrogant as Xavi.

Since he confirmed that this Leo imposter should be the same person as Mr.Arai in the previous world his heart was giddy. Obviously he wouldn't jump on him and change his own behavior, since this Leo had memories of Xavi. He knew Xavi. So Shu XinYi had to be Xavi. Xavi was an arrogant and decisive young man, so Shu XinYi rarely broke character accept for those two times when he saw Leo's condition.

Shu XinYi did have some fear in his heart. This Leo seemed to have no memories of LiFeng but only memories from this world. So then what if he has no feelings from the previous world? Even if that was the case. Shu XinYi's heart had all those memories and feelings still there. He couldn't ignore them. He could only behave like Xavi and let things go with the flow. If Leo didn't have any feelings for him then, Well he will let Leo go from the Xalvadore house. Leo is an intelligent man he will definitely find a way to live a good life. Although he has his short comings because of his past, he still is good at what he does.

Shu XinYi looked at Leo for his affirmation, Leo smiled politely and said in a very soothing voice "Xavi, Don't worry okay. I will take care of everything. Be careful on your way and return soon."

Shu XinYi could feel his face go red. He nodded and focused on eating whatever he was eating. Leo saw Xavi's face go red. Brother Xavi is beautiful, he thought. He didn't find this thought weird. He just continued eating.

Shu XinYi went to Elena's room before leaving for home.

"Elder sister, I will be leaving for home. Do you want to return with me or do you want to stay for now?"

"Why are you returning alone, Brother Xavier? Is there an emergency?"

"I have to deliver a messege to father. I will be returning here in 3 days time, If you are done touring the city do return home with me."

"Brother Xavier, The city has many sights to see, I wish to stay. Take care on your journey and say greetings to father from me."

Shu XinYi nodded at her and said his farewell leaving for the Xalvadore house. Elena would obviously try to win over the city Lords and would go to visit them in his absence. Shu XinYi had told Leo to not present any of their products before he returns but if Elena wanted to do it, Who knew if Leo would agree or not. Shu XinYi hoped that he could trust Leo, that's why he personally left for home and told Leo the importance of the secrecy of the new shop opening. If Leo and Elena colluded it wouldn't be bad for Shu XinYi just that his heart would feel pained.

He still didn't have any hopes. Even though Leo was an imposter he still lived as Leo. He would be somewhat dependent on Elena and trust her more than Xavi. If that was really the case he would have to put his feelings aside to deal with both of them.

Shu XinYi was a bit depressed as he got closer to the house. He didn't go to father Aldo after returning but instead went to sleep in a weird mood. After he woke up he took a long cold bath, trying to cool his head.

He waited for father to come home and then arranged a private dinner for him. Shu XinYi told father about his plans in city X.

"Father, I believe that having our own store in city X, will be more of a profitable and long lasting feat then finding retail stock buyers. Although I understand that it will be difficult to have control over our shop in a different city I still want to spread the Xalvadore family name, I believe that father is able to guide me on this matter."

"Have you thought about what will happen if these shops get out of our control. Since you won't be present in city X all the time who will you trust the matters of the shop finances and transactions to?"

"Father I understand your worry. I have already thought of the matter. If you believe that I am capable, then allow me to start working on this project."

"Haa, You all are growing up too fast. It's not that I don't trust you. It's fate that I don't trust but well I will allow you to handle the matters of city X."

"Thank you father. I hope to not disappoint you."

They had some small talk for sometime and Shu XinYi went to sleep for the night. Shu XinYi had already thought of a man he would give the responsibility of the shop in city X. He should leave for city X tomorrow but his heart was not ready.

He stayed for two more days in the mansion and his mood had improved a lot after spending time with Isabel. She was very enthusiastic about plants and herbs and if you sat to listen, she will have tales and tales about every leaf she collected.

He finally left for City X. It seemed that Miss Lisa and Isabel's story hadn't progressed or maybe they were hiding it too well. Whatever the case, Shu XinYi wouldn't interfere in the matter. After reaching the city, He first went to the warehouse to check on the inventory. He found that everything was well kept and nothing was missing. This meant that Elena atleast hadn't done anything with the inventory.

He then went to the hotel to meet with Leo and Elena. He was about to knock on Elena's room when he heard them talking inside.

"Elder Sister, haven't I already told you that brother Xavi plans to do this project alone, I can't allow anyone, even you to interfere. He is the young master of the family. I don't dare go against him."

"See, what if one day he tells you to abandon me? Then would you do that too? My dear Leo, you are too innocent. Obviously he will give you all the responsibility so that if he messes up he can blame it all on you or if he doesn't then he will take all the credit for your hardwork."

"Whatever reason he has for giving me responsibility, doesn't matter. The point is, he has trusted me with this project so I can't go against him. It will be equal to going against Master."

"Leo, do you wish to abandon me too? Like you abandoned your mother. Don't you remember the times I stayed with you and comforted you. I was the one who convinced father to keep you. Then why is it that you chose to trust people that have never shown you a shred of care?" Shu XinYi could hear the evil smile in her words. Her words were too harsh even for Shu XinYi to hear. Although Shu XinYi didn't want to show his real feelings in front of Leo, right now his heart was burning with hate and love.

Shu XinYi harshly knocked on the door before Leo could form a reply and further drown himself in guilt. "Who is it?"

Shu XinYi heard the panicked voice of Elena.

"Elder sister, It's me. I'm back."

"Uh brother Welcome back, I am changing right now so can you come later?"

"Oh ok then I will go meet Leo. Sorry to-"

"No no Leo he... he is gone out for work."

"Ah okay then, Sorry to disturb you elder sister."

Elena breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Xavier walking away. Leo's mood had improved a lot after hearing Xavi's voice. He was feeling unsettled while Xavi was away and his emotions had destabilized. When Elder sister reminded him of abandoning his mother, his heart was not full of pain but full of guilt. Now his heart had started breathing normally again and his mind had also cleared. He thought of something and asked "Elder sister, why did you lie to brother Xavi. Aren't I in your room?"

"Leo, Obviously because I don't want brother Xavier to misunderstand our relationship. Brother Xavier doesn't understand that you are in pain so if he sees us together he will think we have some sort of relationship. Do you know what will happen if brother Xavier thought we were together?"

"What will happen? "

"He will kick you out of the house. My brother is very arrogant. He won't allow anyone of a lower status to join our family. He only sees you as his servent that is why he gives you all this tough work while he sits high and enjoys the benefits."

"But we aren't together Elder Sister. Why would brother doubt anything that isn't there at all?"

Elena wanted Leo to be solely loyal to him. So she used her charms and walked towards Leo in a seductive manner and bent down to hold his face up saying "My dear Leo, There isn't anything now but are you sure there won't be anything in the future. Will you be able to live without me in the future, if I get betrothed to someone else? If you don't want that to happen you have to raise your status no?"

Leo only looked at her and asked with blinking eyes "Will Brother Xavi really not allow anyone of low status in his family?"

"No, he sees someone like you as a servent only. If you want to stay with me, you have to become someone of a higher status." Elena looked at the confused pheonix eyes of the handsome man and was satisfied. She wanted Leo to only listen to her and not trust Xavier at all. She liked that Leo was showing an anticipated reaction of daze and confusion.

Meanwhile many thoughts were looming around Leo's head, Did brother Xavi really only see him as a servent? Although him serving brother Xavi for the past few days were the most fulfilling days of his life, but what if brother Xavi one day decides he doesn't want him as a servent. Then what? Would he leave?

He didn't know why did it matter if brother Xavi saw him as a servent ot not. Master had appointed him as a servent in the Xalvadore house after saving him. So he really was just a servent. Why did it matter if brother Xavi saw him as one or not? He had no intentions of joining the family so he is just fine as a servent. Although he tried to reason with himself his heart felt a little uneasy and he wanted to see Brother Xavi right now.

He said to Elena "Elder sister, I understand. I should take my leave before brother Xavi comes again."

Elena smiled and said "Sure my dear Leo."

Leo nodded and left. He felt weird when, Elder sister called him "My dear". Previously he wasn't paying much attention because of his looming thoughts but now he thought back to what Elder sister Elena had said. Elder sister asked him about what if she was betrothed to someone else, will I be able to live without her in the future?

The idea of Elder sister not being in his future really didn't bother him that much. Obviously elder sister had to marry someone else and that someone else will not be him. He never saw Elder sister like that. She was like a nanny to him for a while, someone who was kind to him. Maybe Elder sister misunderstood something about me. Well I will clear that up later. Right now he was standing outside of Xavi's room and was about to knock when the door opened itself and he heard a harsh but small voice say "Idiot. What took you so long? Are you a masochist? Do you like being punished?"

Shu XinYi had waited in his room for some minutes for Leo. He didn't know what kind of shit Elena was making him go through. He was angry at Leo for not speaking up and not understanding but he was more angry at himself for not being able to help Leo. He saw Leo staring at him with confused eyes like he really didn't understand why he was being scolded. He became even more angry and said "A snake bit you or what? Get inside." He saw Leo nod his head like a bird pecking and got inside before closing the door.

Before Shu XinYi could scold him more he heard Leo say "Are you going to punish me for showing up late?" Shu XinYi saw that Leo's face looked a bit ... Happy as he said this? Shu XinYi was referring to staying longer with Elena when he said do you like being punished, but apparently this raging masochist took it for something else.

Shu XinYi was too irritated and wanted to scold him more but then he remembered what he heard outside Elena's room so he just said "Answer my question. If I face loss in this project and my father scolds me what will you do?"

"I will also get scolded along with you no?"

"Tch Idiot. That is something that will happen to you. I am asking what will you do, for me or to me if I face loss and can't do anything about it." Shu XinYi patiently said.

"I will comfort you, I guess or advice you to not lose hope."

"Good. Then after comforting me would you want something in return?"

"Like what?"

"Tch. You tell me if you will want something in return or not. How will I Know?"

"No, why would I want anything in return for comforting you. I was not comforting you for any payback. Wouldn't that be very selfish?"

"Good. Then what if you remind me from time to time that there was a time when you comforted me, so I should always be grateful to you and return you the favour?"

"Huh? why should you be grateful to me, when it was my own decision to comfort you. It's not like you would not survive if I didn't comfort you and it was not a huge favour that has to be repaid in lots."

"If you still ask me to be grateful to you, as if what you did was more a repayable favor, than something you did out of goodwill, then what kind of person would you be?" Shu XinYi asked.

"A very selfish person, who does not care about comforting you at all and only my own benefit."

"You are right. Do you understand now?"

"Understand what? That I am selfish? You might be right, maybe I am selfish."

What??? Shu XinYi had that long of a conversation but this doofus still doesn't understand. He wanted to punch him but also hug him too tightly. "No stop. That's not what I am saying. Leo, I look at you as a close friend so I want you to understand that there will be people who you might look as your saviour, someone kind and good. In reality though those may be the people who want you to suffer for their own selfish reasons. I have not seen the harsh side of the world but I have seen how selfish people can be. So don't trust and rely on people that harm you and make you feel bad or guilty."

Shu XinYi finally saw some change in Leo's face meaning that he was starting to understand. He continued "Leo, whatever you do in your life is your own decision and whatever happens in your life is your own fate. No one else can interfere. If it feels painful then cry, if it feels joyous then laugh. Leo I-" Before Shu XinYi could continue his words he felt his whole body being eloped in warmth, as he was hugged by Leo.