2.6 Moon flower

For the next few days Shu XinYi and Leo allowed Arthur to follow them for the day and learn from them. He was quickly able to grasp the situation and started keeping records of everything. "Mr.Percival bought 13 pieces of cloths form us this week. Young master Xavier. The inventory you have bought has almost ended except for the jewelry sets. The shop opening should be in the week after. Are we only going to sell Jewelry there?"

"No, We will sell clothes and perfumes as well. I have already sent a letter back home and father will sent new inventory in at least 4 days. Arthur, you will also have to manage inventories. Will you be able to do that?"

"Of course Young master. I will ask Young master Leo all about it. Once I learn I will surely do my best."

They had sold their clothes and perfumes to the people in city X but they hadn't sold a single jewelry set. They had only shown it to some families and named their shops saying that they would only be selling once the shop launches. So people had been keen for the opening. This also raised security matters but Shu XinYi had already arranged guards in both the warehouse and the shop.

When the construction was finally completed, they started to set up the shop with their products. After more than 7 weeks the shop construction had been completed and the opening was announced. Many nobles had sent their people to buy the products and many had shown up themselves. The first week of the opening was very busy. Shu XinYi was busy signing letters and dealing with the high class customers.

Leo and Arthur were managing the selling of products and the inventory. The inventory father sent recently was already finishing by the second week of the shop opening. The prices they set were high, but the people were willing to buy these luxury products. Shu XinYi had already called another inventory from father and sent a letter explaining that twice every month the inventory should be arranged and sent.

In the third week traders from the west gate had also taken notice of the new shop. The profit margin had improved since then. They also allowed people to buy in bulk but they would have to wait for the products to arrive and also pay the carriage cost. Arthur worked well in managing the shop. He was a man capable of representing the Xalvadore family.

A month and a half later Shu XinYi and Leo had settled all the necessary matters. They had also bought a residence for keeping the inventory and for stay if they visited. Arthur had assured them that he will take care of the shop and they can come to collect the profits every month or he will just store it in the residence treasury.

The profit they earned was more than sufficient and they didn't need to use the 3rd pass anymore and could just enter through the city gates. They left for home in the next week since they had completed all matters necessary. Shu XinYi didn't take any servants or guards with them since it was only them going back.

Shu XinYi was resting in the carrier and dusk had been approaching at this time. He wasn't sleeping and was just laying down. He was also aware that Leo was looking at him. Too intensely. Shu XinYi didn't want to make this awkward so he tried to calm his nerves and kept "sleeping".

Leo had found that he loved to watch Xavi. It felt peaceful and safe, like everything was ok. He hadn't cried after that night but Xavi always stayed by his side. Xavi also made sure to comfort him from time to time. It was a blissful feeling to have Xavi care for him. It didn't feel like pity, that everyone always showed him, but genuine care.

Xavi also scolded him sometimes and reprimanded him if he made mistakes while handling matters but he never looked down on him. Brother Xavi is also very cute, sometimes when he is eating, his mouth blots up like a bunny. He wanted to reach out and squeeze his cheeks together but Xavi would probably get angry so he didn't do it. In recent days not only did his heartbeat sped up when he was around Xavi but his nether region also felt pent up and uncomfortable.

Leo didn't understand why he had this reaction. Was it because I am nervous around Xavi since he is better then me at many things? or something else. He was not keen on finding out and just loved spending time with Xavi.

Shu XinYi really did fell asleep while pretending and only woke when he heard Leo's voice "Xavi, We have reached wake up."

Shu XinYi opened his eyes and saw Leo's handsome face and his pheonix eyes. He had the urge to kiss him and was moving his hand to hold his face when he finally got into his senses saying, let's go. It was already late in the night when they reached the mansion. Shu XinYi had just entered the courtyard when he heard some rustling in the corner. Both Leo and Shu XinYi became alert. It was the middle of the night and someone was lurking around in the dark, obviously they had some bad intentions.

Shu XinYi thought it would be Elena but when they saw that it was two shadows eloping with each other, both of them stopped in place. The faces of those shadows couldn't be seen since they were facing each other. Both Leo and Shu XinYi stiffened. Someone was out in their courtyard making out in the middle of the night but what surprised Leo the most was that both of them were women.

The two women eloping finally noticed them and turned their heads to meet their eyes. All four of them were stunned looking at each other in the middle of the night.

"E- Elder brother, brother L-Leo. Um welcome back."

"Izzi you .. what were you two-" It was Isabel and miss Lisa that were celebrating the young night. Shu XinYi had only left for 4 months and the story had progressed like this.

"Elder brother I uh We um. Miss Lisa was ... was curious about these moon plants. Um they only grow in the luster of the moonlight and so I was just showing her since the moon is at the seams this time, R-right hon- Ah right Miss Lisa." Isabel was waving her arms around trying to remain calm, as she spoke.

"Yeah, it is said that these moon plants will grow better around yang energy so we were hugging to see if the plant had any reaction." Miss Lisa was confident in her words.

Shu XinYi was using all his willpower to keep a straight face and not start laughing like an idiot in this quiet night, when Leo stepped in to break his farce saying very seriously "Really? did it work did the moon plant grow? Maybe you should hug for longer no?"

"Pfft hahaha, Ahem sorry. yeah Miss Lisa if hugging is not enough maybe you should try kissing little izzy that will definitely work." Shu XinYi couldn't hold it any longer.

Isabel realized that her lie had already been caught "Brother I, I am sorry for lying. I -"

"Young master pardon Izzy- pardon young mistress Isabel. It was my fault. So don't complain to Master Aldo. I will leave this house so don't do anything to Isabel." Miss Lisa

Leo too understood the situation although it was bizarre, he was busy thinking that if two women can be together then maybe two men too can be together? Intresting.

"So what? were you playing with my dear sister just now when you kissed her, Miss Lisa?" Shu XinYi asked a little angry.

"No no. I .. Young master pardon me but I really do love little izzy. I don't know if you'll understand this but" She paused and held hands with Isabel to continue "I just don't want her to get hurt because of me so it is better for me to leave." Miss Lisa

Shu XinYi became even more angry and looked at Isabel asking "Izzy do you love her?"

"Brother I am sorry but I really do love her."

"Then what kind of person did you love? She is willing to leave you and go live a life with someone else. She doesn't even try to fight with me to stay by your side. I can accept that she is a women but I can't accept this feeble love of her's." Shu XinYi said. Both Isabel and Lisa looked at each other and smiled. Then Isabel asked "Brother then you accept us?"

"Obviously not. Miss Lisa I don't find you worthy of my sister. If she loves you and you love her then shouldn't you be responsible enough to fight for her, with her?"

Lisa had her head bowed and she was silent. Young master was right. Although she really did love little Izzy but she didn't want to create problems for her which would also mean that they couldn't be with each other. She made her resolve and firmly said.

"Young master, I am sorry I was wrong. This servent has only cared and loved little izzy and made an unwise decision. I will not ask you to accept us or keep our love a secret but I will ask you to keep seeing Isabel as izzy and not abandon her."

Isabel and Miss Lisa were holding hands and smiling to each other serving some heavy dog food but Shu XinYi was still angry "Miss Lisa, what if it was someone else other then me? Shouldn't you take these activities to the bedroom?"

"E-Elder brother please stop it." Even in this little light Shu XinYi could see that both Lisa and Izzy were blushing. So Shu XinYi let them go after telling them to be careful. He had to make sure that Isabel had a nice future and she didn't live a life she would regret.

Shu XinYi entered the kitchen, since it was late at night, the servents had already left and Miss Lisa too had left with Izzy for doing whatever. Shu XinYi was tired and he didn't had the energy to cook right now so he just looked for leftovers to eat. Obviously Leo wouldn't let him do that.

"Xavi, should this be the manners of the young master? Go Sit on the table I will make something."

Shu XinYi nodded but didn't leave the kitchen. He was a little concerned so he asked him "Leo, about Miss Lisa and Isabel. Don't tell father or anyone about it. I can understand if you don't accept their love but don't do anything that will harm them okay."

Leo looked at Xavi and laughed saying "Why would I do that? It doesn't matter if I accept their love or not. If they love each other then that's good for them. I have nothing to do with it."

Shu XinYi grinned looking at Leo "That's good then. Don't look at me focus on cooking. I won't eat burned food."

Leo cooked diligently and then served him on the table. Shu XinYi looked at him in an irritating manner saying "What are you doing sit down and eat."

"Xavi we are back in the house. I can't be seen eating on the same table with you. Mistress would get angry." Leo.

"Are you blind? Do you see anyone around us? Tch I feel weird eating alone like this. So if you don't want to eat with me fine, then I will also not eat." Shu XinYi said and crossed his arms.

"Xavi you are very-" Leo tried to voice out his protests.

"Yes I am very everything. You eating with me or not? Don't be hypocritical. Didn't we ate together many times in city X. Wasn't I the young master then?" Shu XinYi knew that he was being childish but Leo too was being childish.

Leo saw little bunny make a puffed angry face. Leo knew that Shu XinYi was hungry and that he really did like to eat the food he makes. So he couldn't say no anymore, and just sat down with him to eat. What status? What young master and servent? This is my little bunny, I don't want to anger him.

Shu XinYi finally sat down to eat. He couldn't stop when eating the food Leo made. Once they got a residence in city X Leo had started to cook more often for Shu XinYi. They had a fine late night dinner. They didn't immediately go to sleep and hung around with each other for a while.

The next day Shu XinYi met with the rest of the family and even Isabel. He had returned after 3 4 months so he was welcomed drastically. Father had received the letters and payments from City X and so he knew the situation and success of the project.

As for Elena, She had high hopes for this project failing. She didn't know that father had already sent multiple inventories to be sold. Her only source of information was the letters she got from Leo but obviously those were letters Leo had written only to assure Elena. Elena had spent these 4 months only relying on those letters and waiting for Xavier to get back and for father to scold him, that would be the right time to ask father for giving her the city X project.

Elena had traveled with father for sometime in these months and Aldo gave her many opportunities but it became suffocating for her because father never appreciated anything she did. They all want to be above me when I am better then them. If I am handling the matters of City X, then there definitely will be no loss. Elena had thought and hoped for all this to happen but when Leo and Xavier returned, father not only did not scold them but was very happy with him. On the dinner table that night everyone was happy except for Elena.

Shu XinYi just wanted to eat dinner quickly and go to see if Leo had eaten. Since he was just a servent in the house no one made sure if he ate or not. Thinking of this he remembered something and said "Father, I want to raise Leo's status to my right hand man. He was my biggest help in this project and I trust him. I hope to not disappoint father."

Both Elena and First mother had shocked reactions. A servent to a right hand man that is disrespectful for Masters like us, First Mother thought but she won't say anything unless Aldo said something.

Brother Xavier... trusts Leo? Is this Leo's plan because of what I told him maybe he wants to win his trust then he will make him face a bigger failure right? I should talk to him later, he can't do anything on his own without asking me. He definitely is dependent on me. I will not let him do what he wants. I was the one who saved you, you dare to disobey me? Definitely not. Elena thought.

Father was in a good mood, and he was proud of his son so he wanted to listen to him. If he made a decision then he will allow him to go forth with it, if I don't give him opportunities then how will he progress? "Okay, He can be your right hand man. He is no longer a servent. I will ask him to move into the residence from the side house."

"Thankyou father. I will go check on the inventory suppliers tomorrow, I hope you can guide me tomorrow, father."

After dinner both Xavier and Elena found themselves outside Leo's room. Shu XinYi was irritated seeing Elena. He had more trauma from leaving Leo alone with Elena, then Leo himself did. The picture of a bloody Leo with a pale face and fading breath had been haunting him for nights. Sometimes he would knock on Leo's door in the hotel and would only go back to his room once he heard Leo say something.

Leo opened the door and looked at both of them. Then he allowed Elena in the room after knowing both of them had something to talk about. Shu XinYi didn't get time to register the pain in his heart when he felt a light nibble in his ear and he heard a very seductive male voice say "Xavi, Don't worry okay. I will listen to you. I will cry if it hurts. I will be selfish when needed. Let me handle this, come later, my young master, okay."

Shu XinYi's face had turned red and he looked at Leo with evading eyes and weakly nodded. Leo was smiling gently at him. Elena couldn't see or hear them so she just thought they were talking about what happened at dinner. Shu XinYi tried to maintain his arrogant farce but when Leo had suddenly bit his ear his mind had gone blank. That Idiot, does he even think before doing anything? Since Leo had said that he will handle this matter then he will not interfere.