Of course, things turned out exactly as Lu's Father had predicted—this wait lasted for ten years.
Jiang Yan kept Lu Tu around for that peculiar task, but didn't restrict him in other ways. So, Lu Tu found himself living a rather satisfying life, taking care of his young mistress at the estate while also helping his old man with the business.
However, the young mistress's uncle, Tan Sheng, was like a wicked mother-in-law, the kind who specializes in tearing apart lovers. He always looked at Lu Tu with disdain, believing that his little niece was naive and must have been bewitched by him.
Every time Tan Sheng visited Rose Manor, he would loudly criticize Lu Tu. Lu Tu became increasingly cunning, standing there silently and playing the victim. As soon as Tan Sheng left, he would rush into Jiang Yan's arms, complaining like an innocent flower: "Does the young mistress's uncle look down on me? Does he think I'm just the young mistress's butler..."
As luck would have it, one time Tan Sheng forgot something and returned, catching sight of this scene! It infuriated him to no end. He never imagined that this seemingly honest butler could be so two-faced! From then on, the tension between them only grew worse.
But the uncle's criticisms had their limits. Just as he never brought anyone to meet Jiang Yan without her consent, his threats to Lu Tu were mostly just empty words.
...
After being caught by the uncle that first time, Lu Tu became less proactive. He would let Jiang Yan kiss him when she wanted to, let her touch him when she desired, which actually made Jiang Yan worry.
As a result, Jiang Yan naturally took the initiative most of the time.
Jiang Yan tried all sorts of ways to coax him, giving him a rose from the estate every day, until she had almost given him every type. Lu Tu would just twitch the corner of his mouth and silently accept them.
If someone pursuing you only gives you roses, would you accept them? Lu Tu did. The young mistress was surely too pure and sincere, simply not versed in those flashy techniques.
Then, the next moment, he was called over by the young mistress who supposedly didn't know any techniques.
The young mistress said her clothes weren't on properly, so Lu Tu went over to help her adjust them.
Suddenly, the collar tightened. Looking down, he saw that the young mistress had grabbed it forcefully. Although he didn't know what she intended, Lu Tu obediently followed her lead and found himself lying on the young mistress's bed.
This was actually the first time. They had kissed many times before—passionate kisses by the bookshelf, fervent embraces against the transparent glass windows, intense stolen kisses in the locker room at the sports field, or light kisses hidden behind rose bushes during their walks...
But he had never lain on the young mistress's bed before. Even though he saw the young mistress wake up from this bed every day, at this moment, his heart was pounding furiously.
He was lying on the bed where the young mistress slept...
And his pure, sincere young mistress, who supposedly didn't know any tricks, was now on top of him. Her dark hair cascaded down, making her small face appear even more fair and delicate. Lu Tu's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
Jiang Yan lay on top of him, found his lips, and drew very close, demanding: "Why do you always look unhappy?"
Lu Tu, his words betraying his heart, denied it: "I'm not. The young mistress misunderstands—"
But Jiang Yan wouldn't listen to his excuses. Before he could finish, she kissed him, mouth to mouth, tongue exploring...
After the kiss, both their lips were moist. He could only stare at Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan propped herself up on both sides of Lu Tu, determined to get an answer: "Tell me quickly, I must know!"
If Lu Tu didn't speak, she would bite his soft, fleshy lips. Butler Lu's body was hard all over, only his mouth was soft.
Even if Jiang Yan wasn't skilled, she had accumulated plenty of experience. Lu Tu was at a disadvantage because each time, he would be reset to a novice.
So, he could only let his gaze grow hazy from the kisses, unable even to focus on looking at Jiang Yan, appearing thoroughly bullied.
It was a pity Jiang Yan couldn't see this, she could only hear his controlled, soft panting, the sound reaching her ears, sending tingles through her body.
Their breaths intertwined, and Lu Tu increasingly let himself go. His dark eyelashes fluttered chaotically, passionate sounds escaping his lips. The sound made even Jiang Yan's ears burn and her heart race.
Jiang Yan gathered her remaining rationality and continued to interrogate fiercely: "Are you going to tell me or not?!"
Lu Tu looked at the young mistress with misty eyes, but they were burning with desire. He took a deep breath, placed his hands on the young mistress's waist, and with a swift movement, flipped their positions, pinning the young mistress beneath him.
His gaze was deep, but his voice trembled slightly, as if he were showing weakness, though it wasn't clear from which aspect: "Mr. Tan wants me to know my place... The young mistress only kisses me and touches me every day, is it because you only see me as a tool..."
This performance seemed like he couldn't bear it anymore. Jiang Yan finally realized she might have pushed too far.
She could only weakly play dumb: "I thought we were already a couple."
Although her tone was uncertain and her act rather clumsy, it was a confirmation, a promise... Especially at such a crucial moment, Lu Tu could maintain his clarity.
He relaxed his arms, his face close to Jiang Yan's, and asked in a muffled voice: "Is it true?" As if he couldn't believe it.
Things had gone this far, and they couldn't continue like this, so Jiang Yan conceded: "It's true, it's true. I'm not lying to you."
Lu Tu closed his eyes, but couldn't help smiling smugly at the corners of his mouth. He had finally succeeded.
After being discouraged by Tan Sheng, he had been pondering how to win over his young mistress. The problem actually lay with the young mistress herself; as long as she accepted him, Tan Sheng couldn't interfere.
So how could he make the young mistress accept him? He decided to use Tan Sheng's reaction to his advantage, pretending to be heartbroken and indifferent...
He finally succeeded today. This move was called advancing by retreating.
