3rd person POV

"I need you to take care of my sons," said Yongcheng. For the nth time, Xiao Zhan tried to understand what his boss was trying to say.

'Why does he keep on saying unpredictable and weird things? Is he always like this?' thought Xiao Zhan.

Thinking that Xiao Zhan didn't get what he meant, Yongcheng explains, "I think you have heard that I have two sons. They're 15 and 12. Since their mom... had passed away, I'm their only parent. The maid I hired will quit almost every three months, sometimes earlier than that. I'm not sure why they did that, maybe they couldn't stand my sons. So, I need you to watch over them. As you already know, we will open another HQ in Paris. I'll be busier than ever and might need to spend more time there, so I at least need someone to look after them."

"Mr. Yongcheng... Why.. me?" Xiao Zhan hesitantly asked.

"I'm sure you'll be a great caretaker since you're growing up to be a good man, even though you're alone. I'm also sure you are good at cleaning up and cooking, right? So, that's why... " He shrugs his shoulders.

Xiao Zhan is about to open his mouth to say something but he closes it back. He wanted to say 'that doesn't answer my question' but not to seem rude, he forgot about it.

The truth is Yongcheng wants to reserve Xiao Zhan to work under him, so he must do anything to ensure Xiao Zhan's return to work with him after he has graduated, even if he has to use this cowardly method.

Yongcheng was treated with another long silence.

"Alright, listen here. I think you have great talent and skills, so if possible, I want you to work under me, but to do that, you need qualifications. So, I pay for your college, and in return, I need you to take care of my two sons, just like a nanny. Later, when you graduate, you will come to work with me. Please don't feel a burden when you hear I'll pay everything for your college, because taking care of my sons is not that easy. Consider that your future job is already secured."

"I- I.. Don't know what to say. I don't think I deserve all these..." Yongcheng can only sigh. "Why is this boy so hard to accept my offer,' he thought.

"Just trust me. I was never wrong in making decisions."

After a while, Xiao Zhan finally agreed. He heaved a long sigh. " Alright, sir, I agree." Yongcheng's face looked calm, but he was dancing in his mind.

"I will depart for Paris in the next two weeks, so I think after our preparation for the new branch opening is done, you can stop working here. About the others, no need to worry. I will inform Jane later on, and he won't tell anyone about this. So do your work as usual. I'll contact you for further explanation about your work," Yongcheng said with a slight smile that he was having a hard time covering.

Xiao Zhan reluctantly nods. How can he reject when his Boss is begging him? He goes back to his desk with heavy steps. Yubin, Yifei and Qin-jie can't help but notice his helpless face. 

Qin-jie approached him. "Zhan, are you alright? Did Boss... mad at you?" She pats Xiao Zhan's shoulder, making him flinch.

"N- No. He's not angry with me," he stiffly smiles.

"Then, why did he call you just now? I'm sure he must have something important to tell you. He never calls anyone to come to his office, other than the managers." Xiao Zhan doesn't want to tell her, so he can't help but lie.

"It's just...h-he thanked me for what I did during the fashion show. He said it helped a lot, and it seems like he might expect more from me. That's why I feel a little bit...I don't know. Maybe I don't want him to expect too much. That's all."

Qin-jie raises her eyebrows. She doesn't buy what Xiao Zhan told her, but doesn't want to push further. If Xiao Zhan can't tell, she won't force him. "It's okay. Just do your work as usual. I'm sure Boss knows your limit," Qin-jie ruffles Xiao Zhan's hair, then she returns to her desk.

Xiao Zhan looks like he is doing his work as usual, but his mind is wandering elsewhere. 'Am I making the right decision? Doesn't it seem like I'm taking advantage of Mr Yongcheng? Can I even take care of his sons?' He keeps thinking about all these.

[After 2 weeks (A day before Yongcheng leave for Paris)]

Xiao Zhan has already stopped working at A'La Mode. Many of them felt reluctant to let him quit because they were already used to him being around. Xiao Zhan gave an excuse that he wanted to continue his studies. They all hope Xiao Zhan will apply to work there again after he graduates.

Today, Yongcheng asked Xiao Zhan to come to his house. Yongcheng said he could live in the house since they have a guest room, and it would be nearer and easier for Xiao Zhan to go to his university.

With medium luggage, he came to the given address anxiously. He didn't know how to act with Yongcheng's sons. He is great with kids but not teens. Teenagers are harder to handle since they're in the rebellious phase.

Once he reached the house, he looked back at the address to make sure that it was the right place. He couldn't help but be mesmerised.

'As expected of rich people,' Xiao Zhan mumbles.

He pressed the doorbell, and a few moments later, a middle-aged guy in a security uniform came to greet him. "Mr Xiao Zhan, is it?" Xiao Zhan nodded and smiled. Come in. Mr Yongcheng is waiting for you inside," Xiao Zhan mutters, thanking the man.

The security man leads him. He slowly walks towards the front door. Every step feels heavy. It feels like he's carrying stones in his luggage. The security opens the door for him and invites him into the house.

"Mr Yongcheng, your guest, Mr Xiao Zhan is here," the security informed Yongcheng, who was reading a newspaper in the living room. Once again, Xiao Zhan mutters thank you to the security when he's about to leave.

"Xiao Zhan, come here. Come have a seat." Xiao Zhan took a seat while secretly glancing around the house, but he didn't see the kids he needed to care for.

"Alright, this is my house. You can stay in this house as long as you're working here. You have to clean up this house and cook for my sons. But please don't think of yourself as a 'maid'. Just make yourself at home. You need to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or you can ask them later if they're not coming home during any of the meal times so that it can save you time and you don't have to waste food. About my sons, actually, they are... "

Their conversation was interrupted when they heard footsteps coming down from the second floor.

"Who is this?" one of them asked coldly, making Xiao Zhan more uncomfortable.

Yongcheng turns towards his sons. "Alright, guys. This is Xiao Zhan. He will take care of you when I'm away. Xiao Zhan, let me introduce you. This is my second son, Wang Yuan and this is my first son, Wang Yibo."

Xiao Zhan smiles as he always did but his smiles slowly faded when the boy named Wang Yibo stared coldly at him.

-15 years old Yibo-

-12 years old Wang Yuan-

'Seems like I'm being hated,' thought Xiao Zhan when looking at Yongcheng's first son. 'At least his second son is looking nice,' Wang Yuan waves his hand happily towards Xiao Zhan.

"Guys..listen here. He's the one who will take care of you so please.... be nice to him. I might not be home more often because I have to stay in Paris as we just opened a new branch there," Yongcheng talked to his sons.

"It's not like you always stayed at home before this," Yibo mumbles, but all of them can still hear him. Yongcheng just grits his teeth, but he can't retort because he knows he is wrong, because he never spends time with them.

"Later on, please tell him what you can or cannot eat since he's the one who will cook for you. Please don't trouble him so much since he has to study at the same time," Yuan listened to what his father said, but Yibo rolled his eyes.

"He will stay here too and don't make any trouble when I'm not around because I will have him report whatever you guys did to me," Yongcheng's phone suddenly vibrated.

"Okay. You guys can take time to get to know each other," he says, leaving them to take the phone call.

Yuan quickly sat beside Xiao Zhan while Yibo grunted and sat opposite them. "So, Zhan-ge, right?" Yuan asked, and Xiao Zhan nodded with a big smile on his face. Zhan-ge, how old are you?"

"I'm 18." Yuan is a little bit surprised.

"Seriously? Zhan-ge, you look like you're the same age as Yibo-ge!" Xiao Zhan just laughed it off. He slowly glances at the guy in front of him, but he receives a glare from him.

"I'm 13 and Yibo-ge is 15. Zhan-ge, where did you study and in what course?"

"Ohh.. I just applied to C University for a degree in Arts and Design. My class won't start until next week."

"Wow! You're so great! Hmm.. What about your parents? What did they do? And how many siblings do you have?"

Xiao Zhan smiles stiffly. "My parents died when I was 13. They were involved in a plane crash. I'm the only child, so I'm the only one left."

The situation suddenly turned solemn. Yuan suddenly felt regret for asking such a question, and Xiao Zhan noticed it. "But... I got my cousins that I already consider my siblings. Their parents were close to mine, so we've been together since we were kids," Xiao Zhan tried not to make Yuan feel so bad.

Yongcheng returned after being done with his phone call. "Xiao Zhan. Come, I'll show you your room," Xiao Zhan obediently follows Yongcheng.

"Alright, this is your room. Feel free to make yourself at home. Sorry, the room is quite small."

"No, it's not! It's big enough for me."

'What small. It can be considered a quarter of my house,' Xiao Zhan said in his mind when he looked at the 'small' guest room.

"Okay. You can unpack your things and rest. Hmm.. Can you make dinner for us tonight?"

"Sure! Hmm, sir, what time do you guys usually have dinner? And is there anything that you can't eat?"

"Maybe at 7:30 and you can prepare anything. I don't have any preference."

"Alright, sir," Yongcheng is about to leave the room, but he stops and turns around.

"Xiao Zhan, Can you.. not call me that?" Xiao Zhan didn't understand.

"Not call you...what?"

"Sir...can you not call me like that? It sounds too formal, and we're not even at the office."

"Then, what should I call you?"

"Just call me Mr. Yongcheng. Even if you want to call me Yongcheng only, I don't mind." His idea was rarely rejected.

"No! No! No! I can't do that! You're my Boss, and I shouldn't call you like that. It's okay. I will call you Mr. Yongcheng from now on." Yongcheng shrugs his shoulders and leaves the room.

"I wonder what's going on in his mind," said Xiao Zhan as soon as Yongcheng left the room.

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