The first rays of dawn peeked through the luxurious drapes, painting the room with a soft golden glow. Li Feng, a creature of habit, stirred awake at precisely 6:00 am. He rose from his plush king-sized bed, its memory foam mattress conforming perfectly to his body. The sheets, woven from the finest Egyptian cotton, were cool and crisp against his skin.
He padded towards the en-suite bathroom, its gleaming marble floors cool beneath his bare feet. After a refreshing shower in the rain showerhead, he stepped out, feeling invigorated. But his usual routine was thrown into disarray when he reached for his clothes.
The walk-in closet, a testament to his newfound wealth, was filled with designer suits, bespoke shirts, and rows of gleaming shoes. But none of them were a familiar size. Li Feng, lean and slender from years of modest living, found that most of the clothes were too large for him.
With a sigh, he reached for his old clothes, the ones he'd worn upon arrival at the Li mansion. They were simple and comfortable, a stark contrast to the opulence surrounding him. A wry smile touched his lips as he slipped them on.
He descended the grand staircase, the ornately carved mahogany steps echoing softly beneath his feet. The vast living area was still bathed in the morning light, the plush velvet sofas gleaming under the crystal chandelier.
As he entered the main hall, a flurry of activity greeted him. The servants, accustomed to their master's later start, were surprised to see him up so early.
They bowed low in unison, their faces etched with a mixture of surprise and respect.
"Good morning, Master," they chorused in unison.
Li Feng responded with a polite nod and a warm "Good morning."
He noted that they were already diligently dusting and cleaning, ensuring the pristine upkeep of the mansion.
Reaching the kitchen, he found the head chef, a man with a distinguished salt-and-pepper beard and a toque blanche perched on his head, equally flustered.
"I am extremely sorry, Master," the chef stammered. "We weren't aware of your early wake-up. Breakfast hasn't been prepared yet. Please, have a seat and wait a moment. We will prepare something as quickly as possible."
Li Feng chuckled, putting the chef at ease. "It's alright," he assured him. "Just some light snacks will do. There's no need to rush. I'll wait."
He settled onto one of the plush sofas in the main hall, its deep cushions sinking comfortably beneath him. The fabric was a rich royal blue velvet, adorned with intricate silver embroidery.
Pulling out his phone, he started browsing the internet, searching for the phone models and the best deals in the city.
Li Feng was engrossed in his phone research when a flustered Cain rushed in. "Master, I apologize," he stammered, "I didn't know you woke up so early. I'm running a bit late, my deepest apologies."
Li Feng waved his hand dismissively. "No worries, Cain," he reassured him.
Cain, ever the observant one, couldn't help but notice his attire. "Forgive my rudeness, Master," he began hesitantly, "but why are you wearing your old clothes? There's a whole wardrobe of new outfits waiting for you in your room."
Li Feng, surprised to learn this, realized with a slight blush that he hadn't even checked the closet. "Actually, Cain," he admitted, "all the clothes were a little too big for me." He chuckled sheepishly. "I apologize for not realizing that sooner."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Cain's eyes softened, touched by Li Feng's sincerity. "Please, Master, there's no need to apologize," he assured him.
Their conversation flowed easily, a stark contrast to the hushed whispers exchanged by the maids hovering near the hall entrance. Li Feng, catching a glimpse of them, turned his attention in their direction.
"Is something the matter?" he asked politely.
The maid, momentarily startled, looked down at her feet. "M-Master," she stammered, "we haven't cleaned the hall yet."
"Oh, I see," Li Feng replied with a smile. "Please, don't worry about it. Go ahead and clean it at your own pace." He stood up, momentarily lost in thought. "Hmm, where should I sit then?"
Just then, a crisp voice announced, "Master, breakfast is ready."
Li Feng looked towards the source and found another maid standing with a welcoming smile. He thanked her and followed her to the dining room.
The breakfast table was a feast for the eyes. A steaming cup of aromatic coffee sat beside a gourmet sandwich. The bread, freshly baked and still warm, cradled layers of succulent ham, crisp lettuce, and creamy mayonnaise. Every detail of the presentation spoke to the culinary expertise of the chefs.
Li Feng offered Chen a seat, but as expected, he politely declined. As Li Feng savored his breakfast, a maid approached Chen and whispered in his ear. Chen listened intently, then turned to Li Feng.
"Master," he said, "the hall has been cleaned. You can sit there now if you'd like."
Li Feng was surprised by the efficiency of the staff. With a nod of thanks, he and Chen returned to the main hall and settled onto the plush sofas.
Sinking back into the plush comfort of the sofa, Li Feng felt a sense of calm settle over him. He glanced at Chen and said, "I plan to head out today to buy a new phone. While I'm at it, I might as well pick out some everyday clothes that actually fit."
Chen nodded approvingly. "That sounds like a wise plan, Master. You need attire that reflects your newfound status."
Li Feng chuckled. "Status or not, I still need comfortable clothes I can wear every day." Then, a more serious tone crept into his voice. "Chen, I also want you to handle acquiring a driver's license for me. It would be helpful to be independent when I need to get around."
Chen's brows furrowed slightly. "Master, perhaps I should accompany you. This city can be quite overwhelming for someone new. Besides, processing paperwork can be a tedious affair."
Li Feng appreciated Chen's concern but also craved a sense of independence. "I appreciate that, Chen, but I think I can manage this on my own. It would be good to explore on my own terms.
Seeing the resolute look in Li Feng's eyes, Chen knew it would be futile to argue further. "Very well, Master. I will arrange for a car to be available for you to go to the mall," he said.
As Li Feng was about to leave, he paused, a realization dawning on him. "Oh, right," he said, scratching his head. "I forgot something. I don't know how to drive a car."
Chen chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I hadn't considered that, Master. Perhaps we should teach you how to drive first, and then apply for a license."
Li Feng followed Chen out to the garage, his eyes widening in surprise. A gleaming Audi A4L, customized to a luxurious degree, sat proudly in the center of the space. Its sleek lines and polished finish exuded an air of sophistication.
Chen, however, seemed slightly disappointed. "Only one car?" he murmured, a touch of surprise evident in his voice. "I completely forgot you didn't have a car yet."
Li Feng blinked, taken aback by the unspoken expectation. "But... this is more than enough for me," he stammered.
Chen shook his head, his face betraying his disagreement. "No, Master, I don't think so."
Li Feng, suddenly remembering the scene at the airport, furrowed his brow. "Wait, Chen," he said, "when the other Li family members came, they all left in different cars. Where are those cars now?"
Chen cleared his throat. "They brought their own vehicles from their residences, Master. They flew them in on personal cargo planes."
Li Feng's surprise turned to confusion. "They couldn't just buy cars here? Why did they need to fly them in?"
"It would have taken time to acquire new vehicles, Master," Chen explained. "Their visit was unexpected, and they didn't want any inconvenience. They arrived in the morning and left after lunch."
Li Feng processed this information. "So, that means those cars were only used to transport them from the airport and back?"
Chen nodded silently.
Li Feng couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Couldn't they have rented a car or even taken a taxi?"
Chen looked stunned by the suggestion. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his features before he regained his composure. Li Feng, noticing the subtle change in Chen's expression, realized that his question had struck a chord. "I suppose they couldn't have simply taken a taxi, could they?" he mused, a knowing glint in his eye.