Heroic Death System [BL]

Arc 8: Covenantor (IV)

"Butler Fei, have someone to make a few new sets of clothes in Shang Ze's size. I'm going back to the capital next month." After a pause, Lu Xiufan added, "Prepare several sets for all four seasons."

"Understood." Fei Lin nodded his consent. The meaning behind Lu Xiufan's words was obvious. He was planning to take Shang Ke with him back to the capital.

Lu Xiufan was the younger brother of the Prince (the husband of the Queen). As his subordinate, Shang Ze needed to pay attention to his appearance. What Fei Lin was the most worried about was the covenantors capacity and fluency in social interactions, as he knew Lu Xiufan would not be introducing his status as one to people. If he were to accidentally clash with a member of the aristocracy... Let it be said that a few nobles picking fights out of boredom would be like a puppy jumping on to a hornet's nest–it won't end well for the puppy and certainly not for them.

Lu Xiufan attracted hatred easily enough already. Butler Fei spent ages wracking his brain for ideas to manage his image into something more favorable.

That night, Fei Lin found Shang Ke and warned him to keep as much distance from unknown people when he headed to the capital next month. If he really couldn't avoid them, then he should act politely and modestly. At the same time, Fei Lin also gave Shang Ke a set of etiquette specific manuals as well along with clothes that fit his station. He had him learn everything well to prevent him from becoming a laughing stock or offending someone by accident.

Shang Ke was no stranger to these etiquettes and social rules. Under the supervision of Fei Lin, Shang Ke read the manuals carefully over and over and sincerely received his guidance, before finally he passed his assessment with ease.

Except for Shang Ke's lack of expression, his manner was almost impeccable, but Fei Lin always felt like something was off. After observing him closely and extensively, he finally came to a stunned conclusion. Shang Ke's expression was too cold. No matter how humble he appeared, he gave the impression of being superior. Different from Lu Xiufan's solemnly prestigious and cold arrogance, Shang Ke was supercilious, really and truly indifferent, and completely unmoved by external matters.

"Shang Ze, smile, like this." Fei Lin displayed a modest smile for Shang Ke to see.

Shang Ke looked at his slightly wrinkled smiling face blankly as countless curses crossed his mind.

"Shang Ze, facial expression is one of the most important channels of communication between people. Even if you can't smile, you can move the corner of your mouth as much as possible. Observe." Fei Lin curved the corners of his mouth upwards. "Come, you can try."

Shang Ke pursed his lips, expression warping into a smile-like grimace that looked even colder than when he was without expression, as well as seeming skillfully sarcastic.

Fei Lin continued to patiently guide him, "You can try to extend the process of pulling the corner of the mouth a little more. Try again."

Shang Ke slowly curved his lips, like the sloth in Zootopia, and fixed the ridiculously mocking smile on his face in a strange and peculiar facsimile of an expression.

Fei Lin: "......" Even God can't save this paralyzed face!

"Pft" A low and muffled laughter that couldn't be contained suddenly came from outside.

"Master." Fei Lin awkwardly saluted as he walked in. At the same time, he thought in shock: Master laughed, right? He laughed! It was definitely a laugh! I'm not just imagining things, am I?

"You don't have to teach him any further, just let him be." Lu Xiufan strode across the room, stepped in front of Shang Ke, and gently said, "You don't have to force yourself. A smile is from the heart. I have to face fake smiles everyday, and there is no need to add one more."