Chengyu stared blankly at the ornate ceiling above him.
Golden carvings. Angelic murals. A cherub baby staring into his soul like it owed him rent.
It had been exactly one week since he got trucked into this ridiculous world of magic, holy titles, and 18+ dating game plotlines.
And right now? He was lying on a bed softer than any mattress he'd ever touched, wearing an oversized white robe that apparently marked him as someone of "high standing" within the church.
Except he didn't feel holy.
He felt like a guy in a hotel bathrobe who'd been accidentally checked into the VIP suite and couldn't figure out how to leave.
Unlike the overly excited high school student who'd been declared the Saintess and immediately tossed into magic studies, etiquette classes, and tea party diplomacy.
But Chengyu?
He was... ignored.
Majestically.
It wasn't even that people were mean. There was no bullying, no cold stares.
In fact, everyone treated him politely—respectfully, even. The maids addressed him as "Honored Guest." The butlers bowed like he was made of glass. No one ever raised their voice or questioned him.
He should be happy that he doesn't have to work, and he doesn't have to stay up late wondering when will he be able to pay the debts and bills.
Life has been surprisingly easy and fleeting.
And that was exactly the problem.
He was bored out of his damn mind.
He couldn't talk to the nobles—he didn't have the confidence, the charisma, or shame to approach one. And when he tried making small talk with the staff, they just gave him polite, stiff answers before scurrying off like they were terrified of casual conversation.
Every attempt to be normal was met with borderline worship, or worse, a smile that said, "Please don't speak to me, divine one."
At this point, he actually missed his life having five part-time jobs.
Sure, his spine had been slowly disintegrating, and he probably smelled like fryer oil and despair most days, but at least he was busy.
Here? If he asked for money, they handed him a sack of gold coins like it was pocket change. If he said he was hungry, they prepped a full banquet table like he was going to feed an army.
And yet.
They absolutely would not let him leave the palace.
"No unauthorized excursions for a person of your spiritual potential," they said.
"His holiness must rest well and remain pure," they added.
It was suffocating. And suspicious.
He's not even the saintess in this world, but he's still treated as one. This just shows how important having the 'otherworld' status was.
As he flopped over in bed for the twentieth time that morning, something clicked in his head.
"Wait... the church!"
His eyes widened, and he bolted upright, hair sticking in all directions like he'd just been electrocuted.
"They're sending me to the church next month, right?" he muttered.
The thought alone sent a chill down his spine.
He'd seen what those priests did every morning. Chanting. Praying. Reading from books thicker than his thighs. All while fasting and looking disturbingly enthusiastic about it.
Chengyu clutched his robe.
"I'm already dying of boredom here in the palace. And now they want me to study? Recite mantras? Join sunrise prayer circles?? Do nothing but just praise an unknown God that I'm not even familiar of? and repeat?"
His mouth dropped open in silent horror.
Then he shouted, voice echoing off the elegant walls:
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
"Job...! I have to find a new job"
*******
"Um... excuse me... can you repeat your question again sir?"
Chengyu stood in front of the palace's head butler, expression unreadable, hands neatly tucked behind his back.
"A job," Chengyu repeated. "Task. Labor. Anything that requires effort. I'll take it."
The butler seemed momentarily at a loss. "Sir Chengyu, with all due respect, you're a guest of high standing. You don't need to work."
"I know," Chengyu replied flatly. "But I want to."
"...Why?"
Chengyu exhaled through his nose, patient. "Because I've spent a week doing nothing but sitting, eating, and existing. It's deeply unproductive."
The butler hesitated. "...Well. There are things, I suppose. But most jobs are already—"
"I'll take anything," Chengyu cut in. "Preferably something that doesn't require thinking. I can read but I'm not that good at accounting. And also I hate socializing."
There was a pause. Then the butler reluctantly said, "I heard the Second Prince's castle is looking for new servants…"
"A servant? Understood."
'Well surely he will give up if he knew how hectic a servant's schedule are' The butler murmured to himself before adding. "You'll be doing laundry, helping the cook, cleaning and stuff..."
Chengyu gave a small nod. "Okay."
The butler looked at him like he had personally offended the concept of rest. "...Honestly if someone isn't in dire need of money... only masochist would want to have that kind of job... Besides the second prince were known for something..."
"That masochist is me," Chengyu answered calmly.
"...Right. I'll send a recommendation letter then..."
"Thank you."
Chengyu turned and walked off with his usual quiet precision.
From behind, the butler muttered under his breath, "Wow... He's dead serious…"