Chapter 02: Revealing True Feelings

Chapter 02: Revealing True Feelings

The surroundings were eerily silent. Jing Yi didn’t know how long he had been unconscious until an angry voice jolted him awake—

“Li Mingzhi, if you dare to leave with him today, I’ll pretend I never had a brother like you!”

Jing Yi’s eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright.

The sensation of drowning still clung to his senses. He instinctively touched his neck, feeling the rapid pulse that reminded him of his vibrant life force.

Thank God, he was alive again.

Jing Yi let out a quiet sigh of relief, bewildered as he looked at the two people beside him.

Li Mingzhi?

A chill ran through him, and he was suddenly wide awake.

This was the exact scene from the novel he had read just a few days ago. The love-struck cannon fodder who lost everything, even his dignity, by the first chapter. Could the Hei Wuchang and Bai Wuchang, the guardians of the underworld, really have sent him into this dimension?

Jing Yi couldn’t believe it. He buried his face in his hands. There’s no way he could have been reborn as this clueless fool…

“If you want to disown me, go ahead! I don’t want a domineering brother like you!” came a soft, choked male voice from behind. A boy about his age, tears streaming down his face, cursed at his older brother, sobbing as he wiped his eyes. His red, swollen eyes made him look pitiful.

Jing Yi let out a quiet sigh of relief. The Hei Wuchang and Bai Wuchang still had some humanity left; they hadn’t rebirthed him into the body of a love-struck fool.

Before he could figure out his new identity, an unfamiliar voice spoke from the other side. “Mingzhi, how can you speak to your older brother like that?”

Jing Yi looked over, confused. Two adult men with similar features walked in from the corner. They were handsome, with long, straight legs, leaving a striking first impression.

Seeing these four people, Jing Yi immediately knew where he was—this was the Li family, the tragic cast of characters in this melodramatic novel.

Li Xu and Li Ting greeted their eldest brother. “Big brother.”

The man sitting in the main seat, radiating an intimidating presence, nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on his rebellious younger brother.

“You all just side with big brother and bully me.” Li Mingzhi was both angry and wronged, his beautiful eyes brimming with tears. “It’s clearly big brother who cruelly separated me and Ning Jiang. You two didn’t help me, and yet you have the nerve to scold me!”

The hot-tempered Li Xu interrupted before he could finish, his furrowed brows deep enough to squash a mosquito. “Big brother is only doing what’s best for you.”

Li Mingzhi broke down in frustration. “I don’t need him to decide what’s best for me! I just want Jiang Jiang!”

Li Xu: “You…”

Before he could continue, a clear, gentle voice cut in from the corner. Ning Jiang, who had been silent until now, spoke softly. “Zhizhi, don’t speak to your brothers like that. It’ll only hurt them. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come to visit today. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t be fighting with your brothers like this.”

Jing Yi’s attention was drawn to the corner.

The man was handsome, but compared to the Li family’s striking features, he was as elegant as a secluded orchid in a valley. With his appropriate and graceful smile, no one would ever guess that he was a thoroughgoing con man.

Having read the entire novel, Jing Yi remembered this primary antagonist, Ning Jiang, the most vividly.

Ning Jiang was a thoroughgoing con man, his main job swindling money, and his side gig breaking hearts. Three months ago, he had deliberately approached the young master of the Li family, successfully clouding his judgment and triggering his love-struck behavior. Not only had the young master threatened to elope, but he had also been ready to hand over the family’s vast fortune.

Unfortunately, the young master’s devotion didn’t earn the con man’s sincerity. Six months later, he was beaten and thrown out of the house, his legs broken. He was forced to beg for a living.

The extent of Li Mingzhi's misery was merely the overture to the downfall of the massive Li family empire.

Without the careful protection of his three elder brothers, he encountered the worst malice from his lover. In the later part of the story, Ning Jiang even sold him to criminals, and all his organs were harvested.

Jing Yi sized up the four incredibly handsome men in front of him—these should be the villainous cannon fodder members of the Li family.

As for himself…

Jing Yi looked down.

He was dressed in a standard black tailcoat, with a perfectly tied bowtie beneath his Adam's apple, white gloves covering his hands, and polished leather shoes—a typical errand butler look.

He had been reborn into the role of the nameless Jing Butler from the original text, while the man standing in front of him was the most famous tragic figure in the story—Li Wenchao, the eldest young master of the Li family.

If Li Mingzhi's downfall was the first sign of the Li family's collapse, then Li Wenchao experienced the final blow that crushed the Li family.

He helplessly witnessed his three younger brothers' financial ruin and eventual deaths, followed by betrayal from his lover, defection of his subordinates, project failures, and friends draining the company's funds. After a series of blows, he gradually fell into despair, watching the disintegration of the Li family, and eventually, holding the urns of his three younger brothers, he threw himself into the sea to feed the fish...

In short, everyone was a walking disaster.

The author really drenched this story in melodrama.

Li Ting couldn't stand it anymore. "Your beloved Ning Jiang is a complete and utter fraud; you've truly lost your mind!"

"That's slander!" Li Mingzhi, in the throes of his lovesickness, shouted hoarsely, "Ning Jiang is the best partner in the world, and we will spend our lives together!"

Jing Yi sighed softly.

"Being love-struck can be fatal."

The atmosphere in the study froze, and the four quarreling people stopped dead in their tracks.

Li Wenchao, with his sharp senses, was the first to turn towards the source of the sound. His newly hired young butler stood quietly, expressionless and in standby mode, looking extremely professional and calm.

If the young butler hadn't commented.

Li Mingzhi glared fiercely at Jing Yi, "I know you all think I'm love-stricken, but I'm clear-headed! I want Ning Jiang, and I can't live without him! If he's not there, I'll die!"

Jing Yi, shocked by Li Mingzhi's behavior, couldn't help but remark:

"You're such a fool—having him around will only hasten your downfall."

Li Mingzhi: "..."

He turned in disbelief, "Did he just... insult me?"

Ning Jiang feigned confusion, pretending he hadn't heard anything. "Who?"

Li Wenchao narrowed his eyes, his expression uncertain.

If he hadn't seen wrong, this young butler shouldn't have spoken.

Who spoke just now?

Both Li Xu and Li Ting were equally surprised, their eyes landing on Jing Yi in the corner.

The sudden silence from the Li brothers made Ning Jiang uneasy. He needed to make Li Mingzhi estranged from his family to carry out his scam and swindle his wealth.

"Zhizhi, listen to me, Zhizhi."

Jing Yi curled his lips upon hearing this:

"Are you some kind of mouse? Who names their partner something like that?"

"……"

Li Mingzhi nearly choked on his own saliva.

Except for Li Mingzhi, who hadn't figured out the situation yet, the three Li brothers exchanged glances and saw nothing but unconcealable surprise in each other's eyes.

—It seems the new young butler has some kind of telepathic ability?

"Zhizhi, don't fight too hard with your family because of me. They are your relatives after all. I'm fine, really. A big man like me isn't afraid of a little bit of difficulty from your brothers, am I right? Don't worry, I can take care of myself." Ning Jiang gently rubbed Li Mingzhi's head, giving a tender yet sorrowful smile.

"Actually, I should be the one apologizing. I know I put you in a tough spot today."

"Don't apologize to me," Li Mingzhi's eyes turned red, his voice small and guilty. "You haven't done anything wrong. It's them who are in the wrong."

"Brother, I've already made up my mind. There's no need to persuade me. Whether you agree or not, I’m with Jiang Jiang for life."

Li Mingzhi wiped away a tear, seemingly having made up his mind. "I don’t expect you to accept him, but you can’t interfere with my decision. After I leave, I'll hand over the companies under my name to Jiang Jiang as a security for him."

The youngest Li brother cursed, "You’re really hopeless."

As things escalated to a point of no return, Jing Yi watched this naive little fool fall into the trap step by step. Feeling pity, he secretly pondered in his heart.

"If I tell the eldest Li brother that this young master, once he leaves the Li family with Ning Jiang, will be swindled out of his fortune, have his legs broken, and end up on an operating table for a kidney transplant... do you think he’ll believe me?"

The Li brothers were shocked.

—What?!

Li Mingzhi finally noticed that Jing Yi's mouth hadn’t moved, yet his voice clearly echoed in his ears. He swallowed, turning to Ning Jiang. "Jiang Jiang, would you... remove my kidney?"

Ning Jiang was confused. "Huh?"

The bewilderment on his face didn’t seem fake, and Li Mingzhi realized he had been influenced by Jing Yi. Annoyed, he turned his face away. "Butler Jing, stop trying to sow discord. If you keep babbling, I’ll kick you out of the Li family!"

What nonsense about kidney removal!

All lies.

Jiang Jiang loves me so much that even a tiny cut on my finger would upset him for days. He must be out of his mind to believe such nonsense.

Jing Yi was momentarily stunned by the scolding, meeting Li Mingzhi's fiery eyes with increasing confusion on his face.

What's going on here?

How did this naive kid end up scolding the wrong person?

"Wow... being love-struck really messes with your head."

Li Mingzhi, still unconvinced, pointed at Jing Yi. "You still dare to—"

"Mingzhi," Li Wenzhao interrupted him expressionlessly, "Don't take your frustration out on others."

Li Mingzhi, indignant, pointed at Jing Yi. "Brother! It was him who—"

"That’s enough!"

The second and third brothers spoke in perfect unison.

Li Mingzhi: “……”

Jing Yi blinked in confusion: ???

"What's happening?"

"Slow down with the arguing; I can’t even follow what’s going on here."

…………

Li Ting watched Jing Yi with amusement, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Li Mingzhi looked around the spacious living room, his disappointment at being collectively opposed by his brothers gradually turning into resentment from being scolded. He looked at his family disappointedly and turned back resolutely.

"Jiang Jiang, let's go."

Ning Jiang, with a calm and handsome expression, gave a slight smile. "Don't worry, elder brothers, I will take good care of Zhi Zhi."

"Li Mingzhi," the eldest brother, Li Wenzhao, spoke with a steady voice, "once you step out of this door, you are no longer a member of the Li family."

Li Mingzhi stubbornly replied, "Fine, if I'm not, then I'm not. Who needs you? You're all fascists!"

Li Wenzhao said emotionlessly, "Since you're no longer a member of the Li family, I’ll take back everything in your name—company stocks, bank accounts, and real estate. And don’t forget those fancy cars you’ve been hoarding. Since you and Ning Jiang are truly in love, I’m sure he won’t mind you being penniless."

Ning Jiang's perfect expression cracked slightly.

Li Mingzhi said, "Of course, right, Jiang Jiang?"

Ning Jiang came back to his senses, his face not looking too good. "...Right."

He didn’t believe that Li Wenzhao would completely abandon his younger brother; the bond of blood wasn’t so easily severed. This must be another test.

Ning Jiang’s face was full of deep affection. "Zhi Zhi, I will always love you."

Li Mingzhi said contentedly, "Jiang Jiang, I love you too, let's go."

Jing Yi couldn’t help but comment, "Hand in hand, walking together, straight to the afterlife—where you’ll have him, but he won’t have anything."

Li Mingzhi broke down, "Jing Yi——"

"Jing Butler," Li Wenzhao interrupted his younger brother's futile rage in time, saying word by word, "contact the reporters to publish the announcement of Li Mingzhi's departure from the Li family. Also, have the lawyers draft an agreement to reclaim all his movable and immovable assets. I want to see all the documents within an hour."

Ning Jiang's expression changed completely.

He turned to look at Li Xu and Li Ting, and neither of these elder brothers showed any intention of stopping him.

Wait… you’re actually serious about this?

He lowered his eyes and looked at the silly Li Mingzhi beside him.

If I take him away today, everything I’ve planned for the past while will be for nothing.

After a brief thought, Ning Jiang stopped, gently taking Li Mingzhi's hand. "Zhi Zhi, don't be impulsive. I know you love me, but don’t lose everything for my sake. I would feel heartbroken. Let’s take things slowly, okay? I’ll prove to your brothers that we’re serious."

Li Mingzhi looked at him foolishly. "You’re not taking me away anymore?"

Ning Jiang smiled gently, "Sweetheart, how could I ask you to give up your family for me?"

Jing Yi was taken aback by how shamelessly this person changed their expression:

"You're not worried about him; you're only after his money. This 'retreat to advance' tactic is genius! Once you've stabilized the Li family and everyone has let their guard down, you'll find a chance to kidnap Li Mingzhi, deceiving his heart and money, draining all his remaining value before selling him to a sweatshop and harvesting his organs. Truly shameless! Even Hannibal Lecter would be impressed!"

Jing Yi's words were well-structured and logical, making them hard not to believe.

Li Mingzhi froze, and for the first time, he really looked at his lover.

Ning Jiang finished speaking and stood up: "Today's visit is not very pleasant. Be good, and I'll come to see you again in a couple of days. I'll do my best to talk some sense into your brothers."

Ning Jiang turned and gave a slight nod to Li Wenzhao and the others: "I'll take my leave now."

Li Wenzhao said coldly: "Butler Jing, see off the guest."

Jing Yi, whose legs were already numb from standing, sprang into action: "Sure, uh... I mean, Mr. Ning, right this way."

Li Ting burst out laughing.

The newly arrived young butler was quite amusing.

Jing Yi dutifully played the role of the butler and followed Ning Jiang out. However, his legs buckled, sending him sliding forward like a cartoon character, crashing into Ning Jiang's feet with a look of pure horror.

Then, with a light shove, Ning Jiang tumbled forward, landing on all fours before face-planting into the massive flower bed at the entrance.

Jing Yi: *speechless*

The three Li brothers exchanged awkward glances.

Li Mingzhi just stared, unable to process what had just happened.