Chapter 15: The Troublemaking Young Butler

Chapter 15: The Troublemaking Young Butler

Li Xu looked at Qiu Minzhi in disbelief.

As far as he knew, Jing Yi's predictions had basically never been wrong. Ning Jiang's fraud, the third young master's contract issues, the criminals in the elder brother's company—all were discovered by Jing Yi.

There was virtually no room for error.

But... it was still hard for him to believe that his beloved was a fraud.

Their childhood love, only to end up being a carefully planned deception?

This was too much for Li Xu to handle.

Maybe Butler Jing had made a mistake?

He had a poor memory to begin with, so maybe this time he really got the wrong person and facts. How could Qiu Minzhi possibly be a fraud?

Li Xu swallowed hard, holding onto the last bit of faint expectation. He looked towards the butler who was lost in thought beside him.

Jing Yi quickly organized his memories and pulled from the overly dramatic plot of the original story a brief life of the second young master, Li Xu.

"I remember now!"

"Hiss... I must have gotten it wrong."

Relief washed over him.

Li Xu's eyes brightened, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, thankfully he had remembered wrong. He knew his gentle and kind Minzhi couldn't possibly be a fraud...

"Not only did Qiu Minzhi cheat, but she also used the second young master's private lounge in the company as a meeting place, unlocking countless plays with the secretary. Last month, she even had the second young master change to a Q·bouncy new mattress because the bed was 'too hard'..."

"If I remember correctly, she is already pregnant, just waiting to get the money and fly abroad with the secretary to live a blissful life as a family of three."

"As for the second young master of the Li family..."

Jing Yi gave Li Xu a sympathetic look.

"She’s been cheating on you, raising a child, taking your money, a pure and utter fool."

"As they say, love makes fools of us all."

Li Xu's body swayed, and Li Wenzhao was quick to support him. His gaze shifted towards Jing Yi.

Enough.

Don't scold him anymore, or he'll break down.

At the end of the original story, Li Xu went bankrupt and was disheartened. At the same time, the Li family encountered a major crisis, and Li Wenzhao was too busy to take care of himself. Fortunately, Li Xu eventually found Qiu Minzhi's whereabouts abroad and was about to recover the assets to turn the tide.

However, the stepmother author made a divine stroke.

With a plane crash, Li Xu's short life of over twenty years ended in a sudden explosion.

It seems the author always favors the main character, while the side characters are left to suffer.

Look at these poor members of the Li family, living such pitiful lives.

Even someone as superficial as him couldn't help but feel deeply for her.

Jing Yi opened his mouth: "Second Young Master, you..."

"Big brother, I have something to do at the company. I'll leave this to you." Li Xu's face suddenly turned pale, and within just a few minutes, he looked as if he was gravely ill and could barely walk steadily.

Jing Yi: ???

"I haven't even said anything, and you already look like you've been hit hard. What's going on?"

Qiu Minzhi, who had been quiet until now, suddenly looked pale and panicked, as if she had just realized something terrible. When she heard that Li Xu was going back to the company, she quickly grabbed his wrist. "Xu, why are you going to the company now? We're about to cut the cake."

Li Xu turned his head, his eyes hiding sharpness.

He didn't want to make accusations without solid evidence, even at the last moment. If what Butler Jing said was true, then going back to the company now would allow him to catch the secretary stealing the seal.

Li Xu didn't want to see such a scene; he wanted to give himself and Qiu Minzhi another chance.

"I'll be back soon." Unable to maintain his composure, Li Xu put down Qiu Minzhi's hand and strode out the door.

"Xu... wait!" Qiu Minzhi's face turned pale as she chased after him for a few steps.

"Miss Qiu," Li Wenzhao called out to stop her, "Since you're already here, how about eating the cake before leaving?"

"No... I have something to do, another time..." Qiu Minzhi's eyes were on the door, where Li Xu's car had already left the garage and disappeared into the night.

Li Wenzhao remained silent, his cold gaze lightly sweeping over her, giving off an oppressive sense of superiority.

His eyes moved, and the bodyguards stationed outside the banquet hall immediately understood. They collectively shifted their gaze onto Qiu Minzhi, effectively pinning her down.

In a daze, Qiu Minzhi guessed the truth. Without Li Wenzhao's approval, she wouldn't be able to leave the Li family.

Her evening gown was very fitting; she hadn't even brought her phone and was unable to send any messages. Her fingers were trembling, clutching at nothing, as if trying to hold onto some semblance of control.

Jing Yi observed her tension.

It wasn't surprising. With her lover still stealing at Li Xu's company, it was no wonder she was in a hurry.

But there was one thing that puzzled Jing Yi.

"Why did the second young master suddenly go to the company? I hadn't even given a hint yet, I swear?"

"This makes me look like I'm completely clueless."

Even the young butler had his moments of wild guessing. Li Wenzhao imperceptibly curled his lips.

The young butler, always a step behind.

When would he realize his thoughts were being read?

So far, Li Wenzhao had no concrete proof that Jing Yi could read minds. But from the past few days' experiences, this overly young butler had proven to be quite useful.

At least he had helped the Li family avoid several dangerous situations.

Not even a master at defusing bombs could be this accurate.

Li Wenzhao was confident that as long as the young butler stayed by his side, he could defuse any threats and restore peace to the Li family.

Tsk.

I'm in a good mood and feel like having a drink.

Li Wenzhao chuckled and turned to pick up his wine glass.

"Eldest young master, eldest young master." The young butler suddenly squeezed in and started patting his arm.

Li Wenzhao's wrist trembled, and half a cup of liquid cascaded down, soaking his leg all the way to his shoe tip: "..."

What a clueless young butler.

Still asking for trouble.

Jing Yi turned his head and noticed Li Wenzhao's dark-colored leg, "Oh my."

Li Wenzhao almost laughed in anger, "I'm the one soaked, what's with your 'oh my?'"

Jing Yi carefully chose his words, "Making a sound of apology."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

He shook the wet fabric clinging to his leg, "Jing Butler, you need to be a bit more steady."

How about counting how many times you've caused trouble since you joined the Li family? You don't have the demeanor of a butler at all.

Jing Yi held up one finger, "There's a reason for that."

Li Wenzhao: "?"

"Eldest young master." That finger pointed towards the distance, "Ms. Qin has arrived."

In the crowd, Qin Wan, who was there to discuss business with the Li family, was clinking glasses and chatting with a few ladies. She was wearing an exquisite evening gown, and her expression was warm and beautiful.

Jing Yi whispered cautiously, "Aren't you going to go over?"

Li Wenzhao, "Why should I go?"

Jing Yi pointed to the distance, "She likes you, and she's very pretty. Her face is extremely fortunate for her husband."

"Being with Qin Wan could help you avoid the schemes of that toxic matchmaker, making it a pretty good deal."

Li Wenzhao tightened his fingers and sneered coldly, "When did you start moonlighting as a matchmaker, Jing Butler?"

Jing Yi, modestly: "Just a hobby."

"..."

Not wanting to indulge him further, Li Wenzhao, with his wet pants, turned and left.

Jing Yi persisted, "Eldest young master, take another look at her, I don't believe you don't notice anything."

"..." Li Wenzhao endured, "Butler Jing, go to the cloakroom, grab me a change of clothes, and bring them to the dressing room."

If he stays busy, he won't have time to chat, right?

Jing Yi: "...Oh."

The Li family has a dedicated guest house located in a manor, but it’s quite far away, and a round trip by foot takes at least thirty minutes.

For each event, the servants would prepare a change of clothes in the cloakroom of the rest area to be ready for any emergencies.

Jing Yi wandered around the hall for a few minutes before finding the entrance to the changing room. Inside a glass cabinet, a full suit was stored in a dust cover.

He took it down along with the hanger and wedged it under his arm as he headed towards the adjacent changing room.

Rip.

As the door opened, the dust cover caught on a protruding lock, tearing a small hole and exposing the dark grey fabric at the corners.

“……”

It’s torn.

Did I just grab a door handle or a guillotine?

Before Jing Yi could react, the dark grey fabric floated down gracefully, landing face up, with a subtle curve in the middle.

“……”

That’s one big size.

Do they really do this in novels? So reckless!

Jing Yi looked around, seeing no one. He quickly picked up the item from the floor and stuffed it back into the drawer of the cloakroom.

Since it’s a public changing room, the floor wasn’t clean. A good butler like him wouldn’t let his employer wear dirty clothes.

Jing Yi, holding the remaining clothes, knocked on the door of the changing room.

Click.

The door lock softly clicked, and Li Wenzhao appeared behind the door, wearing a black shirt. His outer jacket was already removed, and his long fingers deftly undid the bow tie, his chin slightly lifting with the movement, revealing a straight and sharp jawline, looking both dashing and casual.

“Eldest young master, I’ve brought the clothes,” Jing Yi said, his eyes fixed on his movements.

He’s definitely a villain.

Li Wenzhao took the clothes and closed the door. “Wait.”

Jing Yi:？

“Wait for what?”

“I’m eager to eat cake. If I don’t hurry, there won’t even be crumbs left.”

Behind the door, Li Wenzhao let out a soft breath.

This annoying young butler still needs to be taught a lesson.

He removed his current clothes and opened what the young butler had brought. After a moment, a question mark slowly appeared above his head.

"Jing Butler," Li Wenzhao said to the door, "I asked you to bring something, why is it incomplete?"

The young butler's voice was a bit strange: "That... that thing shouldn't be necessary, should it? You only got the outer pants wet."

"..."

The changing room was silent for a while.

Jing Yi blinked a couple of times and understood.

He had been too rough, and it seemed he had also affected the innocent.

Jing Yi tentatively said, "Young master, would you mind..."

"Shut up."

"Right away."

"..."

Li Wenzhao's temple vein twitched: "Go to the main house and fetch it, it's in the left third cabinet of the master bedroom's wardrobe."

Since he had caused the trouble, Jing Yi didn't complain this time, agreed, and hurried to the main house.

He was still thinking about the cake Li Xu hadn't cut, and walked quickly and anxiously. As he was about to leave, he accidentally bumped into Li Mingzhi, who was peeking by the door.

"Hiss..."

"Phew..."

Both of them were in pain from the collision.

"Jing Butler, are you digging for money with your head down?" Li Mingzhi rubbed his chest: "You almost knocked the wind out of me."

Jing Yi was also in pain, pursed his mouth and winced, "Young master, why are you out? Weren't you pretending to be sick?"

"I came to bring you something." Li Mingzhi pointed to the bandage on his head: "With this bandage on, no one will notice. Though Doctor Yin did ask me why there was so much mulberry juice on my head."

Jing Yi noticed the thing in his hand, and his attention was immediately drawn away: "Cake?"

"Hiss... yes." Li Mingzhi had held onto the cake steadily even after falling: "I saved the best and biggest piece for you, try it."

Jing Yi had been craving the cake for a long time, took it, and stabbed a piece with a fork. The moment he put it in his mouth, it was creamy and sweet, far superior to the cakes with added creamer sold in the market.

The CEO's cakes are indeed delicious! Just like in the novels!

Jing Yi happily devoured the cake.

"There are fresh strawberry cupcakes over there, still warm. Let me take you to try them." Li Mingzhi said.

Jing Yi, touched, followed him: "Young master, you're too kind to me."

Encouraged, Li Mingzhi walked even faster: "Then we'll take a lot, pack some for you to have as a midnight snack when you're hungry at night."

"Wu." Jing Yi made a touched sniffling sound.

He only planned to eat two small cakes. Just two.

Jing Yi didn’t waste a second, sprinting straight to the main house. By now, Li Wenzhao should have dried off, and he could finally change into clean pants. Perfect.

Jing Yi hurried toward the food, his pace quick and eager.

·

·

In a corner of the banquet hall, Jing Yi was munching away on a small cake, with about seven or eight wrappers scattered around him.

Li Mingzhi was packing his things while looking around. "Hey, I wonder where Big Brother is. Should I grab a few for him too?"

"Cough, cough, cough! Jing Yi’s eyes bulged as a piece of cake got stuck in his throat, turning his face beet red.

"Jing Butler, are you okay? Here, drink some water!" Li Mingzhi was clearly flustered.

"No, no... cough... I’m fine!" Jing Yi struggled to stand up, ready to run outside.

Suddenly, he heard Li Mingzhi’s voice. "Big Brother, you’re here."

Jing Yi froze, heart pounding. Oh no.

There’s no way...

Jing Yi’s mind raced, barely able to process what was happening. He slowly turned his head.

Was Li Wenzhao here?

How did he get here?

Li Wenzhao emerged from the changing room, his face grim and jaw tight.

Jing Yi’s heart sank, a mix of fear and confusion washing over him.

But his eyes couldn’t help but drop... What the—?

Li Wenzhao said nothing, his silence heavy.