Chapter 37: Empty Head

Chapter 37: Empty Head

Jing Yi's emotional distress vanished with just a few words from the young butler.

Li Wenzhao stepped forward and stopped in front of Jing Yi. "Still saying you didn't cause any trouble?"

Jing Yi bowed his head awkwardly. "Just a small accident."

"Haven't you had enough accidents?"

Jing Yi was rendered speechless by Li Wenzhao's sarcasm. Oh no, it seems like the eldest young master is really angry.

Jing Yi clutched the edge of the table by the sink, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. You can deduct from my extra pay, Master Li."

The office was silent for a moment.

As Jing Yi pondered what kind of apologetic gesture might earn forgiveness, he heard Li Wenzhao sigh. "I'm not mad at you."

Jing Yi looked up. Li Wenzhao was watching him, a strand of hair falling on his brow. His eyes held a mix of complex, hidden emotions, his gaze deep and intense.

Here it comes again.

The way a butcher looks at choice cuts of meat.

Jing Yi's fingertips curled slightly. "Master Li, didn't the meeting go well just now?"

"No, it went very well."

We took care of all the troublemakers, it couldn't have gone better.

Jing Yi asked, "Then why do you look like that?"

Li Wenzhao looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Jing Yi pursed his lips, choosing his words carefully. "You're looking at me like I'm a fat little piglet, as if you're about to sell me off..."

Li Wenzhao was silent.

The corner of his mouth twitched, his gaze intense. "Don't worry, I won't sell you."

Jing Yi secretly glanced at Li Wenzhao. Seeing that his expression was calm and not angry, it seemed his wallet was safe for now.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

He wasn't worth much, so this wouldn't be a good deal for him. Master Li was a CEO; he wouldn't make a loss in business.

Jing Yi felt slightly relieved.

Then he heard Li Wenzhao suddenly say, "A troublemaking young butler like you isn't something every family can afford to keep."

"..."

"Hungry?" Li Wenzhao glanced at the time. "I'll take you out to eat."

Jing Yi moved closer to Li Wenzhao, his intentions clear. "Is this your way of punishing me and then offering a treat?"

Li Wenzhao asked, "So, are you going to eat or not?"

Jing Yi instantly let go of any grudges. "Absolutely, I’m starving!"

Li Wenzhao: "Then let's go."

Jing Yi walked a couple of steps before coming to his senses.

Remembering the broken pieces of the He Shen brand cup on the ground, he quickly ushered Li Wenzhao back a little. "Eldest young master, don't come over. Let me clean the floor first."

Li Wenzhao was about to say it wasn't necessary, but the young butler had already started swiftly sweeping up the broken pieces with his cleaning tools.

·

The dining location was a serene restaurant with an elegant ambiance. It featured private rooms for dining, and the layout and decor were quite sophisticated.

It was likely not Li Wenzhao's first visit; he confidently guided Jing Yi to a quiet private room in the inner section.

The waiter soon arrived with the menu. "What would you two like to order?"

Li Wenzhao looked up. "You order."

In this refined setting, Jing Yi didn't dare to make any 'sinful' choices. He glanced at the waiter, then back at Li Wenzhao. "Eldest young master, why don't you order?"

As a butler, how could he possibly order before his employer?

"There's no need for so many formalities when we're out," Li Wenzhao said, taking the menu and ordering several dishes that Jing Yi usually loved.

Jing Yi swallowed modestly, his eyes wide with longing. "Is it too much?"

Li Wenzhao, not wanting to expose his drooling, said, "No, there's still a distance before you reach 'plump little piglet' status."

Jing Yi: "……"

See, he knew it! He was being fattened up for selling!

So, he decided not to hold back. "Can we get an order of the tender pan-fried fish fillet, please?"

Jing Yi had been craving that dish for a long time. As soon as he entered, he spotted the picture on the wall and had been salivating ever since.

Li Wenzhao chuckled lightly.

The waiter left with the menu, and before long, all the dishes were served.

Jing Yi's eyes sparkled as he stared at the delicious food on the table.

"You really like fish that much?" Li Wenzhao noticed Jing Yi's gaze.

"Yes," Jing Yi said. "I've loved eating it ever since I was little."

Then, offering a generous share, he said, "Eldest young master, please try some."

Li Wenzhao said, "Too bony."

Jing Yi replied, "I checked the size of the fish. This type shouldn't have many bones, right?"

Li Wenzhao was stunned. "Where did you see it?"

They hadn't passed by the kitchen on the way here. Does the young butler have some kind of supernatural vision?

Jing Yi said seriously, "From the picture on the wall."

Li Wenzhao: ؟

"Generally speaking, the bigger the fish, the more bones it has, and the less substantial the meat is, so the bigger the fish, the less there is of it..." Jing Yi blinked, looking bewildered.

"Wait... something doesn't seem right?"

Li Wenzhao quipped, "Are there 8.521 people on the bus?"

Jing Yi: "..."

"I remembered it wrong."

Li Wenzhao chuckled softly, "Having an empty head isn't a big deal, but recognizing reality is crucial."

Jing Yi: "..."

After a tense meal filled with subtle digs, the two returned to the company.

Secretary Fan was anxiously looking for Li Wenzhao and immediately approached them upon seeing their return. "Mr. Li, you're back."

"What's the matter?"

Fan Ming reported swiftly, "Several major shareholders of Li Corporation unexpectedly arrived at the company demanding an emergency board meeting."

Li Wenzhao frowned. These department managers had been working at Li Corporation for years and had built significant networks. He knew that several board members were connected to them.

They must be here to speak up for their underlings.

Well, he might as well take care of it today and save himself the trouble later.

"Secretary Fan, inform all the shareholders to meet in the conference room in ten minutes."

Fan Ming: "Yes."

Jing Yi headed towards the office. "So, I'll stay behind?"

"Yes," Li Wenzhao said, "Don't go wandering off without a good reason. Shen Shubai has recently received a big shock. He's always had his eyes on you. It would be dangerous if you were alone, understand?"

Jing Yi nodded. "Yes, I'll just confine myself to the office and wait for you."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

With a distant gaze, he said, "You should probably spend more time with a dictionary in your free time."

Li Wenzhao went to the meeting.

But as soon as Jing Yi turned around, he saw Secretary Fan putting away his phone, still standing there without any intention of joining the meeting.

"Secretary Fan," Jing Yi was curious, "Don't you need to attend the meeting?"

Fan Ming stated calmly, "For arguments at this leadership level, it's not appropriate for me to attend."

Jing Yi: "..."

From what Secretary Fan said, Li Wenzhao's meeting sounded like a heated confrontation.

Before he could figure it out, he saw Fan Ming sigh softly while looking at his phone.

Jing Yi curiously leaned over. "What's wrong, Secretary Fan?"

"Zou Ting from the neighboring Shen Group," Fan Ming said slightly troubled, "I'm not sure what's gotten into him lately. He's been sending me a bunch of random questions daily and insists I get them right."

"Jing Butler, you don't understand. I'm already exhausted from work every day, and he's playing these low-level business games with me!"

Jing Yi leaned over to take a look, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Oh no! Secretary Zou from the neighboring Li Corporation had transformed into a professional public exam tutor. It seemed like he was about to start teaching classes directly on Secretary Fan's phone.

Jing Yi looked worriedly at their long chat history. It was clear they had been secretly communicating for a while. He was afraid Secretary Fan might be poached. "Have you been answering these questions correctly?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Ming lifted his chin, feeling a sense of pride. "Not a single one! It drove Zou Ting crazy, haha!"

Jing Yi: "..."

Well, now he wasn’t worried about Secretary Fan leaving. The simple and harmless environment of Li Corporation was more suitable for the innocent and naive Secretary Fan.

Just then, the phone vibrated again. Zou Ting, with great patience, sent several messages, earnestly explaining and even recording a video.

The patient and clear voice played aloud: "Secretary Fan, are you even listening carefully? This is a basic question. I've explained it three times already. How come you're making the same mistake again? Look at the last question; it's simple. You've substituted the wrong formula again..."

Jing Yi exclaimed in surprise, "Has he been coaching you like this all along?"

"Butler Jing, is this what you call coaching?" Fan Ming gritted his teeth. "This is clearly provocation! It was just a camp opposition before, but now, after days of harassment, I've come to see him as my nemesis."

"What nemesis?" A voice came from behind. Jing Yi turned his head to see Li Ting walking in with a yawn. "What are you two whispering about?"

Fan Ming stood up straight and respectfully replied, "Just casual chatting, Third Young Master."

"Oh, I thought I caught an office romance." Li Ting said disappointedly.

Jing Yi: "..."

Fan Ming immediately stepped back. "Third Young Master, you've substituted the wrong formula."

Jing Yi quickly turned his head. "He didn't even read the problem correctly, did he?"

Li Ting: "..."

What were these two talking about? Not a single word made sense.

He yawned and moved to sit at Li Wenzhao’s position. Dark circles under his eyes indicated he hadn't slept well all night.

"Third Young Master," Secretary Fan reminded, "There's a specially prepared rest room next to your office with new bedding where you can rest anytime."

"No need," Li Ting yawned again, speaking vaguely, "It's not good to sleep in the company all day. It's better to make an appearance appropriately."

He tilted his head. "Where's my brother?"

Fan Ming replied, "In a meeting."

Li Ting rubbed his face. "Great, since he's not here, I’ll borrow Butler Jing for a bit."

Jing Yi: ?

He wasn't an object that could be borrowed back and forth.

Fan Ming narrowed his eyes cautiously and looked at Jing Yi. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."

Li Ting's tone turned slightly cold. "What did you say?"

Fan Ming, under pressure, made up an excuse. "The eldest young master drew a circle before he left, instructing Butler Jing not to leave."

Jing Yi remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Li Ting gave a cold laugh. "Secretary Fan, you should stop fooling around with Butler Jing in the future."

His words were tinged with madness.

Li Ting's phone dinged, and he looked down at it for a moment. Shock and joy flickered in his eyes, and even the shadows under his eyes seemed to lighten. "I have something to do and need to leave first. Let him know when he returns."

Fan Ming: "Yes, Third Young Master."

The butler, with a tight-lipped and expressionless glare, immediately confronted him. "Secretary Fan, do you really see me as some kind of nagging monk?"

"No, not at all," Secretary Fan adjusted his glasses. "My duty is to protect everything that belongs to Mr. Li."

Jing Yi remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Secretary Fan, a secretary who's gotten a bit dull from solving too many puzzles.