Chapter 45: Stripping Down and Getting Comfortable

Chapter 45: Stripping Down and Getting Comfortable

With the help of the technical staff, Jing Yi’s phone was equipped with a built-in firewall to block spam messages. Not a single one of Shen Shubai’s 500 messages got through to ruin his day.

Who knows how furious Shen Shubai must be overseas right now.

Thinking of this, Jing Yi suddenly froze for a moment.

In the original storyline, Shen Shubai had encountered a great disaster. In order to expand Shen Group’s position internationally, the protagonist had gone on a business trip midway through the story to a small western country.

However, Shen Shubai’s luck ran out on that trip. Soon after he entered the country, a severe civil war broke out. For a short period, there was continuous shelling. Shen Shubai was trapped locally and couldn’t leave for over three months.

During that time, the Li family was on the verge of despair. But due to Shen Shubai’s accident, Li Wenzhao got a brief respite and almost made a comeback, aiming to overthrow Shen Group.

However, personal abilities couldn’t match the protagonist’s 'mother's blessing.' Li Wenzhao was ultimately defeated by Shen Shubai.

Jing Yi let out a couple of sighs.

But it didn’t matter. Now that Li Wenzhao had a cheat, there was no need to fear Shen Shubai’s protagonist aura.

Cheat versus aura, may the strongest win!

After dealing with the spam messages, the technical staff left the office. Jing Yi slyly sidled up to Li Wenzhao. “Eldest young master.”

Li Wenzhao glanced sideways.

“Shen Shubai isn’t at home,” Jing Yi hinted. “He’s trapped abroad.”

“Hmm.”

Jing Yi carefully rubbed his hands together. “That means we can cause chaos in his home.”

“……”

Li Wenzhao helplessly cast a glance his way. “When was the last time you checked a dictionary?”

Jing Yi lightly pressed his lips together. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

“The important thing is Shen Shubai! He’s trapped abroad. This is a huge opportunity! Eldest young master, you need to seize the chance!”

“Once Shen Shubai is out of the way, you can have free rein!”

Li Wenzhao just stared blankly.

He really couldn’t bear to scrutinize the topsy-turvy idioms coming out of Jing Yi’s mouth.

But there was a point the young butler got right. With Shen Shubai not in the capital, many Shen Group employees are slacking off, focusing instead on civil service exams. If they didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, it would be a waste of a golden chance for revenge.

Perhaps this time, he could end the standoff between the Li and Shen families once and for all, kicking Shen Group out of the capital.

The Li family would no longer face the threat of bankruptcy.

“Alright, I understand.”

Jing Yi smiled contentedly. “You’re teachable.”

“……”

“Have I been too indulgent with you?” Li Wenzhao looked up, dark fog swirling in his black pupils. “Are you getting too big for your boots?”

Jing Yi's heart skipped a beat. "You're not... allowed?"

"..."

Li Wenzhao gently sighed and turned to pinch Jing Yi's cheek that was puffed out in frustration. "It's allowed."

Jing Yi's spine stiffened, and his head immediately felt hot. "..."

Oh no, the villain is really good at flirting!

·

Seizing the opportunity, Li Wenzhao began to consciously focus on dismantling the Shen Group. Their plan had been hastily put together, but with Li Wenzhao's strategic mind, they quickly overpowered Shen Group's resistance.

With Li Wenzhao busy dismantling the Shen Group, he worked long hours, giving Jing Yi some unexpected time off.

After a few months in this world, Jing Yi stayed at the Li family home for the first time and did his actual job.

Even though he was the butler, the Li family’s servants were so well-trained that they didn’t need much direction from him. Therefore, staying at the Li family home felt less interesting compared to being at Li Corporation.

A week later, Li Wenzhao rushed home late one night.

Hearing the car engine, Jing Yi slipped on his slippers and hurried outside.

Their eldest young master was back!

He had to see the triumphant glow for himself!

Jing Yi pattered over to the main house and opened the door—the courtyard was dimly lit by night lights, and the open door illuminated a stretch of flat road.

In a dark coat, Li Wenzhao strode confidently into the light. He suddenly looked up, his dark eyes meeting Jing Yi's. His broad, steady shoulders caught the light, somehow comforting.

Something stirred in Jing Yi's chest.

"Eldest young master."

Li Wenzhao quickened his pace, bringing in a chill. "Still awake?"

"I heard the car sound."

Li Wenzhao closed the door and, seeing Jing Yi in just fluffy pajamas, he frowned. "Not cold?"

"Not cold." Jing Yi couldn't help but step forward and ask, "How did it go? Is Shen Shubai's wealth really substantial?"

"After all, he's the protagonist. It took ten billion to take the hit from Li Corporation. This time, we should be able to get even more, right?"

"Then the Li family will be financially secure. We’ll be able to handle anything that comes our way, right?"

Jing Yi was excited just thinking about it.

He was happy for the Li family.

Li Wenzhao took off his cold coat and turned around upon hearing Jing Yi's voice. Their eyes met, and Li Wenzhao's gaze lingered on Jing Yi's face for a few seconds. "Yes, very substantial."

"!!"

Jing Yi's eyes lit up with excitement. "You succeeded?"

"Yes," Li Wenzhao said softly. "Forty percent of Shen Group's assets are already in my hands. If Shen Shubai remains stuck abroad, I'm confident I can secure 80%."

That’s not even counting the projects and personnel we've snatched from the Shen Group these past few days. They will become the reserve of strength for the Li Corporation, helping it grow and develop with each passing day.

Upon hearing this, Jing Yi clapped excitedly. "So when Shen Shubai returns, all he'll see is the pitiful sight of his company hemorrhaging talent and resources?"

While his arch-rival company is thriving every day—man, that’s gotta sting.

Heh heh heh.

Li Wenzhao chuckled. "Something like that."

Maybe because a weight had been lifted off his chest, Li Wenzhao appeared very relaxed, his smile gentle and soft, his sharp features now softened.

Jing Yi's heart began to beat uncontrollably.

He averted his gaze. "You should go rest, early to bed, early to rise keeps you healthy."

Li Wenzhao lowered his eyes and caught sight of the young butler's reddened ears, raising an eyebrow. "Is that it?"

Jing Yi asked, "Is there something else I didn't say?"

"I rushed back home in the middle of the night, not to hear a simple congratulations from you."

Li Wenzhao’s intense aura made Jing Yi blink nervously. "Then how about two sentences?"

"..."

Li Wenzhao took a step forward, and before Jing Yi could react, his arm was pulled forward, pulling him into a warm embrace. Li Wenzhao's gentle voice sounded in his ear, "At least an encouraging hug."

Jing Yi was stunned. Li Wenzhao didn't apply much force, his palm lightly resting on his waist, allowing Jing Yi to break free at any moment.

But Jing Yi didn't move.

His heart pounded, his face and neck flushed red, his skin becoming thin and pink, and slowly even his ears turned red.

Jing Yi didn’t dare let his thoughts run wild, suppressing his thoughts as he closed his eyes and whispered against Li Wenzhao’s chest, "Eldest young master, how long are we going to hug?"

Li Wenzhao slowly let him go. "I was thinking of holding you forever."

Jing Yi was caught off guard again and stammered, "Let's take it slow. I'm not going anywhere anyway, let’s follow the principle of sustainable development."

Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow, his gaze filled with interest.

Jing Yi then realized what he had just said, his face turning red immediately. "Um... I feel a bit cold, I'm going back to rest now."

He turned and ran away.

"Jing Yi." His voice was neither too light nor too heavy.

Jing Yi stopped in his tracks.

Li Wenzhao spoke seriously, "Are my tangyuan ready to come out of the pot, or do they still need some simmering?"

Jing Yi scratched his burning ears without turning back. "N-no need, just simmer it on low heat."

"If the heat is too high, it'll burn!"

"..."

Jing Yi ran back to his room with his heart pounding like thunder. As a young man experiencing his first love, he was flustered and didn't know where to focus his gaze.

Despite the freezing temperature of mid-winter, Jing Yi felt an intense heat, and his face was burning up.

He ran into the bathroom and splashed his face with cold water at the sink. When he looked up and saw the person in the mirror, he was stunned.

The person in the mirror had slightly red eyes, a faint hint of spring in the corners, and round, watery eyes that seemed to be filled with endless affection.

"..."

In disbelief, Jing Yi touched his face. How could it be so red? His eyes were also revealing too much.

No wonder Li Wenzhao had asked him that earlier.

The rice dumplings weren't just ripe; they were overripe.

Since that was the case, there was no need to hide anymore. They were both adults, and there was nothing wrong with dating. Especially when the person he was dating was the biggest villain in the story and the smartest NPC.

A boyfriend this great would be hard to find.

After ten minutes, Jing Yi successfully cooled himself down.

Getting back into bed, he lay flat and stared at the patterns on the ceiling, zoning out and coming to terms with the fact that he had fallen for Li Wenzhao.

It wasn't surprising. Li Wenzhao was handsome, gentle, and knew how to subtly stir someone's heart. It would be strange if he hadn't fallen for him.

Jing Yi's gaze slowly grew resolute.

Alright, let's date then.

Let the sweetness of our love warm the bitter winter outside.

Having made up his mind, Jing Yi flipped over and buried himself in the soft pillow, slowly closing his eyes...

In the second before consciousness faded, he thought, next time, the hug can be a bit longer.

·

The next day, Jing Yi overslept again.

With a lot on his mind and feeling both excited and restless, Li Wenzhao had been causing trouble in his dreams all night. He hadn't gotten more than a few hours of sleep.

When he woke up the next morning, his dark circles were worse than after an all-nighter.

Noticing Jing Yi's new panda-like dark circles, Li Wenzhao was taken aback. "Did you have another run-in with the Grim Reaper?"

Jing Yi drifted over, looking like he was sleepwalking. "No."

"It's because of you."

Li Wenzhao frowned slightly, about to ask a question when Li Ting came down the stairs. "Big brother."

"Hmm." Li Wenzhao returned to his usual dignified demeanor. "Are you planning to laze around at home today?"

"Not lazing anymore." Li Ting stretched, his relaxed expression revealing a hint of his old mischievous self. "Since I'm also a Li, I should take on some responsibilities too. Being lazy for too long is a bad habit."

As Jing Yi admired Li Ting's newfound radiance, the latter suddenly turned his head and winked at him. "What do you say, Jing Butler?"

Jing Yi: (Silent)

"It's kind of you to worry, but I was actually afraid I might be too idle."

Li Ting sneered, finding amusement in teasing the butler: "People need ambition if they want to get ahead in life. I see you're too idle following Big Brother. Why don't you come work for me? Lots of chances to learn and grow."

Jing Yi had reason to suspect that Li Ting just wanted to find an assistant to catch up on the work he had slacked off on recently.

Jing Yi muttered, "Third Young Master, this Yan State map of yours is too short."

"The knife is already at my throat."

"The hook’s too obvious; I’m not falling for it!"

Li Ting was both amused and slightly annoyed. The young butler's temper seemed to be growing. It was fun and auspicious to have him around. He was just about to ask Big Brother to let Jing Yi work for him when he heard his elder brother's slightly chilly voice behind him.

"How about I become your assistant?"

Li Ting: "..."

He wouldn’t dare.

"No need, Big Brother," Li Ting immediately became obedient.

"I just think you've been too tired recently. It's only right that I help you share some of the burden," Li Wenzhao said calmly.

"No need, really. I can handle this on my own," Li Ting said, too flustered to tease anyone. He turned and headed for the door, not even stopping for breakfast. "I'll go to the company and work diligently now."

"..."

When he reached the door, Li Ting was still feeling a bit defiant. He stopped in his tracks. "Big Brother, I've noticed that you're particularly protective of Butler Jing."

Jing Yi was startled.

Li Wenzhao looked over with an unchanged expression.

Li Ting's eyes darkened slightly. "Could he really not be our long-lost little brother?"

After a pause, he generously added, "If he is, there’s no need to keep it a secret. Second Brother, I, and our younger brother are all open-minded people. We wouldn’t exclude him."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi: "..."

The Third Young Master sure has a weird way of thinking.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Li Ting assumed he had guessed correctly. "Come on, call me Third Brother."

Li Ting looked at Jing Yi with affectionate eyes.

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi: "..."

After making his remark, Li Ting left as if it were just a casual joke. But Jing Yi seemed lost in thought. "Eldest Young Master, do you think the Third Young Master might suspect we're involved in something inappropriate... cough, incest?"

"He wouldn't dare," said Li Wenzhao, his expression calm, having grown accustomed to Jing Yi's everyday language.

Jing Yi tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because I’d disown him—no question about it."

"......"

Because he was so exhausted, Jing Yi failed to confess his feelings to Li Wenzhao after finishing his meal. Once he sat in the car with Uncle Lin driving in front, Jing Yi kept his mouth shut.

After resting for a few days, Jing Yi returned to Li Corporation and found the company much livelier, buzzing with excitement.

As he got closer, Jing Yi overheard some quiet discussions.

"Rumor has it that Mr. Shen is furious..."

"Of course, it's said that he bought a private flight and flew back via the North Pole overnight, tsk tsk."

"With things heating up at home, how could he stay calm?"

"Thankfully, Mr. Li is more direct and efficient. He even gave out bonuses, and the welfare is great. I won't be changing jobs like those employees from Shen Group."

"......"

Changing jobs.

Jing Yi suddenly thought of Zou Ting from next door. It was said that he had lost interest in work and was fully focused on preparing for the civil service exam. He wondered if the collective resignation included Zou Ting.

Although he had met Zou Ting only a few times, they had a strong connection. If given the chance, Jing Yi still wanted to bring him over from the protagonist's camp.

As he followed Li Wenzhao, Jing Yi pulled out his phone to text Zou Ting.

However, there was no reply.

After an hour of procrastinating in his office, Jing Yi still hadn't received any news from Zou Ting.

What's going on?

Jing Yi slipped out with his phone to the next door. "Secretary Fan, why can't I reach Zou Ting next door?"

Fan Ming was assigning tasks to his assistant and replied casually, "Oh, he's taking the civil service exam today."

"?" Jing Yi asked, "So soon?"

Fan Ming waved off the assistant and leaned in conspiratorially. "I told him to take the exam."

Jing Yi looked puzzled. "?"

And you're telling me there's nothing going on?

"I said I didn't believe he could pass on his first try. He couldn't take the challenge and immediately signed up," Fan Ming said triumphantly with a hearty laugh. "I'm just waiting to see what happens. If he fails, I'll tease him. If he passes, he won't have time to annoy me. Either way, I win."

Jing Yi: "......"

He couldn't quite grasp the modern youth's take on love.

Speaking of love, Jing Yi couldn't help but think of Li Wenzhao.

He had planned it well last night, but that was because he was excited and could only follow through naturally with that momentum. After a night, the emotions from last night had subsided, and he couldn't find the right moment to bring it up again.

I can't just barge into the office and slam my hand on the desk, saying, "I adore you, want to date?"

If I did that, Mr. Li would probably freeze up instantly.

After some deliberation, he decided to ask Secretary Fan for advice. Even though his views on love were a bit out there, there might be something useful to learn from him. "A friend of a friend of a friend..."

Fan Ming looked over with a gleam of gossip in his eyes.

"A friend of a friend of a friend..." Jing Yi corrected himself awkwardly.

Fan Ming adjusted his glasses and asked, "Oh?"

"He wants to tell someone he likes how he feels..."

Fan Ming interjected, "But he's having trouble finding the right moment? Can't think of the perfect words?"

Jing Yi's eyes lit up, "Yes, yes."

As usual, Secretary Fan had all the answers!

"Simple." Fan Ming adjusted his glasses again and said decisively, "Just go back to the office, lock the door, take off your clothes, and sit on his lap. Mr. Li will be so smitten that he won’t even notice the timing or what you say."

Jing Yi: "..." (long pause)

Jing Yi: "!!!" (eyes wide in shock)