Chapter 52: Has He Really Become a Point-and-Read Machine?

Chapter 52: Has He Really Become a Point-and-Read Machine?

After Jing Yi finished speaking, he wanted to leave, but Li Wenzhao said unhurriedly, "So, you remember how mischievous you were last night?"

Jing Yi: "..."

He remembered a little, but not much. It was all blurry, like sitting face-to-face on someone's lap. Because it was so vague, Jing Yi had always thought it was just a tipsy daydream.

But with Li Wenzhao's reminder...

Some scenes from last night gradually became clearer. He was straddling the man's muscular thighs, asking if he liked touching his waist. His hands were also restless, not letting go of the chest muscles, and he even shamelessly asked Li Wenzhao if he was broken.

"..."

Oh—my—god.

Jing Yi stood awkwardly in place, his toes curling against the floor. Damn, he seemed like a mischievous little rogue flirting with a respectable man.

Li Wenzhao stood quietly behind him, watching Jing Yi's ears slowly turn red, and raised an eyebrow with a smile, "Remember now?"

Jing Yi closed his eyes tightly, turned around, and seeing the teasing look on Li Wenzhao's face, he suddenly felt less shy. He pursed his lips and boldly said, "Aren't you my boyfriend... touching, touching, what's the big deal? Isn't it allowed?"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

After the young butler finished speaking, he nervously swallowed, his tough words not carrying much force, instead exuding a cute, unreasonable softness.

Li Wenzhao's gaze slightly froze, his eyes gradually darkening.

"Censored bleeps————————"

A sharp censored bleeping sound rang out, and Jing Yi's eyes widened: "!!!!!"

Damn damn damn... so many censored words! What kind of indecent stuff is the villain boss up to? This is explosive even in a sensational novel!

Li Wenzhao paused slightly, taking a small step forward.

The next second, he watched as the young butler, like a frightened rabbit, stiffened all over, turned around, and ran into the guest room: "I have things to do, good night, eldest young master!"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

When he came back to his senses, only the empty corridor remained in front of him.

The guest room door slammed shut, and the non-soundproof walls and door couldn't block the increasingly loud censored bleeping sounds outside. Jing Yi pressed against the door, his heart pounding like thunder.

It's over, it's over. The villain boss seems to have taken the same path of no return as Zou Ting.

Jing Yi had never been in a relationship before and didn't know how to handle a boyfriend's closeness and desires in a romantic relationship. The intense censored bleeping sounds crazily stimulated his eardrums, and the overwhelming sense of taboo was overwhelming, making him even more unsettled.

Getting intimate with alarm sounds blaring... he couldn't do it.

Jing Yi touched his cheeks with both hands, feeling the heat, and quickly ran into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face.

After a moment, he quietly opened the door a crack. The corridor was empty, and a faint light seeped from under the master bedroom door.

Jing Yi sighed in relief and gently closed the door.

·

In a completely new place, the bed wasn't as soft as before, and Jing Yi couldn't sleep. He simply took out his phone to browse the web, planning to tire himself out.

As he swiped through his phone, he suddenly remembered something and paused his finger.

...Yesterday at the hotel, he seemed to have revealed his true nature in front of Li Mingzhi, didn't he? Why didn't the young master find it strange?

Could the extent of his inner thoughts being exposed be...

Jing Yi abruptly sat up from the bed, completely awake. Just at that moment, Li Mingzhi suddenly sent him a message.

[Young Master]: Jing Yi, Jing Yi.

[Young Master]: Check out the news, we're all over the trending list!

[Young Master]: [Weibo Share][Weibo Share]

Jing Yi clicked to see photos taken by some entertainment gossip account hiding in the shadows. In the pictures, Jing Yi was drunkenly leaning on Li Mingzhi, his head resting on his shoulder. The photographer was skilled at capturing angles, making each photo look like an intimate and ambiguous moment between lovers.

The headline was even more eye-catching—Up-and-coming young star spends the night at a hotel, seen kissing a same-sex boy on the street.

Jing Yi: "..."

Where did we kiss! Our lips weren't even close!

What kind of lousy reporter is this? Not only do they take random photos, but they also fabricate stories and distort the truth. He's going to report this.

[Young Master]: Anyway, I think some of the photos are pretty good. Look at this one, it really looks like we're kissing, hahaha.

[Young Master]: By the way, Jing Yi, the director of the crew saw you yesterday and wanted to ask if you're interested in joining us. There's still a minor role available, and your appearance fits perfectly.

Jing Yi pursed his lips, not very interested: [Forget it, young master. If I were to become a celebrity, I'd debut in the morning and be ruined by the afternoon.]

[Young Master]: Huh? Is this what you're really like in private, Jing Butler?

[Your Jing Grandpa]: I'm talking about everyone else in the entertainment industry.

[Young Master]: ...

After all, Jing Yi had a god-like perspective. Although the original text mainly described Shen Shubai's awesomeness, the female lead Qin Ningning was part of the entertainment industry. Jing Yi had impressions of many well-known stars. If he entered this circle and met all sorts of external criminals, working with them, he would definitely not be able to resist exposing their scandals, causing half of the entertainment industry to collapse overnight.

That would definitely cause chaos in the industry.

He'd better not stir up trouble for everyone. He'll think about it and slowly expose things when he feels like it.

After chatting for a bit, Jing Yi tested Li Mingzhi. The young master was simple and not good at lying, so the answers he got were definitely true.

[Young Master]: You mean last night's gossip broadcast?

[Young Master]: Didn't you record the audio in advance and play it on the broadcast? I was wondering how you managed to do that.

Jing Yi raised an eyebrow. Seeing that Li Mingzhi's tone was normal, he relaxed and suppressed the doubts in his heart. After chatting with Li Mingzhi for a bit, drowsiness set in, and he soon fell asleep.

·

·

The next day was Monday again. Jing Yi didn't stay up late and woke up feeling refreshed, not even finding work boring.

In the dining room, the part-time housekeeper had already prepared breakfast and left. Li Wenzhao was already eating. His dining etiquette was impeccable, with his back straight, elegant and gentle, his nose line smooth—a perfect picture of a handsome man dining.

Jing Yi walked over lightly, "Good morning, eldest young master."

Li Wenzhao looked up: "Is this just a simple greeting?"

Jing Yi tilted his head suspiciously: "Of course."

"Oh," Li Wenzhao said, "I thought there might be some other meaning."

"Like being on your best behavior all day."

Jing Yi: "..."

Incredible, even the eldest young master has picked up on being sarcastic in his thoughts.

As soon as Jing Yi sat down, Li Wenzhao pushed a bank card across the table. Jing Yi looked at the card: "What's this?"

"My supplementary card," Li Wenzhao said. "You brought back so many local products, it's not right for you to only have two million."

The card was entirely black, with golden lines depicting special patterns on the edges and center, clearly very high-end. Jing Yi carefully held it in his hand: "How much is in it?"

Li Wenzhao said expressionlessly: "No limit."

Jing Yi was shocked: "..."

So much!

He had never seen such a large amount of money in his life!

"Forget it, eldest young master," Jing Yi reluctantly pushed the card back, looking pained. "I better not take it."

Li Wenzhao was slightly taken aback, frowning gently: "Why?"

Jing Yi pursed his lips, speaking seriously and deeply: "With money, my moral character might not withstand the test."

"..."

Just having the card, Jing Yi's mind was already flooded with ways to spend the money. A sudden wealth, he couldn't quite control the restless impulses in his heart.

No, no, with more money, he just wanted to go wild.

Hearing this, Li Wenzhao chuckled lightly: "Keep it. With me around, you won't get the chance to stray where you shouldn't."

Jing Yi: "..."

He inexplicably detected a possessive and obsessive undertone in those words.

Must be his imagination.

·

At eight fifty, Jing Yi and Li Wenzhao arrived at Li Corporation on time. Upon reaching the top floor, Li Wenzhao was informed that Huo Cenxin had arrived and was waiting in the conference room.

Jing Yi immediately tilted his head to look and indeed saw a displeasing face at the conference room door. Yuan Xiucheng had also come.

However, this time he was much more amiable than before, no longer domineering but dressed down, acting humble. Probably affected by his sister Yuan Tingxuan's situation and having lost the backing of Li Ting, the siblings had to lay low.

"Understood," Li Wenzhao nodded. "Let President Huo know I'll be there shortly."

Assistant: "Yes."

Li Wenzhao headed towards the office, and Jing Yi quickly followed: "Is there an issue with the resort project?"

"No," Li Wenzhao pushed open the office door and ushered Jing Yi inside, "But during the construction of the first phase, the building materials supplied by the vendor were not up to standard. Ms. Huo is probably here about that issue."

Jing Yi nodded, suddenly remembering something.

He had previously assisted Li Corporation in ousting several senior directors, one of whom had used substandard materials during the port construction, resulting in a shoddy, substandard project that collapsed soon after completion.

According to the original plot, by that time, Huo Cenxin and Li Wenzhao had already developed an ambiguous relationship and got along well. Could Huo Cenxin be behind these two instances of substandard materials?

After all, the Li family, as major antagonists, have enemies everywhere.

No, he couldn't shake off his unease.

Although Li Wenzhao is smart and has strong tactics, he can't withstand the open and covert attacks from criminal gangs. After all, two fists are no match for four hands.

Jing Yi thought for a moment, then gently tugged at Li Wenzhao's sleeve, lowering his voice to a secretive, conspiratorial whisper, "Eldest young master..."

Li Wenzhao looked down, "Hmm?"

Jing Yi pursed his lips into a smile, his round eyes sparkling, "Want to try my new skill? I'll be your translator for free."

Li Wenzhao: "?"

·

·

In the conference room, Huo Cenxin had already drunk three cups of hot tea, and the person she was waiting for still hadn't arrived. If it were anyone else or any other matter, she, the Huo family's eldest daughter, would have lost patience and left long ago.

But this was a collaboration with Li Corporation, and the contact was the renowned Li Wenzhao. Huo Cenxin was willing to wait.

In recent encounters with Shen Group, Li Corporation had gained the upper hand each time. The family patriarch, seeing Li Wenzhao's capabilities, was increasingly satisfied and urged Huo Cenxin to speed up the marriage alliance.

For this, Huo Cenxin was willing to humble herself, actively seeking out Li Wenzhao, even going so far as to compromise her own company's building materials, substituting inferior ones to create more opportunities to interact with Li Wenzhao.

Huo Cenxin leaned back, lips lightly pursed, hoping her efforts wouldn't go to waste, hoping Li Wenzhao would sense her sincerity and view her differently.

...Please don't let her down.

The conference room door opened, and secretary Yuan Xiucheng entered, "Ms. Huo, Mr. Li is here."

Huo Cenxin adjusted the curls on her shoulders and stood up. The custom-tailored long suit accentuated her slender figure—based on her years of research, Li Wenzhao preferred smart and capable women. In the capital, the only one who could match the Li family's status was her, the eldest daughter of the Huo family.

The tall and handsome man strode in. Huo Cenxin pursed her lips, revealing a polished, charming professional smile, "Mr. Li."

Li Wenzhao calmly shook her hand, his expression natural. Huo Cenxin felt a slight disappointment; it seemed her outfit didn't strike a chord with Li Wenzhao.

But it didn't matter; there was plenty of time.

Huo Cenxin smiled lightly, undeterred, "Mr. Li, today..."

Her gaze paused as another head popped out from behind Li Wenzhao. A soft-featured, lively-looking young man followed Li Wenzhao and sat down. He didn't look like an assistant, and the excitement in his eyes suggested he was here to cause a stir.

Huo Cenxin sat down, puzzled and uneasy.

"This is my assistant," Li Wenzhao said, "Ms. Huo, are you here today about the building materials issue from last time?"

Huo Cenxin quickly gathered her thoughts, "Yes, Mr. Li. This was our company's oversight. We have recalled the problematic materials and notified our factories to expedite replacements. We will cover all losses incurred by your company during this period. However, the quantity is substantial, and time is tight. We kindly request your understanding and a bit more time."

Jing Yi listened attentively. He had to admit, Huo Cenxin had some business acumen. When something went wrong, regardless of fault, she quickly remedied the situation and even considered compensation.

This is clearly the storyline of the true, kind, and beautiful female lead Qin Ningning.

Did she grab the wrong script?

Huo Cenxin is the malicious official match for Li Wenzhao, with her ill intentions second only to the overbearing Shen Shubai. How did she also become somewhat out of character after the original storyline went off track?

Something's not right, he needs to take another look.

Huo Cenxin was looking at Li Wenzhao with anticipation and admiration. The man had sharp features and deep eyes, always exuding a calm and indifferent demeanor, his tone cold and devoid of emotion.

But the more he was like this, the more Huo Cenxin felt he was outstanding.

Such a man was worthy of being her admirer.

Huo Cenxin lifted her chin, satisfaction spreading in her eyes.

Jing Yi: "..."

He heard all the nonsense she was imagining.

"What’s she been drinking? She’s already acting drunk this early in the morning—must be some cheap booze."

Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow in surprise: "What did she say?"

Jing Yi was too embarrassed to say that Huo Cenxin was coveting his boyfriend, and he pursed his lips unhappily, "There's a lot of junk in her mind, I can't repeat it."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

He regained his composure and spoke in a business-like manner: "Please give us a specific deadline, Ms. Huo. If the deadline is violated, Li Corporation has the right to change the building material supplier."

Huo Cenxin said confidently: "Please rest assured, Mr. Li, we will replenish all the materials within a month."

Li Wenzhao thought for a moment: "Alright."

Huo Cenxin lowered her eyes in disappointment.

The brief meeting ended just like that, without a single unnecessary word. This man, Li Wenzhao, was even sparing with basic business pleasantries.

Jing Yi tilted his head, hearing something, and pursed his lips as he looked at Li Wenzhao: "Eldest young master, she said you're cheap."

Li Wenzhao: "?"

Jing Yi listened carefully: "She’s trying to come up with an excuse to stay and have lunch with you."

Li Wenzhao chuckled lightly.

Huo Cenxin pretended to glance at her watch and smiled: "Mr. Li, it's still early, perhaps I could invite you..."

Li Wenzhao politely stood up: "Since Ms. Huo still has work to attend to, I won't delay you any further. Secretary Fan, please see Ms. Huo out."

Fan Ming had been waiting at the door for a while and immediately pushed the door open upon hearing this: "Ms. Huo, this way please."

Huo Cenxin: "..."

When did she say she was leaving?

Moreover, Li Wenzhao's effortless dismissal gave her the impression of sending away a plague.

...Is Li Wenzhao really that cold-hearted?

Not a chance.

Huo Cenxin quickly regained her confidence. In the entire capital, there wasn’t another unmarried woman as outstanding as her. With Li Wenzhao's status and position, he couldn’t possibly settle for some plain, unremarkable girl.

That’s the kind of thing you only see in cheesy old novels.

Huo Cenxin exhaled softly and stood up. "Since Mr. Li is still busy, I'll take my leave now. Once the project is completed, I'll invite Mr. Li to dinner."

Li Wenzhao gave a polite nod but didn’t respond.

Huo Cenxin swayed her hips as she slowly walked out of the conference room.

Jing Yi watched her over-the-top steps and felt tired just watching her.

"She's leaving just like that?"

"Something's not right! There must be some scheme!"

"She came here loaded with schemes, and now she’s leaving empty-handed? Would a scheming rival just walk away like that? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Huo Cenxin, who was about to leave the conference room, suddenly turned her head, her wavy hair cutting through the air in an arc.

Jing Yi, who had been keeping an eye on Huo Cenxin, saw her sudden move and immediately pulled Li Wenzhao back a step. Her hair swished through the air and then settled back into place.

"Slap!"

Fan Ming, standing right beside her, got an accidental slap from her hair: "..."

Huo Cenxin: "..."

"Did it not hit him?"

Jing Yi: "..."

He actually understood the thought process of the scheming rival.

Huo Cenxin had wanted her hair to "accidentally" brush against Li Wenzhao's face. Her carefully styled, fragrant hair would surely boost his favorability!

"How many boring commercials has she watched?"

"Does she think she’s starring in a shampoo commercial?"

"Well, now she's messed up. Her perfect hair’s now a tangled mess."

Li Wenzhao: "..." Hmph.

Huo Cenxin's expression also faltered. She struggled to maintain her composure. "I almost forgot, Mr. Li. Next week is my grandfather's 70th birthday. He specifically asked me to hand you this invitation, hoping you’ll honor us with your presence."

Yuan Xiucheng, with quick reflexes, pulled out a red invitation from his bag.

Jing Yi, however, absentmindedly reached out to take it, standing next to Li Wenzhao, lost in thought.

Yuan Xiucheng, thinking Jing Yi was still holding a grudge over his previous rudeness, changed his expression and was about to speak again when Fan Ming stepped forward and took the invitation.

Li Wenzhao: "Old Master Huo's birthday banquet is a significant event. I will definitely attend."

Huo Cenxin finally smiled with delight. "Great, then the Huo family will be eagerly awaiting Mr. Li's arrival."

The moment Huo Cenxin left, Jing Yi blurted out, "She’s plotting something."

Li Wenzhao chuckled, lowering his gaze: "What did you hear now?"

"Nothing," Jing Yi frowned. "I only know that Huo Cenxin plans to make a move against you at the birthday banquet, but she didn't specify how in her mind."

Jing Yi looked up: "Young Master, are you going?"

"Of course," Li Wenzhao said. "After all, it's an elder's birthday banquet, and the invitation has been sent. If we strain relations now, they might switch sides and lean towards Shen Shubai."

Jing Yi nodded foolishly, "Then you should be careful."

Li Wenzhao smiled lightly: "No need, I have a mind-reading device, so I'm not afraid of their schemes."

Jing Yi was stunned: "..."

What's going on? Did he really become a mind-reading device?

·

After finishing his conversation with Huo Cenxin, Li Wenzhao was pulled into other meetings. Worried that Jing Yi might get bored, Li Wenzhao excused him from attending.

Jing Yi returned to the office alone.

As he passed the secretary's office, he heard Fan Ming sighing and rubbing his face. Jing Yi quickly diverted and went next door: "Secretary Fan, does your face hurt?"

"..." Fan Ming was speechless for a moment: "Jing Butler, getting hit by hair still hurts quite a bit."

He turned around helplessly, and Jing Yi immediately exclaimed: "There are marks!"

Secretary Fan, who rarely overworks and stays in the office without exposure to wind, sun, or rain, had a few red streaks on his usually fair face, running from his nose to the corner of his eye.

Jing Yi whispered: "This should count as a workplace injury, right? Should I help you apply for workplace injury compensation?"

Fan Ming was amused: "No need, Jing Butler. It's just a minor injury, it'll heal soon."

"But, in that case..." Jing Yi's lips curved into a smile: "When you go home tonight, Secretary Zou will worry if he sees the marks, won't he?"

"That clueless guy wouldn't notice any..." Fan Ming suddenly shut his mouth, looking at Jing Yi in disbelief.

Jing Yi smiled faintly: "Secretary Fan, I caught you."

Fan Ming: "..."

He pursed his lips: "We're just roommates."

Jing Yi's lips curved further: "Oh."

Fan Ming blinked uncomfortably: "Living upstairs and downstairs, it's not what you think."

Jing Yi's eyes grew brighter: "Oh, oh."

Fan Ming: "We're just friends!"

Jing Yi: "Oh, oh, oh!"

Fan Ming: "..."

Forget it, he gave up. The more he explained, the worse it got.

Just as Fan Ming was angrily trying to come up with an excuse to naturally shift the topic, they heard Yuan Xiucheng's voice from outside the door.

"Secretary Fan... Oh, Assistant Jing is here too." He blinked, speaking in a slightly wary tone, "This is a token of appreciation from President Huo to Mr. Li. I forgot to hand it over earlier. Could you please sign for it?"

Fan Ming was taken aback, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li has instructed that Huo Corporation is a sister company. How can we accept gifts from President Huo?"

Yuan Xiucheng, with his task at hand, insisted, "Since we’re like family, it’s only right to accept the gift. This is a handicraft personally selected by President Huo, a gesture of goodwill."

Fan Ming smiled politely, "We wouldn’t dare handle Mr. Li’s belongings. It’d be best if President Huo personally gave it to Li Wenzhao—it’d show more sincerity and strengthen the bond between our companies."

Yuan Xiucheng was at a loss for words. Having failed twice to deliver the gift, he had no choice but to leave, looking embarrassed.

Jing Yi, having witnessed the entire scene, admired how Fan Ming refused such ambiguous gifts for the first time, "Secretary Fan, you are so smooth."

"No choice," Fan Ming sighed, slightly lifting his head, revealing a hidden depth, and whispered, "Life’s like a pencil—sharp at first, but over time it gets worn down and smooth."

Jing Yi was stunned for two seconds, blinked, "Makes sense, but be careful—if you get too smooth, you might need to be sharpened again."

Fan Ming’s profound moment crashed and burned: "..."

·

At noon, Li Wenzhao returned to his office after the meeting. He had already booked a restaurant and was ready to take his assistant out for a treat.

But as he walked to the door of the secretariat, he was suddenly distracted by a lively noise.

It was already off-duty time. Fan Ming didn’t go to the canteen for lunch but instead, unusually, ate the lunch he brought himself while watching a hilarious variety show.

Occasionally, a sharp "beep—" sound came from the phone.

Li Wenzhao frowned, remembering something, and stepped in. Fan Ming was startled, quickly wiped his mouth, and stood up, "Mr. Li, is there something?"

Li Wenzhao’s gaze fell on his colorful phone screen, "What are you watching?"

Fan Ming nervously replied, "Nothing, just a random variety show."

The lively variety show was filled with laughter and upbeat energy. Li Wenzhao was about to ask about the sound he heard earlier when another beep came to his ears.

Li Wenzhao had never watched such programs before and was unfamiliar with their settings and mechanisms. He frowned slightly, "Why is the sound being muted?"

Fan Ming was stunned for a few seconds before understanding Li Wenzhao’s meaning, "Oh, you mean this. It’s because the participating guests have said swear words, sensitive words, or some borderline, erotic statements, and the content is then muted in post-production."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Li Wenzhao: "???"