Chapter 59: Vicious Business War Plus

Chapter 59: Vicious Business War Plus

As the year-end approached, Li Wenzhao became increasingly busy. Even Secretary Fan became elusive, and Jing Yi couldn't find anyone to talk to, making his time at the company quite dull.

Just as he was feeling completely bored, he received a message from Li Mingzhi:

[Young Master]: Jing Yi, it's so strange, Ke Minghua has been very polite to me these past two days.

[Young Master]: Just a few days ago, he was still arguing with me, but his attitude has changed so quickly that I'm starting to suspect he's been possessed.

Not possessed, it seems the threats have worked.

Jing Yi tapped away: [Maybe he was suddenly won over by your charisma.]

[Young Master]: Hehehehe.

[Young Master]: But now that he's not bothering me anymore, I'm a bit bored, there's no fun on set.

Jing Yi pursed his lips, tapping his fingers on the desk, thinking, then you're just like me, I have no fun either.

If this continues, he might as well grow moss in the office for Li Wenzhao.

[Young Master]: Jing Yi, come keep me company.

[Young Master]: The variety show I'm filming wraps up tonight, there's a wrap-up party, I want you to come with me.

A wrap-up party, that must mean lots of celebrities and directors, Jing Yi is a bit averse to such occasions. Last time he attended an event, his whispers turned into loud announcements, and he ended up feeding the reporters and netizens plenty of juicy gossip, filling them up.

But it also brought him trouble.

Now, the thought of celebrity parties makes him nervous, fearing he might lose control again.

His phone vibrated.

[Young Master]: I booked the restaurant, arranged lots of delicious food.

[Your Jing Grandpa]: Send me the location, I'll be there on time!

Celebrity scandals aren't important, he can just avoid drinking, but good food is not to be missed.

Not long after, Li Mingzhi sent over the link.

The place was quite close, Jing Yi didn't even need to take a car to get there directly. He checked the time, 4:30 PM, Li Wenzhao was out on an inspection and hadn't returned yet.

Originally, Jing Yi wanted to go along, it's cold outside but everything is fresh and new, but since Li Wenzhao was going to a construction site this time, which is quite dangerous, he left Jing Yi behind.

Jing Yi left a message for Li Wenzhao, packed up, and happily left early.

As he was leaving, he bumped into Li Ting casually stepping out of the elevator, who glanced at his movements with a smile: "Our Jing, the butler, leaving early?"

Jing Yi sighed: "Third Master, don't be sarcastic."

Such a handsome young man, but his words are always dripping with sarcasm.

Li Ting tossed his car keys in his hand, nonchalantly saying: "What, can't take it? Then quit and come work for me."

Jing Yi raised an eyebrow: "Asking for trouble?"

Li Ting chuckled coldly: "You could also see it as fighting fire with fire."

You'll get used to it eventually.

"What exactly did my eldest young master offer you to make you so loyal to him?" Li Ting bent down, bringing his face close to Jing Yi's: "A monthly salary of 20,000+? That’s not much—less than the price of a car wheel I gave you last time. What are you after?"

Jing Yi was momentarily stunned, then slightly averted his gaze: "It’s about my professional ethics."

Li Ting let out a meaningful laugh.

A clumsy young butler—if he doesn’t cause trouble, the family should count themselves lucky. As for professional integrity, sorry, but he hasn’t seen any of that in this guy.

Thinking this, Li Ting looked over without hiding his gaze.

Jing Yi: "..."

Li Ting said, "You really think I’d buy that?"

"Just wait—sooner or later, I’ll uncover what’s really going on between you two." Li Ting waved two fingers in front of his eyes: "I’ve got sharp eyes—nothing gets past me."

Jing Yi: "..."

Jing Yi moved his lips guiltily: "Sure, I’ll be waiting for the day Third Young Master cracks the case."

Li Ting narrowed his eyes: "Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

Jing Yi's heart skipped a beat, that wasn't his intention, could that sentence really be interpreted that way?

Jing Yi tried to remain calm: "Consider it encouragement."

Arrogant Jing Butler, just wait and see how I handle you. Li Ting chuckled twice, "I accept your challenge, you may leave now."

Jing Yi opened his mouth, feeling that Li Ting today had a bit of a smarty-pants vibe, arguing was useless, so he simply turned and ran.

The temperature in the capital was getting lower, Jing Yi was greeted by a cold wind as soon as he stepped out. He wrapped his scarf tightly, zipped his coat up to his chin, and put on his hood, bundling himself into a snow-white ball as he ran out.

On the way, he received a message from Li Mingzhi.

[Young Master]: Jing Yi, we're here.

Jing Yi looked at the destination just across the street, shivering as he typed: [I'm almost there too.]

[Young Master]: I see you, Jing Yi.

At the restaurant entrance, a low-key SUV came to a stop, Li Mingzhi, also bundled up tightly, got out holding the car door, standing on the opposite side of the street waving at him on tiptoe, accompanied by his manager and assistant.

Jing Yi waited for a red light, and when the traffic stopped, he quickly ran over, "I'm here, has the meal started yet?"

"..." Li Mingzhi pursed his lips: "You’re so hungry—I’m starting to wonder if my eldest young master has been starving you."

Jing Yi thought for a moment: "Well, if mental abuse counts, then sure."

Li Wenzhao usually appears steady and gentle, but in private, he's quite lively. When it comes to bickering, he basically never wins.

Not being able to win an argument could probably be considered a form of mental oppression... right?

"What?" Li Mingzhi was indeed shocked: "You've suffered, Jing Yi, don't worry, I'll work hard in my acting, striving to redeem you from my eldest young master's side as soon as possible."

Jing Yi: "..."

Sorry, eldest young master, your image seems to have been slightly tarnished.

"Mingzhi," a familiar voice called out from inside the restaurant.

Li Mingzhi's eyes lit up at the sound. "Yuanjiu... Teacher Chu," he said.

The tall man nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "The director and the others are here. Let's head in."

Jing Yi glanced around, imagining a sweet, bubble-filled world between the two of them.

The restaurant was warm with the heating on. As soon as they stepped inside, Jing Yi took off his scarf and hat, then bent down to unzip his jacket.

Absorbed in his task, Jing Yi slowly wandered away from Li Mingzhi.

"Jing Yi?"

The voice of Li Wenzhao came from above.

Jing Yi looked up in surprise. "Eldest young master, what brings you here?"

Beside Li Wenzhao were Fan Ming and a few middle-aged men, who seemed like business partners. Li Wenzhao stepped forward. "Why didn't you answer the phone?"

Jing Yi looked down at his phone. "It's too cold, I didn't notice."

Li Wenzhao's message and voicemail appeared simultaneously, as if he had replied instantly. Even with such a busy schedule, he still had time to check his phone, Jing Yi thought.

Li Wenzhao turned back and said a few words to the middle-aged men, who left without any objections. Secretary Fan also went to the garage to get the car.

"Eldest young master, why are you here too?" Jing Yi asked.

"Just passing by," Li Wenzhao said, glancing at his watch. "Is this where you and Mingzhi planned to meet?"

"Yes, yes," Jing Yi said. "They've already gone into the private room."

"Alright, I'll have Uncle Lin wait for you outside."

Jing Yi asked curiously, "Do you still have work?"

"Not exactly work," Li Wenzhao said, his tone unusually light. "Shen Group is hosting their annual meeting, and they sent me an invite."

Annual meeting?

Jing Yi caught a whiff of a unique festive atmosphere.

"Didn't Shen Group just get through their financial crisis? Why are they throwing an annual meeting already?"

Last time it was an anniversary celebration, and now it's an annual meeting. The protagonist group sure has a lot of tricks up their sleeves.

"Now that the crisis is over, Shen Shubai is eager to rebuild his reputation at the annual meeting," Li Wenzhao said coolly.

Jing Yi became interested. "Can I go too?"

Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you attending the celebrity banquet?"

Jing Yi shook his head vigorously. "Nope, not going. I'm starving—let's head straight to the Shen Group annual meeting. We can eat, enjoy the show, and save on dinner. Win-win!"

Li Wenzhao was amused. "Alright."

Before leaving, Jing Yi texted Li Mingzhi, saying he was heading off with Li Wenzhao to handle some business. Although Li Mingzhi was a bit regretful, he kindly understood and asked Jing Yi to accompany him for another outing in the future.

With his concerns settled, Jing Yi tagged along with Li Wenzhao, heading straight for the protagonist brother's annual meeting.

This event was on a much larger scale than the previous Shen Group anniversary celebration. Qin Ningning invited numerous celebrities to liven up the event, and the venue was filled with countless socialites and wealthy individuals, with many reporters following up for coverage.

"Wow," Jing Yi looked around, "This is such a grand scene; there must be tons of delicious food, right?"

Li Wenzhao lowered his eyes, "No alcohol for you."

Jing Yi regretfully pursed his lips, "I know."

The effects of the sound system had already been tested twice on Shen Shubai, with shocking results. He swore he'd never go through that again.

Li Wenzhao understood and accepted such things, which only showed his forward-thinking and great tolerance, accepting everything. But if others discovered his bug, he might be taken for research, with his limbs and brain dissected for analysis.

Yikes—Jing Yi shuddered, "Don't worry, I won't touch a drop."

Li Wenzhao had a headache just hearing his tone, "How many times have you said that?"

Jing Yi then shut his mouth, "..."

Why can't people just trust each other a little more?

"Oh, Mr. Li is here," Shen Shubai made a graceful entrance in a custom champagne-colored suit, "So, what do you think of my Shen Group's annual meeting?"

His gaze swept over and saw the round-eyed youth behind Li Wenzhao. His expression froze for a moment, then turned fierce in an instant.

Jing Yi blinked innocently. What's wrong with the protagonist brother? Even the hair on his neck stood up.

Like a lion with a black mane.

Li Wenzhao showed a superficial smile, "Not bad."

Shen Shubai's smile widened, the champagne in his hand slowly swirling, "A few days ago, the Shen Group was in a financial crisis, letting Mr. Li gloat for a while. Now, the tides have turned, and luck is back on my side."

Li Wenzhao said indifferently, "I hope Mr. Shen can maintain this good luck."

Shen Shubai, "Of course."

At this moment, a staff member approached and whispered something to Shen Shubai, who then smiled, "Since it's the annual meeting, we must give the employees some festive gifts, letting them feel the company's humanistic warmth."

The person in charge agreed, "Yes, yes, yes..."

Li Wenzhao and Shen Shubai exchanged a few barbs, while Jing Yi was attracted by a large box in the corner.

He glanced at the two who were talking and quietly slipped away.

"Hmph, the event can start," Shen Shubai put down his glass and said to the person in charge, "Have someone bring up the box. I will personally host this year's annual meeting."

The person in charge, "Yes, Mr. Shen."

Shen Shubai swaggered away. Li Wenzhao turned around, about to say something to the young butler, but in a blink, the person beside him was gone.

Li Wenzhao scanned the entire hall and finally saw a familiar figure in the corner.

He walked over, "What's wrong?"

Jing Yi turned his head, his eyes somewhat bright, "I think I screwed up again."

Li Wenzhao, "?"

Drinking? It didn't seem like it; there was no smell of alcohol.

He was about to inquire further when Shen Shubai on the stage picked up the microphone and spoke: "Everyone, today is the annual meeting of the Shen Group. I am very pleased that all of you are here to support us. Today, to thank everyone for your support and companionship, the company is giving out perks to everyone."

The audience erupted in cheers.

Encouraged, Shen Shubai had a cardboard box brought up, "Inside this box are gifts I personally prepared. All Shen Group employees can step on stage and draw a prize, consider it my early holiday gift to everyone!"

"Wow."

"Mr. Shen is the best!"

Many were eager to step on stage and draw a prize. Shen Shubai, the protagonist, greeted them warmly. Reporters stood below the stage snapping photos. If all went as planned, tomorrow's headlines would surely be full of praise for Shen Shubai.

"Wow! Ahhhh I got it!"

Shen Shubai smiled: "Good, let's all see what the first lucky employee has drawn..."

"A Lamborghini! I won a Lamborghini!" shouted the employee.

Shen Shubai's smile froze on his face.

"A Lamborghini!"

"Such a luxury car!"

"The Shen Group is so generous!! I want to draw too!"

"A true entrepreneur, people like Mr. Shen who treat money as nothing are rare these days."

"When will it be my turn? I’m worried all the good stuff will be gone."

"Why are you afraid, Mr. Shen just said everyone can draw a prize."

"..."

Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow and looked down at the young butler beside him: "Did you do this?"

Jing Yi smiled and pursed his lips: "I didn't cause any trouble, did I?"

"No." Li Wenzhao chuckled helplessly: "You've done a great job."

This kind of business tactic—who would have thought the young butler could pull it off? If a few more of these little notes appeared, the funds Shen Shubai had painstakingly gathered would be drained in an instant.

With reporters present, Shen Shubai couldn't even think of backing out.

The momentum he had built for himself ultimately became the final blow.

Meeting Jing Yi in the vast sea of humanity was his retribution.

"..." Jing Yi turned his face to accuse: "I heard that, you're insulting me, aren't you?"

"No, this is praising you."

Jing Yi: "..."

Li Wenzhao ruffled his bristly head and spoke in his heart: "What else did you put in?"

Jing Yi was startled: "How did you know there's more?"

Li Wenzhao: "Intuition."

When the young butler makes a move, it's nothing short of earth-shattering.

Just as Jing Yi was about to speak, another burst of excited shouts came from the stage—

"Oh my god! Tomson Riviera, the famous luxury residence in Shanghai! I've been renting my whole life, and finally, I can have a home of my own, Mr. Shen—I'm so moved, you really treat us like family, ahhh!"

Shen Shubai's face turned as green as a cucumber: "..."

Li Wenzhao was speechless.

Jing Yi made a surprised face: OuO