Chapter 64: The Unstoppable Urge to Cause Mischief

Chapter 64: The Unstoppable Urge to Cause Mischief

The scolding words came to an abrupt halt.

Old Jing's face changed, and he glared fiercely at Jing Yi. This kid, how could he bring the big boss home with him?

"Mr. Li..." Old Jing's eyebrows twitched, and his face instantly shifted to a smile. "Please come in. Jing Yi didn’t mention you were coming. How thoughtless of him."

"I’m the one who showed up uninvited. Uncle Jing, please don’t stand on ceremony. Just treat me as a guest," Li Wenzhao said.

Old Jing smiled warmly. "Not at all. It’s a pleasure to have you here."

Jing Yi followed Li Wenzhao inside, looking around curiously at the small but cozy space.

The living room wall was decorated with several family photos, and a fish tank in the corner housed two plump goldfish. The house had a good orientation, with one window offering a view of a vast wild lake.

"Jing Yi," Old Jing suddenly called out.

Jing Yi turned back. "Huh?"

Old Jing: "Go make some tea in the kitchen. Use the new Da Hong Pao I bought—it’s in the cabinet."

Jing Yi blurted out, "Where’s the kitchen?"

Old Jing: "?"

Li Wenzhao's brow twitched. "To the left."

Jing Yi hurried over. "Just kidding."

Old Jing: "..."

As he walked, Jing Yi silently asked Li Wenzhao in his mind, "We're both here for the first time. How do you know where the kitchen is?"

"From the layout, it's not hard to guess."

Jing Yi: "..."

Jing Yi turned left, found the kitchen, and stepped inside, only to see a young man standing there. His heart immediately skipped a beat.

"Oh no, does the Jing family have a hidden character?"

Li Wenzhao's gaze returned from the kitchen. "Uncle Jing, it seems you have a guest today. My timing isn’t great."

"That’s Xiao Dong," Old Jing explained. "He’s a community volunteer. He often comes by to cook for us old folks living alone. Today’s a holiday, so I told him not to come, but this kid is so earnest. He insisted on finishing the meal before leaving."

Li Wenzhao nodded with a smile. "Did you hear that?"

A voice came from the kitchen: "What?"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

He repeated the words.

The kitchen: "I heard it this time."

In the cramped kitchen, Jing Yi and the young guy stared at each other.

"You’re Uncle Jing’s son, right?" Xiao Dong spoke up.

From the tone, it was clear they didn't know each other. Jing Yi nodded, "Hello."

"Hello, hello," Xiao Dong put down the spatula, "I'm a community worker, here to cook for Old Jing."

Jing Yi: "I'll make some tea."

Xiao Dong immediately said, "*Da Hong Pao*? I've already made it, it's on the counter, you can just take it out."

Jing Yi: "Okay, thanks."

Old Jing's community is really nice; even the social workers are skilled in the art of tea.

Xiao Dong smiled, "Now that the meal is ready and you're back, I'll take my leave."

Old Jing's voice came from outside, "Xiao Dong, stay for dinner, I'll introduce you to my son and Mr. Li."

Xiao Dong took off his apron and walked out, "No need, Old Jing. I live nearby and will come often to keep you company. Today is a holiday, you should spend it with your family."

Old Jing: "Good kid, you've done a lot. Here's a holiday gift for your parents, take it back and say hello to them for me."

After some polite refusals, Xiao Dong finally accepted it, "Thank you, Old Jing."

Old Jing patted his head, "Take care on your way home."

"Alright."

After the social worker left, Old Jing had some tea with Mr. Li. As Jing Yi had expected, with Mr. Li present, Old Jing completely overlooked him.

"Mr. Li, have some fruit."

"Mr. Li, have some tea."

Jing Yi also chimed in, "Mr. Li, want some shelled sunflower seeds? I'll shell them for you."

Mr. Li: "..."

Old Jing glared, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Jing Yi shrank back.

Mr. Li: "Not helping, just causing trouble?"

Jing Yi blinked innocently, "No, I'm just kidding around. I've never seen you so well-behaved before."

He ate whatever was offered, making one want to feed him even more.

Mr. Li: "..." Alright, alright, playing around with him now.

Jing Yi: OvO

The room was quiet, Old Jing picked up his tea cup, raised his eyebrows, and noticed Mr. Li and his son exchanging glances.

Old Jing: "?"

After a simple meal, Jing Yi thought this ordeal was over, but unexpectedly, Old Jing suddenly called him into the room.

"Speak," Old Jing sat on the edge of the bed with a stern face.

Jing Yi's heart skipped a beat, "Speak. What about?"

Old Jing's eyes were sharp: "Don't think I'm old, I see very clearly."

Jing Yi: Gulp.

This is bad, this is bad. No one understands a son better than his father. Was he exposed at the first encounter? How should he beg for mercy and explain himself to win his father's forgiveness?

Old Jing: "Did you cause trouble at the Li family?"

Jing Yi: "?" Huh?

He was so shocked that his voice carried through the door, reaching Li Wenzhao: "What's wrong?"

Jing Yi: "Nothing. Accidents happen all the time."

"Did you really think you were hiding it well?" Old Jing frowned and chattered: "I noticed during dinner that Mr. Li kept staring at you. Were you fired by the Li family?"

Jing Yi: "..."

His face turned red: "I wasn't."

Old Jing snorted, clearly not believing him, "I wondered why Mr. Li suddenly came over. He must be afraid of not firing you properly."

Jing Yi: "..."

Was he some kind of expired sticky candy?

Old Jing: "Tell me in detail what happened at the Li family during this time."

Jing Yi: "..." That's something he couldn't possibly say.

He steeled himself and explained: "Dad, I'm fine, my job is going well too. The eldest young master even gave me a raise and values me highly."

Old Jing: "Then why did he suddenly visit?"

Jing Yi: "..."

How could he explain this.

To hide the fact that he was possessed by a ghost, he directly brought the eldest young master home?

And when Li Wenzhao heard about meeting the parents, he came along without a second thought?

Either of these reasons would be enough to give Old Jing a heart attack.

Jing Yi thought for a moment: "He came to see you, of course."

Old Jing: "It doesn't seem like it."

Jing Yi hurriedly said: "I'm your son, you know how much trouble I can cause, right? I'm very well-behaved, I didn't cause any trouble at the Li family. I'm a professional and meticulous butler. If you don't believe me, ask Mr. Li."

Old Jing: "..."

Hmm, something feels off, but I can't put my finger on it.

Am I really getting old and starting to see things unclearly?

Old Jing didn't get any answers, but he couldn't shake the suspicion in his heart, and went out to entertain Li Wenzhao.

Jing Yi stayed at the Jing family for a day. Old Jing treated him very well, showing great concern, and he felt a lot of warmth in his heart, no longer nervously on edge.

"Jing Yi," Old Jing said, "Put down your phone for a while. Playing chess with Mr. Li is more fun."

Jing Yi turned around and retorted, "No."

Old Jing raised an eyebrow, "Isn't this way more fun than your video games? It doesn't hurt your eyes and boosts your intelligence."

Jing Yi replied, "Then you and Mr. Li can play a few more rounds."

"..." Old Jing glanced at Li Wenzhao, feeling that Jing Yi's lazy and defiant posture was particularly familiar, "You don't talk back like this at the Li family, do you?"

Jing Yi, in the middle of a critical moment in his game, blurted out uncontrollably, "I've only got one mouth, so what's wrong with taking good care of it?"

Old Jing: "..."

Li Wenzhao: "Ahem."

Jing Yi came to his senses: "..." He had gotten too used to talking back at the Li family, and now he was in trouble.

However, Old Jing just tapped his cane hard, not seeming surprised, "Mr. Li, did I introduce you to a hot potato?"

Li Wenzhao, with a calm expression, placed a chess piece, "Not a hot potato, I quite like him."

Jing Yi blushed: "..."

Old Jing finally relaxed, "Jing Yi's been a little rascal since he was a kid. Even in his twenties, he hasn't settled down. If there's anything lacking in the future, please guide him, Mr. Li."

Jing Yi turned his face in surprise.

Wait, was the original Jing Butler also a troublemaker like him? Then wasn't he just playing himself, with no pressure at all?

If that's the case, then he would tear off his hypocritical mask from now on.

After staying at the Jing family until the afternoon, Jing Yi completely let down his guard, feeling much more relaxed than when he arrived.

After dinner, he followed Li Wenzhao back to the Li family. As they were leaving, he turned to Old Jing, "Dad, I'll stay in touch more, don't get annoyed with me."

Old Jing snorted with attitude, "I'll count myself lucky if you don't stir up trouble around me."

Jing Yi loudly retorted, "Why are you being so two-faced? Didn't you just storm into the eldest young master's private residence to scold me last time? Have you forgotten so quickly?"

Old Jing: "...Shut up, dutiful son."

Jing Yi: "..."

The dutiful son was kicked out the door by his old father.

After leaving the Jing family, Jing Yi completely let down his guard, walking with a bounce in his step.

"What are you so happy about?" Li Wenzhao asked.

"Of course I'm happy," Jing Yi said with a smile, "I thought I was playing the role of Jing Butler, but it turns out Jing Butler was playing me."

Li Wenzhao: "You're quite proud of that."

"Of course, pretty faces are everywhere, but an interesting soul is rare," Jing Yi pointed at himself, "I'm the interesting soul."

Indeed. Li Wenzhao didn't argue with that, as the young butler was telling the truth. Since Jing Yi came to the house, there had been more laughter, the hardships of fate had disappeared, and even he himself had become much more at peace.

If good moods were measurable, with Jing Yi around, he'd already hit his yearly KPI.

In the evening, returning to the Li family, Jing Yi, having socialized all day, felt a bit tired and slumped onto his bed in a relaxed pose.

On the door, he found a small gift bag.

[Jing Yi~ This is my New Year's gift for you. You must accept it. Wear it tonight; it's sure to dazzle everyone! I wanted to give it to you personally, but I have an event tonight, so I won't be able to put it on you myself.]

Wow.

The young master is so thoughtful, even preparing a gift for him.

Jing Yi opened the gift box to find a very eye-catching diamond necklace, sparkling brilliantly.

It's not just eye-catching—it's practically blinding.

The necklace also had a thumb-sized pendant, the material of which Jing Yi couldn't identify. He held it up to the light, fiddled with it, and then ran to the mirror to try it on.

It looked nice, but he didn't have the right clothes or an occasion fancy enough for such a gemstone.

Most importantly, it's too expensive!

The young master giving him such an expensive gift—how can he keep up with this lifestyle?

Just as Jing Yi was about to take it off, his phone rang, startling him. The call was from an unknown number, and Jing Yi hung up without thinking.

Not long after, the other party sent a message—

[Young friend Jing, I am Liang Jing, happy New Year. Would you be interested in coming to my estate for a gathering of friends made by chance?]

Jing Yi's eyes lit up, and he quickly ran upstairs, eagerly knocking on Li Wenzhao's door, "Eldest young master, the richest man has invited us to his estate for a gathering."

"Eldest young master, open the door, I know you're inside."

Li Wenzhao had just finished showering, his hair and skin still damp, his white bathrobe slightly open. The young butler called him at the door with an urgent tone, thinking there was something important, so he hurried to open the door, not even having time to tighten his robe.

Li Wenzhao also didn't expect Liang Jing to invite them; it seems the words spoken at their last parting were not just polite.

The young butler has quite solid social connections.

Li Wenzhao glanced at Jing Yi's phone screen, his gaze fixed: "What is a 'road friend'?"

Jing Yi showed an expression of "how can you not know this," and explained: "Friends made by chance."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

In this world, how can there be so many people on the same wavelength as the young butler.

"Are you that eager to go?"

Jing Yi eagerly nodded, clutching his phone: "It's a great opportunity to give Shen Shubai some trouble."

Li Wenzhao said: "Haven't you already sabotaged him?"

"That's not enough," Jing Yi said: "To get rid of weeds, you need to pull them out by the roots, or they'll just grow back with the spring breeze, and... he plotted against me last time, I haven't had enough revenge yet."

"Revenge is a full-time job."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

The young butler has quite a few twisted arguments.

"You can go," said Li Wenzhao, "but stop giving me that Ultraman persona."

Jing Yi blinked in disappointment, "Alright."

"All these rules and restrictions, you're killing my gentle side."

The man in front stood a bit straighter, looking down at him, "You came all this way just to say that?"

Jing Yi nodded, "Yeah."

Li Wenzhao sighed, "For things like this, there's no need to scratch at the door in a panic outside."

Jing Yi was taken aback.

Only then did his gaze begin to carefully examine Li Wenzhao. The man was disheveled, his hair damp, exuding the moist scent of a recent bath.

Living too comfortably lately had made Jing Yi bolder, and he was itching to cause some mischief.

"You're not naked, why so shy?"

"It's not like it's the first time I've seen you."

"Why are you hiding like I'm some stranger?"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

He was silent for two seconds, then narrowed his eyes slightly.

Jing Yi, sensing danger, turned and ran.

But before he could dash two steps, a large shadow fell before him.

He was forcefully cornered by Li Wenzhao, his back against the wall. Li Wenzhao leaned in slightly, his lean forearm resting on the door frame, his deep-set eyes close at hand, breathing unevenly.

Jing Yi: "..."

A misty, intense look spread across Li Wenzhao's face as he leaned in slightly and said, "You..."

"Slap!"

Jing Yi, flustered, slapped the wall beside him, and the bright light in front of him suddenly went out, leaving only the faint outline of a figure.

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi: "..."

Well, with the lights off, the mood got even more suggestive.

He was about to explain the mistake when he suddenly noticed a strange glow emanating from below.

What was lighting up?

He and Li Wenzhao looked down simultaneously—

Only to see a necklace of green fluorescent beads suddenly light up around Jing Yi's neck, the beads glowing softly, twinkling like luminous pearls, encircling his neck, also casting a greenish hue on the young butler's face.

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi: "..."

So, the young master's 'bright' wasn't just an adjective after all.