Chapter 65: Can You Decide for Li Wenzhao?

Chapter 65: Can You Decide for Li Wenzhao?

Li Wenzhao stared at the green-glowing face before him and was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he steadied his breath and asked, "What is this thing on you?"

"It's a gift from the young master," Jing Yi replied, confused as he looked down at his chest. "Turns out it's not diamonds."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi gazed at the green light before him, and a familiar melody inexplicably echoed in his ears... Love is a beam of light, so green it makes you panic.

Jing Yi: "..." Ugh, ugh, ugh.

Li Wenzhao's expression was indescribable. "Why would he give you this?"

Jing Yi pursed his lips and jokingly suggested, "Maybe he wanted to give us a way out of this awkward situation?"

Li Wenzhao let out a cold laugh. "Then his solution might be a bit too extreme."

With that, Li Wenzhao reached out and flipped the switch. The overwhelming green light finally disappeared. He tugged at the thing around the young butler's neck. "Take it off."

Jing Yi quickly covered it. "No way, this is a gift from the young master."

After a pause, he raised his eyes suspiciously. "What, do you want to wear it too?"

Li Wenzhao's mouth twitched. "You're overthinking it."

Jing Yi regretfully recommended, "Isn't it nice to wear? If we ever get separated, you'd spot me in a crowd right away."

It's like having a security tag, pretty cool.

"..."

Li Wenzhao's expression was complicated. "Then what I'd see in the crowd would probably be a head surrounded by green light."

Jing Yi: "..."

The mental image was slightly terrifying. He quickly took off the necklace, deciding not to go out looking like a ghost.

"Then I'll head back now," Jing Yi said, his cheeks flushed as he looked at the damp figure in front of him. He quickly turned and dashed off, "Goodnight, eldest young master—"

Li Wenzhao grabbed at empty air: "..."

Teasing and then running off—the young butler sure moves fast.

Jing Yi ran downstairs and happened to run into Li Mingzhi, who had just returned home from work.

Seeing him come down from upstairs, Li Mingzhi was stunned. "Jing Yi? What are you doing here?"

Jing Yi composed himself and made up an excuse, "I was bringing some late-night snacks to the eldest young master."

Li Mingzhi nodded, then his gaze fell on the item in Jing Yi's hand. "Wow, you've already opened the gift I gave you? Do you like it?"

"..." Jing Yi glanced at his hand. "I like it, but it would be better if it didn't glow green."

Li Mingzhi giggled. "It's fluorescent, pretty cool, right?"

Jing Yi: "It's cool. Wearing it makes me feel like I've got a secret identity."

Li Mingzhi burst out laughing.

Jing Yi: "..."

So why did you give me this?

Stop with the flashy nonsense; if you're going to give something, make it real diamonds.

Li Mingzhi came home from work, complaining that he was a bit hungry. Jing Yi put away the fluorescent necklace and headed to the kitchen.

Li Mingzhi curiously followed: "Jing Yi, can you cook?"

"No," Jing Yi rummaged through the cabinets and fridge, pulling out his stash of instant noodles: "But I can whip up a bowl of instant noodles that's got it all—color, aroma, and taste."

Li Mingzhi: "?"

Ten minutes later, Li Mingzhi and Jing Yi were sitting at the dining table, each with a bowl.

Li Mingzhi took a bite of the noodles and froze.

Jing Yi: "What's wrong?"

Li Mingzhi slowly chewed a few times: "...It's so good!"

"Right," Jing Yi focused on his noodles: "It's so comforting to have a bowl when you're tired from staying up late."

Li Mingzhi nodded: "What's this stuff called? I'll have my assistant buy some tomorrow."

Jing Yi paused: "You've never had it before?"

"No," Li Mingzhi said: "My meals are all planned by a nutritionist my eldest brother hired. I've never tasted something so unique."

Jing Yi: "..."

I can't stand you rich people sometimes.

He slid the remaining two packs of instant noodles over to Li Mingzhi: "Here, have more if you like it."

Li Mingzhi's eyes brightened: "Jing Yi, you're the best."

Jing Yi: "..."

A trade-off: a fluorescent necklace for some late-night noodles—fair deal.

After stuffing themselves, Jing Yi and Li Mingzhi let out a burp and headed to their rooms.

·

·

The next morning, Jing Yi and Li Wenzhao went to visit the richest man's house.

For the first visit, Li Wenzhao brought gifts that matched his status.

The private car headed towards the outskirts, still driven by Uncle Lin.

Jing Yi leaned his head against the seat, yawning sleepily, "Eldest young master, visiting so early will make us no friends."

Li Wenzhao glanced at him: "It's already eleven o'clock now."

Oh, so he got up late again. Jing Yi pursed his lips: "Let's just hope the richest man isn't annoyed we're crashing his lunch."

Li Wenzhao remained silent.

Jing Yi recalled that the original text briefly mentioned Liang Jing, the richest man. His few appearances always served as excellent support for Shen Shubai, each time inflicting significant losses on the Li family.

But that was the original story. Now, the plot Jing Yi knew was completely scrambled, with Shen Shubai and Li Wenzhao's roles entirely reversed.

As long as Shen Shubai didn’t secure the financial backing of the richest man, Li Wenzhao would already be halfway to victory.

Without the original author’s favoritism, Shen Shubai would be no match for Li Wenzhao. As for key allies like Liang Jing, it was a matter of who could secure them first.

Wealthy individuals often seek out pristine, oxygen-rich environments. The Liang family’s mansion was perched atop a large mountain, with security guards stationed at the entrances and exits around the clock.

Jing Yi marveled, "What an impressive display."

Li Wenzhao replied, "The grandeur befitting the richest man."

Jing Yi turned to him, asking, "How much is he worth?"

Li Wenzhao mentioned a figure.

Jing Yi thought for a moment, then exclaimed, "Big bro, you might just be wealthier than the richest man himself."

The car gave a slight jolt. Li Wenzhao glanced at Uncle Lin in the front seat before responding, "Wealth rankings are based on disclosed assets. Some flaunt it; others don’t. Rankings don’t tell the whole story."

"But no one has a bank balance that defies comprehension, right?"

That much was true.

Li Wenzhao couldn’t argue with that.

Jing Yi straightened up, eyes gleaming with excitement as he gazed at the mountain peak. "Let’s head up and check it out together."

Li Wenzhao remained silent.

·

Jing Yi had expected the richest man’s home to be opulent and dazzling, but as they neared the summit, he saw an ancient-style building with exquisite design. The pavilions and towers were all meticulously crafted, exuding perfection.

Likely due to the owner’s refined taste, every plant and tree on the mountaintop radiated a natural, harmonious charm.

It was nearly one in the afternoon, and from the mountain road, the green tiles and red walls were visible in the distance.

Jing Yi leaned against the car window, looking out and remarking, "Visiting him feels like an audience with the emperor."

Li Wenzhao glanced at him. "Isn’t this the kind of grandeur you wanted?"

The car slowly ascended to the summit, where a massive square arch came into view, adorned with lifelike dragon reliefs on both sides.

Jing Yi shook his head. "I enjoy a bit of grandeur, but this guy’s practically crowning himself king."

Li Wenzhao said nothing.

From the moment they entered the mountain, the Liang family had been informed of their arrival. As soon as they stepped out of the car, someone approached to guide them.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Jing, please follow me. Mr. Liang is already expecting you."

The two followed their guide through corridors adorned with intricate carvings and a plum garden filled with a faint, lingering fragrance. Finally, they arrived at a small house in the backyard, where Liang Jing stood by the window, lost in thought.

"You’re here," Liang Jing said with a faint smile. "I’m in the middle of fishing, so I won’t get up to greet you. Please make yourselves at home."

Jing Yi and Li Wenzhao exchanged a glance: "?"

Where did the fish come from?

There's no lake or stream here. Is he pretending to be Jiang Ziya fishing?

Jing Yi leaned over to take a look. The window in front of Liang Jing was open, and beneath it, someone had dug a small pit of a few square meters. The shallow, clear water held a few plump, sturdy carp swaying gently.

Jing Yi: "..."

Fishing in a man-made pond, no wonder. The fish are so fat, probably all fed by Liang Jing one rod at a time.

Do rich people really have such quirky hobbies?

Perhaps noticing Jing Yi's indescribable expression, Liang Jing laughed twice and said, "I like fishing, but it's inconvenient in the mountains, so I dug a pit to amuse myself."

Jing Yi praised, "Your fish are well raised, each one plump and sturdy."

"..." Liang Jing was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Kid, you really know how to talk to me, hahaha, humorous, humorous."

The loud laughter didn't faze the fish; they floated on, undisturbed.

Jing Yi didn't know why Liang Jing had summoned them, and Li Wenzhao didn't ask, just engaged in casual chat. "Do you play chess?"

Li Wenzhao said, "A little bit."

Liang Jing then asked Jing Yi.

Jing Yi looked at the black and white pieces on the table and whispered, "I can play Five in a Row."

Liang Jing laughed heartily, "Mr. Li, care for a game?"

Li Wenzhao: "Sure."

The fishing rod was set aside, and Li Wenzhao and Liang Jing quickly started a game.

The original text didn't mention that Li Wenzhao was proficient in Go, but Jing Yi, seeing his calm and composed demeanor, guessed he was confident.

No wonder he's the villain.

You wouldn't dare to be the antagonist without mastering every trick in the book.

Jing Yi didn't understand Go well, but every time Li Wenzhao made a move, he found it very cool.

They played swiftly, less like a game of chess and more like a covert battle.

Jing Yi, unable to follow, soon grew bored.

"Hahaha, Mr. Li is indeed formidable," Liang Jing put down his piece, "I lost."

Li Wenzhao modestly said, "I won by a narrow margin."

Jing Yi was amazed, "You play Go too, and you're this good?"

Underestimating you, antagonist.

Li Wenzhao: "Isn't this the basic skill of a tycoon?"

Jing Yi: "..."

Liang Jing knew that Li Wenzhao was being modest, so he clapped his hands and stood up, "I've been sitting too long; let's go out and move around. Jing Yi, want to join?"

Jing Yi perked up and said, "Sure."

The three went outside, and Liang Jing had someone bring badminton rackets, intending to play, "There aren't many people in my family, so I don't have anyone to play with. It's perfect that you're here today; let's play a few more games before you go home."

Jing Yi didn't mind sports, so he took the badminton racket, "Alright."

Soon, the white shuttlecock was flying back and forth across the court.

Just as they were getting into the game, a middle-aged butler came over from a distance, his voice deep and resonant, "Mr. Liang, a guest has arrived."

Liang Jing didn't turn his head, "Who is it?"

Butler: "Shen Shubai from the Shen Group."

Jing Yi was so startled that he lost control of his swing, hitting the shuttlecock into the nearby tree canopy.

The butler immediately said, "I'll get a pole to knock it down."

Liang Jing laughed, "No need, we've got the multi-talented Mr. Li here."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi turned to look at Li Wenzhao, "The troublemaker is here."

"It's fine."

In the distance, Li Wenzhao lowered his eyes without a change in expression, as if he didn't care at all.

Jing Yi then looked away.

Liang Jing smiled and said, "That guy from the Shen family is here too, Mr. Li, do you think I should meet him?"

Li Wenzhao, without showing any emotion, said, "You're the host, I'm the guest; I wouldn't dare overstep my bounds."

Liang Jing stared at Li Wenzhao for a moment, his eyes holding an inexplicable look, "Let him in."

Jing Yi sensed something strange in the atmosphere between them and cautiously moved closer to Li Wenzhao, "What kind of game are you two playing?"

Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow, "Finally caught on?"

Jing Yi: "?"

Li Wenzhao looked at Liang Jing and said, "He probably wants to choose a business partner between me and Shen Shubai."

Jing Yi was stunned, not a single word was related to work just now, right? Is the unspoken rule of the business world to speak in riddles?

The ground was stomped with loud claps as Shen Shubai, dressed in a sapphire blue suit, turned around from the corridor...

"What are you doing here?" Before he even got close, his eyes widened in surprise.

Liang Jing said, "I invited them, nephew, take a seat."

Shen Shubai's expression showed a brief moment of shock before quickly calming down, glaring fiercely at Jing Yi.

Jing Yi: "?"

What, you just pick on me to glare at?

Are you bullying the weak?

Jing Yi's gaze was unfriendly, and Shen Shubai keenly noticed it, turning his head: "Jing Butler, your eyes look like they could kill someone."

Jing Yi pursed his lips: "Really? I got something in my eye, can't see clearly."

Shen Shubai: "..."

This butler is just like before, never taking a loss!

Shen Shubai sneered: "Can you see clearly now, or do you need more time?"

"Clearly," Jing Yi said.

Seeing that the two knew each other, Liang Jing interjected: "So you two know each other? Jing Yi, what do you think of my nephew here?"

Shen Shubai's icy gaze fell upon them.

"If you dare say a bad word about me, I’ll make sure you regret it!"

Li Wenzhao slightly leaned forward, picking up the teacup in front of him, blocking Shen Shubai's line of sight.

Without thinking, Jing Yi said: "He’s just got a sharp tongue, but deep down, he’s still pretty rotten."

Liang Jing: "..."

Shen Shubai: "..."

Li Wenzhao gently pursed his lips. The young butler’s wit was razor-sharp; once he got going, no one could outmatch him.

Shen Shubai was so angry he nearly lost it, slamming his fist on the table. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Mr. Shen," Li Wenzhao calmly looked up: "You’re losing your composure."

Shen Shubai: "..."

He knew he was losing his composure, a major taboo in negotiations, but he couldn't control it. Every time he saw Jing Yi, he wanted to rush over and tear the mouth off this butler.

Since Jing Yi appeared, he had been facing one setback after another, sliding straight to the bottom, unable to climb back up.

But since things had developed to this point, why care about composure? If he worried about his personal image any longer, his company would really go bankrupt.

"Mr. Liang," Shen Shubai frowned, slowly lowering his stance, getting straight to the point: "I’m here today to propose a partnership. If you agree, I’m willing to offer 10% of Shen Group’s shares."

Jing Yi: "How much is 10% worth?"

Li Wenzhao played along with his distraction: "About a billion dollars."

Regret flowed in Jing Yi's eyes: "So little."

Shen Shubai: "...What did you say?"

Jing Yi: "..."

Oops, didn’t mean to say that out loud.

Liang Jing smiled faintly without speaking. He observed Shen Shubai and Li Wenzhao's reactions and demeanor, calculating the gains and losses in his heart.

His expression remained unchanged, his gaze falling on Shen Shubai's heaving shoulders, frowning slightly, then seeing Li Wenzhao sitting there with an air of calm and grace, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

Shen Shubai sneered and cursed, "If you think it's too little, why don't you try contributing some yourself?"

Jing Yi, feeling aggrieved, muttered under his breath, "...Why so harsh? The company is almost a shell now, and you're still transferring shares, just trying to drag others down with you..."

"Jing Yi!" Shen Shubai was almost furious.

Where on earth did Li Wenzhao find this guy? His fate seems to be a bit against mine.

Shen Shubai, having been in a low state for too long, was extremely narrow-minded, glaring at Jing Yi with bloodshot eyes, like a vicious dog about to pounce and bite at any moment.

"Since Mr. Liang still has guests," Li Wenzhao stood up at the right moment, pulling Jing Yi to his side, "we'll take our leave now."

Liang Jing was stunned, "Mr. Li, don't you need to cooperate anymore?"

Li Wenzhao calmly replied, "Li Corporation's partnerships are a matter of fate. Since Mr. Liang is still looking around, we can arrange another time in the future."

Liang Jing raised an eyebrow, "But I might not have time in the next six months."

Li Wenzhao's expression remained unchanged, smiling slightly, "Goodbye."

Liang Jing: "...?"

What, not begging for cooperation anymore?

Young people sure don't follow the script.

Shen Shubai watched Li Wenzhao leave with a strange expression.

Once outside and back at the car, Jing Yi frowned, "Eldest young master, how much longer until Shen Shubai is gone?"

Li Wenzhao: "Soon."

Shen Shubai was secondary. Jing Yi turned to look at the massive estate behind him, excitedly patting Li Wenzhao's arm, "You were so slick just now, walking out like that. The richest man's face fell. They definitely didn't expect that you don't lack money and don't need to beg anyone."

Li Wenzhao chuckled, "Yes, all thanks to my boyfriend."

Jing Yi blushed: "..."

"Let's go, we're going home."

Jing Yi happily opened the car door.

"Wait, Mr. Li, Jing Yi."

Outside the gate, Liang Jing personally chased after them, "Since you came to visit, how can you leave without even a meal? It would seem I haven't been a very good host."

Li Wenzhao politely declined a few times, but Liang Jing insisted, "I've already turned down Shen Group's offer. There might be projects to cooperate with Li Corporation in the future. It's only right for us to sit down and have a meal."

Seeing Li Wenzhao's unchanged expression, Liang Jing paused, then looked at Jing Yi, "Young friend Jing, what do you say?"

Jing Yi was startled, seeing both men looking at him.

"?"

Jing Yi: "Should we eat?"

Li Wenzhao: "Might as well eat, or this trip would be a total waste."

Jing Yi: "Hehe, we're such a pair of foodies, aren't we?"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Noticing Jing Yi's lack of response, Liang Jing gently inquired again, "Young friend Jing?"

"I just have one question," Jing Yi said, pressing his lips together. Liang Jing immediately smiled, "Please, go ahead."

"Can we order specific dishes at your banquet?"

Li Wenzhao remained silent.

Liang Jing burst out laughing, "Hahaha, of course you can!"

His gaze shifted from Li Wenzhao to Jing Yi, a playful glint in his eyes, as though he'd stumbled upon some juicy gossip.

Jing Yi: "?"

What is the Richest Man quietly mulling over now?

As he turned to follow Li Wenzhao, passing Liang Jing, he overheard him say, "So... you're the one calling the shots for Li Wenzhao."

Li Wenzhao paused in his steps.

Jing Yi: "..."

Seriously, do you think you're whispering?