Chapter 70: Inviting a Wolf into the House?

Chapter 70: Inviting a Wolf into the House?

Jing Yi: "...???"

"Young master, do you even hear what you're saying? Maybe you should act less; it's affecting your intelligence and emotional intelligence."

Fortunately, Li Wenzhao was quite tolerant and could immediately tell that his younger brother was being unreasonable: "What script are you acting out now?"

Li Mingzhi: "I'm not!"

"Then are you just stupid? Can't even tell the difference between male and female?"

"..."

Having his true intentions exposed, Li Mingzhi sighed softly and tried to negotiate: "I just want... you to fire Jing Yi."

Li Wenzhao: "Why?"

Jing Yi looked up in confusion: "Young master, I haven't offended you, have I?" How can you just casually take away someone's job?

Li Mingzhi quickly added: "Don't worry, Jing Yi. Only if my brother fires you can I have the chance to hire you as my assistant."

This was the first time Jing Yi had heard such reasoning, and he was completely baffled: "Huh?"

Li Mingzhi: "My brother has been monopolizing you for too long. You're the Li family's butler, but ever since you started taking on side jobs, you don't seem like a butler anymore—you're more like managing my brother's affairs."

He grew more indignant as he spoke, muttering: "I've tried to find you several times, but you're always unavailable. Jing Yi, we're the closest friends. My brother came later; he's the interloper. You should side with me and come with me."

Jing Yi: "..."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

The two exchanged glances, unsure whether to scold him for his joking or commend his quick thinking.

Li Mingzhi, completely oblivious, spoke in a forgiving tone: "How about we make a deal? Jing Yi can be with me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and with you on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We can give him Sundays off?"

Li Wenzhao: "...Do you think this is a game of tug-of-war?"

Li Mingzhi bargained: "If that doesn't work, how about Monday to Wednesday with you, Thursday to Saturday with me? That way, Jing Yi won't have to run back and forth every day. What do you say, big brother?"

Fan Ming gasped, looking at Li Mingzhi as if he were a reckless fool.

Jing Yi watched from a distance, proudly puffing out his chest.

Look at how well he's doing his job—both employers are vying for him! They're almost coming to blows. Who could be more qualified for this high-paying job than him?

Obviously, no one!

Hehehe.

"No," Li Wenzhao replied without hesitation.

Li Mingzhi's face immediately fell. "I wasn't asking you. Jing Yi, you decide. Do you want to be with me or with my brother?"

Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow and looked over.

Jing Yi: "...?"

Damn, why is this being dumped on me?

Jing Yi blinked rapidly and whispered, trying to negotiate, "How about you both pay me, and I’ll take Monday through Saturday off, then we’ll meet up on Sunday?"

Li Mingzhi: "..."

Fan Ming: "Pfft."

Jing Yi pondered for a few seconds. To be fair, since he had crossed over, Li Mingzhi had been very good to him. What a sweet kid, so innocent and kind.

"Young master," Jing Yi patiently hooked his arm around Li Mingzhi's shoulder and whispered to coax him, "I can't leave the company for now."

Li Mingzhi: "Why?"

Jing Yi glanced around and leaned in to whisper, "Have you forgotten? The Shen Group hasn’t fallen yet. Without me as the ace up his sleeve, how can the eldest young master fend off their open and hidden attacks?"

Li Mingzhi was stunned: "Oh, right."

He glanced at Li Wenzhao: "Then how much longer do you have to stay with big brother?"

Jing Yi: "Not sure."

"..." Li Mingzhi: "I feel like you're pulling my leg."

"I swear, I’m not."

Li Mingzhi could only nod lightly, "Then will you have lunch with me?"

Jing Yi agreed immediately: "Sure!"

"Heehee."

The two were close, and Li Mingzhi naturally wrapped his arm around Jing Yi's waist, then paused.

When he had picked Jing Yi up earlier, even through the thick clothes, he could feel the soft and supple waist in his palm, really nice to hold.

"Jing Yi," Li Mingzhi's gaze lowered as he gently lifted the hem of Jing Yi's loose shirt, "You’re in such great shape. I think I just felt your abs."

Jing Yi laughed softly twice, then proudly lifted his shirt, exposing his belly for inspection, "Right? I’ve got two, and if I flex, I can show four."

Only the young master would get it!

"Wow, just like me."

Then the two started poking each other’s bellies in the corner.

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Fan Ming cautiously observed Li Wenzhao's dark expression: "..."

Li Mingzhi only stayed at the company until the afternoon before leaving. Jing Yi saw him off downstairs, and he left happily, even skipping as he walked out the door.

"Jing Yi, I'm off," Li Mingzhi waved cheerfully.

Jing Yi saw him off with a lot of fanfare: "Mm, go shoot your scenes."

At the company entrance, Li Mingzhi's van was waiting, with his manager He Ping personally picking him up. The door closed, and the car sped away.

Jing Yi turned back to the company, but Li Mingzhi continued to pester him on his phone—

[Young Master]: Jing Yi, Sister He said we’re heading out for location shooting, so I won’t see you for about a month. I feel so sad. [Here, heart, pain.jpg]

Jing Yi was shocked: "..."

Such a drama king, he's bound to thrive in the entertainment industry.

[Young Master]: Aren't you going to comfort me?

[Long Sleep Lazy to Get Up]: Got it, got it, got it...

[Young Master]: ?

[Long Sleep Lazy to Get Up]: What did you see?

[Young Master]: Much better.

[Long Sleep Lazy to Get Up]: That's good, go have fun.

[Young Master]: ...

Jing Yi casually put his phone in his pocket, and with a glance, he noticed Li Xu and Li Ting appearing at the entrance during work hours.

"I've investigated everyone close to big brother," Li Ting was puzzled, "It doesn't make sense that I haven't found anything. Could it really be his sweetheart, kept hidden until marriage?"

Li Xu: "Are you sure you've checked everything?"

"Of course, I even looked into Fan Ming."

Li Xu glanced up, saw Jing Yi at the entrance, and smiled faintly as he remembered something: "Did you check Jing Butler?"

Li Ting frowned: "Why would I check him?"

"..." Li Xu chuckled meaningfully, "I think you'll never find big brother's partner, not in this lifetime."

"How so?" Li Ting: "Do you also think big brother has hidden the person too well?"

"..."

Li Xu: "You're just not very sharp."

"What?"

Li Xu kicked him away.

Jing Yi: "..." Such a close-knit pair of brothers.

The intentions of the two brothers were unclear, and Jing Yi turned to leave, but Li Ting, who had gotten up, saw him and reached out, "Don't go, Jing Yi."

"..."

"Running away when you see me, are you doing something guilty behind our backs?"

"..." Third Young Master, sometimes quite sharp on certain matters, but not often.

Jing Yi: "No, I saw the two young masters arriving and wanted to go make some fresh tea in the tea room."

Li Ting: "Is that so?"

Jing Yi: "Of course, absolutely genuine!"

"No need, Jing... Butler," Li Xu said: "We're just passing by, we'll be leaving now."

Li Ting turned his face: "Aren't we supposed to investigate the eldest sister-in-law?"

Jing Yi: "?"

Li Xu coughed lightly and said, "We're not investigating anymore. I have company matters to attend to. Are you coming or not?"

Li Ting was dragged away without understanding what was happening.

Jing Yi clicked his tongue, thinking what a united and harmonious family they were indeed.

He shook his head, turned, and stepped into the elevator. As soon as he reached the top floor, he saw a message from Li Wenzhao—

[Did you get lost while sending someone off?]

"No, no, I'm back."

Jing Yi gently knocked on the office door and pushed it open: "Eldest Brother, do you need something?"

Li Wenzhao: "Do I need a reason to look for you?"

He thought the young butler had been taken away by his brother.

Jing Yi pursed his lips and walked in, "I'm not going anywhere; I've already sent the young master off."

"Good, there's something I want to talk to you about."

Jing Yi obediently sat down, straightening his back like a schoolboy.

Li Wenzhao: "It's been a while since we confirmed our relationship; when are you going to make it official?"

He really didn't want to have his partner taken by his brother again. Li Mingzhi meant no harm, but the fact remains that he took someone away. With three brothers at home, who knows who might come next.

It's better to make it official early. Once the young butler has his mark, whether it's his brothers or anyone else, they'll have to think twice before making a move on Jing Yi.

"Official status..." Jing Yi fidgeted with the edge of the table: "Isn't our relationship clear enough?"

"We're each other's boyfriends, sharing fortunes and burdens, I remember that..."

Li Wenzhao said: "Publicly."

Jing Yi's expression turned strange: "I'm afraid I can't handle it."

Li Wenzhao: "Hmm?"

Jing Yi then pulled out his phone and showed it to him, "Your three brothers are currently teaming up to dig into me."

[Breaking Iron Shoes to Find the Sister-in-law (4): Li Ting: Beep, company investigation complete, no suspicious persons found, repeat, no suspicious persons found, over.]

[Li Xu: Idiot]

[Young master: Second Brother, don't say that about Third Brother, otherwise when we find someone, we won't share the information with you.]

[Li Xu: ...]

Jing Yi looked at the group messages: "Does Second Brother know?"

Li Wenzhao said: "Although he doesn't talk much, he's always been smart, he probably figured it out."

Jing Yi muttered: "I guess I've given him some juicy gossip again."

He now suspects that the reason Second Brother is still keeping the secret is not because he fears Li Wenzhao's disapproval, but because he enjoys watching his two clumsy younger brothers running around like headless chickens.

Li Wenzhao obviously thinks the same way, "So, you need to think carefully and put an end to his enjoyment of the spectacle as soon as possible."

Jing Yi also thinks it makes sense and should find some way to take down Li Xu, the so-called 'melon king.'

As he thinks, he pulls out a box of filled chocolates from the drawer, pops a few into his mouth, and starts chewing, "Okay."

The brand of chocolate is quite good, and Jing Yi is very happy eating it, deciding he’ll buy it again next time.

While he is chewing intently, his chin is suddenly tilted, and Li Wenzhao gently pinches his jaw, his warm fingertips brushing over the soft corner of his lips, "Eating snacks and getting crumbs all over your mouth?"

Jing Yi: "No... thank you."

Li Wenzhao's hand is not heavy, but Jing Yi feels the spot where he was touched tingling, and his cheeks gradually become hot.

Li Wenzhao calmly withdraws his hand: "You're welcome."

Jing Yi: "..."

Why is he so nervous?

·

In the afternoon, Fan Ming brings two documents. The secretariat is short of staff. Since the last mole was removed, Fan Ming's workload has increased. This time, after a long selection process, two people have been chosen and are waiting for Li Wenzhao's approval.

Fan Ming brings the documents, but Li Wenzhao doesn't look at them: "Give them to Jing Yi."

Fan Ming is already used to Li Wenzhao's way of taking his time with urgent matters. Important documents need to be reviewed by Jing Yi, the butler, first. Those who don't know might think Jing Yi is the real boss behind the scenes.

Fan Ming: "Jing Yi, here are the documents, thanks for your help."

"Thank you for your hard work, Secretary Fan." Jing Yi takes them, scans the names, and hands them to Li Wenzhao: "I've looked, no problem."

Fan Ming: "..."

Mr. Li and Jing Yi seem to be trying out a new way of working, but he doesn't quite understand it.

Li Wenzhao glances at the resumes on the documents, thinks they are good, signs them, and asks Fan Ming to help with the onboarding process.

"Okay, Mr. Li." Fan Ming says: "One person is very eager and is already waiting at the company. If possible, he would like to start working today."

Li Wenzhao: "Okay."

After a day of handling many tasks, Li Wenzhao rarely leaves the office on time. While packing up, he accidentally opens a cabinet, and a pile of small gift boxes rolls out.

Jing Yi’s foot gets caught under the gift boxes: "?"

"What is this?"

Li Wenzhao picks up the boxes and puts them back: "These are small gifts from past business partners. I don't use them, so they are piled up in the office."

Jing Yi bends down and picks up two: "Can I take a look?"

"Feel free."

The boxes contain men's accessories, cufflinks, watches, and several leather belts.

Jing Yi pulls out a few and compares them, shocked, "They are all so expensive, some are even worth six figures."

Li Wenzhao said, "This brand is quite good. It's said that their advertising slogan is 'never breaks.'"

Jing Yi didn't quite understand, "A belt, why does it need to be so sturdy? To tie up a cow?"

"Or to use as a rope to bind immortals?"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Jing Yi held the belt up to Li Wenzhao, casually draping the extra length over his shoulder. "I think..."

The office door was open, and Fan Ming walked in with two documents. "Mr. Li, these are the requirements from Mr. Liang regarding the new project. Please take a look..."

Fan Ming's steps faltered, his eyes wide with shock at the tangle of belts around Li Wenzhao.

"............"

He scratched his head, took a couple of steps in place, looked around, and fiddled with the door handle.

"No, Fan Ming, don't overthink it," Jing Yi quickly retracted the belt. "We were just testing out a new belt."

"...Yeah, I know," Fan Ming didn't dare to look up.

Jing Yi suddenly took a big step back, running over to Fan Ming. "Don't let your imagination run wild. Just give me the documents."

Fan Ming, too flustered to hand over anything, glanced at Li Wenzhao, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

Jing Yi: "...?" Did Fan Ming just hand him thin air?

After the belt incident, Fan Ming avoided Jing Yi for two whole days.

·

In the evening, Jing Yi and Li Wenzhao returned to their downtown property. The collaboration with Liang Jing was urgent, and as soon as they got home, Li Wenzhao went into the study to work, not emerging until 8 PM.

Jing Yi was thoughtful and didn't bother him.

At 9 PM, the doorbell rang. Jing Yi stood alert in the foyer. "Who is it?"

"Hello, I'm from the R&D department," came an unfamiliar female voice from outside. "Mr. Li asked me to pick up a document."

Jing Yi hurried to the study. "Eldest young master, there's an employee at the door."

Li Wenzhao: "Let them in."

"Okay."

Jing Yi opened the door to a young woman in a formal suit, with straight hair, half-rimmed glasses, and a sharp chin that gave her a somewhat cold demeanor.

"Hello, Mr. Li sent me."

Jing Yi led her to the study. "Mr. Li is in there."

The woman: "Thank you."

Jing Yi didn't interrupt their business talk and went to the kitchen to make some tea. Working overtime was tough, so he did his best to handle the logistics.

When he came out with two cups, the woman was just leaving the study, talking on the phone. "Okay, I understand..."

Seeing Jing Yi, she quickly ended the call. "I've got the document. I'll head out now."

Jing Yi frowned...

In the brief glimpse of the call screen, he seemed to catch sight of a few familiar characters, Shen... what?

Shen Shubai?

Jing Yi's eyes widened in shock, nearly dropping the tray he was holding. He remembered—this was a key scene in the original story. A female employee had snuck into Li Wenzhao's home, stolen important documents, and stolen Li Corporation's latest tech research, causing significant losses for the company.

What department did she say she was from again?

... R&D?!

This can't be a coincidence.

By the time Jing Yi snapped out of his thoughts, the woman had already reached the entrance. He didn't have time to inform Li Wenzhao. Holding the water cup, he walked over, "You must be tired from working late. Have some water."

The woman was surprised, "No need, I'm not thirsty."

Jing Yi insisted, "I just poured it. The water's clean."

The woman: "..."

She looked at his smiling face and reluctantly took the cup. Just then, Jing Yi's hand suddenly shifted, and the slightly warm water spilled through the gaps in the folder, soaking the documents inside.

The woman: "!!!"

"What are you doing? You've ruined the documents!" She frantically opened the folder, only to find that the last page, where Li Wenzhao had signed with a pen, was now completely smudged.

The document was ruined.

The woman glared at Jing Yi with resentment.

Jing Yi: "Sorry, my hand slipped."

Hearing the commotion, Li Wenzhao emerged from the study, "What's going on?"

The woman immediately said, "Mr. Li, the documents have been ruined. Do you have a backup?"

Li Wenzhao frowned.

"Don't give it to her! She's a spy!"

Jing Yi was surprised, "You did that on purpose?"

"Yeah, I just saw her talking to Shen Shubai on the phone. If I'm not mistaken, she was planning to steal Li Corporation's latest research."

Li Wenzhao's eyes turned cold as he looked at the woman, "There's no backup here. You can go rest for now. I'll discuss this with Mr. Liang personally tomorrow."

The woman's lips twitched, but there was nothing she could do. She shot Jing Yi a displeased glare before turning and walking away quickly.

Li Wenzhao closed the door, his expression grim, "How is there still a spy from Shen Shubai in the company?"

Jing Yi thought for a moment, "This should be the last one."

After this, in the novel, Li Corporation would collapse, and Shen Shubai would no longer need to go to such lengths to plant his agents.

Li Wenzhao took a deep breath, a hint of fear lingering, "That document was very important. You destroyed it just in time."

Jing Yi gave a slight smile, "I knew you used a pen. Thankfully, it wasn't too late."

He pursed his lips and grinned at Li Wenzhao, "I've done you such a big favor, don't I deserve some kind of reward?"

Li Wenzhao glanced down at his eager face, "What do you want?"

Jing Yi shyly said, "Not much, just like the other three young masters."

"The young master gave me food and clothing, the second young master gave me a diamond watch, and the Third Young Master gave me a car."

"The eldest young master is so generous, surely you won't give me nothing, right?"

Li Wenzhao's expression darkened, "Of course, you should get a reward."

Jing Yi pressed his palms together, facing upward, "Thank you, eldest young master."

Li Wenzhao asked, "How did they give it to you?"

Jing Yi thought for a moment, "They left it on my bed in the middle of the night."

Li Wenzhao said, "I'll do the same thing."

Jing Yi smiled shyly; the young masters of the Li family really enjoy playing Santa Claus.

Well, he could certainly fulfill this small request.

Jing Yi, "I'll leave a sock by the bed; is that big enough to hold it?"

Li Wenzhao smiled, "Enough."

Jing Yi, filled with anticipation, happily returned to his room to rest.

He was so preoccupied with thoughts of Li Wenzhao's reward that he couldn't sleep. In the middle of the night, the door was gently opened, Jing Yi excitedly gripped the blanket, here it comes, his gift is coming.

A tall figure walked to the bedside, bent down and lifted the blanket.

Is he going to hand it to me personally?

As the blanket was lifted, a familiar scent pressed down, his knees and neck were embraced.

Jing Yi, "?"

Wait, are you going to put me in the sock?

The next second, his body was lifted into the air, he was so scared he grabbed Li Wenzhao's shoulders, "Eldest young master!"

As footsteps moved, Jing Yi watched as he was carried out of the room, turned two corners, and was placed on the master bedroom's big bed. Li Wenzhao, wearing pajamas, was overwhelmingly oppressive, "You've been very good lately, I'll reward you by sleeping with me."

Jing Yi, "...??"

Did I just invite a wolf into my den?