Chapter 15: The Mischievous Little Butler

Li Xu stared at Qiu Minzhi in disbelief.

As far as he knew, Jing Yi’s predictions were nearly flawless—Ning Jiang’s fraud, the third brother’s contract, the criminals in the eldest brother’s company, all uncovered by Jing Yi.

The error rate was practically zero.

Yet... to believe that his beloved was a swindler was still hard to accept.

A childhood sweetheart’s love, in the end, turned out to be a meticulously crafted deception?

This was unbearable for Li Xu.

Perhaps, Jing Yi’s butler had made a mistake?

Having a poor memory to begin with, maybe this time he had really confused people and events. There was no way Qiu Minzhi could...

Li Xu swallowed hard, clinging to the faintest hope as he glanced at the butler beside him, who was gazing downward in a daze.

Jing Yi quickly sifted through his memories, gradually pulling from the original story’s outrageously melodramatic plot a brief synopsis of the second young master Li Xu’s life.

“I remember now!”

“Hiss... I think I made a mistake.”

Phew.

Li Xu’s eyes brightened with relief. Thank goodness, thank goodness it was a mistake. He had insisted that his gentle and kind Minzhi could never be a liar...

“Qiu Minzhi not only cheated but used Li Xu’s private lounge at the company as a secret meeting spot, engaging in countless escapades with the secretary. Just last month, citing the mattress being too hard, she had the second young master replace it with a new, bouncy one…”

“If I’m not mistaken, she’s already pregnant, just waiting to get the money before fleeing abroad with the secretary, living a blissful family life as a trio.”

“As for the Li family’s second young master...”

Jing Yi cast a sympathetic glance at Li Xu.

“Green-hatted, raising a child, sending money—an absolute sucker.”

“As always, love-struck fools have never had a happy ending.”

Li Xu swayed, and Li Wenzhao, quick to react, steadied him, then glanced at Jing Yi.

“Enough.”

“Stop the insults, or he’ll really break down.”

In the original ending, Li Xu was ruined and disheartened, the Li family faced a grave crisis, and Li Wenzhao was overwhelmed. Fortunately, Li Xu eventually tracked down Qiu Minzhi’s whereabouts abroad and was on the verge of reclaiming his fortune and turning the tide.

Yet, the stepmother author suddenly came up with a divine twist.

In a sudden plane crash, she ended Li Xu’s short twenty-some years of life in an unexpected explosion.

...

Indeed, the protagonist is born into the family, while the supporting roles are picked up along the way.

Look at those poor souls in the Li family—they truly lead miserable lives.

Even a casual reader like him felt a profound pity.

Jing Yi opened his mouth: “Second young master, you…”

“Big brother, I have some business to attend to at the company. I’m leaving this to you.” Li Xu’s face suddenly turned pale, as if gravely ill within minutes, barely able to stand.

Jing Yi: ???

“I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’re already so devastated?”

Also falling ill with him was the silent Qiu Minzhi. Upon hearing Li Xu’s intention to return to the company, her expression immediately turned strange and shocked. She hurriedly grabbed Li Xu’s wrist. “Ah Xu, why are you going to the company now? We’re about to cut the cake.”

Li Xu turned back, his eyes flashing with sharpness.

Until the last moment, he didn’t want to tarnish her reputation without proof. If Jing Yi’s butler was telling the truth, then going back to the company now would mean running into the secretary who was stealing the company seal.

Li Xu didn’t want to see such a scene. He wanted to give himself and Qiu Minzhi one more chance.

“I’ll be back soon.” Li Xu let go of Qiu Minzhi’s hand without bothering to maintain his composure and strode out.

“Ah Xu... Ah Xu, wait!” Qiu Minzhi chased after him with a pale face.

“Miss Qiu.” Li Wenzhao called out to stop her. “Since you’re here, let’s have the cake first before you go.”

“No need... I have things to do, maybe another day...” Qiu Minzhi’s gaze lingered outside. Li Xu’s car had already left the garage, disappearing into the night.

Li Wenzhao said nothing, his cold gaze descending lightly, casting an oppressive air from above.

He glanced around, and the bodyguards outside the banquet hall immediately understood, collectively focusing their gaze on Qiu Minzhi, staring her down.

Qiu Minzhi, in a daze, guessed something. Without Li Wenzhao’s nod, she couldn’t leave the Li residence.

Her evening gown was tight-fitting, and she hadn’t even brought her phone—no way to send messages out. She was so nervous her fingers clenched tightly.

Jing Yi noticed her tension.

No surprise—her lover was still stealing from Li Xu’s company. Anyone would be anxious.

But there was one puzzling thing Jing Yi found odd.

“Why did the second young master suddenly go to the company? I didn’t even have time to hint at it, may I ask?”

“Doing this makes me look dumb, you know?”

Even a little butler had moments of confusion and wild guesses, and Li Wenzhao’s lips twitched faintly.

Clumsy little butler.

When will he realize his thoughts are leaking?

So far, Li Wenzhao had no evidence of any mind-hearing ability, nor did he understand Jing Yi’s power’s source or limits.

But judging by the past few days, this overly young butler was quite useful.

At least he helped the Li family avoid death traps multiple times.

A mine sweeper master didn’t have this kind of precision.

So Li Wenzhao was certain: as long as the little butler stayed at his side, he could defuse bombs in time and keep the Li family safe.

Tch.

Feeling good, he wanted a drink.

Li Wenzhao chuckled softly and turned to grab a glass.

“Big young master, big young master.” The little butler suddenly bounced up, patting his arm.

Li Wenzhao’s wrist jerked, and half a glass of liquid spilled down his leg, soaking from thigh to shoe tip.

“...”

What clumsy little butler.

Still asking for a beating.

Jing Yi glanced back and noticed Li Wenzhao’s dark leg.

“Oh dear.”

Li Wenzhao almost laughed in anger. “I’m the one who’s soaked, what about you?”

Jing Yi carefully chose his words: “I’m expressing my apologies.”

Li Wenzhao: “...”

He shook the fabric clinging to his leg. “Butler Jing, you need to be more steady.”

“Count carefully—how much trouble have you caused since coming to the Li residence? Not very butler-like.”

Jing Yi raised a finger. “There was a reason.”

Li Wenzhao: “?”

“Butler, over there.” The finger pointed afar. “General Manager Qin Wan is here.”

Among the crowd, Qin Wan, who had visited the Li family for a business deal, was toasting and chatting with a few ladies, her evening gown exquisite, her expression gentle and lovely.

Jing Yi tentatively asked, “Aren’t you going over?”

Li Wenzhao: “Why should I?”

Jing Yi pointed afar. “She likes you, and she’s very beautiful, with a face that brings luck to her husband.”

“If you’re with Qin Wan, you can avoid the scheming of the vicious official wife—a pretty good deal.”

Li Wenzhao’s fingers tightened, a cold smile forming. “Since when did Butler Jing moonlight as a matchmaker?”

Jing Yi blushed. “Just a little hobby.”

“...”

Li Wenzhao had no desire to banter further and, with his wet pants, turned and walked away.

Jing Yi pressed on with his sales pitch. “Big young master, take another look at her. I don’t believe you’re looking with empty eyes.”

“...” Li Wenzhao swallowed his anger. “Butler Jing, go get me a change of clothes from the cloakroom and bring it to the dressing room.”

Keeping busy meant no time for idle chatter.

Jing Yi: “...Okay.”

·

·

The Li family had a separate guesthouse for entertaining outsiders, all within one estate but quite far away; a round trip on foot took at least half an hour.

Therefore, at every banquet, servants would prepare a set of spare clothes in the cloakroom of the lounge for emergencies.

Jing Yi got lost in the hall for a few minutes before finding the dressing room entrance. Inside, a transparent cabinet held a full suit in a dust cover.

He took the hanger and carried it toward the adjacent dressing room.

With no free hand to open the door and wary of creasing the clothes, Jing Yi held the suit with his arm and quickly pushed the door open.

Clatter.

As the door opened, the dust cover snagged on a protruding latch and tore, revealing the deep gray fabric of four corners inside.

“...”

Already damaged.

Was he grabbing a door handle or a deadly knife?

Before Jing Yi could react, the gray fabric gracefully fell to the floor, front side up, with a subtle curve in the middle.

“...”

Such a large size.

Do all novel worlds set things so wildly?

Jing Yi’s eyes darted around; no one was nearby. He quickly picked up the fallen item and stuffed it back into the drawer of the cloakroom.

After all, it was a public dressing room used by guests, and the floor was hardly clean. A responsible butler wouldn’t let his employer wear dirty clothes.

Cradling the remaining clothing, Jing Yi knocked on the changing room door.

Click.

The lock clicked softly, and Li Wenzhao appeared wearing a black shirt. His jacket was off, long fingers deftly loosening his bowtie. His chin lifted slightly, revealing a taut, elegant jawline. His posture was suave yet casual.

“Big young master, here’s your clothes.” Jing Yi watched his movements without blinking.

So handsome.

Truly a villain worthy of admiration.

Li Wenzhao took the clothes, closing the door behind him. “Wait here.”

Jing Yi: ?

“Wait for what?”

“I’m eager to eat cake, you know? If you delay, there won’t be any crumbs left.”

Inside, Li Wenzhao exhaled softly.

This annoying little butler still needed a punishment.

He stripped off his clothes, unfolded the items Jing Yi brought, and after a moment, a question mark slowly appeared above his head.

“Butler Jing,” Li Wenzhao called through the door, “you were supposed to bring something. Why is it incomplete?”

The little butler’s voice sounded strange. “Th-that thing... shouldn’t be needed, right? You only got your outer pants wet.”

“...”

No sound came from the dressing room for a long time.

Jing Yi blinked, understanding.

His pat had been too harsh, seemingly collateral damage.

Jing Yi cautiously asked, “Big young master, do you mind...?”

“Shut up.”

“Got it.”

“...”

Veins twitched at Li Wenzhao’s temple. “Go to the main residence. It’s in the left third cabinet in the master bedroom’s cloakroom.”

Since it was his own mess, Jing Yi didn’t argue and agreed, hurrying toward the main residence.

He still thought about the cake Li Xu hadn’t cut, walking briskly. As he was about to leave, he accidentally bumped into Li Mingzhi, who was peeking around the doorway.

“Oof...”

“Phew...”

Both were hurt by the collision.

“Butler Jing, are you looking for money with your head down?” Li Mingzhi held his chest, rubbing it. “You nearly knocked me apart.”

Jing Yi was also pained, pressing his lips together. “Young master, why are you out? Aren’t you pretending to be sick?”

“I came to bring you something.” Li Mingzhi pointed to the bandage on his head. “With the bandage, no one’ll notice. But Doctor Yin just asked why I have so many bruises on my head.”

Jing Yi gritted his teeth and helped Li Mingzhi up, then noticed what he was holding. His attention instantly snapped. “Cake?”

“Yep.” Li Mingzhi had fallen but held the cake steadily. “I saved you the best piece, the biggest one. You must try it.”

Jing Yi had been craving this cake for a long time. He took a forkful and popped it in his mouth—rich with creamy fragrance, sweet and fresh, unlike those commercial cakes laden with creamer.

The tycoon’s product was indeed delicious! Novels don’t lie!

Jing Yi happily ate.

“There are also freshly baked strawberry cupcakes over there, still warm. I’ll take you to try some,” Li Mingzhi said.

Jing Yi followed, touched. “Young master, you’re so kind to me.”

Encouraged, Li Mingzhi quickened his pace. “Let’s take more to pack. We can have them as a midnight snack.”

“Ugh.” Jing Yi emitted a touched sob.

He was only going to eat two small cupcakes.

Just two.

Then he dashed to the main residence. By then, Li Wenzhao would have dried off and could wear his clean pants perfectly.

Jing Yi quickened his steps toward this delicious goal.

·

·

In a corner of the banquet hall, Jing Yi was engrossed in eating a cupcake, wrappers scattered at his side.

Li Mingzhi packed his own things, glancing around. “Hmm, I wonder where big brother went. Should I get him a few too...?”

“Ahem, cough cough cough...” Jing Yi suddenly widened his eyes; the cupcake had gone down the wrong pipe, turning his face red.

“Butler Jing, are you okay?” Li Mingzhi panicked. “Drink some water first.”

“No, no... cough cough, no drinking...” Jing Yi struggled to stand, preparing to run out.

Suddenly, Li Mingzhi called, “Big brother, you’re here.”

Jing Yi froze, petrified, panicked. Oh no.

Impossible.

Jing Yi caught his breath for a second, turning his head in disbelief.

Li Wenzhao had arrived?

How did he get here?

Li Wenzhao emerged from the direction of the dressing room, face dark and teeth clenched.

Jing Yi was scared and confused.

His gaze involuntarily drifted downward... hmm?

Li Wenzhao: “...”