Ha, got you now!
The celebration hosted by the Shen family was held in the grandest ballroom of the city’s most luxurious hotel. As the main figure of the event, Shen Shubo carried an undeniable aura; the occasion was graced by dignitaries from politics, business, law enforcement, and even the underworld.
Before the ceremony began, the entrance to the banquet was packed, a sea of people barely allowing passage.
On the front passenger seat lay the gift intended for Shen Shubo. Jing Yi still sat quietly in the backseat.
“I always thought big shots were flying around in the sky,” Jing Yi said, tilting his head to look out the window. “Never expected them all to be so law-abiding.”
Li Wenzhao remained silent.
Jing Yi’s gaze wandered until he spotted a car nearby. “President Li, what kind of car is that? The emblem looks like a rice dumpling.”
“...” Li Wenzhao was speechless. “That’s a Maybach.”
Jing Yi pressed his face closer to the window and let out a soft “Wow.”
Thinking the little steward favored this model, Li Wenzhao glanced at the sleek vehicle outside and said, “We have one in the garage if you want to drive it...”
“But its front looks so huge, like a tractor from the countryside.”
“...”
Jing Yi turned his head, eyes wide with curiosity and surprise. “Is this car powerful?”
Li Wenzhao pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice low and serious. “Powerful.”
Jing Yi smiled knowingly. He had known it. This particular car was the most iconic vehicle in the typical CEO romance novels. He hadn’t expected it to look like a high-end tractor. Tsk, tsk.
In his mind, the glamorous CEO romance instantly transformed into rustic literature, and Jing Yi couldn’t help but giggle.
Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow. “What are you laughing at now?”
“I’m just imagining how a CEO from the countryside would date,” Jing Yi chuckled.
“...”
Since it was a CEO-exclusive event, the traffic jam wasn’t severe. After a few minutes, the roads were cleared, and the cars attending the celebration began to move forward slowly.
Jing Yi couldn’t help but think of Shen Shubo. The male lead was somewhat unhinged. At this celebration, Shen Shubo had set quite a few traps for the Li family. Jing Yi wondered if Li Wenzhao could avoid them this time.
Replaying the scenario in his mind, Jing Yi grew increasingly pessimistic. He should have warned Li Wenzhao before arriving, rather than dealing with Shen Shubo’s moves on the spot.
That was right.
Resolute, Jing Yi pursed his lips and turned to Li Wenzhao. “Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
Jing Yi cautiously asked, “Do you think Shen Shubo will set a trap for you?”
Without hesitation, Li Wenzhao replied, “He will.”
Shen Shubo had been at odds with the Li family for years. Finally, hosting a grand banquet on his own turf, there was no way he would miss the chance to strike.
Several forced video messages had already been sent to the Li family, indicating Shen Shubo’s confidence in his scheme and readiness to act in person.
But Li Wenzhao was not afraid.
He glanced at the little steward beside him—he had a secret weapon.
Jing Yi looked out at the hotel drawing nearer and turned back to Li Wenzhao, chatting nonstop. “If he sees our gift, do you think he’ll get mad and dig an even bigger pit for us?”
Li Wenzhao patiently answered, “He will.”
Jing Yi whispered, “Should we reconsider? Maybe change the gift?”
“No.”
Jing Yi widened his eyes and stared at Li Wenzhao unblinkingly. After a moment, he boldly tapped Li Wenzhao’s arm. “Switch to human mode.”
What was he saying, as if Li Wenzhao was a robot?
“...”
Jing Yi stared at Li Wenzhao, then cautiously asked, “Aren’t you scared?”
Li Wenzhao’s face was expressionless. “Why would I be?”
Jing Yi studied his expression, a mischievous excitement bubbling up. “Do you have a plan? What’s next for us?”
Finally, Li Wenzhao looked up at him, an inexplicable glint in his eyes. “First, we’ll walk calmly to the hotel entrance.”
Jing Yi: “...”
He lightly tapped Li Wenzhao. “Switch to human mode, switch to human mode. What nonsense are you spouting?”
“...”
* * *
Five minutes later, the Li family car stopped smoothly at the hotel entrance. Jing Yi followed Li Wenzhao to get out.
Outside the hotel, staff checked invitations. Jing Yi handed over a black card, and the doorman immediately gestured for them to enter.
In his past life, Jing Yi had been penniless—no car, no house, no savings. Fresh out of university, still jobless, and spending his part-time wages on a graduation trip. Honestly, even if the grim reapers hadn’t come for him, he would have been living hand to mouth.
How wonderful to transmigrate.
Now, he was riding in a luxury car and stepping into a sumptuous hotel.
* * *
[He wondered if the food in such a luxurious hotel would be any better.]
Li Wenzhao: “...”
The little steward was just thinking about eating.
* * *
The Shen Group’s celebration was a grand affair. The hotel had specially opened its largest internal hall for the reception. Upon entering, Jing Yi was nearly dazzled by the overwhelming opulence.
So this was a CEO banquet.
The hall glittered with gold and jade, finely dressed guests clinked glasses amid the lively chatter, and a towering champagne tower loomed over the crowd. In the corner, a renowned pianist played solo pieces, exuding refinement and class everywhere.
Li Wenzhao was no stranger to such events. Since the Li family had yet to fall, many still regarded him with a mix of caution and respect, forcing smiles and greetings. Li Wenzhao nodded lightly in response.
[The piano music is truly beautiful—no wonder it’s a master’s solo... but he can’t possibly play all night, or his hands would cramp, haha...]
Li Wenzhao’s composed expression nearly broke. “Steward Jing.”
The little steward bounced over, eyes sparkling. “What is it, Young Master?”
“...”
Li Wenzhao withdrew his gaze and sighed. “Nothing.”
A little chaos was fine—it helped relieve stress.
* * *
After the cricket finished the piano solo, Jing Yi began to be wary of the people in the hall. These were Shen Shubo’s allies; who knew when a hidden dagger would strike.
“Well, if it isn’t President Li,” a voice cut in, laced with a teasing tone that was more grating than the piano.
“This is Shen’s celebration, not just anyone can enter. Without Shen’s permission, how dare President Li bring someone here?”
Li Wenzhao’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Before he could reply, the little steward poked a fuzzy head from behind him. [Let me see who this veteran sycophant is, trying to show loyalty.]
Li Wenzhao couldn’t help but chuckle.
Bringing the little steward to the banquet was a good decision—not only did it ease his mind, but it also helped him stay calm. No matter how many people tried to provoke him, he would no longer be angered.
Li Wenzhao wanted the little steward to know the identity of the person before them. “Ah, it’s President Zhang from Kexing Biotech.”
Jing Yi inhaled sharply at the name.
[Hiss... President Zhang.]
Li Wenzhao lowered his gaze, waiting for the little steward’s gossip.
[Um... so this is the biggest sycophant around Shen Shubo. His words and actions really fit the role.]
[I remember there was some scandal involving President Zhang. If the timeline leads to Shen’s celebration... oh, I remember now!]
Li Wenzhao’s ear twitched.
[He had a crush on a girl who fell in love with Shen Shubo and insisted on only marrying him. As a lovesick fool, President Zhang doped Shen Shubo. After a wild night, Shen Shubo woke up, gave the girl a blank check, and left.]
[President Zhang, blinded by love, not only took the girl home to care for her, but also planned to be the father of her unborn child.]
[Unfortunately, that girl wasn’t good—she abused her stepchild, schemed against Zhang’s parents, and eventually fled with all their fortune. Tsk, tsk, tsk; love blindness is truly dangerous...]
Li Wenzhao listened quietly, catching the little steward’s regretful gaze shifting to him.
“...”
He was not a lovesick fool.
Nor would he lose himself for love.
Little steward, you’re overthinking.
President Zhang didn’t even hear Jing Yi’s rambling. Seeing Li Wenzhao suddenly silent, he thought his insult had landed and grew eager to continue.
“President Li, it must have been a long time since you attended such a high-level banquet. How could you bring a stranger here?”
Jing Yi paused briefly, then turned his face. “Honestly, at this kind of event, I think bringing a dead person would be worse.”
President Zhang’s expression turned horrified.
At that moment, Shen Shubo emerged from the crowd, a bag of mischief in hand, personally greeting Li Wenzhao. “President Li, you’ve arrived.”
His gaze shifted to Jing Yi. “And you, the pretty little steward who hung up on me, you came too.”
Li Wenzhao stepped forward, shielding Jing Yi behind him, exchanging a cold but polite greeting with Shen Shubo.
“Steward Jing, give the gift to President Shen.”
Jing Yi took a large cloth bag from the driver and handed it directly to Shen Shubo.
Shen Shubo looked at the square-shaped item, instantly suspecting it was no ordinary gift.
Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow. “President Shen, what’s this? Afraid I’d poison you?”
Seeing Jing Yi holding it without issue, Shen Shubo cautiously accepted it and opened it—a large square mantle clock.
Li Wenzhao had given him a clock.
Shen Shubo: “...”
President Zhang, watching Jing Yi reveal the gift, immediately frowned. “You’re really giving President Shen this?!”
Li Wenzhao smiled lightly. “Earlier, President Zhang mentioned that President Shen disliked strangers. So when choosing the gift, I put in considerable thought, hoping President Shen would understand my intention.”
Shen Shubo: “...”
Receiving a clock on such a festive day—how was he supposed to smile?
* * *
The clock’s impact was too much. Shen Shubo forced a laugh, tossed the clock to President Zhang, and awkwardly changed the subject. “Tonight’s banquet will feature some fun games. President Li, would you like to watch?”
Li Wenzhao went along smoothly. “As the guest wishes.”
* * *
The “fun games” were actually simple quizzes. A temporary host took the stage, bringing out many gift boxes of various sizes. Participants drew questions covering riddles, fun math problems, truth or dare, and more. Correct answers won gift boxes, creating a lively atmosphere.
It was Jing Yi’s first time seeing such games at a banquet; he looked up with curiosity.
“Pretty steward interested? Why not join in?” Shen Shubo suggested.
Jing Yi straightened his posture. “President Shen, my surname is Jing, not Pretty. It’s the same character as scenery—pleasant to the eye.”
Shen Shubo: “...”
Li Wenzhao stifled a laugh and asked the little steward, “Want to play?”
Jing Yi shook his head. “Just curious about the answers.”
Li Wenzhao raised an eyebrow. The previous question was an elementary math Olympiad problem—simple in concept but complex in calculation, a real challenge. The steward solved it quickly?
His foreign language skills weren’t great, but math was a strong suit.
Li Wenzhao nodded. “You can go ahead and play. Answer correctly and you’ll get a prize.”
“No thanks.” Jing Yi stepped back. “I just feel like the answer—8.521 people on the bus—is a bit odd.”
“...”
Li Wenzhao’s brow twitched. “Just a bit?”
Jing Yi blinked, realizing. “Oh, it’s wrong. There can’t be 0.521 of a person... haha.”
Li Wenzhao groaned at his laughter.
“Who would’ve thought the so-called Pretty... Jing steward is a math genius,” Shen Shubo sneered. “You even noticed there was a pregnant woman on the bus.”
Jing Yi blushed. “Just a little talent.”
Shen Shubo: Damn.
Can’t you hear the sarcasm?
The topic spiraled out of control. Shen Shubo hurried to stop it. The little steward was hard to handle; better to play with Li Wenzhao instead.
“President Li, thank you for attending today’s celebration. Shall we have a drink over there?”
Li Wenzhao hesitated, then nodded. “Okay...”
[Alcohol?!]
A voice sounded in his ear, and Li Wenzhao’s words abruptly stopped.
[If I recall, Shen Shubo intends to drug Li Wenzhao, then send him to the resting room of a certain underworld boss’s daughter, hoping to ignite a war between the Li family and the underworld...]
Jing Yi’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
Li Wenzhao’s long lashes drooped slightly; his eyes dimmed and head tilted as if listening intently to something.
Jing Yi looked around—no one nearby.
What was Li Wenzhao listening to?
A strange thought surfaced but was quickly dismissed.
Impossible.
Li Wenzhao wasn’t some supernatural being who could read minds.
The next moment, Li Wenzhao declined Shen Shubo’s offer. “Alright... but I’ll skip the drink this time. Maybe next time.”
Jing Yi: ?
[Why skip the drink?]
Curious, Jing Yi wanted to verify.
He turned conspicuously, directing his gaze toward the hall’s entrance, and mentally noted: [Ah, here comes Young Master, with Ning Jiang too...]
Before he finished, Li Wenzhao abruptly turned his head.
Jing Yi: “...”
Jing Yi: “???”
No, could he really hear thoughts?
Before Li Wenzhao could react, Jing Yi said, [Young Master?]
“Hm?” Li Wenzhao looked over in confusion.
Jing Yi’s round eyes met his, wearing a faint smile.
Li Wenzhao’s heart skipped a beat.
… That last phrase—was that the steward’s inner voice?