5 Ultimate Assists
After Ling Mingzhi finished speaking, her three older brothers were all stunned.
Ling Mingzhi knew what they were worried about and obediently added, “If you don’t feel at ease, we can have Steward Jing accompany me.”
Jing Yi, who was still pondering if there were other painful turns in the story, suddenly perked up. Huh? What does that have to do with me?
Does the steward have field duties now?
“Steward Jing,” Li Wenzhao said, “You’ll come along tomorrow.”
The little steward was quite sharp and full of inner drama; he could even foresee the future. Having Jing Yi accompany Ling Mingzhi gave him some peace of mind.
“Okay,” Jing Yi replied.
The world is vast, but the sponsor is the greatest. No fieldwork means no salary.
Muttering to comfort himself, Jing Yi watched as the Li brothers dispersed, then dragged his unfamiliar body back to the steward’s quarters.
Opening the door, Jing Yi was delighted.
The room was spacious and the bed soft; lying down, it could wrap one up like a soft, glutinous sesame dumpling.
Jing Yi the dumpling happily flopped around on the bed for a while until he wore himself out and got hungry.
Only then did he remember dinner was still unsettled.
He immediately got up and, relying on memory, searched for the kitchen in the grand Li mansion.
Passing through the living room, Jing Yi heard some conversation.
“Mr. Li’s home is decorated with great taste and is very beautiful,” said a poised and gentle female voice. “This is my first time visiting, and it’s truly a refreshing sight.”
Li Wenzhao replied, “You flatter me. Ms. Qin, you’re here to discuss a project today, right? Perhaps we should get straight to the point?”
Ms. Qin? Isn’t she Li Wenzhao’s childhood friend and the female antagonist who secretly admired him for over ten years in that tragic story? Unfortunately, she was rejected later, as the love-stricken Li Wenzhao chose a cunning, white-skinned villainess and suffered greatly from betrayal.
Jing Yi clicked his tongue softly.
Looks like even big CEOs aren’t always sharp and perceptive.
Not wanting to disturb the female antagonist’s goodwill-building, Jing Yi quietly slipped away to the kitchen. The young masters of the Li family seemed to have already eaten; no signs of cooking remained.
Jing Yi rummaged through the cupboards and finally found a plate of small pastries and a dish of braised pork, fragrant and inviting.
He eagerly took out bowls and chopsticks and tried a bite.
Delicious!
Soft and fragrant, not greasy at all.
Another piece, please.
In the living room, Li Wenzhao flipped through the cooperation agreement brought by Ms. Qin, silently calculating the initial costs and feasibility…
[Wow, this braised pork is amazing (chew chew chew), so delicious I could cry (chew chew chew), one more piece please (chew chew chew), big thumbs up to the Li family’s chef!]
Li Wenzhao frowned. “...?”
Does the little steward’s bizarre ability have no range limit? He can hear this from so far away?
And… what was he calculating just now?
Sensing the man’s displeasure, Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat. “Mr. Li, is there something wrong with the contract?”
Li Wenzhao snapped back to reality. “No.”
He exhaled softly, his gaze settling on the document as he concentrated…
[Tastes chewy and springy (chew chew chew), want another plate, but I don’t think I can eat more (burp)—]
[But will the pastries spoil by tomorrow… Never mind, I’ll have one more piece then (burp), so full.]
“...”
Li Wenzhao put down the papers and dialed an internal line. After a long pause, a contented voice answered, “...Hello?”
Li Wenzhao was straightforward: “Steward Jing, come to the living room.”
Jing Yi wiped his mouth. “What do you want… burp?”
Li Wenzhao: “...”
The train of thought he’d just gathered nearly got scattered by that burp. “...Bring some food to Ms. Qin.”
“Okay.”
Qin Wan smiled politely. “Mr. Li, you’re too kind, but I don’t usually eat much at night.”
“No matter,” Li Wenzhao said. “Our chef is good. If you like it, you can take some home.”
Just don’t let the little steward sneak any more bites.
Five minutes later, Jing Yi sauntered out with the tray of pastries. “Ms. Qin, please try these special snacks prepared by the eldest young master.”
Li Wenzhao: “...”
What’s with that huge dramatic pause in your tone?
Li Wenzhao looked at him, puzzled.
Jing Yi gave a meaningful smile: “I’ll handle it, rest assured. I’ll make sure your childhood friend arrives happy and leaves even happier.”
Li Wenzhao: “...”
Jing Yi thought it through.
Why did Li Wenzhao call him here to be a third wheel during their date?
The answer was simple.
He needed to be the supporting NPC.
Li Wenzhao’s future official partner was a malicious and capricious little witch, harboring great destructive power against the Li family. If Li Wenzhao’s romantic line could start early and fall to the right person, future crises could be averted.
Jing Yi was willing to be that matchmaker.
Qin Wan looked at the delicately formed pastries and calculated the calories and her intake for the day. Then she gently picked up a piece, her eyes brightening. “Thank you, Mr. Li.”
Li Wenzhao smiled faintly. “No need to be so polite, Ms. Qin.”
With the assist complete, Jing Yi prepared to leave, watching the tender affection before him.
“Steward Jing.”
Jing Yi paused. “Yes?”
Li Wenzhao said, “Don’t leave just yet.”
Stand a little longer; this is the price for your nonsense.
“Okay.”
Got it—the assist isn’t finished yet.
For a while, Li Wenzhao silently reviewed the documents, Qin Wan stole glances at the working man while nibbling pastries, and Jing Yi boredly counted the wilted flowers on the floor.
Unable to wait for Li Wenzhao’s prompt, Jing Yi’s legs went numb.
Finally, just before he cramped, Qin Wan seemed to choke slightly.
Li Wenzhao: “Steward Jing—”
“Understood.” Jing Yi shook his numb legs and dashed away like the wind.
Li Wenzhao: “...”
Understood what?
Jing Yi rushed into the kitchen, poured a glass of refreshing lemon water to cut the richness of the pastries for Qin Wan.
Carrying the glass back to the living room, he slipped at the sofa and nearly tumbled.
Luckily, he grabbed the armrest just in time, avoiding spilling the lemonade on Qin Wan.
Jing Yi patted his still pounding chest.
Suddenly, Li Wenzhao recalled a few hours earlier when Jing Yi had performed a smooth slide tackle on Ning Jiang.
His lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.
That feisty little steward.
This is what happens when you talk nonsense.
Clink.
The glass lightly tapped the table. Jing Yi’s eyes burned as he looked at Li Wenzhao.
Li Wenzhao: “?”
“Ms. Qin,” Jing Yi smiled and turned to her, “You’re the first woman Mr. Li has ever brought home. I haven’t seen him smile this happily for a long time.”
Qin Wan: “...”
Such old-fashioned literature.
Li Wenzhao’s smile froze at the corner of his mouth.
Jing Yi: “...”
His toes dug into the floor, embarrassed by his own words.
To say such things, he truly was a competent NPC.
“Steward Jing,” Li Wenzhao suppressed his patience. “You may leave now.”
“Okay.”
Mission accomplished, Jing Yi stiffly walked away, toes scraping the floor.
Being an NPC isn’t easy.
You have to do all kinds of work and say all kinds of things.
Full and content, Jing Yi took a quick shower and collapsed into bed. This day had been eventful enough; the lazy university student’s energy was drained—time to sleep.
·
·
Early the next morning, Jing Yi was shaken awake. Opening his eyes, he saw the ever-present third wheel.
“Steward Jing, wake up!” Ling Mingzhi grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Jiang… Ning Jiang contacted me again. He’s at the hospital now. Let’s hurry over.”
Jing Yi was so shaken he nearly lost his soul and tried to hold down Ling Mingzhi’s hands. “Stop shaking or I’ll throw up.”
Ling Mingzhi quickly apologized and let go. “Sorry.”
Jing Yi slowly swallowed his scattered spirits back down, bleary-eyed. “What time is it?”
“Six-thirty in the morning.”
Jing Yi froze. “!!”
Six! Thirty! In the morning!
The ruthless employer was unreasonable—he couldn’t even get up for an eight a.m. class.
“Is it really that urgent, young master?” Jing Yi said listlessly. “Ning Jiang’s right there; he’s not going anywhere.”
“I can’t wait,” Ling Mingzhi said. “You all say he’s a liar, but I want to find out the truth for myself.”
Unable to resist Ling Mingzhi’s persistence, Jing Yi changed into plain, honest clothes, dragging his empty shell of a body out the door with Ling Mingzhi.
Passing the living room, Jing Yi felt uneasy, as if someone was lurking in a corner, coldly watching him.
?
Jing Yi glanced back.
Li Xu sat on the sofa reading a financial newspaper, Li Ting was having breakfast, and yesterday’s date partner, Li Wenzhao, wore a face that plainly said, “I’m not happy.”
Jing Yi thought for a moment and understood.
[So, the date didn’t go well. No wonder he looks so grumpy.]
Li Xu looked up.
Li Ting snorted.
Only eldest young master Li Wenzhao, like an ice-cold superman, shot a cold glare.
Jing Yi shivered and hurriedly grabbed the young master and fled.
Li Wenzhao: “...”
After the two disappeared out the door, Li Ting dropped his knife and fork and laughed heartily for a long time. “Big brother, how could Steward Jing think you and Qin Wan are a couple and be so enthusiastic to play matchmaker?”
Li Wenzhao, unwilling to explain the misunderstanding from last night, said calmly, “What you should be concerned about now is whether Ling Mingzhi will come back once he leaves.”
·
·
The hospital where Ning Jiang was admitted was a small private hospital. Its entrance faced a narrow street. The plants at the door were withered, and not far away stood a garbage bin swarming with flies, looking like a little trash station.
Ling Mingzhi stood at the entrance in a daze. “Steward Jing.”
“Hmm?”
“Am I really so foolish?” Ling Mingzhi pointed at the uninspiring building. “He doesn’t even want to put effort into deceiving me.”
“No,” Jing Yi said seriously.
Ling Mingzhi looked at him.
“After being hurt, you shouldn’t blame yourself but attack those who hurt you,” Jing Yi said. “They’re the real scoundrels.”
Ling Mingzhi stared at him blankly. “Steward Jing, you sound so cool when you say that.”
Jing Yi raised his chin. “Truth always shines with its own halo.”
They entered the hospital but were stopped at a reception desk resembling a motel’s front desk.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Ling Mingzhi.”
The nurse flipped through the thin medical record, only two pages, staring for two minutes. “Are you family? Follow me.”
They walked through a dim corridor and passed a door emitting a moldy smell before arriving at the destination.
“The patient is inside. Please go in. I must remind you, the patient is emotionally unstable, so it’s best if family keeps him company.”
Jing Yi remembered this scene wasn’t in the original story.
In the original, when leukemia appeared, Ning Jiang had already drained all of Ling Mingzhi’s other assets. This fake medical record was meant to swindle company shares.
This time, perhaps unable to abduct him, Ning Jiang had no choice but to advance the plan.
Ling Mingzhi pushed the door open. The modestly furnished hospital room revealed Ning Jiang lying pale in bed, his features less gentle and more sickly, almost fragile.
Jing Yi glanced at him and suddenly froze mid-step.
[Wow, he didn’t powder his neck—such a stark color difference!]
Ling Mingzhi shuddered.
Jing Yi tilted his head toward Ling Mingzhi. “Young master, look at his neck.”
Ling Mingzhi: “I see it.”
Jing Yi chirped, “He looks like a hanged ghost.”
“...”
“Zhizhi, you’re here.”
Ning Jiang smiled weakly in bed, like a resilient white lotus. “I’m so happy.”
Ling Mingzhi held back his emotions and sat beside the bed. “How are you? What did the doctor say?”
Ning Jiang lowered his eyes. “You know leukemia is one of the hardest diseases to cure today. If a donor match can’t be found, I’m afraid... I won’t be able to grow old with you.”
Jing Yi watched his performance coldly.
Ling Mingzhi lowered his head, looking very sad. “That won’t happen.”
Ning Jiang took his hand at the right moment. “Zhizhi, everyone dies eventually, but I’m glad I had a brief time with you before I go.”
Jing Yi got goosebumps all over and rubbed his arm nervously.
“Jiangjiang...” Ling Mingzhi wiped his face and looked up, expression unchanged. “Don’t worry, I’ll cure you. I’ll go ask my brother right now to bring the best specialists from abroad and get the best medicine, blood tests, injections, treatments, surgeries—”
Ning Jiang’s face turned pale hearing the detailed, bloody description.
“No, Zhizhi, I’m actually quite comfortable here.”
“What’s comfortable about this place? How could it suit my Jiangjiang?” Ling Mingzhi flaunted his young master’s playboy spirit. “Don’t worry, if I can’t cure you, I’ll take everyone down with me!”
Ning Jiang: “Don’t... Zhizhi, I don’t want you to spend so much.”
“But I want to spend on you,” Ling Mingzhi stood up and, while Ning Jiang wasn’t looking, secretly wiped his hand that Ning Jiang had touched. “Steward Jing, come with me. We’re going to the city’s central hospital to book a VIP single room.”
Ning Jiang was speechless. “Zhizhi, no need for this, really...”
Jing Yi smiled and accompanied Ling Mingzhi’s act. “Right away, young master.”
“Zhizhi, wait, wait, Zhizhi!”
Jing Yi and Ling Mingzhi left without looking back. After leaving the “hospital,” they found a secluded spot to rest.
Jing Yi expected Ling Mingzhi to feel disappointed or sad after seeing the lover’s true face, but he didn’t.
“Steward Jing,” Ling Mingzhi asked, “Did I do well just now?”
“Very well.”
“It’s the first time I saw insincerity in his eyes,” Ling Mingzhi said. “I was really so foolish before.”
Jing Yi asked, “So what do you want to do next?”
“He’s faking illness, right?” Ling Mingzhi rubbed the redness from his eyes. “Then I’ll make him feel the pain and despair of having a terminal illness.”
Ling Mingzhi looked at Jing Yi. “Steward Jing, you’ll help me, right?”
Jing Yi nodded loyally. “Of course.”
They were both from the Li family, half-countrymen—countrymen helping countrymen made perfect sense.
“That’s great.” Ling Mingzhi brightened instantly. “Then shall we go shopping?”
“Now?”
“Mm.” Ling Mingzhi eyed his clothes. “You’re so good-looking; why wear such old-fashioned clothes? Come on, I’ll buy you new ones as your reward for keeping me company today.”
Jing Yi’s eyes lit up: Wow~
Ling Mingzhi pulled out a black card. “Charge it to my brother’s card.”
Jing Yi: Wow wow~