6 A Cruel Humiliation

Li Mingzhi took Jing Yi to the city’s largest shopping mall. The two of them shopped and ate their way from the first floor to the seventh, sweeping through the stores like a swarm of locusts.

During their outing, Jing Yi discovered that the level of technology in this world was slightly higher than in his previous life. The city was prosperous and clean; high-end smart cars were visible everywhere on the streets, and electronic products were changing with each passing day. They had even developed long-distance, real-life holographic calling technology.

After a full day of shopping, "Grandma Jing" found himself completely dazzled by this modern-day garden of delights.

"Butler Jing, those clothes over there look nice. Let’s go take a look," Li Mingzhi suggested.

"Young Master," Jing Yi said, shaking the dozen or so shopping bags in his hands. "I really can’t carry any more. Let’s head back." He desperately wanted to rest; he missed his round, soft bed.

Li Mingzhi insisted, "But that store’s clothes would really suit you."

Jing Yi thought for a moment and reminded him, "But I usually wear my uniform; I might not have the chance to wear these."

Li Mingzhi was silent for two seconds before accepting his reasoning. "Then I’ll buy them for my older brother."

Jing Yi blinked. "Are you serious?"

The clothing store Li Mingzhi pointed to specialized in plush fabrics. The soft, white and pink textures looked comfortable, but a man as cold and ascetic as Li Wenzhao... surely that wasn’t his style? Jing Yi couldn't help but imagine Li Wenzhao wearing cute, fuzzy clothes, winking at him, and saying "Meow."

*Yikes.* Butler Jing shivered.

"No, let’s go to the suit shop next door," Li Mingzhi corrected. "I’ll buy a suit as a gift and ask Big Brother to assign some people to me. I can’t deal with Ning Jiang on my own."

That made sense. Ning Jiang was a master of brainwashing. Li Mingzhi had originally been an intelligent and capable young master, but ever since meeting Ning Jiang, he had been turned into a foolish, love-struck boy. Now that he had finally been snapped out of it, it was hard to feel at ease without having someone watch over him.

Inside the store, Li Mingzhi picked out a black suit. The style was mature and steady, though the color was a bit too somber, like something a dull, old pedant would wear.

Jing Yi pointed to the side. "How about that one? It looks better."

It was a handmade dark gray suit. The fabric cinched slightly at the waist, with smooth lines flowing down to the legs. Under the store’s bright lights, the hem and cuffs were embellished with faint, shimmering stardust, creating a look that was both low-key and luxurious.

"Wow, Butler Jing, you have great taste!" Li Mingzhi was delighted. "My brother will look incredibly handsome in this."

Jing Yi accepted the compliment with ease. His college major had been fine arts, so this level of aesthetic judgment was a piece of cake.

Li Mingzhi also picked out a classic dark-patterned tie and lion-head cufflinks to complete the set before heading to the checkout. While paying, he hesitated for a rare moment. "Butler Jing, I’m using my brother’s card to buy him a gift. What does that count as?"

Jing Yi thought about it. "Taken from the people, used for the people?"

Li Mingzhi: "..."

After checking out, Jing Yi called a courier service to lighten their load and send the bags back to the Li residence. Then, he and Li Mingzhi took the new clothes to the Li Corporation.

·

·

At 3:30 PM, Li Wenzhao had just finished an international conference and returned to his office accompanied by his secretary. He loosened his tie slightly and asked, "What else is on the schedule for this afternoon..."

*Ding-dong.*
*Ding-dong.*
*Ding-dong.*

His phone on the desk chimed three times. Li Wenzhao frowned. Ever since he arrived at the office, his phone had been receiving transaction notifications. It had been two or three hours—were they still shopping? Had Li Mingzhi used all his money to support a swindler?

Just as he was about to ask his secretary to check the transaction details, the office intercom rang. Li Wenzhao picked it up. "What is it?"

The receptionist reported, "Mr. Li, there are two gentlemen here claiming to be your younger brother and your butler, but they don't have an appointment."

"Let them up."

Hanging up, Li Wenzhao said, "Mingzhi is here. Go greet him. He hasn’t been to the company before and probably doesn't know where my office is."

"Understood." The efficient secretary adjusted his glasses, clutched his files, and turned to leave.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw two young men walking side-by-side from the elevator. Both were of similar age, exceptionally handsome, and well-dressed. For a moment, the secretary couldn't tell which one was the young master of the Li family.

"Gentlemen," the secretary said, omitting their titles and opening the door to the CEO's office. "Please, this way. Mr. Li is waiting for you."

This was Jing Yi’s first time seeing the Li Corporation building, which stood on some of the most expensive real estate in the city. The CEO’s office was on the 45th floor, overlooking everything. The moment Jing Yi stepped out of the transparent elevator, his legs trembled.

He had forgotten that he suffered from mild acrophobia. Fortunately, he hadn't transmigrated as the CEO; otherwise, he would have had to curl up in the empty elevator every day, shivering in fear—hardly the behavior of a "dominant CEO."

"Is my brother busy?" Li Mingzhi asked.

The secretary immediately identified who the "principal" was and who the butler was. He replied respectfully, "The CEO just finished a meeting and is not busy. Please, Young Master, Butler."

Jing Yi glanced at the professional and cold-looking secretary and recalled a plot point. *[This is a loyal and devoted secretary—honest and kind. He even took a knife for the eldest brother. Later, when the Li family goes bankrupt, he still stays at his post to repay the eldest brother’s kindness. He really is a good man...]*

Li Wenzhao slowly looked up.

Li Mingzhi’s gaze swept over the secretary, and he curled his lips. "Secretary Fan, nice to meet you. I’ll buy you a milk tea." Li Mingzhi offered the drink he had just bought for Li Wenzhao.

Fan Ming was slightly flattered. "Thank you, Young Master, but it’s not appropriate to drink beverages during work hours. I appreciate the kindness."

"Alright then." Li Mingzhi didn't press the matter and tucked it away. "If you don’t want it, I’ll just leave it for my brother."

"..."

·

Inside the room, Li Wenzhao sat in his neat, spacious office, flipping through documents with a cold and noble air. "What do you want?"

Li Mingzhi explained his request. Li Wenzhao frowned. "Why not ask your second brother? He runs a security firm. He has plenty of bodyguards."

"That’s true, too." Li Mingzhi scratched his head. "Butler Jing, I guess we came to the wrong place."

Jing Yi had been looking at the fish tank by the wall. It contained several small, unidentified fish, each very beautiful. He tapped his finger against the glass, leading the fish back and forth. Caught off guard by being addressed, he immediately pulled his hand back and instinctively replied, "Yes, that's right, we shouldn't have come."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Three gazes scanned him from different angles.

Jing Yi: ! He tensed his toes. Was he caught playing with the fish?

Li Wenzhao sneered, signed the document in his hand, and handed it to the secretary. "Butler Jing, go make a cup of tea."

Jing Yi was confused. A secretary wasn't enough to order around? Was this the lifestyle of a top-tier "dominant CEO"? He looked around and found a water station by the massive floor-to-ceiling window. The tea set and leaves were all there, and the teapot kept the water at a pleasant temperature. He efficiently poured a cup and brought it to Li Wenzhao’s side.

"CEO, this is your afternoon schedule," Fan Ming said, pulling up the timetable. "At four, you have a meal with the head of the Qin family. At five, a subordinate company is reporting their work. At seven in the evening, there is Elder Xie’s birthday banquet..."

Jing Yi’s hand shook. *Clatter.*

Whose birthday banquet? Elder Xie?

Jing Yi was horrified. This was a major plot point in the original book!

Li Wenzhao is accidentally drugged at Elder Xie’s birthday banquet. The villainous "canon-fodder" partner takes advantage of the situation, spends a night with Li Wenzhao, and the next day, the headlines are filled with news of their romance.

Every reader of the original novel knew that the drugging and the exposure were all a play directed by the villainous partner, intended to gain Li Wenzhao’s trust and dismantle the Li family from within.

How did this major plot point arrive so quickly?

Just as Jing Yi was pondering how to deal with the crisis, he heard Li Wenzhao’s voice, gritted through his teeth, right in his ear: "...Jing Yi!"

"Yes?" Jing Yi was startled.

*Splash.* The warm tea spilled all over Li Wenzhao’s leg.

"..."

"..."

Li Wenzhao was so angry he couldn't even speak. "Butler Jing!"

Jing Yi was so frightened by his tone that he trembled, and the rest of the tea spilled out.

"..."

"..."

*Well, he’s definitely soaked now.*

Fortunately, Li Mingzhi was perceptive. Seeing his brother’s expression, he immediately presented the suit they had just bought. "Big Brother, don’t be angry. We bought you a new suit. Butler Jing picked it out himself; it’s very handsome."

Li Wenzhao gave a cold, mocking smile. "So you soaked my clothes just to suck up with a new set?" *And likely with my own card, too?*

Jing Yi was horrified. "These two things have no causal relationship!"

Li Wenzhao stood up, dripping wet, took the clothes Li Mingzhi was offering with both hands, and sneered, "Then what could it be? Could it be that you also have a friendship with Elder Xie, and you got excited just hearing his name?"

Jing Yi thought for a moment. "Yes, exactly."

*[If I say we have a friendship, can I go with you?]*

Li Wenzhao sneered, "You wish—"

*[After all, the banquet is a disaster—the prelude to the Li family's collapse. If I don't go, what if Li Wenzhao steps into every single trap?]*

*[Sigh, being a butler is so busy... I'm worried.]*

"..."

Li Wenzhao’s brow twitched. He almost changed his answer. "...Mingzhi, get him an outfit. We’ll go to the banquet together. Don’t dress too shabbily and lose face for the Li family."

Li Mingzhi only just recovered from the shock that the banquet was turning into a "Hongmen Feast." "...Oh, okay."

Li Wenzhao’s gaze darted toward Jing Yi, then to Fan Ming. The secretary’s face showed no strange expression; he wasn't paying any unusual attention to the butler.

*...So, he can’t hear it?*

It seemed the little butler’s ability had a limited range, only spreading within the Li family circle. That was fine; it saved him from being institutionalized as a lunatic.

·

·

Ten minutes later, Fan Ming had already pressed the new clothes and sent them to Li Wenzhao’s private dressing room with a steady demeanor. "CEO, please."

Fan Ming was worthy of being a top-tier secretary—his work was flawless, thoughtful, and reassuring.

*[Wow, such strong working ability!]* Jing Yi couldn't help but praise him internally. *[So this is the standard for a top-tier secretary. I wonder how much a secretary like this gets paid a month...]*

Hearing this, Li Wenzhao paused. He took off his jacket, tossed it onto a chair, and said to Fan Ming, "Secretary Fan, inform Human Resources..."

Fan Ming pulled out his notepad and began scribbling.

Li Wenzhao: "Starting next month, your salary will be increased by twenty thousand."

*Rip—*

Fan Ming’s pen tip tore through the paper. It took him a moment to react. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Li."

·

·

*[Wow, twenty thousand, twenty thousand, twenty thousand! Just for ironing a suit, he gets twenty thousand! As expected of a dominant CEO, money flows like water.]*

*[Come to think of it, I also 'lightly ironed' Mr. Li just now...]*

Li Wenzhao’s face darkened. "Butler Jing."

Jing Yi stood at attention in a second. "I'm here~"

*Dominant CEOs should be fair and impartial, right? If he won't look at the 'light ironing,' he should at least look at the hard work I put into picking out his clothes. Does my salary get a twenty-thousand increase too? OvO*

Li Wenzhao didn't need to guess what he was thinking. He shook the water off his tie and said in a chilly tone, "You ruined a suit of mine. How do you think I should punish you?"

*Playing favorites! This is blatant workplace discrimination!*

Jing Yi pursed his lips and thought seriously. "Humiliate me by throwing money at me?"

Li Wenzhao: "..."

Li Mingzhi: "..."

Fan Ming: "..."

Two seconds later, Jing Yi and Li Mingzhi were kicked out of the office.

Standing outside the closed doors, Li Mingzhi let out a long sigh of relief. "Butler Jing, how dare you talk back to my big brother?"

Jing Yi: "I talked back?" *Wasn't the atmosphere great? He and Li Wenzhao were just having a back-and-forth, polite conversation.*

"Forget it," Li Mingzhi shook his head. "Let’s go buy clothes."

Jing Yi: "Buy more?!"

"You need formal wear for the banquet," Li Mingzhi asked. "Do you have any, Butler Jing?"

Jing Yi shook his head. "I don't."

"Then let’s go downstairs. We still have time to try on clothes and get our hair done."

·

·

Three hours later, both were dressed, and Li Wenzhao’s car had arrived at the store entrance. Fan Ming was driving. Jing Yi sat obediently in the passenger seat, while the two Li brothers sat in the back.

"Big Brother," Li Mingzhi started chattering as soon as he got in. "We didn't bring a gift. Will it be rude to go like this?"

Li Wenzhao was looking through files and didn't speak.

"Young Master, the CEO has already prepared everything. You can just bring it in when you get out of the car," Fan Ming said, glancing at Jing Yi. "Butler Jing and I are accompanying staff; we don't need to prepare gifts."

Jing Yi curled his lips. "What a sensible rule."

"..."

The small tuxedo Jing Yi was wearing was bought with his own card. One swipe had wiped out months of his salary, and he could only wear it once. His heart ached so much—if it weren't for preventing the Li family from spiraling toward destruction, he wouldn't have been able to part with the money. If he had to buy another expensive gift, he’d be living on air for the rest of the month.

Li Wenzhao stared straight ahead, his attention occasionally drawn to the flash of white in the passenger seat. He didn't know why, but he felt Butler Jing was more lively and dazzling than when he had first started. But looking closely, nothing had changed.

The little butler had excellent features and fair skin. The small black suit made his face look bright and delicate. From his perspective, he could see the slight puffiness in the butler's cheeks; when he spoke, they puffed out like a little animal.

Just then, the car hit a speed bump, and Jing Yi was jolted, his head bumping against the window.

A moment later, a voice sounded in his ear:

*[Ahhhhh, that hurts! Why does a luxury car hurt so much when it hits you! Sss... I’m on official duty, right? I wonder if there’s workers' comp for this.]*

*[To protect the Li family and suffer serious injury, I truly am a dedicated and responsible butler. I wonder if I can trick the chef into making a plate of cola chicken wings tonight...]*

Li Wenzhao: "..."

*Cute? This is just a drama queen who loves acting out and is greedy for money.*

*Looking obedient and sweet—it’s all a deceptive façade.*

·

·

Half an hour later, the car drove up to the Xie family gate. Knowing Li Wenzhao was coming, Elder Xie personally arrived at the entrance to welcome him.

Li Wenzhao got out of the car, stood by the side, and buttoned his jacket. He glanced at Jing Yi. "Didn't you say you know Elder Xie? Why don't you go say hello?"

Jing Yi shook his head with restraint. "It’s been a long time; he probably doesn’t remember me."

*?*

*He really knows Elder Xie?*

Li Wenzhao was stunned. "How do you know each other?"

The little butler began to ramble: "We are neighbors. We both live under the same blue sky and both like to breathe oxygen. We never knew each other since we were kids; he played in his house, and I played in mine."

Li Wenzhao: "..."

*What a "each played in his own house" friendship.*

It really had been a long time—they hadn't even met in this lifetime.