Chapter 13
Chapter 13
“Did you do it?”
The question came from the other end after a full ten seconds of silence.
“Of course not.” Zhu Yin’s expression immediately turned serious, and she looked deeply offended by his suspicion. “I’m a law-abiding citizen! I would never do such a thing!”
Shen Dongjun had his doubts about the “law-abiding citizen.” He was more concerned with something else. “Is he dead?”
Of course not. Zhu Yin could tell whether the other party had meant to kill her.
It had merely been a minor punishment to serve as a serious warning.
Once he learned that Wen Zong would live, Shen Dongjun said nothing more. Nor did he plan to come down, as though the person in the accident were an unrelated passerby.
Even setting personal feelings aside, it was better for him not to appear.
To put it bluntly, if he, the legitimate son, showed up at the scene after his father’s illegitimate son had an accident, it might instead spark conspiracy theories.
An ambulance took Wen Zong away, and Zhu Yin returned home as usual.
That evening, living up to everyone’s hopes, their Young Master coaxed the Young Madam home.
The pair were warm and affectionate, talking and laughing together. Plainly, the knot in their hearts had been completely untangled, and they had reconciled!
Except that the moment he saw Zhu Yin at the door, Shen Dongjun’s expression stiffened unnaturally.
The happier Shen Dongjun felt, the more mortified he was.
Fortunately, certain secrets were known to heaven and earth, but only three people in the mortal world.
He gazed silently at the distant sunset and thought coldly that everything would be perfect if Zhu Yin could vanish from this world immediately.
Then his phone rang.
The contact name was unfamiliar. Shen Dongjun thought for a moment before remembering that the man was a friend of one of his childhood companions.
He could also be considered a second-generation heir from their social circle. Uninterested in inheriting the family business, he had entered the entertainment industry as soon as he came of age and was now a fairly well-known director.
They had exchanged contact information at a reception, but had never spoken privately.
Shen Dongjun watched the phone for two seconds, then finally answered.
What the other man said was even stranger. A friend had asked him for a favor and sincerely hoped to speak with Mr. Shen for just two minutes.
Normally, Shen Dongjun would have rejected such a request without mercy. But now his heart stirred, and an inexplicable feeling came over him.
“Put him on.”
Soon, a slightly nervous voice came through and rapidly explained his idea.
“…We truly believe in Miss Zhu Yin’s potential. If you’re willing to let her go, we’re prepared to compensate you for the breach of contract…”
Qi Ming genuinely believed in Zhu Yin. Even after her firm refusal, he remained unwilling to give up.
Years in the entertainment industry had given him connections. Through persistent inquiries, he had finally tracked Zhu Yin down.
She was the newly appointed butler of the wealthy Shen family.
It was certainly a good career, but could being a butler compare to becoming a glamorous star adored by countless people?
Even setting everything else aside and considering only the practical matter of money, the two careers were worlds apart.
Qi Ming believed the greater obstacle might be the Shen family.
Ordinarily, he would have known his limits, refused to waste time, and hurried to find his next prospect.
But he happened to be at a low point in his career and had made a wager with someone. More than half the allotted time had already passed, and Zhu Yin was the only exceptional talent he had found.
How could he accept that?
Risking offense to the Shen heir, he called in an extremely important favor just to secure this phone call.
After he finished, the other end remained silent for a full minute.
Had he not heard the line remain connected, Qi Ming would have suspected that the eldest young master had lost patience and hung up long ago.
But the current situation did not seem much better.
During that minute of waiting, Qi Ming went from hopeful to anxious. He even reviewed every major deed of his life.
This was bad. The busy eldest young master of the Shen family had spent so long considering such a small matter. The butler was evidently very important to him.
Qi Ming thought pessimistically that not only would his hopes fail, but he might also have offended this powerful man–
“There’s a deal this good?” a deep voice asked from the other end.
Qi Ming: ?
He did not know that regret flashed through Shen Dongjun’s eyes at the same moment. The potion had not worn off. No matter whom he faced, he would voice the truest thoughts in his heart.
Those in power never showed joy or anger on their faces. Being forced to voice his true thoughts ran completely counter to everything he had been taught since childhood.
He took a deep breath and kept his words as concise as possible. “If you can persuade her to leave the Shen family and enter the entertainment industry, I won’t ask for any contract compensation. I’ll even give you a five-million reward.”
Hurry and take this menace away!
He ended the call the instant he finished, unwilling to expose any more thoughts.
But it was already enough. Qi Ming was stunned.
W-what had he just heard?
Not only did the eldest young master not blame him for poaching his employee, but he was encouraging it–and offering an enormous bonus if he succeeded?
Qi Ming could not stop himself from exclaiming the same words. “There’s a deal this good?!”
.
Dinner at the Shen residence.
To celebrate the Young Master and Young Madam’s reconciliation, Auntie Xu and Xiao Ding used every skill at their disposal to prepare a lavish meal.
Remembering the earlier phone call, Shen Dongjun glanced at the butler standing in the corner.
His lips curved slightly as he imagined a beautiful future without Zhu Yin.
Zhu Yin gave him a strange look.
Barbara noticed too. “The male lead doesn’t look very bright. What happened?”
After some thought, Zhu Yin said with certainty, “Humans in love always behave differently from usual. I suppose he’s the same.”
“Oh.”
Han Qingzi served Shen Dongjun a bowl of soup.
Delighted, Shen Dongjun blurted, “I’d rather you fed it to me.”
“…”
The entire dining room fell deathly silent.
Han Qingzi’s face turned scarlet.
Ten seconds later, every servant in the Shen residence left the dining room, giving the Young Madam ample room to act while insisting that they had heard nothing.
“Terrifying.” Xiao Ding rubbed his arms, still shaken. “I’ve worked at the Shen residence for three years, and I’ve never heard the Young Master say anything so sickeningly sweet!”
Auntie Xu was older and enjoyed watching romance blossom. She gave him a disapproving look and chuckled. “The Young Master and Young Madam have reconciled, and their relationship has grown even closer. It’s a good thing.”
Dinner, however, was only the beginning.
Afterward, the young couple took Lily out for a walk.
Lily was overjoyed, carrying her toy in her mouth and bounding everywhere.
Fluffy creatures had an astonishing ability to spread happiness. Han Qingzi could not help smiling. “Lily is adorable.”
Shen Dongjun glanced at the little girl frolicking on the ground and scoffed. “Stupid dog. She likes everyone and has no sense of timing.”
Han Qingzi grew upset. “Shen Dongjun!”
Shen Dongjun explained, “I didn’t mean to insult her. I only want to hold your hand and take a walk with just the two of us. This dog is completely unnecessary.”
Han Qingzi: “…What?”
Shen Dongjun’s ears turned scarlet, half from embarrassment and half from fury.
The sun sank below the horizon, leaving behind the brilliant embers of its ending. The tyrannical CEO’s heart, like that desolate sunset, crumbled to ash.
He thought in despair: If I’ve committed a crime, let the law punish me.