webnovelfull Chapter 9 The Promised Journey Across the New Year
Chapter 9 The Promised Journey Across the New Year
Bai Li received Xiao Hao's system notification when she woke up the next day.
[Wuhai's favorability +1]
What a stingy man!
The favorability rating only increased by one point, what does that mean?
Bai Li changed the nickname for Wu Hai in her phone to "Stingy 99 Man".
Wuhai's profile picture is quite nice.
Bai Li clicked on it again and took a look.
Outside the window, snow was falling heavily; inside, there was a roaring fireplace and an empty rocking chair.
Although it looks warm, there's an inexplicable sense of loneliness.
Bai Li shook her head, realizing she was overthinking things, and pressed the call bell by her bed.
You'll wake up to a sumptuous breakfast, and a handsome butler will bring it to your bed.
That's so decadent!
Bai Li scolded herself, but ate with relish.
She noticed that the fruit served as a side dish was one of her favorites.
She must have eaten these kinds of fruits first when she had the fruit platter yesterday, Jingye noted.
The hangover soup from last night was also prepared in advance.
Jingye is such a meticulous steward.
Shirari became curious about the butler's job.
"Jingye, what are your skills?"
Jingye stopped brewing tea: "It's very broad."
"The core responsibilities of a butler include coordinating daily household affairs and managing resources, as well as providing household skills and life services that are specifically required by the accompanying butler."
"In addition to that, I have some personal hobbies, such as learning and mastering various languages. Besides English, I also know Japanese, Korean, French, and Portuguese, which is convenient for handling emergencies that require diplomacy. I also learn some fighting skills to better protect my employers. I also have a slight interest in finance, which is convenient for building relationships if my employers need to discuss related matters."
Wow, that's amazing! The employment standards for butlers are so high!
In Bai Li's eyes, Jing Ye's image had become even more imposing.
However, Bai Li fell into deep thought and looked at Jing Ye seriously: "Jing Ye, don't you have anything you enjoy doing for yourself? Something unrelated to work."
Jingye paused, her hand still holding the teapot as she picked it up again.
"Because I always feel that the personal hobbies you mentioned are all related to work."
Jingye poured the tea into a teacup and placed it on the coffee table next to Baili.
Instead of answering the question proactively, she asked in return, "Ms. Bai, what do you consider to be your hobbies?"
"Thank you."
Bai Li took the teacup and pondered for a moment before saying, "It's something you do because you're interested in it."
Jingye: "I have a different opinion, of course, these are all my personal opinions, please don't take them to heart."
"I believe that people need to be talented in something before they will put in more effort. Only after they reach a level of ability that surpasses that of ordinary people can they gain a sense of superiority, which in turn leads to enjoyment and eventually develops into a hobby."
"My job is where my skills lie; serving my employer and gaining their approval is what brings me joy."
"Many people spend their entire lives without finding their passion, but I found mine very early on."
For a moment, Bai Li was almost persuaded by Jing Ye.
Who exactly named Jingye? The homonym for "Jingye" (敬业, meaning dedicated/professional) is so fitting for him.
While Jingye's definition of hobbies may be correct, Baili cannot condone the pursuit of others' approval or happiness.
People need to be themselves, instead of living in the affirmation and expectations of others.
So, being an attendant is a terrible profession.
To dedicate one's entire life to one's employer, to lose one's freedom, to burn one's life out until it is completely consumed.
It's somewhat similar to when she circled around Chenxing before.
It was as if there was only one goal left in her life, and she was caught in a vortex, with endless gravity pulling her in.
She is escaping the powerlessness and loneliness of reality. Perhaps Jingye is also escaping something?
Bai Li looked at Jing Ye, and Jing Ye noticed and looked at Bai Li in return.
A pair of blue eyes, glistening with a watery sheen in the sunlight.
The first time Bai Li saw Jing Ye, aside from his composure, he seemed quite happy.
Bai Li rejected her own idea.
Everyone is a unique individual. Perhaps Jingye is just a simple person, so simple that it's frightening.
Bai Li took a sip of tea and commented, "A down-to-earth hobby is quite good."
[Quiet Night's Affection +2]
[Quiet Night's Affection Level: 7]
Did your favorability score increase? Why?
Bai Li was confused. Was it because he was praised?
How about praising me again next time?
……
The dinner was held on the upper open-air deck, offering a panoramic view and being the best spot to watch the Leonid meteor shower.
This time, Bai Li was smarter and had Jing Ye lead the way to avoid getting lost again.
Bai Li has a private VIP box with a one-way glass window that overlooks the entire venue, but people below cannot see her.
Jingye frowned when she heard about her experience of getting lost last night.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it through. Miss Bai, next time you encounter a problem, please be sure to ask for help in time, and don't go with people of unknown origin."
The person of unknown origin refers to Wuhai.
Although Bai Li found it a little funny, she still nodded seriously in agreement.
They exchanged contact information with Jingye, who felt deeply guilty.
He promised Jingye that he would contact him first if he encountered any problems next time.
I could only say goodbye in the quiet of the night.
Before leaving, Bai Li made a point of thanking Jing Ye for her dedication and attentiveness.
[Quiet Night's Affection +5]
[Quiet Night's Affection Level: 12]
Little Hao, it seems I've finally found the right way to use Jingye.
As soon as Jingye left, there was a knock on the door.
Bai Li opened the door.
The newcomer greeted him with a smile: "What was that all about? Parents dropping off elementary school students?"
Here it is! A stingy man who scores 99 out of 100!
Although it was an unfamiliar face, Bai Li still recognized it.
With his unusually bright eyes and sharp tongue.
Bai Li: "Xiao Hao, Wu Hai's looks are 99 points, if I remember correctly?"
Xiao Hao: "Of course."
Xiao Hao wouldn't lie to himself.
That is, Wu Hai's current face is not his real face.
Because the face in front of me was too ordinary.
Is it made up? Or is it a human skin mask? Do masks look that realistic?
Bai Li took a closer look.
"What? Don't you recognize me?" Wu Hai raised an eyebrow.
The skin looks very realistic, and there's nothing suspicious about the hair parting.
Bai Li pouted: "I don't know her."
He's such a stingy man; he's good-looking but won't let anyone see him.
Bai Li noticed that Wu Hai was dressed like a waiter.
"Is this... a part-time job?"
"I'm a crew member, and tonight I'm the waiter for this private room."
"Oh, I believe you. Well, waiter, my friend is here to see me. He's at the entrance of the banquet hall. Could you please help him?"
[Wuhai's favorability +1]
[Wuhai's favorability rating: 2]
After Wu Hai left, Bai Li relaxed and pondered why Wu Hai had increased her favorability.
Should I argue with him?
Do you believe his nonsense?
Or should we ask him to do something?
Forget it, Wuhai is just too hard to understand.
Bai Li, who had given up, went to the mini bar and poured herself a drink, looking down at the entire room with the glass in her hand.
Classical music paired with extravagant drinks, glasses clinking, figures moving about – it's like a grand arena of fame and fortune.
So this is what high society dinners are like. Nothing special.
Bai Li quickly noticed that there was also an astronomical telescope in the private room, and took a glass of red wine to examine it.
"This equipment is unnecessary for observing meteors."
Bai Li stood up and turned around.
Wu Hai returned alone.
Bai Li asked, "Where is my friend?"
Wu Hai walked towards the one-way window and pointed it out to Bai Li: "She went downstairs to socialize."
Bai Li approached and saw Jiang Mingfei, dressed in finery, chatting happily with someone.
Wu Hai replied, "Next to her is Mr. R, a top ten internet celebrity. His contract recently expired, and he's looking for a new agency to work with."
Turning to Bai Li, he said, "You're the only one here to watch the meteor shower."