Waiter: A High-Risk Profession

After the car stopped in front of the hotel.

Zhu Yu gave himself a pep talk during the ride. It was fine. The boss had said he wouldn't have to pay.

Once Zhu Yu had talked himself through it, he relaxed considerably.

When Zhu Yu and Shen Jingmo got out of the car, everyone turned to look at them.

"Old Shen? Who's this?" Li Yiyan walked over curiously and patted Shen Jingmo on the shoulder, only recognizing Zhu Yu after a moment.

"President Li, it's only been a few days, and you already don't recognize me?" Zhu Yu said with a smile, waving at him.

"Zhu... Zhu Yu? Damn, it really is you, kid. Clothes really do make the man—I almost didn't dare recognize you." Li Yiyan could not help looking him up and down.

"Where's the person you brought?" Shen Jingmo asked. Seeing Li Yiyan looking around, he could not help grabbing him by the collar.

"Who? I brought my little brother!" Li Yiyan pointed to the side.

Shen Jingmo looked over and saw Li Yichen and Shen Jingyan, the two brothers in misery, standing there.

"You're messing with me?" Shen Jingmo's fists cracked as he clenched them.

"I'm not. We only said we'd each bring someone; we never said it had to be a male or female companion. My little brother is a person too." Li Yiyan smiled broadly.

"Get lost!" Shen Jingmo snapped, kicking him.

"Old Fu, come look! Old Shen actually hit me. Life isn't worth living anymore." Li Yiyan clung to Fu Bo'en, sobbing dramatically.

A smile touched Fu Bo'en's stern face as he watched his two friends fool around.

Zhu Yu was a little surprised to see Shen Jingyan. Hadn't this kid said he did not want to come?

Shen Jingyan immediately caught Zhu Yu's scrutinizing gaze and glared back defiantly. So what if I came?

Zhu Yu made a face at him. I knew you'd come.

Zhu Yu and Shen Jingmo entered the banquet hall.

They arrived just in time for the main event of the birthday banquet.

Annie, dressed in extravagant elegance, stood onstage with her parents to welcome the guests.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my daughter's birthday banquet. Make sure you eat and drink to your hearts' content today!" Annie's father said cheerfully, raising his glass onstage.

"Cheers!" the guests below responded on cue.

After Annie made her wish and cut the cake, the entire hall finally came alive.

Shen Jingmo, Li Yiyan, and Fu Bo'en—the three giants—were immediately surrounded by a crowd.

Zhu Yu was more than happy to see that. He quietly made his way to the macarons he had been eyeing, picked out a blue one, and began eating.

After finishing every color he wanted to try, Zhu Yu clapped his hands in satisfaction. Just as he was about to get up and see whether there was anything else delicious, a familiar voice sounded by his right ear.

"Can you even do your job as a waiter? Do you know how expensive this dress is? It's custom-made."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm so sorry—it's entirely my fault. May I have it cleaned for you?"

"If this dress could be washed, why would I still be talking to you? Would I be able to wear it after washing?"

Though Zhu Yu had not looked to see who it was, he could not help swirling the water in his glass.

Sure enough, it was the classic banquet scene: a waiter accidentally spilling wine on a rich young lady.

But in this classic scenario, the waiter was usually the female lead, while the rich young lady drenched in wine was the vicious supporting character.

Zhu Yu's interest was instantly piqued, and he curiously glanced to his right.

Zhu Yu's pupils widened, widened, then widened again. The waiter being berated was actually Su Duoduo. Do you work part-time as a waiter after getting off work?

Zhu Yu hurriedly turned his head back and drove the scene from his mind. Didn't see it. Didn't see it. I'll just pretend I didn't see it.

While Zhu Yu sat on the sofa trying to brainwash himself, another commotion rose by his left ear.

"This kid's got such fair, delicate skin. He doesn't look like a waiter."

"Hahaha, if you want me to let this go, fine. Either drink this bottle of wine, or keep me company for a while."

A group of young men around them burst into laughter.

"I can't. I'm not allowed to drink."

"You're refusing to give me face? If you don't drink, I'll have someone hold you down and make you drink."

Zhu Yu could not resist his overwhelming curiosity and looked over again.

Sure enough, it was Ji Yu.

(KK's friendly reminder: Ji Yu was previously Xiao Yuer. KK changed the name, so readers who started reading long ago, please take note.)

Zhu Yu covered his face. It had to be said: being a waiter at a banquet was a high-risk profession.

Either you offended some wealthy young lady, or some rich young master took a fancy to you.

Zhu Yu sat on the sofa with his head lowered, thinking that he should just pretend he had seen nothing. After all, everyone had their own time to play the hero and save the beauty. There was no need for him to play the hero.

Having thought it through, Zhu Yu happily got up to walk straight ahead. Yet the moment he took a step, someone stood from the sofa behind a table in front of him—someone whose head Zhu Yu dearly wanted to smash in.

After spotting Zhu Yu, Guan Yi stood up and raised his wineglass toward him in greeting.

Zhu Yu immediately sat back down. What the hell is this?

What kind of spot had he picked?

There was a wall behind him, wolves on either side, and a shameless dog in front of him.

Heavens, are you trying to kill me? I don't want to get involved with any of these three.

Just as Zhu Yu was debating whether to simply stay seated, Guan Yi suddenly began walking toward him with his glass.

Zhu Yu's pupils dilated. He looked left and right. Compared with Su Duoduo and Guan Yi directly ahead, Ji Yu was still the more acceptable option for now. Better turn left.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Yu headed straight to the left and, sure enough, arrived beside Ji Yu and his group.

When Ji Yu saw Zhu Yu beside him, he could not help looking at him pleadingly.

Zhu Yu froze under that gaze. What kind of look was that? It was like a little kitten with tear-filled eyes.

Zhu Yu thought of the two little angels he had seen last time. Since Ji Yu was the father of those two little angels, he could not let this group of men really take him away. What would happen to the children then?

Zhu Yu turned and tugged Ji Yu. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Zhu." Ji Yu let out a breath of relief.

"Hey, who the hell are you, kid?!" Several young men watching the show could not help jumping out.

"I'm your grandfather." Zhu Yu turned to them with a smile that did not reach his eyes. He happened to recognize some of them—they were the sons of executives from companies that partnered with Shen Corporation.

I don't even have to grovel when negotiating with your fathers. Why would I be afraid of you?

Just as the hot-blooded young men were about to lose their patience, a thin, frail-looking boy suddenly squeezed his way out.

"Bro, I think he came with Shen Jingmo."

"Who???" The young men who had been about to make a move instantly froze and turned toward the boy in horror.

"Shen Jingmo." The boy scratched his head.

Hearing that terrifying name again, the young men swallowed with difficulty before turning and running away.

Two of them even remembered to haul the boy away with them.

Zhu Yu had no intention of pursuing the matter. After all, no real damage had been done, and those young men clearly had not yet received a proper beating from society.

Once Ji Yu saw the group run off, he finally smiled. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Zhu."

"It's nothing. Just be a little more careful from now on. I can't happen to run into you every time, can I? Though this is already the second time." Zhu Yu's voice grew quieter and quieter until his last words were nearly inaudible.

Ji Yu bowed deeply in gratitude. "I understand."

Zhu Yu patted Ji Yu's shoulder and was about to turn away when someone suddenly grabbed the hem of his clothes again.

Hmm??? Are you going to repay kindness with enmity too, kid?

Zhu Yu turned toward Ji Yu angrily, only to find that Ji Yu was not looking at him at all. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his face deathly pale, and his hand had merely grabbed Zhu Yu's clothes instinctively.

Zhu Yu was instantly speechless. What the hell is this? Am I supposed to provide after-sales service too?

Zhu Yu followed Ji Yu's line of sight and looked ahead, his expression complicated.

Sure enough, every story about running away while pregnant always had a stand-in involved.