Because the village chief and the others had already agreed, the rest of the villagers looked at one another, exchanged a few hesitant glances, and in the end stopped objecting. They all raised their hands to show agreement.
To be honest, no one in the village cared that much about who became a village official anyway. The position brought little money, a lot of trouble, and required constant running around far from home.
On top of that, their miserly village chief practically never paid any salary, and the people in the village were all half-crazy to begin with. Who in their right mind would actually want the job?
The village chief, however, was still unwilling to give up completely.
He said, “Granny Li has been living in our village for so many years. We can’t just make decisions about village matters on our own. Why don’t we ask for her opinion as well?”
He had his own reasons for doing this.
As far as he knew, Granny Li had an extremely odd temperament and a deep dislike for outsiders. He was absolutely certain she would refuse.
Once she rejected the proposal, he could take advantage of that moment, saying they had to respect the elder’s wishes. That way, even if Jian Yue held leverage against them, it would be useless.
Everything went exactly as he planned, at least, that was what he thought.
Jian Yue turned around.
Granny Li lifted her head just in time to meet his dazzling, sunny smile. He said warmly, “How is your wound healing? You’ve been careful not to get it wet and have been taking the medicine I prescribed, right?”
Granny Li pretended not to hear him, her expression blank.
But Jian Yue went on, “It’s fine if you don’t want to say. When I go back later, I’ll just drop by your house to check whether you’ve still got the medicine I gave you last time, ”
Before he could even finish, Granny Li’s face twisted as though she were listening to a divine decree. She closed her eyes and said with the determination of someone walking to their execution, “I have no opinion.”
The village chief and the others were completely dumbfounded.
Wait, wasn’t this old lady the one who could take on five men at once on an ordinary day? Why was she suddenly looking like she’d rather die than hear another word, begging silently for mercy?
At that very moment, a new message flashed before Jian Yue’s eyes on the system interface: “Congratulations, intern! Limited-time mission [The People’s Cadre is the Most Glorious] completed. Reward: Village Archive Key will be issued soon!”
It was actually done.
Jian Yue couldn’t hide the joy on his face. Standing in the middle of the room, he said sincerely, “Please don’t worry, everyone. I am deeply honored to have been elected as the Party Secretary of Wanfucun. I promise I won’t let you down. From today on, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to serving the people, to building a new countryside, and to leading us on the road to progress, creating together a beautiful and harmonious home for all!”
When his speech ended, the entire room fell silent.
The villagers said nothing.
Under Jian Yue’s bright gaze, a few hesitant claps finally broke the stillness, followed by a reluctant drizzle of applause. Every ghostly villager looked pale and miserable.
Meanwhile, the live-stream chat was exploding with laughter.
The village chief’s face twisted in frustration as he handed over the key to the village archive. Still, he couldn’t resist gritting out, “Remember, you have to report and clock in at the office every day, or your salary will be deducted.”
At the mention of salary, Jian Yue’s eyes lit up. “How much can I expect to earn?” he asked eagerly.
The village chief forced a smile. “If the harvest is good, at least five hundred. If it’s bad, not a single coin.”
Jian Yue blinked curiously. “And how often is it bad?”
“Don’t worry about that.” The village chief’s thin face curved into a sinister grin. “It’s basically never good.”
Jian Yue fell silent for a long moment.
You could have just said there’s no pay at all.
Taking a deep breath, he asked patiently, “Village chief, could you tell me in detail what my duties are as the new secretary? Since I’m responsible for developing the village and leading everyone toward prosperity, I should at least know what powers come with the job.”
The village chief snorted. This young man had barely put on the hat of office and was already impatient for glory. Youth these days had no restraint!
“There’s nothing special to it,” he said sourly. “You just handle whatever little disputes pop up in the village. Sometimes you can announce a few new policies that benefit the people. That’s all.”
Jian Yue nodded slowly. “What kind of disputes exactly?”
“Things like helping the blacksmith find his missing hammer, chasing down Granny Li’s runaway pig, or mediating when a couple has a fight,” the chief replied with a thin smile. “Small things like that.”
Jian Yue paused, then asked again, “And those beneficial policies, what have we had before?”
“None,” the chief said flatly.
Jian Yue pressed on, “Then what did the previous village secretary do?”
“If there had been a previous one, would we need you now?” The chief’s bony face darkened as he glared viciously. “Didn’t think someone with such an average face could have such a slow brain. What kind of stupid questions are these?”
Jian Yue said nothing.
Who was really the one asking stupid questions here?
The live-stream audience burst out laughing.
“I suddenly feel better about my life.”
“This village secretary has no power at all!”
“Even the system’s reward isn’t worth all that effort!”
“Poor anchor, he’s been played again!”
“Low pay, heavy workload, far from home, legendary job description!”
“Being this kind of official is worse than not being one at all!”
At first, many people had been a little envious that Jian Yue had managed to become Wanfucun’s Party Secretary, the first player ever to succeed, even though countless others with the highest exploration ratings had failed.
But after watching this scene unfold, their envy vanished completely.
In fact, quite a few viewers were now gloating over his misfortune.
Still, Jian Yue himself remained cheerful. As long as he had the key, it felt worth it. With light steps, he made his way back to the residence.
Technically, it was his day off, and he didn’t need to report to the front. But after thinking it over, he decided he should inform the young master about his glorious new position as a village official.
So Jian Yue headed straight for the study.
He stopped at the door and knocked politely. “Young master, may I come in?”
Shen Yushu’s calm voice came from inside. “Come in.”
When Jian Yue entered, he saw the man sitting behind the desk, busy with work. Shen Yushu lifted his gaze briefly, his handsome, noble face carrying a faint look of helplessness as his eyes lingered on Jian Yue.
Wasn’t today supposed to be a day off? Why had the butler shown up again?
Was he really that clingy?
What a troublesome little demon, Shen Yushu thought silently. But his face stayed composed, showing no irritation as he asked, “What is it?”
Jian Yue smiled and said, “Young master, I heard from Aunt Zhang that you haven’t rested all day, so I brought you some chicken soup. I know your business keeps you busy, but you must also take care of your health.”
The chicken soup had been cooked by Aunt Zhang; Jian Yue was just delivering it. Still, since he had secretly taken on a new “job,” he couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty.
Shen Yushu hadn’t expected him to care so much.
Those deep, dark eyes of his seemed to catch fire, a faint, smoldering glow burning as they lingered on Jian Yue’s face.
Jian Yue felt his scalp tingle under that intense gaze.
What was going on? Why was the young master looking at him like that? Could it be,
He met Shen Yushu’s eyes hesitantly and said, “Young master, you already know, don’t you?”
Shen Yushu’s expression changed slightly. He cleared his throat, straightened his collar with cold elegance, and said calmly, “You could say that.”
Damn.
Truly omniscient!
Jian Yue exclaimed, “I knew nothing could be hidden from you! You’re right, I was elected as the new village secretary!”
Shen Yushu stared at him wordlessly.
For a moment, the noble, composed CEO’s reaction was exactly the same as that of the dumbfounded villagers earlier.
Jian Yue blinked. “Young master?”
The live-stream erupted again.
“Look at his face! The young master’s soul just left his body!”
“This is the first time I’ve seen the CEO like this.”
“Hahaha our butler really climbed the ranks, he’s a government official now!”
“A true talent! No matter where he goes, he shines!”
Shen Yushu narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice calm yet edged with disbelief.
“You ran for village secretary?” he asked slowly. “What, this whole mansion isn’t enough for you to manage already?”
“Master, the reason I ran for village secretary was entirely for the old lady’s illness,” Jian Yue said earnestly, his tone perfectly solemn as if he had rehearsed this speech a hundred times in his head.
“I’ve been observing these past few days, and I realized that the villagers are very guarded. To earn their trust, I must infiltrate their circle and build a strong foundation among them. Only by dismantling the problem from within can we truly succeed. That is the best strategy.”
Shen Yushu looked at him, expression unreadable, emotions flickering deep within his dark eyes. This man, he thought, was truly something else.
The way he could make nonsense sound so righteous was almost admirable. But that wasn’t what Shen Yushu wanted to hear.
He sighed softly, leaning back in his chair and said, “You did well. Tell me, what kind of reward do you want? Whatever it is, as long as you speak it aloud, I can consider giving it to you.”
Jian Yue’s eyes brightened instantly. “Really, Master?”
The young master’s tone dropped an octave, his deep voice carrying a faint, dangerous edge as his gaze lifted lazily. “Butler Wang, you are the first person who’s ever dared to question my words.”
Jian Yue’s spine straightened immediately. “Forgive me, Master. I misspoke.”
If his boss was willing to be generous, then he would happily be the most loyal bootlicker in the world for life!
Shen Yushu’s gaze softened, and his voice carried deliberate weight. “Go on. What do you want? Speak freely. I’ve seen how much effort you’ve put in lately. Whatever you desire, I can grant it.”
Jian Yue, moved by this tone, spoke righteously, “Master, there’s no need to speak of rewards. It is my duty and honor to serve you. If I can stay by your side and continue assisting you, that alone is already the greatest blessing. Even if you promoted me or raised my pay, I would still gladly devote myself to you!”
The room fell silent.
Shen Yushu stared at him wordlessly.
But somehow, the atmosphere in the study turned cold, chillingly so. Though it was broad daylight, Jian Yue felt a layer of cold sweat break across his back.
Shen Yushu picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, then looked back at him. “That’s all?”
Jian Yue blinked, equally puzzled. What did that mean? Why was his boss looking at him like that? Working under someone like him was like walking a tightrope over fire. Could it be that his request had sounded too greedy?
He hesitated for a moment before tentatively saying, “Well… if a promotion isn’t possible, I suppose a raise would be fine too. Actually, I think, ”
A sharp crack interrupted him. Shen Yushu had set his teacup down, and in that instant, it split cleanly down the middle. Porcelain fragments scattered softly across the desk.
“No raise either,” Shen Yushu said, his voice calm but freezing cold.
Jian Yue trembled, blurting out, “Of course! Money is merely a worldly possession, fleeting and insignificant! One is born without it and dies without it. To obsess over such things is a vulgar pursuit! Master, believe me, I am not attached to money at all. In fact, my lifelong wish is to completely free myself from such lowly desires!”
Oh heavens, please don’t strike him down for this lie. He was saying what he must to survive!
In the live stream, the audience erupted with laughter.
“The man looks like he’s about to crumble.”
“He says he doesn’t care about money, but I can smell the heartbreak from here.”
“Imagine dying inside while preaching about higher ideals!”
“But why did the young master get angry all of a sudden?”
“Could it be the whole village secretary thing that ticked him off?”
“Butler Wang’s about to lose his favor for sure.”
“Oh no, the streamer’s going to crash and burn!”
Speculation filled the chat.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
A tiny coffee can be a surprisingly nice “thank you.” ☕
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Master, Calm DownChapter 2 · This Damn ValleyChapter 3 · The Old slave Is here!Chapter 4 · Shocked my Friend?Chapter 5 · Life Doesn’t have that many viewers but Live doesChapter 6 · Science is Primary productive ForceChapter 7 · A one million in a card!Chapter 8 · You’re First Person to reject Young MasterChapter 9 · He saved meChapter 10 · Your Life is mineChapter 11 · This village is such a Mess!Chapter 12 · Little GoblinChapter 13 · Who should be afraid of whom?Chapter 14 · I, an honest person, don’t understand these thingsChapter 15 · The world is finally upside downChapter 16 · Made a decision that went against our ancestorsChapter 17 · Young Master hasn’t laughed so happily in a long timeChapter 18 · Brother, you smell so good!Chapter 19 · Licking everything to the endChapter 20 · This mental state is too advancedChapter 21 · Enough, let’s stop this farce!Chapter 22 · Young master, please let me explain!Chapter 23 Part 2 · You’re playing with fire!Chapter 23 Part 2 · You’re playing with fire!Chapter 24 Part 1 · The light of righteousness shines upon the earthChapter 24 Part 2 · The light of righteousness shines upon the earthChapter 25 Part 1 · You two-faced man!Chapter 25 Part 2 · You two-faced man!Chapter 26 Part 1 · Butler Wang, I see you still retain your charmChapter 26 Part 2 · Butler Wang, I see you still retain your charmChapter 27 Part 1 · I’m straight, bro!Chapter 27 Part 2 · I’m straight, bro!Chapter 28 Part 1 · This is a blatant violation of citizens’ portrait rights!Chapter 28 Part 2 · This is a blatant violation of citizens’ portrait rights!Chapter 29 Part 1 · The domineering CEO falls in love with me!Chapter 29 Part 2 · The domineering CEO falls in love with me!Chapter 30 Part 1 · Take this Five million and leave my son!Chapter 30 Part 2 · Take this Five million and leave my SonChapter 31 Part 1 · Biting me means you’re arrogantChapter 31 Part 2 · Biting me means you’re arrogantChapter 32 Part 1 · Has butler realise his mistake?Chapter 32 Part 2 · Has butler realise his mistake?Chapter 33 Part 1 · The simple master-servant relationship has soured!Chapter 33 Part 2 · The simple master-servant relationship has soured!Chapter 34 Part 1 · A one-night stand by the domineering CEO leads him to fall in love with meChapter 34 Part 2 · A one-night stand by the domineering CEO leads him to fall in love with meChapter 35 Part 1 · This tastes damn sweet!Chapter 35 Part 2 · This tastes damn sweet!Chapter 36 Part 1 · I will take responsibility for youChapter 36 Part 2 · I will take responsibility for youChapter 37 Part 1 · He will never drink again!Chapter 37 Part 2 · He will never drink again!Chapter 38 Part 1 · He said he didn’t want itChapter 38 Part 2 · He said he didn’t want itChapter 39 · Now is not the time to ask for a title!Chapter 40 Part 1 · Brother Dao, how can I live without you!Chapter 40 Part 2 · Brother Dao, how can I live without you!Chapter 41 · What a human-like beastChapter 42 Part 1 · This damned ancestral hall has successfully caught my attention!Chapter 42 Part 2 · This damned ancestral hall has successfully caught my attention!Chapter 43 · After the overall situation is fully opened upChapter 44 · Village chief, are you really that vigorous for your age?Chapter 45 · Butler Wang, I love you!Chapter 46 · What exactly do you see in me?Chapter 47 · I swear to GodChapter 48 · All I want to do is die with himChapter 49 · I’m going to kill themChapter 50 · Who would like Shen YushuChapter 51 · Young master, I want to cling to you tightly!Chapter 52 · They’ve run away together! They’ve run away together!Chapter 53 · Sworn BrothersChapter 54 · My boss is the best in the world to meChapter 55 · I want you all to be buried with him.Chapter 56 · It’s a beautiful day outside Wanfu VillageChapter 57 · You don’t have anyone you want to seeChapter 58 · I’m married! Married!Chapter 59 · The Cold Prince’s SweetheartChapter 60 · Young master, this old servant has arrived! ~Chapter 61 · Who else could do something so outrageous?Chapter 62 · Boy, I got my eyes on youChapter 63 · Does Butler Wang really want to see him that much?Chapter 64 · Come on, call me Dad!Chapter 65 · Other men might have it too!!Chapter 66 · Being obsessed with love is indeed a major problemChapter 67 · He’s playing the devoted second male lead!Chapter 68 · The number one person to wash underwear with a cold face!Chapter 69 · Young master, will you be back for dinner tonight?Chapter 70 · Others ask for money to save peopleChapter 71 · Wang, please don’t die!Chapter 72 · My current identity is that of a father!Chapter 73 · Here’s your chance to confess!Chapter 74 · That’s definitely someone with connections!Chapter 75 · This is my personChapter 76 · How come you’re already married?Chapter 77 · I’m going to pester you, young master!Chapter 78 · How do you turn a straight man gay?!Chapter 79 · Am I Butler Wang’s mistress?!Chapter 80 · He really does have a fiancé!Chapter 81 · Don’t stay with himChapter 82 · Man, you asked for this!Chapter 83 · Was he just acting like this?Chapter 84 · The second male lead is about to turn the tables and become the master!!Chapter 85 · This trick is cheapChapter 86 · How dare you cheat on me!Chapter 87 · Are you an undercover agent sent by Butler Wang?Chapter 88 · I think of my master day and nightChapter 89 · These wealthy families really know how to have funChapter 90 · You possess such advanced talent that you can enter Hope IslandChapter 91 · Be my Consort!Chapter 92 · Young Master, are you really angry?!Chapter 93 · I swear I will only love you!Chapter 94 · Who bullied you?Chapter 95 · Just a quick favor!Chapter 96 · This is no challenge for him at all!!Chapter 97 · He’s no match for them!Chapter 98 · Xiaoyu, I only love youChapter 99 · This is Butler Wang’s territory!Chapter 100 · Is this how you treat your savior?Chapter 101 · You two are definitely a family!Chapter 102 · Who is your mother-in-law?Chapter 103 · Are we really going to send him to his death?Chapter 104 · He married him againChapter 105 · How can someone be so carefree?Chapter 106 · Butler Wang has done immeasurable good deeds!Chapter 107 · Only those who survive can be considered heroes!Chapter 108 · Since we’re going toChapter 109 · I love youChapter 110 · I will never leave you again.Chapter 111 · The Overbearing King’s Gentle PamperingChapter 112 · Mainly, I kind of want to be your auntChapter 113 · Don’t easily test my limitsChapter 114 · He’s seducing me!Chapter 115 · Uncle opened the doorChapter 116 · The world of the wealthy is such a mess!Chapter 117 · Your old servant is here!Chapter 118 · Xiaoyu, you’ve gone astray!!!Chapter 119 · Uncle, you have to keep this a secret!Chapter 120 · Who’s child is this?Chapter 121 · Butler Wang really has a crush on me!Chapter 122 · One person has surrounded everyone!Chapter 123 · Are you guys playing this fancy?!Chapter 124 · Even gamers are working for him!Chapter 125 · If you fall into the river, I’ll save you first!Chapter 126 · What a troublesome little devilChapter 127 · Does the Puppet Master app have anti-fraud features?Chapter 128 · You’re a scorpion demon incarnate!Chapter 129 · How about we give it a try?Chapter 130 · The dog shit will arrive faster than your knife!Chapter 131 · Is he hungry too?Chapter 132 · We even stayed a few days less than them!Chapter 133 · How about I marry you so you can take my place?Chapter 134 · This is truly a team full of villains!Chapter 135 · It’s clearly an auspicious omen!Chapter 136 · Is it normal to think my brother smells good?Chapter 137 · You’re the biggest capitalist here!Chapter 138 · What happened to true love?Chapter 139 · Romantic types are strictly prohibited from participating in horror dungeons!!!Chapter 140 · What should I do with Butler Wang!?Chapter 141 · Butler Wang! The most courageous man ever!Chapter 142 · What are you doing?!Chapter 143 · Man, you’re playing with fire!Chapter 144 · I heard a heartbeatChapter 145 · Can puppets also have superb kissing skills?Chapter 146 · What else is real then?!Chapter 147 · Seduction? That won’t work on me!Chapter 148 · What is my uncle doing?!Chapter 149 · Uncle, you don’t treat others like this!Chapter 150 · I’ll give you five million!!Chapter 151 · We’re true love!Chapter 152 · Sister-in-law, I genuinely want to help you!Chapter 153 · They can even find an excuse to sleep together!Chapter 154 · Butler Wang iis popular among young people.Chapter 155 · Who says Butler Wang’s strategy guide is bad?Chapter 156 · I’ll remarry the moment you’re in your coffin!Chapter 157 · Now it’s your turn to beg me or not