Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Soon, He Nian heard from the staff about Lin Yi's recent chess game.

He learned that Lin Yi was exceptionally skilled at chess, even winning three consecutive games against a chess master, earning widespread praise.

He Nian clenched his teeth tightly upon hearing this.

Why was it that Lin Yi had been doing things recently that exceeded his imagination?

The Lin Yi he knew in the past was timid and unpopular.

He had used this to highlight his own excellence, as people need comparisons to stand out more.

However, many things were now different.

Lin Yi no longer acted meekly but with calm confidence, exuding a powerful presence. Most importantly, he kept showing impressive abilities.

Without even looking, He Nian knew that online opinions about Lin Yi must have changed, with many starting to like him.

Thinking about this made He Nian feel uneasy.

Why should Lin Yi be getting attention when he, He Nian, was the most outstanding one in the family? He was supposed to be the role model for others. Why was Lin Yi now stealing the spotlight?

He Nian couldn't bear the thought of not being the center of attention at future family gatherings.

Moreover, in the entertainment industry, outsiders always compared them, saying they were relatives but worlds apart.

He Nian was the one on top, so he would never allow Lin Yi to surpass him.

Thus, while everyone was strolling along the street, He Nian kept looking for an opportunity to showcase himself.

Finally, the opportunity came.

When they reached a certain street, there was a store hosting an event.

The store's idea was innovative: participants had to solve six arithmetic problems, each within three seconds. Solving all six correctly would win a prize.

Because the event was set up in a festive and eye-catching manner, Lin Yi and the others noticed it but quickly lost interest.

At this moment, He Nian called everyone over: "Let's play this game together. I'll go first."

Since he wanted to play, the other guests naturally stayed to watch.

Soon, the store owner approached He Nian: "Hello, do you want to participate?"

He Nian nodded: "Yes, what kind of arithmetic problems will there be?"

The store owner pointed to a large screen nearby and explained: "In a moment, six random questions will appear on this screen. All are two-digit multiplication problems. You have three seconds to answer each question. If you get all six correct, you win our prize. Two-digit multiplication is the basic level, but there's also two-digit by three-digit multiplication. Different levels have different rewards. Which difficulty do you choose?"

He Nian thought for a moment and said cautiously: "Two-digit by two-digit."

His mental calculation skills weren't strong, so he chose the easier option.

Besides, he believed Lin Yi's mental calculation skills were even worse.

At this moment, He Nian's fans in the live stream cheered.

"Our Nian is amazing!"

"Exactly! Even participating in activities, he chooses something educational. He truly learns everywhere."

"No need to say more, who's the real scholar in the entertainment industry!"

"He Nian is not only kind-hearted but also very knowledgeable. He's a true gem!"

Soon, He Nian began answering the questions.

First, the screen displayed the first problem: "58 * 96 ="

Then, the countdown in the upper right corner started.

3, 2...

He Nian looked tense as he thought, then answered in the last second: "5568."

The store owner skillfully built the atmosphere: "Great! Let's see if it's 5568!"

He pressed the remote control, and the screen showed the number 5568.

He raised his hand excitedly: "Congratulations to our participant, the first question is correct!!"

He Nian let out a sigh of relief.

The chat exploded with excitement.

"Ahhh, Nian is so great!"

"Five more questions, Nian, keep going!!"

Next, the second question appeared on the screen: "73 * 82 ="

He Nian frowned in thought, then answered just in time: "5886."

The store owner pressed the remote control again: "Let's see if it's 5886!"

The screen showed 5986.

Seeing this number, He Nian's face turned pale.

How could he have gotten the second question wrong?

The shop owner also said, "Oh, what a pity. You were so close."

The fans in the live chat were frantically comforting him.

"It's okay, Nian. You did great already; it was just too difficult."

"Exactly! Multiplying two-digit numbers in three seconds? How many people can do that?"

He Nian was frustrated that he hadn't achieved the shocking effect he wanted.

But he knew one thing: Find someone worse than himself, and he would look excellent by comparison.

And Lin Yi was that person who was worse than him.

With this thought, he walked up to Lin Yi and invited him with a smile, "Cousin, why don't you give it a try?"

Lin Yi wasn't interested in such activities, so he coldly refused, "No thanks."

He Nian tried to persuade him, "It's just for fun. You might even win a prize. Are you afraid to participate?"

Lin Yi gave He Nian a cold glance.

At this moment, Shen Feng interjected, "If he wants to participate, he will; if not, he won't. What's it got to do with you?"

He Nian: "..."

He was seething with anger, his teeth grinding, but his voice remained innocent, "I just thought the activity was interesting and wanted to share it with my cousin."

Whenever he spoke like this, it made him sound particularly insincere.

Shen Feng rolled his eyes, feeling nauseated.

But He Nian's fans ate it up and started shouting.

"What kind of ingrate is Lin Yi? Nian has always helped him in the entertainment industry, and now he treats Nian like this?"

"Is Lin Yi illiterate? Afraid he can't answer any questions, so he's hiding like a turtle?"

"Lin Yi not only has low moral standards but seems to have serious intelligence issues as well."

Seeing that Lin Yi still had no intention of participating, He Nian directly told the shop owner, "Boss, there's one more person who wants to try!"

Shen Feng was shocked by He Nian's shameless behavior.

Lin Yi, however, remained calm. He gave He Nian a cold look and said, "Sure, I'll participate."

Shen Feng quickly tried to stop him, "Don't be impulsive!"

In his view, these questions were quite difficult. If Lin Yi couldn't answer them, wouldn't he just be making a fool of himself?

Although their first meeting had been unpleasant, over time, Shen Feng had come to regard Lin Yi as one of his own.

Despite his bad temper, he was loyal to those he considered his own.

At this moment, Lin Yi smiled at him, raising an eyebrow, "Do you think so little of me?"

When he smiled, he exuded a dazzling confidence and composure, making his entire expression vibrant.

Shen Feng stared at Lin Yi's smile, almost blushing.

He silently cursed under his breath, then walked away to cool off, trying not to blush.

Soon, Lin Yi began answering questions.

Lin Yi directly told the shop owner, "The previous ones were too easy. Give me something harder—two-digit numbers multiplied by three-digit numbers."

Everyone was stunned by this statement.

Two-digit numbers multiplied by three-digit numbers? And answer within three seconds?!

Isn't that too difficult?

He Nian clenched his fists tightly.

Too easy? Was this a dig at him?

But it didn't matter; Lin Yi definitely wouldn't be able to answer any questions.

The shop owner looked at Lin Yi in surprise and confirmed, "Are you sure about two-digit numbers multiplied by three-digit numbers? It's very hard."

Lin Yi stood there nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow, "How hard can it be?"

His words carried a hint of youthful arrogance, which made him shine even brighter.

Everyone present was amazed.

The live chat was filled with comments.

"Ahhh, who understands? When Lin Yi said that, I was completely floored!!"

"Lin Yi is such a boss. Every move he makes is so charming and powerful!"

"I love Lin Yi so much, ahhhh!!"

Soon, Lin Yi began answering questions.

First, the screen displayed the first question: "53 * 369 ="

The countdown began.

3, 2...

Lin Yi answered calmly, "19577."

After all, in his previous life, he worked in investment banking and dealt with numbers every day. Such a simple calculation was nothing to him.

For some reason, the boss felt confident just by looking at Lin Yi's expression. Sure enough, when he pressed the remote control, the correct answer appeared on the screen: 19577, exactly what Lin Yi had said.

The boss immediately became excited. "Correct!!! Congratulations to our guest!!!"

At this moment, many people were watching around them, all clapping in shock.

After all, this was a two-digit number multiplied by a three-digit number, solved within three seconds, and it was correct. How could it not be astonishing?

The comments section erupted in celebration.

"Ahhh, Lin Yi is amazing!!"

"Is this what they call a genius??!!!"

He Nian watched this scene, completely disbelieving.

How could it be possible? Lin Yi actually got it right?

Could it be that he guessed randomly and just happened to get it right??

The second question then appeared: "38 * 562 ="

Lin Yi remained calm. "21356."

After confirming, the boss shouted loudly, "Correct again!!!"

The crowd drew a collective breath.

Just how terrifying was this mental calculation ability?

Shen Feng was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out.

Lin Yi was too strong!

No wonder he was so confident earlier!!

It was foolish of him to have stopped Lin Yi, worried that he wouldn't be able to answer and would embarrass himself. Now it seemed his worries were entirely unfounded.

Beside him, He Nian was already pale-faced.

If one question could be a coincidence, could two questions also be a coincidence?

Could it be that Lin Yi's mental calculation ability was truly stronger than his?

No, he refused to believe it!

For the next four questions, Lin Yi answered all of them correctly without exception.

Initially, there was extreme silence, followed by thunderous applause.

Lin Yi was simply godlike!!!

"Ahhh, what terrifying mental calculation ability!!!"

"Mum asked me why I'm kneeling while using my phone!!!"

"Lin Yi, I love you, you're too amazing, ahhh!!!"

"The fans of He Nian were still mocking earlier, why aren't they mocking now?"

"Yeah, come out and speak up, are you mute now?"

Of course, He Nian's fans couldn't say anything; their faces were already swollen from being slapped.

Similarly, He Nian himself was also left with a swollen face.

Originally, everything was designed by him to make Lin Yi look inferior and highlight himself. But now, it had turned into him highlighting Lin Yi, and being utterly crushed in the process.

At this moment, Lin Yi walked past him.

He Nian immediately tensed up, thinking Lin Yi would take the opportunity to mock him.

But Lin Yi didn't even glance at him throughout the entire process.

As if he didn't care about him at all.

Sometimes, ignoring someone can be the most hurtful thing.

He Nian's face turned pale.

He felt like a clown who couldn't even make it onto the stage.