Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The moonlight gently flowed down.

The villa was quiet.

In the dining room, a bright crystal chandelier was lit.

Lin Yi sat in his chair, lazily supporting his chin with one hand, accompanying Huo Jihan for his birthday.

Huo Jihan, sitting across from Lin Yi, was eating the longevity noodles that Lin Yi had made for him.

Although Lin Yi's culinary skills were average, this bowl of longevity noodles was something he had specifically learned from a master chef, surpassing his usual standards.

It was a bowl of clear broth noodles, the noodles chewy and the soup richly fragrant, garnished with some small greens and scallions.

Huo Jihan picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and began to eat slowly and methodically.

Born into nobility, he had excellent table manners, making even the act of eating a bowl of noodles a pleasing sight.

Lin Yi propped his chin on his hand and looked at Huo Jihan, casually asking, "Mr. Huo, this must be the simplest birthday meal you've ever had, right?"

For someone like Huo Jihan, born into the top echelons of wealth, there was no delicacy he hadn't tasted. On his birthday, he would undoubtedly indulge in the most expensive foods.

Now, he was eating a simple bowl of clear broth noodles.

This was probably a rare experience for him.

Huo Jihan looked up at Lin Yi with his dark eyes: "This bowl of noodles is quite good."

Though the ingredients weren't particularly precious, they seemed to carry a different significance.

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Really? I'm glad you like it! If so, when your birthday comes around next year, I can make them for you again!"

Some words, when coupled with a future time frame, naturally evoke anticipation.

Even imagining the same scene next year stirred the heart.

Huo Jihan looked at Lin Yi, a faint smile spreading across his dark eyes: "Sure."

His usually cold and flat voice now carried a hint of gentleness.

Lin Yi, seeing Huo Jihan smiling, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

No wonder so many men and women tried every means to get close to Huo Jihan; he was truly a bit unfair.

Even if Lin Yi had no ulterior motives towards Huo Jihan, he had to admit that Huo Jihan's face was absolutely irresistible to both genders!

Especially when Huo Jihan showed even a hint of gentleness, it was enough to make one lose themselves, like moths drawn to a flame.

Huo Jihan continued to eat his noodles.

With nothing else to do, Lin Yi took out his phone to surf the internet and casually searched for himself online.

He usually wouldn't do such a search, but to pass the time, he decided to look himself up.

To his surprise, he found that his Weibo account had grown to over ten million followers without him noticing.

When he first entered the story, he only had a few hundred thousand followers, most of whom were there to criticize him.

Now, the majority of his ten million followers were genuine fans who often left encouraging comments and shared their daily lives with him.

Some advertisers even approached him, and when he didn't respond, they went to his agent instead.

Lin Yi was somewhat surprised but didn't pay much attention to it.

Then he casually searched on other apps.

When he saw something about himself on an anonymous platform, he chuckled.

An anonymous user seemed to despise him and wrote a three- or four-thousand-word rant against him, claiming that he had hooked up with a wealthy backer, which explained why he could drive a Ferrari, visit an expensive private resort, and attend auctions...

This anonymous user presented facts and arguments, from Lin Yi's ordinary family background to his income in the entertainment industry, concluding that Lin Yi couldn't afford such luxuries on his own. The implication was that he must have a wealthy and influential backer behind the scenes.

The logic of the entire exposé was quite clear.

As Lin Yi read, he couldn't help but laugh.

Huo Jihan across from him asked, "What's so funny?"

Lin Yi looked at Huo Jihan with amusement: "Mr. Huo, it seems you've become my sugar daddy."

Huo Jihan was momentarily stunned: "What?"

Lin Yi laughed: "There's a rumor online saying I've hooked up with a wealthy and influential backer."

Huo Jihan was speechless.

After a pause, he asked, "Do you need me to help resolve it?"

Lin Yi waved his hands: "No, no, it's not a big deal. How could I trouble you personally?"

Huo Jihan was a man of great importance, and every second was precious. It would be a waste to spend it on such trivial matters.

However, Lin Yi was curious about one thing and pondered aloud: "Someone who knows my whereabouts so well must be someone close to me."

Most likely, it was Su Bai and his group, as he had been interacting with them recently.

At this moment, Huo Jihan said, "Do you want to know who the person is?"

Lin Yi's eyes widened slightly: "The sender is anonymous. Can you really find out?"

Huo Jihan: "Go to the study and bring me my computer."

Lin Yi, curious about what Huo Jihan would do, went upstairs to fetch the computer.

By the time Lin Yi came back downstairs, Huo Jihan had finished his noodles.

Then, the two of them moved to the sofa in the living room.

Huo Jihan sat steadily on the sofa and turned on the computer.

The cold blue light of the computer startup reflected in his dark eyes, making them appear even deeper and colder.

Lin Yi felt he was about to witness some high-tech magic, so he sat next to Huo Jihan, watching his every move intently.

Unfortunately, he didn't understand much of what was happening.

He mostly saw Huo Jihan typing some code.

When Huo Jihan focused on something, his expression was serious, and his long fingers tapped the keyboard swiftly, giving off an aura of security.

Lin Yi couldn't help but be captivated for a few seconds before seeing Huo Jihan press the enter key and say, "Done."

Lin Yi: "!!!"

Wait, that's it?!

He only looked away for a few seconds?!

At this moment, Huo Jihan showed Lin Yi the computer screen, which displayed an IP address.

It was the IP address of the anonymous user.

Lin Yi was stunned for several seconds before he found his voice and said to Huo Jihan, "So you're a legendary hacker?"

Huo Jihan seemed amused by Lin Yi's reaction, raising the corner of his mouth: "This is simple."

Lin Yi: "…"

Is it really that simple?!

Finding an anonymous user's IP address is simple?

This must be the difference between geniuses and ordinary people like him!!

Now he understood why people like the Steward and Ji Yunchuan spoke so highly of Huo Jihan.

No wonder he earned a Ph.D. from an Ivy League school at twenty-five!!

Curiosity getting the better of him, Lin Yi asked, "Mr. Huo, is there anything difficult for you?"

Huo Jihan thought for a moment: "Not at the moment."

Lin Yi: "…"

Forget it; asking more would just make him feel inferior.

At this moment, Lin Yi turned to look at what Huo Jihan had uncovered, discovering that the anonymous user had posted the leak from their talent agency.

It seemed almost certain that it was Su Bai and his group.

Huo Jihan asked Lin Yi, "What do you plan to do next?"

Lin Yi shrugged indifferently: "It's just some trivial online gossip. It doesn't affect me at all."

After all, nothing significant had happened yet; it was just a simple gossip post. There were plenty of such posts online.

If the other party had further actions, they could deal with it then.

Huo Jihan continued: "You don't care?"

Lin Yi replied calmly: "I don't feel any emotional disturbance. Those who curse or slander me are the ones who are angry and twisted, trapped in negative emotions. It has nothing to do with me. My emotions remain stable. In fact, they are the ones losing out."

Huo Jihan listened to Lin Yi's words and looked at him with a rare approving gaze: "A unique perspective."

Lin Yi smiled: "Right? Everyone is an independent entity. If you view these things as an observer, you'll realize many emotions are unnecessary because you might be wasting energy without affecting others."

Huo Jihan listened quietly, and when Lin Yi finished, he said with a slight smile: "So, do you always take such a detached attitude?"

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow: "Of course not! I may not waste energy, but if someone tries to attack me, I'll retaliate. Otherwise, they might think I'm easy to bully."

In his previous life, some clients often tried to criticize his work, and he had even slammed the table in anger, which made those clients back off.

Working in investment banking, where many powerful figures were present, and leading a team, he needed some personality and tactics to gain respect.

Huo Jihan kept looking at Lin Yi.

As Lin Yi spoke, his eyes sparkled vividly, like a blazing flame, exuding vibrant vitality, drawing people in unconsciously.

At that moment, Lin Yi resembled a clever and playful little fox.

However, after finishing his speech, Lin Yi slumped lazily on the sofa, sighing, "Speaking while sitting up straight is exhausting. Lying down is much more comfortable."

What he had just said was based on his past experiences as a corporate worker. In this life, he was just a lazy fish, unwilling to even turn over, with no lofty rhetoric.

Seeing Lin Yi's transformation, Huo Jihan genuinely laughed.

A brief laugh, like the plucking of a cello string, low and alluring.

Lin Yi heard this short laugh and, still leaning against the sofa, turned his head to look at Huo Jihan.

At this moment, Huo Jihan's expression was different from before.

In the past, Huo Jihan’s face was cold, his eyes seeming to hold a thousand years of frozen ice, but now, a circle of warmth spread in his dark eyes, as if an icy lake was gradually melting under the moonlight.

Lin Yi watched and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Mr. Huo, you should smile more often."

Huo Jihan slightly raised his eyebrows. "Hmm?"

Lin Yi sincerely exclaimed, "When you smile, it's absolutely stunning!"

Huo Jihan looked at Lin Yi with eyes that seemed capable of ensnaring souls. "Is that your honest opinion?"

Lin Yi nodded vigorously. "Of course it is."

Although he had no ulterior motives towards Huo Jihan, humans share the same appreciation for such top-tier beauty!

Even if one doesn't like it, they can't help but praise it.

Huo Jihan looked at Lin Yi for a while, as if judging something.

After a long pause, he commented, "Not sincere."

Lin Yi: "??"

What did Huo Jihan mean?

He was genuinely praising him!!

But now it was late, clearly not the time to dwell on such matters.

Before the two went upstairs, Huo Jihan tapped a few keys on the computer and then said to Lin Yi, "I've deleted that exposé post for you."

Lin Yi was already astounded by Huo Jihan's abilities, looking at him with a worshipful gaze. "Thank you."

After saying this, Lin Yi bent down to pick up the sleeping Huo Mianmian from the sofa and started walking upstairs.

Just as he took a few steps, Huo Jihan called out, "Lin Yi."

Lin Yi turned back. "Hmm?"

For some reason, Huo Jihan's gaze seemed much softer than usual, and he said slowly, "Good night."

Lin Yi also smiled. "Good night."

The next morning.

Lin Yi had gone to bed late last night, so he slept until nearly eleven o'clock before getting up.

To his surprise, Huo Jihan was still asleep.

It was rare for Huo Jihan to sleep in; it could be recorded in history.

But it wasn't surprising, considering it was Huo Jihan's birthday yesterday, and he drank quite a bit, then stayed up late, needing to catch up on sleep.

After Lin Yi got up, he had breakfast and then ate a packet of small cookies.

At this moment, Huo Mianmian came over to him.

Lin Yi teased him, holding a small cookie near his mouth. "Come on, baby, open wide."

Huo Mianmian obediently opened his mouth, waiting for Lin Yi to feed him.

But Lin Yi just waved the cookie in front of his mouth, then put it into his own mouth.

Huo Mianmian: "??"

Eh??

At this moment, Lin Yi held back his laughter and picked up the second cookie. "Come on, come on, I'll really give it to you this time."

Huo Mianmian obediently opened his mouth again.

But Lin Yi once again waved it around and put it into his own mouth.

Huo Mianmian: "..."

Wah!

Lin Yi laughed maniacally. "Hahaha!!"

Teasing the little one was too much fun!!

Lin Yi picked up the third cookie to feed Huo Mianmian. "This time, I promise I won't trick you!"

Huo Mianmian hesitated for a moment but still opened his mouth.

As expected, Lin Yi ate it himself again.

Huo Mianmian: "..."

He buried his head in Lin Yi's chest, whining, "Daddy~"

One could hear the urgency in his little voice.

Lin Yi: "Hahaha!!"

Lin Yi picked up the small cookie for the fourth time, finally having a change of heart and actually feeding it to Huo Mianmian.

Huo Mianmian bit into the cookie, chewed it, and instantly became happy.

So delicious!

After the father and son finished the remaining cookies, Lin Yi, with nothing else to do, found a set of Pikachu costumes.

One large, one small.

They must have been prepared by the Steward or the servants for him and Huo Mianmian.

Looking at the two round, yellow Pikachu costumes, Lin Yi suddenly felt excited.

He asked Huo Mianmian, "Zai, do you want to put on the costume and play with me?"

Huo Mianmian nodded enthusiastically, "Yes~"

Soon, Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian changed into their respective costumes.

Then, in the villa, there appeared two Pikachus, one big and one small, waddling around adorably.

The Steward and the servants watched them with smiles.

Not long after, Huo Jihan came downstairs.

He didn't need to go to the company today, so he wore a gray loungewear, looking more relaxed than usual.

As soon as he descended, two cute, chubby Pikachus pounced towards him.

One big, one small.

The bigger one reached out to stop him, changing his voice deliberately, "This tree is mine, this path I made; if you want to pass, leave your toll!"

After saying that, the two Pikachus stood menacingly in front of Huo Jihan.

Pikachus were here to rob him!

However, Huo Jihan remained calm and replied indifferently, "No."

"No?!" The bigger Pikachu growled, "Don't you care about your life then?"

The Pikachu costume was adorable, but the person inside deliberately spoke in a fierce tone, making it particularly amusing.

Huo Jihan slightly smiled, "Yes, money over life."

The bigger Pikachu: "..."

Clearly not expecting such a tough customer on his first try, he was momentarily stunned, unsure how to react.

Fortunately, a new target appeared.

Ji Yunchuan passed by the villa area, planning to come for a meal. Unexpectedly, as he walked in excitedly, two cute Pikachus blocked his way.

Ji Yunchuan jumped in surprise, then tentatively said, "Sister-in-law? Mianmian?"

At this moment, the bigger Pikachu repeated the threatening words, "This tree is mine, this path I made; if you want to pass, leave your toll!"

Ji Yunchuan muttered, "Money? But I don't have any cash today!"

The two Pikachus immediately spread their arms to block his path, preventing him from entering.

Ji Yunchuan: "!!"

Without Huo Jihan's intimidating presence, he could only yell inside, "Big Brother Huo, can't you control your two darlings?!!!"

The Pikachu costume-wearing Lin Yi: "??"

What did he mean by two darlings??

Huo Mianmian being Huo Jihan's darling was fine, but he wasn't!

So, the bigger Pikachu started violently beating Ji Yunchuan.

Ji Yunchuan covered his head and cried for help, "Big Brother Huo, Big Brother Huo, please intervene quickly!!!"

Here, Huo Jihan took the coffee served by the servant, sipped it slowly, and then smiled, saying, "Can't control them."

Can't control them.

Three simple words.

But they carried an inexplicable sense of indulgence.