Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Lin Yi looked at Huo Jihan, who was greeting him, and tried to figure out why Huo Jihan had come to see him.

After a moment, he concluded that Huo Jihan was simply here to get acquainted with him.

Therefore, when Huo Jihan called out, Lin Yi responded with a simple, "Mm."

At this moment, Lin Yi's coffee arrived.

He picked up the cup and took a sip slowly.

Across from him, Huo Jihan continued to watch him, his eyes seemingly probing. "Have you always been with my brother?"

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Huo Jihan leaned back in his chair, casually crossing his legs. "I'm just curious how you manage to get along with my brother."

Lin Yi gave a half-smile. "What's wrong with your brother? Is he some kind of monster?"

Huo Jihan coldly remarked, "My brother is cold and emotionless, and he's also extremely dictatorial..."

Lin Yi listened lazily as Huo Jihan spoke. When he finished, Lin Yi calmly added, "I recorded it."

Huo Jihan's expression visibly changed. "What?"

Clearly, he was wary of Huo Jihan.

Seeing this, Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh.

He thought Huo Jihan didn't care about anything, but it turned out he was still afraid of his brother?

Lin Yi waved his phone. "I was joking; I didn't record it."

Huo Jihan: "..."

His expression became complicated.

He already had a certain impression of Lin Yi.

At this moment, Huo Jihan's coffee arrived.

It was hand-ground coffee, without any sugar.

He picked it up and took a large gulp, drinking more than half of it in one go, as if he couldn't taste the bitterness.

Lin Yi, on the other hand, slowly stirred the sugar cube in his coffee.

He couldn't drink something so bitter.

After finishing his coffee, Lin Yi stood up to leave, but before he did, he casually asked Huo Jihan, "Do you want to go home together?"

He remembered the last time Huo Jihan showed up and then quickly left.

Huo Jihan, sitting there, lowered his eyes. "Should I go back?"

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. "There's no should or shouldn't. If you want to go back, go back. Besides, didn't you notice the Steward chasing after you last time?"

He didn't know why Huo Jihan hadn't gone back for over two years, but he knew that the Huo family would always have a place for him.

Huo Jihan kept his gaze downcast, silent for a long time.

Lin Yi didn't urge him.

After all, he had only asked casually, and whether Huo Jihan went back wasn't his decision.

They weren't close enough for that.

After a while, Huo Jihan finally seemed to make up his mind and said, "I can go back, but first, can you accompany me somewhere?"

Lin Yi asked, "Where?"

Huo Jihan: "You'll find out soon."

Half an hour later, Lin Yi accompanied Huo Jihan to a venue.

There were fans, reporters, and some people from the esports scene.

Huo Jihan led Lin Yi to a seat in the middle rows and said, "Wait here for a bit."

Lin Yi nodded and sat down.

Then he watched as Huo Jihan walked towards the stage at the front.

As soon as Huo Jihan appeared, the entire venue erupted into cheers, especially from the fans, whose shouts were deafening.

The enthusiasm of esports fans was extraordinary.

"Shen Shi!! Shen Shi!!!"

"Huo Shi, I love you!!!!"

Huo Jihan was currently the top star player in the esports world, ranking first in popularity.

He was part of a top-tier domestic club and was the captain of their team.

Under his leadership, their team repeatedly broke records and consistently held the world championship title.

The next world esports event was approaching, and countless eyes were on Huo Jihan, waiting for him to lead them to another glorious victory.

At this moment, Huo Shi stepped onto the stage and took the microphone that someone handed him.

He first briefly greeted everyone present and then announced his retirement in even fewer words.

Finally, he bowed deeply to the audience and said, "I'm sorry."

He held the bow for a long time before straightening up, still wearing the same expressionless, cold demeanor as if he were about to lead his team to another miracle.

But he had announced his retirement.

The entire venue fell silent.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden news, their expressions blank.

For the vast number of esports fans, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

No one knew how long the silence lasted before people's minds started working again.

Why?

Why did Huo Shi suddenly decide to retire?

What happened? Huo Shi had led the team abroad for a competition just at the beginning of the year and won the championship. Everyone was waiting for Huo Shi's next miracle.

And now, Huo Shi was suddenly retiring?!

No one could accept it, and some people burst into tears on the spot.

Then someone cried out, asking Huo Shi if he could continue playing.

Clearly not intending to explain further, Huo Shi handed the microphone to his agent nearby and walked off the stage in a few steps.

Surrounded by several staff members, he left the venue.

Lin Yi watched this scene quietly.

He then got up, checked his mask, and silently left the venue.

Ten minutes later, Lin Yi and Huo Shi were sitting in a black car.

This was the club's car, which would take them home.

Thinking about what had just happened, Lin Yi asked Huo Shi curiously, "Why did you suddenly decide to retire?"

He believed that countless people wanted to know the answer to this question.

Huo Shi was still quite young and could have continued playing. Why did he suddenly decide to quit?

Without a doubt, Huo Shi's retirement must already be trending on numerous hot search lists.

Clearly, Huo Shi himself wasn't in high spirits, looking somewhat listless. However, he didn't elaborate much, only saying, "I'm tired. I don't want to continue playing anymore."

Lin Yi doubted the sincerity of this answer.

But he never pried into others' affairs.

If someone didn't say anything, it meant they didn't want to talk about it. Why push for details?

Soon, the car brought them back to the villa.

Lin Yi and Huo Shi entered the villa together.

Huo Shi clearly hesitated slightly upon returning here.

Just before stepping into the villa, he paused.

Lin Yi turned to look at him, "What is it?"

After a long pause, Huo Shi replied, "Nothing."

Then he walked in.

The Steward was surprised to see both of them enter together but then joyfully welcomed them, "Second Young Master!! You're finally back!!"

Huo Shi nodded and greeted him, "Uncle Wu."

The Steward was so excited he could barely contain himself, "That's great! Now that you're back, I'll make sure the kitchen prepares a grand feast tonight to celebrate!!!"

Huo Mianmian also tilted his head, observing Huo Shi curiously.

He had vague memories of Huo Shi, knowing that this person seemed to be his second uncle. He must have met Huo Shi when he was younger, but the memories were not very clear.

The servants also came forward one by one to greet Huo Shi.

It was evident that Second Young Master Huo was well-liked in this household.

Huo Shi didn't say much and wasn't overly enthusiastic, responding calmly to everyone.

Time quickly passed until evening.

Dinner time arrived.

As promised, the Steward had the kitchen prepare a table full of dishes, each one a delicacy.

Lin Yi sat down with Huo Mianmian on one side of the long table.

Huo Shi sat across from them.

The seat of honor, of course, was reserved for Jihan.

A few minutes later, accompanied by the greetings of the servants, Huo Jihan arrived home.

Moments later, Huo Jihan appeared in the dining room.

Dressed in a well-tailored black suit, he walked in with a steady pace, exuding an innate aura of authority.

Huo Shi, who had been sitting properly at his seat, instinctively stood up upon seeing his brother and respectfully called out, "Brother."

Huo Jihan paused, his dark eyes coldly locking onto Huo Shi.

Huo Shi lowered his head, no longer daring to meet his brother's gaze.

The atmosphere in the dining room suddenly froze.

Lin Yi, standing nearby, maintained a composed demeanor, observing the scene before him.

He now understood why Huo Shi would feel both reverence and fear when mentioning his brother; it was clear that Huo Jihan held significant authority over Huo Shi.

Fortunately, after a while, Huo Jihan finally shifted his gaze away from Huo Shi and proceeded directly to the dining table, taking his seat at the head.

Huo Shi remained standing, not daring to move.

Huo Jihan picked up his chopsticks and said, "Sit down and eat."

Huo Shi visibly relaxed and took his seat.

The meal began, but the atmosphere was much more serious than usual.

After finishing the meal, Huo Jihan coldly instructed Huo Shi, "Come to the study with me."

Huo Shi did not dare disobey and quickly followed Huo Jihan upstairs to the study.

Downstairs.

Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian were completely at ease.

Father and son lounged comfortably on the sofa, enjoying post-dinner fruits while watching television.

After some time, Huo Shi descended the stairs.

Lin Yi heard the movement and looked up, noticing a bruise on Huo Shi's temple.

Because Huo Shi had fair skin, any mark was quite visible.

Lin Yi slightly straightened his posture, surprised, "What happened...?"

Huo Shi nonchalantly replied, "Got hit by some files; couldn't dodge them."

Lin Yi was momentarily at a loss for words.

After all, he knew nothing about the situation and didn't want to pass judgment.

He simply asked, "Do you need to apply some medicine? There's a first-aid kit there."

Huo Shi remained calm, "It looks worse than it is; my brother didn't use much force."

Lin Yi: "...Alright then."

He believed Huo Jihan had a sense of control.

Throughout their conversation, Huo Mianmian sat quietly beside them, not making a sound, just blinking his big black eyes at Huo Shi.

At this moment, Huo Shi approached Huo Mianmian and grabbed his cheeks, saying, "Mianmian, why didn't you greet me? Did you forget I'm your second uncle?"

Huo Mianmian's face felt soft and comfortable to pinch.

But being shaken up and down like that by Huo Shi was another matter entirely.

Huo Mianmian's eyes widened immediately.

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!! QAQ!!

Seeing this, Lin Yi swiftly slapped away Huo Shi's hands, freeing Huo Mianmian's face, and chided, "Can't you be gentler? You're too rough!"

Huo Shi shrugged, "How fragile can he be? I used to get roughed up all the time when I was little."

Lin Yi retorted, "Not everyone has thick skin like you. Our Mianmian has delicate skin; he needs to be treated gently."

As he spoke, he realized something and asked Huo Shi, somewhat puzzled, "Who roughed you up?"

Huo Shi was the second young master of the Huo family; surely no one dared treat him disrespectfully?

Huo Shi revealed the answer, "My brother."

Lin Yi: "..."

It made sense now.

Everything suddenly fell into place.

Lin Yi sighed softly, "Truly hard work."

Huo Shi responded, "It's okay; I've been beaten by my brother since childhood..."

Lin Yi interrupted, "I meant your brother worked hard."

Someone like Huo Shi clearly grew up being a troublemaker.

I bet Huo Jihan spent a lot of effort trying to keep this younger brother in line, right?

Huo Shi: "…"

Lin Yi didn’t care about Huo Shi’s reaction. He turned and started gently rubbing Huo Mianmian’s cheeks, comforting him, "Honey, how are you? Does it hurt?"

Huo Mianmian obediently shook his head. "It doesn’t hurt."

Lin Yi continued, "Next time Uncle Jihan pinches your face too hard, just bite him back, okay?"

Huo Mianmian blinked, looking confused.

Huo Shi: "??"

Then, Huo Shi stood by and watched as Lin Yi spoke to Huo Mianmian.

For some reason, this ordinary scene gave off a warm and relaxing feeling.

It was as if they had truly returned home.