Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Around eight o'clock in the evening, the Huo family's old residence was brightly lit.

Huo Jihan had just arrived and was immediately surrounded by a group of Huo family members.

These people feared Huo Jihan but also sought to curry favor with him.

Everyone knew that Huo Jihan now held the reins of power within the entire Huo family, and only he could decide the fate of every Huo family member.

The Huo family was involved in numerous industries, including finance, high-tech, entertainment, and more, making their influence complex and intertwined.

Therefore, they would hold regular family gatherings where resources could be integrated and exchanged.

In these gatherings, Huo Jihan had absolute authority, so everyone spoke to him cautiously and measured their words carefully.

Lin Yi did not recognize these Huo family members, but with a casual glance, he noticed that those surrounding Huo Jihan included figures from the business world, education sector, and entertainment industry—leading figures who commanded respect in their respective fields.

Indeed, the Huo family's network of resources was impressive.

At this moment, an elderly man with graying hair and a very amiable face walked towards the sofa area.

Lin Yi looked at him and felt a sense of familiarity; he must have seen him somewhere before.

Sure enough, Huo Shi called out, "Uncle Huo."

Upon hearing Huo Shi's greeting, Lin Yi remembered.

The Uncle Huo of the Huo family was a prominent figure in the education sector and a professor at a top university.

At this point, Uncle Huo approached them with a smile, first bending down to look at Huo Mianmian: "Mianmian, you've grown so much, right? You're three years old now?"

Huo Mianmian nodded obediently, still holding the rabbit plush toy he had been playing with.

Uncle Huo smiled and patted his little head: "It's time for school soon. You need to study hard. I'll be checking on your progress regularly."

Huo Mianmian's round eyes widened instantly.

Though he didn't fully understand what was being said, he sensed a heavy burden falling upon him, QAQ!

Lin Yi watched Huo Mianmian with amusement from the side.

Poor kid, not even started school yet, but already under the watchful eye of an elder from the education sector.

After teasing Huo Mianmian for a while, Uncle Huo naturally turned to Huo Shi and said, "You too, young people should always strive to learn."

Huo Shi seemed to respect this uncle and nodded: "Yes."

Uncle Huo continued, "Young people should dare to take risks. Even if you run fast and stumble occasionally, it's nothing. Everyone falls when they're young. Just get up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward..."

Initially, Huo Shi didn't realize why Uncle Huo was saying this, but gradually, he understood and became serious.

Uncle Huo then added, "Your parents' situation is not your fault. Don't keep it on your mind. Your third uncle speaks harshly, just ignore him."

This was the core of Uncle Huo's message.

Huo Shi listened silently, his expression changing, perhaps thinking about his parents again.

This was a hurdle he couldn't easily overcome.

Seeing Huo Shi's troubled expression, Uncle Huo sighed slightly and didn't say more, turning instead to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi didn't expect to be addressed and sat up a bit straighter.

Uncle Huo smiled at him: "Lin Yi, right?"

Lin Yi politely nodded: "Yes, that's me."

Uncle Huo smiled: "I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to meet you today; you're a good kid."

Then he changed the subject: "I don't fully understand the matters between young people, but as long as you and Jihan get along well, that's all that matters. Jihan grew up under my watch. He has always been emotionally distant, maintaining a certain aloofness with everyone. I thought he might spend his life alone, but he chose you. If so, he must have chosen you for a reason. Live happily together..."

Lin Yi nodded in response: "Yes."

But in his heart, he knew that wasn't the case.

Huo Jihan had chosen him simply because he didn't want to invest much effort into a relationship, leading to their contractual marriage.

After addressing both Lin Yi and Huo Shi, Uncle Huo leisurely left.

It was clear that this retired educator still maintained the habit of teaching and guiding.

He hoped that the younger generation of the Huo family would walk the right path and grow up healthy and positive.

After seeing Uncle Huo off, Lin Yi picked up some snacks from the coffee table and began eating.

The snacks were made with something soft and glutinous, like glutinous rice cakes, with a sweet and refreshing filling.

Lin Yi ate several of them.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the hall.

A group of Huo family scions sat there.

These scions were the less reputable members of the Huo family.

They relied on their Huo family background and affluent conditions, often behaving recklessly and arrogantly.

The two leaders among them were named Huo Yiping and Huo Yun.

At this moment, Huo Yiping was wearing a wine-red suit and was slouching on a single sofa, his legs crossed.

He was swinging a glass of red wine in one hand and resting the other on the armrest of the sofa.

He had the air of a spoiled young master to the fullest.

His appearance was both aggressive and sinister, making him look very intimidating.

At that moment, he looked at Huo Jihan, who was surrounded by people, with an even more venomous gaze.

He was also a descendant of the Huo family, a legitimate heir. Why did the massive Huo Group fall into Huo Jihan's hands instead of his?

Huo Yun was sitting beside Huo Yiping. He glanced in the direction Huo Yiping was looking and then retracted his gaze, saying to Huo Yiping, "Huo Jihan is in an absolute advantageous position now. It might not be easy for you to bring him down."

Although Huo Yun was with Huo Yiping, their appearances were polar opposites.

Huo Yiping was fierce and venomous, while Huo Yun was delicate and gentle, appearing to have an extremely good temper.

Upon hearing this, Huo Yiping glared fiercely at Huo Yun, "I just don't want to fight with Huo Jihan. Otherwise, how could I be suppressed by him?"

Huo Yun agreed readily, following Huo Yiping's lead, "Indeed, I think so too. You're much stronger than Huo Jihan, but others may not see it that way. You need to show them so they'll believe it."

Huo Yiping felt even more aggrieved upon hearing this, his chest heaving violently several times.

However, Huo Yiping was known for his unpredictable temperament. In a blink, he put down his crossed leg and kicked Huo Yun with the tip of his shoe, mocking, "Hey, don't tell me you're interested in the Huo Group too?"

Huo Yun was kicked painfully, but his delicate face still wore a smile without any resentment, "How could I? I know my place."

Huo Yiping sneered, "Good to know. Remember, you're just a bastard son of the Huo family. If it weren't for your lowly mother catching the old man's eye and being toyed with, you wouldn't have been able to rise from nothing."

What he called "toying" was actually rape. After giving birth to Huo Yun, his mother passed away in depression, and Huo Yun was taken in by the Huo family.

Despite the insult, Huo Yun still smiled, "You're right."

Frustrated by being overshadowed by Huo Jihan, Huo Yiping vented all his anger on Huo Yun.

He deliberately shook his glass, spilling some red wine on his shoe, and said to Huo Yun, "Quick, help me wipe it off. These shoes are imported; they're ruined if they get stained."

Huo Yun obediently took a tissue from the coffee table and squatted in front of Huo Yiping, carefully wiping his shoes.

Huo Yiping's expression grew even more arrogant.

Several young masters of the Huo family watching this scene started cheering.

After all, Huo Yun was just a bastard son. Bullying him was expected; who would stand up for him?

But Huo Yun really could endure. Staying by Huo Yiping's side for so long and being treated like a dog, yet never resisting—did he have no self-respect?

The young masters laughed even louder upon seeing this.

Lin Yi was eating some snacks, his gaze wandering aimlessly.

Then, he inadvertently saw what was happening with Huo Yiping.

He saw a delicate-looking youth kneeling down, humbly wiping another person's shoes, who appeared very aggressive.

When the youth finished cleaning, the other person rubbed his shoe against the youth's face.

It was a completely humiliating scene.

Lin Yi: "…"

He didn't know Huo Yiping or Huo Yun, but seeing this scene left him puzzled.

What was their relationship, and why such an unequal scene?

At this moment, Huo Yiping and the others noticed Lin Yi's gaze.

One of the young masters exclaimed, "Isn't that Huo Jihan's guy?"

Huo Yiping lifted his eyes and looked over. The next second, he was clearly stunned.

He unabashedly sized up Lin Yi from head to toe.

Wow, that face, that figure—it was exactly to his liking.

If he weren't Huo Jihan's, he would definitely snatch him away to play with.

At this moment, Huo Yun threw away the used tissue and sat back down.

He subtly glanced around and pointed out Huo Yiping's thoughts, "You fancy this Lin Yi, don't you?"

Huo Yiping licked his lips, "He does suit my taste."

He usually didn't discriminate between men and women, but he hadn't seen someone so captivating in a long time, especially Lin Yi's pair of seductive eyes.

Huo Yun seemingly casually remarked, "I think Huo Jihan values this person quite a bit. You'd better not provoke him, or Huo Jihan won't let you off easily."

This sounded like advice, but Huo Yiping's nature made him bristle at such words. He slammed his cup onto the coffee table with a loud "bang," glaring fiercely at Huo Yun, "So what if Huo Jihan backs him? Do you think I'm afraid of Huo Jihan?"

Huo Yun continued, "I don't think you're afraid, but others do. In their eyes, you've always been beneath Huo Jihan, always inferior to him..."

This only added fuel to the fire, and Huo Yiping's anger flared up instantly.

He hated it when others said he was inferior to Huo Jihan; it was worse than being killed.

Yet, Huo Yun kept pushing, igniting his fury.

Still, Huo Yiping retained some rationality, as he hadn't drunk too much tonight.

He knew he wouldn't get any advantage from Huo Jihan, so it was better not to confront him head-on.

Thinking about this, Huo Yiping also belatedly realized something.

Why did he feel that Huo Yun had been stirring things up all night? It seemed like he had been indirectly encouraging him to fight with Huo Jihan.

But Huo Yiping only thought about it briefly before dismissing it.

He was very arrogant and didn't think that a bastard like Huo Yun would dare to play tricks in front of him.

At this moment, Huo Yun poured a glass of wine and handed it to him: "Don't think about those depressing things anymore; let's continue drinking."

Huo Yun's posture was extremely humble, which greatly satisfied Huo Yiping. He took the wine from Huo Yun and continued to drink...

On the other side.

Lin Yi had stayed in the hall for a while, then took Huo Mianmian out for a walk.

At this time, the night sky was bright with a high-hanging moon, and the white moonlight shone on the earth, making everything luminous.

The evening breeze blew gently, creating a particularly pleasant atmosphere.

Lin Yi walked slowly with Huo Mianmian, and the father and son came to a pond.

It was summer now, and the pond was covered with green lotus leaves and brightly blooming lotus flowers, creating a very pleasant scene.

Lin Yi stood by the pond with Huo Mianmian and admired the view for a while.

At this moment, a series of croaks came from the pond: "Ribbit ribbit—"

Hearing this sound, Huo Mianmian's expression suddenly changed.

He looked up at Lin Yi and said excitedly, "Little Dad, it sounds like a frog."

Lin Yi smiled: "Yes, it's a frog."

Huo Mianmian, at his age, was curious about everything, and he asked, "Why does the frog keep croaking?"

Lin Yi teased Huo Mianmian: "I don't know, maybe it's a bit lonely and wants to call its friends."

Calling its friends?

Huo Mianmian looked thoughtful after hearing this.

Then, when the frog croaked again, he started responding: "Ribbit~"

The frog continued: "Ribbit—"

Huo Mianmian also continued: "Ribbit~"

The frog: "Ribbit ribbit—"

Huo Mianmian: "Ribbit ribbit~"

And so, the two began to respond to each other, as if communicating.

Lin Yi found it quite amusing watching them.

Finally, Huo Mianmian got tired of croaking and took several deep breaths, then said to the frog, "Okay, I won't chat with you anymore; it's tiring."

Frog: "Ribbit ribbit—"

Huo Mianmian waved his hand: "I'm really tired."

Frog: "Ribbit ribbit—"

Huo Mianmian: "..."

He raised his little head and looked at Lin Yi, puzzled: "Little Dad, why does the frog talk so much? I'm tired, but it still wants to chat."

Lin Yi burst into laughter: "Hahaha!"

After laughing enough, he said to Huo Mianmian, "Who knows? Maybe the frog is a chatterbox."

Hearing this, Huo Mianmian turned to advise the frog: "Don't croak anymore; be careful not to hurt your throat."

Whether the frog listened to Huo Mianmian or not, it didn't croak again for a while.

Huo Mianmian's eyes sparkled as he looked at Lin Yi: "The frog is really obedient."

Lin Yi smiled: "Yes, it thinks our Mianmian is very cute, so it's willing to cooperate."

Hearing this, Huo Mianmian smiled sweetly.

The father and son were enjoying their harmony when an unexpected visitor appeared.

Lin Yi heard some noise and turned to look.

He saw Huo Yiping, drunk and staggering, walking towards them.

This man couldn't even walk steadily, swaying back and forth.

Lin Yi didn't want to deal with a drunk, so he decided to leave with Huo Mianmian.

At this moment, Huo Yiping spread his arms to block them, speaking in a frivolous tone: "Don't go, let's have a good chat."

Lin Yi didn't expect this person to be targeting him and coldly replied: "What do we have to chat about?"

Huo Yiping looked at Lin Yi with a lecherous and unrestrained gaze: "As long as we want to chat, there's plenty to talk about."

He originally didn't dare to look for Lin Yi, after all, he feared Lin Yi's backer, Huo Jihan.

But after Huo Yun poured him several glasses of wine, once he finished them, the alcohol bolstered his courage, and he staggered out to find Lin Yi.

Lin Yi looked at Huo Yiping blocking his path and knew this matter wouldn't be easily resolved.

So he said to Huo Mianmian, "Mianmian, go play with your second uncle."

He might need to deal with some idiots in a moment, and it wasn't appropriate with a child around.

Huo Mianmian glanced at Lin Yi, then at Huo Yiping, and quickly ran toward the banquet hall.

Soon, only Lin Yi and Huo Yiping were left by the lotus pond.

Huo Yiping spoke in a very lewd tone, "You know it's easier to get things done without kids around, right?"

Lin Yi gave him a cold glance, "What do you want from me?"

Huo Yiping moved closer to Lin Yi, speaking in an evil tone, "To be honest, I fancy you. Why don't you come with me? Don't think following Huo Jihan will lead anywhere; once he gets tired of you, he'll kick you to the curb, and you'll have nowhere to cry. Come with me, and there are many benefits, like how you'll feel great..."

As he spoke, he reached for Lin Yi's collar.

Lin Yi dodged his move and sneered, "Whether he kicks me away or not, I don't know, but right now, I can kick you away."

Huo Yiping, drunk, couldn't think straight.

Before he could react to what Lin Yi meant, Lin Yi kicked him into the lotus pond.

With a splash, Huo Yiping fell into the lotus pond.

Instantly, his anger surged: "You fucking..."

He looked ready to climb out and take revenge on Lin Yi.

Unfortunately, he was drunk, and his coordination was off; despite struggling, he couldn't stand up in the lotus pond.

While flailing, he threatened Lin Yi fiercely, "Lin Yi, did you eat the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard? How dare you kick me?!"

Lin Yi stood on the shore looking down at him calmly, "So what if I did?"

Huo Yiping continued threatening, "Get me out of here, or I won't spare you!!"

Lin Yi replied lightly, "Wow, I'm so scared."

Huo Yiping: "..."

Fuming but helpless, he tried to climb out himself.

The lotus pond was as deep as Huo Yiping's chest, and the bottom was muddy.

He flailed, unable to stand up, and the more he struggled, the deeper he sank.

Soon, the mud water rose above his chest and reached his neck.

Only his head remained above the surface.

Finally, he panicked, "Help, help!"

Lin Yi stood calmly watching him, "What, are you sober now?"

Huo Yiping had no choice but to nod frantically, "I'm sober, I'm sober, save me!!"

In response, Lin Yi smiled mockingly, "Since you're sober, climb out yourself."

Clearly, he had no intention of helping Huo Yiping.

"..."

Huo Yiping, enraged, blurted out, "Lin Yi, you wait, when I get out, you'll regret this!!"

He never expected that despite Lin Yi's stunning appearance, he was also someone not to be trifled with.

With no other choice, Huo Yiping tried to climb out himself.

He realized that the more panicked he was, the deeper he sank, so he tried to calm himself and carefully moved step by step toward the shore.

After an unknown amount of time, Huo Yiping finally reached the shore, shivering and covered in dirty mud, looking like a miserable drowned dog.

Lin Yi watched the entire scene coldly.

Gathering his last bit of strength, Huo Yiping planned to climb out in one go.

Just then, footsteps approached.

Both Lin Yi and Huo Yiping turned to see a group of Huos approaching.

It seemed Huo Mianmian had gone inside to call for help.

Now, Huo Jihan led the way, striding to the lotus pond.

Upon arriving, his dark eyes looked at Lin Yi with concern, asking, "Are you okay?"

Lin Yi smiled, "Pretty good, though this one doesn't seem too well."

He then looked at Huo Yiping, who had just climbed ashore.

Huo Jihan observed Lin Yi again, ensuring he was fine, before turning to Huo Yiping with a cold gaze, sharp as swords.

Huo Yiping shuddered under that gaze.

He was genuinely terrified of Huo Jihan.

But with so many people around, he didn't want to lose face and thus growled, "Your people kicked me into the lotus pond without any reason. You must give me an explanation today."

Huo Jihan's voice was as cold as frost: "An explanation?"

As he spoke, he kicked Huo Yiping back into the lotus pond, his words icy: "This is your explanation."

The crowd gasped in shock.

Huo Yiping had just managed to climb ashore when he was kicked back into the pond again.

He fell into the water, flailing several times before finally regaining his footing.

He glared at Huo Jihan: "Huo Jihan, you..."

However, upon meeting Huo Jihan's cold gaze, he immediately backed down.

At this moment, Huo Jihan said coldly, "Don't come out. Stay in the lotus pond for the night."

His voice was intimidating, and no one dared to defy him.

Huo Yiping's face turned pale.

Stay in the pond... for the night?!

He panicked and quickly looked towards his parents in the crowd: "Dad, Mom, help me!!"

Huo's mother naturally pitied her son and rushed to Huo Jihan's side.

The once dignified woman was now visibly distressed, stuttering: "Ji, Ji-han, this won't do. If your cousin stays in there all night, he'll definitely get sick."

However, Huo Jihan didn't even spare her a glance, exuding coldness.

Huo's mother pleaded several more times, but seeing no response from Huo Jihan, she bit her lip and ran to Huo Yun: "Xiao, Xiao Shi, please, I beg you, persuade your brother."

Huo Shi's expression was also cold. He glanced at Aunt Four and said, "Do you think I can persuade my brother?"

That single sentence extinguished Aunt Four's hope, leaving her face pale.

Everyone knew that Huo Jihan's decisions were not easily swayed. His methods were ruthless, and he never changed his mind once made. Even worse punishments in the past couldn't be persuaded away.

It was precisely because of this that the Huo family both relied on and feared Huo Jihan.

Aunt Four's face turned ashen, and she rushed to her husband: "Say something, will you? Are you really going to let our son stay in there all night?"

Uncle Four also pitied his son but said sternly, "Yiping is too impulsive. A small punishment might teach him a lesson."

But he would remember this incident well.

Aunt Four, hearing this, lost all hope and collapsed to the ground.

The crowd fell silent.

No one dared to say anything at this moment, as no one wanted to provoke Huo Jihan.

Meanwhile, they understood one thing even more clearly: Never provoke Lin Yi in the future.

Everyone's faces were solemn.

In the crowd, only Huo Yun was smiling.

He looked at Huo Yiping, soaking in the muddy water, and smiled with relief and pleasure.

His handsome face seemed even more charming than usual.

Half an hour later.

Lin Yi and the others finished the banquet and prepared to go home.

A black Rolls-Royce was parked at the entrance.

Lin Yi and Huo Jihan approached the car together.

Huo Jihan opened the car door first and then said to Lin Yi, "Get in."

Lin Yi got in, followed by Huo Jihan.

Soon after, Huo Shi arrived with Huo Mianmian.

He lifted Huo Mianmian into the back seat and then went to the front to drive.

Huo Mianmian stood in the back seat and looked around.

At this moment, there were empty seats beside both Lin Yi and Huo Jihan.

But without hesitation, Huo Mianmian chose to sit next to Lin Yi.

This preference was very clear.

Seeing this, Huo Shi couldn't help but smile.

It seemed that in Mianmian's heart, his brother's status was far below his sister-in-law's.

Huo Shi started the car shortly after.

The black Rolls-Royce drove forward.

The journey home was still quite far.

Moreover, it was already late at night.

Lin Yi sat in his seat and gradually started to feel drowsy.

So he chose to rest by leaning back on the chair.

However, with the occasional turns of the car, his head would involuntarily sway from side to side as he leaned.

With his eyes closed, he vaguely thought that he should be careful not to accidentally lean on Huo Jihan.

But as sleepiness grew stronger, Lin Yi's consciousness eventually sank into darkness at one point.

Then his head uncontrollably leaned to one side.

He leaned toward Huo Mianmian, but Huo Mianmian was small and sat particularly low in the seat, not enough for Lin Yi to lean on.

Seeing Lin Yi continue to lean over, he would soon miss and suddenly wake up...

At this moment, a warm, large hand supported his head and guided it to rest on a broad shoulder.

After Lin Yi leaned on this shoulder, he became completely at ease, even adjusting to a comfortable angle and continuing to sleep deeply.

Huo Jihan glanced at Lin Yi, who was leaning on his shoulder, with a barely noticeable gentleness in his eyes.

Huo Shi, who was driving ahead, inadvertently saw this scene through the rearview mirror and was utterly shocked.

Is this still his emotionless brother?

At this moment, Huo Jihan seemed to sense something, lifted his gaze, looked at Huo Shi in front, and said coldly, "Drive properly."

Huo Shi: "..."

I want to drive properly, but I'm being distracted!