Chapter 77

Chapter 77

After hearing Huo Yun's words, Lin Yi fell silent for a moment before he said solemnly, "Huo Yun, when did I ever say I needed your token of loyalty?"

He understood and sympathized with some of Huo Yun's tragic experiences, but that didn't mean he was willing to collaborate on any schemes with him.

Unfortunately, Huo Yun was now completely consumed by his hatred, all his thoughts revolving around it, making him obsessive and deranged, unable to listen to anyone else.

He answered Lin Yi on his own, "It's fine. Consider this my gift to you, paving the way for our friendship."

Lin Yi couldn't help but rub his forehead. "So, you didn't hear a single word I said?"

Huo Yun paused for a moment, then said, "Well, we've come this far, and I won't give up now."

He had suppressed his pain for over twenty years. If he stopped now and let everything go, who would compensate him for the first twenty years of his life?

Did he deserve to suffer forever?

He was determined to drag the entire Huo family into the abyss, making everyone suffer together. Only then would it be fair.

Lin Yi knew that Huo Yun was already trapped in a vicious cycle, and a few words wouldn't bring him back to his senses. So, he finally said, "I hope you don't regret this. Otherwise, you'll spend the first twenty years of your life in pain and the next few decades in remorse, ruining yourself completely."

Huo Yun didn't respond after hearing this, and it was unclear whether he had taken it to heart.

Lin Yi had said what he needed to say and didn't elaborate further. He hung up the phone.

The afternoon was bright and sunny.

The sky was blue, dotted with a few white clouds.

Lin Yi brought Huo Mianmian to their melon patch to pick melons.

Now, all the watermelons and cantaloupes in the field were ripe.

From a distance, the melons looked large and round, hidden among the green leaves, tempting anyone to pick and taste them right away.

Anyone seeing this scene would be thrilled, especially since these melons were grown at home, ready to be enjoyed whenever they wanted.

Lin Yi was quite moved and walked over to pick a huge watermelon.

Huo Mianmian followed Lin Yi, exclaiming at the sight of the big melon, "Wow! What a big melon!"

Lin Yi smiled. "This is all thanks to our Mianmian. Because Mianmian often comes to take care of this melon patch, the melons have grown so big."

Huo Mianmian's face lit up with a sweet smile at the compliment.

Lin Yi picked a watermelon and then a cantaloupe.

He planned to carry the melons back.

Huo Mianmian offered to help, "Dad, give me one."

Lin Yi weighed the melons in his hands, knowing Huo Mianmian couldn't handle them, so he said, "You don't need to carry the melons. Dad has an important task for you."

Huo Mianmian tilted his head expectantly, "What important task?"

Lin Yi pretended it was serious and said, "I suddenly forgot how to get back to the villa. How about you lead me back?"

Huo Mianmian's eyes widened instantly.

Forgot the way back?

That was a big problem!

Feeling the weight of responsibility, Huo Mianmian reached out and held Lin Yi's clothes, saying, "Dad, don't worry. I'll lead you home!"

Lin Yi held back a laugh. "Really? Our Mianmian is so good."

Huo Mianmian nodded seriously. "Just follow me."

Lin Yi played along. "Okay, today it's all up to you."

Then, Huo Mianmian led Lin Yi forward like a guide, explaining as they walked, "Dad, look, the way back is actually very simple. We just go straight, turn at those two houses, walk a bit more, and then we can see where we usually live."

He explained carefully, worried Lin Yi might forget.

Lin Yi nodded in understanding. "I see. Dad remembers."

Huo Mianmian smiled happily.

He successfully led Dad back!

Father and son returned to the main house.

Lin Yi entered the villa and went to the living room.

He placed the two melons on the coffee table and started cutting the watermelon with a fruit knife.

The watermelon was of excellent quality, splitting open easily to reveal its juicy red flesh.

Lin Yi cut the watermelon in half, keeping the larger piece for himself and giving the smaller piece to Huo Mianmian.

Then, father and son each held half of the watermelon and ate it with spoons.

Lin Yi scooped out a piece of watermelon with his spoon and put it in his mouth.

With a gentle bite, the sweet juice burst in his mouth, delicious and refreshing.

Sitting in an air-conditioned room, leisurely eating watermelon on a summer day, it felt incredibly satisfying!

Lin Yi even ate watermelon while picking up the remote control to turn on the television.

He chose a very famous animated movie to cater to Huo Mianmian's preferences.

Huo Mianmian was scooping watermelon with a small spoon when he heard the sound from the TV. He lifted his little head and saw the adorable animated characters.

His attention was instantly captured by the images on the screen.

This animated film focused on warmth and healing, and the main character was also a child, which resonated deeply with Huo Mianmian. His eyes barely left the screen.

Lin Yi also loved this animated work.

Although the primary audience for this animation was children, it was also suitable for adults.

The values conveyed in the animation, along with the heartwarming and cute scenes, appealed to both adults and children alike.

Lin Yi continued eating watermelon while watching TV, and before he knew it, he had finished most of the melon and felt quite full.

He discarded the rind, put down the spoon, and wiped his hands with a few tissues.

At that moment, Li Feng entered the villa.

Lin Yi turned to look at Li Feng: "Assistant Li, is there something you need?"

Li Feng approached respectfully: "Mr. Lin, Mr. Huo asked me to take you and Young Master Mianmian to the Huo family's ancestral home. Today is an elder's eightieth birthday."

Lin Yi nodded understandingly: "I see. Let us get ready then."

Huo Mianmian, being very well-behaved, heard their conversation and put down his watermelon, sliding off the sofa.

Unlike other children who might insist on finishing the movie, he took the initiative to turn off the TV with the remote.

Seeing this, Lin Yi's heart melted, and he pinched his little cheek: "Mianmian, let's go wish them a happy birthday first, and then Dad will finish the movie with you later."

Huo Mianmian obediently nodded: "Okay."

Soon, father and son were ready and headed out.

Li Feng drove them to the Huo family's ancestral home as they had been before.

Last time, it was already getting dark, so they couldn't see much.

This time, Lin Yi clearly saw the entire structure of the Huo family's ancestral home.

Their car passed through the large iron gate and drove inward.

The entire Huo family's ancestral home covered a vast area and exuded luxury, with valuable buildings and several sculptures everywhere.

Once inside, it felt like stepping into a mysterious noble estate from the Middle Ages.

In comparison, Lin Yi still preferred their own residential villa area.

Their villa area was modern, filled with high-tech and contemporary elements, making it much more comfortable.

After appreciating the scenery outside the window for a while, the car stopped in front of a building.

It wasn't the same building they visited last time but another one.

After all, almost the entire Huo family lived in this area, each with their own villa.

The villa they were visiting today was significantly different from the others.

As soon as Lin Yi got out of the car, he saw a large area filled with expensive flowers and plants, and some bamboo planted behind the villa.

It was clear that the owner of this villa had a refined artistic taste.

At this moment, Li Feng noticed Lin Yi's confusion and explained: "Today's birthday celebrant is a renowned master of Chinese painting, with many award-winning works that are hard to come by at auctions."

Lin Yi nodded in understanding: "I see."

No wonder the style of this villa was so different from the others.

After a brief introduction, Lin Yi led Huo Mianmian inside.

By now, the hall was already crowded with over a hundred people.

The Huo family was large and populous, and with additional relatives, every major family event drew a steady stream of visitors.

Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian entered the hall.

Upon entering, the hall fell silent, and many people looked their way.

Seeing Lin Yi, the Huo family members' expressions were complex.

They initially thought Lin Yi might be easy to handle, but after the incident with Huo Yiping, no one dared to underestimate him anymore.

Some even wanted to build a closer relationship with Lin Yi, given his connection to Huo Jihan.

Today, Lin Yi was still dazzling.

He wore a simple white casual outfit, looking carefree. His bright and exquisite almond eyes lazily scanned the surroundings, as if he were not in the powerful Huo family's home but in his own courtyard.

Those present were somewhat awed by his free and powerful aura.

Huo Mianmian, on the other hand, was as adorable as ever.

He wore a white short-sleeved shirt with a cute bow tie and a pair of denim suspenders.

His face was fair and clean, his bangs black and soft, and his eyes were like beautiful black glass. With rosy lips and white teeth, he looked like a little milk ball.

The appearance of this handsome father and son duo instantly made them the center of attention, regardless of any other factors.

Lin Yi ignored the scrutinizing gazes and searched for Huo Jihan's figure.

After all, he wasn't familiar with the Huo family and had to follow Huo Jihan's arrangements.

At that moment, on the other side of the hall.

Huo Jihan was surrounded by several people discussing business matters.

As the one in charge of the Huo family's future development, countless individuals always sought him out, either to curry favor or gather information. Everyone wanted to get closer to Huo Jihan to gain greater benefits.

At that moment, a younger member of the Huo family stood respectfully beside Huo Jihan, discussing some matters.

This young man had just returned from studying abroad, full of ambition and eager to make his mark.

However, to participate in the Huo family's business empire, he first needed Huo Jihan's approval.

The Huo family's business empire was vast, extending beyond the capital's headquarters of the Huo Group to subsidiaries worldwide.

This young man wasn't greedy; he had already set his sights on a subsidiary in a neighboring city. His expertise aligned well with the subsidiary's operations, so he wanted to give it a try.

He enthusiastically described his advantages and plans for managing the subsidiary.

Huo Jihan remained expressionless, occasionally nodding but not speaking, exuding a cold and powerful aura.

The more the young man spoke, the more uneasy he became, thinking he might not succeed in joining the subsidiary.

Just then, there was some commotion at the entrance of the hall.

The young man glanced over and remarked, "Hey, isn't that Cousin and Mianmian?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Jihan shifted his gaze.

His usually indifferent expression softened, as if frost and snow were melting in the spring breeze.

The young man was taken aback by the change in Huo Jihan's demeanor.

Huo Jihan then walked towards Lin Yi, but before leaving, he said to the young man in a low voice, "You can go to that subsidiary, but you'll start from the bottom. You only have one chance. If it doesn't work out, you'll have to step down."

The young man, who had thought he had no hope, was pleasantly surprised. "Thank you, Cousin!"

Huo Jihan didn't say anything else and headed straight for Lin Yi.

The young man watched Huo Jihan's back, then looked at Lin Yi, suddenly realizing something.

So, it must have been because his cousin's mood improved suddenly that he gave his consent.

What incredible luck!

Lin Yi was still searching for Huo Jihan when he saw him making his way through the crowd towards him.

Huo Jihan, dressed in a black suit, tall and upright, exuded a silent yet powerful presence. As he approached, he gave off an imposing air.

But Lin Yi didn't feel intimidated because he saw the faint smile in Huo Jihan's dark eyes.

Huo Jihan strode up to Lin Yi, the smile in his eyes lingering as he asked, "When did you arrive?"

Lin Yi replied, "Just now."

Huo Jihan nodded and said, "It feels like I haven't seen you in a long time."

Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh. "We just met this morning, didn't we?"

That morning, he had gotten up early and found Huo Jihan still at home, so they had chatted briefly.

Huo Jihan responded, "Really? It feels like it's been ages."

In simpler terms, Huo Jihan meant that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Lin Yi lightly coughed, pretending not to hear Huo Jihan's words.

He felt that Huo Jihan's flirting skills were at their peak; even ordinary words sounded particularly alluring coming from him.

Fortunately, they had other matters to attend to.

Huo Jihan led Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian to wish the birthday celebrant a happy birthday.

Then Lin Yi saw the master of Chinese painting.

This was the second uncle of the Huo family.

At that moment, the second uncle sat in the main seat, looking kindly at his younger relatives.

His hair and eyebrows were completely white, giving him an air of wisdom and calmness, especially since he was an artist, adding a sense of ethereal grace.

Huo Jihan led Lin Yi and the others over to congratulate the birthday celebrant.

The second uncle smiled and nodded, then handed each of them a red envelope.

This elderly man was interesting; he didn't accept gifts for his birthday but instead gave red envelopes to his younger relatives, one for each person.

However, because Huo Mianmian was young, the second uncle gave him an extra one, patted his head affectionately, and blessed him, "Mianmian, may you grow up healthy and strong."

Seeing this, Lin Yi joked softly beside Huo Jihan, "Being a kid is great; you get two red envelopes."

Huo Jihan smiled at him and subtly slipped his own red envelope into Lin Yi's hand.

Lin Yi blinked in confusion at the extra red envelope in his hand. "For me?"

Huo Jihan teased him, "Yes, little Lin Yi."

The corners of Lin Yi's mouth couldn't help but curve up slightly before he shifted his gaze away, avoiding eye contact with Huo Jihan, though his smile lingered.

After wishing Second Uncle a happy birthday, Lin Yi and the others went back to their own business.

Huo Jihan was still surrounded by a group of people.

After all, he was the center of attention in the entire Huo family, and such social engagements were inevitable.

Lin Yi, on the other hand, had nothing much to do and decided to take Huo Mianmian for a stroll around.

However, they didn't get far because Second Uncle suddenly had an idea and wanted to gather all the Huo family children to visit his art studio, seemingly intent on grooming the next master painter from among the grandchildren.

The other grandchildren were older, with the youngest being seven years old.

Only Huo Mianmian was three years old.

Therefore, Lin Yi naturally accompanied him.

Lin Yi followed everyone into the art studio.

As soon as he entered, he was stunned by the entire space.

The studio was bright and spacious, with a faint scent of ink, and most importantly, its walls were adorned with various ink paintings.

These ink paintings were priceless treasures outside, but now Lin Yi could admire them at leisure.

Second Uncle took the children to learn painting.

Lin Yi, meanwhile, approached one of the walls to appreciate the paintings hanging there.

First, he saw an ink landscape painting.

This painting featured mountains, water, and thatched cottages, evoking a profound sense of tranquility.

It made Lin Yi involuntarily recall a line of poetry he had once learned—

"Small bridge over flowing water, humble homes."

Then came the second painting.

This one depicted scenes from ancient daily life, with each figure vividly portrayed, some gazing at the river alone, others chatting in groups...

One painting transported him back to an ancient time, meeting those ancient people.

Lin Yi himself rarely had any artistic inclination; after all, he was just a STEM-oriented guy who spoke in data.

But now, looking at these paintings, he felt strangely inspired, filled with poetic thoughts.

After admiring most of the paintings in the studio, Lin Yi curiously checked on what Huo Mianmian was doing.

He saw Huo Mianmian and the other children sitting at a large rectangular table, each given paper and brushes.

Second Uncle instructed them to paint whatever they liked.

The older children started painting regardless of their skill level.

Only Huo Mianmian sat there, confused, not knowing what to do.

He did draw sometimes, but usually with crayons, not brushes.

Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh at the bewildered little one.

Huo Mianmian held the brush, looking around, blinking his eyes, utterly lost.

After a while, the other children began to hand in their papers.

Huo Mianmian realized he hadn't painted anything yet!

But he was quite clever. He put down the brush, dipped his hands in ink, and pressed them onto the paper, leaving adorable little handprints.

Feeling it was too simple, he then brought over a sleeping kitten nearby, dipped its paws in ink, and pressed them on the paper.

Now the paper had both handprints and paw prints.

Much more harmonious!

Huo Mianmian finished his task and smiled happily.

Only the cat, woken up by the commotion, remained dazed, unaware of what had happened.

Lin Yi watched this scene, laughing nonstop.

His little one was just too cute!

Finally, Huo Mianmian handed in his work.

Second Uncle praised him, "Mianmian is very creative."

And he rewarded him with two candies.

Huo Mianmian ran to Lin Yi, his voice full of joy, "Dad, have some candy! This is what Mianmian earned!"

Lin Yi accepted the candy and praised him, "Yes, our Mianmian is really amazing!"

For a moment, the atmosphere was incredibly warm.

On the other hand, the scene was quite different.

Away from the birthday party, in one particular spot.

A group of seven or eight young masters from the Huo family were gathered here, drinking and reveling, living it up.

These people, relying on their exceptional family backgrounds, spent every day bullying men and women alike.

Among them, Huo Yun was a typical victim of their bullying, as he lived within the Huo family, making him easy to torment anytime they pleased.

At this moment, Huo Yun stared at Huo Yiping with an inscrutable expression.

Huo Yiping grabbed his collar and sneered loudly, "What's that look for? I just said your mom is a slut. Did I get it wrong? If she didn't look so cheap, would men be attracted to her?"

After saying this, he pulled Huo Yun closer by his collar and lightly slapped his face with his other hand. "Forget about your mom; even you are nothing but a dog to our Huo family."

Another young master, holding a bottle of alcohol, staggered over to the two of them and pointed at Huo Yun. "You know what? This kid inherited his mom's good genes; he looks pretty decent."

A young master slumped in a chair said, "What? You want to try him out?"

The young master with the bottle laughed. "Why not? It's not like guys can get pregnant. He's more alluring than the male celebrity I had last night."

Upon hearing this, the group of young masters immediately started cheering.

After all, in their eyes, having fun was the most important thing; morals and ethics could be cast aside.

Huo Yun had experienced countless similar scenes since childhood.

In the past, he would smile and accept it all, but now he no longer intended to tolerate it.

He reached into his pocket.

Inside was a fruit knife.

However, Huo Yun didn't get the chance to do anything.

Because Huo Yiping received a call from his father. After hanging up, he pushed Huo Yun away and turned to the group of young masters. "Let's go. My old man told me not to hang around outside and to attend the birthday party."

The other young masters also started heading out.

"This time, Huo Yun got off easy."

"Are you serious? You really planned to have your way with him?"

"Why not?"

"Hahaha, if you really do it, call me. I want to watch."

"..."

The group of young masters walked away brazenly.

Huo Yun was pushed to the ground by Huo Yiping.

He got up from the ground, his eyes filled with venom as he watched the departing figures.

At the banquet hall.

Lin Yi and the others were already planning to leave.

Huo Jihan came out a step later. Lin Yi took Huo Mianmian out and leaned against the car waiting for him.

With nothing to do, Lin Yi took out his phone and casually browsed the internet.

Then he saw a video of a large-scale car race.

This car race was on a grand scale, gathering multiple celebrity racers, making it quite spectacular.

Lin Yi watched the video on his phone for a few minutes.

He was so engrossed that he didn't even notice someone approaching.

When Huo Jihan came out, he saw Lin Yi watching a video on his phone.

He approached and looked at Lin Yi's phone.

At that moment, the video showed close-ups of several racers' faces.

Each racer was young and full of energy.

Huo Jihan asked Lin Yi flatly, "Interesting?"

Lin Yi, not sensing anything unusual, replied casually, "Yeah, it's cool. They're pretty handsome."

Only after saying this did Lin Yi realize something.

Wait, who was asking him?

Lin Yi turned his head and saw Huo Jihan with an unreadable expression.

Lin Yi: "..."

The scene was silent for several seconds.

Lin Yi explained, "I meant they drive really well, not that they look handsome."

It was indeed true; these racers were incredibly skilled, executing each drift and turn perfectly.

Huo Jihan still looked at Lin Yi, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"

Lin Yi continued explaining, "I'm telling the truth. I didn't even pay attention to their faces; I was focused on their driving."

Huo Jihan still had that subtle expression on his face: "Is that so?"

Lin Yi: "…"

What a tragedy.

He should have seen who it was before responding.

Lin Yi felt guilty for a moment, then realized—wait, he and Huo Jihan weren't in any romantic relationship right now. Why was he getting so nervous for no reason?

Just as he was about to be a bit more assertive, looking into Huo Jihan's deep eyes made him lose his resolve again.

At this moment, Huo Jihan said in a low voice, "It's fine, I was just asking casually. You can continue watching."

After saying that, he even took a step back, giving Lin Yi plenty of space.

Lin Yi: "??"

No, with Huo Jihan acting like this, it made him seem like a jerk.

How could he feel even guiltier?