Chapter 18

Silence.

In the prolonged silence, Feng Ziqi could only hear the buzzing in his ears, his heart pounding wildly, even breaking out in a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.

Huo Jing’s brother?

Is this a joke?

Wasn’t it said that Huo Jing rarely had visitors at this private residence? How could Huo Jing’s brother be here…?

Suddenly, it seemed like Feng Ziqi realized something. His eyes widened slightly, staring intently at Ye Leyao.

After a few seconds, the panic, nervousness, and unease on his face receded like a tide. He exhaled lightly, his expression gradually calming, looking at Ye Leyao with a hint of mockery.

The drastic change in his attitude puzzled Ye Leyao.

[Hey, why was he only briefly flustered?]

[Could it be he doesn’t believe my big brother is Huo Jing?]

In the monitoring room, the Huo family members also fell silent.

You don’t say! You really don’t say!

Maybe Feng Ziqi really thought that way!

As an adopted son of the Huo family, Ye Leyao neither bore the Huo surname nor liked appearing in public.

Moreover, before Ye Leyao came of age, Papa and Mama Huo were overly protective of him, so only a few close family friends knew about Ye Leyao’s identity. Even many deep business partners with the Huo family only knew that the Huo family had adopted a son years ago.

As for the details of the adopted son’s identity, they had no clue.

Let alone the public and the entertainment industry.

Assistant Feng knew about Ye Leyao’s existence, but before today, he had never met Ye Leyao. Since work never intersected with Ye Leyao, he wouldn’t mention him in front of Feng Ziqi.

So Feng Ziqi… really might not know Ye Leyao’s identity.

As the Huo family speculated, it was true.

If Feng Ziqi was going to leverage Huo Jing’s influence, he would naturally investigate Huo Jing’s background thoroughly. But Huo Jing was very low-key, and Feng Ziqi could only find very limited information, the kind that was publicly available.

This information naturally wouldn’t convince anyone that he was Huo Jing’s “boyfriend,” so Feng Ziqi focused on Assistant Feng.

Having a brother working as Huo Jing’s special assistant made it easy to obtain some exclusive information.

Feng Ziqi knew the Huo family had three sons, with Huo Jing being the eldest, followed by two younger brothers.

One was the famous actor Huo Yan, and the other was the well-known eSports prodigy Huo Ze.

Both were public figures, so even if Feng Ziqi hadn’t met them in person, he had seen their photos.

But the boy standing before him was neither Huo Yan nor Huo Ze.

Which brother of Huo Jing was he supposed to be?

Feng Ziqi was initially startled by Ye Leyao’s words, leading to a moment of panic.

When reason returned, he quickly calmed down.

“Do you really think I haven’t seen Huo Jing’s brothers?” Feng Ziqi spoke again, now completely composed, looking at Ye Leyao with disdain and impatience, “If you don’t leave, I will contact security.”

The live stream fans couldn’t hold back anymore and started speaking up:

“Is he crazy?”

“This is unbelievable. These days, people are really gutsy, even daring to target the young master of the Huo family?”

“Ziqi has such a good temper! If it were me, I’d definitely call security!”

“Just call security already, I don’t want to see him anymore.”

“+1.”

“Don’t bother with this delusional person. But am I the only one who noticed Ziqi’s first sentence? He’s met Huo Jing’s brother!!”

The bullet screen instantly boiled over.

The screen was filled with “I shipped it.”

Huo Jing’s face darkened a few more shades.

Papa and Mama Huo had an expression of wanting to laugh but holding back because Assistant Feng was still there.

At this moment, Assistant Feng’s toes were curling out of sheer embarrassment.

Ever since his brother admitted being with Huo Jing, Assistant Feng wanted to faint from the shame. Now, seeing his brother acting so much like the host while speaking to the young master, he was even more mortified.

“Chairman, Madam, President Huo…” Assistant Feng spoke with difficulty, “Maybe I should go out and explain…”

[Alright, it seems Feng Ziqi really doesn’t believe I’m big brother’s brother.]

Ye Leyao came to a conclusion.

[Should I go call my big brother out now?]

Ye Leyao frowned, thinking for a second.

[No! It’s not time for big brother to come out yet. If he comes out now, Assistant Feng will definitely come out too. With Assistant Feng’s bootlicking nature, he’ll probably beg my big brother to let this matter slide.]

[Though this isn’t really a big deal, this is a good chance for Assistant Feng to see what kind of person his blood-sucking brother really is!]

The Huo family perked up their ears for the gossip.

Ye Leyao recalled Assistant Feng’s background and sighed inwardly:

[Assistant Feng is pitiful too. After his mother gave birth to him, her health deteriorated. His father, a scumbag, cheated on her with Feng Ziqi’s mother during her pregnancy. When Assistant Feng’s mother passed away, he brought the mistress home.]

[Assistant Feng was manipulated by his stepmother and scumbag father since childhood, being told he must treat his brother well, turning him into a “please-the-brother” personality. But neither Feng Ziqi, nor his stepmother, nor his scumbag father ever treated Assistant Feng as real family; they just endlessly drained him.]

[If I remember correctly, Assistant Feng hasn’t even bought a house yet, right?]

Papa and Mama Huo instantly turned to look at Huo Jing.

Is that true?

Huo Jing slowly nodded.

The special assistant to the president of the Huo Group, not counting year-end bonuses and rewards, just the post-tax annual salary is in the millions.

Assistant Feng had been with Huo Jing for over six years and still hadn’t bought a house…

It was clear how much his family had drained him!

[If we don’t seize this opportunity to make Assistant Feng see what kind of person Feng Ziqi really is, I’m afraid he’ll end up being sent to Africa to plant loquats because of helping Feng Ziqi!]

Papa and Mama Huo: “…”

Didn’t you say before he’d be sent to Africa to plant cacti?

But based on what you said, the Feng family members really are not good people.

Looking at Assistant Feng, who was still worried, Papa Huo spoke rarely to console him: “Don’t worry, let’s observe a bit more.”

Mama Huo also smiled and said: “Xiao Feng, we know what kind of person you are, you don’t need to worry.”

Assistant Feng was stunned, looking at Papa and Mama Huo in surprise.

But Papa and Mama Huo had already averted their gaze, continuing to watch the surveillance screen excitedly.

Feng Ziqi, after speaking, waited for Ye Leyao to leave, but Ye Leyao sat on the sofa for a long time without moving.

Seeing that it was almost time for the program crew to arrive for recording, Feng Ziqi couldn’t hold back anymore and picked up his phone to call security.

At this moment, Ye Leyao suddenly spoke: “I’m a fan.”

Feng Ziqi was momentarily surprised, then quickly frowned, “You admit it? Then you should…”

“So I must ask a clear question; otherwise, I won’t leave today,” Ye Leyao said.

The assistant director and three cameramen squatting on the stairs were stunned.

What fan? Isn’t this the newly arrived guest Ye Leyao?@@novelbin@@

They had just interviewed him!

What’s going on here?

The assistant director and cameramen were confused, but their sharp instincts told them this was definitely not the time to go out!

To hide better, they even tiptoed a few more steps up the stairway and then carefully squatted down again.

The live stream viewers were angry:

“I’ve never seen such a brazen fan!”

“Ahhhhh, can’t stand it! Call security already!”

“I’m about to call the police for Ziqi!”

Feng Ziqi was also amused by Ye Leyao’s righteous tone: “Why do you think I would answer a fan’s question?”

“Because I know you’re not Huo Jing’s boyfriend, and I also know you have a brother who is Huo Jing’s special assistant. Is that reason good enough?”

His statement was clear and powerful!

Ye Leyao remained calm on the surface but was excited inside:

[Ahhhh, so cool, so cool! Is this the kind of Bking (kingly) speech where the protagonist slaps the villain’s face in novels?]

[I’m thrilled! Next, Feng Ziqi should be panicking!]

[Tremble, villain!]

Sure enough, the moment the words fell, Feng Ziqi’s hand shook, and his phone fell onto the wooden floor with a dull thud.

The live stream viewers were also stunned:

“What?”

“What nonsense is this guy talking about?”

“Wait, if the fan is talking nonsense, why is Feng Ziqi panicking?”

In the living room, hidden livestream cameras clearly captured the change in Feng Ziqi’s expression. His eyes were filled with undisguised panic, and a layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He looked at Ye Leyao in disbelief and finally found his voice: “You… how do you know… No, who are you? Have you investigated me?”

Feng Ziqi’s tone was unhiddenly panicked, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead, completely different from his earlier arrogant demeanor.

Now it was the turn of the fans in the livestream to be dumbfounded:

“Did Feng Ziqi just admit it?”

“What????? This plot twist?”

“No, I don’t understand this development.”

Ye Leyao reflected on himself.

[As expected, what I just said wasn’t direct enough. In the future, I need to learn to hit straight to the point!]

Papa and Mama Huo: “…”

You weren’t direct enough? You’ve already pierced the lungs several times!

But——

As long as these words aren’t directed at our family, it’s really pleasing to hear!

It sounds great; we love hearing it, say more!

Feng Ziqi initially thought the boy in front of him was just an ordinary fan. He never expected Ye Leyao to know these inside details. Now, Feng Ziqi was completely panicked, looking at Ye Leyao: “What do you want? Money? If it’s for money…”

Ye Leyao sneered.

[Though I need money, I really don’t care for the little money you have.]

Glancing at the still-streaming camera, Ye Leyao deliberately interrupted loudly: “I’m not here for money. I just want to ask you a question. Answer me truthfully, and I’ll leave.”

Feng Ziqi had long lost his initial composure. Hearing Ye Leyao’s words, he almost blurted out: “Really? You’ll leave after just one question? But how can I trust you…”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Leyao interrupted him, smiling brightly with a sincere tone, “I won’t tell anyone about this.”

[After all, we’re livestreaming right now~]

[I don’t need to say anything, the camera will speak for me~~~~]

Feng Ziqi’s eyelids twitched wildly. His instinct told him that Ye Leyao definitely wouldn’t ask a good question, but now he had no choice.

The show’s crew would arrive soon, and if Ye Leyao didn’t leave by then, he would be in big trouble.

After all, it’s just one question…

He could answer however he wanted, right?

Thinking this way, Feng Ziqi gradually calmed down and looked at Ye Leyao: “What do you want to ask?”

Ye Leyao’s mouth curved up: “It’s simple. I just want to ask, was the idea of leveraging Huo Jing for hype yours and your team’s, or your brother Assistant Feng’s?”

Feng Ziqi was stunned.

He didn’t expect Ye Leyao to ask such a question.

What’s the purpose of this question?

Could it be that Assistant Feng’s competitor wants to use this to seize an opportunity and push him out of his position, and specifically sent this boy here?

It’s possible!

After all, who else but someone from Huo Group would know about the relationship between Assistant Feng and him?

And this private residence, who else but someone from Huo Group could get in here?

Understanding the key point, Feng Ziqi suddenly felt enlightened.

If that’s the case, it’s easy to handle.

After all, his useless brother has helped him many times, so pinning this black pot on him caused Feng Ziqi no psychological pressure.

Feng Ziqi looked at Ye Leyao and, without much hesitation, said: “It was my brother Assistant Feng’s idea.”

“Bang”——

Assistant Feng’s hand slipped, his phone hit the steps, and instantly shattered into pieces.

Feng Ziqi turned around, coincidentally meeting Assistant Feng’s reddened eyes, incredulous: “Brother?”

Ye Leyao looked at Huo Jing standing behind Assistant Feng, eyes lighting up, and followed suit: “Brother!”

Simultaneously, he couldn’t help but gloat inwardly:

[Now it’s really going to be sweating bullets~]