Chapter 22.1

Homophobic Content

Wen Wen’s expression twisted in anger for a moment: “You—”

Wen Wen and Mama Huo were old acquaintances, but Wen Wen, who was born into a scholarly family, always looked down on Mama Huo from a merchant family, often bringing up their family backgrounds.

Mama Huo, not one to be bullied, would retort sarcastically whenever Wen Wen spoke condescendingly.

As a result, their relationship became extremely hostile.

Five years ago, Wen Wen’s family fell from grace, and she went abroad with her son and husband, gradually losing contact with Mama Huo.

So Mama Huo hadn’t expected that today’s artist was Wen Wen’s son. Fortunately, she was here to watch the drama unfold, otherwise, she would have felt unlucky!

Thinking about the spectacle she was about to witness, Mama Huo felt much better: “What’s wrong? I’m here with my whole family to see your son’s exhibition. You’re not welcoming us?”

Wen Wen was at a loss for words.

After her family fell from grace, nothing was as good as it used to be.

She couldn’t even afford to host her son’s art exhibition.

Zhao Wei had finally managed to gather the money for the exhibition, not only to increase his visibility but also to sell more paintings.

Although Wen Wen despised Lin Junyi, everyone knew that Lin Junyi was wealthy now!

No, it wasn’t the time to fall out with her. She had to milk Lin Junyi for all she could!

Understanding this, Wen Wen immediately put on a warm smile: “Of course not! I’m grateful you all could come.”

With that, Wen Wen called out: “Xiao Wei, come over. Let me introduce you to someone.”

Ye Leyao marveled:

[Is this what they call bending for money?]

Mama Huo’s eyes flashed with a smile. Indeed, who wouldn’t say so?

However, thinking about how not only she but others wouldn’t buy Zhao Wei’s paintings today, and Wen Wen’s plan was about to fail without her knowing, Mama Huo felt particularly pleased.@@novelbin@@

Hearing Wen Wen’s call, Zhao Wei walked over. On closer inspection, he and Wen Wen looked almost identical, both carrying an air of arrogance.

After Wen Wen’s introduction, Zhao Wei merely gave a polite smile before calling over a staff member to lead the Huo family inside.

Ye Leyao was puzzled by Zhao Wei’s cold demeanor:

[Is that it? Doesn’t he want Mama Huo to buy his paintings? He didn’t even introduce them!]

[Can he really sell his paintings like this?]

Papa Huo thought, of course, he could sell them; they had a sucker ready to buy in front of them.

Mama Huo glanced at Huo Jing indifferently.

Huo Jing: “…”

He wasn’t buying!!!

He was just ready to buy, but he didn’t actually buy!

Luckily, he didn’t buy.

Otherwise, it would be like adding fuel to the fire for Mama Huo.

Ye Leyao grew more puzzled, wondering how Zhao Wei managed to clear his name and continue holding exhibitions abroad after a scandal.

Ye Leyao took out his phone and started recalling the plot in detail:

[Oh, I see…]

The Huo family perked up their ears.

What did he discover?

[At first, I didn’t read carefully. It turns out Zhao Wei is a kept man!]

[No wonder he doesn’t care about selling his paintings. He always has someone to cover his costs. After leaving the twins, he found a new sugar daddy.]

[And even—] Ye Leyao noticed the surroundings had gotten quiet.

[Hey, why aren’t Mama Huo and dad saying anything?]

Ye Leyao looked around.

Mama Huo and dad quickly averted their gaze, pretending to admire the paintings in front of them. Upon closer inspection, they felt a wave of dizziness.

Could someone explain why this abstract painting, with its bright black colors, unclear subject matter, and shape resembling “dog poop,” was even displayed?

They might not understand art, but they had an aesthetic sense!

Were these paintings really not just random smears of leftover paint?

Huo Jing also tried to pretend to appreciate the abstract art, but the painting was so jarring to his eyes that he ended up looking outside, then paused: “Huo Ze has arrived.”

Ye Leyao quickly put away his phone and looked out.

[Hey—Isn’t the guy next to Third Brother… the twin brother Ning Xu?!]

The Huo family immediately became alert.

The man accompanying Huo Ze was indeed Ning Xu.

After hearing Huo Ze’s mumbling yesterday, Ning Xu hesitated for a long time and eventually asked Huo Ze after the practice match if he was going to the art exhibition hall.

Huo Ze was puzzled: “Why, are you also going to my second brother’s engagement banquet?”

Ning Xu was confused: “What engagement banquet? I’m going… to see the art exhibition.”

Huo Ze was even more puzzled. What art exhibition? Wasn’t it for his second brother’s engagement banquet?

He quickly called Huo Yan.

At two in the morning, Huo Yan had just finished filming. After breaking up with Su Rui, he had finally gotten over it, only to have Huo Ze send him a “happy new marriage” message at noon and then call him in the middle of the night to ask if he was getting engaged tomorrow.

Huo Yan was instantly furious and couldn’t help but curse: “Huo Ze, are you out of your mind?!”

With that, he hung up.

When Huo Ze called again, he found he had been blocked by Huo Yan.

At this point, Huo Ze also understood that he might have indeed misunderstood something.

But at this hour, he wouldn’t dare wake up his parents, and he certainly didn’t have the guts to ask Huo Jing, so he could only go to sleep with all his doubts, planning to ask in detail at the art exhibition the next day.

Since it was convenient to go with Ning Xu, Huo Ze decided to give him a ride this morning.

As soon as he got out of the car, Huo Ze heard a familiar voice in his ear.

This is… Ye Leyao’s voice?

Huo Ze looked around but didn’t see Ye Leyao. Where was he?

Still puzzled, Huo Ze heard Ye Leyao exclaiming again—

[There he goes! Ning Xu is walking towards Zhao Wei!]

Huo Ze was completely confused.

Zhao Wei?

Who was that?

Where was Ning Xu?

Huo Ze looked around and found Ning Xu already at the entrance greeting area, so he quickly followed.

At this moment, Huo Jing also walked out of the exhibition hall. Seeing his eldest brother, Huo Ze was happy and was about to greet him when Ye Leyao exaggeratedly remarked:

[Tsk tsk tsk, after not seeing each other for months, their eyes are sparkling with affection like young lovers!]

Huo Ze was shocked.

He hadn’t seen his brother for months, but why should their eyes be sparkling with affection?

He quickly turned his head away.

He didn’t like his big brother…

Huo Jing: “…”

Huo Yan was right about one thing: Huo Ze really was out of his mind!

Huo Jing hurried forward, grabbed Huo Ze’s arm, and said through gritted teeth, “Come with me.”

He needed to explain things to Huo Ze properly.

Huo Ze stumbled as he was pulled along: “Hey, big brother, slow down, slow down…”

After Huo Jing briefly explained everything to Huo Ze, Huo Ze’s pupils shook with disbelief, pointing to his ears: “So… I can hear Ye Leyao just standing here…”

[They’re holding hands!]

Huo Jing rubbed his ear: “Did you hear it?”

Huo Ze’s eyes lit up: “This is so cool!”

Huo Jing: “?”

Huo Ze looked at Huo Jing, excited: “Big brother, don’t you think this is so cool?”

Huo Jing: “…”

You accept this so quickly?

Well, Huo Ze and Ye Leyao were closest in age, so they had always been close, with similar personalities and interests.

One was an esports youth, the other a homebody into anime.

In recent years, Huo Ze had been busy with his team and didn’t have time to discuss anime and novels with Ye Leyao, and Ye Leyao, not wanting to disturb Huo Ze’s training, contacted him less.

In their most passionate phase, the two even had a nightly ritual before bed, never missing it even when sick.

Memories from the past began to flood Huo Jing’s mind uncontrollably—

Young Huo Ze, standing by the bed, draped in a silk bedsheet, gave a perfect knightly bow to the sick and restless Ye Leyao on the bed: “Prince, please sleep!”

Ye Leyao, still feverish, immediately reached out from under the covers and gave a not-so-perfect knightly bow, replying in a muffled voice: “Thank you, my dear prince, you sleep too!”

The repressed memories resurfaced, making Huo Jing’s toes curl with embarrassment. Why did he remember this?!

Why couldn’t his brain just forget this completely?!

Huo Jing took a deep breath, trying to adjust his slightly twisted expression: “No matter how cool it is, remember, we must never tell Xiao Yao that we can hear his thoughts, and it mustn’t spread.”

Huo Ze nodded repeatedly in assurance: “Don’t worry, big brother, I won’t say a word!”

Huo Jing looked at his nonchalant expression and felt even more speechless.

So, what had they been worried about?

Huo Ze’s acceptance speed was indeed the fastest in the family.

At this moment, Ye Leyao’s voice came again:

[Daring to hold Ning Xu’s hand right under Wen Wen’s nose, Zhao Wei is really bold!]

Huo Jing looked over.

By now, more and more guests were arriving at the entrance. Zhao Wei was still at the greeting spot, with Wen Wen standing to his left, and to his right was, of course, the newly arrived Ning Xu.

Ning Xu seemed concerned about being seen and discreetly shook off Zhao Wei’s hand. When Zhao Wei reached out to grab his hand again, Ning Xu took a big step to the side.

Huo Ze, regaining his senses, asked puzzledly: “Big brother, what’s going on here?”

And if today wasn’t for the second brother’s engagement banquet, what exactly was the reason for calling him over?

Huo Jing glanced at him: “Your teammate, and you don’t know?”

Since starting his professional career, Huo Ze’s mind had been focused only on matches and training. He naturally shook his head: “I don’t know. I don’t keep tabs on my teammates’ private lives.”

He stared ahead for a while longer. Ning Xu noticed his gaze, looked up, and, after meeting his eyes, seemed a bit embarrassed and turned his head away.

Huo Jing glanced at Huo Ze and decided to let him see for himself, then walked into the exhibition hall.

Huo Ze quickly followed: “Big brother, wait for me!”

As soon as they entered, Huo Ze hadn’t had time to greet Ye Leyao or their parents when Ning Xu’s voice came from behind: “Captain, can I talk to you?”

Huo Ze stopped in his tracks.

Ye Leyao was instantly excited.

[Say yes, say yes! Third brother, say yes! Let me eavesdrop!]

Huo Ze found it amusing but complied with Ye Leyao’s wishes, smiling: “Sure, over there?”

Ning Xu nodded and politely greeted the Huo family before leaving.

Mama Huo couldn’t help but praise: “This kid is quite polite.”

Ye Leyao nodded in agreement at her words.

[Of course, you know Ning Xu is the only member of the team who doesn’t curse while playing games!]

Papa and Mama Huo exchanged a glance.

To be able to hold back from cursing while playing games, Ning Xu must have an exceptionally good temper, right?

People with such good temper can’t have bad character.

So why would he be with his sister’s boyfriend…

Ye Leyao’s faint voice echoed:

[It’s a pity that such a good person got deceived by that scumbag Zhao Wei.]

So Ning Xu didn’t know that Zhao Wei’s girlfriend was his sister?

Huo Ze was even more shocked.

Zhao Wei?

Scumbag?

Deceived?

What was going on?

Huo Ze was full of doubts, but his face didn’t show it. He followed Ning Xu to a quiet place.

Ning Xu had already prepared to confess everything when he decided to ask Huo Ze if he was also coming to the art exhibition.

Before joining Huo Ze’s team, Ning Xu was just an ordinary small game streamer. Because of his good skills and awareness, he was quickly signed by a prestigious team and became a trainee.

But Ning Xu was too young at the time to understand the terms and conditions of the contract or to handle interpersonal relationships. This led to him being isolated and ostracized by his teammates soon after joining the training team, which even caused psychological issues. As a result, Ning Xu, with psychological problems, not only ended up on the bench but also almost got sued by the prestigious team for breaching the contract, demanding hefty compensation for hiding his psychological issues.

When Huo Ze learned about this, he spent a lot of money to poach him from the prestigious team, give him the best salary and treatment, and even personally take him to see a psychologist for professional psychological counseling.

Just when Ning Xu’s condition had just improved, Huo Ze trusted him enough to put him in the starting lineup.

It can be said that Ning Xu’s current achievements owe a lot to Huo Ze.

Without Huo Ze’s support, Ning Xu would probably have been crushed by the high breach fees, with no chance to play professionally.

Although the team did not restrict members from dating, Ning Xu was indeed a bit apprehensive when he first started dating Zhao Wei. He wanted to tell Huo Ze but was anxious about breaking up with Zhao Wei, which Zhao Wei stopped him from doing.

“…He told me at the time that if I told you about our relationship, you would worry about my state and not let me play in the starting lineup. So, I didn’t tell you or make it public to the fans.” Ning Xu said softly.

[He wasn’t afraid you couldn’t be in the starting lineup, that scheming man was afraid that once the relationship was public, it would be discovered he was two-timing!]

Huo Ze was startled.

Two-timing?

Wait a minute.

Where was Ye Leyao eavesdropping from?

Huo Ze looked ahead and saw a nearly two-meter-tall artistic vase, with a piece of Ye Leyao’s clothing peeking out from beside it.

Huo Ze: “…”

You’re hiding in such an obvious spot to eavesdrop!

“Then why are you telling me about this now?” Huo Ze asked, withdrawing his gaze.

Ning Xu smiled sheepishly: “I think…you’re not that kind of person. And over this period, I realized that even if I’m dating, my performance in matches isn’t affected, so I decided to tell you.”

[Don’t speak too soon, kid. Your performance isn’t affected because you haven’t been heartbroken yet.]

Huo Ze nodded in agreement: “Your relationship may not affect your performance now, but what if there are problems?”

Ning Xu quickly said: “It won’t…” then he shyly looked down, his cheeks slightly red, “To be honest, in the three months I’ve been with Zhao Wei, we haven’t had a single fight. He… is very patient and tolerant with me.”

[Of course he’s patient and tolerant; he wants your money!] Ye Leyao sighed.

Huo Ze was even more surprised: “You’ve been together for three months? But we’ve been competing this whole time.”

Where did you find the time to date?

Ning Xu was even more embarrassed, softly murmuring: “We…are in an online relationship.”

This time it was Ye Leyao’s turn to be shocked:

[You spent a million on an online relationship?]

What?!

The Huo parents, who had followed them, widened their eyes.

You’re saying that for how much?

Three months of an online relationship, and you spent a million on a guy you’ve never met?!

Might as well bring Wang Baochuan down and let you take the top spot as the biggest love-struck fool!

Huo Ze found it even more unbelievable.

How had he not noticed that Ning Xu… was a top-tier love-struck fool?

So, the reason Ning Xu had been eating instant noodles lately was probably because he had given all his salary to that scumbag Zhao Wei?

Huo Ze felt heartache on Ning Xu’s behalf.

There weren’t many scenes in the novel involving the twins; it mainly depicted the consequences of this event:

Huo Ze’s team lost the most crucial match in the playoffs.

So Ye Leyao didn’t know the specifics of how Ning Xu and his twin sister caught Zhao Wei cheating.

[I thought Ning Xing spending eighty thousand on Zhao Wei was already a lot, but Ning Xu actually spent a million.]

[I have to say, you two really are twins.]

[One is more of a love-struck fool than the other. You might as well go dig some wild vegetables to calm down.]

[But Ning Xu is even more of a love-struck fool than his sister. At least Ning Xing met Zhao Wei in real life, even if she didn’t know his background, but Ning Xu is in an online relationship!]

Listening to Ye Leyao’s continuous comments, Huo Ze was more and more shocked.

Isn’t Ning Xing Ning Xu’s sister?

They’re both dating Zhao Wei?

What kind of person is this Zhao Wei?

They were about to enter the playoffs. If Ning Xu’s performance was really affected by this scumbag Zhao Wei, Huo Ze would make sure Zhao Wei wouldn’t get away with it!

Huo Ze took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, and tried to speak more tactfully: “Have you ever thought about what if? What if you suddenly find out Zhao Wei isn’t a good person, that he’s not only two-timing but also cheating you out of money?”

Ning Xu widened his eyes and murmured, “Impossible, right? He’s really good to me, and he said he just had some financial issues and needed a temporary loan. He promised to pay me back as soon as he had money.”

Thinking it over, Ning Xu added, “Zhao Wei doesn’t seem like a scammer, and if he were really short on money, where did he get the funds to organize an art exhibition?”

[That makes sense, but let me ask, did he write you an IOU?]

[And have you considered that the money for the art exhibition might actually be what you and your sister, the two love-struck fools, pooled together?]

Huo Ze: “…”

Huo Ze was seething inside.

But he couldn’t just directly tell Ning Xu, “You’ve been scammed.”

Not just Ning Xu, but also Ning Xu’s sister!