TRSBPASO 27

Lin Yi ended up spending exactly one hundred million to buy that shopping mall.

The previous owner was the head of a company that was desperately short on cash. His business was on the verge of a cash flow crisis so when he heard that Lin Yi was willing to buy the mall, he was beyond grateful and processed all the paperwork as quickly as possible.

The mall wasn’t located in the city center, its location was a bit remote.

So it had never been particularly lively, and the occupancy rate was low. Honestly, the place looked like it could go under at any moment.

Yet not long after Lin Yi bought it, everything changed dramatically.

A high-traffic subway line was extended right past the mall, and a station entrance was planned right beside it.

That meant the area suddenly became much more accessible.

Soon after, several large companies moved into the office buildings across the street. At the same time, more and more residents moved into nearby apartment buildings.

The foot traffic exploded overnight.

With more people around, the mall became lively as well. Merchants scrambled to rent space, eager to grab a slice of the pie.

In just a short amount of time, the mall’s value had multiplied several times over.

When Lin Yi learned about all this, he raised an eyebrow.

Looks like his gamble paid off.

Investing always came with risks, but someone with real talent could dramatically reduce those risks.

That day, Lin Yi had taken a drive around, observing the area around the mall before deciding to give it a shot and it had turned out to be a huge success.

Now, Lin Yi lounged lazily on the sofa, thinking about how he would not only receive his monthly allowance from Huo Jihan, but also earn income from the mall. Just the thought of it made him feel delighted.

Just then, Huo Jihan came downstairs, dressed neatly in a black suit. He looked like he was heading out.

Lin Yi turned to him and asked casually, “Mr. Huo, going to work?”

It was Saturday, after all.

Huo Jihan nodded. “Just handling a few things,” Then he glanced at Lin Yi, who was smiling from ear to ear, and asked, “What’s got you in such a good mood?”

Lin Yi beamed and told him about the mall.

After hearing it, Huo Jihan gave a solemn nod. “Congratulations.”

Lin Yi’s smile brightened even more. “All thanks to the one hundred million you gave me.”

Being able to buy the mall ahead of others had been the key. After all, if he had waited, someone else would’ve probably spotted the opportunity.

The reason he could move so quickly was because Huo Jihan had directly handed him the money.

If it were anyone else, even with the same idea, they wouldn’t have had that kind of cash on hand.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi added sincerely, “Thanks again.”

Huo Jihan’s voice was low and calm. “No need. You were the one with the sharp eye.”

That mall had looked like it was on its last legs, but Lin Yi had seen the potential and dared to take a chance.

That kind of instinct was rare and valuable.

Usually, Lin Yi was indifferent to praise but this time, it was Huo Jihan complimenting him. No one could stay cool after being praised by someone like Huo Jihan.

He raised an eyebrow playfully. “If you keep praising me like this, I’m going to get cocky.”

Surprisingly, Huo Jihan’s lips lifted ever so slightly in a faint smile.

After the banter, Lin Yi started thinking about something else.

Although he now owned the mall, he had no intention of managing it himself.

He had made up his mind to live the salted-fish lifestyle. If he had to get involved in everything personally, what was the point of this new life?

So, he needed someone to manage the property on his behalf. He just wanted to lie back and collect the profits.

Lin Yi figured Huo Jihan must be far more experienced in this area, so he asked sincerely, “Hey, where do you think I can find someone to manage the mall?”

After all, he didn’t know many people in this world, and he certainly didn’t have much of a network yet.

To his surprise, Huo Jihan replied directly, “I can assign someone from the group to manage it for you.”

Wait—was it really that easy?

Worried he might change his mind, Lin Yi immediately snapped his fingers. “Deal!” Then he thought of something and looked at Huo Jihan uncertainly. “Wait a second—if your employee helps me manage the mall, how do we split the profits?”

Would he have to share some of the income with Huo Jihan?

As he asked, his eyes sparkled slyly like a clever little fox.

Huo Jihan looked at him for a moment, then replied, “It’s all yours.”

Lin Yi was instantly overjoyed. “President Huo, you’re so generous!”

He had been waiting for that exact answer!

After Huo Jihan left to take care of his business, Lin Yi was still happily lounging in the living room.

Thinking it over, this really was the perfect deal.

First, the money to buy the mall came from Huo Jihan. Then, the management would also be handled by Huo Jihan’s people. Lin Yi hadn’t lifted a finger.

Okay, fine—he had made one contribution. He had the insight to spot a valuable investment.

That had hardly taken much effort. All in all, he was basically making money for free!!

Meanwhile, the Lin family had gathered for a birthday celebration.

Someone brought up Lin Yi’s mall purchase, and the group quickly started buzzing.

“I’m telling you, Lin Yi has more money than brains. Why would he buy a rundown mall in such a remote spot?”

“Exactly! If he gave that money to me, I wouldn’t waste it like that.”

“He’s so cold-blooded now. He used to give money to the family and help out his relatives sometimes. Look at him now—total ungrateful traitor.”

“Say, has anyone checked how much he’s lost from buying that mall?”

“He must’ve taken a huge hit. Probably crying in a corner somewhere.”

“Haha! I’d love to see him cry. I’d record it for sure!”

Then a younger relative who knew his way around the internet quickly looked it up, and his jaw dropped. “That mall Lin Yi bought? It’s made a huge profit! A new subway line just went through there and brought in tons of traffic…”

Everyone else: “WHAT?!!”

Once the news was confirmed, all those who had mocked Lin Yi fell completely silent, like someone had grabbed them by the throat.

They still resented him, but now they were also scheming. Maybe they should suck up to Lin Yi? Maybe they could get something out of it?

Later that afternoon, Lin Yi was bored, so when the butler told him the swimming pool behind the villa was finished, he took Huo Mianmian to check it out.

He was instantly satisfied.

The pool had been built exactly how he’d imagined it.

It was wide and filled with clear, glistening water. A gentle breeze rippled the surface and it looked beautiful.

There were lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a small table nearby with snacks and drinks laid out.

Lin Yi’s smile deepened.

It was basically a private beach resort!

Feeling tempted, he said to Huo Mianmian, “Let’s go change and take a swim, what do you think?”

The little guy had never seen a pool this big before and nodded eagerly.

Soon, both were back in their swim gear.

Lin Yi wore a deep blue short-sleeved swim shirt and matching shorts that stopped above the knee—something he had bought back when the pool construction began. The fit was perfect, and the color made his pale skin look even fairer. His proportions were top-notch.

Huo Mianmian wore an adorable yellow bear swimsuit, looking soft and cuddly.

Lin Yi helped him into a float ring and gently placed him in the smaller kiddie pool nearby. “Here you go, baby. Stay in this pool and play, okay?”

He even tossed in a few little yellow rubber ducks.

Huo Mianmian blinked, then reached out to poke the ducks, watching them float and swirl around. He giggled, then looked up at Lin Yi and flashed a bright smile.

Lin Yi grinned back. “You play here for a bit, I’m going for a swim.”

Then he dove into the main pool with a splash, instantly refreshed by the cool water.

Perfect summer bliss!

He swam several laps, thoroughly enjoying himself.

By the time he climbed out, Huo Mianmian had gotten sleepy and was taken off for a nap by the nanny.

Lin Yi, on the other hand, was still wide awake because he’d gotten plenty of sleep the night before. So he lay down on a lounge chair, lazily sipping juice and nibbling snacks, enjoying the breeze.

He couldn’t help but sigh contentedly—now this was life.

At that moment, two people approached from a distance.

Lin Yi didn’t pay much attention until they walked straight toward him.

He finally looked up with a hint of interest.

Judging by their attire and demeanor, they were clearly from high society.

One of them greeted him warmly, “You must be Lin Yi, right? Hi, sister-in-law!” Then he stared at Lin Yi with sparkling eyes, full of curiosity and gossip.

The other man remained quiet, simply nodding in greeting while discreetly sizing him up.

Lin Yi sat up and raised a brow. “And you two are…?”

The talkative one introduced himself, “I’m Ji Yunchuan, and this is Qin Ling. We’re close friends of Huo Ge.”

The names rang a bell. Lin Yi recalled their roles from the original novel.

Sure enough, Ji Yunchuan and Qin Ling were longtime friends of Huo Jihan, with a solid relationship.

Ji Yunchuan was the third son of the Ji family, with an older brother and sister ahead of him. With no pressure on his shoulders, he lived a carefree, luxurious life.

Qin Ling’s background was more complicated. It was rumored that he was an illegitimate son of the Qin family.

Whatever the truth, Qin Ling was known for being more reserved and calculating, rarely showing genuine emotion even when he smiled. He preferred to observe from the sidelines rather than take center stage.

Lin Yi didn’t know them well, so he stayed cautious, waiting for them to state their purpose.

Unsurprisingly, Ji Yunchuan couldn’t hold it in. Eyes sparkling with gossip, he said, “Sister-in-law, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s great to finally meet you!”

He had seen the doctor’s message in their group chat that night and had immediately dragged Qin Ling over to Huo’s villa to meet the mysterious spouse.

Lin Yi chuckled. “Why is everyone so curious about me?”

Even the doctor from the other night had looked like he wanted to interrogate him.

Ji Yunchuan didn’t deny it, nodding eagerly. “Of course we’re curious! Huo Ge is a workaholic. All he does is work and he never gave a damn about romance. Then one day—boom!—he announces he’s getting married. It shocked our entire circle!”

Lin Yi: “……”

Now he understood how explosive Huo Jihan’s marriage announcement had been. It had rocked all of high society.

Ji Yunchuan continued, “So we all figured he must really, really love you—like head-over-heels love—to suddenly get married like that!”

Lin Yi: “……”

No. Your Huo Ge only got married for convenience. There was no love involved.

Ji Yunchuan gave him puppy-dog eyes. “So sis-in-law, won’t you tell us the story of how you fell in love with Huo Ge?”

Lin Yi replied lazily, “Not planning to.”

Ji Yunchuan was stunned. “Why not?!”

Lin Yi smiled slowly. “Because if I told you, I’m afraid I’d scare you to death.”

The truth about their contract marriage was known only to three people—himself, Huo Jihan, and Huo Jihan’s assistant, Li Feng.

The fewer people who know, the better because there’s less chance of unnecessary trouble.

Ji Yunchuan gave him a look like a kicked puppy. “Come on, look at how sincere I am. How can you bear to say no?”

To be fair, Ji Yunchuan really did have a charming face and manner but Lin Yi showed no mercy. “Of course I can.”

Ji Yunchuan: “……”

Unacceptable. He would get something out of Lin Yi today!

He quickly changed tactics. “Sister-in-law, you don’t seem busy right now. How about coming out for a drink with us? I’ve got a bottle of ’82 red wine waiting.”

Lin Yi finally showed a hint of interest. “Sure. Let’s go.”

He headed back inside to change.

When he came out again, Ji Yunchuan happily opened the car door for him. “After you, sister-in-law!”

And off they went to a high-end, members-only bar downtown.

The three of them arrived at the bar about half an hour later.

The place was upscale and stylish, with dim ambient lighting, sleek leather seats, and soft music playing in the background. It was still early in the evening so there weren’t many guests around, making the atmosphere feel both luxurious and private.

Ji Yunchuan was clearly a regular here. He called over the bar manager with a wave and asked him to bring out the bottle of 1982 red wine he had previously left in storage.

The manager quickly obliged, treating the group with the utmost respect. He even had the staff bring over a complimentary fruit platter and a few dishes of grilled snacks.

After all, even if he didn’t recognize Lin Yi, Ji Yunchuan and Qin Ling were well-known in their circle. They’re definitely not the people you would want to offend.

The three of them sat down in a spacious booth. Ji Yunchuan popped the wine open himself and poured the first glass with great ceremony.

“To our first official meeting, sis-in-law!”

Lin Yi raised his glass, swirled the wine gently, then took a sip. The flavor was rich and smooth—clearly the real deal.

Ji Yunchuan drank eagerly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “So, sister-in-law, any plans to tell us your love story now?”

Lin Yi remained casual. “Didn’t I already say I’m not planning to?”

“But come on, you can’t just leave us hanging like this!” Ji Yunchuan leaned forward like a gossip-hungry teenager. “How can someone like Huo Ge—who’s allergic to romance—suddenly go and get married? There’s not even a hint beforehand!”

Lin Yi sipped his wine, looking entirely unbothered. “Some things are better left to the imagination.”

Ji Yunchuan groaned, looking defeated. “You’re really not going to say anything, huh?”

Lin Yi shrugged and said with a half-smile, “Didn’t you bring out this fancy wine to try and loosen my tongue? Maybe you should drink more yourself.”

Qin Ling, who had been quietly observing the entire time, suddenly chuckled. “I told you he wouldn’t fall for that.”

Ji Yunchuan grumbled, “Fine, plan B then. Let’s play dice!”

He waved over a staff member and asked for dice and cups.

“Rules are simple,” Ji Yunchuan declared. “Three dice per person. Whoever rolls three of a kind wins. Loser drinks.”

Lin Yi gestured with amusement. “You first.”

“No, no—guests first.” Ji Yunchuan pushed the dice cup toward him.

Lin Yi accepted it with a smirk. With calm, practiced ease, he shook the cup and slammed it down on the table. Then he lifted the lid.

Three sixes.

Ji Yunchuan stared in shock. “No way.”

Even Qin Ling raised an eyebrow.

Lin Yi leaned back with a leisurely air and said, “Your turn.”

Ji Yunchuan picked up his own cup, now visibly more serious. He shook it hard, muttering under his breath for luck, then revealed his roll.

Three different numbers.

“…Drink,” Lin Yi said, smiling faintly.

Ji Yunchuan downed the wine in one gulp, cheeks puffed up.

Then they went for another round. And another No matter how many times they played, Lin Yi kept winning.

Ji Yunchuan was baffled. “What kind of sorcery is this?! Teach me, teach me!”

Lin Yi just said, “Sorry, it’s a secret technique. Not for sale.”

In reality, it wasn’t anything special—just muscle memory. In his previous life working in investment banking, he had spent plenty of nights entertaining clients. Rolling dice was practically a job skill.

After a few more rounds, Ji Yunchuan was flushed and woozy, slumped over the table.

Still, he didn’t forget his original mission.

Drunk and swaying, he looked up at Lin Yi. “Soooo… sister-in-law… you and my Ge… what’s the deal?”

Lin Yi lifted a brow. “Shouldn’t you go first? Any love stories to share?”

Drunkenly, Ji Yunchuan began to mumble about a cool older woman he had once chased. “She was so hot. Cold as ice though. Rejected me hard…”

Lin Yi hummed in amusement. “Thanks. That will be good blackmail material.”

Ji Yunchuan blinked at him, confused. “Black… blackmail?”

“To use against you next time you try to dig up my gossip.”

Qin Ling, who had been silently sipping his drink, finally looked away in exasperation.

Ji Yunchuan was the one who wanted to dig for dirt, but now he was the one spilling everything.

Eventually, Ji Yunchuan got so drunk he passed out on the table.

Lin Yi looked at the time and stood up. “I’ll head back first.”

Qin Ling nodded. “I’ll take care of him.”

Lin Yi gave a casual wave and left.

By the time he returned to the villa, it was past 7 PM.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw little Huo Mianmian sitting obediently on the living room couch, quietly eating a plate of mulberries.

The kid was nibbling one by one, feet swinging, completely absorbed in his snack.

Lin Yi smiled at the sight, his heart softening. He walked over. “Mianmian, I’m back.”

The boy looked up, his eyes lighting up like stars but then Lin Yi saw his lips and burst out laughing.

Huo Mianmian’s mouth had been stained a deep purple by the mulberries, turning his lips into a smudged ring of color. He looked absolutely adorable and hilariously serious at the same time.

The little guy blinked up at him, confused.

Lin Yi finally managed to stop laughing and pointed at the table. “Go look at your reflection.”

Huo Mianmian slid off the couch, padded over, and checked himself in the reflective surface.

One second later—shock.

How did my mouth turn into this?!

Lin Yi grinned. “It’s cute! Here, I’ll eat some too so we match.”

He grabbed a handful of mulberries and popped them into his mouth. Soon enough, his lips were dyed the same purplish-red.

“How do I look?” he asked.

Huo Mianmian giggled and nodded hard.

Then Lin Yi’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Hey, want to pretend to be ghosts and scare your dad?”

The little boy’s eyes widened with excitement. “Yeah!”

Lin Yi grabbed some face paint and quickly drew dark circles under their eyes and paled their faces. With their already-purple lips, it was the perfect look.

He threw white sheets over their shoulders like cloaks.

Just as they finished preparing, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

Lin Yi whispered, “That must be your dad! Let’s go scare him!”

The boy nodded eagerly.

Outside, Huo Jihan parked his car and walked toward the villa.

Strangely, the living room lights were off.

Only the moonlight cast a dim glow across the space.

Without hesitation, Huo Jihan stepped inside.

Just as he reached the center of the room, two figures suddenly burst out of the shadows—one tall, one short—faces painted like cute little ghosts with arms flailing and shouting “Woooo! Woooo!”

They ran past him, clearly planning to escape after their “scare,” but… they ran the wrong way.

Straight toward the front door.

When they paused and realized their mistake, their body language screamed awkwardness.

Who the hell scares someone and then gets lost?!

Huo Jihan’s expression didn’t change. “The stairs are in the other direction.”

A few seconds later, the taller ghost grabbed the smaller one’s hand, turned around, and dashed up the stairs.

Huo Jihan: “…”

Well, at least they corrected themselves.

—

Upstairs, Lin Yi dragged Huo Mianmian into the bedroom, both of them panting.

“Ugh, talk about a failed mission,” he groaned. “We totally messed that up.”

Huo Mianmian tilted his head. “Did we scare Daddy?”

Lin Yi: “…”

Fantastic question.

The boy stared at him with big, round eyes, waiting for an answer.

After a beat, Lin Yi said seriously, “Of course we did! Didn’t you see him freeze in place from fright?”

Mianmian’s eyes sparkled.

Wow! They did it! They scared Daddy so much he couldn’t move!

Best night ever.