TRSBPASO 40

The moonlight gently flowed down.

The villa was quiet.

In the dining room, a bright crystal light was on.

Lin Yi sat in a chair and lazily rested his chin in one hand while accompanying Huo Jihan across from him for his birthday.

At this moment, Huo Jihan was eating the longevity noodles Lin Yi had made for him.

Although Lin Yi wasn’t a particularly skilled cook, he had specially sought advice from a chef for this longevity noodle recipe, and it turned out to be an exceptional dish.

It was a bowl of clear broth noodles, with the noodles firm and the broth richly flavorful. There were also some small vegetables and scallions as garnish.

Huo Jihan picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and slowly began eating.

Born into a noble family with impeccable dining manners, even eating a bowl of noodles seemed to create an elegant scene.

Lin Yi rested his chin and casually asked, “Mr. Huo, this must be the simplest birthday meal you’ve had, right?”

Someone like Huo Jihan, who had been born into a top-tier family must have eaten all sorts of delicacies, especially on his birthday, when he’d no doubt be enjoying the most expensive foods available.

Yet now, he was eating a bowl of simple clear broth noodles.

It was probably a rare experience for him.

Huo Jihan, hearing this, looked up at Lin Yi with his dark eyes. “This bowl of noodles is quite good.”

Though the ingredients weren’t anything extraordinary, there seemed to be something special about it.

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Really? I’m glad you like it! In that case, next year on your birthday, I can make this for you again!”

Some words, when combined with the idea of the future, naturally made people begin to feel a sense of anticipation.

Just imagining the same time next year with the same situation and the same setting made it hard not to be moved.

Huo Jihan looked at Lin Yi, his dark eyes softening with a faint smile. “Alright.”

His usually cold and flat voice seemed to carry a trace of warmth.

Lin Yi was slightly taken aback when he saw the smile on Huo Jihan’s face.

No wonder so many men and women tried every possible way to get close to Huo Jihan. He truly had something special.

Even though Lin Yi didn’t have any other feelings for Huo Jihan, at that moment, he had to admit that Huo Jihan’s face was universally appealing—capable of attracting both men and women!

Especially when Huo Jihan showed even a hint of tenderness, it made people lose themselves and inevitably feel drawn to him.

Afterward, Huo Jihan continued eating the noodles.

Lin Yi couldn’t find anything else to do so he took out his phone to browse the internet and casually searched for himself.

He usually wouldn’t do something like searching for himself, but right now, he needed something to pass the time, so he just searched.

As he searched, he realized that his Weibo had unexpectedly gained over 10 million followers.

When he first entered the book, he only had a few hundred thousand followers and most of those were people criticizing him.

Now, his 10 million followers were mostly genuine fans who frequently left him comments praising him and shared his daily updates.

There were even some advertisers who reached out to him. When he didn’t respond, they went to his manager.

Lin Yi was a little surprised but didn’t pay too much attention to it.

Then he casually searched on some other apps.

When he came across some posts about himself on an anonymous platform, he couldn’t help but laugh.

An anonymous user seemed to really dislike him, writing a long post of three or four thousand words slamming him. The main point was that he had “crawled up to a rich backer.” Because of this, he could afford a Ferrari, go to an expensive private mountain resort, and even attend an auction…

This anonymous user presented facts—from Lin Yi’s ordinary family background to his earnings in the entertainment industry, and concluded that Lin Yi couldn’t possibly afford all this on his own. Clearly, there must be some hidden secret behind it.

Most likely, Lin Yi had hooked up with a wealthy and powerful backer.

The logic of the entire post was fairly clear.

Lin Yi read it and couldn’t help but laugh.

On the other side, Huo Jihan asked, “What’s so funny?”

Lin Yi smiled at him and teased, “Mr. Huo, it seems like you’ve become my backer.”

Huo Jihan was momentarily stunned. “What?”

Lin Yi grinned. “There’s an online rumor saying I’ve hooked up with a rich and powerful backer.”

Huo Jihan: “…”

He paused for a moment and asked, “Do you need help handling this?”

Lin Yi quickly waved his hand. “No need, no need. It’s no big deal. How could I trouble you to handle it personally?”

After all, Huo Jihan’s identity was something else. Every second of his time was precious and wasting it on such matters wouldn’t be worth it.

However, there was one thing Lin Yi was curious about. He thought for a moment and said, “The person who knows my movements so well must be someone close to me.”

It was most likely Su Bai and his group, since Lin Yi had been interacting with them more recently.

At that point, Huo Jihan said, “Do you want to know who it is?”

Lin Yi widened his eyes slightly. “You can find out who they are, even though it’s anonymous?”

Huo Jihan replied, “Go to the study and bring me my computer.”

Lin Yi was curious about what Huo Jihan was going to do so he went upstairs to the study to bring the computer.

When Lin Yi came back downstairs, Huo Jihan had just finished his noodles.

They then sat down on the living room couch.

Huo Jihan settled down on the couch and turned on the computer.

The cold blue light from the computer screen reflected in his black eyes, making them look even deeper and cooler.

Lin Yi felt that he was about to witness some high-tech skill, so he sat beside Huo Jihan with his eyes glued to his actions.

Unfortunately, he didn’t understand much of what was happening.

He only saw Huo Jihan typing some code.

When Huo Jihan was absorbed in something, his expression became serious. His long fingers quickly tapped the keyboard and gave off an overwhelming sense of security.

Lin Yi unconsciously stared at him for a few seconds, then saw Huo Jihan press the Enter key and say, “It’s done.”

Lin Yi: “!!!”

Wait, that’s it?

He barely blinked for a few seconds, and it was done?!

At that moment, Huo Jihan showed the computer screen to Lin Yi. It clearly displayed an IP address.

It was the IP address of that anonymous user.

Lin Yi was stunned for several seconds, unable to speak. After a long while, he finally regained his voice and looked at Huo Jihan. “So you’re the legendary hacker?”

Huo Jihan seemed amused by Lin Yi’s reaction, raising the corner of his mouth. “It’s easy.”

Lin Yi: “…”

Is it really that easy?!

Finding an anonymous user’s IP address is that simple?

This must be the difference between geniuses and ordinary people!!

Now Lin Yi completely understood why people like the butler and Ji Yunchuan always praised Huo Jihan so much.

No wonder he was someone who got a PhD from an Ivy League school at 25!!

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Lin Yi asked, “Mr. Huo, so is there anything that’s difficult for you?”

Huo Jihan paused and thought for a moment, then replied, “Not for now.”

Lin Yi: “…”

Forget it, if he asked any more questions, he would just feel even worse about himself.

At this point, Lin Yi turned to look at the information Huo Jihan had uncovered. He discovered that the anonymous user who made the post came from their own talent agency.

It seemed like it was almost certain that it was Su Bai and his group.

Huo Jihan asked Lin Yi, “What are you planning to do next?”

Lin Yi shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s just some trivial online gossip. It doesn’t really affect me.”

After all, this hadn’t caused much of a stir yet and it was just a simple gossip post. If you search for such posts online, you’ll find tons of them.

If they make any further moves, then he’ll deal with it then.

Huo Jihan asked again, “You don’t care?”

Lin Yi spoke calmly, “I don’t feel any disturbance. If others insult or slander me, then they’re the ones full of anger and distortion. They’ll be stuck in negative emotions, but none of that concerns me. My mood stays steady, and in the end, it’s them who lose.”

Huo Jihan listened to Lin Yi’s words and looked at him with an expression of rare approval. “That’s a unique perspective.”

Lin Yi smiled, “Right? Everyone is an independent entity. If you look at things from the perspective of an outsider, you’ll realize a lot of emotions are unnecessary. You’re probably just consuming yourself, and it doesn’t even affect anyone else.”

Huo Jihan listened quietly and waited for him to finish before raising his lips and saying, “Is this how you usually approach things—detached?”

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. “Of course not! I may not get stuck in my own emotions, but if someone tries to attack me, I’ll return the favor exactly. I don’t want them thinking I’m easy to bully.”

In his past life, some clients would always try to criticize his work. He had even slammed his hands on the table and argued fiercely with them, and after that, those clients backed off.

In an investment bank full of powerful people and managing a team, if you didn’t have a bit of personality and methods, you wouldn’t command respect.

Huo Jihan watched Lin Yi as he spoke.

When Lin Yi talked about these things, his brows and eyes were full of life, like a dazzling flame burning bright. It was an incredibly vibrant vitality, and it made people unconsciously attracted to him.

At that moment, Lin Yi seemed like a lively and cunning little fox.

However, after saying all that, Lin Yi leaned lazily back on the sofa like a salted fish and sighed, “Sitting up straight and talking is so tiring. It’s much more comfortable to lie like this.”

Everything he said just now was from his past life as a corporate worker, and this life, he was just a salted fish too lazy to even flip over. He didn’t have the energy for grand speeches.

Huo Jihan couldn’t help but laugh softly.

It was a short laugh, like the bow of a cello being gently struck—low and alluring.

Lin Yi heard the short laugh and turned his head while still in his relaxed position to look at Huo Jihan.

At that moment, Huo Jihan’s expression was different from usual.

In the past, Huo Jihan’s face was cold and his eyes seemed to hold centuries of unmelting ice. Yet now, the smile in his black eyes spread, like a frozen lake slowly melting under the moonlight.

Lin Yi watched him for a moment and couldn’t help but sigh. “Mr. Huo, you should smile more often.”

Huo Jihan raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

Lin Yi sincerely complimented, “When you smile, you just completely outshine everything!”

Huo Jihan looked at Lin Yi with eyes that seemed to pierce through to the soul. “Is that your honest opinion?”

Lin Yi nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, it’s true.”

Even though he had no other feelings for Huo Jihan, appreciating such top-tier looks was universal!

Even if he didn’t like him, he couldn’t help but compliment him.

Huo Jihan gazed at Lin Yi for a moment, as if evaluating something.

After a while, he said, “There’s no sincerity.”

Lin Yi: “??”

What does Huo Jihan mean by that?

He was genuinely complimenting him!!

But it was late now and it was clear that this wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.

Before they went upstairs, Huo Jihan typed a few things on the computer and then said to Lin Yi, “I’ve already deleted that gossip post for you.”

Lin Yi was so shocked by Huo Jihan’s abilities that he could only look at him with admiration. “Thank you.”

After saying that, Lin Yi leaned down and gently picked up the sleeping Huo Mianmian from the sofa, then started walking toward the stairs.

After taking a few steps, Huo Jihan called out to him, “Lin Yi.”

Lin Yi turned his head. “Hmm?”

Huo Jihan’s gaze seemed softer than usual, and he said slowly, “Good night.”

Lin Yi smiled and replied, “Good night.”

The next morning.

Lin Yi had stayed up late last night so he didn’t wake up until almost eleven.

What shocked him was that Huo Jihan was still asleep.

It was rare for Huo Jihan to sleep in—this could be a historical moment.

However, it wasn’t entirely surprising since it was Huo Jihan’s birthday yesterday. He drank quite a bit and then had to stay up for a long time, so he probably needed to catch up on sleep.

After Lin Yi woke up, he had breakfast and then grabbed a pack of small cookies to snack on.

At this moment, Huo Mianmian came to his side.

Lin Yi, feeling playful, took a cookie and held it to Huo Mianmian’s mouth. “Come on, baby, open your mouth.”

Huo Mianmian didn’t suspect anything and obediently opened his mouth, waiting for Lin Yi to feed him.

However, Lin Yi teased him by holding the cookie right near his mouth, then pulling it back and eating it himself.

Huo Mianmian: “??”

Meh??

Lin Yi, holding in his laughter, grabbed a second cookie. “Come on, I really will give it to you this time.”

Huo Mianmian obediently opened his mouth again.

Yet, once again, Lin Yi held the cookie near him, then ate it himself.

Huo Mianmian: “…”

Wuwu!

Lin Yi laughed uncontrollably. “Hahahaha!!”

Teasing the little guy was so much fun!!

Lin Yi grabbed a third cookie to feed Huo Mianmian. “I swear, I won’t lie to you this time!”

Huo Mianmian hesitated for a moment but still opened his little mouth.

And as expected, Lin Yi ate it himself again.

Huo Mianmian: “…”

He dove into Lin Yi’s arms, whining, “Xiao Ba~”

You could hear the urgency in his little voice.

Lin Yi: “Hahahaha!!”

Finally, Lin Yi grabbed the last cookie and, feeling a bit guilty, really did feed it to Huo Mianmian.

Huo Mianmian bit into the cookie, chewed it, and instantly became happy.

So yummy!

After finishing the remaining cookies, Lin Yi felt bored and found a Pikachu costume.

There was a big one and a small one.

It was probably something the butler or servants had prepared for him and Huo Mianmian.

Lin Yi looked at the two round, yellow Pikachu costumes and became interested.

He asked Huo Mianmian, “Baby, do you want to wear the costume and play with me?”

Huo Mianmian immediately nodded his little head, excitedly saying, “Yes~”

Soon, Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian changed into their Pikachu costumes.

Then, two Pikachus, one big and one small, appeared in the villa. They walk with a waddle, looking extremely cute.

The butler and servants stood by, watching the father and son with amused smiles.

Not long after, Huo Jihan came downstairs.

He didn’t need to go to the company today so he wore a gray loungewear set. He looked more relaxed than usual.

As soon as he stepped down, he was immediately confronted by two adorable chubby Pikachus.

One big, one small.

The big one stretched out its hand to stop him and deliberately changed its tone, saying, “This tree I planted, this road I made, if you want to pass, leave me some road money!!”

After saying that, the big and small Pikachus stood imposingly in front of Huo Jihan.

Pikachu’s here to rob!!

However, Huo Jihan remained calm and replied flatly, “No.”

“No?!” The big Pikachu continued threatening, “Don’t you value your life over money?”

The Pikachu costume itself was cute, but the person inside was saying threatening words, making it even more funny and adorable.

Huo Jihan raised the corner of his mouth. “Mm, I’d choose money over life.”

The big Pikachu: “…”

Clearly, the big Pikachu didn’t realize it was running into a tough opponent on its first attempt. It was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, just then, a new target appeared.

Ji Yunchuan was passing through the villa area. He was excited to grab a meal, but as he excitedly entered the villa area, he was stopped by the two adorable Pikachus.

Ji Yunchuan was startled and tentatively said, “Sister-in-law? Mianmian?”

At this point, the big Pikachu repeated in a threatening tone, “This tree I planted, this road I made, if you want to pass, leave me some road money!!”

Ji Yunchuan muttered, “Road money? But I didn’t bring any money today!”

Upon hearing this, the two Pikachus immediately spread their hands, blocking his way and not letting him enter.

Ji Yunchuan: “!!”

He certainly didn’t have the same intimidating presence as Huo Jihan. All he could do was tilt his head and yell toward the house, “Huo Ge, aren’t you going to manage your two treasures?!”

Inside the Pikachu costume, Lin Yi: “??”

What does he mean by ‘two treasures’?

Huo Mianmian is Huo Jihan’s treasure, fine, but I’m not one!!

At that moment, the big Pikachu started violently attacking Ji Yunchuan.

Ji Yunchuan screamed while holding his head, “Huo Ge, Huo Ge, please do something!!”

On the other side, Huo Jihan leisurely picked up the coffee the servant had brought, took a slow sip, then smirked and said, “Can’t manage.”

Can’t manage.

Just three simple words.

Yet somehow, they carried an inexplicable tone of indulgence.