TRSBPASO 54

Facing Huo Jihan’s question, Lin Yi answered truthfully, “Yes.”

Shen Feng did count as his guest, after all.

But even after he answered, Huo Jihan continued looking at him.

Lin Yi: “??”

What was that supposed to mean?

Was Huo Jihan expecting him to say more?

A little confused, Lin Yi continued explaining, “Right, his name is Shen Feng. He’s a guest on the same show I’ve been filming.”

That should be detailed enough, right?

Huo Jihan gave a slight nod but still didn’t look away.

Lin Yi: “……”

He had thought someone as busy as Huo Jihan wouldn’t care about such trivial matters, which was why he hadn’t explained much at first. But judging from the look of it now, Huo Jihan seemed… unusually interested?

Well, it didn’t hurt to say a bit more. So Lin Yi added, “Recently, Shen Feng and I accepted a game endorsement together. We agreed to livestream today. Since I’ve got a game room, it made sense to do it here.”

At that, Huo Jihan finally spoke. “Mn.”

Just one word, but at least it was a response.

Lin Yi inexplicably felt relieved and said, “Then we’ll go stream now? We already told the fans the time during the ride.”

Huo Jihan nodded. “Go ahead.”

Lin Yi gave a quick nod and turned to Shen Feng. “Alright, let’s go.”

But Shen Feng didn’t respond.

Lin Yi raised his voice a little. “Shen Feng?”

Shen Feng seemed dazed. Only after being called twice did he snap out of it. “Ah? Oh, y-yeah, let’s go.”

Lin Yi: “……”

What’s with this guy acting all weird?

Although puzzled, Lin Yi didn’t dwell on it. He led Shen Feng toward the game room on the first floor.

He had been away for so long and he really missed that room.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside, eyes lighting up like he was ready to dive into battle.

Shen Feng, on the other hand—who’s so loud and energetic on the way here—now looked totally deflated.

Lin Yi glanced at him and raised a brow. “What’s wrong with you? You were fine just now.”

Shen Feng kept his gaze lowered, looking absentminded. When Lin Yi asked, he met his eyes in a slight panic. “Ah, n-no, it’s nothing…”

Lin Yi: “??”

Did he look like someone who had “nothing” going on?

Lin Yi stared at him.

Under that gaze, Shen Feng finally blurted out what was on his mind. “Um… What’s your relationship with that man from just now?”

He had already remembered who that man was.

Huo Jihan—an apex figure in the business world. All the rumors about him painted him as unfathomable, ruthless, and powerful.

Shen Feng’s father owned a listed company and was considered a major player in the industry. But even he had once tried to schedule a dinner with Huo Jihan, only to be told by Huo Jihan’s assistant that the appointment queue was full for the next six months. In other words, getting a meeting with him was basically impossible. In the end, he’d given up.

Shen Feng had never interacted with Huo Jihan before. He only knew about him from his parents’ occasional conversations, and had seen him once in a business report.

So today’s encounter was completely unexpected.

Even more shocking was that Huo Jihan seemed to have a close relationship with Lin Yi.

Though the two hadn’t exchanged many words earlier, it was obvious to anyone watching that there was an invisible, indescribable tension between them—something that instinctively shut everyone else out.

That kind of barrier made it clear. Outsiders were not welcome, and never would be.

Despite everything, Shen Feng still clung to a bit of wishful thinking. After asking the question, he kept his eyes fixed on Lin Yi, waiting for an answer.

Lin Yi hadn’t expected Shen Feng to suddenly ask something like that and found it a bit strange. “Is that really important to you?”

Shen Feng nodded. “Very.”

Lin Yi: “……”

If it was that important, what could he even say?

Fortunately, his relationship with Huo Jihan wasn’t some tightly guarded secret. It just wasn’t something they went out of their way to broadcast. And most of the people who did know wouldn’t dare leak anything about Huo Jihan anyway, so very few people were aware of it.

But now that Shen Feng had asked directly—and based on what Lin Yi knew about him, he wasn’t the type to go blabbing—he answered honestly, “It’s just like you saw. We live together. We’re married.”

“What?” Shen Feng looked like he’d just been hit by a truck. His face went pale. “I—I thought…”

During all their time filming together, he had never once seen Lin Yi in contact with a partner.

Even with Huo Mianmian around, he had assumed Lin Yi was a single parent. It had never crossed his mind that Lin Yi was married.

Seeing his odd reaction, Lin Yi asked, “You thought what?”

Shen Feng stared blankly for a few seconds before shaking his head. “Forget it. It’s nothing.”

Lin Yi pressed, “Really?”

Because Shen Feng seriously looked like he just had life drained out of him.

And honestly, all Lin Yi had said was the truth about his relationship with Huo Jihan—nothing more.

Was Shen Feng just spooked by Huo Jihan’s identity?

After a moment, Shen Feng finally replied, “It’s really nothing.”

Then he forced a smile and said, “The stream’s about to start, right? Let’s get going! If fans start asking why we’re late, I’m totally blaming you!”

And just like that, Shen Feng was back to his usual self—annoying enough to make you want to punch him.

Lin Yi: “??”

He cracked his knuckles. “Someone’s getting cocky. So I guess you won’t need me to carry you during the game, huh?”

Shen Feng instantly lost his confidence. “Come on, we’re co-ambassadors! If you don’t carry me and I get wrecked out there, people are gonna say we have no synergy.”

Lin Yi’s gaming skills were way above his. He absolutely had to cling to that golden thigh.

Lin Yi raised a brow. “Glad you know it.”

After a few exchanges, Shen Feng finally pulled himself out of his deflated state.

He finally had the energy to look around Lin Yi’s game room and blurted out dramatically, “Lin Yi, how much money did you pour into this place? It’s insane!”

The room looked straight-up professional. It was on par with a pro esports player’s setup. Every piece of equipment was top-of-the-line.

Lin Yi heard him and just gave a mysterious smile, saying nothing.

Of course he didn’t mind splurging on the game room. It wasn’t like he was spending his own hard-earned money. Every month, just by being a salted fish, he was raking in five million. Spending it didn’t hurt one bit.

Soon, the two of them sat down at separate PCs and started the livestream.

The moment they went live, a flood of fans poured into the stream.

【Ahhh! My two faves are finally teaming up!!】

【Lin Yi, baby, I’m here!!】

【Finally!!! I’ve been refreshing like crazy waiting for you two!!】

【I heard they’re randomly picking three fans to join the game? Ugh, too bad I don’t play this one, or I’d definitely throw my hat in the ring.】

【Hahaha, with how bad Shen Feng is at gaming, Lin Yi’s definitely gonna have to carry him again, right?】

【Wait a sec… Am I the only one staring at the background? This doesn’t look like an internet café.】

【Girl above, I think you just uncovered something big.】

【So where are they streaming from? Lin Yi’s house or Shen Feng’s?】

【If it’s Lin Yi’s place, does that mean we might finally find out who his partner is?】

【OMG! I’m suddenly so hyped!! So who is my baby Lin Yi’s other half?!】

【Aaaah, someone tell us already!!】

The game company had already outlined the stream’s structure—first, a Q&A session where the two ambassadors would answer fans’ questions, followed by actual gameplay.

Lin Yi had expected the questions to be about the game, or maybe some harmless gossip about him and Shen Feng.

What he hadn’t expected at all… was that everyone seemed laser-focused on his partner.

Lin Yi: “……”

These netizens really were something else.

Lin Yi tried to pick a few questions from the barrage of comments that he could actually answer.

But no matter how long he looked, he couldn’t find a single one.

Because right now, the entire chat was filled with the same question—asking about his partner. It was clear the fans were genuinely curious.

Lin Yi felt a little conflicted.

After all, knowing Huo Jihan’s personality, he was definitely not someone who liked being in the spotlight.

Besides, it was one thing for a few close people to know about their relationship—but having the whole internet aware of it? That was a different matter.

Back when Huo Jihan chose to marry the original Lin Yi, it was purely to avoid complications. If, someday, Huo Jihan decided to end this nominal marriage, and by then everyone knew about it—it would be far messier to deal with.

Thinking of that, Lin Yi addressed the viewers: “Sorry, but it’s probably not convenient for me to talk about my partner.”

Who would’ve thought that the netizens would only get more enthusiastic—and even start brainstorming ideas.

【It’s okay, can he just appear for a second? No need to show his face.】

【Or he could just say a couple of lines off-screen?】

【If all else fails, just show a sliver of his clothes?】

Lin Yi stared at the comments, half laughing, half crying.

The last one especially—just a sliver of his clothes—what kind of weird request was that?

Still, it was obvious the fans were seriously curious.

But Lin Yi still didn’t budge. “It’s really not convenient.”

【Whimpering and rolling around—pleaseeee.】

【Wife, look into our pleading little eyes.】

【We’re just so curious qaq】

【Or just give us a little intro? No key details, just something light.】

Lin Yi was the kind of person who couldn’t resist soft pleas. Staring at the endless stream of polite, puppy-eyed comments, he couldn’t help but sigh. “How about this—I’ll go ask him what he thinks?”

The chat exploded.

【AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!】

【Wait—are we about to find out who my wife’s partner is?!】

【Honestly, I don’t even need the full reveal. Just tell me if it’s a man or a woman.】

【Whimper… I can’t believe we’re finally getting a glimpse of my wife’s mysterious other half, why am I this excited?!】

After saying that, Lin Yi actually got up and walked out of the stream.

To be honest, he didn’t think there was any way Huo Jihan would agree to appear.

Given Huo Jihan’s status, he wasn’t someone who could casually show up on public platforms.

But maybe Lin Yi could interview him a bit, then go back and relay his answers to the fans? That should be okay, right?

He stepped out of the game room and found Huo Jihan in the living room.

At the moment, Huo Jihan was reading a business magazine. When he heard movement, he lifted his gaze, those dark eyes locking onto Lin Yi. “Done streaming?”

Lin Yi answered honestly, “Not yet. The fans were just really enthusiastic and started asking questions.”

“What kind of questions?”

“They all want to know what kind of person you are.”

Upon hearing that, Huo Jihan’s eyes darkened slightly. “And how did you respond?”

Lin Yi said, “I haven’t answered yet.”

Huo Jihan stared at him, unblinking. “Then you can answer now.”

Lin Yi paused for a moment.

Answer now?

This was a question the fans wanted answered but for some reason, it now felt like Huo Jihan himself wanted to hear what he had to say.

Lin Yi thought for a second, then said, “In my heart, you’re someone very special.”

It wasn’t an empty compliment—it was the truth. After living two lifetimes, this was the first time he had met someone like Huo Jihan.

Huo Jihan stood at the top, disciplined and composed, never letting his emotions show. He always seemed untouched by anything worldly, and his capabilities were so overwhelming they left others in the dust.

A person like that was practically one of a kind.

And because of that, he also felt… very distant.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi added, “But you feel really far away.”

Whether it was status or aura, Huo Jihan was the kind of person you admired from afar but never approached.

After hearing this, Huo Jihan seemed lost in thought.

Then, after a beat, he parted his lips and said clearly, one word at a time. “Right now, you’re very close to me.”

It was just a simple sentence—yet somehow, it carried an unmistakable undertone.

One sitting, one standing, with just over a meter between them, eyes locked.

For some reason, Lin Yi felt his heart jolt under Huo Jihan’s gaze.

Those deep black eyes were like an endless pool of ink, as if they could pull a person’s soul in, making it impossible to escape.

At the same time—

Inside the game stream, the viewers had already gone completely wild.

When Lin Yi left the game room, he hadn’t closed the door. His and Huo Jihan’s conversation in the living room had faintly carried into the mic. Though not entirely clear, it was enough for everyone to tell he was speaking to a man.

【AAAAAAHHH someone save me, I’m about to explode!!!】

【Same!! I can’t calm down at all!!!】

【So my wife’s partner is a man? Even better—this ship is sailing strong!!!】

【Ladies, I cranked my volume to the max. Lin Yi’s partner’s voice is so good—deep, magnetic, and incredibly steady. You can tell he’s totally a top-tier boss.】

【One voice low and huSky, the other bright and clear—how can even their voices match so well?!】

【I don’t even know who he is, but I’m already obsessed! My brain’s filling in all kinds of R-rated scenarios!】

【Sis, please lend me your brain. I need that mental cinema too.】

【I wanna see it too!!】

After a few minutes of talking, Lin Yi returned to the game room.

As he sat down and looked at the screen, he was stunned to find the chat was already celebrating like crazy.

Lin Yi: “??”

He hadn’t even said anything yet, had he?

At that moment, Shen Feng pointed toward the open door, his expression complicated. “They could kinda hear your conversation just now.”

Lin Yi: “……”

No wonder the whole chat had lost its mind.

But their voices hadn’t even been that loud… and these people didn’t hear the details either, did they? Why were they all acting like they’d just won the lottery?

Perhaps sensing Lin Yi’s confusion, the fans in the chat quickly explained.

【You don’t get it—this is what it’s like for us CP shippers. Just a tiny scrap of content is enough to keep us happy for ages.】

【All I can say is: KSWL! (Knocked So We Love—it means “this ship is giving me life!”)】

【Exactly! But Lin Yi, babe, is your partner seriously super hot? Just hearing his voice knocked us all out.】

Reading that last comment, Lin Yi couldn’t help picturing Huo Jihan’s face.

Yeah, he had to admit—Huo Jihan’s looks were off the charts. Flawless proportions, god-tier features, and especially those eyes—like frost-covered depths of water, unforgettable from a single glance.

Thinking of that, Lin Yi chuckled and said to the stream, “Yeah, he’s pretty handsome.”

No matter what their relationship really was, just speaking objectively—Huo Jihan was ridiculously good-looking, almost ethereally so.

The moment he said that, the stream completely lost it again. The chat went into overdrive, and the platform nearly crashed from all the excitement.

Beside him, Shen Feng leaned back in his chair, utterly defeated.

So… had he come here to stream a game, or just to be force-fed dog food?

He seriously wanted to kick that bowl over. Hard.