TRSBPASO 45

Su Bai had officially fallen from grace.

Online exposés about him were endless, and gossip-hungry netizens had their fill of drama all at once.

【I really thought Su Bai had some powerful big-shot dad… turns out it was just his sugar daddy.】

【Su Bai’s fans used to brag about that all the time—bet they’re speechless now.】

【Su Bai was really bold, walking around in public with his sugar daddy like it was nothing.】

【There’s another rumor—can’t confirm it, but I heard Su Bai didn’t just have this one sugar daddy. Back when he was still a D-lister, he already had several. This last one was just the richest.】

【Can’t believe I used to like this guy. I must’ve been blind.】

【Guys, go check Weibo! Someone’s posted a real-name exposé—turns out Su Bai actually had a boyfriend, but dumped him for being too poor and hooked up with a sugar daddy instead…】

【Damn! It’s a full-on scandal chain!】

Online discussions about Su Bai were fiery, and things weren’t any better in real life.

The higher-ups at his agency had once placed great hope in him but now, with this scandal, they were scrambling to cut ties, desperate to keep him from damaging the company’s image.

At this moment, Su Bai was curled up in a corner, battered and bruised, clutching at his torn clothes, too ashamed to face anyone.

His sugar daddy had no time for him now, busy dealing with the chaos at home. Not that he’d care anyway—even if he had the time. It had always been a transaction. Who was expecting genuine affection?

Su Bai crouched there alone.

No one came to help. All those lackeys who used to fawn over him had vanished without a trace.

Only now did Su Bai start to realize that Lin Yi wasn’t someone easy to mess with.

Choosing Lin Yi as an opponent might’ve been the biggest mistake of his life.

But even now, he didn’t think he was in the wrong.

He had always seen himself as noble, a star adored by all, someone who could do whatever he pleased, the world spinning around him.

Unfortunately, no matter what Su Bai believed in his heart, no one saw him as a glamorous star anymore.

…

Time flew by, and soon it was the day to film the parenting show.

For once, Lin Yi got up early, stretching lazily as he came downstairs.

He started looking for Huo Jihan—after all, they were heading out for a trip, so it was only polite to inform him.

Luckily, Huo Jihan hadn’t left for the company yet. He was sitting in the living room going through a stack of documents.

Li Feng stood beside him, waiting to deliver the signed papers to one of their branch offices.

Seeing they were busy, Lin Yi didn’t interrupt. He leaned casually against the wall and waited.

Once Huo Jihan switched into work mode, he gave off an air of “don’t approach”—a commanding, authoritative presence that naturally made people want to follow him.

Soon, Huo Jihan signed the last document.

Only then did Lin Yi walk over and say, “By the way, Mr. Huo, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Huo Jihan looked up. “What is it?”

Lin Yi said, “I’m taking Mianmian to film the show.”

Huo Jihan, usually emotionless no matter the news, actually furrowed his brow slightly. “When?”

Lin Yi replied casually, “This morning. I only got the notice from the production team last night. Didn’t have time to tell you yet.”

Huo Jihan paused, then asked, “When will you be back?”

Lin Yi didn’t expect that question. They hadn’t even left yet, and he was already asking about the return?

Not sure what Huo Jihan meant but Lin Yi still answered honestly, “Not exactly sure. They said the shoot’s pretty far away this time and it could be ten days, maybe half a month.”

Huo Jihan said nothing more.

Having spent time around him, Lin Yi had gotten slightly better at reading his moods.

Even though Huo Jihan’s face was still expressionless, Lin Yi could tell—his mood didn’t seem great.

Lin Yi was a little confused.

He hadn’t said anything strange… Just that they were going to film?

Was this bothering Huo Jihan somehow?

Standing nearby, Li Feng kept his expression blank and his gaze lowered, but his mind was racing.

He had worked with Huo Jihan for a long time, and this was the first time he’d sensed such obvious displeasure. Not even when handling billion-dollar contracts had Huo Jihan ever shown emotion.

That alone said a lot about how much Mr. Lin meant to his boss.

Silence filled the living room.

Just as Lin Yi was about to speak again, his phone rang.

He pulled it out—an unfamiliar number.

He frowned slightly but answered, “Hello? Who’s this?”

A familiar, cocky voice came through the line, “Lin Yi, when are you heading out? I’m waiting at the airport! Hurry up, hurry up!!”

Lin Yi: “……”

That voice, that tone—who else could it be but Shen Feng.

Speechless, he asked, “How did you know what city I’m in?”

After all, when Shen Feng had asked him last time, he hadn’t answered.

Shen Feng felt a little guilty because he’d actually pressured someone from the production team to spill Lin Yi’s address.

Of course, he couldn’t admit that. So he quickly changed the subject, “Anyway, I heard the shoot’s in the desert this time. Did you pack everything you need for it?”

Lin Yi was surprised. “Desert?”

The production team had only told him the departure time and flight info but they never said where they were going.

Shen Feng successfully deflected the question and sighed in relief. “See? I’m looking out for you—sharing top-secret info and all.”

Lin Yi scoffed. “…You call that a secret?”

Shen Feng protested, “Why not?! Anyway, I won’t hold you up. Hurry and get to the airport! I’m waiting!!”

Then he hung up.

Lin Yi stared at his phone in silence for a moment, then pocketed it.

Huo Jihan, who had heard the whole call, casually asked, “Who was that?”

Lin Yi answered honestly, “Someone I’m filming with. Not sure how he figured out where I am, but he’s already at the airport waiting for me and rushing me over.”

Though his tone was full of complaints, it wasn’t hard to hear that he and the guy had a good relationship. 

Huo Jihan’s eyes darkened slightly. “Seems like you two get along well?”

“Huh?” Lin Yi blinked. Where did that come from?

After a moment, he replied, “I guess so. We filmed together once before. He’s got a few annoying quirks, but overall he’s alright. I’d say we’re friends.”

Huo Jihan’s gaze deepened. Then he said, “I’ll have Li Feng drive you and Mianmian to the airport.”

Lin Yi immediately refused. “No need. Assistant Li still has to deliver documents. Mianmian and I can get there on our own.”

Surprisingly, Huo Jihan insisted, “Let him drive you first, then deliver the files.”

“…Alright.” Lin Yi saw he wouldn’t budge and gave in. It wasn’t a big deal anyway.

Huo Jihan turned to Li Feng. “Take them to the airport.”

Li Feng had been with Huo Jihan long enough to understand even a look.

One glance from his boss and he understood exactly what was expected.

He walked over and said to Lin Yi, “Mr. Lin, I’ll carry your luggage.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Thanks.”

Twenty minutes later, Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian were ready to go.

Huo Jihan also had to head to the company, but he didn’t get into the car right away. He stood next to it, watching Lin Yi and Mianmian from a distance, his gaze deep and unreadable.

The driver couldn’t guess what he was thinking and didn’t dare ask. He just stood by, waiting quietly.

Only after Lin Yi and Mianmian got into their car and drove off did Huo Jihan coldly say, “Let’s go.”

The driver quickly opened the door for him.

Meanwhile, in the car heading to the airport, Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian sat together.

Li Feng was driving in the front.

Knowing they were going to the desert, both Lin Yi and Mianmian wore light clothing, though they’d packed thick jackets for the drastic temperature shifts between day and night.

Lin Yi wore a simple white T-shirt.

Huo Mianmian was dressed in a cute bunny outfit, complete with a hood that had two upright bunny ears. He really looked like a little rabbit.

Lin Yi pinched his soft cheeks and asked, “Mianmian, we’re going to the desert soon. Are you excited?”

Huo Mianmian nodded, the bunny ears on his head bouncing twice. “Excited.”

He had been on the show once before, so he was already used to it.

Besides, as long as Lin Yi was with him, he was happy.

The father and son chatted the whole way and soon arrived at the airport.

Getting out of the car, Lin Yi looked toward the entrance and sure enough, there stood Shen Feng and his nephew, Song Yutao.

Both were wearing sunglasses, leaning lazily against their suitcases, looking as cool as could be.

Shen Feng spotted Lin Yi and immediately ripped off his sunglasses, rushing over in big strides. “You’re so slow! You walk like a turtle! I’ve been waiting forever!”

Lin Yi shot him a sideways glance. “Who told you to wait? You insisted on coming early.”

“…”

Shen Feng choked on the words.

That… was kind of true.

Feeling a little awkward, he huffed, “Whatever! I’m not arguing with you! Let’s go, hurry up!!”

Lin Yi ignored him and calmly lifted Huo Mianmian out of the car.

Li Feng had already rolled over their luggage. “Mr. Lin, have a safe trip.”

Lin Yi took the suitcase. “Thanks. Head back, and thank you for your help.”

Shen Feng didn’t recognize Li Feng and didn’t pay him any attention. He quickly grabbed Lin Yi’s suitcase. “I’ll take it—hurry up!”

Lin Yi said dryly, “What’s the rush? Trying to reincarnate early or something?”

Shen Feng: “……”

He just wanted to spend a bit more time with Lin Yi.

Young Master Shen had a hot temper. Normally, if someone said that to him, he would explode but in front of Lin Yi, he couldn’t say a word back. He just snorted and turned away.

Lin Yi didn’t care and turned to Huo Mianmian. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s go catch our flight.”

Li Feng stood silently nearby, watching Lin Yi and Shen Feng interact.

It was obvious that they were just friends.

At least, Mr. Lin definitely only saw Shen Feng as a friend.

Soon, the group entered the airport, followed by two of Shen Feng’s assistants.

Li Feng stood in place, watching until Lin Yi and Mianmian disappeared inside.

Then he turned and left—ready to report back to Mr. Huo