After the Secrets of the Passerby Were Leaked, He Was Cherished by the Entire Family of Antagonists

Chapter 85

The whole family’s eyes were focused on Huo Yan.

The more Huo Yan thought about it, the angrier he became, and he growled, "No! There's no way we can let Ye Leyao meet..."

Huo Mom suddenly interrupted him, "What did you just say?"

Huo Yan replied, "I said there's no way we can..."

"The sentence before that," Huo Mom said.

Huo Yan paused for a moment, recalling what he'd said, and repeated seriously, "I said I suspect that Qin Yao can hear Ye Leyao’s inner voice too."

The room instantly fell silent.

Huo Ze's eyes were wide with shock, and he was the first to speak, "Impossible! Didn't we conclude that only our family can hear Ye Leyao’s inner voice?"

Huo Yan shot him a glance, "The reason we reached that conclusion is because, until now, we hadn’t found any evidence that others could hear Ye Leyao’s inner voice."

Huo Jing also found it unbelievable and glanced up at Huo Yan, "So, do you have evidence now?"

Huo Yan nodded.

Ever since he began suspecting Qin Yao, Huo Yan had gone back to rewatch the recordings from the first three live streams, including the two officially aired episodes.

He pulled out his phone and shared the video he had compiled in the family group chat.

"Take a look for yourselves."

The other four family members quickly grabbed their phones. For a while, the only sound in the living room was the video playing.

Huo Yan had compiled a very thorough video, covering everything from the first to the fourth episode.

After they finished watching, the family fell into a long silence.

Finally, Huo Mom was the first to speak, "This isn’t a small matter. Rather than making baseless guesses here, we should ask Xiao Qin directly."

Huo Dad, agreeing with Huo Mom, added, "Why don’t we do it at the birthday party? We’ve already been invited, and we can casually ask Xiao Qin a few questions without making it seem too obvious."

Huo Mom nodded.

Huo Jing and Huo Ze had no objections.

Only Huo Yan frowned, "So even after knowing Qin Yao can hear Ye Leyao’s inner voice, you’re still not stopping them from dating? And why are we even going to this birthday party? Are you really planning to let Ye Leyao meet his parents?"

Clearly, Huo Yan was still struggling to accept Qin Yao.

But whether he accepted it or not, it wasn’t something he could control.

Huo Mom stood up, sighed helplessly, and decided not to waste any more words arguing with Huo Yan.

As soon as she stood, Huo Dad followed suit.

Huo Jing glanced at his watch and said, "I have a meeting to attend."

Huo Yan turned to look at Huo Ze, who reached out and patted his elder brother's shoulder, "Big brother, our little brother is growing up. You don’t need to worry about every little thing."

Huo Yan clenched his teeth, "You think I’m worrying about nothing?"

Huo Ze coughed twice and, finding an excuse, said, "Ning Xu just messaged me. He found some information, so I’ll head out first!"

Huo Ze slipped away quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the spacious living room was empty, leaving Huo Yan alone.

Huo Yan stood up, then quickly sat down again.

No.

There’s no way he was letting Ye Leyao attend that birthday party!

He had to come up with a plan.

But as he thought about it, he ended up mulling over the issue for five whole days.

With the birthday party set for the following day, Huo Yan still hadn’t figured out how to stop Ye Leyao from attending.

In the afternoon, while Ye Leyao was still at his acting class and Huo Ze hadn't returned home yet, both Huo Jing and Huo Yan were at home.

Huo Mom was the first to ask Huo Yan, "It’s been five days. Have you come up with a plan?"

Huo Yan: "..."

Huo Dad chimed in, "Why don’t you come with us? If you have any issues with Qin Yao, you can cause trouble right then and there."

Huo Mom nodded in agreement, "That’s a great idea."

Huo Yan was speechless, "Are you seriously suggesting I cause a scene at someone’s birthday party? That’s just starting trouble."

"Oh, so you’re aware that you’re causing trouble!" Huo Dad chuckled.

Huo Jing chimed in earnestly, "Xiao Yao’s relationship is going well. Not only do you disapprove, but you’re also trying to break them up. Isn’t that also causing trouble?"

Just as Huo Yan was about to argue back, Huo Jing's phone rang abruptly. He picked it up and answered, "Hello?"

Huo Yan snorted and was about to give the whole family the cold shoulder, standing up to head upstairs, when Huo Jing’s voice made him stop in his tracks, "A typhoon?"

Both Huo Dad and Huo Mom turned to look at Huo Jing.

Huo Jing’s expression grew more serious, and after a long pause, his tense expression finally relaxed, "Alright, I understand."

When the call ended, Huo Dad had already turned on the news.

The weather report was broadcasting the latest updates on the typhoon, and sure enough, the path was exactly along the route the cargo ship was set to take a few days ago.

The family couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

The typhoon really had veered off course.

Thankfully, they had listened to Ye Leyao’s warning a few days ago!

Huo Mom exhaled deeply and turned to Huo Jing, "It seems you should properly thank Xiao Yao."

Huo Jing nodded solemnly. Indeed, he owed Ye Leyao a big thank you.

After a moment of thought, Huo Jing said, "I’ll transfer some spending money to Xiao Yao. After all, relationships need some funding too."

Huo Yan's eye twitched, "Why didn’t you ever give me any 'relationship funding' when I was dating? Also, why does Ye Leyao even need money when he's with Qin Yao? Is Qin Yao planning to make Ye Leyao pay for things? If that’s the case, they should definitely break up—"

"You should keep your mouth shut!" Huo Mom interrupted, "Besides, if we gave you relationship money, you’d probably use it to support someone else’s kid, wouldn’t you?"

Huo Yan: "I—"

Suddenly, they heard Huo Ze’s excited voice from the doorway, "Is Xiao Yao back yet?!" He rushed in, looking elated.

Huo Dad, puzzled by his enthusiasm, asked, "What’s gotten you so excited?"

"I found it!" Huo Ze said excitedly, still with a hint of anger in his tone, "Not only did I find evidence that Li Chi was throwing matches, but we also caught a mole!"

Everyone in the family was stunned.

Li Chi was bad enough, but now they’d also uncovered a mole planted within the team. Who was so determined to bring down Huo Ze’s team?

Huo Ze quickly walked over, sat on the couch, and drank a glass of water before sharing the evidence he had gathered.

Huo Dad and Huo Mom were the first to look through the documents, and the more they read, the more shocked they became.

"If I remember correctly, this assistant has been with you for quite some time," Huo Jing remarked.

Huo Ze nodded.

He hadn’t expected that the assistant he trusted the most had been a mole planted by someone else.

Fortunately, their team hadn’t prepared too many strategic plays last season, and they won their matches purely through skill, so their results hadn’t been too badly affected.

Once everyone had finished looking over the evidence, Huo Dad asked in a deep voice, "What do you plan to do next?"

Without hesitation, a cold glint flashed in Huo Ze’s eyes as he replied, "Of course, I’m going to make them all pay!"

Although Huo Ze usually seemed easygoing, this incident had crossed a line. He wasn’t a pushover and wouldn’t let this slide so easily.

After hearing his response, both Huo Dad and Huo Mom nodded in approval.

Huo Jing then said, "Go ahead and deal with the assistant and Li Chi first. But as for the person behind all this, what are you going to do about them?"

He pulled out a document and placed it in front of Huo Ze. It was information on a man, and beneath the photo was a name—Gu Song.

This was the one thing that had been weighing on Huo Ze's mind. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "I don’t know why Gu Song wants to ruin my team, but whatever the reason, he’s crossed the line. I’m just worried that if I go after him, it’ll make things difficult for Ye Leyao."

Just then, a confused voice sounded from the doorway, "Hmm? What will make things difficult for me?"

Ye Leyao had just walked in and caught the tail end of the conversation, looking puzzled.

【Third Brother is lying!】

Ye Leyao huffed and sat down beside Huo Ze, ready to press for the truth. Just then, his phone vibrated lightly.

Ye Leyao quickly took out his phone—it was a message from Qin Yao.

As he replied, his mind was filled with thoughts.

【I’m home. Are you picking me up tomorrow?】@@@@

【No need, I’ll go with Huo Dad and Huo Mom. It’s fine.】

Huo Ze let out a sigh of relief and quickly exchanged looks with the others.

Huo Jing thought for a moment, then spoke up, "Xiao Yao, I’ve transferred five million to your account. It should be there by tomorrow."

Ye Leyao, still busy replying to messages, suddenly brightened up. "Big brother, why are you giving me money?"

【Could it be he thinks I’ve been working hard in my classes and wants to reward me for my efforts?】

Huo Jing inwardly thought that wasn’t quite it, though it could be seen as a reward for all Ye Leyao had done.

After all, without Ye Leyao, the business would have suffered billions in losses from damaged goods alone.

Clearing his throat, Huo Jing said, "Just take it, it’s what you deserve."

Ye Leyao eagerly nodded. "Alright!"

【Hehe, my savings just went up again!】

Feeling particularly happy, Ye Leyao gleefully opened his banking app to check his balance before finally putting his phone away.

【But what was Third Brother talking about earlier?】

Ye Leyao’s eyes lit up. "You have milk?"

Qin Yao nodded.

Knowing Ye Leyao was coming, he had prepared oat milk earlier.

Excited, Ye Leyao moved two chairs from the living room onto the shaded part of the balcony and patiently waited for Qin Yao to bring the milk.

For some reason, he felt a rare joy bubbling up inside him, as if he had been waiting for this day to come for a long time.

Qin Yao didn’t keep him waiting for long. He soon returned with a glass of oat milk, chilled with ice cubes, and handed it to Ye Leyao before sitting down next to him.

Ye Leyao took a big sip of the milk and closed his eyes in satisfaction.

【Delicious.】

Qin Yao’s eyes were filled with gentle affection as he watched the corners of Ye Leyao’s mouth curve upward.

After drinking more than half the milk, Ye Leyao suddenly remembered something and asked, "Qin Yao, don’t you have any work to do?"

Qin Yao nodded slightly. "There’s nothing urgent for now, but I might need to do some socializing later."

Ye Leyao smiled. "Why do you sound so reluctant when you say that?"

Qin Yao turned his head, his deep eyes locking onto Ye Leyao’s.

Ye Leyao, feeling a bit embarrassed under his intense gaze, averted his eyes after a moment. Then, he heard Qin Yao softly say, "Don’t you know why I’m reluctant?"

Ye Leyao pressed the cold milk glass against his cheek, feeling his heart beat a little faster. But he kept his face calm. "I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, Qin Yao?"

Ye Leyao’s wide eyes blinked twice, his long eyelashes fluttering like tiny brushes, tickling Qin Yao’s heart.

Qin Yao’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he sighed. "Yao Yao, you’re a little bad."

Ye Leyao’s smile grew wider, and he leaned half his body against Qin Yao. "Are you really not going to tell me?"

The soft tufts of Ye Leyao’s hair brushed against Qin Yao’s neck, and all Qin Yao had to do was tilt his head slightly to feel the gentle touch of Ye Leyao’s hair.

And that’s exactly what Qin Yao did.

The soft strands slid across his cheek, and Qin Yao placed a light kiss on the top of Ye Leyao’s head.

"Because of you," Qin Yao said.

Ye Leyao’s head snapped up, his expression expectant. "Huh?"

Suddenly, Qin Yao found that he couldn’t look directly into Ye Leyao’s eyes anymore. Just one glance, and his heart started racing. He shifted his gaze and fell silent.

But Ye Leyao wasn’t going to let him off that easily. "What? Qin Yao, say it again. I didn’t hear you clearly."

Qin Yao: "I’m not saying it again."

"Say it!"

"No."

Ye Leyao sat up straight, his fluffy head leaving Qin Yao’s shoulder. "I’m going to get mad!"

Qin Yao thought for a moment. "How about I get you another glass of milk?"

Ye Leyao couldn’t help but laugh. "So your way of apologizing is by getting me milk?"

"Would you accept that?" Qin Yao smiled.

The boy in front of him was easy to please.

Ye Leyao looked at his empty glass and blinked. "If you add a hug, I’ll forgive you."

Qin Yao took the empty glass, stood up, and then suddenly bent down.

Ye Leyao felt a soft, fleeting warmth on his forehead. In the next second, Qin Yao was already walking back into the house. "Deal."

Ye Leyao jumped up. "Qin Yao! You kissed my forehead again!"

【Hmph, didn’t he promise to kiss me properly yesterday on WeChat?】

【And what do I get? Just a forehead kiss again. Next time, I’ll wear a hat!】

From the kitchen, Qin Yao couldn’t help but laugh when he heard that.

At the same time, Chu Cheng, standing at the door to the third floor, noticed how Huo Yan’s expression had suddenly turned very grim.

Huo Ze pressed his lips together, trying to suppress his laughter.

Chu Cheng, unable to hold back, asked, "Are you okay? Why do you look so upset?"

Huo Yan scowled and shook his head. "I’m fine."

Chu Cheng didn’t believe him, but decided not to pry further. He knocked on the door. "Cousin, that idiot who’s related to me by blood wants to see you."

After a couple of seconds, Ye Leyao opened the door. "Hmm?"

Chu Cheng flashed a bright smile. "Long time no see!"

Ye Leyao looked at the three of them and then turned to Chu Cheng, asking, "That idiot who’s related to you by blood?"

Chu Cheng grinned cheekily. "Yeah, my biological father."

At that moment, Qin Yao came over with the glass of milk, handed it to Ye Leyao, and then asked Chu Cheng, "You actually went to see him?"

Chu Cheng shrugged. "I went to see my aunt, but..."

He shrugged again, leaving the rest unsaid.

Qin Yao nodded and turned to Ye Leyao. "My mother should be here as well. Do you want to come with me?"

Huo Yan’s brows instantly furrowed. "Ye Leyao shouldn’t go."

Qin Yao nodded. "Alright."

Ye Leyao, confused, protested, "Wait, hold on. Didn’t you ask if I wanted to go? I haven’t even answered yet! I’m going!"

Huo Yan opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, only shooting a glare at Qin Yao.

Qin Yao thought for a moment and then said honestly, "My mother may not be as enthusiastic about you as my father."

Ye Leyao froze for a moment. "Why not?"

【Is Auntie homophobic?】

Qin Yao stifled a laugh. Hearing Ye Leyao’s thoughts lightened the heavy feeling in his chest. He explained, "No, it’s not that. It’s more that she doesn’t like me very much, so she may not be too warm toward you."

Ye Leyao blinked slowly.

【Qin Yao’s mother doesn’t like him?】

"Even so, I should at least say 'Happy Birthday' to her, right?" Ye Leyao said.

【I’m not dating her, anyway. As long as Qin Yao likes me, that’s all that matters!】

Ye Leyao smiled brightly.

Qin Yao felt a sudden pang of emotion in his chest.

Both Huo Yan and Huo Ze sighed inwardly.

It was then that Huo Ze fully understood why Huo Yan kept insisting that Ye Leyao was a lovestruck fool.

Looking at it now, there was

definitely some truth to that!

Since Ye Leyao wanted to go, no one could stop him.

Huo Yan and Huo Ze both suggested they go together.

So the four of them headed downstairs toward the reception hall.

As they approached, Ye Leyao overheard a conversation—

A woman’s voice asked, "Has Gu Yu still not settled down with that kid?"

"Don’t even mention it," a man’s voice replied. "You’ve watched him grow up. You know his temper—who could stand it? He’s been fighting with his partner about breaking up again."

The man continued, "But honestly, I think it’s good for him to get it out of his system. Once he’s done, he’ll settle down. After all, once he’s had enough drama, he’ll probably be ready to commit."

The woman said, "That’s true. Gu Yu is still young. There’s no rush."

The man added, "Exactly. Once he settles down, I’ll pull him out of the entertainment industry, just like your Qin Yao, and get him into the Qin Group..."

Hearing this, Ye Leyao’s brow furrowed.

【Gu Yu? Xiao Yu?】

【Why does that name sound so familiar?】

A moment later, Qin Yao led Ye Leyao into the reception hall, and Ye Leyao’s gaze fell on the man sitting across from the woman.

With just one glance, Ye Leyao recognized him.

【Gu Song?!】

【Wait, why do I know his name?】

【And who is Gu Yu?】

The next moment, it all came back to Ye Leyao.

【So that’s it!】

【So, the scumbag gong from the novel I hate the most—Gu Yu—is actually Chu Cheng’s stepbrother? Qin Yao’s other cousin?!】

Ye Leyao’s brow tightened as realization struck him:

【And the most famous scene from that novel—the one where the scumbag gets caught cheating with his stepmother, and almost gets castrated by the protagonist shou—that all happens at this party?!】

Qin Yao, Huo Yan, and Huo Ze all turned to look at Ye Leyao in unison.

What was that?

Why did it feel like Ye Leyao was speaking some strange language they couldn’t quite understand?

Could someone explain this at a graduate level?!