Chapter 5: Utterly Finished

The commotion in the attic was too loud for those downstairs not to hear.

Su Rui frowned. Despite his honesty, Madam Huo had brought bodyguards to guard against him. He let out a soft scoff, "You're being too cautious."

Ever since Madam Huo took the initiative to contact Su Rui, he realised that things were gradually slipping out of his control.

Su Rui originally thought that the Huo family was different from other wealthy families and wouldn't restrict his personal freedom like the He family did.

But it turned out that all wealthy families were the same.

The He family was like this, and so was the Huo family.

Since Madam Huo had already come knocking, there was no point in Su Rui continuing to entangle himself with Huo Yan. It was better to cut ties sooner rather than later.

So although he felt some regret, Su Rui quickly adjusted his mood. Before the meeting, he had already planned how to maximize his own interests.

The Huo family's demand was simple – for him to leave Huo Yan.

It would be better if Su Rui proposed leaving Huo Yan himself, on the condition that the Huo family paid him enough money.

Su Rui didn't expect that despite his honesty, Madam Huo was still so guarded. Fortunately, he wasn't completely unprepared today.

Su Rui immediately said in a cold voice, "Since I've asked for money, once I get it, I won't bother Huo Yan anymore. Of course, if you don't let me go today—" He paused, revealing a smile, "Tonight, all major entertainment sections will announce the good news of my relationship with Huo Yan."

Madam Huo found it hard to suppress the upward tug at the corner of her mouth.

Su Rui didn't even bother to pretend anymore; he was already threatening her.

Ye Leyao was right; Su Rui approached Huo Yan for money.

Only two minutes had passed since Su Rui entered the private room, and before Madam Huo could even begin her plan to trap him, Su Rui dug a big hole for himself and jumped into it willingly.

Madam Huo looked up at Su Rui in front of her, feeling unusually relaxed. She smiled and said, "So, if I give you the money, you won't appear in front of us again?"

Su Rui didn't hesitate, "Of course, but I'll need you to specify that it's a voluntary gift."

He didn't want to get involved in any legal disputes.

Madam Huo almost burst out laughing but managed to cover her smile by lifting her teacup to her lips.

Meanwhile, Huo Yan upstairs couldn't sit still any longer and hurriedly got up to head downstairs.

Ye Leyao was taken aback, "Second Brother, you—"

"You're just going down like that? Not listening a little longer?"

"Why isn't Father Huo stopping him! I can't stop him either—"

Madam Huo thought to herself that it was better if he couldn't be stopped.

Huo Yan should personally come down and talk to Su Rui.

Huo Yan's descent was too loud for Su Rui to resist looking over.

The hidden door behind the private room was suddenly pulled open. The moment Su Rui saw Huo Yan, his pupils constricted sharply, barely managing to keep his expression in check.

What was Huo Yan doing here?!

Su Rui stared at Huo Yan in disbelief, his face a myriad of expressions. His hands clenched under the table, his knuckles turning white.

Before Su Rui could think more about it, Huo Yan had already rushed to stand in front of him.

The man's eyes were red-rimmed, his face full of disappointment, and his expression betrayed an unhidden sorrow. He stared intently at Su Rui and spoke with difficulty, "So...in your eyes, my feelings for you can be measured in money?"

A layer of sweat broke out on Su Rui's forehead. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word.

Ye Leyao followed Father Huo downstairs and, upon hearing this, silently commented in his mind:

"Of course it can be measured in money, five million yuan!"

"It's actually half less than what Father Huo and Madam Huo expected. You have to admit, it's quite a bargain?"

Father Huo nearly couldn't hold back his laughter.

Madam Huo gave him a sidelong glance, and Father Huo promptly stifled his smile.

Huo Yan felt as if a hole had been torn in his heart, dripping blood, and the cold wind stung it painfully: "Five million..." Huo Yan gritted his teeth, "You were with me just for a measly five million? My feelings for you are worth that little?"

Ye Leyao corrected, "It's not that they're only worth that much, it's just that when everything came to light, he could only get that much!"

At this moment, what else could Su Rui not understand?

This meeting today was a setup!

And he jumped into it without knowing anything!

Faced with Huo Yan's questioning, Su Rui was terrified but tried to maintain his composure. His brain raced to find an excuse. He had to explain himself clearly!

If he didn't explain himself clearly...he could very well end up losing both the person and the money!

Huo Yan still had feelings for Su Rui and didn't want to push him too hard. He stood stubbornly in place, waiting for an answer.

But Ye Leyao had no such qualms. Seeing that Su Rui remained silent for a long time, he muttered to himself,

"What kind of excuse is Su Rui thinking of that takes so long?"

"Let me guess...when Su Rui speaks, he won't say that he had no choice, will he?"

Ye Leyao recalled the plot and, remembering the tea language she had seen online, vividly imitated it:

"Su Rui is still pregnant after all, yet the talent agency is pressing him hard. He obviously can't appear on variety shows with his big belly! But he can't afford the penalty fee either, and at this very moment, Huo Yan disappears! For Su Rui, Mama Huo's call at this time is a lifeline."

"Of course, Su Rui's proposal to leave Huo Yan for five million is just a desperate measure! It's merely a temporary solution~"

"Anyway, Su Rui is the perfect victim! The most innocent person!"

As Ye LeYao finished speaking, Su Rui, with tears welling up in his eyes, said, "Brother Yan... I had no choice but to do this, since I'm still pregnant..."

Ye Le Yao: "Pfft—"

Mama Huo covered her mouth.

Dad Huo turned away, trying to hold back his laughter until tears threatened to fall.

Ye Leyao's words were truly pleasant to hear!

Huo Yan found it even more absurd and could no longer suppress his disappointment: "Enough! You wouldn't dare say that proposing to leave me for five million was just a temporary solution, would you?!"

Su Rui's eyes widened in shock. How did Huo Yan guess what he was about to say?!

Seeing Su Rui's expression as if his thoughts had been exposed, Huo Yan felt anger surge within him. His chest heaved violently, and for the first time, he felt that Su Rui before him looked incredibly unfamiliar, as if they had only met today.

And at this moment, Su Rui was genuinely panicking.

If Huo Yan could guess what he wanted to say, did it mean...that he had already seen through him?

What should he do next?

Su Rui subconsciously reached out to touch his abdomen, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

But Ye Leyao beat him to it: "Are you going to pretend your stomach hurts?"

Su Rui's handsome brows furrowed, his face filled with anxiety: "Brother Yan, my stomach..."

Mama Huo cleared her throat and pressed the call bell on the table. The doctor waiting by the door immediately pushed the door open and entered.

Mama Huo nodded at the doctor, who then looked at Su Rui: "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

Su Rui looked at the doctor, feeling choked up, his eyes turning red from anger.

If this had happened before, seeing Su Rui like this, Huo Yan would have been heartbroken.

But at this moment, looking at Su Rui, Huo Yan's eyes were filled with undisguised disappointment, and he had no intention of comforting him.

Su Rui could no longer maintain his composure and stopped pretending his stomach hurt. Turning to look at Huo Yan, tears rolled down his cheeks: "Brother Yan... So you knew about this meeting today too? Was it intentional?"

Su Rui bit his lower lip, feeling wronged: "...Yes, it was my fault to propose leaving with money, but I couldn't reach you for two days. Didn't I have to consider myself and our child?"

"Don't use the child as an excuse! Your child isn't even Second Brother's!"

Mama Huo spoke up at the right moment: "Let's do an amniocentesis."

Su Rui's sobs paused.

The family doctor explained appropriately: "An amniocentesis can test DNA."

Su Rui's lips moved, momentarily forgetting to cry. He looked at Huo Yan in disbelief: "Brother Yan... you actually doubt me?"

"That's not right. Second Brother didn't doubt you at all!"

Ye Leyao rarely spoke up for Huo Yan:

"Su Rui, you've completely narrowed your own path."

"You're focusing on the wrong thing. With a love-struck brain like my Second Brother's, the issue isn't about money. What he cares about is whether or not you truly love him!"

"Forget about the child. Even if you were caught cheating in front of my Second Brother, as long as you confessed your love to him deeply, he would willingly wear the green hat and forgive you!"

Mama Huo and Dad Huo instantly looked at Huo Yan.

Was that true?

Huo Yan gritted his teeth.

Was he some kind of cheap person?

To be cuckolded in front of him and still forgive?

However—

Ye Leyao was indeed right about one thing. What Huo Yan cared about was indeed whether Su Rui liked him or not.

Huo Yan didn't care about Su Rui's past or the fact that Su Rui had kept things from him. He just humbly hoped that Su Rui would like him.

Unfortunately, this last shred of hope was now severed by Su Rui himself.

After being utterly disappointed, Huo Yan came to a conclusion: It turned out that

Su Rui really didn't have him in his heart.

Huo Yan's mouth was filled with a bitter smile.

The deeper one fell in love, the more rational one became after waking up from their infatuation.

"Su Rui" Huo Yan's voice was somewhat dry as he calmly looked at Su Rui before him.

Feeling a bit guilty under his gaze, Su Rui slightly averted his eyes: "Brother Yan..."

"Let's break up." After uttering the last three words, Huo Yan took a deep breath and, unwilling to see Su Rui's reaction, turned around and walked out of the private room first.

A chill ran down Su Rui's spine, and he blurted out instinctively, "Brother Yan—"

He was about to chase after him.

But Madam Huo intercepted him at the right moment. "Su Rui."

Su Rui barely managed to regain his composure, and the calmness he had upon entering the room vanished from his face.

There was no way he could persuade Huo Yan to stay, and he couldn't afford to lose the five million!

"Auntie, we agreed before—"

Madam He tilted her chin slightly, her mood elated. "Yes, but first, we need a DNA test to confirm that the child is Huo Yan's, then I will give you five million."

At the end, Madam Huo blinked, not forgetting to add, "It's a voluntary gift."

Su Rui opened his mouth, "I..."

"Can't do it?" Madam Huo gave him a faint smile. "Then there's no money."

The color drained from Su Rui's face instantly.

Madam Huo waved to Ye Leyao, draped her arm around his shoulder, and walked out of the room.

Mr. Huo glanced at Su Rui, his voice cold. "You have three days to think about it. If you don't take the DNA test after three days, it means this child isn't our Huo family's blood!"

With that, Mr.Huo left quickly as well.

Before leaving, the family doctor handed Su Rui a business card. "Within three days, if you decide to take the test, you can contact me anytime."

The door to the room closed gently, and Su Rui's legs went weak, causing him to fall to the ground.

It's over, completely over!

...

Ye Leyao was led by Madam Huo into the car. Just as he settled in his seat, Madam Huo handed him a check.

Ye Leyao took it and his eyes widened instantly. "F-Five... wait... Five million!"

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