Chapter 13: I Want to See Too

On the stage, Xu's father was in the midst of an impassioned speech, his eyes welling up with tears as he gripped the microphone.

Xu Yao stood by his father's side, promptly offering him a tissue to wipe away his tears, his expression focused and his actions intimate.

Xu's mother stood nearby, her face betraying no extra emotion at the sight of her son's gesture, as if she were accustomed to the closeness between father and son. When Xu's father glanced over, she considerately handed him her cocktail.

Relieved that his wife noticed nothing amiss, Xu's father gently exhaled and took the drink.

Xu's mother then picked up a glass of red wine from a waiter's tray and offered it to Xu Yunzhi , who stood beside her.

As Xu Yao looked past the glass to Xu Yunzhi on the other side, a victorious smile flickered across his eyes before he contentedly shifted his gaze away.

Xu's father raised his glass on the stage. "On this day worthy of celebration, I, on behalf of my entire family, offer you all a toast!"

Watching Xu's father down the cocktail in one swift motion, Xu's mother suddenly turned her head to look at him, a fleeting smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Ye Leyao frowned, observing the strange atmosphere within their family. Though seemingly normal, something felt off.

Recalling the plot of the novel he had read, he suddenly understood —

"I get it!!"

His excited voice startled Huo's parents, making their hearts skip a beat.

Before they could recover, Ye Leyao spoke again in an even more agitated tone:

"It makes sense why I found some logic gaps earlier. Logically speaking, someone like Xu Yao, ambitious and cunning, wouldn't make mistakes in important matters. He couldn't possibly do something as scandalous as cheating with his adoptive father today... So he didn't know that the cocktail was spiked!"

"Xu Yao was looking at Xu Yunzhi... He wanted to drug Xu Yunzhi!"

"But he never expected that the spiked drink would be consumed by his father!"

"And also, today's banquet invited many media reporters, but how could it be so coincidental for them to stumble upon the scene? Unless the host deliberately led them there!"

Ye Leyao confidently concluded, "Xu's mother must have known about this all along!"

Huo's family and Qin Yao nodded in realization.

So, Xu's mother knew about her husband and Xu Yao's affair long ago?!

Huo's mother furrowed her brows, whispering, "She must have suffered..."

Huo's father nodded in agreement.

Their long-lost son, who had been away for over a decade, was finally found, only for the adoptive son living with them to fear losing his position and seduce the man who had raised him for over ten years!

And Xu's mother couldn't immediately expose them, enduring silently until now.

"Do you remember that Xu Yao's household registration isn't under the Xu family?" Huo's father asked his wife in a low voice.

Huo's mother nodded. She had previously maintained a good relationship with Xu's mother and whispered back, "Xu's mother was worried about nurturing Xu Yao's ambitions too much and took precautions early on. I even told her she was being too cautious before..."

But now it doesn't seem like every child is like Ye Leyao.

Huo's mother said, "By the way, when things calm down, remember to have Xiao Yao sign the share transfer agreement."

Huo's father smiled. "Don't worry, everything is already prepared. We did say that once Xiao Yao turned eighteen, we'd transfer the shares to him."

On the stage, Xu's father and Xu Yao continued their "father-son affection," with Xu's father's steps unsteady due to the spiked drink. Xu Yao stepped forward to support him steadily.

The older man turned his head, his gaze landing on Xu Yao's face with a hint of dizziness. His hand naturally rested on Xu Yao's waist, even giving it a squeeze.

Xu Yao didn't pull away, merely shooting his father a scolding glance.

Then Xu's father chuckled softly.

Xu Yao, slightly embarrassed, lowered his head.

Ye Leyao watched, his brows furrowed tightly, feeling as if his eyes were being assaulted.

"I'm just a casual reader of novels, I really don't want to witness such an eye-searing scene—"

"Help, can someone help wash my eyes out!"

Qin Yao, annoyed by his constant complaints, reached out to pat Ye Leyao's shoulder. "Leyao, did you have any concerns when you declined my variety show invitation?"

Ye Leyao's thoughts snapped back to reality. Turning his head, he saw Qin Yao's face close by, his eyes widening involuntarily as he blurted out, "Wow, I didn't realize how handsome President Qin is!"

Qin Yao: "…"

What exactly were you looking at during our previous two meetings?

Just the money?

In a matter-of-fact tone, Ye Leyao replied,

"I was too busy making money before, I didn't notice!"

Qin Yao: "…"

Fine, fine, fine.

He shouldn't have tried to save Ye Leyao's eyes out of kindness.

Unaware of Qin Yao's unusual expression, Ye Leyao explained, "It's nothing, I just feel that since I haven't debuted yet, appearing on such a popular variety show right away puts a bit of pressure on me."

"It's all made up, mainly about participating in a show with a group of guests whose careers are about to collapse—truly terrifying!"

The young man before him was indeed candid in his thoughts; thanks to Ye Leyao, Qin Yao had already begun investigating all the artists on the current proposed guest list.

Thinking of this, Qin Yao asked, "What if I replace the guests, would you be willing to participate in the show then?"

Ye Leyao: "Huh?"

"Replacing them? Why did President Qin suddenly think of replacing them?"

"Could it be that he really went to the temple for guidance from a wise master?"

Looking at the bewildered expression on Ye Leyao's face, Qin Yao thought to himself that Ye Leyao could indeed be considered a wise person.

If not for Ye Leyao, he would have been stuck with two consecutive failed projects.

Considering Ye Leyao's love for money, Qin Yao believed this was a breakthrough point: "If you come, I'll give you 500,000 per episode."

This remuneration was substantial for many second-tier artists in the industry, but Ye Leyao was still a newcomer, and such a high fee was quite rare for someone at his level.

Upon hearing this, Ye Leyao's eyes suddenly lit up.

500,000 per episode, that's six million for twelve episodes!

"A little... tempting!"

But he didn't immediately agree, only saying, "Let me think about it..."

Qin Yao didn't press further.

Ye Leyao turned his head to look at the stage.

Mr. Xu's face was now flushed red, as if he had drunk too much. Xu Yao, standing beside him, was supporting him to prevent him from falling over.

It was unclear whether it was because Mr. Xu was too heavy or because his hand on Xu Yao's waist was wandering, but Xu Yao's face was also covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Ye Leyao glanced once and quickly looked away:

"Too much for my eyes, I should look less."

"But it seems like Mr. Xu can't hold back much longer..."

As soon as Ye Leyao finished speaking, Xu Yao suddenly turned to say something to Mrs. Xu beside him.

She nodded, and Xu Yao led Mr. Xu off the stage, heading towards the hotel at the back of the hall.

"Oh~~ It's starting! Are they going now?!"

Ye Leyao was eager to see more and turned to look at Qin Yao beside him.

Just as he was hesitating about what reason to give to separate from him, he heard Huo Yan's voice from the side: "Ye Leyao."

Ye Leyao looked over. "Second Brother."

Huo Yan nodded at Qin Yao, appearing calm on the surface but inwardly extremely excited. He had taken another day off, risking a scolding from his agent, all for this moment.

Huo Yan suppressed his excitement and calmly said, "Accompany me upstairs to change clothes."

The banquet was scheduled to last all day, so the Xu family had prepared a room upstairs for each guest to rest.

Ye Leyao: "Eh? Second Brother needs company to change clothes?"

Huo Yan's mouth twitched.

Wasn't he here to help Ye Leyao out of a tight spot? Couldn't he see that?

Fortunately, Ye Leyao seemed to realize this was a good opportunity to slip away and quickly added, "Okay!"

Huo Yan sighed in relief.

At that moment, Qin Yao said, "I'm also planning to rest upstairs for a bit, let's go together."

An opportunity to witness events unfold live was too good to pass up.

Huo Yan glanced at him but didn't say anything, leading Ye Leyao ahead.

As soon as the three entered the elevator, footsteps sounded behind them.

Ye Leyao turned around and saw Mr. and Mrs. Huo.

Meeting Ye Leyao's slightly puzzled gaze, Mr. Huo cleared his throat, "Your mother and I are a bit tired, we're going upstairs to rest."

Ye Leyao nodded.

"I understand, middle age does bring its challenges."

Mr. Huo gritted his teeth.

Mrs. Huo held her forehead.

Both shouted in their hearts: What do you understand?! We're just following you to watch the drama unfold?!

A waiter waiting by the elevator stepped forward to ask, "May I ask which floor you need?"

Mr. Huo looked at Mrs. Huo.

Mrs. Huo looked at Huo Yan.

Huo Yan glanced at Ye Leyao beside him, paused for a moment, and said, "The eighth floor."

Qin Yao then spoke: "Sixth floor."

The waiter swiped his card and pressed the elevator floor.

With a beep, the elevator door opened, and Qin Yao led the way out of the elevator.

Upon reaching the eighth floor, Huo's father and mother stepped out, followed closely by Huo Yan.

Ye Leyao waved at the trio: "So Second Brother, you go change your clothes. Mr. and Mrs. Huo, you two go rest. I'll be off now."

Huo Yan's eyelid twitched. "Where are you going?"

Ye Le Yao:

"Of course, to eat some melon!"

"I remember that Xu Yao and Xu's father seemed to have stirred up trouble as soon as they went in, then it was the scene of catching someone in the act. I need to hurry over, or I won't make it in time!"

On the surface, Ye Leyao made up an excuse on the spot: "I'm a bit hungry, I'll go downstairs for something to eat."

Huo Yan couldn't stop him anymore, he could only watch as the elevator doors slowly closed.

The three exchanged glances.

In the end, it was Mrs. Huo who asked first: "Not on the eighth floor?"

Huo Yan said: "Ye Leyao didn't say which floor."

Mr. Huo was anxious: "Then he should just say it quickly!"

Indeed!

After all, time waits for no one!

Ye Leyao, you should just say it! You're driving us crazy!

Qin Yao, who was on the sixth floor, had the same thought.

Which floor is it? Why hasn't Ye Leyao said anything yet?

Meanwhile, Ye Leyao took the elevator back to the first floor.

His gaze first swept around the lobby, then he saw a group of news media workers carrying equipment. His eyes lit up, and he casually grabbed a small cake from the nearby food section before hurrying after them.

"Good, good, good, looks like it's them. I need to keep up with them!"

Back on the eighth floor, the Huo family asked:

"Found it?"

"So where is it exactly?"

The elevator Ye Leyao had been stopped once on the fifth floor and again on the third floor before finally stopping on the first floor.

Mrs. Huo looked at Huo Yan and decisively said: "You go check the fifth floor first!"

Huo Yan had grievances but dared not disobey, so he hurriedly pressed the elevator button to go downstairs.

As the elevator beeped open, he and Qin Yao stared at each other.

Huo Yan: "...Why did you come up?"

Qin Yao cleared his throat. "You haven't changed your clothes?" He then looked around. "Uncle and aunt are here too, why don't I see Leyao?"

Huo Yan found an excuse: "I was just about to look for him."

Qin Yao nodded. "Let's go together then."

Huo Yan muttered to himself, what does Qin Yao want with Ye Leyao? But he had more important matters at hand, so he didn't press further, simply saying: "Alright."

Mr. and Mrs. Huo hesitated for a moment, then waved at Huo Yan.

Mrs. Huo made a gesture to call.

Huo Yan nodded to show he understood.

Just as the elevator doors closed, Ye Leyao's voice rang out again—

"Ah, this little cake is delicious, I should've taken more."

Huo Yan's eyes lit up.

Little cakes, on the first floor!

Mr. and Mrs. Huo were the first to board an elevator.

Qin Yao pressed the button for the first floor. "I'll go downstairs to grab something to eat first."

Huo Yan's gaze fell on the fifth floor button he had just pressed, gritting his teeth in frustration, regretting how fast he had pressed the elevator button!

As soon as the fifth floor arrived, Huo Yan rushed out of the elevator without hesitation. Then, as soon as Qin Yao's elevator left, he quickly pressed the button for the adjacent elevator.

All three parties were rushing towards Ye Leyao's location as quickly as possible.

The elevator descended to the first floor, and Qin Yao's sharp eyes spotted Ye Leyao's sleeve at the corner of the long corridor on the first floor. He immediately chased after him, and after a few steps, he saw the large group of reporters ahead.

They chatted and laughed.

"Let's take a break first, we can conduct interviews later."

"How's your interview script coming along?"

"Everything is ready. Don't worry. I've been preparing for this a week in advance, just waiting to interview Mr. Xu Yao—"

With a beep, the door in front of them opened, and the reporters' chatter came to an abrupt halt.

Two indistinct voices suddenly echoed down the corridor—

"No... can't... we still have to go out later..."

"It's alright, Xiao Yao, help me, it'll be quick..."

The muffled, intimate sounds mingled together, causing the lead reporter to suddenly stop in his tracks.

The cameraman following behind dutifully raised his camera.

Ye Leyao leaned forward, peering through the crowd—

"Wow—their clothes are disheveled, and the atmosphere is intense!"

Taking another closer look—

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—I'm soiled! Get your hand out of his pants now —"

Qin Yao, standing behind Ye Leyao: "…"

My eardrums are really going to burst!

Mr. and Mrs. Huo, who had just arrived: !!!!

Huo Yan, still sprinting towards them: Wait for me! I want to see too!!!

But faster than Huo Yan was Xu's mother, rushing over. She pushed through the crowd, her eyes wide with shock as she looked at the two disheveled figures in the room. Her tears were on the brink of falling, but she held back her breakdown, roaring, "What are you doing?!"

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