Chapter 18: Any Proof?

Silence.

In the lingering seconds of quiet, Feng Ziqi could only hear the ringing in his ears, his heart pounding erratically, and a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead.

Younger brother of Huo Jing?

Was this some kind of joke?

Didn't it always seem that no one visited Huo Jing's private residence? How could Huo Jing's younger brother...

Suddenly, Feng Ziqi's eyes widened slightly as if he had just realized something, staring intently at Ye Leyao.

After several seconds, the panic, tension, and unease on his face receded like an ebbing tide. He let out a slight breath, his expression gradually calming, and a hint of mockery entered his gaze as he looked at Ye Leyao.

His sudden change in attitude was significant, and Ye Leyao found it odd.

"Hey, why did he only panic for a few seconds?"

"Could it be that he doesn't believe my older brother is Huo Jing?"

The Huo family members in the surveillance room fell silent simultaneously.

Don't say it! But you really can't!

Feng Ziqi might actually think exactly that!

As the adopted son of the Huo family, Ye Leyao neither bore the Huo surname nor enjoyed being in the public eye.

Coupled with the excessive protection from Huo Mama and Huo Papa before Ye Leyao reached adulthood, it resulted in only a select few close-knit families knowing about Ye Leyao's identity. Even many of the partners who had deep business ties with Huo Enterprises were only aware that the Huo family had adopted a son years ago.

As for any personal information about the adopted son, they knew nothing.

Let alone the outside world or the entertainment industry.

Assistant Feng was indeed aware of Ye Leyao's existence, but prior to today, he had never met Ye Leyao in person. Given that their work didn't intersect, Assistant Feng wouldn't have intentionally mentioned Ye Leyao in front of Feng Ziqi.

So Feng Ziqi... might genuinely not know Ye Leyao's identity.

And the truth aligned with the Huo family's conjecture.

Since he intended to leverage Huo Jing's influence, how could Feng Ziqi not thoroughly investigate Huo Jing's background? However, Huo Jing was a low-key individual, and the information Feng Ziqi could uncover was limited—information that was also accessible to the general public.

This information certainly wouldn't convince anyone that he was Huo Jing's "boyfriend," so Feng Ziqi turned his attention to Assistant Feng.

Having an older brother who served as a special assistant to Huo Jing made it much easier to learn some confidential information.

Feng Ziqi knew that the Huo family had three sons in total, with Huo Jing being the eldest and two younger brothers following.

One of them was the popular film emperor, Huo Yan, and the other was a well-known genius e-sports player in the gaming circle, Huo Ze.

Both were public figures, and even though Feng Ziqi hadn't met them in person, he had seen their photographs.

But the young man standing before him was neither Huo Yan nor resembled Huo Ze.

What kind of younger brother of Huo Jing was he?

Initially, Feng Ziqi was startled by Ye Leyao's words, which led to his brief panic.

Once his rationality returned, he quickly regained his composure.

"Do you really think I haven't seen Huo Jing's younger brother?" Feng Ziqi spoke again, now completely calm, his gaze filled with disgust and impatience as he looked at Ye Leyao. "If you don't leave, I really will call security."

The fans watching the live stream couldn't hold back their reactions, flooding the chat:

"What's wrong with him? Is he crazy?"

"Incredible, people these days have no fear; they dare to even touch the crown prince of the Huo family?"

"Ziqi has such a good temper! If it were me, I would have called security!"

"Contact security already; I don't want to see him anymore."

"+1."

"Ignore this delusional person. Did anyone else notice Ziqi's first sentence? He's actually met Huo Jing's younger brother!!"

The chat exploded once again.

The screen was filled with messages saying "Shipping Confirmed."

Huo Jing's expression darkened further.

Huo Mama and Huo Papa wore expressions that wanted to laugh but held back due to Assistant Feng's presence.

Meanwhile, Assistant Feng felt as if he could dig a three-bedroom apartment with his toes.

Ever since his younger brother admitted to being together with Huo Jing, Assistant Feng had felt like fainting by banging his head against tofu. Seeing his brother speak to the young master in such a presumptuous manner only added to his mortification.

"Chairman, Madam, President Huo..." Assistant Feng spoke hesitantly. "Perhaps I should go out and explain..."

"Well, it seems Feng Ziqi truly doesn't believe I'm older brother's younger brother."

Ye Leyao came to a conclusion.

"So, should I go get reinforcements to bring out older brother?"

Ye Leyao furrowed his brows in thought for a second.

"No! It's not time for Big Brother to step in yet. If he does, Assistant Feng will definitely show up too. Given Assistant Feng's overprotective nature, he'll likely cling to my Big Brother's leg on the spot, begging him to make mountains out of molehills and molehills out of specks."

"Although this isn't a big deal, it's...a golden opportunity for Assistant Feng to break free from his vampire-like brother!"

The Huo family had their ears perked up, ready for any juicy gossip.

Ye Leyao recalled Assistant Feng's background and sighed inwardly:

"Assistant Feng is pitiful indeed. His mother's health declined after giving birth to him, and his father was a scoundrel who cheated on her with Ziqi's mother while she was pregnant. Once Assistant Feng's mother passed away, the father brought the mistress home."

"Assistant Feng was subjected to manipulation by his stepmother and scoundrel father from a young age, brainwashed into believing he must dote on his younger brother, shaping him into a "people-pleasing younger brother type." Yet, neither Ziqi nor Assistant Feng's stepmother and scoundrel father ever treated him as a true family member. They've been draining him dry without an end."

"If I'm not mistaken, Assistant Feng hasn't bought a house yet, has he?"

Father Huo and Mother Huo turned to Jing instantly.

Is that true?

Jing nodded slowly.

As the special assistant to the president of the Huo Group, Assistant Feng's post-tax annual salary alone was in the millions, not counting year-end bonuses and other rewards.

And yet, after following Jing for over six years, Assistant Feng still hadn't purchased a home...

It was clear how much blood they'd sucked from Assistant Feng!

"If we don't seize this chance to make Assistant Feng see Ziqi for who he truly is, I fear he might still end up helping Ziqi and be sent by my Big Brother to plant loquats in Africa!"

Father Huo and Mother Huo: "..."

Didn't you say cacti earlier?

But given what Jing said, the Feng family wasn't any good either.

Looking at the still-frightened Assistant Feng, Father Huo comforted him for once, "No rush, let's see how things unfold."

Mother Huo smiled warmly, "Little Feng, we know your character well. You have nothing to worry about."

Assistant Feng was taken aback, staring at Father Huo and Mother Huo in surprise.

But they had already shifted their gaze back to the surveillance screen, their excitement undiminished.

After speaking, Ziqi waited for Ye Leyao to leave, but Ye Leyao remained seated on the sofa for a long while, unmoving.

With the production team's arrival imminent, Ziqi couldn't hold back any longer. He picked up his phone, ready to call security.

Just then, Ye Leyao suddenly spoke , "I'm a stalker."

Ziqi was momentarily surprised before frowning, "You admit it? Then why aren't you...?"

"But I must ask one question clearly, or I won't leave today," Ye Leyao said.

The assistant director and three cameramen, who were lurking at the stairwell, froze.

What stalker nonsense?

Isn't this Ye Leyao, the new guest who just dropped in?

They had just interviewed him!

What was going on here?

Confused, the assistant director and cameramen wondered, but their instincts told them they absolutely couldn't reveal themselves now!

To hide better, they tiptoed further into the stairwell, stopping cautiously.

In the live stream, netizens were furious:

"I've never seen such an audacious stalker in my life!"

"Aaaaaah, can't take it anymore! Call security quickly!"

"I'm going to help Ziqi call the police!"

Ziqi was also amused by Ye Leyao's matter-of-fact tone, "Why do you think I would answer a stalker's question?"

"Because I know you're not Huo Jing's boyfriend and that you have a brother who is Hou Jing's special assistant. Is that reason enough?"

His words were clear and forceful!

On the surface, Ye Leyao appeared calm, but inside, he was thrilled:

"Aaaaaaaaah, so cool, so cool! This is the protagonist's face-slapping, domineering speech from novels, right?"

"I'm loving it! Next, Ziqi should panic!"

"Tremble, villain!"

Sure enough, the moment the words left his mouth, Ziqi's hand shook, dropping the phone onto the wooden floor with a dull thud.

The netizens and fans watching the live stream were stunned:

"What?"

"What nonsense is this person spouting?"

"Hold on, if it's just nonsense from a stalker, why are you panicking, Ziqi?"

In the living room, the hidden live stream camera captured the change in Ziqi's expression. Panic was evident in his eyes, and beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead. He looked at Ye Leyao in disbelief, taking a long moment to find his voice, "You...how did you know...no, who are you? Have you investigated me?"

The panic in Feng Ziqi's voice was unmasked, and beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead, leaving no trace of his earlier arrogance.

Now it was the turn of the livestream viewers to be dumbfounded:

"Did Feng Ziqi just admit it?"

"What? Is this a sudden twist?"

"Hold on, I don't understand how this developed."

Ye Leyao reflected on herself.

"It's true that my words weren't direct enough earlier; from now on, I need to learn to hit people where it hurts!"

Mr. and Mrs. Huo: "…"

Wasn't your speech direct enough? You've already punctured someone's lungs several times!

But—

As long as these words aren't directed at their family, they're a delight to hear!

Pleasant to the ear, enjoyable to listen to, say more!

Feng Ziqi had assumed that the young man before him was merely an ordinary stalker. He never expected that Ye Leyao would know such inside information. Now, Feng Ziqi was completely panicked, staring at Ye Leyao, "What do you want? Money? If it's about money…"

Ye Leyao curled her lips.

"Although I'm short on cash, I really don't look down on your money."

Glancing at the camera still streaming live, Ye Leyao deliberately spoke loudly, interrupting, "I'm not after money. I just want to ask you a question. Answer me truthfully, and I'll leave."

Feng Ziqi had lost all his composure from the beginning. Hearing Ye Leyao's words, he almost reflexively said, "Really? You'll just ask one question and leave? But how can I trust you…"

"Relax," Ye Leyao interrupted him, smiling brightly and speaking sincerely, "I won't tell anyone about this matter."

"After all, we're currently live on stream~"

"I don't have to say anything; the camera speaks for me~~~"

Feng Ziqi's eyelids twitched wildly. His intuition told him that Ye Leyao wouldn't ask a good question, but he had no other choice now.

The production team would arrive soon. If Ye Leyao didn't leave by then, he'd be in real trouble.

After all, he was only going to ask one question…

How he chose to answer was still up to him, wasn't it?

With this thought, Feng Ziqi gradually calmed down. He looked at Ye Leyao, "What do you want to ask?"

Ye Leyao's lips curved. "It's simple. I just want to ask you, was the idea to tie yourself to Hou Jing's popularity yours and your team's, or was it your brother, Assistant Feng's?"

Feng Ziqi was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Ye Leyao to ask such a question.

What was the purpose of asking this question?

Could it be that Assistant Feng's rival wanted to get hold of his handle and push him off his position as special assistant, specifically sending this young man over?

It was quite possible!

After all, who else besides the people from the Huo Group could know about Assistant Feng and his relationship?

And this private residence—apart from the people from the Huo Group, Feng Ziqi couldn't think of anyone else capable of entering here.

Having figured out the crux of the issue, Feng Ziqi suddenly saw the light.

If that was the case, then things were easy to handle.

After all, his useless brother had helped him many times, so pinning this black pot on him caused Feng Ziqi no psychological distress.

Looking at Ye Leyao, Feng Ziqi answered without hesitation, "It was my brother, Assistant Feng's, idea."

Bang—

Assistant Feng's hand slipped, and his phone smashed against the step, shattering into pieces.

Feng Ziqi turned around, meeting Assistant Feng's reddened eyes. He said incredulously, "Brother?"

Ye Leyao looked at Huo Jing standing behind Assistant Feng, her eyes lighting up, and called out, "Brother!"

At the same time, she couldn't resist gloating:

"Now, you really should be sweating bullets~"

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***