Of course not.

Already poisoned by Ye Leyao’s broken singing for almost twenty minutes, Huo Yan wouldn’t let his savior go. He quickly said, “Come on, Xiao Yao, Mr. Qin is here. Help him order a coffee!”

The off-key singing in his mind instantly stopped.

Huo Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Yao also relaxed, walked in, and sat down opposite the two.

Seeing Qin Yao was like seeing walking cash to Ye Leyao, his smile was radiant, “Mr. Qin, what would you like to drink?”

[Making money, making money, making money~~~~ getting rich! Oh yeah~~~~]

Qin Yao closed his eyes. At least it wasn’t horrible singing.

Huo Yan turned his head, secretly rubbing his ears.

“An Americano will do.” Qin Yao took a deep breath.

Ye Leyao nodded and skillfully placed the order.

To avoid further torture from wild singing, Huo Yan decided to make this meeting quick and to the point, even skipping the usual jabs at Qin Yao, and went straight to business, “Mr. Qin, let’s get straight to the point and talk business.”

Qin Yao was of the same mind and didn’t hesitate.

So, two skilled negotiators settled everything in just two minutes.

Even when Huo Yan and Qin Yao shook hands and said, “Looking forward to working with you,” Ye Leyao still couldn’t believe it, looking at Huo Yan with confusion.

[Is it done? Did he agree just like that?]

Huo Yan said, “Tomorrow Mr. Qin will bring the contract. Just have your brother’s secretary review and sign it.”

Huo Yan had heard about Qin Yao’s situation before. Although he had been managing the subsidiary’s affairs for more than a year, some old stubborn ones were unwilling to cede power, making things difficult for him.

At this critical juncture, with the controversy over Yu Bai’s replacement, Qin Yao’s situation wasn’t dire, but he definitely needed money.

So before coming today, Huo Yan knew the negotiations would go smoothly.

Except—

Huo Yan glanced at Ye Leyao with lingering fear. It would have been better if Ye Leyao hadn’t come along.

Without Ye Leyao’s twenty-minute singing, Huo Yan would still have the energy to mock Qin Yao.

After hearing it, now he just wanted to find a place to wash his ears thoroughly.

He was exhausted.

Ye Leyao looked Huo Yan up and down.

Huo Yan rubbed his still faintly aching ears, somewhat fearful, “What? Any more questions?”

Ye Leyao quickly shook his head, “No, no.”

He muttered in his heart: [I thought my second brother only knew how to fall in love and get swindled out of money. Who knew he could actually be quite reliable when it comes to serious matters!]

Huo Yan gritted his teeth.

Don’t think that just because you’re criticizing me in your heart, I can’t hear it!

Qin Yao’s lips curved slightly. Remembering the rumors he had heard a few days ago, he picked up his coffee and took a sip, “I thought you invited me here today to fight for a role for Su Rui, but it turns out you came to discuss business.”

Mentioning Su Rui, Huo Yan’s expression stiffened.

He hadn’t thought of how to respond when he heard Ye Leyao muttering in his heart:

[If he still hadn’t seen Su Rui’s true nature, my second brother might really have come to grovel for that role for Su Rui.]

Qin Yao quietly pricked up his ears.

Huo Yan was so angry that his fingers turned white from gripping the coffee cup.

What do you mean by groveling? Would he need to grovel?

“No.” This word was almost squeezed out through gritted teeth. Huo Yan’s expression remained light, looking at Qin Yao with a smile, “I’ve broken up with him.”

Qin Yao showed the right amount of surprise, “Why?”

[Of course, it’s because Su Rui was only with my second brother for his money!]

[This is a big blow to a lovesick fool!]

Qin Yao almost couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth, quickly taking a sip of his Americano to stimulate his taste buds, managing to flatten his smile.

Huo Yan put the coffee cup on the table a bit too forcefully, spilling a few drops. His neck turned red from being choked by Ye Leyao’s words, and he had to come up with an excuse on the spot, “Of course, it’s because… we weren’t suitable.”

The universal excuse!

[Ugh~ a man who won’t admit the truth even when he’s dead.] Ye Leyao silently added.

[Forget it, forget it. Since my second brother helped me make money, I won’t expose the embarrassing truth that he broke up because the child his ‘true love’ is carrying isn’t his!]

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, his smile completely uncontrollable.

So that’s the story!

If looks could kill, Huo Yan’s eyes would have set the café on fire by now.

He glared at Ye Leyao with resentment, but Ye Leyao was too busy eating cake to notice his brother’s grim expression.

Huo Yan closed his eyes, feeling immensely relieved that Qin Yao couldn’t hear Ye Leyao’s thoughts!

Qin Yao was still savoring the information from Ye Leyao’s brief muttering, not noticing the change in Huo Yan’s expression either.

After a while, he remembered the main reason for his visit and looked up at Ye Leyao, who was eating dessert.

The fact that the Huo family had an adopted son was well known in the business circle, but the Huo family’s adopted son rarely appeared in public.

There were many speculations that Ye Leyao was not favored in the Huo family, hence his absence from the public eye.

The Qin and Huo families had always maintained close cooperation. Qin Yao had visited the Huo family several times with his father before.

But each time, Ye Leyao managed to slip away within two minutes of appearing.

The last time they met seemed to be three years ago. At that time, Ye Leyao hadn’t fully grown, so Qin Yao didn’t recognize him at first glance a few days ago.

Now, looking carefully, Qin Yao grew more satisfied.

Unlike the sharp features of the Huo family, Ye Leyao’s eyebrows and eyes were softer and more elegant. His bright almond-shaped eyes always shone, and his smile made people feel better.

If someone like him could be signed to his company—

Qin Yao asked, “Leyao, are you interested in participating in a variety show?”

Ye Leyao looked up, a piece of chocolate still on the corner of his mouth, “What variety show?”

[Could it be that my luck is really turning?]

[Just got on the bandwagon of a hit drama, and now someone is offering me a pillow right before I enter the entertainment industry!]

Huo Yan was also surprised by Qin Yao’s initiative to invite him, “My brother has already arranged a management team for him.”

Meaning, there’s no need to sign with Qin Yao’s company.

Qin Yao showed a regretful expression but still took out the variety show information he had prepared in advance, “It’s a travel show, and the lineup of permanent guests is already set.”

Ye Leyao looked down— “Let’s Go Traveling Together.”

He was startled: [It’s actually this variety show?!]

Qin Yao’s smile deepened.

“Let’s Go Traveling Together” was a variety show that Qin Yao’s company had been heavily promoting in the second half of the year. Not only had they secured a prime-time slot on a local TV station, but they also signed exclusive contracts with major platforms, just like the big production of “Sick Beauty.”

If Ye Leyao recognized it, it meant that the early promotion of the show was effective, and the audience’s expectations were high.

Then, Ye Leyao’s inner voice shouted: [Retreat—Retreat—Retreat—]

Qin Yao: “…?”

Ye Leyao looked up, his expression complicated, and his eyes filled with unmistakable sympathy.

[Is this Qin Yao’s unlucky year?]

[Maybe Qin Yao should go to a temple and pray. First, the lead role casting fell through, almost ruining a good drama, and now this… well, it did become popular, but in a negative way, with all the cast being vilified and boycotted online.]

[Tsk tsk tsk, this luck is something even a dog would shake its head at.]

Qin Yao: “…”

Under the table, Qin Yao’s hand clenched quietly.

After sighing in his heart, Ye Leyao finally spoke, “Never mind, thank you, Mr. Qin.”

The refusal was clear.

Huo Yan covered his mouth, hiding the upward curve of his lips.

Ah, his mood suddenly brightened~

But how could Huo Yan let such a good opportunity to kick someone when they’re down pass by?

After a brief smile, he quickly put down his hand and pretended to be puzzled, asking Ye Leyao, “Why not go? This is a great opportunity.”

Ye Leyao made up an excuse, “Didn’t big brother say he’s arranging a management team for me? I’ll wait for his arrangements.”

[In any case, I’m definitely not going on this variety show!]

[The promotion said it was unscripted, but on the first day of filming, a regular guest had a major mishap, and on the first day of the broadcast, a guest star had a mishap. Every day before the show aired, another artist would have a mishap, like some kind of curse, and no one survived unscathed!]

[Too scary! I’m really afraid that when the show airs, I’ll be the only one without a mosaic!]

[This variety show shouldn’t be called “Let’s Go Traveling Together,” it should be renamed “My Daily Travels with Mosaics”!]

By the end, Huo Yan’s lips were twitching uncontrollably.

I can’t laugh, I definitely can’t laugh!

Meanwhile, Qin Yao’s face was looking awful.

He thought only Yu Bai was involved, but he didn’t expect they had started laying the groundwork so early.

Thinking about how his efforts almost went to waste again, Qin Yao almost couldn’t control his expression.

At the same time, he had the same thought as Huo Yan—

Thank goodness Huo Yan couldn’t hear Ye Leyao’s inner thoughts!

None of the three were in the mood to continue chatting. After finishing their coffee, they parted ways.

Huo Yan had specially taken a day off from the crew to accompany Ye Leyao. With the business concluded, he still had half a day off, so he went back to the Huo residence with Ye Leyao.

Papa Huo and Mama Huo were sitting in the living room, with several luxury store staff standing nearby. There was a large standing rack full of the latest seasonal outfits from various brands.

Seeing Ye Leyao, Mama Huo smiled and waved him over, “Leyao, just in time, come and choose some formal wear.”

Ye Leyao quickly ran over and took Mama Huo’s arm, “Mama Huo, why are you suddenly picking out clothes for me?”

Mama Huo laughed, “Aren’t you preparing to enter the entertainment industry? Your wardrobe needs to be filled. Your father and I have an event to attend tomorrow, and we need to choose an outfit too, so we had them bring the new collections over.”

Huo Yan had never been interested in these things. As a top-tier actor in the industry, he mostly wore brands he endorsed or those hoping to collaborate with him at events. Without even glancing at the clothes, he headed upstairs to rest.

Just as he stepped on the stairs, he heard Ye Leyao ask, “Mama Huo, whose event are you attending?”

Ye Leyao asked casually. He never liked these events and always avoided them if he could.

Seeing him ask, Papa Huo explained, “Lao Xu found his biological son who had been missing for over ten years. They’re throwing a welcome party and invited us. Why, are you interested?”

Mama Huo said, “I remember Lao Xu’s younger son went to high school with you. Leyao, do you want to go?”

Thinking of Xu Chen, Ye Leyao pouted:

[I don’t even like Xu Chen… wait… found his biological son? Lao Xu?]

[Why does this plot seem familiar again?]

Huo Yan paused his steps.

Papa Huo and Mama Huo also became interested.

Ye Leyao’s mind was frantically recalling the plot. A few seconds later, he exclaimed:

[Oh my god!]

[Is it really this dramatic?!]

Papa Huo and Mama Huo looked at him simultaneously.

What’s it this time!

Can’t you just say it quickly without suspense!

Ye Leyao furrowed his brows tightly, as if twisting a rope, and his expression was a mix of emotions. After a long while, he finally recovered:

[So… the fake young master who seduced his adoptive father and was caught in bed by the real young master with his wife and the whole family is Xu Chen’s adopted elder brother…]

This short sentence was like a thunderclap in the ears of the Huo family, causing their pupils to quake simultaneously.

What? What did you say happened?

[It seems the catching in the act happened at the party?]

[Could it be so coincidental that it’s tomorrow?!]

Ye Leyao felt a bit conflicted.

[Should I join in the fun or not…]

Huo Yan had already returned to the living room, eyeing the seasonal new arrivals on the rack. He was definitely joining the fun.

Papa Huo and Mama Huo exchanged glances, seeing a hint of anticipation in each other’s eyes.

Who wouldn’t be… intrigued by this?