On the stage, Father Xu was speaking passionately, holding the microphone with tears streaming down his face.

Xu Yao stood by Father Xu’s side. Seeing this, he quickly took out a tissue to personally wipe away his tears, his expression focused and his actions affectionate.

Mother Xu stood beside them, her face showing no extra emotion upon seeing Xu Yao’s actions, as if she was already accustomed to the closeness between the father and son. When Father Xu looked over, she thoughtfully handed him her cocktail.

Seeing that Mother Xu hadn’t noticed anything unusual, Father Xu let out a small sigh of relief and reached out to take the drink.

Mother Xu then picked up a glass of red wine from the waiter and handed it to Xu Yunzhi standing next to her.

Xu Yao glanced over towards Xu Yunzhi on the other side, catching this scene. A triumphant smile flashed in his eyes, and he looked away, satisfied.

Father Xu raised his glass on stage: “On this day worth celebrating, on behalf of my whole family, I toast to everyone!”

As Father Xu downed the cocktail in one gulp, Mother Xu suddenly glanced at him, a fleeting smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

Ye Leyao frowned, observing the strange atmosphere between the family. It seemed normal, but something felt off.

Recalling the novel’s plot he had read before, he suddenly realized—

[I understand!!!]

The sudden, excited voice startled Papa and Mama Huo.

Before they could react, Ye Leyao spoke even more excitedly:

[No wonder I thought there was a logical issue before. Normally, someone as ambitious and scheming as Xu Yao wouldn’t make a mistake on a major occasion. It’s impossible for him to have an affair with his adoptive father on such a day… so he didn’t know that it was the cocktail that had been spiked!]

[Xu Yao was looking at Xu Yunzhi just now… he wanted to drug Xu Yunzhi!]

[But he didn’t expect that the spiked drink would be taken by Father Xu!]

[Also, many media reporters were invited to today’s banquet. But with such a large estate and so many hotel rooms, how could they just happen to run into it? Unless the host of the banquet deliberately guided them to it!]

Ye Leyao confidently concluded: [Mother Xu definitely knew about this long ago!]

The Huo family and Qin Yao all nodded in sudden realization.

So that’s how it is!

Mother Xu must have known about the affair between Father Xu and Xu Yao for a long time!

Mama Huo frowned and couldn’t help but whisper, “Poor woman…”

Papa Huo nodded in agreement.

Her son, who had been lost for over ten years, was finally found, only to have the adopted son living with them feel threatened about his position and seduce the adoptive father who had raised him for over ten years!

And yet Mother Xu couldn’t expose it immediately and had to endure it until now.

“I remember Xu Yao’s household registration isn’t under the Xu family, right?” Papa Huo asked Mama Huo in a low voice, recalling something.

Mama Huo nodded. She had a good relationship with Mother Xu before and whispered, “Mother Xu was afraid that Xu Yao would become too ambitious, so she took precautions early on. I even told her she was being overly cautious…”

But now it seems, not every child is like Ye Leyao.

Mama Huo said, “By the way, when you get the chance, remember to have Xiao Yao sign the stock transfer agreement.”

Papa Huo laughed, “Don’t worry, it’s already prepared. We originally said that when Xiao Yao turned eighteen, we would transfer the stocks to him.”

On the stage, Father Xu and Xu Yao were still displaying their “deep father-son affection.” Due to drinking the spiked cocktail, Father Xu’s steps were already a bit unsteady, and Xu Yao stepped forward to support him firmly.

The older man turned his head, his gaze lingering on Xu Yao’s face with a hint of daze. He then placed his hand on Xu Yao’s waist and even squeezed it.

Xu Yao didn’t avoid it, just giving Father Xu a playful glance.

Father Xu chuckled softly.

Xu Yao then shyly lowered his head.

Ye Leyao’s brows furrowed tightly, feeling like his eyes were being assaulted:

[I’m just someone reading a novel, I really don’t want to see such an eye-burning scene—]

[Help, can someone cleanse my eyes!]

Qin Yao, annoyed by the noise, quickly patted Ye Leyao’s shoulder: “Leyao, did you have any concerns about rejecting my variety show invitation before?”

Ye Leyao’s thoughts were instantly pulled back, and when he turned his head to see Qin Yao’s face up close, his eyes widened slightly, and he involuntarily said: [Wow, how come I didn’t notice before that President Qin is so handsome!]

Qin Yao: “…”

So what were you looking at during our previous two meetings?

Only at money?

Ye Leyao said matter-of-factly:

[I was too focused on making money before, I didn’t notice!]

Qin Yao: “…”

Fine, fine.

He shouldn’t have felt kind enough to save Ye Leyao’s eyes.

Ye Leyao didn’t notice the change in Qin Yao’s expression and said, “It’s nothing, really. I just feel like I haven’t debuted yet, and appearing on such a popular variety show right away makes me a bit anxious.”

[I’m just making that up. The main thing is, participating in a show with a bunch of soon-to-be disgraced guests is truly terrifying!]

The young man in front of him seemed quite honest in his thoughts. Thanks to Ye Leyao, Qin Yao had already started investigating all the artists on the current invitation list.

With this in mind, Qin Yao asked, “If I change the guest lineup, would you be willing to join the show?”

Ye Leyao: “Hmm?”

[Change the lineup? Why did President Qin suddenly think of changing the lineup?]

[Did he perhaps go to a temple and get advice from a wise person?]

Looking at the dazed expression on Ye Leyao’s face, Qin Yao thought he indeed counted as a wise person.

If it weren’t for Ye Leyao, he would have had two consecutive project failures coming up.

Thinking of Ye Leyao’s love for money, Qin Yao felt this was a breakthrough point: “If you participate, I’ll pay you fifty thousand per episode.”

This pay was considerable even for many second-tier artists, and at this moment, Ye Leyao was still a newcomer. Offering such a high pay was already quite generous.

Hearing this, Ye Leyao’s eyes immediately brightened.

Fifty thousand per episode, that would be six hundred thousand for twelve episodes!

[Feeling…tempted!]

But he still didn’t agree right away, only saying, “Let me think about it…”

Qin Yao didn’t press further.

Ye Leyao turned to look at the stage.

Father Xu’s face was now flushed, looking like he had drunk too much. Xu Yao, standing beside him, continued to support him, preventing him from falling.

But whether it was because Father Xu was too heavy or because his hand on Xu Yao’s waist was restless, Xu Yao’s face was also covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Ye Leyao quickly looked away after a glance:

[Too eye-burning, I need to look less.]

[But Father Xu seems like he can’t hold on much longer…]

As soon as Ye Leyao finished speaking, Xu Yao suddenly turned and said something to Mother Xu.

Mother Xu nodded, and Xu Yao supported Father Xu off the stage, heading towards the hotel behind the hall.

[Oh~~~ It’s starting, it’s starting! Are they going now?!]

Ye Leyao was eager to move, and then glanced at Qin Yao beside him.

Just as he was hesitating about what reason to use to leave him, Huo Yan’s voice came from the side: “Ye Leyao.”

Ye Leyao looked over: “Second Brother.”

Huo Yan nodded at Qin Yao. He seemed calm, but he was actually very excited inside. He had risked getting scolded by his manager and taken another day off, all for this moment.

Suppressing his excitement, Huo Yan spoke calmly: “Come with me upstairs to change clothes.”

Today’s banquet was going to last all day, and to provide guests with a place to rest, the Xu family had prepared a room for each guest upstairs.

Ye Leyao: [Huh? Second Brother needs someone to accompany him to change clothes?]

Huo Yan’s mouth twitched.

He was here to rescue Ye Leyao. Couldn’t he see that?!

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

Huo Yan sighed in relief.

At this moment, Qin Yao spoke up, “I also plan to go upstairs to rest for a while, let’s go together.”

He wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity to witness the drama firsthand.

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

Just as the three of them entered the elevator, footsteps sounded behind them.

Ye Leyao turned around and saw Papa Huo and Mama Huo.

Meeting Ye Leyao’s slightly puzzled gaze, Papa Huo cleared his throat, “Your mom and I are a bit tired and plan to go upstairs to rest.”

Ye Leyao nodded.

[I get it, people in middle age do tend to feel a bit out of energy sometimes.]

Papa Huo gritted his teeth.

Mama Huo facepalmed.

They both screamed internally: What do you understand?! We’re here to witness the drama just like you!

The attendant waiting by the elevator stepped forward and asked, “Which floor would you like to go to?”

Papa Huo looked at Mama Huo.

Mama Huo looked at Huo Yan.

Huo Yan glanced at Ye Leyao beside him and, after a moment of silence, said, “Eighth floor.”

Qin Yao then spoke, “Sixth floor.”

The attendant swiped the card and pressed the elevator buttons.

With a “ding,” the elevator door opened, and Qin Yao was the first to step out.

On the eighth floor, Papa Huo and Mama Huo walked out, followed closely by Huo Yan.

Ye Leyao waved to the three of them, “Second Brother, you go ahead and change your clothes. Papa Huo, Mama Huo, you go rest. I’ll head off first.”

Huo Yan’s eyelid twitched, “Where are you going?”

Ye Leyao:

[Of course, I’m going to witness the drama!]

[I remember as soon as Xu Yao and Father Xu went in, they started going at it, then there was the scene where they were caught. I need to hurry, or I might miss it!]

On the surface, Ye Leyao made up an excuse, “I’m a bit hungry, I’ll go downstairs to grab something to eat.”

Huo Yan couldn’t stop him and could only watch the elevator door slowly close.

The three of them looked at each other.

Finally, Mama Huo spoke first, “It’s not on the eighth floor?”

Huo Yan said, “Ye Leyao didn’t mention which floor.”

Papa Huo was anxious, “Then he should have said it faster!”

Yes!

Time waits for no one!

Ye Leyao, hurry up and say it! This is killing us!

On the sixth floor, Qin Yao 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.

He scanned the hall and saw a group of news media workers carrying equipment. His eyes lit up, and he grabbed a small cake from the nearby food area and quickly followed them.

[Great, they must be the ones. I need to stick close to them!]

The Huo family on the eighth floor:

“Did you find him?”

“So where is it exactly?”

The elevator Ye Leyao took had stopped once on the fifth floor and once on the third floor before finally reaching the first floor.

Mama Huo looked at Huo Yan decisively, “You go check the fifth floor first!”

Huo Yan, though resentful, dared not disobey and quickly pressed the elevator button to go down.

As the elevator doors opened with a “ding,” he found himself face to face with Qin Yao.

Huo Yan: “…Why are you here?”

Qin Yao coughed lightly, “Didn’t you change your clothes?” He looked around, “Uncle and Auntie are here too. Where’s Ye Leyao?”

Huo Yan found an excuse, “I was just about to go find him.”

Qin Yao nodded, “Let’s go together then.”

Huo Yan wondered why Qin Yao wanted to find Ye Leyao, but he had more important things to worry about now, so he didn’t ask further and said, “Okay.”

Papa Huo and Mama Huo hesitated and then waved at Huo Yan.

Mama Huo made a gesture as if making a phone call.

Huo Yan nodded to indicate he understood.

As the elevator door closed, Ye Leyao’s voice sounded again—

[Ah, this small cake is delicious, I didn’t take enough.]

Huo Yan’s eyes lit up.

Small cake, on the first floor!

Papa Huo and Mama Huo immediately took another elevator down.

Qin Yao pressed the button for the first floor, “I’ll go down first to get something to eat.”

Huo Yan’s gaze fell on the fifth floor button he had just pressed, gnashing his teeth, wishing he had pressed the elevator button faster!

When the elevator reached the fifth floor, Huo Yan almost dashed out, then quickly pressed the button for another elevator as soon as Qin Yao’s elevator left.

Three groups of people were all rushing towards Ye Leyao as fast as they could.

When the elevator descended to the first floor, Qin Yao’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of Ye Leyao’s clothes at the corner of the corridor. He quickly chased after him, and soon saw the group of reporters ahead.

They were chatting and laughing.

“Let’s rest a bit, and then we can start the interview.”

“How’s your interview script coming along?”

“All prepared, don’t worry. I finished it a week in advance, just waiting to interview Mr. Xu Yao—”

With a “ding,” the door in front of them opened, and the reporters’ conversation abruptly stopped.

Two ambiguous voices instantly filled the hallway—

“Don’t… we can’t… we still have to go out later…”

“It’s okay, Xiao Yao, help me out, it’ll be quick…”

The sounds of restraint and ambiguity mixed together, and the reporters in front suddenly stopped.

The cameraman behind them dutifully raised his camera.

Ye Leyao squeezed forward and peeked through the crowd—

[Wow—clothes are disheveled, and the atmosphere is intense!]

He looked closer—

[Aaaaaaaahhhhh—I’m scarred! Get your hand out of his pants—]

Qin Yao behind Ye Leyao: “…”

His eardrums were about to burst!

Papa Huo and Mama Huo, who had just arrived: !!!

Huo Yan, who was still rushing over: Wait for me! I want to see too!

Just before Huo Yan arrived, Xu Mu rushed in. She pushed through the crowd, her eyes wide with anger as she looked at the disheveled pair in the room. Her tears were on the verge of falling, but she held back her breakdown and shouted, “What are you two doing?!”