Some media outlets caught the scent and piled on, perhaps bought off by Huo Zhixiao with dirt. They published rampant claims that “Huo Boyan’s bid to overturn the case was hopeless.” Surprisingly, Huo Boyan didn’t intervene, as if he truly had no way out.
Meanwhile, in a certain overseas tropical coastal city, a long-retired case handler returned home with a large bucket of fish from sea fishing, as usual.
His grandson didn’t come out to greet him, and even the dog in the yard was eerily quiet. In the living room sat an unexpected guest—a young man who introduced himself as Chen Jiaming, flashing him a friendly smile.
Two days later, a highly confidential whistleblower report was submitted to the Supervisory Commission, accompanied by key evidence demanding oversight into potential “dereliction of duty” by the traffic police fourteen years prior.
Yet on Hong Kong Island, rumors persisted that Huo Tinghua was staunchly protecting Huo Zhixiao, Huo Boyan’s case reversal was doomed, and the Huo Corporation was about to change hands.
Huo Junlin barged into Huo Boyan’s home without warning, his face full of disbelief. “Bro, did Second Uncle really orchestrate the car accident with Mom and Dad back then?”
While the outside world churned with turmoil, Huo Boyan hid at home brewing soup.
Perhaps because Zhu Ran had overdone the supplements in the past few days, he was a bit overheated lately. Taking advantage of having time today, Huo Boyan simmered a pot of soybean bitter melon pork rib soup.
A lazy person’s soup would only include soybeans, bitter melon, and ribs, but Huo Boyan was particular and added abalone and dendrobium besides. Worried Zhu Ran would find it too bitter, he threw in plenty of jujubes.
By the time Huo Junlin arrived, the soup had simmered for two hours and was ready to drink.
Unfortunately, with Lin Zilang’s wedding approaching, Zhu Ran had been dragged off to help with preparations and wouldn’t be back for dinner.
Getting no response, Huo Junlin pressed on. “Bro, it’s times like these, and you’re still cooking?”
“You have to eat no matter when it is.” Though Huo Boyan said this, he had no intention of entertaining Huo Junlin. He lifted his eyelids and said, “Heard some rumors and came rushing over in a panic? Didn’t I tell you not to get involved?”
Huo Junlin looked worried. “Bro, are you really pushing to overturn the case? Was it really Second Uncle who did it back then?”
Compared to Huo Boyan’s constant vigilance, Huo Junlin was like a sheltered baby grown up in a greenhouse.
In the early years, the conflict between Huo Boyan and Huo Zhixiao wasn’t too deep. Both sides tacitly agreed not to involve family or leak the dirty laundry outside. Huo Junlin and Huo Xitong bickered whenever they met, but their relationship was actually decent. By the time Huo Boyan secretly restarted the investigation and had grown his own wings, protecting Huo Junlin was a piece of cake.
The greatest hardship young master Huo Junlin had ever faced in his life was probably during his rebellious phase when he got mixed up with some shady friends and unfortunately tangled with a minor local gang. Of course, with Huo Boyan pulling strings, he emerged unscathed and later became just an ordinary rich second-generation.
Huo Junlin had never quite understood why his big brother was so on edge and even found Huo Boyan’s overprotectiveness annoying at times.
But lately, the rumors had grown so exaggerated that he couldn’t ignore them anymore. He had even learned of his big brother’s years-long scheming from outsiders!
Unable to stomach it, Huo Junlin showed up to demand answers.
Huo Boyan looked up, saying indifferently, “Who told you?”
A flicker of unease crossed Huo Junlin’s face, but he quickly said, “Does it matter who? Everyone’s saying it now anyway. Bro, I know you’ve had it rough these years. Whatever you need me to do, just say the word. I’m not a kid anymore.”
Huo Boyan nodded. “Alright, go abroad and stay for a while. I have a project for you.”
Huo Junlin was the typical playboy. A year after graduation, he’d done nothing but travel and play. He knew he wasn’t cut from the same cloth as his big brother. The family didn’t need his meager earnings anyway, and with the trust fund and dividends Huo Boyan had set up, he could squander for life without running out.
Suddenly assigned a project by Huo Boyan, Huo Junlin was actually thrilled, feeling valued at last. But amid the joy, his usually idle brain suddenly whirred to life. His brother had never given him work before—why now, at this critical juncture?
Huo Junlin frowned, suddenly realizing. “You’re using this to get rid of me?”
Huo Boyan said, “I’ve been busy lately and might not be able to watch over you. Go out and lay low for a bit.”
Huo Junlin’s gaze sharpened. “What are you planning to do?”
Huo Boyan didn’t answer, but Huo Junlin had already guessed seventy percent. Furious, he said, “You kept it from me before, fine. But I’m grown now—what can’t you tell me? Or do you just not trust me at all?!”
