Chapter 41: Poisoned Chips

The cold feeling of powerlessness didn't last long before it was completely consumed by an even stronger desire to survive. Su Yan stood up from the ground, his eyes no longer panicking, leaving only an almost icy clarity.

Huo Shen knew he was plotting something, but he held back for now. This was both a warning and a form of tacit "indulgence." He had to capitalize on it.

The key and the contents of the diary were like hot potatoes, the only sharp thorn in his hand that could hurt Huo Shen. He couldn't use them lightly, but he had to be prepared at all times.

What he needs to do now is to further solidify his image of "having some tricks but still in control", while secretly weaving his own web.

For the next two days, Su Yan behaved unusually well. He stopped approaching the study and became even more submissive and dependent toward Huo Shen. He even clumsily tried to distract Huo Shen with irrelevant topics when Huo Shen occasionally became agitated due to his illness. He deliberately portrayed himself as a pet trying to please its master, yet appearing clumsy and pitiful due to its timidity and limited abilities.

Huo Shen noticed his changes, and occasionally when he tried to "please" him, he would reveal an indescribable expression, as if he found it ridiculous, but also as if... he enjoyed this clumsy dependence.

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That afternoon, Huo Shen was taking a nap on the sofa in the living room. Su Yan was sitting on the carpet not far away, pretending to look through a picture album. Assistant Zhou came to report on his work, his voice very low.

"...The Su family reacted strongly to our 'return gift'. Su Chen seems to have used a lot of connections to investigate the source, but there is no direct evidence pointing to us." Assistant Zhou's voice was as steady as ever.

Huo Shen closed his eyes and said "hmm" lightly.

"Also," Assistant Zhou paused, his voice lowering, "We arranged for someone inside the Su Corporation to report back that Su Chen has been secretly contacting several board members who have always been dissatisfied with Mr. Huo. It seems... he's planning something."

Su Yan's fingers, flipping through the book, paused imperceptibly, his heart clenching. His brother hadn't sat still and waited for death! But by doing so, he was courting death, even more dangerous!

"Let him be." Huo Shen's voice was filled with a hint of laziness and disdain from his illness. "A jumping clown can't cause any trouble."

His tone was filled with absolute confidence, as if all of Su Chen's actions were within his expectations. This attitude made Su Yan even more uneasy.

Assistant Zhou finished his report and prepared to leave. As he passed by Su Yan, his steps paused for an imperceptible half a second, his eyes seemed to quickly scan the album in Su Yan's hand, and then he left as if nothing had happened.

That glance made Su Yan feel uneasy. Assistant Zhou was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.

We must find Assistant Zhou’s flaw as soon as possible!

In the evening, Huo Shen felt much better. He even had the mood to ask the kitchen to prepare an exquisite dinner and opened a bottle of red wine, although he only tasted a little because he was taking medicine.

After dinner, he sat on the single sofa in front of the French window, looking out at the city night view. Su Yan hesitated for a moment, and instead of immediately avoiding him as usual, he slowly walked over and squatted on the carpet at his feet, resting his chin lightly on the armrest of the sofa, like a small animal seeking caress.

This posture shows complete dependence and weakness.

Huo Shen lowered his eyes and looked at him. In the dim light, his eyes were a little blurry.

"Sir," Su Yan's voice was very soft, with a hint of uncertainty and tentativeness, "I... I heard Assistant Zhou say today that my brother... he was contacting the old people in the company... Is he in danger?"

He selectively revealed the information he heard, his tone full of worry for Su Chen, perfectly portraying the image of a younger brother who cares about his brother but is powerless to do anything.

Huo Shen's fingers were curling the ends of Su Yan's hair from time to time. He paused when he heard the words, and then let out an ambiguous low laugh.

"Worried about him?" Huo Shen's voice was emotionless.

Su Yan raised his head, his eyes slightly red. He nodded, then quickly shook his head: "I... I'm more afraid that he will do something wrong and get himself into trouble... and also make you angry..."

He took a step back to advance, transforming his worries into "fear of angering Huo Shen."

Huo Shen stared into his moist eyes for a long time before slowly speaking, "He can't touch me." His tone was absolutely firm. "As for the path he chose, he will naturally have to bear the consequences himself."

This is cold and heartless, but it is also the truth.

"However," Huo Shen changed the subject, picked up a strand of Su Yan's hair with his fingertips, and played with it between his fingers, with a lazy warning in his tone, "Since you have followed me, don't think about having it both ways. Su Chen is Su Chen, and you are you. Do you understand?"

This was to completely cut off his thoughts about the Su family.

Su Yan lowered his head, buried his face in the soft armrest of the sofa, and responded muffledly: "...I understand."

He seemed obedient, but his heart was cold. Huo Shen's attitude was clear: he would show no mercy to Su Chen's men. Assistant Zhou was like a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

In this oppressive silence, Huo Shen's phone screen suddenly lit up, and a new message preview popped up. The sender had no notes, only a string of encrypted characters, and the message content was just two short words:

[Soon.]

Huo Shen's eyes swept across the screen, and his gaze suddenly became as sharp as an eagle. There was a dark light in his eyes that Su Yan could not understand, a mixture of expectation and coldness.

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