Chapter 90 Limited “Freedom”
Since that brief conversation in the living room that night, mixed with alcohol, frankness and warnings, the atmosphere in the apartment had undergone an indescribable change.
Huo Shen no longer completely isolated Su Yan from his world. One morning, the tightly closed study door reopened to Su Yan's access card. Although the password to the main computer had obviously been changed, preventing him from accessing the core, the removal of the "No Access" label was a signal in itself.
Chen Mo's "accompaniment" remained, but the feeling of tight surveillance had lessened somewhat. Su Yan was even allowed to drive to a top private bookstore in the city center with Chen Mo by his side to select some books that interested him. Of course, the itinerary was fixed and the time was limited, but he did get to breathe the relatively free air outside the apartment.
This was a precisely calculated loosening of the reins. Huo Shen was giving him some room to maneuver, observing his next moves, but it also seemed like he was... fulfilling some unspoken "promise"? Or perhaps, a subtle reward for him "finding the key"?
Su Yan didn't get carried away. He knew full well that he was still walking on a tightrope, with a bottomless abyss beneath his feet. He used his limited freedom cautiously, like a sapper clearing a minefield, taking every step with care.
He chose a wider range of books, including works on psychology and game theory in addition to finance and data security. He needed to have a deeper understanding of the thinking patterns of people like Huo Shen, and he also needed to equip himself with knowledge.
That afternoon, Su Yan had just returned to the apartment from the bookstore when Huo Shen also happened to come back. He seemed to be in a good mood, and his eyes lingered for a moment on the paper bag of new books that Su Yan was carrying.
"How was the harvest?" he asked casually, taking off his coat and handing it to the servant.
"I found a few good ones." Su Yan answered cautiously and placed the book bag on the storage table in the entrance hall.
Huo Shen approached, casually opening his book bag with his slender fingers and glancing at the titles inside. "Influence," "Thinking, Fast and Slow," "Strategic Game"... His eyebrows twitched imperceptibly, and then he looked up at Su Yan with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Have you started researching these?" His tone was neither praise nor criticism.
Su Yan lowered his eyelashes: "I just want to know more."
Huo Shen chuckled softly, his laughter low and full of understanding: "Understand what? Human nature? Or...how to better deal with me?"
Su Yan's heart tightened slightly, and he didn't answer. In front of Huo Shen, silence was sometimes safer than any words.
Huo Shen did not press the issue further, but instead changed the subject: "There is a small private tasting event at Genting tonight. Come with me."
Genting is one of the city's most exclusive private clubs, renowned for its high entry barriers and secrecy. This was another public appearance, similar in nature to the previous dinner, but more intimate.
Su Yan was a little surprised. After the confrontation in the study and the recording incident, he thought Huo Shen would keep him in the dark for a while longer.
"I..." He subconsciously tried to find an excuse to refuse. That kind of situation made him uncomfortable; he felt more like an object on display.
"There's no option to refuse." Huo Shen interrupted him, his tone unquestionable, "Change your clothes and leave in half an hour." His eyes swept over Su Yan's ordinary cotton shirt and added, "Dress appropriately."
Half an hour later, Su Yan changed into a dark grey casual suit that Huo Shen had sent him. It was well-cut and made of fine fabric, which perfectly set off his cool temperament.
Huo Shen looked at him, his gaze lingering on him for a moment, and he seemed quite satisfied. He nodded and said, "Let's go."
Located atop a skyscraper, Genting is accessible via a dedicated elevator. Its interior is luxurious yet understated, with thick velvet carpets absorbing every footstep and the air thick with the scent of cigars, antique furniture, and expensive perfume.
The tasting was small, with only a dozen or so people, all of them impressive. Huo Shen's arrival immediately attracted everyone's attention. And when they saw Su Yan, with his delicate yet distant features, accompanying him, they cast inquiring, curious, and even slightly ambiguous glances.
Su Yan could feel those gazes, like invisible needles, piercing him. He tried his best to maintain his composure, following Huo Shen's side, playing the role of a quiet and qualified "escort."
Huo Shen didn't seem to care about those looks. He calmly greeted a few acquaintances and occasionally introduced Su Yan simply as "Su Yan" without adding any adjectives. But his attitude of naturally bringing Su Yan into the circle of protection already said it all.
An elegant old man in a Chinese gown came over with a wine glass in his hand and greeted Huo Shen familiarly. His eyes then fell on Su Yan, and he smiled gently, "Mr. Huo, who is this kid?"
Huo Shen shook the wine glass in his hand, his tone calm but with an unquestionable meaning: "Mr. Lin, this is Su Yan." He paused, turned his head to look at Su Yan, his eyes deep, "He is with me now."
The words "follow me" are less possessive than "my person", but have a more intriguing intimacy and recognition.
A hint of understanding flashed in Lin Lao's eyes, and he smiled and nodded to Su Yan: "Mr. Su, nice to meet you."
Su Yan nodded slightly in return, but his heartbeat was a little disordered. He keenly caught the subtle changes in Huo Shen's words.
Halfway through the tasting session, Huo Shen was pulled aside by an important partner to discuss something. Su Yan was able to temporarily escape the spotlight and walked to the rest area by the window. Looking out at the dazzling city night view, he breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the peace is short-lived.
A slightly frivolous voice sounded behind him: "Hey, this is the one that Mr. Huo has been hiding, right? As expected, he looks...tsk tsk."
Su Yan turned around and saw a young man in a fancy suit with a wandering look in his eyes. He was holding a wine glass and looking at him with ill intentions. His eyes roamed over his face and body with undisguised covetousness.
"Let me introduce myself. My last name is Zhao, and I work for Zhao Industrial..." The man took a step forward with a smile, trying to get closer.
Su Yan frowned, took a step back, distanced himself from him, and said in a cold tone: "Sorry, I'm not familiar with you."
"Don't be so cold." Young Master Zhao took another step closer, lowered his voice, and said ambiguously, "What's the point of following Huo Shen? He's boring and cold. Why not follow me? I promise you..."
Before he could finish his words, a bony hand rested on his shoulder. The force was not strong, but it was powerful enough to freeze him in place.
Huo Shen had stood behind him without him knowing when, his face was ice-cold, and his eyes were like ice-hardened blades, shooting straight at Mr. Zhao.
"Young Master Zhao," Huo Shen's voice was low, yet it carried a chilling sense of oppression. The temperature in the entire rest area seemed to drop several degrees. "Who did you want him to follow just now?"
The color drained from Mr. Zhao's face instantly. Cold sweat streamed down his face. His lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a word. His father's company relied on Huo Shen's cooperation. He had just been so bold that he forgot that the young man in front of him was brought by Huo Shen himself.
"Mr. Huo... I, I drank too much and talked nonsense..." Mr. Zhao explained incoherently.
Huo Shen stared at him, the coldness in his eyes almost freezing him. He didn't look at Mr. Zhao again, but turned to Su Yan, extended his hand, and said in an unquestionable tone:
"Let's go."
Su Yan looked at his outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, and then put his hand on it.
Huo Shen's palms were dry and warm, carrying a steady and powerful strength. He held Su Yan's hand tightly, holding his hand. Amidst the frightened and inquiring gazes of the crowd, he left the rest area without looking away and headed straight for the elevator hall.
His hands were clenched tightly, as if he was declaring something, or as if he was confirming something.
Huo Shen didn't let go of his hand until he got into the car. Silence filled the car.
Su Yan looked at the colorful lights rapidly receding outside the window, and the warmth and strength of Huo Shen's palm seemed to still remain on the back of his hand.
Tonight, Huo Shen defended him with a strong and unquestionable attitude.
This wasn't out of emotion, Su Yan knew it clearly. It was more like a defense of his "property" and the maintenance of Huo Shen's authority. (_)
But no matter what, this brief hand holding and the words "Follow me" seemed to loosen the taut string between the two of them by a tiny, imperceptible gap.
Su Yan knew that the road ahead was still full of thorns.
But tonight, he vaguely saw a glimpse of a different possibility.
He was no longer just a passive chess piece. He seemed to be... slowly embedding himself into Huo Shen's world in a dangerous way, becoming an existence that could no longer be easily replaced in this complex chess game.
------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
