Chapter 10: Testing
Huo Shen's warning that "it's not safe outside" was like an invisible fence, confining Su Yan even tighter.
But the doubts he harbored about Lin Qingyu grew like creeping vines. The more Huo Shen tried to conceal his intentions, the more Su Yan felt there was more to it. This wasn't just to satisfy curiosity; it was instinct—in the face of absolute power, any hint of unusual information could become the key to future survival.
He couldn't ask Huo Shen directly anymore, as that would be tantamount to exposing his own weaknesses. He needed a more roundabout way.
An opportunity arose a few days later. One of Huo Shen's right-hand men, the expressionless Assistant Zhou, came to the apartment to deliver an urgent document. Huo Shen was in the middle of a video conference and told Assistant Zhou to leave the document in the study.
Assistant Zhou put down the documents and was about to leave when Su Yan, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa in the living room, suddenly said softly, "Assistant Zhou, please wait a moment."
Assistant Zhou paused, turned around, and still had that businesslike expression on his face: "Mr. Su, what's going on?"
Su Yan picked up the juice in front of him and took a sip. He tried to make his tone sound natural and casual, even with a hint of boredom and complaints from a captive. "No big deal... It's just a bit boring staying here all day. I remember seeing a very unique cafe nearby called 'Corner Coffee'. I don't know if I remembered it wrong, but I was thinking about visiting once in a while for a change of scenery."
He named the coffee shop where Lin Qingyu worked. This was an extremely risky attempt. He was gambling on whether Assistant Zhou knew about the possible connection between Lin Qingyu and Huo Shen, and how Assistant Zhou would react.
Assistant Zhou's eyes behind the glasses flickered almost imperceptibly. Although it was extremely brief, Su Yan, who had been staring at him, still caught a hint of abnormality.
"Mr. Su, you might have remembered it wrongly." Assistant Zhou's voice was steady. "This area is all high-end residential, there are no ordinary coffee shops like you mentioned. For your safety, I suggest you try not to go out alone. If you need anything, please feel free to ask me or Mr. Huo."
The answer was flawless, and he even reiterated the importance of "safety" and "not going out alone."
"Oh, so that's why. Maybe I got it mixed up." Su Yan gave a perfectly balanced, slightly disappointed smile. "Thank you, Assistant Zhou. I'm fine now."
Assistant Zhou nodded slightly, turned and left, his back still straight and stiff.
Su Yan stared at the closed door, his heartbeat belatedly accelerating. At that moment, he felt like he was walking on the edge of a cliff. Not only had he confirmed the existence of the cafe, but he had also caught a glimpse of Huo Shen's men's sensitive attitude towards the matter.
There must be something behind this.
However, before he could recover from the shock of this temptation, a more direct and dangerous contact came unexpectedly.
Huo Shen had a social engagement that evening and made it clear he wouldn't be back for dinner. Su Yan, enjoying the quiet, enjoyed dinner alone in the restaurant. After dinner, he habitually went to the study to find a book to read, but as he was walking through the corridor, he heard a suppressed quarrel coming from the side hall.
One of the voices belonged to Assistant Zhou, and the other voice…sounded familiar, filled with excitement.
Su Yan, for some unknown reason, lowered his footsteps and approached the half-open door.
"...You can't do this! Huo Shen promised to help me solve the problem!" said the excited voice with tears in his eyes.
It’s Lin Qingyu!
Su Yan held his breath.
"Mr. Lin, President Huo has helped you many times." Assistant Zhou's voice was calm, almost cold. "Last time, President Huo stepped in to deal with the trouble at the cafe. The price was that you had to completely disappear from the sight of President Huo and... the relevant people. Your presence here now is a breach of contract."
"But I'm desperate! Those people came to me again! They said my brother owed a huge amount of high-interest loans, and if I didn't pay it back, they would take my life! Assistant Zhou, please, let me see Huo Shen once, just once!" Lin Qingyu's voice was full of despair.
Su Yan was shocked. So that's it! Huo Shen had indeed helped Lin Qingyu solve his problem, but on the condition that he disappear. And now, because of his family's debts, Lin Qingyu was once again forced into a desperate situation and had no choice but to take the risk of coming to Huo Shen.
"Mr. Huo won't see you," Assistant Zhou refused mercilessly. "Your brother's debt is your own business. Mr. Huo doesn't owe you anything. Please leave immediately, otherwise I will have to take 'extraordinary measures.'"
The words "extraordinary measures" carry a cold threat.
Lin Qingyu seemed frightened, and her sobbing gradually subsided.
Su Yan was frightened when he heard this and was about to leave quietly, but he accidentally bumped into a decorative vase on the corridor, making a slight sound.
"Who?!" Assistant Zhou's vigilant voice came immediately.
The door was suddenly opened, and Assistant Zhou's cold gaze and Lin Qingyu's tearful and astonished face met Su Yan's eyes at the same time.
The air froze instantly.
Su Yan's mind went blank and he froze in place.
Assistant Zhou's eyes instantly became extremely sharp and dangerous. He took a step forward, almost shrouding Su Yan in his shadow: "Mr. Su, why are you here? What did you hear?"
That look was no longer that of the usual respectful assistant, but that of a true minion beside Huo Shen, filled with scrutiny and murderous intent.
Su Yan had no doubt that if his answer did not satisfy him, the "extraordinary measures" he mentioned would most likely be used on him.
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