001 feels he's become quite human; at least now he relies on "feelings" rather than analyzing behavior, micro-expressions, and physiological conditions.
He could sense some changes in Di Xiu, which he couldn't describe, but he couldn't help but think of a once-proud genius who had fallen from grace when he was with a certain host.
After the initial despair, he was forced to face reality, sever ties with past glories, and start anew with great difficulty.
It's very similar to the current Imperial Cultivator.
He didn't know how to comfort him, but he figured he didn't need any useless comforting words. Frustrated, he ruffled the tuft of hair on his head and gave his signature silly grin: "Then I'll call you Little Xiu Xiu?"
Di Xiu paused in removing his boxing gloves. After a moment, he tossed the gloves aside, pinched his brow, and said in a low voice, "Whatever."
001 gave himself a thumbs up for taking advantage of the situation, seizing the opportunity, and striking while the iron was hot.
Affectionate terms of address are a way to maintain friendly relationships.
"Little Xiu Xiu, you can also call me Xiao Yi."
"..."
There's absolutely no need for that.
Those around him noticed the subtle change, but given that he had suddenly become a taciturn person before, this subtle feeling was not worth delving into.
As the school was gradually completed, Di Xiu once again gestured with 001's finger, but this time it was quickly suppressed, and it was still aimed at the youngest member of the Huo family.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the traditional-minded old man, Mr. Huo, invited everyone back to the old house for dinner. It was at this time that Mr. Huo's youngest son became the subject of gossip. The younger generation saw the news while playing on their phones after dinner and started arguing. The old man heard this and scolded his youngest son.
Since it's a tabloid story, it inevitably involves romantic escapades, and the content is quite sensational. It's said that Huo Laoyao has an affair with his sister-in-law. As for which sister-in-law it is, opinions vary, but it has certainly stirred up a mess in the Huo family.
—Di Xiu and 001 don't spread rumors; they are just emotionless whistleblowers.
After pressing for answers, Old Master Huo learned about the factory incident, but since the factory matter was already beyond investigation, he ordered people to investigate this gossip to find out who dared to smear the Huo family. However, they found uncensored photos on Huo's second son's private computer.
The fourth brother was immediately enraged, because the woman embracing his younger brother was none other than his wife. Although he didn't like her, she was still a source of pride for him.
As he scrolled down, the eldest brother noticed that the second and youngest brothers also looked displeased, because his new mistress was among the contents of the scroll, though the second brother hadn't told him about it.
Huo Lao Er tried to explain himself, but he was interrupted by Lao Yao and Lao Si as soon as he opened his mouth. His explanation only made things worse and made him look guilty. At this time, his own brother, who was his compatriot, could still maintain a little trust.
"Father, this might be someone framing my second brother, perhaps it's that same person from last time..."
"Big brother, you've always had a good relationship with second brother, but you should open your eyes wide and see clearly who is worthy of your trust," the fourth brother said sarcastically.
The third brother shut up, silently retreated, and chose to protect himself.
The youngest son kept dragging the second son into the mess, and in the end, the old man raised his ebony cane and struck each of his five sons once to stop them from attacking each other.
The third brother touched his shoulder, feeling wronged, and thought to himself, "What does this have to do with me? Why did you hit me?"
Old Master Huo had white hair and wrinkled skin, but his eyes were still clear and sharp. He tapped the ground with his cane and said in a steady voice, "The matter hasn't been investigated yet, and you're already fighting amongst yourselves. What kind of behavior is this?"
Regardless of whether they were right or wrong, all five sons immediately bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes.
"Keep investigating. This is clearly someone trying to sow discord between you brothers. Don't let others laugh at us."
The five men responded in unison, "Yes," but as soon as they left the study, their eyes and noses immediately turned hostile, and the air was thick with tension.
001 and the hacker hired by the Huo family each displayed their unique abilities. After ten days and ten nights of back and forth, Huo Laosi, the original victim, was dragged into the mess again, this time becoming the one being targeted by both Yin and Yang.
Of the five sons of the Huo family, only Huo Laosan remained clean and untainted. The other four harbored doubts and, regardless of the outcome of the investigation, were convinced that Huo Laosan was behind it all.
Huo Laosan, who was just looking on for fun, was teased by his brothers and then summoned back to the old house by the old man. He was given a long lecture and left feeling confused and wronged.
Having laid enough traps, 001 then orchestrated a frame-up, directly shattering the facade of harmony among the five Huo brothers and igniting internal strife, leading to a series of illegal and disorderly acts. The government also noticed the signs and, after understanding the situation, guessed that someone was trying to harm the Huo family, but no one could find the mastermind behind it all.
The Huo family is deeply entrenched, and the state is worried that taking rash action might detonate a bomb. So it is observing from the sidelines, but that does not prevent the state from taking action against those public officials who have neglected their duties.
One of the masterminds spends his days either keeping up with news from all sides or reading novels to enrich his experience, while the other focuses on infrastructure and business development, and incidentally suppresses his adopted daughter when she causes trouble.
As 001 said, Di Xiu recalled Annie, who was taking care of Xia Xueqing, and froze her funds. But all the jewelry, accessories and bags she had were worth at least four figures. A diamond pried off her phone or a pearl pried off her hair accessory could sell for four figures, or at least three figures.
She used to be in charge of spending money, but now she has to support herself. Whether she doesn't know or is unwilling, she has never sold anything before, and she started asking for help everywhere in no time.
Di Xiu had already informed her former friends and some families she frequently visited, so apart from the elderly people in Zhou Lie's villas, no one gave her money. But Zhou Lie and the others were just ordinary people and couldn't support her extravagant spending.
To Di Xiu's surprise, Xia Xueqing had somehow bewitched them, and the cook and a maid were even willing to take out loans to send her money. As for Zhou Lie, he was stopped by his wife and son, which caused a great deal of unhappiness in the family.
He felt that nauseous and oppressive discomfort again, and ordered 001 to stop Xia Xueqing's cell phone communication so that she could no longer contact those people.
As for those people's loans, he chose to let them go for the time being, and then instructed his secretary to contact and arrange for people to crack down on illegal loan platforms.
After Xia Xueqing realized she couldn't reach anyone, she finally called Huo Ting, but Su Xiaoyue answered the phone.
Perhaps not wanting the person she liked to see her in such a vulnerable state, she never contacted him.
According to 001's observation, Huo Ting has probably already developed a preliminary liking for her. Although he has not taken the initiative to contact her, he sometimes gets distracted for no reason, which makes Su Xiaoyue very unhappy.
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