Lin Xuan walked up to Huo Shen, who also stood up.
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes, sizing up Huo Shen.
The servants at the night garden weren’t wrong—this Young Master Huo was indeed quite handsome.
But still, Huo Shen’s looks weren’t impressive enough.
Just look—from start to finish, Hua Bao hadn’t spared Huo Shen a single glance.
Huo Shen smiled and extended his hand to Lin Xuan. "Hello, I’m Huo Shen. You must be President Su’s boyfriend?"
Lin Xuan politely shook his hand in return. "That’s right. I’m Hua Bao’s boyfriend, Lin Xuan."
"Young Master Lin, a pleasure," Huo Shen said with a faint smile.
Lin Xuan suddenly raised an eyebrow.
Huo Shen was gripping his hand so tightly—was this an attempt to intimidate him?
Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged, still relaxed, while a crack appeared in Huo Shen’s calm demeanor.
How was his grip so strong?
"Xiao Xuan," Old Master Su called out with a smile. "Why are you still standing there? Sit, come sit."
He had noticed the silent contest between the two. Knowing Huo Shen had trained in martial arts since childhood, he worried Lin Xuan might be at a disadvantage and quickly urged them to sit.
Only then did Lin Xuan release Huo Shen’s hand and take a seat on the sofa with Su Hua, never letting go of her hand the entire time.
Lin Xuan noticed—Hua Bao hadn’t given Huo Shen a single glance.
This Huo Shen was just wishfully thinking.
Lin Xuan’s mood was indescribably pleasant.
Still, the fact that someone was coveting Hua Bao annoyed him.
"President Su," Huo Shen said, "do you remember the fun times we had as children?"
Lin Xuan’s eyebrow twitched.
This Huo Shen was playing a high-level game—bringing up past memories with Hua Bao right in front of him, trying to create a rift between them.
But Huo Shen’s plan was doomed to fail.
Lin Xuan was a reincarnator. He had personally witnessed Hua Bao kissing his lifeless body and even committing suicide for him.
Even if he doubted anything, he would never doubt Hua Bao’s feelings for him.
Old Master Su also frowned.
Why was Xiao Shen bringing this up in front of Xiao Xuan?
He nervously glanced at Lin Xuan, hoping he wouldn’t misunderstand any relationship between Hua’er and Xiao Shen.
"Back then, we—" Huo Shen began recounting his past with Su Hua.
Lin Xuan sharpened his metaphorical knives, ready to retaliate.
But before he could speak, Su Hua furrowed her brows and cut Huo Shen off. "I was kidnapped when I was three or four. Anything before that—I’m sorry, I don’t remember. I don’t think there’s any need to discuss this further."
"Mr. Huo," Su Hua’s voice was icy, "my boyfriend is here. Please refrain from bringing up any topics that might make him misunderstand."
Lin Xuan was stunned.
Hua Bao was defending him outright?
Was this the security a girlfriend provided?
Huo Shen’s expression showed no change, but inwardly, his heart darkened.
Hua’er was actually protecting Lin Xuan like this!
What was it about this guy that made her favor him so much?
Damn it!
Once he stole Hua’er away, he’d make sure Lin Xuan suffered!
Lin Xuan took the opportunity to wrap an arm around Su Hua’s waist and raised an eyebrow. "Young Master Huo, my apologies. My girlfriend can’t stand seeing me wronged. She spoke that way because she didn’t want me to misunderstand her relationship with you."
"Don’t take it to heart."
Huo Shen could see the challenge in Lin Xuan’s eyes. He forced a smile. "It’s fine. President Su has always been like this—"
"No, this is called setting clear boundaries," Lin Xuan said with a grin. "Hua Bao knows she doesn’t want to be involved with other men, so she draws the line decisively."
Butler Chen: "???"
Had Young Master Huo even implied that?
Was the young master’s response… completely off-topic?
"It’s different with the man she loves," Lin Xuan continued, his smug expression practically begging for a punch. "Hua Bao is always gentle and sweet around me. I guess that’s the difference between love and indifference."
Su Hua rested her chin on her hand, watching Lin Xuan with indulgent amusement.
"Don’t you think so, Mr. Huo?" Lin Xuan arched a brow.
Huo Shen clenched his fists.
"Perhaps," he said, struggling to keep his tone even. "I’ve never been in a relationship, so I wouldn’t know."
"That’s alright," Lin Xuan said cheerfully. "Since Hua Bao and I are so close, you can observe how we interact later. That should clear things up for you."
Old Master Su chuckled.
Xiao Xuan wasn’t one to take losses lightly.
Good, very good.
"He takes after me," Old Master Su whispered to the butler.
Butler Chen shot him a look.
Old Master, are you sure you could compare to Young Master Lin?
"By the way, Mr. Huo, what do you do for a living?" Lin Xuan struck first.
"I handle some of Su Corporation’s overseas operations," Huo Shen replied.
Lin Xuan shook his head. "I can’t compare to you. I just run a small company—nothing special. It’s only the leading enterprise in entertainment and literature within a year. TigerVoice is under my company too, and we’re currently developing games."
Butler Chen: "..."
Old Master Su: "..."
Calling that "nothing special" was just rubbing salt in the wound.
Huo Shen fought to maintain his composure.
Old Master Su knew Lin Xuan was provoking Huo Shen. Though he liked Xiao Shen, Xiao Xuan was his grandson-in-law.
Naturally, he stood with Xiao Xuan.
If this could make Xiao Shen give up on Hua’er, even better.
"Mr. Lin, I didn’t realize SkyVeil Group was yours," Huo Shen said, feigning admiration.
Inwardly, he scoffed.
SkyVeil’s rapid rise was all thanks to Hua’er.
What was there for a freeloader to be proud of?
Yet the more he thought about it, the darker his expression grew.
Hua’er would choose this pretty boy over him…
"Of course, the company isn’t what matters most," Lin Xuan said. "What’s important is having Hua Bao’s affection."
Su Hua gazed at him, her eyes soft with amusement.
Seems A-Xuan is feeling jealous.
Huo Shen’s hands tightened into fists.
Lin Xuan smirked at him.
Who knew shutting down a rival could feel this satisfying?
Old Master Su shook his head helplessly, recognizing Lin Xuan’s bragging for what it was.
Just then, a servant emerged from the dining room.
"Old Master, Miss, dinner is ready," he announced respectfully.
Old Master Su exhaled in relief.
Finally.
"Enough sitting around—let’s eat," Old Master Su urged.
"Xiao Shen, it’s been so long since you’ve been back to Cloud City. Join us."
Huo Shen, eager for more time with Su Hua, nodded. "Of course."
As they settled at the table, Lin Xuan made no effort to hold back, flaunting his relationship with Su Hua.
"Hua Bao, you like this dish. Here, let me serve you."
He piled food into her bowl.
Su Hua smiled, her eyes gleaming. "A-Xuan, feed me instead. My hands were a little sore last night."

ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"

or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?

【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)

d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!