Unexpected Guests and a Paternal Feeling

Having decided to invite Huo Siyi to his home, Si Xi promptly set the date for Sunday, just two days away.

However, inviting only him felt a bit odd, so Si Xi extended an invitation to Qin Mingtian as well, ensuring it wouldn’t be a gathering of just two bachelors.

Upon further thought, it still didn’t feel quite right. Qin Mingtian, after all, was hardly reliable.

Si Xi then recalled how much Huo Siyuan had assisted him, realizing he should express his gratitude. He decided to invite him along as well.

A party of four—it was perfect.

****

Si Xi had just managed to extricate himself from the warm embrace of his duvet, drifting like a phantom towards the bathroom to freshen up, when the doorbell suddenly chimed, a cheerful ‘ding-dong, ding-dong’.

‘It must be the grocery delivery,’ he thought.

Si Xi hastily splashed water on his face, then made his way to open the door.

Standing at the threshold, however, was Huo Siyi.

“Good morning, Senior,” Huo Siyi greeted, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

Si Xi blinked, a hint of confusion in his voice. “You’re… here so early?”

Huo Siyi observed Si Xi, still clad in pajamas, his eyes heavy with sleep, and a charming tuft of bedhead stubbornly sticking up. He had clearly just rolled out of bed.

‘Such a senior—so! Adorable!’

Huo Siyi suppressed the urge to playfully ruffle the unruly lock of hair on Si Xi’s head. “My apologies, Senior,” he said, a touch bashfully, “Did I interrupt your rest?”

“No, I was already awake,” Si Xi replied. “But why have you brought so many things?”

A large box rested at Huo Siyi’s feet, while in his hand, he carried a beautifully crafted smaller box.

“These are some small pastries from my family’s kitchen,” Huo Siyi explained. “They’re for you, Senior, and they’re truly delicious.”

Huo Siyi handed the small box to Si Xi, then effortlessly lifted the larger one from the floor. “This is a robot vacuum cleaner,” he announced, “A housewarming gift for you, Senior.”

Si Xi stepped aside, gesturing for Huo Siyi to enter. “Thank you,” he said, “You’ve gone to too much trouble.”

“As long as you don’t mind them,” Huo Siyi replied, his eyes crinkling into cheerful crescents. “Senior, please go get ready quickly and come out to enjoy the pastries. They’re much better warm.”

Si Xi, feeling it was indeed improper to receive a guest in such a state, hurried off to wash and change. By the time he emerged from his room, Huo Siyi had already carefully unwrapped the pastry box.

Several delicate pastries were arranged on the table, and Si Xi found them oddly familiar.

‘It seemed Jing Chen had brought him identical ones before…’

The only distinction was that Jing Chen’s had been purchased.

Oh!

Si Xi understood immediately. It must be that this particular pastry shop created such exquisite treats that Huo Siyi’s family chef had specifically gone to learn their craft!

After all, as the son of the wealthiest man, there was no pastry too high-class for them to acquire.

Si Xi easily rationalized the situation. He approached the dining table, picked up a pastry, and took a bite.

Wow, even the texture and flavor were absolutely identical.

‘Truly, the Huo family’s chef is a marvel,’ he mused.

“How is it, Senior?” Huo Siyi inquired.

This was one of their family chef’s signature dishes. Huo Siyi had initially wanted to learn it himself to impress Si Xi, but alas, the intricate process proved too complex to master in a short span of time.

Si Xi gave a resounding thumbs-up. “It’s absolutely delicious! Your family chef is truly first-rate.”

“Then, once I’ve mastered it, I’ll make it for you, Senior.”

“…” Si Xi nearly choked on the pastry.

‘Seriously, buddy, you’re the son of the wealthiest man alive. Why would you bother learning such a skill?’ he thought, bewildered.

He quickly interjected, “Oh, there’s no need to go to such lengths. I don’t actually care for pastries all that much, haha.”

Huo Siyi settled into the chair opposite him, his gaze fixed on Si Xi. “Then what do you enjoy eating, Senior?” he asked smoothly. “I can make it for you today, perfectly timed.”

“I… I don’t really have any particular favorite dishes,” Si Xi stammered, feeling rather awkward. “I just like anything that’s well-cooked.”

Huo Siyi chuckled, his eyes crinkling. “Senior, you’re truly easy to please.”

Si Xi: “…”

Just as the awkward conversation threatened to grind to a halt, the doorbell chimed once more. Si Xi seized the opportunity, hurrying to answer it.

This time, it was indeed the grocery delivery. The bags were filled with first-rate fresh ingredients: items air-freighted from abroad, produce freshly picked from the mountains, and even poultry freshly slaughtered from local farms.

Si Xi and Huo Siyi together carried the numerous bags of ingredients into the kitchen. Gazing at the dozen or so bags, varying in size, Si Xi couldn’t help but ask, “Can you truly manage all this by yourself?”

Si Xi had initially intended to hire a chef, but Huo Siyi had politely declined, insisting he was perfectly capable on his own.

“You have to trust me,” Huo Siyi declared, rolling up his sleeves with a confident grin. “Senior, you can go play some games or even catch a nap. When you wake up, dinner will be served.”

How could Si Xi possibly allow him to handle it all alone? “Then I’ll assist you,” he offered.

Huo Siyi, of course, had no objections.

Time was already pressing, and the two immediately set about their tasks in the kitchen. Observing Huo Siyi’s practiced movements as he handled the ingredients, Si Xi noticed he was far from a kitchen novice, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

‘He wasn’t concerned Huo Siyi would botch the meal; rather, he feared Huo Siyi might injure himself while trying to show off, and he certainly couldn’t afford the repercussions!’

He didn’t know the enigmatic wealthiest man personally, but he had certainly heard a few rumors about him.

Before he assumed the role of the current Huo family patriarch, the Huo family was not the wealthiest in Yanjing, nor was he even considered an heir.

He hadn’t even resided at the main Huo family estate, but rather lived with his maternal grandfather in Jiangcheng.

It was this very disregarded figure who, upon the sudden critical illness of the previous patriarch, Old Master Huo, and the Huo family’s descent into a fierce power struggle, abruptly descended and seized control of the entire Huo family with swift, decisive measures.

Rumors circulated of his brutally formidable bodyguard detail. Those who dared defy him were reportedly beaten into submission, while high-ranking figures were directly coerced. A few particularly stubborn uncles were even made examples of, metaphorically ‘sent to operate sewing machines’ – a euphemism for imprisonment.

With such a patriarch at its helm, the turbulent Huo family swiftly stabilized and began to flourish. He also maintained his own successful ventures in Jiangcheng, and with the combined backing of the Huo family, he rose in one fell swoop to become the wealthiest man in Yanjing.

Si Xi had no idea how much truth or fabrication lay within these rumors. In the versions he’d heard, however, the wealthiest man had been painted as a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon, terrifyingly formidable.

Therefore, if the son of such a notoriously formidable tycoon were to injure himself while cooking for him, Si Xi dared not even imagine the grim fate that would befall him.

Huo Siyi, determined to showcase his culinary prowess before Si Xi, was preparing all his signature dishes. After returning home last night, he had even repeatedly consulted with the family’s chef, resolute in his mission to craft a meal that would utterly astound Si Xi and earn him significant favor.

“The braised pork is ready, Senior, turn around.”

Si Xi, who had been washing vegetables by the sink, turned back in puzzlement upon hearing this. He had barely uttered an ‘Ah?’ when a piece of tender, richly fragrant braised pork was gently slipped into his mouth.

“Help me taste-test for seasoning,” Huo Siyi said, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

“…”

It was at this precise moment that Huo Siyuan and Qin Mingtian walked through the door.

The two men were strangers, yet they had encountered each other downstairs, shared the elevator ride up, and then descended together, only to discover they were headed to the very same destination.

Qin Mingtian was no longer surprised that Si Xi knew yet another member of the Huo family; he simply assumed Huo Siyi had introduced them.

Qin Mingtian had visited Si Xi’s home before and knew the door’s access code. He promptly entered it and stepped inside, immediately confronted by the sight of Huo Siyi feeding Si Xi braised pork in the open-plan kitchen.

The air suddenly grew thick with an uncomfortable silence.

“Oh dear, have we arrived at an inopportune moment?” Qin Mingtian, ever the blundering fool, was the first to speak. “Please, carry on, both of you. Pretend we aren’t even here, haha.”

Huo Siyuan: “…”

‘He truly shouldn’t have come today,’ he thought with a sigh.

Huo Siyi had initially envisioned this gathering as an intimate world for just him and his Senior. To his dismay, two more individuals had suddenly materialized. His displeasure evident, he directed a pointed gaze at Huo Siyuan, silently questioning with his eyes why he had appeared here to play the role of a third wheel.

Huo Siyuan inwardly groaned. Caught between this father and son, he truly found himself in an impossible position, no matter which way he turned.

Nevertheless, since he was already here, he resigned himself to enduring the meal, no matter how uncomfortable.

Huo Siyuan feigned ignorance of Huo Siyi’s piercing gaze. He placed the gift he’d brought onto the coffee table, then surveyed the surroundings. “This house is quite lovely,” he remarked. “Is the rent here rather steep?”

“It’s quite high,” Si Xi confirmed. “I only decided to rent it because I liked it so much.”

Si Xi, wiping the water from his hands, opened the refrigerator. “Would you like anything to drink?” he offered. “I have cola, juice, and water.”

Huo Siyuan felt a touch bewildered upon hearing the rent was rather high.

‘He had assumed that once his Little Uncle learned Si Xi was looking for a place, he would intervene, perhaps buying a well-situated house, furnishing it anew, and then renting it to Si Xi at a nominal price.’

‘Never mind,’ he decided. ‘It’s best not to meddle blindly in their affairs. Self-preservation comes first.'”

With that thought, Huo Siyuan said, “Cola will be fine, thank you.”

Huo Siyi and Qin Mingtian both requested cola as well. Si Xi retrieved colas for everyone, then returned to the kitchen to assist.

The meal was soon prepared, and it had to be said, Huo Siyi truly possessed remarkable culinary skills. The table was laden with dishes that were not only vibrant and fragrant but also exquisitely flavorful and visually appealing.

As they ate, everyone lavished praise, causing the tips of Huo Siyi’s ears to flush a faint red.

“Did you also learn to cook during the quarantine period?” Si Xi asked Huo Siyi, unable to resist the question as he ate.

He truly couldn’t fathom what circumstances would lead a son of the wealthiest man, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, to learn how to cook so skillfully at such a young age.

“Even earlier than that,” Huo Siyi began, a thoughtful expression on his face. “When my father… well, when he first returned to the Huo family, I lived abroad for a while. I absolutely couldn’t get used to the food made by the chefs at our foreign residence. My father was quite busy and couldn’t look after me, so I just followed recipes and learned to cook what I wanted. At first, I often ‘exploded’ the kitchen and got my hands covered in blisters, but I eventually learned.”

Huo Siyi’s explanation was somewhat vague, yet Si Xi understood.

When his father first returned to the Huo family, it was during the most tumultuous period for the family.

Presumably, for Huo Siyi’s safety, they chose to send him abroad.

A power struggle isn’t resolved overnight, and during that time, his father must have been incredibly busy, unable to spare a thought for him, much less worry about his diet or arrange for a Chinese chef.

Huo Siyi had simply chosen to be self-reliant.

He spoke of it so lightly, but by Si Xi’s estimation of the timeline, Huo Siyi would have only been eleven or twelve years old then, still a child.

‘What a poor child,’ Si Xi thought, feeling a surge of almost paternal affection. [Not literally, of course.]

Qin Mingtian also chimed in with a sympathetic look. “I didn’t know you back then, otherwise, I would have certainly air-freighted one of our hotel chefs over to you.”

Huo Siyi lowered his gaze, offering a wry smile. “It wasn’t that bad, actually. My neighbor was a Chinese older brother, a few years older than me, and he took great care of me. It’s just that later…”

Huo Siyuan listened, utterly confused. He knew about the cooking, that was true, but what was this ‘neighbor older brother’ story?

‘Oh, good, good. Making up stories, are we?’

Yet, Si Xi seemed quite swayed by it, comforting him with, “It’s all in the past now.”

“Yes, it’s all in the past,” Huo Siyi said, forcing a cheerful smile. Then, he suddenly added, “Senior, can I call you ‘older brother’ from now on?”

Si Xi: “Ah?”

“Actually, Senior, you remind me a lot of that older brother. That’s why I felt such a strong connection when I first saw you. It’s okay if you say no, I just missed him and spoke without thinking.”

So that was it.

This explained why he was the one Huo Siyi treated differently.

Si Xi actually felt a sense of relief.

He had genuinely feared Huo Siyi had romantic intentions towards him. If Huo Siyi were to truly pursue him, he felt he’d have no reason to refuse such a desirable partner, yet he wasn’t ready to separate from Jing Chen just yet.

Being an ‘older brother’ was much better; an older brother wasn’t a husband, so there were far fewer worries.

Besides, the other party was the son of the wealthiest man. In any case, he’d be the one benefiting, wouldn’t he?

Si Xi quickly agreed, “Of course, you can just treat me like your older brother.”

Huo Siyi readily accepted, “Alright, Older Brother.”

Huo Siyuan couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

‘Si Xi, how can you be so easily deceived?!’

‘No wonder his Little Uncle has him wrapped around his finger, even happily spending money on him.’

After lunch, everyone discussed where to go in the afternoon.

“I heard there’s a new VR gaming experience center that opened at Tech City,” Qin Mingtian suggested. “The impact feedback is top-notch. How about we go there?”

“VR games? Then there’s no need to go to a VR experience center,” Huo Siyi said. “Come to my place. My version and experience are definitely superior to any center’s.”

Upon hearing about going to Huo Siyi’s house, Qin Mingtian immediately hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be a bit inappropriate? It would disturb… Uncle Huo, wouldn’t it?”

Huo Siyi replied, “That won’t be an issue. My father isn’t home these days; it’s just me and the servants.”

“Really?” Qin Mingtian’s courage instantly swelled. He looked at Si Xi, asking expectantly, “Shall we go?”

Si Xi had a bad feeling about it.

But the wealthiest man’s house! Who wouldn’t want to see what it was like!