“You Have to Live with Me.”

After a moment of silence, Huo Yao looked at Nan Pei and said meaningfully, “A philanthropist? You really can’t tell.”

Nan Pei nodded. “Don’t you remember? I said at the club that I wanted to sponsor your education,” Nan Pei looked into Huo Yao’s eyes, speaking sincerely, “So I really am a philanthropist.”

“Oh, really.” Huo Yao asked calmly and slowly, “So you mean, you want to help me achieve my dreams too?”

Nan Pei was stunned. He felt there was a deeper meaning in Huo Yao’s words. Looking at Huo Yao’s slightly raised lips, he thought: Is he mocking me?

But even if Huo Yao was mocking him, Nan Pei wasn’t surprised. After all, he initially mistook Huo Yao for a host, then commented on his knock-off designer clothes at the hospital, and just teased him at the restroom door.

Huo Yao probably disliked him, which is why he didn’t agree to the project cooperation right away. Nan Pei wanted to explain his actions but didn’t know how to start.

For the project and the house, he had to change Huo Yao’s impression of him. So, after a brief thought, Nan Pei shifted the topic, “President Huo, I mentioned inviting you to dinner last time, and it’s such a coincidence that we meet today.”

Huo Yao glanced at his watch and said, “It’s two hours until dinner.”

“Then…” Nan Pei hesitated for a moment, looking at Huo Yao, testing the waters, “How about I treat you to coffee?”

Huo Yao stared at Nan Pei without speaking. Nan Pei felt a bit anxious, fearing Huo Yao would refuse.

After a while, Huo Yao suddenly curved his lips and said calmly, “Sure.”

Seeing Huo Yao’s smile, Nan Pei’s previously disappointed heart reignited with hope—at least this proved Huo Yao didn’t dislike him that much, right? Besides, he even helped adjust Nan Pei’s tie earlier…

Nan Pei secretly vowed to work hard to improve Huo Yao’s impression of him.

Ten minutes later, in a nearby coffee shop. The café was upscale, mostly frequented by company employees. Seeing Huo Yao was like seeing a ghost; they immediately kept their distance, their eyes darting between Huo Yao and Nan Pei, filled with curiosity and surprise.

After all, it was the first time they saw someone who could invite Huo Yao for coffee.

Nan Pei didn’t notice these glances. He ordered the most expensive coffee for Huo Yao and some desserts. To please him, Nan Pei asked in detail about Huo Yao’s preferences.

“Cold,” Huo Yao said briefly, “with sugar.”

After telling the waiter, Nan Pei looked at Huo Yao, a bit surprised, “I thought CEOs like you preferred the bitterest coffee.”

Huo Yao looked up, puzzled, “Why?”

“Because…” Nan Pei thought for a moment, unable to explain, “Isn’t that the stereotype?”

“Stereotype?” Huo Yao seemed even more confused.

Feeling he was digging a deeper hole, Nan Pei changed the topic, “President Huo, do you like sweets?”

“They’re okay,” Huo Yao replied casually, “I guess I like them.”

Nan Pei silently noted this. Then, he casually asked Huo Yao some questions, trying to gauge his interests to improve his impression later.

Huo Yao’s answers were always brief, but he was patient and didn’t refuse Nan Pei’s questions. When speaking, Huo Yao would look into Nan Pei’s eyes, the sunlight from the window making his features even more handsome.

For a moment, Nan Pei felt like he was chatting with an old friend. The feeling was fleeting but made his heart race inexplicably.

Pushing away the chaotic feelings, Nan Pei continued, “President Huo, what movies do you usually like to watch?”

Just then, the coffee arrived. “You know,” Huo Yao took a sip, smirking, “I usually only answer these questions for reporters. And I charge them.”

Nan Pei was stunned.

“You’ve asked so many questions today,” Huo Yao looked at Nan Pei thoughtfully, “How much should I charge you?”

Nan Pei thought, is Huo Yao annoyed by his questions? No way, right??

Feeling a bit tense, he said, “President Huo, I didn’t mean to pry into your privacy. I just wanted to understand you…”

Huo Yao looked at Nan Pei, smiling slightly, “But I don’t understand you yet.”

Nan Pei was taken aback. Indeed, he had been asking questions while Huo Yao answered. He hadn’t shared much about himself. In fact, he didn’t know what to say.

“Uh, I’m just an ordinary person, nothing much to say,” Nan Pei said awkwardly, looking away.

“Ordinary?” Huo Yao raised an eyebrow, seemingly disagreeing with the term.

Nan Pei understood what he meant. How could an ordinary person always have a different man by his side? Although, in reality, he just wanted to be a philanthropist and complete the system’s tasks.

“Never mind, there will be opportunities in the future.” Huo Yao smiled, changing the topic, “Is Song Jingchen’s project important to you?”

“Very important,” Nan Pei nodded seriously, “Only by securing this project can Song Jingchen’s business expand. Moreover, this project will surely succeed, and Xingyao Entertainment will benefit…”

Huo Yao paused, looking into Nan Pei’s eyes, confirming his sincerity, then chuckled, “You really are a philanthropist.”

Nan Pei misunderstood, thinking Huo Yao saw him as Song Jingchen’s lackey, so he said, “You might not understand, but I just want Song Jingchen’s career to succeed…”

“Including Lu Bairan and Duan Heng, I only care about their careers,” Nan Pei said, looking at Huo Yao seriously, “I… don’t like them.”

After speaking, Nan Pei was surprised at himself for saying such things to Huo Yao. Maybe it was because Huo Yao was from the data redundancy zone. Or perhaps it was the sense of familiarity Huo Yao gave him.

In any case, Nan Pei unconsciously revealed to Huo Yao that he didn’t like those three. He felt it was necessary, even though he knew Huo Yao couldn’t understand why he was doing this. He couldn’t explain further.

After speaking, Nan Pei felt a bit regretful and nervous. Would Huo Yao think he was crazy?

However, Huo Yao’s voice suddenly broke the silence— “I can tell.”

Nan Pei was stunned, surprised, “You can tell what?”

Huo Yao’s lips curved, his voice calm yet undeniably certain, “I can tell you don’t like them.”

Nan Pei was shocked. His acting had fooled the protagonists of those three books, yet he couldn’t fool Huo Yao?

After hesitating for a moment, Nan Pei asked softly and confusedly, “How did you tell?”

Huo Yao replied leisurely, “Intuition.”

Sometimes, intuition is indeed a scary thing. Every time Huo Yao saw Nan Pei, even though he always had different people around him, Huo Yao felt… Nan Pei wouldn’t like them. Or rather, Nan Pei’s love shouldn’t belong to them.

When this thought first occurred, Huo Yao himself was surprised. Clearly, it was their first meeting, yet he had such a strange and firm belief.

Suddenly, Huo Yao received a call, seemingly having more business to discuss. “I’ll consider the cooperation project,” Huo Yao said to Nan Pei, smiling, “But it’s because of you, not Song Jingchen. Meanwhile, I’ll modify the contract to increase your Nan Family Group’s profit share.”

Nan Pei covered his mouth in surprise, “Really?”

“It’s not a big project, why would I lie?” Huo Yao said nonchalantly.

Nan Pei thought, this project is worth at least tens of millions, how can it be “not a big project” to Huo Yao?

Huo Yao looked up and added, “But you invited me for coffee today, not just for the cooperation project, right?”

Nan Pei froze, quickly realizing Huo Yao’s implication. Nervously swallowing, he said, “Would you… let me stay at your place? Just for a while, until the task… uh, until I handle some important matters, then I’ll leave.”

Huo Yao looked at Nan Pei, his gaze deep and unreadable. At that moment, Nan Pei grew nervous again. He couldn’t guess Huo Yao’s thoughts, fearing rejection was imminent.

Time felt both short and endless. Finally, Huo Yao put down his coffee cup and said, “Okay.”

Nan Pei’s eyes widened in delight, “Really?!”

“Yes.” Seeing Nan Pei’s happiness, Huo Yao’s eyes also showed a hint of a smile.

Nan Pei excitedly asked, “Are you planning to sell it to me or rent it?”

“Let you stay for free for a while,” Huo Yao said calmly.

Nan Pei was shocked, “Free?! Such a big house…”

Huo Yao’s expression turned serious, “Free, but I have a condition.”

Nan Pei nodded eagerly, “Tell me, I’ll meet any condition!”

Securing the right to live in that house meant having a base between the three areas, reducing exposure risk and easing the task. It’s worth paying a price for that.

“My house isn’t empty,” Huo Yao said, his long eyes fixed on Nan Pei, “I also live there.”

Nan Pei was stunned. Huo Yao lives there? But the information he found said Huo Yao lived in a mansion at the Northern Center. Could the data be wrong?

Huo Yao was known for being low-key, so it’s possible. After all, Nan Pei couldn’t even find Huo Yao’s photo online.

“So, what’s your condition?” Nan Pei asked cautiously.

Huo Yao looked steadily at Nan Pei, “The condition is, you have to live with me.”

Nan Pei was incredulous, “What?”

Huo Yao’s fingers tightened slightly, frowning, “You disagree?”

“Of course, I agree!” Nan Pei felt like luck had struck, smiling brightly, “That’s such a simple condition! Just a roommate.”

Huo Yao was momentarily stunned. Watching Nan Pei’s smile, he suddenly chuckled, “Indeed, very simple.”

“Don’t worry, President Huo,” Nan Pei said righteously, “Since you’re letting me stay at your villa, I won’t disturb you.”

Huo Yao nodded slightly, his lips curving, “It’s okay if you do.”

Nan Pei continued, “Can I move in when I’m free in the next few days?”

Huo Yao nodded, “You’re welcome anytime.”

After saying this, Huo Yao left the café, citing another business meeting. Watching Huo Yao’s back, Nan Pei emotionally told the system, “I think Huo Yao is the real philanthropist in this world. How can someone be so kind?”

The system remained silent. After leaving the café, Huo Yao sat in his car, dialing Cheng Man’s number. Once connected, he said, “Cheng Man, help me move the clothes and things from the Northern residence to the villa at Lujin Center.”

Cheng Man was surprised, “President Huo, are you moving?”

“Yes,” Huo Yao replied calmly, though his lips couldn’t help but lift, “I want to experience co-living.”

Cheng Man doubted her ears, “What?”

“Nothing,” Huo Yao replied, “Just make sure to handle it in the next couple of days, so the house looks like I’ve always lived there. Understand?”

Though puzzled, Cheng Man agreed. Meanwhile, in the Song Group Building, Song Jingchen sat in the president’s office, feeling down. Not only because the cooperation with Xingyao was stalled, but also because Nan Pei didn’t return with him.

“Talking to Huo Yao alone?” Song Jingchen frowned, muttering, “He knows nothing, what can he discuss with Huo Yao? And why insist on staying alone… And that Huo Yao guy, is he close with Nan Pei…”

Even Song Jingchen didn’t notice the hint of jealousy in his tone. Soon, Secretary Candy entered the office excitedly, “President Song! Xingyao sent an email confirming our cooperation!”

Song Jingchen was stunned. His eyes were filled with disbelief— Huo Yao really agreed to cooperate?!

After repeatedly confirming the email from Xingyao, Song Jingchen accepted this shocking fact. It meant… Nan Pei really secured the project on his own?

Song Jingchen was baffled: How did Nan Pei manage this? At that moment, Song Jingchen seriously began considering the recent changes in Nan Pei.

In fact, Song Jingchen had noticed Nan Pei’s changes for a while, perhaps since the pool party or when Nan Pei pretended to be sick. Now, recalling, many details proved Nan Pei was different from before.

What intrigued him most was the Nan family’s claim that “Nan Pei has been busy with investments lately.” Though Song Jingchen always dismissed it, after the project was secured, he was puzzled— Could the Nan family be grooming Nan Pei as the group’s heir, secretly teaching him finance and investment?

Song Jingchen always despised Nan Pei, mainly because he saw no value in him. The only value was the Nan family behind him. To Song Jingchen, Nan Pei himself was less than a band-aid. Yet this band-aid secured a multi-million project for him.

Now, Song Jingchen had to reassess Nan Pei’s value. After pondering, Song Jingchen told Candy, “Help me investigate something.”

Candy asked, “Is it related to the Xingyao project?”

“No, not that.” Song Jingchen looked at the email from Xingyao, his thoughts drifting far, before continuing, “Check if Nan Pei has been investing in projects lately, and which ones.”

Candy was surprised, “You… want me to investigate Nan Pei??”

Song Jingchen always dismissed Nan Pei, and now he wanted to investigate him? What’s going on?

Seeing Candy’s strange look, Song Jingchen frowned, coughed, and said, “Just do it, why so many questions.”

Candy dared not say more, nodding, “I’ll get on it.”

“Wait.” Song Jingchen suddenly stopped her, frowning in thought, then said, “I heard he’s investing in e-sports and entertainment projects. Focus on investigating Lujin City’s e-sports and entertainment industries, see if there’s any trace of Nan Pei.”

Song Jingchen paused, continuing, “Report any findings immediately.”

Author’s Note:

Thank you all for your support! Next update is on the 23rd at 11 PM! I’ll try to write more then! Please support!!