Chapter 924: Chapter 924: Bet you didn’t see this coming, I’m now a man-eating flower

“Has Huo Lin gone mad?”

Pei Ya couldn’t figure out why Huo Lin would agree, unless Huo Lin was also sick.

After thinking for a bit, Qiao Yun denied, “No, he’s quite normal.”

“Is that so…” Pei Ya sat on the chair, maintaining a slightly open mouth.

Seeing this, Qiao Yun thought he looked incredibly foolish.

So disparaging.

After pondering for a moment, Pei Ya suddenly had a realization and slapped the table hard: “I get it! He’s just humoring you.”

Qiao Yun recalled Huo Lin’s expression at the time and continued to deny: “No, he was serious.”

Pei Ya was utterly confused.

How could Huo Lin be so kind-hearted? Is he not afraid of public attacks, not afraid of ruin and disgrace?

He said blankly, “What on earth is he thinking?”

Actually, Qiao Yun didn’t understand Huo Lin’s thoughts either, but it didn’t matter, as long as her goal was achieved.

Li Hanzhou spoke in a light and unhurried voice, “Huo Lin might be the last person to want the AI system.”

Qiao Yun and Pei Ya both looked at Li Hanzhou involuntarily.

Li Hanzhou said slowly, “After all, one of his parents died because of the AI system, and the other went insane.”

Pei Ya responded with a jeer, “That’s called retribution, taking what shouldn’t be taken always comes with a price.”

Li Hanzhou analytically continued, “He knows now that the real creator of the AI system is your mother. Rather than being passively exposed by you later, it’s better for him to take the initiative. The damage he suffers might be less.”

He turned his head towards Qiao Yun, and with a light laugh, said, “He’s a smart man; the demands you made today, he might have already thought about them.”

Qiao Yun frowned her little nose, feeling somewhat displeased.

She had thought she was imposing the harshest penalty, but it turned out he had already intended to do it.

Well…

Not really.

At least Fu Yun was nearly furious to death.

Pei Ya felt oddly deflated: “What’s going on, why do I suddenly feel like Huo Lin is a good person?”

Li Hanzhou chuckled and shook his head: “Strictly speaking, he’s not a good person, but he’s also not a bad person. He’s a clever person who knows what’s most beneficial for himself.”

Pei Ya clicked his tongue, still a bit annoyed.

How is he supposed to treat Huo Lin with disdain now?

Hey, one of life’s little pleasures gone.

As Qiao Se watched the three talk easily about monumental secrets, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly before he stood up first: “Alright, now that we’ve met, we should get going.”

“Leaving already?” Mr. Zhang held a cup of tea, listening with keen interest, loving this kind of wealthy family gossip, “Need me to help? Just one of my mines could crush them.”

“Forget it, even ten of your mines wouldn’t crush the Huo Family,” Old Su said, turning to Qiao Yun, “Xiaoqiao, we’ll take our leave first. If you need our help, don’t be shy.”

Qiao Yun looked up, her eyes innocently cunning, “Thank you, grandfathers.”

The old men seated there were nearly overwhelmed by the cuteness of Professor Qiao’s obedient demeanor.

Look at that delicate little face, those pure and innocent eyes, just too adorable.

…

Only after everyone left, Qiao Yun found the opportunity to ask, “You can say it now.”

“Say what?” Pei Ya had a confused face.

Qiao Yun glanced at him, with a you’re-so-dumb look, “Which member of the Huo Family came to find you?”

“Oh, oh, oh, that,” Pei Ya finally remembered what he came for, and he said seriously, “The third of the Huos, Huo Yaozong.”

Qiao Yun remained expressionless: “I don’t know him.”

Pei Ya explained: “It’s Huo Chi’s dad.”

Qiao Yun hummed in acknowledgment and prompted him to continue.

Pei Ya frowned in confusion: “He said that my parents’ deaths weren’t accidental, but that it was Huo Lin’s father who harmed my parents for fear of exposure. He also said that Fu Yun knew about it but did nothing to stop it.”

Qiao Yun looked at Pei Ya’s complexion, “You believe him.”

Pei Ya shook his head: “Fifty-fifty. I couldn’t figure out why Fu Yun felt so guilty towards me before. I thought it was because she once persuaded my mother to give up her copyright, but I felt that driving herself mad over this was far too exaggerated. Now, if she knew my parents would be harmed and yet kept silent, then her behavior would become understandable.”

When Pei Ya said this, his expression was eerily calm, but Qiao Yun felt that he was very sad.

Pei Ya wasn’t sad; he just found it ironic.

His mother worried about Fu Yun being exploited by the Huo Family until her dying day, hoping that Fu Yun wouldn’t disappoint her.

Pei Ya let out a breath and continued: “Huo Yaozong actually wants to work with me to take down the Huo Family, huh, does he take me for a fool.”

Li Hanzhou exclaimed in surprise: “You’ve actually become smart.”

Pei Ya, pulling a face, retorted unconvincingly: “I’ve always been smart.”

Li Hanzhou expressed: Is that so.

Pei Ya was choked with frustration.

Li Hanzhou sipped his tea lightly, his thin lips curling slightly as he commented: “A very low tactic of sowing discord. How useless must you have appeared in their eyes back then to use this kind of tactic against you.”

Pei Ya: “…” Could he pick a fight with Li Hanzhou?

Clearly, Professor Qiao’s gaze conveyed that he couldn’t.

Pei Ya picked up his teacup and took a big gulp of tea, feeling a bit better. He scoffed and said: “Alright, I was quite useless indeed. But I am different now.”

Li Hanzhou ignored his self-praise and continued: “If he wants to cooperate with you, then not everything he tells you could be lies, otherwise it wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny. The truth in his words is what matters most to you.”

Pei Ya looked dejected.

Qiao Yun understood and looked at Pei Ya worriedly, “So, it wasn’t an accident.”

“That’s right, it wasn’t an accident.” Li Hanzhou gave Qiao Yun a firm answer, praising her: “Qiaoqiao, you’re really smart.”

Qiao Yun: “…”

Why didn’t she feel flattered at all, and instead felt like her intelligence was being insulted?

Pei Ya’s brows were deeply furrowed, and he fell silent, but his hands clenched into fists on his lap.

The current Pei Ya gave Qiao Yun the impression that he was somewhat resigned to despair, which made her feel uncomfortable. She stammered: “Don’t be sad.”

Pei Ya sighed deeply: “I just didn’t expect… that things were not so simple.”

Otherwise, how could he have refrained from troubling the Huo’s all these years?

Li Hanzhou succinctly said: “It’s not too late to know now.”

Pei Ya declared resolutely: “I will find out.”

If his parents’ deaths were indeed connected to the Huo Family.

A ruthless glint flashed in Pei Ya’s eyes.

Li Hanzhou reminded: “Huo Yaozong might be the key figure.”

Pei Ya gave him a sidelong glance, his eyes clearly saying, as if you needed to tell me that.

Huo Yaozong still thought he was the same useless kid from those years ago.

Little did he know, he’s now a man-eating flower.

“Boss, I’m taking off! I’m going to find the truth!” Pei Ya stood up, full of zeal, dropped this statement and hastily pushed the door open to leave the private room.

Qiao Yun: “…”