ASPWL Ch12: Forced Startup

In the end, adhering to the principle of not missing out on any excitement, Ye Leyao agreed to go to the party with Papa Huo and Mama Huo.

Papa Huo and Mama Huo were delighted.

It wasn’t just about catching the latest gossip; Ye Leyao had always disliked attending various parties, even finding excuses to slip away from their own family events.

This was the first time Ye Leyao agreed to attend a party, even if it was for gossip. Papa Huo and Mama Huo were still very happy.

So, early the next morning, Ye Leyao was woken up by Huo Yan before he was fully awake.

Ye Leyao clung to his blanket, looking confused, “Second brother, this early?”

Huo Yan raised an eyebrow, “Of course, get up and get styled.”

Ye Leyao held onto his blanket tightly.

Huo Yan tried to pull him up by his arm.

Ye Leyao, frustrated, opened his eyes, “Can’t I sleep a bit longer?”

“Absolutely not!” They were going to join the fun and had to be early!

Ye Leyao said, “I don’t want to get styled.”

Huo Yan replied, “You have to!”

Ignoring Ye Leyao’s wishes, Huo Yan forcefully pulled him out of bed.

As Ye Leyao walked out of his room, he kept muttering:

[Isn’t it too early?]

[Why do I have to get styled? Isn’t it just a party? Is it necessary…]

As he thought about it, his drowsiness faded, and he looked at Huo Yan.

Huo Yan met his gaze, puzzled.

Then he heard Ye Leyao’s realization:

[Could it be that my second brother has his eyes on someone again?! That’s why he wants to dress like a peacock…]

Huo Yan couldn’t hold back anymore and pinched Ye Leyao’s cheek, stopping him from finishing his thought, “Move faster!”

 Ye Leyao was startled awake by being pinched, and most of his sleepiness disappeared. He groggily followed Huo Yan downstairs.

“Why are you still grumpy after waking up? Even when I’m forced to wake up, I don’t…”

Huo Yan took a deep breath and reminded himself not to lose his temper so early in the morning.

It wasn’t until Ye Leyao got downstairs that he realized it wasn’t just him—Papa Huo and Mama Huo were up too.

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

5:30 AM.

[Why are Papa Huo and Mama Huo up so early? Aren’t they tired? The sleep schedule of middle-aged people is truly enviable.]

Mama Huo’s expression stiffened while talking to the makeup artist.

Papa Huo paused in his actions.

The couple exchanged a glance.

At the same time, they sighed inwardly: They’re wondering why we’re up so early? Who do they think it’s for? What’s there to envy?

Who wouldn’t want to sleep a little longer?

Oblivious, “the culprit” Ye Leyao yawned and sat in front of the mirror, letting the stylist do their work.

Three hours later, the family got into the car heading to the Xu family’s residence.

To show their importance to the real young master, the Xu family held the banquet very grandly this time. Not only did they rent out an entire hotel estate, but they also invited almost everyone from the business circle and even some media reporters.

The Huo family didn’t arrive late, yet they still waited at the entrance for nearly half an hour before they could get out of the car.

As soon as they got out, Ye Leyao saw the host family standing at the entrance to greet guests. His gaze swept over them and finally settled on the young man standing next to Father Xu.

Slightly excited, he said, “It’s him!”

The rest of the Huo family also looked over with excitement.

Standing next to Father Xu was the fake young master of the Xu family, Xu Yao.

The young man wore a white suit and had his head slightly lowered, appearing very downcast.

Father Xu immediately noticed his abnormality and looked at him with concern, even reaching out to discreetly squeeze Xu Yao’s hand.

 Ye Leyao’s pupils instantly dilated:

[Holding hands in front of so many people? Ew—]

Papa Huo and Mama Huo couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

With the real son right there, Father Xu still cared about the foster son’s feelings, indicating an unusual relationship!

The Huo family and the Xu family had always cooperated, and Papa Huo and Mama Huo had met Xu Yao before. They had thought Xu Yao was quite steady and capable.

But today, at such an important event, Xu Yao threw a tantrum in front of the guests, revealing his pettiness.

On the other hand, the real young master Xu Yunzhi, standing next to Mother Xu, seemed unaffected by the small gestures between Xu Yao and Father Xu, maintaining a composed demeanor.

After sending the previous guests in, Mother Xu looked up and met Mama Huo’s gaze, smiling and saying, “You finally arrived.”

Papa Huo and Mama Huo led Huo Yan and Ye Leyao forward.

 Ye Leyao didn’t usually appear much, but since he was classmates with the Xu family’s second son, Xu Chen, Father Xu and Mother Xu were quite familiar with him.

Seeing Ye Leyao, Mother Xu was a bit surprised: “It’s rare for Leyao to come too. Xu Chen is inside greeting guests. Should I ask him to show you around later?”

 Ye Leyao quickly shook his head, “No need, I’ll look around on my own.”

“I’m here to enjoy the excitement. What if Xu Chen drags me around and won’t let me go?”

Mama Huo also said, “Xiao Yao can stay with us. There’s no need to trouble you.”

Mother Xu was just being polite, so she didn’t insist when they declined, changing the topic instead.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Huo family entered the hotel lobby.

Once inside, Papa Huo and Mama Huo were quickly surrounded by acquaintances, and the crowd’s attention turned to Ye Leyao.

Feeling uncomfortable, Ye Leyao told Papa Huo and Mama Huo he would go first and slipped away.

Huo Yan wanted to follow but was also surrounded as soon as he took a step.

 Ye Leyao walked unimpeded to the hotel’s back garden.

The Xu family’s banquet would last all day, so not only was there a flowing banquet in the hotel lobby, but many snacks were also set up in the courtyard of the back garden.

The incident of catching adultery would happen at noon, and it was still early. Ye Leyao hadn’t eaten much in the morning, so he headed to the courtyard to get some desserts.

There were quite a few people near the courtyard. As he approached, Ye Leyao saw a familiar figure.

Frowning, he was about to turn away when the person spoke first—

“Ye Leyao!”

With that shout, everyone looked over.

 Ye Leyao sighed inwardly.

[If I had known, I wouldn’t have come.]

Since he had been called out, Ye Leyao couldn’t just walk away. He had to go over.

Xu Chen had already walked over quickly, looking Ye Leyao up and down with undisguised disdain. Leaning in, he whispered, “Wow, even you, who hates parties, came and got a new look? What, have you taken a fancy to my big brother?”

 Ye Leyao rolled his eyes.

He and Xu Chen never got along, even clashing often—Xu Chen was always the one targeting him.

It all started in high school when Xu Chen caught Ye Leyao reading BL novels. Being a homophobic straight guy, Xu Chen started targeting Ye Leyao from then on.

Not only did he use Ye Leyao’s status as an adopted son of the Huo family against him, but he also frequently made sarcastic remarks.

 Ye Leyao had a good temper but wasn’t a pushover and naturally wouldn’t tolerate this.

Today was no different. Ye Leyao was about to say that Xu Chen’s heart was so dirty that he saw everything as dirty, but then he thought of something and gave Xu Chen a strange look.

Xu Chen felt a chill from Ye Leyao’s look.

What was that gaze?

Usually, when he mocked Ye Leyao for liking men, Ye Leyao would always retort, leaving him speechless. But today, Ye Leyao said nothing, looking at him with… pity?

If Xu Chen could hear Ye Leyao’s thoughts, he would hear the explanation—

[Forget it, I won’t bother with this idiot Xu Chen today.]

[After all, he’s about to have two dads. I’ll forgive him!]

Qin Yao, who was walking over, paused.

What does it mean to have two dads?

Xu Chen was even more confused.

Ye Leyao not only didn’t refute him but also bypassed him and walked towards the courtyard.

What’s going on?

Could it be that his guess was right, and Ye Leyao really came for his big brother today?

Xu Chen’s face darkened, and he quickly stepped forward to stop Ye Leyao, gritting his teeth, “Ye Leyao! I advise you to give up those dirty thoughts early. My big brother will never like you!”

Ye Leyao stopped and asked him, “Which big brother?”

Xu Chen was stunned.

Ye Leyao blinked, “Don’t you have two brothers now? Which one is your big brother?”

Xu Chen was dazed for a few seconds, then quickly realized that Ye Leyao did this on purpose!

He knew Xu Chen didn’t like Xu Yunzhi taking his brother’s place, yet he still asked this in front of so many people, just to make Xu Chen say something wrong and embarrass himself, right?

Xu Chen wouldn’t let Ye Leyao have his way. He gritted his teeth, “Of course, they are both my big brothers, but Ye Leyao, I warn you, I know my brother Xu Yao is excellent, but you’re not allowed to get close to him, understand?!”

Ye Leyao frowned continuously.

[Xu Yao? Excellent?]

[What kind of brainwashing did Xu Yao give Xu Chen?]

[If Xu Yao is so excellent, why would he worry about losing his position after the real young master returns and try to seduce his foster father?]

What?

Seduce who?

Xu Yao seduced the foster father?

Qin Yao’s pupils shook.

Xu Chen was still nagging in Ye Leyao’s ear, praising Xu Yao in every possible way and warning Ye Leyao to stay away from his big brother in the future.

Ye Leyao was extremely annoyed.

[No, my taste can’t be that bad, right?]

[If you care so much about your brother, why not go to his room now? That cup of aphrodisiac should still be on his table. Just dump the drug, and maybe you can save your brother’s precarious reputation and your father’s remaining dignity.]

The more Qin Yao listened, the more shocked he was.

As soon as Ye Leyao arrived in the back courtyard, Qin Yao heard a familiar voice in his mind and immediately realized it was Ye Leyao, so he followed the voice to find him.

But before he could greet Ye Leyao, he overheard such an earth-shattering secret.

The Xu family also had cooperation with the Qin family, but this cooperation was not established with Qin Yao.

If today’s matter blew up—

It would be nothing but beneficial for him.

Qin Yao took a deep breath and walked over, calling out, “Leyao?”

Ye Leyao turned around, eyes lighting up, and quickly approached, “President Qin! What a coincidence?”

[Ah, a savior! Please take me away!]

Qin Yao’s eyes carried a hint of a smile, and he fulfilled his wish, “Do you have time now? I want to discuss the previous variety show with you.”

Ye Leyao: “Yes, yes, yes.”

[As long as I can shake off Xu Chen, anything is fine!]

Qin Yao found it amusing in his heart but didn’t show it on his face. He nodded to Xu Chen and led Ye Leyao away.

Although Xu Chen was unwilling, he couldn’t really stop them, so he could only glare at Ye Leyao, warning him with his eyes.

Ye Leyao pretended not to see it and followed Qin Yao to the hotel lobby.

As soon as they entered the lobby, Qin Yao was about to find a quiet place to discuss the variety show with Ye Leyao when he suddenly heard Ye Leyao raise his voice—

[Hey hey hey! How did that green cocktail with the aphrodisiac end up in Mrs. Xu’s hand?!]

Everyone from the Huo family and Qin Yao simultaneously looked towards the stage.