Pulling In and Respect
Faced with Lin Yu's direct questioning, the man in the steamy room let out a deep laugh.
"Heh, Sherlock, you're quite the joker..."
"Although we've only met twice, how could you possibly forget me, 'The Nightless Sky Huo Shu'!"
As the man spoke, he waded through the water and walked towards Lin Yu.
"Splash, splash..."
The steam parted slowly as the man walked, revealing his perfectly sculpted body.
If an art student were here, their eyes would surely light up—the clearly defined muscle lines and skin texture, along with the rolling water droplets, are simply superb creative material.
Unfortunately, although Lin Yu studied art, he was specializing in performing arts and had no interest in fine arts.
Therefore, the man's near-perfect physique held no appeal for Lin Yu.
For Lin Yu, what was more important was the other party's self-reference...
"The Nightless Sky Huo Shu"
Fortunately, thanks to the information he had previously obtained from Paris, Lin Yu was not completely ignorant of this name.
Judging from the name, he should be another "heir" of the Nightless Sky Family, and also the main rival of Nightless Sky Huo Le Fu Luo.
Judging from the fact that the other party mentioned only meeting Fu Luo "twice"...
"Fu Luo and this guy shouldn't be familiar with each other."
While Lin Yu was pondering, the Nightless Sky Huo Shu had already stepped up from the edge of the hot spring pool and stood about two meters in front of Lin Yu.
Lin Yu got a clear look at the other person's face; he was a handsome man with excellent looks.
His black, wet hair hung down and clung to the sides of his face; he had thin lips, a high nose, and upturned eyes, giving him a dashing and debonair appearance.
Most importantly, his eyes were a fiery red, like leaping flames.
Lin Yu looked at the other person and spoke calmly and distantly.
"Your Excellency, the Nightless Sky Huo Shu, the steam was too thick just now, I didn't see you clearly..."
"But why were you holding your breath in the middle of the pool?"
The Nightless Sky Huo Shu raised its chin. "I'm not doing this for fun, nor to scare you. I had no idea you were coming."
"Soaking my whole body in the hot spring allows me to quickly relieve fatigue and forget my worries..."
He looked up at the sky and said sadly, "Even if you Commoner can glimpse a corner of our lives, you will never understand the heavy Destiny I, born Noble, bear. I truly envy you, who can live so easily and without burden."
Looking at the appearance of the Nightless Sky Huo Shu, Lin Yu couldn't help but think of the Royal Nobles had issued the C-77 commission over the phone earlier.
Are all Royal Nobles insane?
They need twelve people to serve them when they take a bath, and one of their hot spring baths is almost bigger than two Apartment for Commoner in the Outer City combined. Yet they shamelessly claim that Commoner have an "easy and carefree" life.
They'll behave themselves after being sent to a small workshop in the Outer City for two days of illegal work.
Of course, Lin Yu didn't voice these complaints directly.
"You must be under a lot of pressure. This way of relieving stress is something I, an ordinary person, never expected..."
Lin Yu followed up with Fu Luo's words in a slightly sarcastic tone.
Then, before the Nightless Sky Huo Shu could react, Lin Yu changed the subject.
"So, is there something you need from me?"
The Nightless Sky Huo Shu snorted and said, "Heh, don't play dumb with me, Sherlock."
"I'm looking for you because of what happened last time!"
What happened last time?
Lin Yu had no idea what Fu Luo and the Nightless Sky Huo Shu had discussed last time.
But Lin Yu has a foolproof solution for dealing with this situation.
His expression remained calm and composed, as if he were deep in thought.
After a moment, Lin Yu said firmly, "My answer is the same as last time."
Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, the Nightless Sky Huo Shu narrowed its eyes.
"Really? So you've rejected me again..."
"I truly don't understand why you're so devoted to following the Nightless Sky Huo Le —anyone with eyes can see that the Nightless Sky Huo Shu is the one who's after the Nightless Sky Family's heir!"
"Besides the company and the family, the Mercury Family, the Autumn Family, and the Solence Family all support my succession!"
"Within the company, seven out of the nine Board Members seats openly support me; the twelve independent laboratories and eight major corporate departments are also on my side!"
"Within the family, I am my father's most beloved son and also the eldest son. After the Family Head regained consciousness last time, he specifically requested to see me... My uncles and Grandfather also believe that my business acumen is unparalleled."
"To put it bluntly, Nightless Sky Huo Le is just a pathetic whetstone. Because our own brothers are all useless, we only sent her to hone my skills."
"As the most renowned intelligent person in the City That Never Sleeps, it's truly puzzling that you didn't choose my side."
The Nightless Sky Huo Shu spoke repeatedly, finally whispering, "Sherlock, Sherlock —if you stand on my side, you will become my most capable Right Hand. I will make you the President, Board Members, and chief researcher of Truth Company, and then the entire City That Never Sleeps will submit to our feet."
Upon hearing the words of the Nightless Sky Huo Shu, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Fu Luo, what exactly did you do in the City That Never Sleeps to become so sought after by two Noble?"
However, judging from President Paris's previous comments... Fu Luo's reputation shouldn't be very good either.
This is so contradictory—what exactly makes the Nightless Sky Huo Shu and Nightless Sky Huo Le value Fu Luo so much that even President Paris has to respect him, yet their evaluation of him is still biased towards the negative?
However, now that he was facing the Nightless Sky Huo Shu, Lin Yu did not have the energy to investigate what Fu Luo had done.
He could only respond to each situation based on the available information, offering a reply consistent with Fu Luo's style.
Knowing that Fu Luo had also rejected the Nightless Sky Huo Shu last time, Lin Yu's reply was much bolder.
He straightened his hat, and said somewhat hesitantly, "Young Master Huo Shu... well, how should I put it? Your conditions are indeed excellent, and you certainly have the advantages, but I... I'm not going to interfere in who succeeds you and Miss Huo Le..."
Lin Yu said, then scratched his nose. "I was just using people as a tactic— Miss Huo Le came first and treated me well, but now that she's switched sides, I feel a little sorry for Miss Huo Le..."
After hearing Lin Yu's reply, the Nightless Sky Huo Shu frowned. "I don't understand, what exactly did the Nightless Sky Huo Le give you that makes you able to refuse me time and time again!"
Lin Yu smiled.
He doesn't know either!
Who knows what benefits Nightless Sky Huo Le gave Fu Luo? Lin Yu didn't receive any.
However, there is still a reliable answer to this question.
"Respect, Your Excellency Lord Fire Tree, has Miss Nightless Sky Huo Le City shown me, a Commoner, such respect."
In Lin Yu's view, even President Paris was somewhat wary of Fu Luo, so Fu Luo must have a very high status in the Nightless Sky Huo Le.
Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, the Nightless Sky Huo Shu displayed a strange expression.
"Alright, respect... if that's what you call 'respect,' then it's something only the Nightless Sky Huo Le can give you."
He seemed to have suddenly given up on something, walked past Lin Yu, picked up a towel and began to wipe his body.
"Go find her, Sherlock."
"However... even so, I will not consider you an enemy."
"You can come find me anytime you think it through!"