Huo Hongbao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Huo Hongbao (霍鸿宝)
Alias(es)	Second Young Master Huo; “Baby” (childhood nickname) 27 29
Gender	Male
Age	19 29
Affiliation	Huo Family; Huo Hongbao’s private racing club
Occupation/Role	Wealthy heir; owner of a private racing club and several entertainment businesses
First Appearance	Chapter 27

Background / History

Huo Hongbao is the Huo Family’s favored younger son and Huo Jinnian’s younger brother. Though he has graduated with two doctorates, he does not manage the family business; his family’s indulgence allows him to live freely, pursue thrilling hobbies, and run entertainment ventures of his own. He owns five private clubs, including a luxurious mountain-side racing club that became a popular venue for Xu City’s wealthy patrons and racing enthusiasts. 27 29

His racing club becomes entangled in the assassin case when Bai Jin enters a race there to investigate a suspected killer posing as a retired international racer. The racer’s car subsequently plunges off a cliff during a brief surveillance blackout, leaving Hongbao frightened and forcing Huo Jinnian to manage the police response. 28 29

Hongbao is immediately captivated by Bai Jin after seeing him remove his helmet as the winning No. 4 racer. He initially wants to pursue him, but Huo Jinnian and Lu Chengze both warn him away; he instead becomes Bai Jin’s friend, exchanges contact information with him, and invites him to join the racing club. 30 31 32

Appearance

Hongbao is described as youthful and expressive, with a lively manner that makes him appear cute and sheltered rather than imposing. 29 32

• Often reacts dramatically with pouting, wide-eyed excitement, or tears when frightened. 29 32
• Has a cheerful, energetic presence that contrasts with Huo Jinnian’s reserved demeanor. 28 38
• Is frequently treated as the pampered “Baby” of the Huo Family despite being nineteen. 29

Personality

Hongbao is playful, impulsive, sociable, and drawn to excitement. He enjoys racing, nightlife, attractive men, and collecting “treasure boys,” but his bold flirtatious reputation is largely an act: he is inexperienced, timid when genuine danger arises, and has never seriously pursued one of his crushes. 28 29

He is perceptive in social situations despite his carefree behavior. After realizing that Lu Chengze is fiercely protective of Bai Jin, he uses Bai Jin and Huo Jinnian as shields to avoid Lu Chengze’s anger. 31 32

Hongbao is also loyal and quick to defend friends. When he learns that Zhu Chaohong stole Bai Jin’s research materials, he offers to retaliate and promptly informs Lu Chengze of the incident. 43

Skills & Interests

Racing and Racing-Club Management

Hongbao owns and operates a private racing club, though he relies on Huo Jinnian’s judgment when a fatal accident occurs at the venue. 27 29

• Built his club into a favored Xu City venue for racers and wealthy patrons. 27
• Recruits or considers recruiting talented racers, including Bai Jin. 29 32
• Recognizes Bai Jin’s ability and accepts his warning that the supposed retired professional racer was likely an impostor. 33
• Understands enough about the club’s operations to be distressed by the destruction of a custom race car. 32

Social Connections

As a Huo Family heir, Hongbao can inquire into matters such as Zhu Chaohong’s police case, though he relies heavily on his family and Lu Chengze for protection in dangerous situations. 29 43

• Uses his connections to learn that Bai Jin was targeted at school. 43
• Is protected by Huo Jinnian, whose influence discourages others from taking advantage of Hongbao. 29
• Is intimidated enough by Lu Chengze to avoid interfering when Lu tries to get Bai Jin drunk. 33

Properties

• Private racing club — A lavish mountain-side club with bulletproof viewing glass, a fully stocked racing garage, and a large clientele among Xu City’s wealthy residents and racers. 27
• Entertainment businesses — Hongbao owns several ventures, including five private clubs. 27
• Custom race cars — His club provides racing cars for participants and includes personally customized vehicles. 27 32

Relationships

• Huo Jinnian — Elder brother and primary protector. Jinnian indulges Hongbao’s hobbies but handles crises pragmatically, including the racing-club fatality. 29
• Lu Chengze — His elder brother’s childhood friend and an intimidating senior figure. Hongbao fears Lu Chengze’s temper but readily reports news concerning Bai Jin to him. 31 32 43
• Bai Jin — Friend and former romantic interest. Hongbao is fascinated by Bai Jin’s racing ability, exchanges WeChat contacts with him, offers him a place at the club, and later offers to defend him after the research-materials theft. 30 32 43
• Ming Junqing — Part of Lu Chengze’s close circle; appears alongside Hongbao and Huo Jinnian during Lu Chengze’s boasting about Bai Jin. 23 24

Story Role / Major Arcs

Racing-Club Incident

Hongbao’s club serves as the location where Bai Jin investigates a suspected assassin posing as a retired racer. Hongbao enthusiastically supports No. 4—Bai Jin—during the race, then panics when No. 1 falls from the cliff. Huo Jinnian brings in authorities to protect both the investigation and Hongbao from liability. 27 29

Meeting Bai Jin

After Bai Jin wins the race, Hongbao publicly calls him his ideal “treasure boy” and considers pursuing him. He retreats after learning that Bai Jin is Lu Chengze’s person, but later befriends Bai Jin during a late-night meal and invites him to join the club. 30 31 32

Assassin Investigation

Hongbao learns that the suspicious racer may be linked to the twelve foreign assassins in Xu City. Bai Jin’s warning leads Huo Jinnian and Hongbao to cooperate with police inquiries concerning the racer’s identity and death. 33 34

Support for Bai Jin

Hongbao remains concerned when Bai Jin faces danger at university. After learning of Zhu Chaohong’s theft of classified experimental materials, he offers to retaliate, then alerts Lu Chengze and receives a replacement race car as a reward for passing along the information. 43

Trivia

• Hongbao’s “treasure boy” count had already reached the fifties by the time he saw Bai Jin. 28 29
• Despite his flirtatious reputation, he has only dared to flirt verbally or play drinking games; he is notably inexperienced in actual relationships. 29
• He has strong instincts for self-preservation and quickly hides behind Bai Jin and Huo Jinnian when Lu Chengze tries to hit him. 32
• Bai Jin envies Hongbao’s carefree nature and the evident warmth of the Huo family. 32