After the Secrets of the Passerby Were Leaked, He Was Cherished by the Entire Family of Antagonists-Chapter 93

L1 had replied, “I flew in.”

Father Huo had assumed it was just a child’s joke, and the whole family hadn’t thought much of it.

However, when Qin Yao heard the report from his assistant, he was slightly taken aback. “Flew?”

The assistant coughed lightly. “It’s probably just childish nonsense. Also, Mr. Huo mentioned that the child doesn’t talk much and has a sweet tooth…”

Qin Yao lowered his eyes and nodded. “Alright, I understand. Keep an eye out, and if you find him, contact the Huo family first.”

At first, Qin Yao didn’t think much of the situation. It wasn’t until he returned home in the evening and saw the messy footprints on his balcony and the neatly arranged row of little snowmen that he began to reconsider.

His room was on the third floor, yet there were no traces inside the house, and even the surveillance cameras on the balcony hadn’t captured any footage of the intruder.

Despite the bold and somewhat absurd assumption, Qin Yao was ecstatic.

After eighteen years, he had finally found a clue about that person.

This was why the next morning, Qin Yao had specifically made two cups of oat milk.

Unfortunately, no one took the bait on the first day.

This led to last night’s conversation and the oat milk this morning.

Qin Yao looked intently at L1 standing before him.

His features were delicate, like a doll in a shop window, but this face didn’t match Qin Yao’s memory. Qin Yao felt a pang of regret.

As he studied L1 further, he noticed the panic and confusion written clearly in his eyes.

Qin Yao put aside his feeling of regret, picked up a cup of milk, and held it out to L1.

The rich scent of oats filled the air, and L1’s nose was immediately overwhelmed by the sweet aroma.

Instinctively, L1 swallowed, but as the most advanced system, his rationality remained intact. He didn’t immediately take the milk but instead stepped back cautiously.

Seeing this, Qin Yao was puzzled. “You’re not going to drink?”

L1 remained silent.

Qin Yao observed his expression and noticed the unmasked wariness in his clear eyes.

With a small smile, Qin Yao took a sip from the other cup and said, “It’s very good. Try it.”

L1 still didn’t take the milk.

After a moment, Qin Yao placed the cup to the side and took his own milk to the living room.

Just like yesterday, he sat down and began working on his computer, occasionally glancing up at L1.

L1 stood in place, feeling a bit confused.

Qin Yao’s reaction was far too strange.

A child had suddenly appeared in his home, yet he wasn’t the least bit surprised.

He even knew that L1 had been staying with the Huo family.

How did he know?

Could it be that the villain also had a system?

Impossible.

This world was only an A-grade world. Apart from the regulatory system, the only other possible system was the protagonist’s support system.

L1 quickly searched for any support system in the same world—there was none.

No support system existed for the time being.

L1 breathed a sigh of relief, but then suddenly thought of the Huo family.

So Qin Yao must have learned about him from them?

But even if he knew L1 had been staying with the Huo family, why wasn’t he surprised to see L1 in his room?

Even Father Huo had asked how he’d arrived. Why wasn’t Qin Yao curious?

Or…

L1’s eyes widened slightly as he thought of a possibility. He looked at the fragrant oat milk in front of him, couldn’t help but take a small step forward, and asked, “Do you… do you believe in supernatural creatures?”

The question came out of nowhere.

Qin Yao paused his typing and looked up at L1. “Why do you ask?”

L1 had already reached out and touched the cup. He hesitated, then said, “Didn’t you say yesterday that this milk was for the stray cats? So, do you think I’m one of those cats that’s turned into a spirit?”

The room fell into silence.

After a few seconds, L1 heard a chuckle.

It seemed like his comment had struck a nerve with the young man, who covered his mouth as his shoulders shook with laughter.

L1 furrowed his brow tightly. For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit offended.

It was an unfamiliar emotion for him—new and intriguing—but mostly, it brought a trace of displeasure.

L1’s lips pressed into a thin line as his gaze fell on the milk in his hand.

The warmth of the cup seeped into his fingers, and he could tell the milk was at the perfect temperature.

He had already scanned it earlier—there was nothing wrong with it.

Should he take a sip?

Though he didn’t fully understand what the villain was up to, the milk was innocent.

And from the look on the villain’s face, it didn’t seem like he intended to harm him.

So, as Qin Yao continued to laugh, L1 brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip of the oat milk.

The finely blended oats dissolved into the milk, giving it a smooth, creamy texture that lingered on his palate.

L1’s eyes widened.

It was delicious.

Even better than the sweet milk Huo’s mother had made for him before.

L1 really liked the taste.

That small bit of irritation he had felt earlier quickly faded away.

It was at this moment that Qin Yao’s laughter ceased.

With a smile still in his voice, he said gently, “I’m sorry, I was just surprised that even a system believes in ghosts and spirits.”

L1 was about to say he didn’t believe in such things, but then he froze, forgetting to drink the milk, his eyes widening as he stared at Qin Yao in shock. “How do you know…”

Qin Yao had already set his computer aside and was now watching L1 with a smile. “So, you really are a system.”

“Were you the one who flew to my balcony?” Qin Yao asked again.

L1 frowned. The villain was indeed extraordinary! How did he know so much about systems?

Alarm bells rang in L1’s mind, and he was just about to return to the main space to buy a memory-erasing potion when he heard Qin Yao speak again: “Don’t worry, I have no ill intentions toward you. I just want to ask you about someone… or rather, another system.”

L1 froze in shock. “You’ve encountered another system?”

Impossible. In an A-grade world, systems were strictly forbidden from attaching themselves to villainous hosts. How could Qin Yao have met one?

Qin Yao nodded lightly. “Yes, he helped me once when I was young, and I’d like to thank him personally.”

Something felt very off.

L1 furrowed his brow and asked, “When did you meet him?”

Qin Yao stared at L1 for a long time without speaking.

Unable to bear the silence, L1, still holding his cup of milk, walked over to Qin Yao and sat on the sofa opposite him, forgetting about the possible danger of being near the villain. He asked again, “When did you meet the system?”

Qin Yao’s brows furrowed slightly as he gave a faint smile. “If I tell you, will it have any negative consequences for him?”

After a brief pause, Qin Yao continued, “Over the years, I’ve tried to learn more about systems, but I couldn’t find any information. My understanding of you is limited to what humans speculate.”

“But even with speculation, I figured that there must be some rules in place to prevent a large number of systems from appearing in our world. So, if he showed up here…”

L1 studied Qin Yao closely, and after confirming he wasn’t lying, he finally said, “If he revealed his identity or intervened in certain ways… then he broke the rules. But if he merely appeared before you without doing anything else, it wouldn’t be considered a serious violation, and the punishment wouldn’t be severe.”

Qin Yao, having gotten the answer he wanted, nodded without hesitation and said, “

Then I can’t tell you.”

L1 was shocked. “But you just said you wanted to thank him in person! As long as it wasn’t a serious violation…”

“True,” Qin Yao nodded, “but compared to him being punished, my thanks are insignificant.”

L1 stared at Qin Yao, for the first time feeling like he needed to upgrade his processor.

Why did he understand every word Qin Yao said, yet when put together, they made no sense?

If the system had violated the rules by appearing in this world, it was only right for him to be punished.

So why would Qin Yao give up the chance to thank him personally just to avoid that?

Was this the human emotion that Autumn had talked about?

It was indeed complicated.

As the warmth of the milk cup began to fade, L1 took another large sip.

The sweet taste glided smoothly down his throat, and the tension in his brow completely eased.

“I still don’t understand,” L1 hesitated for a moment before speaking again, “I’m certain no other systems have appeared in this world so far. If what you’re saying is true, that system would indeed be punished. But system punishments aren’t that severe, the worst-case scenario is that they lose…”

L1 paused before continuing, “Still, I don’t understand. His punishment is his own business. Why would you give up such a rare and precious opportunity to meet him?”

Qin Yao had resumed working on his documents, but upon hearing L1 speak, he looked up, reading the confusion on L1’s face.

“May I ask how old you are?” Qin Yao asked suddenly.

L1 thought for a moment before answering, “Our time flows differently from yours. If calculated in human years…” He quickly worked out the exact number, even surprising himself. “One thousand and one years…”

Qin Yao’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

L1, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, lowered his head and resumed drinking his milk, muttering, “We systems are different from humans. Our age…”

L1 wasn’t happy.

Though one thousand and one years wasn’t much for a system, it did seem like a rather large number.

How old was the villain in front of him?

Hmm.

Twenty-three.

Qin Yao noticed L1’s displeasure, and a smile flickered in his eyes as he changed the topic. “I heard from Huo Yan that you like sweets. Would you like some cake?”

L1 pursed his lips, saying nothing.

Qin Yao made the decision for him and picked up his phone to call the butler.

Before long, a cake was delivered to the door.

Qin Yao had the servant place the cake at the door and personally brought it in, setting it in front of L1.

It was a chocolate cake, and from a distance, L1 could already smell the sweet aroma.

Qin Yao placed a spoon by his hand and smiled. “Try it?”

L1 hesitated for a moment but eventually couldn’t resist the temptation of sweets and accepted the spoon.

The soft cake was coated with a layer of crispy milk chocolate, with a jam filling hidden inside.

L1 took a bite, then couldn’t help but dig another large spoonful into his mouth.

Before long, the entire slice of cake was gone.

It was only then that Qin Yao spoke again, “Systems and humans are different. Your age shouldn’t be calculated by our time.”

>>

L1 was full, and in a good mood. He no longer cared about the issue of his age and simply nodded in agreement.

Qin Yao let out a small sigh of relief and asked, "Are all systems like you?"

L1 was confused. "Hmm?"

Qin Yao no longer beat around the bush. "Do they all lack understanding of emotions like you?"

L1 responded, "I'm not completely ignorant. I just don’t fully understand. Mainly, I’m trying to figure out why I don’t want to see..."

L1 almost blurted out something about Ye Fan, but he quickly stopped himself, casting a wary glance at Qin Yao.

This villain was nothing like the one in his impression—not even close!

Since when did a villain speak so gently?

L1 almost fell for his trick.

Without hesitation, he ran a new program on his human body. If certain keywords were triggered, the rest of his words would automatically be blocked. Feeling safer, L1 continued, "Not all systems are like me. I'm in this world to learn about emotions."

Qin Yao nodded, understanding.

He then said, "In that case, I think you should call the Huo family."

L1 was puzzled. "Hmm? Why?"

Qin Yao smiled.

It was clear that the little system had a long way to go on his emotional journey. Although Qin Yao wasn’t the type to play the role of a teacher, he couldn’t help but offer some advice when he saw the confusion on L1’s face. "Because they've been looking for you for two days. They’re worried about you."

L1 was even more confused. "Why would they worry about me?"

He had no real relationship with the Huo family. He had only stayed with them to observe the villain, as per Autumn's suggestion.

After spending half a month with them, L1 didn't fully understand them, but he knew enough. This was why he left—not just because of the medicine.

As he thought about it, L1 suddenly realized something. "Do they want to drag me back to force me to take that medicine again? No way, if that’s the case, I definitely can’t go back!"

Qin Yao raised his eyebrows. "You left their house just because they gave you medicine?"

L1 frowned pitifully and said something he normally wouldn't say, "That medicine... it didn’t seem like something humans should drink. It seemed like poison."

Even as a system, he almost got knocked out by it.

Qin Yao couldn’t hold back his laughter. "In that case, I should thank them for giving you the medicine."

Otherwise, he might never have had the opportunity to learn about systems or gain any clues about that person.

L1 was confused. "Hmm?"

Qin Yao smiled. "It’s nothing. Since you don’t want to go back, why don’t you stay here for now? I’ll call them and let them know they can stop looking for you."

L1 thought about it and nodded. "Alright. But my identity..."

"Don't worry, I won’t reveal it." Qin Yao reassured him.

L1 looked at Qin Yao, and for some reason, he trusted the young man in front of him. He nodded.

There was still half a cup of oat milk left. L1 sat on the sofa and drank it in small sips.

After finishing, he didn’t forget to politely bring the milk cup and cake plate to the kitchen.

Just as he was wondering whether he should wash them, Qin Yao finished his phone call and came into the kitchen. Seeing L1 there, he said, "Just leave them there. I’ll wash them."

L1 thought for a moment before asking, "Can I come to you with questions during this time?"

Qin Yao had already put on an apron and gloves. Hearing L1’s question, he replied, "Questions about emotions?"

L1 nodded.

He wanted to understand quickly since the main plot of this world was about to begin.

Qin Yao didn’t hesitate to say, "Alright, but can you promise me something?"

L1 opened his mouth.

Qin Yao interrupted, "Don't worry, it won’t be anything too difficult."

Only then did L1 speak. "Tell me first, and I’ll decide."

The young man before him was too gentle. L1 had already fallen into his traps several times. He was now a cautious system.

Qin Yao thought for a while before finally saying, "Never mind."

L1 was confused again. "Why never mind? If you want to ask me to help find that system, it’s not impossible."

Qin Yao shook his head, smiling. "No need."

"Why?" L1 asked.

Qin Yao thought about the promise he had made to L1 earlier and explained, "Because I want him to stay safe, even if it means I’ll never see him again."

L1 felt even more confused. "Why?"

Qin Yao pondered for a moment.

The little system still had so much to learn. Qin Yao quickly washed the milk cup and plate, took off his apron and gloves, and went to the bedroom. He returned with a tablet and handed it to L1. "Why don’t you start by watching some romantic dramas?"

L1 was puzzled. "Hmm?"

Qin Yao chuckled. "Emotions are the most complex thing in the world, and many of them you’ll need to figure out on your own. Romantic dramas are the easiest way to start. By the way, what’s your name?"

L1 took the tablet and said, "L1."

"L1?" Qin Yao muttered. "That’s a serial number, right? It doesn’t sound good. How about I call you Yiyi?"

L1 frowned. "That sounds strange."

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Qin Yao laughed. "I agree, it sounds a bit like Yiyi. How about Yaoyao, then?"

L1 asked, "Why can’t you just call me L1?"

"Don’t you like the name Yaoyao?" Qin Yao asked.

L1 responded, "It’s not that I don’t like it."

It just felt odd.

And even stranger, why had he told Qin Yao his name so easily?

With this question in mind, L1 opened the tablet and began watching the romantic drama.

This was his first time watching a human TV show.

He had to admit, it was quite entertaining.

L1 became so engrossed in the tablet that he almost forgot about everything else. If not for the loud commotion downstairs, he might not have even noticed.

"What’s going on?" L1 asked, while Qin Yao sat across from him on the sofa, working on his laptop.

Hearing the noise, Qin Yao replied, "The Huo family is probably here."

No sooner had he spoken than the door was flung open from the outside. Huo Yan stood there, full of anger. "Qin Yao! Give me back my little brother!"

L1 turned and saw Huo Yan and Huo Ze standing in the doorway.

Both brothers were out of breath, their chests heaving—clearly, they hadn’t waited for the elevator and had run up the stairs.

Hearing Huo Yan’s words, L1 was once again confused. "Who is your little brother?"

As soon as he said this, Qin Yao couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Huo Yan and Huo Ze stared at L1, looking both shocked and hurt. "What do you mean, kid? You’ve been living in our house for half a month, and you’re not our little brother?"

L1 furrowed his brows and explained, "But I’m not your brother."

Huo Yan’s expression darkened as he strode over and scooped L1 up. "I don’t care. You’re coming home with us today."

Qin Yao suddenly spoke. "Yaoyao, do you want to go back with them?"

L1 hadn’t had time to break free from Huo Yan’s arms when he heard Qin Yao’s question. Just as he was about to answer, Huo Yan raised his voice, "What did you just call him?!"

Huo Ze’s voice was even louder. "You know his name?!"

Qin Yao smiled warmly. "Yes, Yaoyao told me."

At that moment, L1 managed to wriggle free from Huo Yan’s grip. He stood before the two stunned brothers, his small face serious. "Although I appreciate your family for taking me in for half a month, I am not your brother. Also, I’m older than you."

Huo Yan bent down slowly, leveling his gaze with L1’s. "You? Older than us?"

Huo Ze took a deep breath, clearly more concerned about the name issue. With a wounded and angry tone, he demanded, "Why didn’t you tell us your name, but you told Qin Yao?!"

Pointing at Qin Yao, he continued, "Is he treating you better than we are?!"

L1 was bewildered.

Why did it seem like Huo Ze was about to cry?

And Huo Yan, he seemed upset too?

But why?

All L1 did was tell the truth. Why did they look so hurt?

L1 turned to Qin Yao for help.

Huo Yan grew even angrier. "You’re looking at him again! Was it the cake he gave you that made you want to stay?!"

L1 explained seriously, "No."

In fact, he liked the milk more than the cake.

Huo Ze once again reached out and lifted L1. "President Qin, we’ll be going now—"

"Wait."

"Wait a second!"

Qin Yao and L1 spoke in unison.

L1 said, "I

want to stay at Qin Yao’s house for a while longer."

Qin Yao nodded. "Yes."

Huo Yan was at his wit’s end. "What… Yaoyao," he quickly adopted Qin Yao’s nickname for L1, "where’s your sense of loyalty? Do you even know who saved you, or who’s been telling you bedtime stories every night? Now that you’ve found a better place to stay, you’re just going to abandon us without a second thought?"

"Yeah!" Huo Ze looked heartbroken. "Mom was so worried about you the past two days, she didn’t sleep at all last night. How could you do this…?"

Faced with their accusations, L1 felt more and more helpless.

He didn’t know how to respond or explain, so he turned to Qin Yao for help.

Qin Yao sighed softly and asked, "Do Uncle and Auntie know?"

Huo Yan glared at Qin Yao. "They’re on their way."

Huo Ze, still staring at Qin Yao suspiciously, muttered, "What did you say to him to make him want to stay?"

How had just one day with Qin Yao made L1 not want to leave?

Qin Yao stepped forward, extending his hand to L1.

L1 hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand in Qin Yao’s.

Qin Yao "rescued" L1 from Huo Ze’s arms and set him back down on the ground. He then said, "It seems you’ll have to tell them the truth."

L1 frowned. "What if I don’t?"

He was a system!

He couldn’t just reveal his identity to anyone!

It wasn’t something to be taken lightly!

Qin Yao replied, "If you don’t, they’ll be heartbroken."

L1’s frown deepened.

In the past, before he had come to the human world and taken on a human form, he would have said that their emotions had nothing to do with him.

But now, he found it impossible to say those words.

During his half-month stay with the Huo family, aside from the last day when Huo’s mother insisted on giving him medicine, they had treated him very well.

Not just Huo’s mother, but Huo’s father, and the three younger "villains" of the Huo family too.

Huo Jing rarely spoke, but knowing L1 liked sweets, he would bring him a small cake every day after work.

Huo Yan, though rarely home, would return more frequently to spend time with L1 and Huo Ze, playing games with them.

And Huo Ze had become especially close to L1. Since his team wasn’t fully prepared yet, he spent most of his time watching anime with L1 or taking him out to play.

They had all been very kind to L1.

But just like Qin Yao, they were all villains.

If Qin Yao hadn’t already known about the existence of systems, L1 wouldn’t have told him the truth either.

So what should he do now?

Should he just go to the point store and buy a memory-erasing potion?

Just as L1 was preparing to do so, Qin Yao spoke. "This is a good opportunity for you to understand emotions."

L1 froze.

Qin Yao continued, "Are you going to tell them?"

L1 hesitated.

Revealing his identity as a system didn’t seem like a big deal, right?

This wasn’t a high-risk world, and there was no ability to capture systems here.

As long as he didn’t reveal any plot details, the world’s storyline wouldn’t be affected.

And even if the storyline did change, L1 could always reset the timeline.

Although resetting the timeline would cost him quite a few points, L1 had plenty of those to spare.

Finally, L1 made up his mind. He turned to Qin Yao and nodded firmly. "Alright."