Facing Lin Yu's direct questioning, the man within the steam let out a deep, resonant laugh.

"Haha, Furbollo, you really know how to joke..."

"Although we've only met twice, how could you possibly forget me, 'Sleepless Sky Huo Shu'!"

As the man spoke, he waded through the water, walking towards Lin Yu's direction.

"Splash, splash..."

The steam slowly parted to either side with his movement, revealing a body as perfectly sculpted as if carved by knife and axe.

If an art student were here, their eyes would surely light up—the clear muscle definition, the texture of the skin, and the water droplets rolling down were simply perfect creative material.

Unfortunately, although Lin Yu studied art, his field was performing arts; he had no involvement with fine arts.

Thus, the man's nearly perfect physique held little attraction for Lin Yu.

For Lin Yu, what was more worthy of attention was the other party's self-introduction...

"Sleepless Sky Huo Shu."

Fortunately, thanks to the information previously gleaned from Paris, Lin Yu wasn't completely ignorant of this name.

Judging by the name, he should be another "heir" of the Sleepless Sky family, and the main competitor of Sleepless Sky Huo Le, Fu Luo's backer.

From the fact that the other party mentioned having only met Fu Luo "twice"...

"Fu Luo and this guy probably aren't familiar."

As Lin Yu pondered, Sleepless Sky Huo Shu had already stepped up from the edge of the hot spring pool, arriving at a spot about two meters in front of Lin Yu.

Lin Yu got a clear look at the man's face—a handsome man with superior looks.

Black, wet hair hung down, clinging to the sides of his face. Thin lips, a high nose bridge, and upturned corners of the eyes gave him a naturally dashing and debonair appearance.

Most importantly, his pupils, like dancing flames, were a blazing fiery red.

Looking at the other man, Lin Yu spoke calmly and distantly.

"Respected Sleepless Sky Huo Shu, sir, the steam was too thick just now, I didn't see clearly that it was you..."

"But what were you doing holding your breath in the middle of the pool?"

Sleepless Sky Huo Shu lifted his chin. "I wasn't doing it for fun, nor to scare you. I truly didn't know you were coming to visit."

"Full-body immersion in the hot spring allows me to quickly relieve fatigue and forget my worries..."

Gazing up at the sky, he said melancholically, "You commoners may catch a glimpse of our lives, but you will never understand the heavy fate I, born a noble, bear. I truly envy you, being able to live so easily and without burden."

Looking at Sleepless Sky Huo Shu's demeanor, Lin Yu couldn't help but recall the Peerage Noble who issued the C-77 commission over the phone.

"Are all Peerage Nobles crazy?"

Taking a bath requires twelve attendants, a single hot spring bathing pool is almost bigger than two commoner apartments in the outer city combined, yet he has the nerve to talk about commoners living "easily and without burden."

Send him to work a couple of days of illegal labor in a small workshop in the outer district, and he'd be humbled.

Of course, Lin Yu didn't voice these thoughts out loud.

"You certainly are under great pressure. This method of relieving stress is indeed something us lowly common folk wouldn't think of..."

Lin Yu, adopting Fu Luo's style, replied with a hint of sarcasm, going along with the other's words.

Then, before Sleepless Sky Huo Shu could react, Lin Yu changed the subject.

"So, what is it you wanted with me, sir?"

Sleepless Sky Huo Shu gave a light snort and spoke. "Hmph, don't play dumb with me, Furbollo."

"Of course I'm looking for you about the matter from last time!"

What matter from last time?

Lin Yu had no idea what Fu Luo and Sleepless Sky Huo Shu discussed last time.

But for dealing with such situations, Lin Yu had a universal answer.

His expression remained unchanged, his face as calm as an ancient well, as if he was pondering.

After a moment, Lin Yu spoke with a firm tone. "My answer is the same as last time."

Hearing Lin Yu's words, Sleepless Sky Huo Shu narrowed his eyes.

"Is that so? So you refuse me once again..."

"I truly don't understand why you are so dead-set on following Sleepless Sky Huo Le—anyone with eyes can see that I, Sleepless Sky Huo Shu, am the true heir for the Sleepless Sky family!"

"Outside the corporation and the family, the Mercury family, the Autumn family, and the Sorenson family all support my succession!"

"Within the corporation, out of the nine board seats, seven openly support me; the twelve independent laboratories and the 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. The old family head specifically asked to see me after his last moment of clarity... My uncles and great-uncles also believe my business acumen is unparalleled."

"To put it bluntly, Sleepless Sky Huo Le is just a pathetic whetstone. It's only because our younger siblings are all useless that she was brought in to temper me."

"You, known as the smartest man in Sleepless City, actually didn't choose my side... It truly puzzles me."

Sleepless Sky Huo Shu spoke in rapid succession, finally lowering his voice. "Furbollo, Furbollo—if you stood by my side, you would become my most capable right hand. I would make you the President, Chairman, and Chief Researcher of Truth Corporation. Then, the entire Sleepless City would kneel at our feet."

Hearing Sleepless Sky Huo Shu's words, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Fu Luo, just what have you done in Sleepless City to be so sought after by two nobles?"

But judging from President Paris's earlier evaluation... Fu Luo's reputation shouldn't be very good either.

This is too contradictory—what exactly makes Sleepless Sky Huo Shu and Sleepless Sky Huo Le value Fu Luo so highly, to the point where even President Paris has to show him respect, yet the evaluation of him remains largely negative?

However, facing Sleepless Sky Huo Shu now, Lin Yu had no spare energy to investigate exactly what Fu Luo had done.

He could only respond based on the existing information, making replies that fit Fu Luo's style.

Given that Fu Luo had refused Sleepless Sky Huo Shu last time as well, Lin Yu's reply became bolder.

He straightened his hat and spoke as if struggling. "Young Master Huo Shu... Ah, how should I put it? Your conditions are indeed generous, and you do have the advantage. But me, I'm not really trying to get involved in who succeeds between you and Miss Huo Le..."

As Lin Yu spoke, he scratched his nose. "I'm just simply bound by the principle of 'he who pays the piper calls the tune'—Miss Huo Le came first and has treated me well. Changing sides now just feels somewhat... disloyal to Miss Huo Le..."

After hearing Lin Yu's reply, Sleepless Sky Huo Shu frowned. "I don't understand! What exactly has Sleepless Sky Huo Le given you that allows you to refuse me again and again!"

Lin Yu smiled.

He didn't know either!

Who knows what benefits Sleepless Sky Huo Le gave Fu Luo? He, Lin Yu, never received any.

But this question still had a safe answer.

"Respect, respected Sir Huo Shu. At Miss Sleepless Sky Huo Le's side, there is respect given to a commoner like me."

In Lin Yu's view, if even President Paris was somewhat wary of Fu Luo, then at Sleepless Sky Huo Le's side, Fu Luo must have a position of considerable standing.

When Sleepless Sky Huo Shu heard Lin Yu say this, a strange expression appeared on his face.

"Alright, respect... If you call that 'respect,' then indeed, only Sleepless Sky Huo Le can give that to you."

As if suddenly giving up on something, he walked past Lin Yu, picked up a towel, and began drying himself.

"Go to her, Furbollo."

"However... even so, I won't regard you as an enemy."

"Whenever you come to your senses, you can still come to me anytime!"