Chapter 91: The Ultimate Villain

Mr. Huo returned home with a child, unconscious and wrapped in ice and snow, startling Mrs. Huo and causing a commotion throughout the Huo household.

The butler hurriedly fetched clean clothes and blankets.

Mrs. Huo took the child into her arms and began to remove his thin outer coat, but she paused mid-action. "Was the child really found in the snow?"

Mr. Huo replied, "Of course!"

"But why is he still warm?" Mrs. Huo asked.

Mr. Huo was taken aback. "Warm?"

In his haste, he had only focused on bringing the child back, neglecting to check the child's body temperature.

"Regardless, call the doctor immediately!" Mrs. Huo said.

The family doctor arrived promptly, his hand trembling slightly as he took L1. "It was minus several degrees last night! How could this child be found in the snow..."

Mr. Huo briefly recounted how they found the child and added, "But he should be fine now."

"How could that be possible?" the doctor muttered, reaching out to touch L1's face.

His skin felt warm, not indicative of any issues. The doctor frowned deeply. "He’s indeed warm..."

After remarking, the doctor proceeded to examine L1's heartbeat and pulse.

L1's body, acquired from the Points Store, was a high-quality imitation of a human body, so he wasn't worried about being exposed. He remained motionless as the doctor conducted his examination.

After a simple check-up, the doctor was stunned. "Indeed... there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong."

"So, what is this..." Mrs. Huo whispered.

After a moment of contemplation, the doctor said, "It looks like he’s just asleep, but how did he end up in the garden?"

Mr. and Mrs. Huo exchanged glances; they too wanted an answer to that question.

The Huo family's old residence covered a vast area, so their villa wasn't located in the bustling city center.

There were only a few villas in the entire neighborhood, and apart from the Huos, there were three other families, all of whom they knew well. They hadn't heard of any of them having a child of this age.

However, for safety's sake, Mr. Huo still sent someone to inquire door-to-door.

As for L1, who was still "unconscious," the doctor performed a thorough examination and finally concluded—

"The child seems to be fine for now. He must have been too tired and fell asleep. Also..."

The doctor pointed at his clothes and whispered, "It looks like he’s been wandering outside for some time. It wouldn’t be surprising if..."

The doctor left his sentence unfinished.

Mr. and Mrs. Huo understood the implication.

Only L1, who was "sound asleep," grasped it partially.

Could it be that because he hadn't changed his clothes for some time and spent the previous night crouching in the bushes, they assumed he was a homeless beggar?

L1 believed his guess was plausible, but he didn't dwell on it for long. Instead, he began to carefully recall everything that happened from the moment Mr. Huo picked him up until they entered the house.

The more he thought about it, the more perplexed L1 became.

According to the world's setting, the entire Huo family were villains, and L1 was certain he hadn't made a mistake in his location.

Yet, their actions towards him didn't resemble those of villains at all.

They didn't ignore him, a stranger, or throw him out to avoid trouble.

Not only did they bring him, dirty and all, into their warm house, but they also called a doctor to examine him.

After confirming that his body was fine, Mr. and Mrs. Huo instructed the butler to take L1 for a bath.

Warm water flowed over L1's body, creating a comfortable sensation. Initially, L1 wasn't very sleepy, but for some reason, the warmth of the water made him drowsy again.

While the butler bathed him, Mr. and Mrs. Huo didn't leave. They stood nearby, watching the butler bathe L1 while chatting.

Mrs. Huo said, "What a pitiful child."

Mr. Huo nodded. "Although there are no major health issues, he looks quite thin. I wonder how long he’s been wandering outside..."

"So, could he possibly have been kidnapped and escaped?" Mrs. Huo asked.

Mr. Huo responded, "It's quite possible. Let him sleep a bit longer. If he hasn’t woken up by then, wake him up to eat something."

Mrs. Huo nodded and added, "It’s freezing outside. It would be best to let him stay with us temporarily."

Upon hearing this, L1 understood that the couple intended to keep him.

But why did they want to keep him?

L1 had overseen many small worlds, and quite a few had similar world settings to A20231007.

In these worlds, kind protagonists always proactively helped those in need.

However, the people the protagonists helped were rarely ordinary.

When these supporting characters encountered kind protagonists during their hardships, once they regained their power, they would return the favor to the protagonists manifold.

With the assistance of these supporting characters, the protagonists' strength, social status, or wealth would experience a qualitative leap.

In other words, the protagonist's career and life would reach new heights, and the plot of this world would advance.

Yet L1 was not a significant supporting character in the storyline.

Even if the entire Huo family saved him and helped him, he wouldn't extend a hand to any member of the Huo family.

L1 would give them no reward, and he would even watch as they met their predetermined tragic ends one by one.

But Father Huo and Mother Huo still saved him.

Didn't they want anything in return?

L1 didn't understand.

After the butler gave him a bath, Mother Huo personally changed him into clean clothes, and then L1 was tucked into a warm and dry bed.

The heavy snow fell outside again, while inside the house it was quiet and warm, with a faint fragrance emanating from between the bedding.

L1 felt that he shouldn't just fall asleep like this, but his body was truly comfortable.

A system wouldn't feel tired; only L1's human body could feel fatigue. The exhaustion of the past few days vanished, and his body soon sank into a deep sleep once more.

While his human body rested, L1 resumed his role as the overseer, wandering through the entire Huo residence.

Father Huo and Mother Huo woke up early. After they bathed L1 and tucked him into bed, it was only seven o'clock.

As the two descended downstairs, the other three villainous brothers of the Huo family also began to wake up one after another.

Upon hearing that Father Huo had picked up a child in the garden outside, Huo Yan's eyes widened in shock. "How old is the child?"

"Five years old," said Mother Huo.

Huo Ze's eyes darted around as he sized up Father Huo, then quietly asked Huo Jing, "Is this child really not Dad's illegitimate son? Now that he's grown up and wants to be recognized by the Huo family, so Dad secretly hid this child in the garden, pretending he found him, and since he can't find his parents, we'll end up adopting him..."

"Bang—"

Father Huo didn't hesitate to deliver a punch to Huo Ze's head.

Huo Ze clutched his head and wailed in pain.

The other three couldn't help but smile.

"Huo Ze! If you're sick, go get treatment! How could I have given birth to a rebellious son like you!" Father Huo was furious.

Huo Ze's eyes welled up with tears. "But that's how it's written in novels, TV shows, and anime! This is a reasonable assumption!"

"Damn it! I'm going to beat you up today!" Father Huo was enraged, chasing Huo Ze around the living room.

Watching this scene unfold in the living room, L1 suddenly felt a sense of relief for some reason.

Right.

They were all villains in the family! How could they possibly always get along harmoniously?

What he saw last night must have been an act. The tense atmosphere today was what should be expected.

Watching Huo Ze being pressed to the ground, wailing in distress as Father Huo pummeled him, L1 felt an unprecedented sense of ease.

Suddenly, another thought occurred to him—

If last night was an act, could it be that Father Huo and Mother Huo had ulterior motives when they said they would keep him?

Mother Huo had mentioned child trafficking earlier. Could it be that they planned to fatten him up and sell him off?

L1 took another look at his human body.

This face was randomly generated by him, but there was no denying that it was indeed very cute, with delicate features that made him resemble a doll.

Even if Father Huo and Mother Huo really sold him, L1 had ways to escape.

But for some reason, after considering this possibility, L1 suddenly felt a strange emotion.

This emotion was somewhat familiar. On the day Ye Fan died, L1 felt this emotion, but it was subtly different from that feeling.

L1 carefully pondered it. This emotion was somewhat akin to how he felt when he saw Su Rui kicking the kitten. He didn't know how to describe it, but in summary, this emotion wasn't happiness. It made L1 somewhat uncomfortable, and he didn't want to stay in the Huo residence anymore.

Thus, L1 unhesitatingly returned to his human body, forcing himself to "wake up."

He put on the down jacket placed at the bedside, got out of bed, and prepared to leave.

However, before he could open the window, the guest room door was pushed open from the outside.

"Hey, you're awake?" It was Huo Yan who came in. His voice held a hint of pleasant surprise, and then he asked, "Why aren't you wearing shoes? Isn't it cold stepping on the floor barefoot?"

L1 had originally intended to fly directly out the window.

But now that Huo Yan was here, he couldn't leave.

Huo Yan quickly approached, scooping L1 up in his large hands.

His face was full of smiles. Holding L1 with only one hand, he couldn't resist pinching L1's cheek with the other. "You're really adorable. Why don't you come to my film set for my next project and be a child actor?"

L1 stared at him without speaking.

Huo Yan looked him over, puzzled. "Can't you speak?"

L1 remained silent.

Huo Yan let out a curious exclamation and hurriedly carried L1 downstairs.

L1 lowered his eyes, knowing that he definitely couldn't leave now.

Huoyan hurriedly carried L1 downstairs, forgetting to put on shoes for him.

Mother Huo frowned upon seeing this: "Awake? Why didn't you put on shoes for him?"

Huoyan was anxious: "No, Mom, that's not important..."

"How is it not important? What if he catches a cold?" Mother Huo said as she went to look for socks.

Then Huoyan exclaimed: "I found out he's mute!"

Mother Huo paused in her actions, and the other Huos turned their heads to look over.

"A...mute?" Father Huo was surprised.

Jing frowned: "I'll call the doctor."

Ze had already surrounded L1, observing him closely for a moment before suddenly smiling: "But he looks so cute. Can I hold him?"

Huoyan wouldn't give him.

Ze reached out to L1 again.

L1 pursed his lips, pretending not to see.

Ze was quite disappointed: "Second Brother, let me hold him quickly!"

Huoyan still wouldn't give him.

Ze circled around Huoyan and L1 like a broken record.

Huoyan was annoyed, but at that moment, L1 suddenly realized that Ze seemed to have no injuries?

That wasn't right.

Wasn't he just being beaten by Father Huo on the ground?

Did villains just play pretend when they fought?

L1 found it unbelievable, then reached out to Ze.

Ze's eyes immediately lit up, shouting happily: "Hey! The little mute let me hold him!"

Huoyan couldn't refuse anymore, reluctantly handing L1 to Ze.

The instant Ze took L1, he suddenly raised his hand and threw him into the air.

L1's pupils widened; what was this villain doing!

Before he could fly up, Ze suddenly caught him, then asked with a grin: "How about that, was it fun being lifted high?"

L1: "…"

He had just scanned Ze's body, confirming that there were no injuries, which meant there was something wrong with his head.

Mother Huo disapproved, glaring at Ze: "Don't scare him!"

Ze laughed: "I'm just teasing him," saying this, he held the still-shaken L1 and sat on the sofa, then asked, "Was it fun? You're not really mute, are you? A mute who's this cute?"

L1: "…I'm not."

His body was that of a child, so his voice was naturally that of a child.

The words that came out sounded soft and tender.

Ze exclaimed in surprise: "You can talk!"

Huoyan suddenly became unhappy: "Why didn't you speak when I was holding you?"

Jing said: "It seems the doctor doesn't need to come over then."

Father Huo and Mother Huo also approached L1 at this time.

Father Huo asked: "Whose child are you?"

Mother Huo smiled warmly: "Are you hungry? Auntie has already asked the kitchen to cook porridge for you, you can drink it soon!"

L1 looked at Mother Huo warily upon hearing about drinking porridge.

He thought to himself that indeed, they wanted to fatten him up to sell.

However, L1 was genuinely curious about human food.

The system didn't require eating, but his body did.

During the time following Su Rui, L1 couldn't even get close to Su Rui, so he hadn't eaten much.

After a few days, his body would become so hungry that his stomach would shrink.

L1 nodded at Mother Huo.

Mother Huo immediately covered her face: "My goodness, he's so cute! Cuter than those three brothers when they were young!"

The three brothers: "…"

Ze: "No dragging others down, okay!"

Mother Huo ignored them, directly reaching into Ze's arms to carry L1, leading him to the dining room.

The chef had already served the porridge and other dishes.

Madam Huo seated L1 and, with a smile, served him the porridge, piling his plate high with various dishes. "Be careful, it's hot. Can you eat by yourself?"

L1 nodded.

After some thought, he still thanked her.

Although they intended to sell him, they also provided him with food.

L1 was an exceedingly polite system.

The porridge Madam Huo served L1 was a bowl of vegetable and lean meat porridge, the minced meat and vegetable leaves cooked until soft. Recalling how humans in the previous world ate porridge with spoons, L1 imitated them, scooping a spoonful of porridge. Just as he was about to put it directly into his mouth, Madam Huo hurriedly stopped him.

L1 looked up at her, his eyes filled with confusion.

Madam Huo chuckled. "You said you could eat by yourself, yet you didn't even think to blow on it?"

Taking the spoon from his hand, she blew on the porridge, ensuring it wasn't too hot for L1 before guiding the spoon to his lips.

L1 glanced down at the meat porridge by his mouth.

This feeling was peculiar.

He was an omnipotent system; why did he need someone to feed him while eating?

Thus, L1 said, "I can eat by myself."

He insisted on feeding himself.

With no choice, Madam Huo handed the spoon back to him, repeatedly warning him to be cautious of the heat.

L1 nodded.

This time, he didn't recklessly scoop a large mouthful of porridge but instead slowly ate, spooning it bit by bit.

The moment the soft porridge entered his mouth, its fragrance quickly spread between his lips and teeth.

L1's eyes widened slightly. This was the taste of porridge.

It was delicious.

L1 enjoyed it immensely.

A small bowl of porridge was soon empty.

Seeing this, Madam Huo was delighted and asked, "Do you want milk?"

L1 nodded.

Madam Huo then served him a cup of sweet milk.

At first, the taste of the milk was odd, but soon L1 tasted the sweetness within.

He liked this milk.

During one breakfast, L1 finished a bowl of porridge, drank a cup of milk, and under Madam Huo's gentle persuasion, consumed an entire donut.

After finishing these, L1's body suddenly let out an uncontrollable burp.

L1, who had never burped before, froze instantly.

Madam Huo noticed his bewilderment and leaned in to ask, "What's wrong?"

L1 thought for a moment and said, "I burped."

Madam Huo laughed. "You're just very full. It's nothing. Let those three older brothers take you for a walk to help digest."

L1 looked up.

Huo Yan and Huo Ze were already approaching him.

Huo Ze placed a hat on L1's head, and Huo Yan wrapped a scarf around his neck.

"Let's go for a walk in the garden," Huo Yan said.

L1 glanced back at Madam Huo.

He thought, I'm probably going to be sold now.

But he no longer felt that inexplicable emotion.

The donuts and porridge were delicious, and the sweet milk too, which L1 loved, so he could temporarily forgive them.

Descending from the chair, Huo Ze and Huo Yan took hold of his hands, one on each side.

L1 wondered if they were afraid he would run away.

Though he indeed planned to escape, not at this moment.

Leaving the warm indoors, the temperature outside dropped significantly.

Huo Ze remarked, "So you spent the whole night sleeping in the flower bed last night?"

L1 wanted to nod but suddenly remembered that if a normal human slept in the snow all night, they would surely die. So, he changed his answer: "No, just for a little while."

Huo Yan asked, "Then how did you come to our house? Did you climb over the wall?"

L1, of course, flew in.

But he wasn't prepared to tell them, so he remained silent.

Horace and Hoyen exchanged a glance, and Horace asked again, "Where are your parents?"

To this question, L1 could answer: "I don't have any parents, so they wouldn't know if you sold me."

Upon hearing this, both brothers were taken aback.

"S-sold?" Horace was stunned. "Why would we sell you?"

Hoyen was equally perplexed. "What on earth are you thinking, kid? Why would we sell you?"

L1 stayed quiet, but at this point, he couldn't hide his emotions. His clear eyes seemed to ask, 'Isn't that obvious?'

Hoyen found it amusing.

Horace burst out laughing.

The two brothers then took L1 back inside, just as the police arrived. Seeing the child in the hands of the Horace and Hoyen, the leading officer said, "Is this the child?"

Horace's father confirmed, "Yes, we asked around this morning, but no one had lost a child, so we contacted you for help."

L1 looked at the police officers, somewhat bewildered.

The villainous family had called the police?

Were they reporting themselves?

No, that didn't make sense.

The police officer approached L1, crouching down with a smile. "Little friend, do you remember your parents' phone number?"

L1 understood now.

The villainous family hadn't called the police to report themselves; they wanted to help L1 find his home.

His previous assumption that they would sell him was unfounded.

L1 was puzzled, looking up at Horace's mother standing beside him.

She whispered reassuringly, "Don't be afraid. Just tell the police officer whatever he asks, and they will take you home."

L1 wasn't scared of being sold or of the police.

He was simply confused about why the villainous family hadn't sold him.

Their actions were nothing like what villains usually did!

In fact,

They were almost like the protagonists in novels.

But he couldn't give them anything in return.

L1's brows furrowed slowly.

It was then that he remembered what Qiu had said:

Not everyone in the world is black or white, and not all villains are bad people.

The entire Horace family were villains, but they weren't the typical bad guys.

On the seventh day in the A20231007 world, L1 grasped this truth.

The police didn't get much information, as L1 was deep in thought and didn't say another word.

They suspected he might have some form of autism, unwilling to speak, so they didn't push him further.

However, Hoyen and Horace told the police and their parents about the joke L1 had made in the garden.

The police laughed, comforting L1, "Don't worry. Mr. Horace and Mrs. Lin are very nice people, but you can't stay with them forever. We'll enter your DNA into our database and keep an eye out for missing person reports. We'll definitely help you find your parents."

So, Horace's father took L1 to the police station once more.

When they returned in the afternoon, Horace's father held L1's hand, smiling. "Don't worry. Even if we can't find your parents right away, we won't kick you out. You can stay with us temporarily. Our whole family likes you quite a bit."

L1 glanced at Horace's father, still puzzled.

L1 had overseen many worlds and knew that love was one of the most important human emotions. Love was similar to liking, but there was a difference.

L1 didn't understand what that difference was.

Nor was he sure if this liking was the same as his own fondness for milk and donuts.

But one thing L1 was certain of was that the Horace family wouldn't harm him, nor would they treat him with malice like Su Rui had.

Being with them felt comfortable.

Since he needed to understand human emotions, he might as well stay close to them.

With that thought, L1 truly settled into the Horace household.

Horace's father and Horjing were busy with work and rarely home during the day.

Hoyen and Horace also had their jobs, leaving Horace's mother as L1's primary companion throughout the day.

Mom Huo would prepare many delicious meals for L1 and watch dramas or read books with him.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed, and this day, the Huo family gathered once again because the New Year had arrived.

L1 knew about the New Year, knew that today was a very lively festival.

Dad Huo and Mom Huo were busy from early in the morning, even Huo Jing, who usually couldn't be separated from his computer, put it aside to help in the kitchen.

They prepared a large table full of dishes, and the family enjoyed a boisterous meal together.

In the afternoon, Huo Ze and Huo Yan took L1 out to play in the snow. After the New Year's Eve dinner, they went to watch fireworks.

All these experiences were novel to L1, but there was no denying that he enjoyed them immensely.

Exhausted from playing all day, L1 returned to his room to sleep at night.

He didn't actually need rest, but during his stay at the Huo residence, everyone rested, so he gradually got into the habit of giving his body time to rest as well.

But when he woke up from this nap, L1 suddenly felt something was wrong, as he suddenly realized his head was spinning, and his body felt heavy.

Almost instantly, he realized what was happening—his body had caught a cold.

So L1, dragging his heavy body, went downstairs to inform Mom Huo about it.

Without a doubt, this was undoubtedly the most regrettable decision L1 had made since coming to the Huo family—

After telling her about his fever, Mom Huo quickly called a doctor.

The doctor said it wasn't a major issue, but medication was needed.

L1 disliked taking medicine.

The pills were bitter and hard to swallow, and there was also a murky black liquid.

Mom Huo said drinking this liquid would soothe his sore throat soon, but L1 thought this liquid was simply undrinkable, akin to poison, refusing to drink it under any circumstances.

Actually, similar situations had arisen before.

After all, L1 was new to being human, finding many foods fresh and enjoyable, while there were also many he could not accept.

For example, bitter melon, scallions, ginger, and garlic—these were things L1 did not eat.

Every time he said he didn't like something, Mom Huo wouldn't force him to eat it anymore.

But this time was different. Mom Huo, changing her usual attitude, insisted that L1 take the medicine.

L1 knew that Mom Huo was doing this for his own good.

Yet, for some reason, he just wasn't happy.

He wanted to say that this was his body, and he could perfectly regulate his own body without having to take "poison" three times a day.

But L1 couldn't bring himself to say these words.

Not because of any restrictions.

But because if he said these words, the Huo family would also learn about their status as villains.

In these small worlds, only the protagonist can glimpse their future.

Villains do not have this right.

Because even if the protagonist knows their future, the predetermined future of the protagonist will not change.

But the future of the villain is subject to change.

To ensure the plotline progresses smoothly to its conclusion, they should not know their ultimate fate.

Thinking about this, L1 suddenly felt even more unhappy.

So, taking advantage of Dad Huo and Mom Huo's inattention, he left without hesitation.

Having interacted with this villainous family for so long, it was enough.

L1 could try to interact with other characters.

Who should he approach this time?

Why not go see the biggest villain in this world!

L1 remembered his name; he was called Qin Yao.