Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

As Lin Bufan placed a chicken wing on Xu Hongdou's plate, he slowly said, "Hongdou, since you think Xie Zhiyao isn't the kind of person who doesn't care about his younger brother, then guess why he doesn't seem worried at all?"

Xu Hongdou was taken aback by the question and subconsciously replied, "I'm not a mind reader, how would I know?"

"I don't understand..." Lin Bufan nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject: "Let me put it another way. Tell me, when Buddha Tathagata made the bet with Sun Wukong, why did Buddha Tathagata dare to place such a huge wager, promising to give up the Heavenly Court to Sun Wukong if he lost!"

Hu Youyu was drinking soup when he heard this and blurted out without thinking, "Of course! It must be because Buddha knew that Sun Wukong loved to pee everywhere, and he definitely couldn't resist the temptation to pee in his palm!"

The dining table fell silent instantly.

Lin Bufan, Xu Hongdou, Chen Nanxing, Da Mai, and even Sang Biao, who was engrossed in eating, all looked up and stared at Hu Youyu with their eyes wide open, wondering if his brain had been poisoned by the mushrooms.

Even Lin Bufan was quite surprised. He didn't expect that there was someone in this courtyard with a more peculiar way of thinking than himself!

Hu Youyu blushed under everyone's gaze and awkwardly put down his bowl: "I...I was just joking because the atmosphere was too dull! Of course I know it's because the Buddha predicted that Sun Wukong couldn't escape his palm!"

Chen Nanxing frowned, still not understanding: "But what does this have to do with the Xie brothers?"

Xu Hongdou's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood: "You mean... Xie Zhiyuan can't escape Xie Zhiyao's grasp at all? Xie Zhiyao knows his every move?"

"Bingo!" Lin Bufan snapped his fingers, a "you're quick to learn" look on his face, and immediately leaned in: "You got it right! Here's a kiss for you!"

"Get away!" Xu Hongdou shoved Lin Bufan's large face away in annoyance, but her thoughts were still on her earlier speculation: "But this doesn't make sense. If Xie Zhiyao really knows Xie Zhiyuan's whereabouts and where he is, then why did he come to ask me this morning? Isn't that redundant?"

After being pushed away, Lin Bufan didn't care, but upon hearing Xie Zhiyao's purpose, he immediately became furious: "Is that even a question? Of course, he wants to find an excuse to get close to you! Comrade Hongdou, wake up! That Xie Zhiyao looks respectable, but he's actually cunning and wicked! He just wants to make you feel guilty because of Xie Zhiyao's situation, so that he can achieve his ulterior motives!"

Seeing Lin Bufan's flushed face, as if he wanted to have "Xie Zhiyao is a bad guy" engraved on his forehead, Xu Hongdou couldn't help but burst out laughing, her face saying "I don't believe you for a second."

Of course, this doesn't mean that Xu Hongdou completely disbelieves Lin Bufan's words. She just feels that, compared to Xie Zhiyao, Lin Bufan is the one who is scheming to trick her away!

……

After lunch, Xu Hongdou didn't go out again, clearly having taken Lin Bufan's words to heart!

The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing. Chen Nanxing, complaining of being bored, pulled out a mahjong set from some corner and insisted on playing a few rounds. Hu Youyu readily agreed, Lin Bufan was no objection, and Xu Hongdou was also pulled down to sit by Chen Nanxing.

The four of them set up their mahjong table in the courtyard. The clatter of the mahjong tiles, mixed with the distant birdsong and nearby laughter, created a uniquely leisurely atmosphere.

"Three."

"Pong! Nine of Bamboo."

"Teacher Hu, you're really lucky! You got both a touch and a bite."

"Hehe, it's nothing special. When luck comes, you can't stop it."

After a few rounds, the atmosphere became more relaxed. The conversation gradually shifted from the cards to Lin Bufan.

Hu Youyu played a card and looked at Lin Bufan with admiration: "President Lin, to be honest, I admire you more and more now."

Lin Bufan, engrossed in his cards, didn't even look up: "Oh? What do you admire about me? Do you admire my good looks or my wealth?"

Hu Youyu quickly waved his hand: "That's all just appearances! I'm talking about real skills!"

When you first arrived, you introduced yourself as a music producer, investor, and miracle doctor… I secretly thought you were being a bit… well, the kind of exaggerated talk that successful people often have. But after spending time with you, I'm truly impressed.” With that, Hu Youyu gave Lin Bufan a fist-and-palm salute!

"I don't understand other fields, so I wouldn't dare to speak carelessly. But in the music industry, I'm at least half an insider, so I know a thing or two about it. I specifically searched for the songs you wrote, and those singing videos... My goodness, Mr. Lin, you really are something else!"

As he spoke, Hu Youyu gave Lin Bufan a thumbs up again!

"The melody of that song is catchy yet original, the lyrics are both profound and vivid, and most importantly, the emotional delivery is just right! And your stage presence, your aura, your control... it's amazing! Seriously, I'm completely in awe! I used to think those superstars were already amazing, but compared to you, I feel... I feel that you are the one who truly plays music, understands music, and can make music truly shine!"

Hu Youyu's speech, which consisted of both words and gestures, left Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing stunned. Wasn't his flattery a little too obvious?

This flattery might have been excessive for Chen Nanxing and Xu Hongdou, but for Lin Bufan, it was just right, and he even wanted Hu Youyu to continue!

"Xiao Hu, that's too much, too much. I'm not as good as you say! If the world's music scene is divided into one stone of talent, I'd only be eight-tenths. I don't deserve your praise at all!"

Hearing Lin Bufan's shameless words, Chen Nanxing and Xu Hongdou rolled their eyes in unison!

Actually, not to mention the two women, even Hu Youyu was a little at a loss for words to praise them. Lin Bufan had already said everything he could say. He couldn't possibly say that eight dou was too little, or that the global music scene was missing a dou, could he?

Although she felt a little embarrassed, Hu Youyu took a deep breath and tried to make her expression look more sincere for the sake of the plan.

"President Lin, you are too modest! Eight dou is too little, definitely too little. You have at least nine dou!"

I've listened to your song "Natural" dozens of times, and each time I hear it, I feel something new! That interpretation of freedom and breaking free from constraints really touches my heart! And that video of you singing and playing it live, I've watched it at least a hundred times, trying to figure out how you practiced your vocal transitions and breath control—it's simply divine..."

Hearing Hu Youyu's shameless words, Chen Nanxing could no longer hold back: "Teacher Hu, are you alright? Do you have a fever? Or... do you have some kind of leverage that Lin Bufan has over you? If so, blink your eyes and we'll call the police for you!"

Hu Youyu blushed at her words and retorted, "Nanxing! What nonsense are you thinking! What could I possibly have that President Lin can use against me? I just... I just genuinely admire you! Don't you know what it means to look up to someone of high moral character? What it means to emulate someone virtuous?"

Chen Nanxing pursed his lips, inserted the card he had drawn into his own deck, and mercilessly exposed the truth: "I understand, but I understand even better what it means to flatter someone who's actually doing something wrong. Teacher Hu, your praise is... a bit too much, it's giving me goosebumps."

Upon hearing this, Hu Youyu's heart tightened, and she cautiously glanced at Lin Bufan's expression: "President Lin, did I... did I praise him too much?"

Lin Bufan waved his hand, looking pleased: "No, no, just right, continue! I love listening to this."

Having received the "imperial decree," Hu Youyu's spirits lifted, and he immediately launched into a long, enthusiastic speech: "President Lin, you are not only incredibly talented, but also an impeccable person! You take great care of everyone in our courtyard, and you're so humorous and witty, you're simply..."

Chen Nanxing and Xu Hongdou rolled their eyes simultaneously, almost throwing their mahjong tiles away. Chen Nanxing muttered under his breath, "Hopeless. This bootlicker is completely hopeless."

Sang Biao, who was lying on the stone steps sunbathing, silently drooped down his two originally erect ears, tightly covering his ear canals, expressing his attitude of "I don't want to listen, I don't want to listen, you bastards chanting scriptures" with his actions.

The ensuing game unfolded in an eerie atmosphere, with Hu Youyu relentlessly showering Lin Bufan with compliments and occasionally nodding in encouragement. Chen Nanxing and Xu Hongdou went from rolling their eyes at the beginning to becoming numb, and finally selectively deaf, focusing solely on the cards in their hands.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the lively chatter and the clatter of mahjong tiles. As the sun gradually slanted westward, the shadows on the stone table lengthened.

Another round of cards ended, and Lin Bufan leisurely laid out his cards. Suddenly, he looked up at Hu Youyu, who was talking so much his throat was dry and was gulping down tea. A knowing smile appeared on his lips:

"Alright, Xiao Hu. We've played cards, flattered, and laid the groundwork long enough. Now, what do you really want?"

"Pfft—cough cough!" Hu Youyu almost spat out his tea, choking and coughing, his face turning bright red. He hurriedly put down the cup, wiped his mouth, and looked away, "No, no, Mr. Lin! What could be wrong? I just... I genuinely admire you and want to learn more from you!"

"Learn?" Lin Bufan raised an eyebrow: "What do you want to learn? How do you want to learn why I'm so witty and humorous? You can't learn that, it's a talent."

"No, no!" Hu Youyu waved his hands frantically, no longer bothering to pretend. He leaned forward, a fawning smile on his face, his eyes filled with longing: "President Lin, I want to become your apprentice! Can you teach me? How do you write songs? Your inspiration, your melody, your lyrics... how are they so amazing? How come I can't write songs as good as yours?"

After learning Hu Youyu's purpose, Lin Bufan leaned back in his chair and drawled, "You want to become my disciple?"

Hu Youyu nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice, his eyes practically gleaming with greed: "I want to! I want to so much! President Lin, you have no idea how much I want to improve! I dream of writing a song that people will remember!"

Want to improve?

If you want to make progress, shouldn't you go see Secretary Yu Liang?

Why would you want to talk to me, the world's most handsome guy?

Lin Bufan looked at Hu Youyu's anxious expression and suddenly smiled!

Seeing this, Hu Youyu thought things were settled and immediately smiled. However, at that moment, he heard two cold words: "Not teaching."

"Huh?" Hu Youyu was dumbfounded, and his expression instantly fell apart.

Lin Bufan picked up a mahjong tile and fiddled with it in his hand: "Lao Tzu once said, 'The Dharma should not be lightly passed on, and the Tao should not be sold cheaply.' Even when Tang Sanzang went to the Western Paradise to obtain the scriptures, he had to give him some kickbacks. Little Hu, do you think it's possible for me to pass on such an important skill to you based on just a few empty compliments?"

Hu Youyu's smile froze, but the longing in her eyes didn't fade; instead, it grew even more urgent: "President Lin, President Lin! Don't be so hasty! Then... then what will it take for you to teach me? Just tell me, as long as it's something I can do, I'll definitely do it! I'm extremely sincere!"

Lin Bufan slammed the mahjong tiles on the table with a "thud," leaned forward slightly, and looked at Hu Youyu with a half-smile: "Sincerity is something... it can't be done with just words. It has to be shown through actions, through what you're willing to give."

"I'm definitely sincere! Mr. Lin, if you point me in the right direction, I promise I'll do it without hesitation!" Hu Youyu patted his chest, displaying an attitude of "I'm willing to go through fire and water for you".

Lin Bufan stopped talking, looked up at the sky, and saw that the western sky was already tinged with orange-red. He stretched and said casually, "Sigh, it's already dark without me realizing it... I'm feeling a little hungry. You guys keep playing, I'll go get something to eat."

As he spoke, he made a move to get up.

"No! Mr. Lin, please sit down and rest! How could I let you do this!" Hu Youyu reacted quickly, standing up abruptly with such a large movement that he almost overturned the chair: "Cooking is such a small matter, I'll do it! What would you like to eat? Just tell me! I'll definitely show you my skills today and let you see my sincerity!"

Seeing Hu Youyu's eager and impatient manner, as if she couldn't wait to rush into the kitchen, Lin Bufan nodded in satisfaction, sat back down, and said slowly, "Alright, then we'll see how you do. Keep it simple, don't make it too complicated."

"Okay! Don't worry!" Hu Youyu was as if he had received a royal decree, and he ran to the kitchen with more enthusiasm than when he was chasing girls back then.

Without Hu Youyu, the mahjong game naturally fell apart. Xu Hongdou, while helping to collect the tiles, watched Hu Youyu's retreating figure and said with some doubt, "Lin Bufan, do you even know how to teach someone?"

Chen Nanxing also looked doubtful.

Lin Bufan curled his lip in disdain: "I just didn't choose to become a teacher back then, otherwise you would have witnessed a rising star in the education industry!"

Upon hearing this, the two women were about to say that Lin Bufan was bragging without thinking, but when they thought of the achievements he had made, they suddenly couldn't bring themselves to speak!

Just as the two women were wondering how to refute Lin Bufan, a commotion suddenly came from the courtyard gate. It was Nana returning from her volunteer work.

She walked into the courtyard and immediately saw Hu Youyu busy in the kitchen, a look of surprise on her face.

"Huh? Did the sun rise in the west today? It's Teacher Hu cooking!" Nana put down what she was holding and walked over curiously.

Upon hearing this, Chen Nanxing immediately replied with a grin, "That's because our CEO Lin took action!"

"President Lin?" Nana was even more puzzled, looking at the composed Lin Bufan beside her: "What dirt did you catch on Teacher Hu?"