After the Secrets of the Passerby Were Leaked, He Was Cherished by the Entire Family of Antagonists-Chapter 91

The doctor began examining the child’s heartbeat and pulse.

Since the body L1 had chosen from the system store was a highly realistic replica of a human body, he wasn’t worried about being exposed. He remained perfectly still, allowing the doctor to carry out the checkup.

After a thorough examination, the doctor was baffled. “He really doesn’t seem to have any major issues.”

“Then… what’s wrong with him?” Huo Mom asked in a low voice.

The doctor pondered for a moment before answering, “It seems like he’s just sleeping. But how did he end up in the garden?”

Huo Dad and Huo Mom exchanged glances. They also wanted to know the answer to that question.

The Huo family estate was quite large and located far from the bustling city center. There weren’t many houses nearby—just three other families, all of whom the Huo family knew well. None of them had a child this age.

To be sure, Huo Dad sent someone to go house-to-house and ask.

Meanwhile, the doctor conducted a more thorough examination of the still “unconscious” L1 and came to a conclusion:

“The child seems to be fine. He’s probably just very tired and sleeping deeply. Also…” The doctor pointed to the boy’s clothing and whispered, “It looks like he’s been wandering outside for a while. Maybe he…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Huo Mom and Dad understood.

L1, pretending to sleep, caught bits of the conversation.

Could it be that because he hadn’t changed clothes in a while, and spent the previous night crouched in the bushes, they thought he was a homeless child?

L1 found this guess likely, but he didn’t dwell on it too much. Instead, he began to reflect on everything that had happened since Huo Dad had carried him inside.

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

According to the world’s setting, the Huo family were supposed to be the villains, and L1 was sure he hadn’t come to the wrong place.

But everything they’d done for him just now… it didn’t seem like something villains would do.

They hadn’t ignored him, nor had they thrown him out to avoid the trouble of taking care of a stranger.

Not only had they brought his dirty, scruffy self into their warm home, but they’d even called a doctor to check on him.

After confirming that he was physically fine, Huo Mom and Dad asked the butler to take L1 for a bath.

As the warm water flowed over his body, L1 found the sensation pleasant. Even though he wasn’t feeling particularly sleepy anymore, the warmth of the bath made him drowsy.

While the butler bathed him, Huo Mom and Dad stayed close by, chatting as they watched.

“He’s such a poor child,” Huo Mom said sympathetically.

Huo Dad nodded. “His body seems fine, but he’s so thin. Who knows how long he’s been wandering outside…”

“So, do you think he might have been kidnapped and managed to escape?” Huo Mom asked.

“That’s a possibility,” Huo Dad agreed. “Let’s let him sleep a bit longer. If he doesn’t wake up soon, we should wake him and give him something to eat.”

Huo Mom nodded, adding, “With the snowstorm outside, it’s best for him to stay with us for now.”

Hearing this, L1 understood—the couple planned to keep him.

But why?

L1 had overseen many small worlds, and some of them had similar settings to this one. In those worlds, kind-hearted protagonists often helped those in need.

But usually, the people they helped were not ordinary.

Supporting characters who received aid from the protagonists would later repay the favor a hundredfold or more, helping the protagonists rise in power, status, or wealth. In turn, this would push the story’s plot forward.

But L1 wasn’t an important supporting character in this world.

Even if the Huo family saved him and helped him, he had no intention of repaying them. In fact, he would stand by and watch as they met their predetermined tragic ends.

Yet, they still saved him.

Did they expect nothing in return?

L1 didn’t understand.

After the butler finished bathing him, Huo Mom personally dressed him in clean clothes. L1 was then tucked into a warm, dry bed.

The snow outside began to fall once again, but the house was quiet and warm. There was even a faint fragrance from the bedding.

L1 knew he shouldn’t fall asleep again, but his body felt too comfortable.

While systems don’t get tired, it was his human body that felt exhausted. The fatigue from the past few days disappeared, and before long, his body slipped into a deep sleep.

While his human body rested, L1 returned to his system state and wandered around the Huo family’s home.

Huo Mom and Dad had woken up early. After bathing L1 and tucking him in, it was only seven in the morning.

As they went downstairs, the other three villainous brothers of the Huo family also started to wake up.

When they heard that Huo Dad had found a child in the garden, Huo Yan’s eyes widened. “How old is the child?”

“About five,” Huo Mom replied.

Huo Ze’s eyes darted around, and he gave Huo Dad a scrutinizing look before quietly asking Huo Jing, “Are you sure this child isn’t Dad’s illegitimate son? Maybe he’s grown up and now wants to be acknowledged by the family. So, Dad hid him in the garden, pretending to have found him, and then he’ll say they couldn’t find his parents and adopt him…”

*Thud!*

Huo Dad smacked Huo Ze on the head without hesitation.

Huo Ze clutched his head, wailing in pain.

The other three couldn’t help but smile.

“Huo Ze! If you’re sick in the head, go get it treated! How could I have a rebellious son like you!” Huo Dad fumed.

Huo Ze teared up, “But novels, TV shows, and anime all have this kind of plot! My assumption is reasonable!”

“Damn it! I’m going to beat you up today!” Huo Dad exploded, chasing Huo Ze around the living room.

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

*That’s more like it.*

They’re all supposed to be villains! How could they get along so harmoniously?

What he saw last night must have been them pretending. Today’s tense and combative atmosphere felt more fitting.

As Huo Ze was pinned to the ground, wailing, with Huo Dad giving him a good beating, L1 felt an unprecedented sense of ease.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him—

Since last night was just an act, could it be that Huo Dad and Huo Mom’s decision to keep him was for some ulterior motive?

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

L1 glanced at his human body.

This face had been randomly generated, but he had to admit, it was indeed quite cute, with delicate features like that of a doll.

Even if Huo Dad and Huo Mom truly intended to sell him, L1 had ways to escape.

But for some reason, the mere thought of such a possibility stirred an unfamiliar emotion in him.

This feeling was somewhat familiar, like what he felt on the day Ye Fan died. Yet, there was a subtle difference.

L1 thought hard about it—this emotion was somewhat similar to what he felt when he saw Su Rui kick the stray cat. He didn’t know how to describe it, but overall, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling. It made L1 uncomfortable, and he suddenly didn’t want to stay with the Huo family any longer.

Without hesitation, L1 returned to his human body and forced himself to “wake up.”

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

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

“Oh, you’re awake?” The newcomer was Huo Yan, and his voice carried a hint of surprise. Then he asked, “Why are you barefoot? Isn’t it cold to walk on the floor like that?”

L1 had originally intended to leave through the window.

But now that Huo Yan had entered, he couldn’t leave.

Huo Yan quickly walked over, scooped L1 up in one swift motion, and smiled broadly. Holding L1 in one arm, he couldn’t resist pinching L1’s cheek. “You’re so cute. How about joining my crew as a child actor for my next film?”

L1 stared at him without responding.

Huo Yan looked him over, puzzled. “Can’t you speak?”

L1 remained silent.

Huo Yan let out a curious sound, then hurriedly carried L1 downstairs.

L1 lowered his eyes, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to leave now.

Huo Yan rushed down the stairs, still holding L1, and completely forgot to put shoes on him.

Huo Mom immediately frowned when she saw them. “He’s awake? Why didn’t you put shoes on him?”

Huo Yan, flustered, replied, “That’s not important, Mom…”

“How is it not important? What if he catches a cold?” Huo Mom scolded as she started looking for socks.

But Huo Yan blurted out, “I think he’s mute!”

Huo Mom froze in her tracks, and everyone in the Huo family turned to look at them.

“M-mute?” Huo Dad was astonished.

Huo Jing frowned. “I’ll call the doctor.”

By now, Huo Ze had sidled up to L1, examining him closely for a while. Suddenly, he smiled. “But he’s so cute. Let me hold him!”

Huo Yan refused to hand him over.

Huo Ze reached out toward L1 again.

L1 pressed his lips together, pretending not to see him.

Huo Ze pouted in disappointment. “Second brother, let me hold him!”

Huo Yan still wouldn’t relent.

Like a broken record, Huo Ze began circling Huo Yan and L1, pleading incessantly.

Huo Yan was getting fed up with him. Just then, L1 noticed something strange—Huo Ze didn’t seem to have any injuries.

Wait.

Wasn’t he just getting beaten up by Huo Dad a moment ago?

Do villains fight like they’re just playing around?

L1 found it hard to believe and reached out his hand toward Huo Ze.

Huo Ze’s eyes immediately lit up, and he exclaimed, “Hey! The little mute is letting me hold him!”

Huo Yan had no choice but to reluctantly hand L1 over to Huo Ze.

The moment Huo Ze took L1 into his arms, he suddenly tossed him up into the air.

L1’s eyes widened. *What is this villain doing?!*

Before L1 could react, Huo Ze swiftly caught him again and cheerfully asked, “How was it? Was it fun being lifted high?”

L1: “…”

He had just scanned Huo Ze’s body to confirm he didn’t have any injuries. Now, it seemed clear—Huo Ze wasn’t injured because there was something wrong with his brain.

Huo Mom shot a disapproving glare at Huo Ze. “Don’t scare him!”

Huo Ze chuckled. “I’m just playing with him.” He sat down on the sofa with L1 still in his arms and asked, “So, was it fun? You’re not really mute, are you? Such a cute little mute?”

L1: “...I’m not.”

Since his body was that of a child, his voice naturally sounded soft and sweet.

Huo Ze’s eyes sparkled with joy. “You can talk!”

Huo Yan suddenly frowned. “Why didn’t you speak when I was holding you?”

Huo Jing said, “Looks like we won’t need the doctor after all.”

At that moment, Huo Dad and Huo Mom also gathered around L1.

Huo Dad asked, “Whose child are you, little one?”

Huo Mom smiled kindly and asked, “Are you hungry? Auntie has already asked the kitchen to make some porridge for you. It’ll be ready soon!”

When L1 heard the word "porridge," he gave Huo Mom a cautious look, thinking to himself: *I knew it! They’re trying to fatten me up so they can sell me.*

However, L1 was genuinely curious about human food.

As a system, he didn’t need to eat, but his current human body did. While following Su Rui before, L1 hadn’t even been able to get close to him, let alone eat much.

After several days without proper food, his small body had become so hungry that his stomach was practically flat.

L1 nodded at Huo Mom.

Huo Mom clutched her face, exclaiming, “Oh my goodness, he’s so adorable! Even cuter than the three of them were when they were little!”

The three brothers: “…”

Huo Ze grumbled, “No need to compare us!”

Ignoring him, Huo Mom gently took L1 from Huo Ze’s arms and led him to the dining room.

The chef had already brought out the porridge and other dishes.

Huo Mom seated L1 and placed a bowl of porridge in front of him, adding a variety of side dishes to his plate. “Be careful, it’s hot. Can you eat by yourself?”

L1 nodded.

After thinking for a moment, he added, “Thank you.”

Though they were planning to sell him, they had at least given him food. L1 prided himself on being a very polite system.

The porridge Huo Mom served was a bowl of lean meat and vegetable porridge, with the meat and greens cooked until soft. Remembering how humans in the small worlds ate porridge with a spoon, L1 clumsily imitated them, scooping up a spoonful.

Just as he was about to shove the porridge into his mouth, Huo Mom quickly stopped him.

L1 looked up at her, confused.

Huo Mom chuckled. “Didn’t you say you knew how to eat by yourself? You don’t even know to blow on it first?”

With that, Huo Mom took the spoon from his hand, blew on the porridge to cool it, and then brought it to L1’s mouth.

L1 glanced down at the spoonful of porridge near his mouth.

This situation felt strange.

He was an all-powerful system, so why did he need someone to feed him?

So, L1 said, “I can eat by myself.”

Determined, he insisted on feeding himself.

With no other choice, Huo Mom handed the spoon back to him, reminding him several times to be careful of the heat.

L1 nodded.

This time, he didn’t recklessly scoop a large spoonful of porridge but instead took small bites, eating slowly.

As soon as the soft porridge touched his tongue, the warm, savory flavors spread through his mouth.

L1’s eyes widened slightly—so this was what porridge tasted like.

It was delicious.

L1 liked it.

He finished the small bowl of porridge quickly.

Huo Mom, pleased, asked, “Would you like some milk?”

L1 nodded.

Huo Mom brought him a cup of sweet milk.

At first, the taste of the milk seemed strange, but soon L1 could taste the sweetness, and he liked it very much.

By the end of breakfast, L1 had eaten a bowl of porridge, drank a glass of milk, and even finished an entire donut, all while listening to Huo Mom’s gentle conversation.

After all that, L1’s body involuntarily let out a small burp.

L1 had never burped before and was momentarily stunned.

Huo Mom, noticing his reaction, quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

L1 thought for a moment and replied, “I burped.”

Huo Mom laughed. “You’ve eaten too much. It’s okay, let your three brothers take you for a walk to help you digest.”

L1 looked up and saw Huo Yan and Huo Ze walking toward him.

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

“Come on, let’s take a walk in the garden,” Huo Yan said.

L1 glanced back at Huo Mom.

He thought, *I guess they’re going to sell me soon.*

But by now, the strange emotion he had been feeling earlier had disappeared.

The donut, porridge, and milk had all been delicious, and L1 liked them, so he could forgive them for a while.

As L1 got down from his chair, Huo Ze and Huo Yan each took one of his hands.

L1 thought, *Are they afraid I’m going to run away?*

He had indeed planned to escape, but not right now.

Once they stepped outside, the cold air immediately hit them, and the temperature dropped.

Huo Ze sighed, “So you really spent the night sleeping in the bushes?”

L1 thought about nodding but quickly realized that a normal human would likely die if they spent the night in the snow. So, he changed his answer. “No, just for a little while.”

Huo Yan asked, “How did you get into our house? Did you climb over the wall?”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

L1 had actually flown in, but he wasn’t about to tell them that, so he remained silent.

Huo Ze and Huo Yan exchanged glances, and Huo Ze asked, “Where are your parents?”

This was a question L1 could answer. “I don’t have parents, so if you sell me, they won’t find out.”

Both brothers froze.

“Sell you?” Huo Ze blurted out, confused. “Why would we sell you?”

Huo Yan was equally puzzled. “What kind of thoughts are going on in your little head? Why would we sell you?”

L1 remained silent.

The more Huo Yan thought about it, the more amused he became. He crouched down to look L1 in the eye and asked, “So, you think we gave you food and took you in just so we could sell you?”

L1 still didn’t respond, but his eyes, clear as day, were filled with the question: *Isn’t that why?*

Huo Yan chuckled.

Huo Ze burst into laughter.

The two brothers took L1 back inside just as the police arrived. Seeing Huo Ze and Huo Yan holding L1’s hands, the lead officer asked, “Is this the child?”

Huo Dad replied, “Yes, we asked around the neighborhood this morning, but no one’s missing a child, so we called you to check it out.”

L1 was stunned.

The villain family called the police?

Were they turning themselves in?

No, that didn’t make sense.

The police officer approached L1 and crouched down, smiling as he asked, “Do you remember your parents’ phone number, little one?”

L1 understood.

The villain family hadn’t called the police to arrest themselves; they were trying to help L1 find his home.

So, his earlier assumption that they planned to sell him was incorrect.

L1 didn’t understand this. He looked up at Huo Mom, who was standing nearby.

Huo Mom softly reassured him, “Don’t be afraid. Just answer whatever the police officers ask you, and they’ll help you get home.”

L1 wasn’t afraid of being sold, so he certainly wasn’t afraid of the police.

He was just puzzled—why didn’t the villain family sell him?

Their actions didn’t match those of villains at all!

In fact…

They were behaving more like the protagonists in a story.

But he had no way to repay them.

L1 furrowed his brow.

It was then that he remembered what Qiu had once said:

“Not everyone in the world is purely good or evil, and not all villains are bad people.”

The Huo family were villains, but they weren’t bad people in the traditional sense.

On his seventh day in world A20231007, L1 finally understood this truth.

The police didn’t get any useful information out of L1 because he was too lost in thought to respond. They began to suspect that he might have some form of social anxiety or autism and didn’t push him any further.

Meanwhile, Huo Yan and Huo Ze retold the story of what L1 had said in the garden earlier, treating it as a joke to share with the police and Huo Dad and Mom.

The officers laughed, reassuring L1, “Don’t worry. Mr. Huo and Mrs. Lin are very good people. But you can’t stay with them forever, so we’ll take a DNA sample and monitor any missing persons reports. We’ll definitely help you find your parents.”

Thus, Huo Dad took L1 to the police station for further checkups.

When they returned in the afternoon, Huo Dad held L1’s hand and smiled warmly. “Don’t worry. Even if we don’t find your parents right away, we won’t force you to leave. You can stay with us for now. Our whole family likes you very much.”

Hearing this, L1 glanced up at Huo Dad, still filled with confusion.

L1 had observed many worlds, and he knew that one of the most important human emotions was love. Love was similar to liking, but the two were not the same.

L1 didn’t understand the difference.

He

also wasn’t sure if their liking him was the same as how he liked drinking milk and eating donuts.

But one thing L1 was certain of was that the Huo family wouldn’t hurt him, and they wouldn’t treat him harshly like Su Rui had.

Being with them was comfortable.

Since he needed to understand human emotions, perhaps staying with them wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

With that thought, L1 decided to stay with the Huo family.

Huo Dad and Huo Jing were usually very busy with work, so they weren’t home much during the day.

Huo Yan and Huo Ze also had their own jobs, so most of the time, it was Huo Mom who spent the day with L1.

Huo Mom would make all kinds of delicious food for L1 and even watch TV shows and read books with him.

In the blink of an eye, two weeks passed. On this day, the Huo family gathered once again because it was the New Year.

L1 knew about the New Year and was aware that today was a lively holiday.

Huo Dad and Huo Mom had been up early, busy preparing things. Even Huo Jing, who was usually glued to his computer, had put it aside to help out in the kitchen.

They made a huge feast, and the family enjoyed a lively 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 the fireworks.

All of these experiences were new to L1, but he couldn’t deny that he enjoyed them.

Later that night, after getting tired from playing, L1 returned to his room to sleep.

Although L1 didn’t need rest as a system, during his time with the Huo family, he had gradually developed the habit of giving his body time to rest, just like the rest of the family.

However, when L1 woke up from this nap, something didn’t feel right—he suddenly realized that his head was spinning, and his body felt heavy.

He immediately knew what was wrong—his body had caught a cold.

Dragging his heavy body downstairs, L1 informed Huo Mom of his condition.

This turned out to be the decision L1 regretted the most since arriving at the Huo household—

As soon as Huo Mom learned he had a fever, she quickly called the doctor.

The doctor said it wasn’t anything serious, but that L1 needed to take medicine.

L1 hated taking medicine.

The pills were bitter and hard to swallow, and there was also some dark, syrupy liquid. Huo Mom said that drinking it would soothe his throat, but L1 thought it tasted more like poison and stubbornly refused to drink it.

In the past, there had been similar situations.

Since this was L1’s first experience as a human, many foods were new and exciting to him, and there were plenty of foods he liked. But there were also many things he couldn’t stand.

For example, he refused to eat bitter melon or anything with onions, ginger, or garlic.

Whenever he said he didn’t like something, Huo Mom wouldn’t force him to eat it.

But this time was different—Huo Mom insisted that L1 take the medicine.

L1 knew Huo Mom was doing this for his own good, but for some reason, it still made him upset.

He wanted to say that this was his body, and he could regulate it without needing to drink "poison" three times a day.

But L1 couldn’t bring himself to say those words.

It wasn’t because he was restricted.

It was because if he said those words, the Huo family would realize that they were the villains.

In these small worlds, only the protagonists were allowed to glimpse their futures.

Villains didn’t have that right.

Even if the protagonist knew what the future held, their destiny wouldn’t change.

But the future of villains could be altered.

To ensure the plot reached its proper conclusion, they weren’t supposed to know their fates.

L1 thought about this, and it only made him more upset.

So, when Huo Dad and Huo Mom weren’t paying attention, he slipped away.

He had spent enough time with the villain family.

It was time to meet some other characters.

Now, who should he interact with next?

How about the greatest villain in this world?

L1 remembered his name—Qin Yao.