Chapter 7 Part 2

Zhu Ran zoomed in on the photos one by one. Halfway through, he suddenly exited, switched his phone to airplane mode, and irritably buried his head under a pillow.

The next day was the scheduled whale and dolphin watching trip. By departure time, the sun blazed intensely, and everyone gathered in the shade by the dock waiting for the group to assemble.

Zhu Ran arrived neither early nor late. Upon reaching the spot, he overheard Huo Jiahui asking, “Brother Boyan still isn’t coming?”

Huo Junlin said, “He’s busy with work. Seems like there was an issue with the cargo at the dock.”

Huo Jiahui said “oh” and was about to say more when Huo Junlin walked aside and said, “Zhu Ran, you’re here.”

Zhu Ran nodded and greeted, “Good morning.”

Huo Junlin smiled and added, “The masks and fins are on the boat. We’re out at sea all day today, and lunch will be on board too.”

Zhu Ran replied, “Yeah, I know.”

Huo Junlin was about to say more when Huo Jiahui said exasperatedly, “Bro, we already posted all this in the group.”

Huo Junlin looked embarrassed but quickly defended himself righteously. “I’m just afraid you all forgot.”

Huo Jiahui muttered something in Cantonese, which Zhu Ran didn’t understand, but Huo Junlin got annoyed and fired back in Cantonese.

Zhu Ran stepped aside and stood with his cousin.

She ruffled his hair and asked, “Ran Ran, are you leaving tomorrow?”

For some reason, all the sisters here liked ruffling his hair, even though he was only younger in age—much taller than them.

Zhu Ran wasn’t quite used to it but didn’t hate it, so he endured it and said, “Tonight.”

Lin Ziqing asked, “Will you have time?”

Zhu Ran replied, “I asked Secretary Chen; it should be fine.”

After some chit-chat, everyone arrived, and the group boarded the boat and set off.

The temperature rose gradually, but it cooled down once they were out at sea. The girls shed their cover-ups one after another, revealing bikinis, and helped each other apply sunscreen.

Evan darted around with his camera, flattering them while snapping photos. The girls hadn’t even finished applying sunscreen when Evan already posted the pictures to the group. Whether intentionally or not, he deliberately left Zhu Ran out.

Lin Ziqing noticed and looked up at Zhu Ran. “Ran Ran, want a photo? I’ll take one for you.”

Zhu Ran sat by the window enjoying the breeze and turned back with a smile. “Thanks, Cousin, but no photos for me.”

Lin Ziqing actually couldn’t quite figure out her cousin. He seemed easygoing at first and was indeed approachable, but when she tried to get closer, she sensed a clear distance from him.

Evan and Zhu Ran were both visiting the island for the first time. From the private plane ride until now, Evan had posted dozens of Moments. Even Lin Ziqing had posted several IG stories on her first trip here.

But Zhu Ran didn’t seem to care about that. He appeared to be having fun but rarely took photos, and his Moments were empty, making it hard to guess his true feelings.

Lin Ziqing thought he was just being polite and hesitant, and her mom had reminded them before departure to take good care of their cousin, so she asked again, “Really no? Don’t be shy with me.”

Zhu Ran shook his head and declined politely.

Maybe he was just naturally low-key. Lin Ziqing didn’t insist, but as she sat down, watching the sea breeze lift Zhu Ran’s slightly long hair, she couldn’t resist snapping a few photos and sending them privately.

Lin Ziqing: Such a great vibe, I couldn’t help it. Delete if you don’t like.

Zhu Ran: Hahahahaha, it really captures the feeling. Thanks, Cousin.

Meanwhile, Huo Jiahui had finished her sunscreen and applied a layer of oil, heading to the deck to sunbathe.

As she left, she handed her sunscreen to Zhu Ran. “Little brother, want some?”

Zhu Ran said, “Thanks, but I’m good—I’m wearing long sleeves.”

Huo Jiahui asked, “What about your face?”

Zhu Ran indeed hadn’t applied any, so he took it and said thanks.

After applying sunscreen to his face, he looked up and suddenly met the gaze of a strange man. The other glanced at him once and quickly looked away. Zhu Ran sat up straighter, feeling a bit uneasy.

He had actually noticed these people when boarding. They wore black short-sleeved shirts and shorts, had sturdy builds, but didn’t join the fun or help with crew work—they just vigilantly scanned the surroundings.

“They’re bodyguards sent by my brother,” Huo Junlin came over, noticed Zhu Ran’s gaze, and explained proactively. “Don’t mind them—just enjoy yourself.”

Zhu Ran said “oh” and thought to himself, So this is what life for the ultra-rich is like.

Huo Junlin sat beside him and said somewhat bitterly, “There are even some on the island. My brother always treats me like a kid; he doesn’t trust me with anything and has bodyguards watching me every day.”

As the conversation flowed, Zhu Ran could only comfort him a bit. “Your brother is just worried about you.”

“Forget it, no more on that,” Huo Junlin shook his head, looked up at Zhu Ran with a smile, and said, “Can you help me apply sunscreen? I can’t reach my back.”

By now, Huo Junlin had taken off his shirt, exposing his robust wheat-colored body. He wore only tight short swim trunks below and had applied sunscreen to the front. He turned, presenting his broad shoulders to Zhu Ran.

Zhu Ran couldn’t find a reason to refuse and nodded. “Sure, have a seat.”

He squeezed out a dollop of sunscreen and spread it. When he touched Huo Junlin’s back, he felt the muscles tense under his hand.

The yacht’s engine hummed, and with bigger waves, it bounced with thuds. Huo Junlin gripped his knees tightly, struggling to control his expression.

He was about to say something when Zhu Ran stood up, placed the sunscreen back in his palm, and said, “All done.”

Huo Junlin said “oh,” feeling his throat tighten. He took a deep breath, about to ask if Zhu Ran needed help with his back, when a pitch-black crew member burst into the cabin, shouting excitedly, “Dolphin! Dolphin!”

The crowd exclaimed and rushed out. Zhu Ran’s attention was drawn, and he followed.