Chapter 18 Part 1

The server passed by, and Huo Boyan released his hand, saying gentlemanly, “Sorry, please continue.”

Zhu Ran was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.

Huo Boyan asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhu Ran said, “I’ve already finished.”

Huo Boyan: “…”

After recalling for three seconds, Huo Boyan finally remembered the content of Zhu Ran’s earlier words. He nodded and said, “I understand. Thank you for making a special trip to tell me.”

Zhu Ran: “Mm.”

He waited for Huo Boyan to leave first, but strangely, despite looking so busy, Huo Boyan stood there for over a minute without leaving.

Zhu Ran had no choice but to speak first. “Mr. Huo, I’ll head out then.”

Huo Boyan didn’t reply, so Zhu Ran turned and walked toward the door. But just as he reached it, Huo Boyan suddenly called his name.

Zhu Ran turned back. “What is it?”

Huo Boyan’s sharp gaze fixed on him. “Why did you go out of your way to tell me?”

Zhu Ran was stunned again, then said naturally, “Because I’m afraid you’ll run into danger.”

Huo Boyan fell silent once more, for so long that Zhu Ran sensed something off. But before Zhu Ran could speak, he regained his composure and thanked him again.

Zhu Ran said, “You’re welcome.”

Huo Boyan added, “Do you have my assistant’s contact info?”

“Yes,” Zhu Ran explained. “This was a sudden situation. I won’t go through him to reach you again.”

“What I mean is,” Huo Boyan corrected him, “if you run into any problems in the future, you can contact my assistant to handle them.”

Zhu Ran was stunned, then gave a perfunctory “Oh.” He didn’t think he’d run into any issues, but he understood this was Huo Boyan’s good intention. There was no need to refuse and lose face.

Huo Boyan was always so thorough. Zhu Ran had only passed along an insignificant message, yet the other man had responded with such courtesy.

But he hadn’t wanted any reciprocation in the first place.

Huo Boyan held great power and was generous with favors, but Zhu Ran didn’t want to be seen as one of those people seeking something from him.

Whatever. They probably wouldn’t meet again anyway, so explaining would just be pointless sentimentality.

Zhu Ran nodded and left the hall.

“Did you meet him?” Lin Ziqing asked with a grin.

Zhu Ran nodded. “Yeah, I did.”

Lin Ziqing was curious. “Then why do you look unhappy?”

Zhu Ran was stunned, then smiled. “It was just about some business. Nothing particularly happy about it.”

Lin Ziqing didn’t pursue the topic and instead asked if Zhu Ran wanted to play cards with them.

Zhu Ran didn’t know how to play, but he didn’t want to be alone right now, so he went with his cousin.

The card room was filled with noblewomen and young ladies, including some Hong Kong Island celebrities. Zhu Ran didn’t recognize any of them, but he was a natural at putting on a facade.

It was as if he had a thousand faces, adapting perfectly to any setting. On the island, he hid away reading alone, but in social scenes like this, he was right at ease. He greeted everyone boldly, tossing in sweet words now and then that left the noble ladies beaming.

His aunt even laughed and said her luck had improved since Zhu Ran arrived.

Just then, Wang Zhuoying’s phone vibrated, and she answered it during a break.

At first, Zhu Ran didn’t pay it much mind, until his aunt glanced at him and said with a smile, “He’s right here next to me.”

Zhu Ran’s breath hitched as he vaguely realized this call wasn’t simple.

“The phone’s been broken for days, I heard you got a new one ages ago, but you still haven’t contacted us,” Wang Ruyun’s complaining voice came through. “This kid isn’t close to anyone. Your two kids are so much cuter.”

“No way,” Wang Zhuoying said while drawing a tile. “Zhu Ran’s very well-behaved.”

Wang Ruyun: “The boy’s introverted and awkward, no social skills at all. He used to tag along with his dad to meet people when he was little, but not anymore. To be honest, I’ve always worried he wouldn’t make friends over there.”

“No, he’s not,” Wang Zhuoying said again. “Zhu Ran gets along great with Zi Lang, Zi Qing, and Junlin. And he has a good relationship with Mr. Huo too.”

Wang Ruyun’s breath caught, and she said casually, “Those are all boys?”

“Pung!” His aunt claimed a tile and smiled into the phone. “Sis, I’m playing cards. Let’s chat another time.”

Wang Ruyun: “Then put Zhu Ran on. I want to talk to him.”

Wang Zhuoying handed over the phone with a slightly sympathetic look.

Zhu Ran took it and stepped away from the table.

But the other end went quiet.

Zhu Ran had to speak first. “Mom.”

She remained silent.

Zhu Ran stared at a vase in front of him and said, “What do you need?”

She finally spoke, her voice full of concern. “Ran Ran, when are you coming back?”

Zhu Ran idly plucked a rose from the vase and whispered, “Didn’t we agree after summer vacation?”

Wang Ruyun: “But Mom misses you.”

Zhu Ran fell silent, his breathing gradually tightening.

If it were Song Xingchen or Lin Ziqing hearing their mom say that, they’d coquettishly reply that they missed her too.