Chapter 34 Part 3

If Zhu Yanqing dared drug him today to let Huo Boyan into his room, tomorrow he’d let another man in.

They said home was a harbor, but now it only filled him with trepidation.

Zhu Ran’s face paled and flushed by turns. His emotions nearly collapsed, yet he could calmly list numerous action plans.

He couldn’t keep living at home. He didn’t want to continue studying pharmacy, nor pursue a graduate degree under Zhu Yanqing. He wanted to move out, be independent, continue photography, and…

Countless thoughts and images flashed through his mind, but the more orderly he tried to think, the more chaotic it became. After an unknown time, Zhu Ran’s ears buzzed, his mind going blank…

“Zhu Ran, Zhu Ran, are you okay?”

Zhu Ran lifted his head dazedly. He could hear Huo Boyan calling him, but his body wouldn’t respond.

Huo Boyan called his name again. Zhu Ran finally reacted, letting out an “oh” and looking up at Huo Boyan. “Can I borrow this?”

He pointed to the paper and pen on the desk.

“Sure, what do you want to write?” Huo Boyan handed him the paper and pen, then stood to offer his chair. “Sit and write.”

Zhu Ran didn’t answer. His gaze suddenly became extraordinarily focused, even solemnly frightening. Like a student in the final five minutes of a college entrance exam realizing he hadn’t written a single word, he snatched the paper and pen, hunched over the desk, and scribbled furiously.

Don’t study pharmacy

Don’t pursue graduate school

Move out

Be independent

Do photography

Completely escape Zhu Yanqing!

Zhu Ran wrote faster and faster, but suddenly froze. The image of a young Wang Ruyun smiling appeared before his eyes.

Mom…

He could disown this father, but what about leaving Mom behind…

Mom depended on him so much. Was he going to leave her to that devil?

The fountain pen poked through the paper and stopped writing.

Zhu Ran kept scribbling, leaving only scratches like claw marks from a wild beast.

He looked almost out of control, yet miraculously maintained calm, politely asking Huo Boyan, “The pen’s out of ink. Can you give me a ballpoint pen?”

Huo Boyan took the pen from his hand. “No.”

Zhu Ran froze, grievance welling in his large eyes. “Why? Did I do something not good enough?”

“Because you’ve already done plenty well,” Huo Boyan said, stepping in front of Zhu Ran. He took the paper from his hand, placed the other on his nape, and spoke with infinite patience. “Stop for now. Rest a bit, okay?”

Zhu Ran stared blankly at Huo Boyan, unable to respond.

“It’s not that bad. All the problems can be solved.” Huo Boyan gripped Zhu Ran’s trembling palm while his other hand slowly and rhythmically stroked Zhu Ran’s back. His voice was gentle and resolute. “I completely trust your judgment. I believe you already know what to do; it’s just that emotionally, you can’t accept it yet, right?”

Zhu Ran finally snapped back to his senses. He bit his lower lip and let out a soft “mm.”

Huo Boyan continued, “Then let’s try to see if we can make this excellent plan even better. Is there anything else you think we can discuss?”

Zhu Ran pursed his lips tightly, revealing a pitiful expression, as if at any moment he might throw himself into Huo Boyan’s arms for comfort.

Yet he possessed a persistent, powerful self-control that kept his body rooted in place.

This outward display of pain and restraint, combined with the intensifying sense of fragility amid the internal tug-of-war, radiated a powerful allure from him.

Huo Boyan quietly met his gaze but quickly looked away, unable to keep staring into Zhu Ran’s eyes.

He fixed his eyes on the cold stainless steel legs of the metal tea table and tried to speak in a calm tone. “Zhu Ran, I really want to give you another hug, but I can’t guarantee I won’t kiss you. Can we separate for a bit to cool down first?”

Zhu Ran sniffed, looking on the verge of tears, but he obediently asked Huo Boyan, “Okay, how long do we need to calm down?”

Huo Boyan raised his head, and his gaze fell into Zhu Ran’s wet, glistening eyes.

His mind went blank in an instant.

Human literary history was filled with tales of “forbidden gazing.” When Lot’s wife looked back during the destruction of Sodom, she turned into a pillar of salt. Orpheus, glancing back as he led Eurydice out of the underworld, doomed her to a second death. Even the Cthulhu mythos spoke of things too horrific to behold.

To see was, in itself, to allow the flow of energy and emotion. A single ill-timed glance could lead to dire consequences.

Huo Boyan realized this too late—or rather, his emotions had already seized complete control.

His brain abandoned all thought, yielding to the instincts of his body.

He saw Zhu Ran’s strength and vulnerability, his struggles and pain. He saw those eyes, brimming with unshed tears—and he could no longer remain unmoved.

Huo Boyan strode forward. In Zhu Ran’s stunned gaze, he cupped that pale, helpless face and kissed him deeply.