After finishing, Zhu Ran carried the small tray to Huo Boyan’s work bar counter, his gaze carrying a bit more reverence. “Huo Boyan, have some tea.”
Huo Boyan was a little surprised by Zhu Ran’s attentiveness. He raised an eyebrow. “Got something to tell me?”
“No,” Zhu Ran shook his head. “You do your work.”
He had wanted to add that he saw how hard he was working, but he couldn’t bring himself to say such a cheesy line.
Huo Boyan smiled, took a moment to drink a cup, and said with some surprise, “Your tea-brewing skills are pretty good.”
Zhu Ran: “It’s the tea that’s good.”
Huo Boyan set down the cup and said, “I have plenty more where that came from. Take a couple cakes home if you like it.”
Zhu Ran was stunned and quickly shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, and this tea is too expensive. It’d be a waste on me.”
Huo Boyan stared at him for several seconds, then suddenly dropped his expression, calling his full name in a calm tone. “Still being polite with me?”
Just that light glance and slightly lowered voice made Huo Boyan’s aura completely different.
Zhu Ran couldn’t stand that look from Huo Boyan. He froze all over, and that subtle physical reaction came again.
He awkwardly shielded his body, but his voice was still firm with backbone. “It’s not about politeness—it’s a matter of principle.”
Things were already ambiguous between him and Huo Boyan. Accepting such expensive gifts would make it even more unclear. Besides, he had only wanted to brew tea for Huo Boyan to drink, but Huo Boyan was acting like he was rewarding a little brother by tossing him a tea cake.
Zhu Ran felt that Huo Boyan had misunderstood him, so he was a bit angry.
“Forget it then,” Huo Boyan sighed and reached out to ruffle Zhu Ran’s hair. “Since you like it, stay here and drink more of it.”
Only then was Zhu Ran satisfied. He nodded with a hum.
Huo Boyan reached out and pulled Zhu Ran into his arms, resting his chin on Zhu Ran’s shoulder with some exasperation. “Little Pig classmate, you’re still so distant with me. How am I supposed to dare give you gifts in the future?”
Huo Boyan’s tone was too gentle—it even gave Zhu Ran the illusion that he was acting coquettish.
Zhu Ran’s cheeks flushed again, and his usually sharp tongue went on strike. He had no idea how to handle this situation.
Huo Boyan chuckled again, pinching his cheek. “Would it be better if you became one of my own in the future? You wouldn’t be polite with me then, right?”
His tone was so certain, as if they were already future lovers.
Zhu Ran stood there in a daze, his entire face red. He stood bewildered for a good while, wanting to curse but unable to, wanting to break free but reluctant to—like a cat cornered by its naughty owner, finally snapping and biting Huo Boyan’s shoulder, but without any real force.
Huo Boyan burst out laughing and smoothly pulled Zhu Ran into his embrace. “Baby Pig, you’re so cute.”
His warm breath sprayed against Zhu Ran’s ear, making his barely cooled cheeks burn again.
“You’re the pig!” After saying that, he bit Huo Boyan again, baring his teeth in warning. “Don’t call me pig!”
Huo Boyan’s smile widened. “Baby, you’re really so cute.”
Zhu Ran’s brain short-circuited, his whole body overheating. He clung tightly to Huo Boyan’s shoulders, not giving him a chance to see his flushed ears.
The urban legend named Huo Boyan had struck again.
Whenever he was with Huo Boyan, Zhu Ran’s efficiency at handling serious matters dropped dramatically. His eyes kept drifting toward him, and once he looked, it wasn’t enough—he craved more physical contact, hugs, kisses… and saying all sorts of sappy, sticky nonsense that would make anyone laugh if they heard it.
They hadn’t done anything, but time slipped away unnoticed.
Zhu Ran pushed Huo Boyan away, a bit displeased. “Huo Boyan, aren’t you going to work?”
Huo Boyan pushed his computer aside and said relaxedly, “Urgent matters are done. I can hang out with you now.”
Zhu Ran: “…?”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Isn’t it?” Huo Boyan showed a regretful expression, then quickly changed tack. “Then hang out with me for a bit.”
Zhu Ran: “…”
This guy’s personality was worlds apart from when they first met, and yet Zhu Ran ate it up. He cursed himself inwardly for lacking backbone and tried to speak calmly. “Don’t you have to go to the company?”
Huo Boyan hummed in acknowledgment and started playing with Zhu Ran’s fingers.
Zhu Ran had a pair of very beautiful hands, but unlike Huo Boyan’s very masculine style, Zhu Ran’s bones were slender, his fingers long and thin, his skin very fair with low fat content.
Huo Boyan’s callused fingertips—thick from years of exercise and shooting practice abroad—lightly brushed Zhu Ran’s palm.
The tingling itch drilled straight into Zhu Ran’s heart like threads. Even worse, Huo Boyan slipped his fingers into the gaps between Zhu Ran’s, rubbing back and forth in a motion that mimicked something else.
Zhu Ran felt both itchy and numb, struggling instinctively, only to be gripped tighter by Huo Boyan.
Impulse and reason tugged back and forth. Zhu Ran felt like he was going crazy. He wanted to yell at him fiercely, yet also beg Huo Boyan to let him go.
Fortunately, Huo Boyan stopped soon after. He didn’t want to push Zhu Ran to the brink too quickly. He preferred to be like a patient, playful big cat, fully savoring the fun with his prey.
In a burst of mercy, Huo Boyan let go and said, “Do you really want me to go to the company so badly? Tired of me already?”
