Chapter 43 Part 2

Gifting perfume was somewhat intimate and private, and easy to miss the mark—tastes varied, after all.

Moreover, when Zhu Ran bought this perfume, he did have some ulterior motives.

Huo Boyan always used woody scents, but Zhu Ran felt he was more like the sea—clean, warm, inclusive, yet also dangerous and dominant. Zhu Ran was drawn to him but instinctively feared him.

Zhu Ran had imagined the perfect scenario: Huo Boyan spraying this on, then him diving into Huo Boyan’s arms.

That was normal in the ambiguous phase, but now that Zhu Ran was backing off, the perfume felt untimely.

He didn’t dare look at Huo Boyan and lowered his eyes. “Saw it while passing by, thought it might suit you, so I bought it on impulse.”

Before Huo Boyan could respond, he added, “I didn’t ask your preference. It’s fine if you don’t use it—some people get headaches from aquatic notes.”

“I’ve never tried it, so I don’t know if I do,” Huo Boyan said amiably, seemingly oblivious to Zhu Ran’s evasion. “Mind if I test it now?”

Zhu Ran blinked and shook his head.

Huo Boyan unwrapped it and sprayed on his wrist, neck, and behind his ear.

The cool, salty freshness of seawater hit head-on, and Zhu Ran held his breath.

“What do you think?” Huo Boyan leaned closer, as if he’d lost his own sense of smell and needed Zhu Ran’s verdict.

Zhu Ran sat rigid, thinking that if he didn’t breathe, he wouldn’t smell it—or fall into Huo Boyan’s temptation.

Huo Boyan drew even closer, his sea-scented arms wrapping around Zhu Ran’s shoulders, pulling his tense body into an embrace.

“You like it, right?” Huo Boyan said affirmatively. “Zhu Ran, you like this scent.”

No one could hold their breath forever. Zhu Ran couldn’t resist Huo Boyan’s advance that way either.

He finally inhaled deeply, uncontrollably, and Huo Boyan’s essence filled him inside and out.

This men’s fragrance sold on its seawater notes, but compared to the ocean, it felt more like the soapy residue on Huo Boyan’s skin after a shower. Zhu Ran would playfully pounce into his arms; Huo Boyan would naturally hold him, palm stroking his head and nape. No words, no actions—just quiet hugging.

Zhu Ran had envisioned many such scenes but doubted they could lead to that bliss.

They hugged quietly in the car. After a long while, Huo Boyan spoke. “Why were you in a bad mood at dinner?”

Zhu Ran didn’t answer, lost in the embrace, not wanting to spoil it.

Huo Boyan continued, “I had planned a Victoria Harbour night cruise, but do you still want to go?”

Zhu Ran realized he couldn’t dodge. He explained cautiously, “I’m not unhappy. I just feel… feel…”

The date with Huo Boyan had been too joyful today, but thinking it might not last made him breathless.

“Am I pressuring you?”

Zhu Ran blinked and shook his head.

“Then you dislike me?”

Zhu Ran shook his head immediately.

“Then you have feelings for me?”

Zhu Ran hesitated, then nodded.

“Zhu Ran, do you like me?”

Huo Boyan didn’t look into his eyes while speaking, maintaining the hug, making it feel like casual chat rather than a serious question demanding an answer.

Zhu Ran didn’t respond right away. Even with Huo Boyan’s patience, his defenses kicked in inevitably.

After a very, very long time— so long Huo Boyan thought he wouldn’t answer—Zhu Ran clutched his clothes and let out a soft “mm.”

Huo Boyan said nothing, but with Zhu Ran’s cheek against his chest, he felt Huo Boyan’s heart pounding fiercely, more intense and rapid than ever.

Incredibly, Zhu Ran’s prior hesitation, worries, and unresolved fears vanished amid that frantic heartbeat, replaced by a dizzying joy.

He still had many questions, many unsolved issues, no absolute confidence in this feeling. But he liked Huo Boyan and wanted to be with him. That was it.

And Huo Boyan liked him too—his heartbeat proved it.

In that moment, Zhu Ran’s trait of quietly getting things done shone again. He knew his decision wasn’t the smartest, but he didn’t want to restrain his emotions anymore.

“Huo Boyan, I do like you. I don’t want to lie to myself.” In his exhilarated state, Zhu Ran regained his courage. He looked into Huo Boyan’s eyes, word by word: “But my personality isn’t great. I don’t know how to act cute or sweet-talk, and I’m not great with words. You like me now, but you might get annoyed once we’re together.”

“No,” Huo Boyan said.

“Don’t interrupt—I’m not done,” Zhu Ran said seriously, fearing he’d flee if he paused even a second. “I do like you now, but summer break ends soon, and I’ll go back to school. Mom doesn’t fully support my orientation either. We’re not even in the same city. Huo Boyan, you understand all this, right?”

“I do,” Huo Boyan said. “You like me.”

Zhu Ran: “…”

Argh! Could this man understand plain speech?!

Zhu Ran’s cheeks were flushed, but he forced a serious expression, droning on like an app’s user agreement: “What I mean is, I like you now, but there are many worries, and I can’t guarantee it’ll last. So you should think carefully if you really want to be with me—mmph…”

Huo Boyan didn’t want to hear more. He leaned down and kissed Zhu Ran’s lips, using action to dispel all his doubts and worries.

When Zhu Ran’s eyes welled with physiological tears and he nearly begged for mercy, Huo Boyan finally relented.

“This isn’t something to consider,” Huo Boyan said, gazing into Zhu Ran’s eyes affirmatively. “I like you. That’s an indisputable fact.”

Huo Boyan looked into Zhu Ran’s stunned depths, word by word: “Zhu Ran, let’s date.”