Chapter 45 Part 2

He thought, Mom must still feel some regret. But he didn’t know what he could do.

That week, Zhu Ran worked three days, shot photos for clients the other two, and had to accompany his mom and little aunt to the club on the weekend—a new leisure routine for the sisters: exercise, tea, and SPA.

Wang Ruyun had heart issues, and Zhu Ran worried intense exercise might harm her. But he didn’t want to interfere with her social life, so he offered to join. Though the doctor said coronary heart disease patients could do light yoga, Zhu Ran wanted to see it for himself.

This left almost no time to meet Huo Boyan, especially avoiding family. He had already turned down three invitations.

It wasn’t unwillingness—he truly had no time.

Feeling guilty, Zhu Ran cooed sweet words to make up for it.

Huo Boyan always responded understandingly, which only made Zhu Ran feel worse and eager to compensate somehow.

The car stopped at the club entrance. As Wang Zhuoying got out, she said to Zhu Ran, “Won’t you get bored accompanying us? Dye Dye, why don’t you go play on your own?”

Wang Ruyun said nothing but looked at Zhu Ran curiously. He usually didn’t like tagging along.

“It’s fine, not just accompanying you,” Zhu Ran hesitated a few seconds before shaking his head. “I want to exercise too, mooch off your fancy club.”

Wang Zhuoying glanced at Wang Ruyun. “As long as you’re willing. I was afraid you’d think Mom was forcing you.”

Zhu Ran blinked and shook his head. After a pause, he added, “If I didn’t like it, Mom forcing me wouldn’t work.”

Wang Zhuoying laughed. Wang Ruyun unusually stayed silent.

Guided by staff, they entered the changing room. When Zhu Ran came out in his workout clothes, he learned they were taking a private yoga class.

Dressed loosely, Zhu Ran tugged at his clothes the whole time to prevent slipping. By the end of the class, he was panting from exhaustion.

Wang Ruyun was in better shape than expected, with no signs of distress. Zhu Ran finally relaxed.

After yoga, they had some desserts, then headed for SPA. The two ladies shared a room; as a guy, Zhu Ran went to the adjacent one.

Zhu Ran changed into the robe, and the therapist hadn’t arrived yet. He lay on the bed messaging Huo Boyan to report in.

As he typed, he inexplicably felt guilty, like sneaking TV time as a kid behind his parents’ backs.

He sent the messages, but Huo Boyan didn’t reply immediately. Then came the sound of the door opening—the therapist had arrived.

Zhu Ran was still on his phone, glancing up with peripheral vision. He only saw a back view; the therapist had a good figure. A bit worried Huo Boyan might mind, he hesitated whether to cancel. Footsteps approached from behind.

Screw it, no massage. Zhu Ran looked up and said to the therapist, “Hello, I’d like to cancel…”

A shadow fell over him. The “therapist” pressed his nape and kissed Zhu Ran’s lips without a word.

The kiss was too sudden—Zhu Ran never expected this turn. He opened his mouth to speak, but was fiercely silenced.

The man pushed Zhu Ran onto the bed, his large hand parting the loose robe. Zhu Ran reached up to cling to the man’s neck and kissed back proactively.

When the kiss ended, Zhu Ran grabbed the man’s neck, eyes sparkling. “Huo Boyan, how did you get here?”

Huo Boyan smiled. “Mr. Zhu is so busy. I couldn’t wait, so I came to you.”

Zhu Ran’s heart sweetened, mixed with guilt. Clutching Huo Boyan’s clothes, he whispered sorry and explained he hadn’t planned on dating when he took the internship.

“It’s fine, do your thing,” Huo Boyan retied the open robe. “We’ll find time to meet.”

Zhu Ran beamed. He held back for a bit but couldn’t resist hugging Huo Boyan’s body.

They embraced quietly for a while. Then Huo Boyan patted his shoulder. “Lie down.”

Zhu Ran looked up, eyes wide.

Huo Boyan deadpanned, “Aren’t you here for SPA?”

Zhu Ran blanked. “You’re… going to do it?”

Huo Boyan looked down at him, eyes narrowing intimidatingly. “Or did you want someone else to?”

“No, I wasn’t planning to anyway,” Zhu Ran said softly. “Didn’t you hear? I was about to refuse when you interrupted.”

Huo Boyan hummed, removed his watch, rolled up his sleeves, and looked down. “So, do you want it now?”

Zhu Ran: “…”

His eyes darted away uncertainly. “Do you even know how?”

Huo Boyan lifted his gaze and chuckled lightly. “Try it and find out.”

Zhu Ran sat on the massage bed, suddenly unsure where to put his limbs.

Huo Boyan struck a professional pose, picking up a small bottle from the wooden tray. “Sir, what scent of essential oil do you prefer?”

Zhu Ran stayed silent. Huo Boyan decided for him. “Rose oil? I think it suits you.”

“We really doing this?” Zhu Ran chickened out, glancing sideways pleadingly. “My mom’s right next door.”

Huo Boyan: “Isn’t there a wall between?”

“But this is too… too…” Zhu Ran bit his lip, conflicted and hesitant—like an obedient kid seduced by a bad man. He didn’t see himself as a good student, but he’d never done anything this thrilling.

“What’s with that look?” Huo Boyan laughed softly. “It’s just SPA. What were you thinking?”

Zhu Ran: “…”

Zhu Ran still wanted to complain, but the disobedient masseur beside him had already started working on his own.

The massage room was dimly lit. Huo Boyan stood under a overhead lamp, pouring rose essential oil onto his hands. Then he rubbed his palms together, using his body heat to warm the cold oil. The room filled with the sweet, cloying scent of roses, accompanied by sticky, slick sounds.

Zhu Ran stared fixedly at the scene, his Adam’s apple bobbing unconsciously. He had never realized that such a simple act of applying oil could be made so sensual and breathtaking by Huo Boyan.

No, no, this wasn’t the time to get lost in it. Otherwise, it would make him look like he’d never seen anything like this before—way too embarrassing.

Zhu Ran collected himself and said in a picky tone, “Whether I do it or not depends on how good Mr. Huo’s technique is.”

Huo Boyan’s hands glistened with oil, veins and knuckles prominently raised, looking exceptionally provocative. After hearing Zhu Ran’s provocation, he curled his index and middle fingers into a subtle arc and smiled. “Doesn’t Mr. Zhu know how good my technique is?”

Zhu Ran froze. His mind flashed back to their first kiss on the cruise ship. Though the situation had been chaotic at the time, Huo Boyan had indeed used his hand like that… through his pants. That damn Huo Boyan!

The shameful memory made Zhu Ran’s entire face flush red, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words to refuse no matter what.

“Looks like the guest remembers,” Huo Boyan said as he stood by Zhu Ran’s bed. His gaze suddenly turned oppressively intense. “Take off your clothes and turn over.”