Chapter 48 Part 1

Huo Boyan’s embrace was too tight and too heavy. His body trembled slightly, and the breath he sprayed onto Zhu Ran’s side neck was rough and heavy, like a wild beast desperately trying to restrain itself from going mad.

Zhu Ran was almost unable to breathe, and his bones began to ache. But it was in this pain that Zhu Ran gradually sensed Huo Boyan’s sadness.

He realized that Huo Boyan was really sad right now.

Zhu Ran knew his own personality was aloof, his words weren’t particularly pleasant, and he had no experience with healthy intimate relationships. He was sensitive by nature with strong empathy, but he struggled to turn that empathy into action, to actually do something about it.

He still didn’t know what to do, so he clumsily imitated the way Huo Boyan had once comforted him. He carefully hugged him back, gently stroking the man’s head, offering some support that he wasn’t even sure was helpful.

It was like a driving school student who had just passed the written exam being forced onto the road—flustered and panicked, but still carefully catching Huo Boyan’s emotions.

After some unknown amount of time, Huo Boyan finally loosened his grip a little. Zhu Ran lifted his head and said sadly, “Huo Boyan, are you feeling a bit better?”

Huo Boyan didn’t answer. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed Zhu Ran’s lips fiercely.

The heavy bulletproof door was roughly yanked open and then slammed shut with a bang. Amid the echoing sound, the two stumbled into the apartment. Zhu Ran hadn’t even steadied himself when Huo Boyan pushed him against the wall and bit his lips. The metal-framed glasses dug into Zhu Ran’s nose bridge before Huo Boyan removed them and tossed them aside carelessly.

The kiss gradually turned into plunder, into biting—a remedy to dispel the negative emotions.

Huo Boyan trapped Zhu Ran between his body and the wall, lifting him off the ground and turning Zhu Ran into a ragdoll that could only be manipulated by him.

But even that wasn’t enough. More dark desires surged from the depths of his heart, recklessly clamoring to conquer, to plunder, to invade, to completely claim Zhu Ran as his own.

Huo Boyan carried Zhu Ran into the bedroom in big strides, tossed him onto the bed, and under Zhu Ran’s shocked gaze, undid his tie and buttons. His oppressive frame descended in an instant.

Those scenes he had rehearsed countless times in his mind, those unspeakable thoughts, finally erupted completely at this moment, sweeping over Zhu Ran’s body with devastating force.

Before this, Zhu Ran had always been well taken care of by Huo Boyan. Huo Boyan paid attention to all his reactions and moods; even his slightest needs were noticed. Most of the time, he was gentle, perfectly dominant when needed, and even deliberately teased Zhu Ran. Huo Boyan’s refinement had made Zhu Ran think that was all there was to him.

Only now, pinned under Huo Boyan on the bed, was all his autonomy stripped away—his breathing, movements, reactions, words, even his thoughts no longer belonged to him.

Huo Boyan was like a despotic tyrant in his own territory, displaying an unprecedented dominance.

At first, Zhu Ran could accept it and even tried his best to cooperate. But Huo Boyan was too fierce. Zhu Ran retreated again and again until overwhelming worry and grievance surged up, and he finally couldn’t help but cry out softly.

Zhu Ran hadn’t meant to cry, nor did he intend to stop Huo Boyan. But even if his mind was willing, his body couldn’t accept such forceful actions and instinctively wanted to evade.

This sob was like a starting gun, instantly pulling back Huo Boyan’s near-lost control.

“Sorry, I…” He tried to get up, but Zhu Ran recklessly grabbed his collar and whispered shakily in his ear, “Huo Boyan, continue…”

Huo Boyan had never faced such a severe test.

The person he loved lay on his bed, defenseless and without boundaries, indulging him even at the risk of getting hurt. Just a little more, one step further, and Zhu Ran would completely belong to him.

Huo Boyan’s muscles tensed all over, thick veins bulging on his forearms. His breathing grew heavier and heavier, his eyes tinged with violent red, but he forcibly halted all his movements.

It shouldn’t be like this. Their first time absolutely shouldn’t happen in his anger.

Huo Boyan straightened up and released his hands, only then noticing the finger marks he’d left on Zhu Ran’s waist and the mess on the inside of his thighs.

Huo Boyan forced his gaze away from Zhu Ran’s body, pulled the blanket over himself, and said, “Sorry. Go take a shower, then come out for dinner. I’ll explain everything to you later, okay?”

Zhu Ran was still a bit dazed. His body and mind had been turned into mush by Huo Boyan. It took him half a day to come back to his senses and realize what Huo Boyan had said.

This was his first time doing something like this too. He had been bolder than anyone when emotions ran high, but now that he was calm, he felt a bit embarrassed and still worried about Huo Boyan.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Ran finally spoke, ignoring his disheveled state to ask, “Are you feeling better now?”

“Don’t worry,” Huo Boyan ruffled his hair, his gaze clear once more. “I’m fine now.”

Only then did Zhu Ran relax. He didn’t move right away, wanting Huo Boyan to leave first. But Huo Boyan misunderstood and asked, “Can you walk? Do you want me to carry you to the bathroom?”

“No, no need!” Zhu Ran shook his head frantically, covering his body with his hands, embarrassed as he said, “You go out first…”

Huo Boyan then realized Zhu Ran was shy and ruffled his hair again before leaving.

Zhu Ran went to the bathroom to shower. He hadn’t felt much at first, but when the hot water hit him, he noticed his lips were numb and there was a slight stinging pain on his chest and inner thighs.

Was Huo Boyan part ox? He hadn’t even gone all the way, and he’d already plowed him this painfully…

Zhu Ran cursed him inwardly, but thinking of Huo Boyan’s expression softened him a bit. He took back some of the harsher words and continued scolding in what he thought was a fair manner.

When Zhu Ran came out of the shower, he smelled a rich aroma of beef.

Huo Boyan had changed into a clean white shirt, transforming into a gentleman. He stood properly by the gas stove, pan-frying steaks.

Pan-frying steak was a simple yet impressive skill. It seemed complicated at first glance with all its steps, but in reality, it was just heat the pan on high, add oil, place the steak, sear one side for a few minutes, sprinkle some sea salt and black pepper, add butter, garlic, and rosemary, and the result was delicious.

Zhu Ran had only showered for 15 minutes, and in that time, Huo Boyan had changed into decent clothes and prepared an elaborate meal. It was no surprise that he earned Zhu Ran’s highest praise.

Zhu Ran was truly hungry, and he hadn’t expected Huo Boyan to actually enjoy cooking. In Zhu Ran’s fixed impression, rich people like Huo Boyan had hordes of servants at home. They just had to say the word to get whatever they wanted. They were society’s elites, with time scheduled to the minute, discussing billion-dollar projects—how could they possibly cook themselves?