“Huo Junlin,” Huo Boyan said coldly, “if you’re going to lose it, get out. Don’t make a scene in my house.”
“I won’t!” Huo Junlin hadn’t dared go wild at first, but Huo Boyan’s words ignited his boldness. He swept all the miscellaneous trinkets off the coffee table onto the floor.
He didn’t dare go too far, only smashing things that seemed inconsequential.
Most items survived intact, except for one tacky, ugly colorful ceramic pig figurine that shattered.
It was a little trinket Huo Boyan had just bid on remotely. Though an antique ceramic, it was clearly a child’s toy—its dowdy, ugly design unlikely to appeal to kids. Almost no one bid, so Huo Boyan brought it home.
But before he could show it to Zhu Ran, it was smashed by the odious Huo Junlin.
Huo Junlin was older than Zhu Ran yet less mature than a child. Huo Boyan’s patience wore thin, and he issued a cold eviction notice without mercy.
Zhu Ran returned home early, intending to surprise Huo Boyan, but ended up shocked again. Opening the door, he heard Huo Junlin shouting, “Whenever there’s trouble, you ship me off. Do you see me as a brother or just a pet dog you keep?”
Huo Boyan faced him directly, his expression more serious than Zhu Ran had ever seen.
Zhu Ran froze, instinctively ducking behind the furniture. Huo Junlin charged out like a bull, not noticing the hiding Zhu Ran.
Huo Boyan dialed a number and instructed someone, “Keep an eye on Huo Junlin. Don’t let him cause trouble.”
Only after Huo Boyan hung up did Zhu Ran cautiously poke his head out.
Huo Boyan’s expression returned to normal. “Why are you back early? Eaten dinner?”
Zhu Ran shook his head and asked, “What happened? Did Huo Junlin piss you off?”
“It’s nothing major.” Huo Boyan’s gaze fell on the bouquet in Zhu Ran’s arms, and he smoothly changed the subject. “Who sent the flowers?”
“No one.” Zhu Ran said immediately.
His response was straightforward, but his eyes darted evasively, flustered as if the flowers were something precious.
Huo Boyan felt a twinge of displeasure but didn’t show it. Zhu Ran being popular wasn’t new; throwing a tantrum over a bouquet would be immature. He switched topics. “Go wash up for dinner. I made soybean bitter melon pork rib soup—perfect for clearing your heatiness.”
But Zhu Ran clutched the flowers and followed, cheeks flushed, refusing to let go.
Huo Boyan narrowed his eyes, his breathing growing heavier. He could tolerate Zhu Ran accepting flowers and bringing them home, but not obsessing over the sender.
Before anger could build, Zhu Ran shoved the flowers into his arms, blushing as he said, “For you.”
Huo Boyan was stunned. “You got these for me?”
It was Zhu Ran’s first time giving flowers, and he was awkward about it. He added, “Yeah, I passed a florist today and grabbed them on impulse.”
The dark clouds in Huo Boyan’s mind vanished instantly. He leaned down, kissed Zhu Ran’s forehead gently, and said, “Thank you. I love them.”
Zhu Ran ran off to find a vase. Seeing the scattered debris in the living room, he paused, then squatted to clean up the shards.
He didn’t ask anything but vaguely guessed Huo Junlin had smashed them. He had no idea why and didn’t dare delve deeper.
Someone hugged him from behind. Huo Boyan buried his face in Zhu Ran’s neck and asked, “What are you thinking?”
Zhu Ran had been anxious all evening and couldn’t hold back. “I’ve heard some rumors lately. Is everything going smoothly on your end?”
Huo Boyan paused, then kissed the back of Zhu Ran’s neck. “Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”
Zhu Ran still fretted. “Will you be in danger?”
Huo Boyan boasted shamelessly, “No one can touch me now.”
But this still didn’t dispel Zhu Ran’s doubts until Huo Boyan pulled Zhu Ran’s hand downward and said roguishly, “Of course, except for you, my life is in your hands.”
Zhu Ran felt scalded, his cheeks flushing red in an instant, but his tone remained very serious. “Huo Boyan, I’m talking serious business here.”
“It’s not any big deal,” Huo Boyan lowered his eyes and said expressionlessly. “They’re all just some very annoying things.”
Zhu Ran was stunned for a moment. It was the first time he had heard Huo Boyan speak in such a willful tone, like a child forced to do something he disliked but unable to refuse, having to grit his teeth and push through.
But he suddenly realized that as early as when Huo Boyan was fourteen years old, he had been deprived of the right to be willful.
Zhu Ran felt sad for Huo Boyan but didn’t know what he could do, so he said honestly, “Huo Boyan, I want to help you, but I don’t know what I can do. If you have any needs, feel free to arrange for me.”
Huo Boyan was slightly taken aback, then quickly said, “Don’t think like that. You’ve already helped me a lot.”
Zhu Ran wasn’t pleased. “Huo Boyan, at a time like this, don’t try to comfort me.”
“It’s not comforting.” Huo Boyan lowered his head to kiss Zhu Ran’s forehead, his tone very gentle. “You’ve always been by my side. That’s enough.”
