Chapter 57 Part 1

When they returned home, Zhu Ran’s oversized portrait photo had already arrived.

Worried that Zhu Ran might mind, Huo Boyan placed the photo in the storage room. But when he emerged from an online meeting, he saw Zhu Ran taking it out again, standing on tiptoe and gesturing: “Huo Boyan, where do you think we should hang it? The living room or the bedroom?”

Huo Boyan caught the frame from behind with both hands and lowered his head to ask, “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to hang it?”

“No,” Zhu Ran said calmly, “I told you to hang it wherever you like at home.”

Only after noticing that Zhu Ran showed no sign of reluctance on his face did Huo Boyan suggest putting it in the bedroom.

That night, Zhu Ran was unusually enthusiastic. He tried a top position that he hadn’t liked before, but it went too deep, and Zhu Ran felt pain in his stomach.

But this time, the young man braced both hands on Huo Boyan’s chest. His pale skin flushed with large patches of red, yet he didn’t stop.

Huo Boyan felt some heartache and reached out to support Zhu Ran’s waist. “Get down. No need to force yourself if you don’t like it.”

Zhu Ran glanced down at him, bit his lower lip, and sank back down.

Huo Boyan closed his eyes, feeling like he was about to be driven mad, veins bulging several on his lower abdomen.

Zhu Ran’s movements were no more than a tickle through boots—like a light drizzle when he thought he was exerting full force. Yet he domineeringly refused to let Huo Boyan move, claiming it was to serve him.

Huo Boyan endured it again and again, but in the end, he flipped over and pinned Zhu Ran down without mercy.

By the end, Zhu Ran was delirious. He lay on the black silk bedsheets, his skin as white as a block of Han white jade. After dazedly recovering for a few minutes, Zhu Ran reached out to Huo Boyan again and said he wanted more.

Huo Boyan looked at Zhu Ran for a few seconds, then suddenly pinched his chin. “Zhu Ran, are you trying to please me?”

Zhu Ran’s eyes flickered, and he inexplicably felt a bit guilty before quickly shaking his head. “No.”

“Do you think I can’t tell if you’re really into it?” Huo Boyan reached down and touched him bluntly. “You’re trying to fool me? You’re all soft here.”

Zhu Ran grew embarrassed. He arched his body and dodged to the side, only to bump into Huo Boyan’s rock-hard erection. Zhu Ran jumped in fright—Huo Boyan’s mouth was so fierce, but his body was so honest.

Zhu Ran bit his lip and looked up. “I’m not trying to please you. I just want to do something for you…”

He still had many hesitations about advancing their relationship and feared going public, fully integrating into each other’s lives with family and friends. So he wanted to make up for it in areas he could control—at least in bed, he could take full charge.

Zhu Ran didn’t explain further, but Huo Boyan miraculously understood the unspoken meaning. He pulled the man into his arms and said with some heartache, “Don’t feel guilty. You don’t need to do anything—just be yourself.”

Zhu Ran had grown up under constant value judgments: he could only play after finishing homework, and his parents only paid attention when he excelled. From childhood, his education emphasized being useful, hardworking, and playing a role. He couldn’t comprehend Huo Boyan’s words—or rather, he didn’t dare fully believe them.

Zhu Ran didn’t respond. Huo Boyan brought up another topic: “Do you still want me to meet your mom?”

Zhu Ran nodded without hesitation. “Yeah, meet her. I already promised her.”

Huo Boyan said, “I’m afraid it’ll put pressure on you.”

“It’s fine,” Zhu Ran’s tone lightened a bit. “Mom said she won’t interfere, and it doesn’t have to be too formal—just say hi at the wedding.”

Both Zhu Ran and Huo Boyan had prepared themselves, but the day before the wedding, Wang Ruyun suddenly had an attack and was hospitalized.

When the attack hit, Wang Ruyun was still outdoors. She quickly took a nitroglycerin tablet for the angina pain, but it didn’t ease. Kind passersby called an ambulance and sent her to the hospital.

By the time Zhu Ran arrived at the hospital, Wang Ruyun had stabilized. Liang Ziqian happened to be there and brought the cardiology director over to greet them, suggesting a check-up and coronary angiography.

While waiting for the checks, Zhu Ran sat by the bed and poured Wang Ruyun a glass of water, worriedly asking, “How did it flare up so suddenly? Are you still in pain?”

Wang Ruyun shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’ve just been too busy lately—worn out.”

With Mom living alone, no one would know if she had an attack at home. Zhu Ran hesitated before saying, “How about I move back in with you?”

“There’s Zhuoying here too. You coming back wouldn’t help much.” Seeing Zhu Ran fall silent, Wang Ruyun added, “Besides, school’s about to start. When we go home, you’ll have plenty of time to fuss over me. Today was just because I was out—you have your own things too. You can’t always be by my side.”

Zhu Ran didn’t insist further and escorted Wang Ruyun for the checks.

The results weren’t great. The doctor suggested brief hospitalization for observation. Zhu Ran went to handle the admission, and when he returned, he ran into Huo Boyan at the door, holding flowers and a fruit basket.

Zhu Ran quickly pulled him aside and whispered, “Why are you here?”

Huo Boyan replied, “I’m not going in—just came to check on her. Is Auntie okay?”