Chapter 47 Part 3

The deaths of Huo Zhilang and his wife were heavily reported by the media, the severely injured Huo Zhixiao received close attention from all sides, but as for the unlucky driver who had been driving for Huo Zhixiao, the media and public paid him no mind. Only Chen Jiaming still paid respects to this deceased father every year.

Chen Jiaming closed his eyes. Sometimes he felt this road stretched endlessly, and he questioned if his persistence even had meaning.

Until Zhang Jinhua came forward. After waiting so many years, those long-buried truths were finally about to surface.

But the boss’s reaction greatly exceeded Chen Jiaming’s expectations. Huo Boyan was silent for a long time before suddenly looking up and asking him, “What’s the next step in the plan?”

Chen Jiaming was stunned. It wasn’t that he didn’t know the plan—it just didn’t sound like a question Huo Boyan would ask.

Huo Boyan had a photographic memory, and his mind worked like a supercomputer—more intuitive than AI at times. Even Chen Jiaming, his seasoned assistant, sometimes needed reminders from his boss. They had prepared for this case reversal for a long time, repeatedly calculating both sides’ bargaining chips and the interests of those involved. The core steps were all set by Huo Boyan himself; there was no way he needed an outsider’s reminder.

But Chen Jiaming was used to being an assistant. When Huo Boyan asked, his mouth answered automatically: “We now have a witness who can prove the truck driver was bribed. Next, we hand the evidence to Elder Mr. Huo and convince him to give us the investigation report from the accident scene back then.”

Huo Boyan shook his head and calmly instructed, “Listen carefully. There are only two things to do next: First, protect Zhang Jinhua. No one but me is allowed near her. Second, keep our acquisition of the evidence under wraps—including Zhang Jinhua’s entry information and activity traces. None of it leaks.”

Chen Jiaming was stunned. “Even your grandfather?”

Grandfather…

A month ago, Huo Tinghua had pointed at his nose and cursed: As long as you find even a shred of evidence, I’ll drag Huo Zhixiao to the police station without a second word! But do you have evidence, Huo Boyan?!

Huo Boyan looked up at Chen Jiaming, his tone unusually calm. “Do you think he’s really on our side?”

Chen Jiaming was stunned.

In August on Hong Kong Island, the sun blazed hot enough to scorch the ground. Chen Jiaming stood under the scorching sun, but a chill ran down his back.

Huo Boyan said nothing more. He remained silent the entire way and ultimately postponed his meeting with Zhu Ran.

He didn’t dare see Zhu Ran at a time like this, nor did he want to take out his temper on him.

Zhu Ran was too obedient, with such a compliant personality. He did whatever he was told, even things that seemed excessive in Huo Boyan’s eyes. As long as Huo Boyan coaxed him a little, Zhu Ran would half-heartedly agree.

Huo Boyan didn’t consider himself a good person. He had indeed developed many dark thoughts toward Zhu Ran—even his own grandfather called him sick and told him to see a psychologist.

He knew he wasn’t normal, and Zhu Ran’s indulgence only amplified his desires. But he still had his wits about him. He didn’t want these twisted fetishes to define their relationship.

Zhu Ran deserved a healthy romance, deserved to be treated well. Like ordinary couples in the world—eating meals, going on dates, strolling the streets, watching movies, sharing childhood stories and dreams. He would give Zhu Ran a romance that perfectly fit the world’s definition of normal.

If they met now, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t do something to hurt Zhu Ran.

Not long after he sent the message, Huo Boyan’s phone vibrated.

[Zhu Ran]: Good.

Huo Boyan didn’t reply. He stayed at the cemetery until late into the night before having the driver take him back to his apartment.

Huo Boyan entered the elevator. The mirror reflected his icy face—no trace of the gentlemanly warmth remained.

Unlike his naturally likable father, Huo Boyan had an excessively cold face. Once the facade dropped, an unlikable sharpness seeped from every pore, faintly revealing the bloodthirsty violence beneath his skin.

He thought coldly that tonight, he should have been with Zhu Ran.

He would have cooked dinner for Zhu Ran himself, teased him until his face flushed red, kissed and embraced him in the summer evening breeze.

He would have coaxed Zhu Ran into wearing the skirt he picked—or nothing at all—then watched Zhu Ran’s snowy cheeks turn pink, then red. Zhu Ran would want to scold him but couldn’t bear to, so he’d retract his claws and pat him with harmless little paws.

He should have enjoyed a romantic night, feeling simple joy like a normal person, experiencing the most ordinary life and love.

But now, there was nothing.

Huo Boyan stepped out of the elevator. Violent thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but when he saw the figure at his door, all those impulses vanished.

Zhu Ran crouched there with his backpack, lifting his head in surprise at the sound of footsteps.

But he soon grew embarrassed, seemingly blaming himself for the uninvited visit. He greeted Huo Boyan with a guilty look.

Huo Boyan said nothing, his dark eyes fixed intently on him.

“I-I was just a little worried,” Zhu Ran knew showing up unannounced wasn’t right and explained softly. “Sorry, I contacted Chen Jiaming on my own, but I didn’t pry into your business. He just said you weren’t in a good mood. I didn’t have anything else going on, so I thought I’d come check on you…”

Huo Boyan still didn’t react, and Zhu Ran suddenly felt like he couldn’t stay.

He always acted on instinct, following his heart more than weighing pros and cons. If an idea popped into his head, he went for it. He occasionally caused trouble, but overall, he’d never suffered much.

After getting the news from Chen Jiaming, Zhu Ran couldn’t sit still. He agonized over it for a while but still decided to come.

He was used to being impulsive and didn’t regret his choice. But when Huo Boyan looked at him with such cold eyes, Zhu Ran felt for the first time that maybe people shouldn’t be so reckless.

“Sorry, I should’ve said something before coming over,” Zhu Ran couldn’t stay any longer. He turned to leave, forcing calm. “I won’t bother you. I’ll head out…”

Huo Boyan grabbed Zhu Ran’s arm and pulled him into a tight embrace.