Chapter 6 Part 2

“Still early,” Lin Ziqing said. “We’ve only been here less than a week. Usually we play for ten days to half a month—sometimes a whole month.”

Zhu Ran pursed his lips without a word.

“What’s up, wanna leave early?” Lin Ziqing asked.

Zhu Ran nodded faintly.

Lin Ziqing didn’t press. “You could head back early if you want. Take a speedboat or seaplane to the M Country capital, then fly back to Hong Kong Island.”

Zhu Ran finally relaxed a bit. “I heard this is a private island—thought we’d need a private jet.”

“But it’s still a hassle,” Lin Ziqing added. “I think Mr. Huo is leaving in a couple days—you could ask to hitch a ride on his plane.” Worried he’d feel awkward, she continued, “Mr. Huo is very accommodating to the young ones. Just ask nicely, and he’ll agree.”

Zhu Ran said glumly, “I asked, but he hasn’t replied. Seems like he doesn’t want to.”

“Huh?” Lin Ziqing looked shocked. “How could that be? It’s just a plane ride—he never minded bigger favors before.”

Zhu Ran put on a aggrieved expression. “I don’t know why.”

Zhu Ran was already easy on the eyes, and his sweet, sensible personality made him even more endearing. He’d helped take plenty of photos for them these days, so looking wronged now, he seemed utterly bullied.

Lin Ziqing’s sense of responsibility surged. “Must be a misunderstanding. I’ll have Jia Hui ask for you. She’s Mr. Huo’s fourth uncle’s only daughter—spoiled in the family and close with Mr. Huo.”

Zhu Ran thanked her gratefully.

Since Huo Boyan hadn’t replied, they waited in the restaurant until he arrived. Huo Jiahui then dragged Zhu Ran over to ask.

“Bo Yan ge, can I ask a favor?”

“What is it?” Huo Boyan asked mildly.

Huo Jiahui was about to speak when Chen Jiaming approached with a phone. “Boss, call for you. Should I take it…?”

Chen Jiaming was always efficient and never hesitated like this. Huo Boyan asked, “Who’s calling?”

Chen Jiaming: “Claims to be Zhu Ran’s father.”

Zhu Ran froze on the spot. For a brief moment, he could hear nothing.

Everyone looked at him. As Huo Boyan took the phone, Zhu Ran snapped back to awareness, his cheeks burning red.

What was his dad doing, calling Huo Boyan!

Mortified, Zhu Ran watched Huo Boyan anxiously, unsure what to say, his big eyes darting around in uncharacteristic unease.

“Hello, this is Huo Boyan.” Huo Boyan spoke, his voice steady and calm, showing no irritation at the interruption.

He pointed at the screen, asking Zhu Ran if he should put it on speaker.

Zhu Ran bit his lip and nodded gratefully.

“Mr. Huo, right? Pleased to meet you. I’m A University Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Zhu Yanqing. I hear Zhu Ran went out island-hopping with you all again? He hasn’t caused you trouble, has he?”

“You’re too kind,” Huo Boyan replied easily. “Zhu Ran is very polite and gets along well with everyone.”

“Do you know where he is now?” Zhu Yanqing asked. “He blocked me and his mom—I can’t reach him.”

Zhu Ran’s face paled then flushed. He opened his mouth, but Huo Boyan spoke first. “Blocked? Zhu Ran, didn’t your phone drop into the sea during afternoon snorkeling? Can’t it turn on?”

Zhu Ran looked up in shock. Huo Boyan added, “Your dad couldn’t reach you, so he called me. Say hi and let him know you’re safe.”

Zhu Ran softly called out, “Dad.”

Zhu Yanqing’s voice turned stern. “Just a broken phone? Not lying?”

Zhu Ran stayed silent.

Huo Boyan took the phone. “Mr. Zhu, sorry to worry you. My oversight—I should’ve had Zhu Ran contact you right away. A kid out alone, parents can’t reach him, of course they’d worry.”

Zhu Yanqing seemed ready to grill more, but with Huo Boyan putting it that way, he could only agree. “Exactly, we were just worried. Glad he’s fine.”

Then he turned sharp. “No shutting off your phone from now on, got it?”

Before Zhu Ran could answer, Huo Boyan said, “Sorry, work call coming in—gotta hang up.”

Facing Huo Boyan, Zhu Yanqing was much more polite, exchanging pleasantries before ending the call.

Huo Boyan set the phone on the table and resumed talking with Huo Jiahui.

Zhu Ran stood there dazed, hardly believing it. What could’ve been a storm was deftly defused by Huo Boyan like a true adult.

“Zhu Ran, Zhu Ran.”

Hearing his name snapped him out of it. He looked up blankly. “Huh?”

“Bo Yan ge agreed,” Huo Jiahui said. “He’s heading back the day after tomorrow—you can take his plane.”

Zhu Ran stared at Huo Boyan in shock and quickly thanked him.

“You’re welcome.” Huo Boyan smiled back, the picture of patience and grace.

Meeting those smiling eyes, Zhu Ran pursed his lips and thanked him again.

Huo Boyan tilted his head slightly. “Just verbal thanks?”

Zhu Ran blinked, caught off guard. He’d expected something like “no need to thank.” But now Huo Boyan seemed dissatisfied with words alone?

Zhu Ran glanced at Huo Jiahui, but she just covered her mouth giggling, offering no hints.

Flustered and confused, Zhu Ran asked, “Then how should I thank you?”

Huo Boyan: “Guess.”

Zhu Ran’s face turned red from anxiety. Huo Boyan had helped him twice—verbal thanks felt insincere.

But no matter how he asked, Huo Boyan said nothing, leaving without a word even after dinner.

Zhu Ran racked his brains, unwilling to leave it like that, so he asked Huo Jiahui about Huo Boyan’s preferences.

Huo Jiahui had already moved on but burst out laughing. “Still on this? What a cute little brother.”

Zhu Ran’s face reddened. “Jia Hui jie, don’t tease. I’m serious.”

Huo Jiahui sobered. “No need.”

Zhu Ran: “But he said he wanted more than words…”

“Silly kid,” Huo Jiahui laughed, ruffling his hair. “Bo Yan ge saw you were down and was just teasing to cheer you up.”

Zhu Ran froze, his face flushing again. So that was it?