Chapter 51 Part 2

Zhu Ran stayed silent.

Huo Boyan: “Please.”

Zhu Ran: “…”

Aaaah!!!

He had meant to call Huo Boyan cheesy, but his whole face flushed red, and the corners of his mouth curved up uncontrollably, making him look shy.

Huo Boyan watched seriously for two seconds, saw Zhu Ran’s good reaction, and kissed him again.

Zhu Ran got out right on time, feeling like his lips were swollen from the kisses.

Worried Wang Ruyun would notice, he bought an ice pop and sucked on it all the way back, chilling his stomach. But it turned out he was overthinking—Wang Ruyun wasn’t waiting to catch him. She was in the break room, propping up a tablet to watch a video.

As Zhu Ran passed behind her, he glanced at the screen and froze—Wang Ruyun was watching a same-sex romance movie.

Zhu Ran was so shocked that he accidentally kicked a nearby chair.

Wang Ruyun looked up.

Zhu Ran felt awkward but played it cool. “Mom, watching a movie?”

Wang Ruyun: “Learning a bit.”

Zhu Ran nearly dropped his phone in fright.

A bold idea suddenly struck him. Why not confess his relationship with Huo Boyan now? Her attitude had softened these days; she probably wouldn’t oppose it as strongly as before.

Zhu Ran opened his mouth, his heartbeat quickening. “Mom…”

“What’s up?” Wang Ruyun looked up calmly.

“I want to…”

The office door opened, and a staff member came in to call Wang Ruyun, saying the client had arrived.

“Got it.” Wang Ruyun looked up at Zhu Ran. “What were you going to say?”

Zhu Ran deflated again and shook his head. “Nothing. Go ahead with your work.”

Wang Ruyun didn’t chat more and left after closing the tablet.

Zhu Ran sighed but quickly perked up. Though he’d missed the chance this time, it meant he had more time to prepare.

He ran through all possible reactions from his mom and listed several questions she might ask. After a busy day, he video-called Huo Boyan as usual that evening, but the other man said he couldn’t video and switched to voice.

Zhu Ran didn’t think much of it. He wanted to tell Huo Boyan he was preparing to come out to his mom but hesitated, worried about failure. They just chatted briefly, said goodnight, and hung up.

Though he claimed to be sleeping, Zhu Ran played on his phone for over an hour, staying up until midnight.

That was his usual bedtime. He planned to rest, but for some reason, he opened social media again.

After coming to Hong Kong Island, his feed filled with local news. As Zhu Ran scrolled, he suddenly saw a breaking update: Huo Boyan stabbed on the street, rushed to the hospital.

The photo showed Huo Boyan’s blood-soaked arm.

Zhu Ran’s mind exploded with a buzz. He first thought it was fake news, but it was from a reputable local media outlet, already reposted by many others.

Huo Boyan stabbed? But they’d just talked on the phone!

No—they’d connected an hour ago, and he hadn’t picked up the video!

Zhu Ran lost his composure. He messaged Huo Boyan: Huo Boyan, I saw the news. Are you safe? Reply.

After two minutes with no response, he called—phone off.

Zhu Ran didn’t wait. He called the bodyguard to bring the car, changed clothes, and thundered down the stairs.

The bodyguard didn’t interfere with his activities and stayed low-key, but was reliable when needed. By the time Zhu Ran reached downstairs, the car was at the gate.

Zhu Ran scrambled in. The driver asked where to.

Zhu Ran froze—he didn’t know the address. The bodyguard opened his mouth as if to speak, but Zhu Ran cut him off and called Chen Jiaming.

Chen Jiaming’s line was jammed. Zhu Ran boldly dialed Liang Ziqian—no answer.

Fine, ganging up on him, huh?!

Fuming and frantic, just as Zhu Ran planned to call Huo Junlin, the bodyguard said, “Are you going to find Mr. Huo?”

Desperate, Zhu Ran asked, “You know where he is?”

Bodyguard: “We received orders. If you wanted to go out tonight, we could take you to an address.”

Zhu Ran had many questions, but before he could voice them, Chen Jiaming finally called back.

“Mr. Zhu, looking for me?” Chen Jiaming’s voice was calmer than Zhu Ran expected.

Zhu Ran immediately said, “I saw the news. How’s Huo Boyan?”

Chen Jiaming: “Not great, but no life-threatening danger.”

Zhu Ran’s heart sank. “Give me the address. I’m coming now.”

The address matched what the bodyguard said. If Zhu Ran had been calmer, he might have noticed something off. But he was too anxious, spending the ride checking news reports and maps, overlooking the minor coincidence.

When Zhu Ran arrived, reporters swarmed the hospital entrance, surrounding Chen Jiaming and clamoring for scoops.

“Was Mr. Huo’s street stabbing related to the shares Mr. Huo Tinghua transferred yesterday?”

“Is it true the attacker fled to Southeast Asia?”

“Some say the mastermind behind this is the same as in Huo Zhilang and his wife’s car crash back then—is that real?”

…

Zhu Ran listened in horror but was glad it wasn’t Huo Boyan being grilled. Hong Kong media worked this hard? Digging at midnight?

Something felt off to Zhu Ran, but his worry for Huo Boyan overrode it. He hurried with Chen Jiaming’s assistant to the inpatient building.

The VIP ward was heavily guarded. Zhu Ran passed through layers of security, his heart sinking deeper with each step. Finally, at the door, he took two deep breaths and pushed it open.

Huo Boyan lay in the hospital bed in patient garb, his left arm wrapped in bandages, eyes closed—unclear if unconscious or asleep. Perhaps from blood loss, his face looked exceptionally pale. Zhu Ran had never seen him so weak.

Zhu Ran stared blankly, his eyes gradually reddening.