Chapter 55 Part 2

“You’re the one who’s too fierce,” Zhu Ran mumbled dazedly in rebuttal. “Huo Boyan, you’re not allowed to drink kidney tonic anymore.”

“I didn’t,” Huo Boyan said as he wrung out a hot towel to clean Zhu Ran, then poked his flat abdomen. “All the kidney tonic went into your belly. You didn’t feel a thing?”

Zhu Ran suspected Huo Boyan was implying something vulgar and flushed as he cursed him out. Of course, he was not wrong—Huo Boyan’s essence was indeed trickling down from his body.

Huo Boyan’s stamina was too vigorous. The next day, Zhu Ran could barely get out of bed. The alarm rang three times before he reluctantly got up.

Huo Boyan was already dressed, looking refreshed as he came over to kiss his forehead. “I left breakfast. You can sleep more and eat when you wake up.”

“No,” Zhu Ran shook his head, fumbling out of bed with his eyes closed. “Lin Zilang’s wedding is this weekend. I need to help out.”

Huo Boyan seemed to just remember. “When is his wedding?”

They had sent the invitation months ago, but Huo Boyan was not close to the Lin family. Plus, he had not been dating Zhu Ran then, so he had no intention of going and just sent a gift via his assistant.

But now that he and Zhu Ran were together, he had to attend Zhu Ran’s cousin’s wedding.

Zhu Ran gave the time, and Huo Boyan nodded. “Alright, I’ll go with you then.”

Zhu Ran’s expression turned troubled, and he said hesitantly, “I probably can’t go with you.”

Huo Boyan understood immediately. Zhu Ran was Lin Zilang’s blood relative, while he had no relation to the Lin family. Nor much friendship. For Lin Zilang’s wedding, Zhu Ran would surely be with the Lin family and Wang Ruyun, probably even as a groomsman.

Speaking of groomsmen, Huo Junlin was close to Lin Zilang, so he would definitely be one too. The thought of Zhu Ran wearing a suit with others at the wedding made Huo Boyan very unhappy.

But he could not shamelessly insert himself as a groomsman. He and Lin Zilang were almost a generation apart; showing up would scare everyone speechless. There was no need to ruin someone’s wedding for his own sake.

“It’s fine,” Huo Boyan said magnanimously. “I know you have arrangements. I won’t disturb you.”

Zhu Ran felt a bit unsettled and went over to hug Huo Boyan. “Next wedding, I’ll go with you.”

“There’s a next time?” Huo Boyan raised an eyebrow, smiling as he pinched Zhu Ran’s cheek. “Baby, does that mean we should prepare for our wedding next?”

“O-our wedding?” Zhu Ran stuttered, suddenly wide awake from any sleepiness.

Huo Boyan hummed affirmatively, as if he had thought about it countless times, saying matter-of-factly, “Move in with me. That proves your mom doesn’t object anymore. When should we meet?”

Zhu Ran had never considered this. He was still a student, his mind full of studies, internships, and graduation. Though he was dating Huo Boyan, meeting parents already?

“No rush,” Huo Boyan said, seeing his hesitation. “I’m just mentioning it. If your mom isn’t ready, we can talk later.”

Even though Huo Boyan said that, Zhu Ran still grew tense.

Before this, he had never dared think about the future. Given his family’s situation, dating a man was already a huge taboo. Bringing a man home to introduce to his mom? Although Wang Ruyun’s attitude had softened recently, Zhu Ran could hardly imagine her meeting Huo Boyan.

“What are you thinking about?” Wang Ruyun glanced at Zhu Ran. “You’ve been absent-minded all morning. Are you trying on this suit or not?”

Lin Zilang added, “We have several groomsmen suits. Pick the one you like.”

Zhu Ran snapped out of it and put down the suit. “No, I’m supposed to take photos for you guys. I’m not being a groomsman.”

Lin Zilang glanced at Wang Zhuoying, unsure. Though he was getting married early, he was not that old, and these matters were handled by the elders.

“How could we let you photograph the wedding? That would be a waste of talent,” Wang Zhuoying took over. “You’ve already helped a lot. How could we make you run around on the wedding day? We hired professional photographers. You’re a guest—just have fun.”

Wang Zhuoying had just received a message from Chen Jiaming’s secretary that Huo Boyan would attend Lin Zilang’s wedding.

They had personally delivered the invitation months ago, and Huo Boyan had not agreed then. Now he changed his mind, and Wang Zhuoying guessed it was because of Zhu Ran.

Given Huo Boyan’s status on Hong Kong Island, even sending an assistant would be a huge honor, let alone attending personally. The Lin family had some business ties through Huo Zhile’s wife and gained a bit of fame on Hong Kong Island, but they were still ordinary folk, not even new money.

Now that Huo Boyan was willing to associate with them because of Zhu Ran, she naturally wanted to treat him especially well. Arranging him as a groomsman was a sign of respect, but Zhu Ran still refused.

Since the person himself was unwilling, Wang Zhuoying did not press and let Zhu Ran be an ordinary guest to enjoy himself.

Nearby, Huo Junlin, who was trying on a groomsman suit, looked up toward Zhu Ran. He took a couple of steps this way, but his phone vibrated. He glanced at the number and turned to leave.

Zhu Ran did not notice, as Wang Ruyun pulled him aside and suddenly asked, “Is that guy of yours coming to Zilang’s wedding too?”