Although digital photography was now widespread and anyone could produce works with a phone, in the professional realm, oversized silver-salt prints had an impact that digital couldn’t match.
Especially with silver-salt processing, it preserved details to the utmost, looking incredibly fine and immersive. Standing before this photo felt like facing a living, breathing Zhu Ran.
The sensation was too weird, making him seem like a narcissist.
Zhu Ran looked away and said to Huo Boyan, “Such fine craftsmanship wasted on printing my photo.”
Small silver-salt prints weren’t cheap, let alone this oversized one over a meter in both dimensions. It required high-end equipment and skill, costing tens of thousands per print. Zhu Ran had coveted it before but couldn’t justify it—his photos weren’t art worthy of such treatment, and a self-portrait was too extravagant.
He hadn’t even splurged on his best works, yet here was his portrait fully printed, as if the photographer valued the subject more than the art.
Huo Boyan: “Not wasteful at all. I like it a lot.”
Zhu Ran fell silent.
Huo Boyan added, “I bought a darkroom workshop specifically to print your photos. These workers have decent skills. I plan to put some in the company, some at home, and collect some here at the Art Museum.”
Zhu Ran: “…”
“Huo Boyan, this is getting a bit perverted.”
“Perverted?” Huo Boyan said calmly. “I didn’t collect your nudes.”
Zhu Ran: “…”
“Huo Boyan, don’t even think about it!”
“I’m kidding,” Huo Boyan ruffled his hair and smiled. “I’d never let others see your body.”
That sounded somewhat human, but even clothed, the idea of such a large photo being ogled felt strange. As a photographer, Zhu Ran was used to viewing the world from behind the lens, not being the viewed.
He bargained with Huo Boyan: “You can put it at home or in your office bedroom, but not the Art Museum. Too many people come and go—I don’t want others seeing me.”
Huo Boyan agreed readily and had the staff send the photo home.
“Wait,” Zhu Ran suddenly realized. “Huo Boyan, you never planned to put it in the Art Museum, did you?”
Huo Boyan laughed. “You just figured it out?”
“…”
“Huo Boyan, I’m mad!” Zhu Ran announced loudly, punching Huo Boyan’s arm twice with his fist.
Huo Boyan caught him smoothly, pulling him into an embrace. “Alright, don’t be mad. I’ll let you take photos too. How about we hang our wedding photo in the bedroom later?”
Wedding photo… Had he ever said he was marrying Huo Boyan…?
How did this man dare say anything that came to mind!
Zhu Ran gritted his teeth, realizing he had been thoroughly bullied again. Huo Boyan knew he was helpless against him.
Argh, so infuriating!!!
Zhu Ran butted against Huo Boyan like a bull as they left the entrance. Behind them, the staff moved the items as instructed.
As they prepared to wrap Zhu Ran’s portrait in protective foam, a tall young man stopped them.
“Wait.”
The staff looked troubled. “Young Master, this is for Mr. Huo.”
“I know,” Huo Junlin said. “I just want to look for a moment. I won’t hold you up.”
The staff hesitated but eventually stepped back, saying they’d return in ten minutes.
Huo Junlin thanked him. Standing before Zhu Ran’s photo, various thoughts flooded his mind.
“Wasn’t it you who met him first? Now Huo Boyan stole him away—are you okay with that?”
“Why isn’t Zhu Ran with you? Isn’t it because you lack Huo Boyan’s power and status?”
“You’re always overshadowed by your big brother. Don’t you want to prove to everyone that you’re no worse than Huo Boyan?”
Ten minutes later, the staff returned on time. Huo Junlin left without lingering.
Neither Zhu Ran nor Huo Boyan knew about this. The bodyguard hesitated but figured letting Huo Junlin glance at a photo wasn’t a big deal, so he didn’t report it to Huo Boyan. After all, their job was to ensure the employer’s safety, not surveillance.
After leaving the Art Museum, Zhu Ran and Huo Boyan went to an imported furniture buyer store.
Anything labeled imported, designer, or self-proclaimed art had prices inflated by several zeros. This store was outrageously expensive—a regular sofa cost six figures, designer pieces neared seven, and even dog bowls were over ten thousand, not even made of gold!
Walking among these furnishings, Zhu Ran felt breathless. He’d thought himself modestly wealthy before, but by Huo Boyan’s standards, he couldn’t even furnish a bedroom.
Zhu Ran didn’t dare pick anything and asked Huo Boyan, “What are we doing here? Redecorating?”
Huo Boyan nodded. “Help me look at the furniture.”
Zhu Ran: “This expensive? You trying to outfit Versailles Palace?”
“Not quite,” Huo Boyan smiled. “Big enough for you is sufficient.”
Zhu Ran: “…”
He was almost immune to Huo Boyan’s sweet talk.
Though short on cash, Zhu Ran had plenty of taste. Thinking Huo Boyan just wanted his input, he pointed freely without budget concerns. But after selection, the staff invited them to the lounge for tea. Huo Boyan pulled out his card to pay.
“No way,” Zhu Ran said, stunned. “Huo Boyan, you’re really buying?”
Huo Boyan: “Why else would I come?”
Zhu Ran: “…”
He’d thought it was just for reference.
Zhu Ran roughly calculated—his casual picks probably totaled millions. He’d never splurged like that. He quickly stopped Huo Boyan. “No, I was just talking nonsense. Renovation is a big deal—you should decide yourself.”
Huo Boyan put away his card and politely asked the store manager to leave, as they needed to discuss.
The manager and staff departed, leaving the lounge unusually quiet with just the two of them.
