After about a minute, Huo Boyan spoke. “Zhu Ran, are you still being polite with me?”
Without thinking, Zhu Ran blurted, “Polite about what? It’s your business anyway.”
As soon as he said it, Huo Boyan’s face lost all trace of amusement.
Zhu Ran realized he’d misspoke and backpedaled. “Ah, I didn’t mean it that way. I just think big things like this you should decide yourself. Taste is personal—what I like you might not, and if later we…”
“Later we what?” Huo Boyan looked at him with a half-smile.
Zhu Ran froze, his back breaking out in cold sweat.
Damn, what had he almost said?
Now truly cowed, Zhu Ran softened his tone. “Huo Boyan, are you mad? I just…”
“Zhu Ran,” Huo Boyan met his eyes seriously. “We’re living together now. I want us to decide major things jointly.”
Zhu Ran moved his lips but didn’t know what to say. He was used to independence, making all his own decisions—old habits died hard.
“I know you’re not used to it. Take it slow, okay?” Huo Boyan softened his voice, coaxing gently. “If buying furniture together pressures you, we can start small. But don’t exclude me, alright?”
Zhu Ran pursed his lips and nodded. “I’ll try.”
Huo Boyan said again, “If there’s anything I do that makes you uncomfortable, remember to tell me.”
“I didn’t…” Zhu Ran subconsciously refuted, but deep down, there was indeed a voice saying he wasn’t used to it.
He liked being in a relationship with Huo Boyan and truly wanted to stay with him. However, meeting parents, buying furniture, even going abroad to get married—these things all felt too fast to him.
Sometimes, he felt like Huo Boyan was invading his privacy, his territory, his personal life, making him feel less free. Huo Boyan was indeed meticulous in every way, but some decisions also put pressure on him, as if forcing him to move forward.
Zhu Ran glanced at Huo Boyan and confirmed that the other wasn’t angry before whispering, “Huo Boyan, I hope we can slow down a bit…”
Huo Boyan lowered his head slightly and said patiently, “Slow down what?”
“Our relationship,” Zhu Ran said. “I feel like it’s progressing a bit too fast…”
Huo Boyan paused as realization dawned. “Am I pressuring you?”
Zhu Ran nodded cautiously. “A little bit.”
Huo Boyan closed his eyes and took a dozen seconds to calm down before saying guiltily, “Sorry, baby, I was too impatient.”
Zhu Ran was thrown off by his suddenly formal tone and shook his head again. “I’m not blaming you. I’m just not used to it. I have some issues with my personality; I’m not good at handling intimate relationships. I…”
“It’s not your problem. I was too hasty,” Huo Boyan shook his head and said sincerely. “My parents died in a car accident. They were planning our summer vacation with me one day, and the next day, they were gone without any warning. So my outlook on life is to seize the day. I grab onto what I want, what I like, what I value right away. Because I can’t predict the future or prevent accidents, I always think, what if I die tomorrow? Every day with you might be the last, so I can’t leave any regrets.”
What’s with all this talk of dying?
Zhu Ran reached out to cover his mouth anxiously. “Huo Boyan, don’t say that!”
Huo Boyan shook his head, his tone firm and serious. “I also know that being with me means you have to endure a lot of unnecessary dangers and pressure, but I still confessed to you and pursued you anyway. I was a jerk in that regard, but I don’t regret it. Don’t be afraid. At least when it comes to safety, I won’t let you be in danger.”
Huo Boyan was never one for steady caution; he was an adventurer who dared to act with just a 50% chance of success. His arrogant exploits in his earlier years had pissed off countless people. It was only now, with real power in his hands, that he’d transformed into someone smooth and capable, but deep down, he was still wild at heart.
“I can fend off external dangers, but I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Huo Boyan cradled Zhu Ran’s cheeks. He didn’t want his excessive enthusiasm to scare Zhu Ran away, so he tried to make his tone as gentle as possible. But his affection couldn’t be hidden. Even as he restrained himself, his gaze remained scorching hot. “I was too hasty. Tell me wherever you’re not comfortable, and I’ll go along with whatever you say.”
Zhu Ran looked into Huo Boyan’s eyes, feeling as if his chest was about to be burned through by that intensity.
He didn’t dare look any longer and hurriedly covered them with his hand, his face flushing red. “Huo Boyan, don’t do this. I…”
He had never borne such heavy emotions before. It felt like even his spirit was being completely invaded by Huo Boyan, and he feared he would lose himself entirely.
Huo Boyan pulled his hand down and kissed the palm. “I have my flaws too. I shouldn’t have made decisions alone. Shall we pick out the furniture together?”
With Zhu Ran’s permission, they selected the furniture anew. Huo Boyan swapped out some items according to his preferences and called the store manager over to place the order.
Before payment, the store manager confirmed the address again. Huo Boyan nodded; the address he’d given was for a high-end neighborhood in A City.
