Zhu Ran said, “She just had checks. Blood pressure and lipids are a bit high. Doctor suggests a couple days’ observation in the hospital.”
Seeing Zhu Ran’s tension, Huo Boyan ruffled his hair comfortingly. “Don’t worry. Coronary heart disease is controllable and doesn’t recur easily if managed. I just asked Liang Ziqian—he says Auntie is stable. No need to be too anxious.”
Zhu Ran nodded and added, “I’m not going back tonight.”
Huo Boyan said, “Okay, I’ll pack your things when I get home. Call me if anything comes up.”
Zhu Ran didn’t stand on ceremony with him. After seeing Huo Boyan off, he took the flowers and fruit basket inside.
Unexpectedly, Wang Ruyun glanced at him and asked, “Why didn’t you let him in?”
Zhu Ran froze, realizing he’d been caught. He said awkwardly, “Didn’t want to disturb you.”
“It’s not that big a deal—just meeting,” Wang Ruyun seemed calmer than expected. “He came all this way; basic courtesy is in order.”
Zhu Ran had always feared his mom meeting Huo Boyan. Though she’d changed a lot, the shadows from before lingered heavily—like those two sewn-together orange peels in the Huo Boyan Art Museum. On the surface, their relationship had eased, but the cracks underneath weren’t fully mended. Zhu Ran always worried it might erupt again.
But from Wang Ruyun’s current tone, it seemed she could really accept it…?
Zhu Ran hesitated before saying, “Should I call him back?”
“You kid…” Wang Ruyun shook her head with a smile, somewhat helplessly. “Forget it. It’s better not to meet this time—I’m still sick anyway. Introduce him properly next time.”
Zhu Ran widened his eyes in disbelief. He was thin-skinned; just that one sentence made his face flush.
Wang Ruyun added, “This kind of treatment in the hospital is because of him, right?”
Zhu Ran nodded. “The director is his friend.”
Wang Ruyun said, “I don’t know what he’s like as a person, but from his actions, he at least cares about you.”
Zhu Ran felt a bit shy and nodded. “He’s a good guy.”
Seeing how smitten he looked, Wang Ruyun couldn’t help pouring cold water. She disapproved: “He might be good now, but that doesn’t mean he’ll always be good to you. You think dating is all joy now, but no one can predict emotions. I’m not trying to break you up, Zhu Ran. I know you’re a good kid and value relationships. I just want to remind you not to get completely lost in it. No one in this world is completely reliable—the most important thing is yourself.”
Zhu Ran murmured agreement, though it was unclear how much sank in. People in the heat of romance rarely heed such words.
Wang Ruyun sighed, wanting to say more, when footsteps sounded outside. Zhu Ran, not wanting a lecture, dashed to open the door.
Wang Zhuoying had come after hearing the news, bringing daily necessities for the hospital stay.
The sisters chatted much more easily. On the cause of the attack, Wang Ruyun changed from what she’d told Zhu Ran—saying it was anger from that scumbag Zhu Yanqing. The sisters cursed the jerk again.
Before leaving, Wang Zhuoying left some wedding candies for them, told Wang Ruyun to rest well in the hospital, and said there was no need to attend tomorrow’s wedding—good thoughts were enough.
After seeing her off, Zhu Ran asked, “Didn’t you say it was exhaustion? Why just now…”
Wang Ruyun paused before saying, “I just didn’t want her worrying. I’ve been working at the art gallery and helping Zilang prepare the wedding. If I said it was fatigue, wouldn’t that make her feel guilty?”
Zhu Ran accepted the reason and didn’t press.
He stayed at the hospital overnight but slept poorly. The next morning, he messaged Lin Zilang apologizing—he’d promised to attend the wedding and take photos.
On the wedding day, the couple was busy. It wasn’t until near noon that Zhu Ran got a reply: Lin Zilang wasn’t upset and asked about Wang Ruyun’s condition, saying he was too busy to visit personally.
Zhu Ran also felt bad for Huo Boyan. Huo Boyan hadn’t planned to attend but went for him, only for Zhu Ran to miss it.
But he couldn’t leave his hospitalized mom…
Unexpectedly, near noon, Wang Ruyun suddenly told him to go to the wedding anyway—both skipping looked bad. He should represent her in congratulating the couple.
Zhu Ran had wanted to go anyway and set off immediately, but he still arrived late. By then, the ceremony had ended, and it was the after-party. Zhu Ran didn’t see Huo Boyan and assumed he’d left. He gave his blessings to the couple.
Huo Boyan had indeed shown up briefly to leave, but Huo Junlin intercepted him in the parking lot.
“Bro, are you dating Zhu Ran?” Huo Junlin’s expression wasn’t good.
There were still people around, and Huo Boyan didn’t want to expose their privacy—Zhu Ran wasn’t ready to go public either. He cut him off: “Get in the car to talk.”
“Why hide?” Huo Junlin blurted. “Don’t you know it’s disgraceful? Stealing your own brother’s…”
“Huo Junlin, itching for a beating?” Huo Boyan lifted his eyelids, freezing him with a glance.
Huo Junlin had been under Huo Boyan’s discipline for years and instinctively feared his big brother’s authority. But now, some courage surged, and he suppressed the fear, angrily saying, “You know I like him! If you cared about me at all, you wouldn’t be with him!”
Huo Boyan lifted his eyelids and leaned in close to Huo Junlin.
In terms of build, Huo Boyan wasn’t as burly as Huo Junlin.
Huo Junlin had been restless since childhood, spending study time on sports instead. Abroad, he’d been a quarterback on the football team.
