Chapter 9 Part 1

The doctor approached Zhu Ran with the medical kit, and for some reason, Zhu Ran instinctively shrank back a little. The air froze for a few seconds. He seemed unaware of his own reaction and awkwardly covered for it. “My injury isn’t serious. I’ll go back first and pack my luggage.”

“Handle your leg first,” Huo Boyan said, staring into Zhu Ran’s eyes. His tone was gentle but firm. “Wait until the doctor checks you out, then go back, take a shower, have dinner, pack your luggage, and we’ll head out.”

Zhu Ran still remembered how rushed Huo Boyan had seemed earlier, so he asked, “Won’t this delay you?”

Huo Boyan replied warmly, “No, I’ll wait for you.”

Only then did Zhu Ran relax. He walked to the side and sat down, letting the doctor apply the medicine.

Chen Jiaming had already notified the captain to set off, but Huo Boyan was delaying because of Zhu Ran. Puzzled, he asked, “Boss, what are we doing now…?”

Huo Boyan said, “Waiting for someone.”

Chen Jiaming was greatly confused. Hadn’t they said they wouldn’t wait for Zhu Ran? Why the sudden change? Was it because they saw Zhu Ran was injured? But Zhu Ran had only bumped his calf—no blood even. Mr. Huo couldn’t possibly soften because of such a minor act of playing pitiful.

A year ago, someone had tried a similar ploy, even staging a car accident right in front of Mr. Huo. He had simply calmly called the police without a hint of sympathy.

He figured his boss’s exception this time must have a deeper meaning.

After Zhu Ran left, Huo Boyan asked the bodyguards who had gone out to sea, “What happened to Zhu Ran’s leg?”

One bodyguard answered, “After chasing the whale shark the first time, Zhu Ran climbed aboard using the ladder. Evan pushed him from behind. But the waves were big at the time, and Zhu Ran didn’t seem to notice.”

Huo Boyan showed no reaction. In a calm tone, he said, “After the trip ends, deal with Evan.”

Chen Jiaming caught on. “You suspect he has some connection to Zhu Ran?”

They had investigated Evan before and found his background ordinary—no major issues except his habit of clinging to others.

Huo Boyan didn’t answer. He only said, “Junlin doesn’t need friends of poor character.”

Chen Jiaming nodded in acknowledgment and asked again, “What about Zhu Ran…?”

Huo Boyan fell silent this time. After a long while, he said, “Keep Zhu Ran around for now.”

The speedboat docked at the harbor. Huo Boyan worked at the nearby open-air bar. Soon, Huo Junlin hurried over, his face full of anxiety. “Bro, I heard Zhu Ran got injured?”

Huo Boyan looked up from his screen, somewhat disapprovingly. “Zhu Ran got injured, and you’re asking me?”

Huo Junlin said, “I messaged him, but he didn’t reply. I knocked on his door—no response.”

Huo Boyan replied, “He’s probably taking a shower.”

Huo Junlin’s expression turned a bit odd. “How do you know he’s showering?”

Huo Boyan countered, “You went out to sea together. How come you didn’t know he was injured?”

Huo Junlin’s face heated up. Feeling somewhat guilty, he explained, “We weren’t together the whole time, and he didn’t say anything on the boat about being injured. He just said he felt a bit seasick.”

Huo Boyan said, “And you believed that?”

Huo Junlin: “…”

Why did he feel like his brother was blaming him for not taking good care of Zhu Ran?

Though it felt strange, it really was his fault. Huo Junlin immediately promised, “I’ll take good care of him from now on.”

Huo Boyan said, “I’m telling you not to believe him so easily.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Didn’t you notice how good he is at deceiving people?”

“Is he?” Huo Junlin looked up, bewildered. “It’s not that bad. Zhu Ran just didn’t want us to worry, so he held back and didn’t say anything.” He added unhappily, “Bro, do you have something against him? Zhu Ran’s a great guy. You’ll see if you spend more time with him.”

Huo Boyan realized he had once again overestimated his brother’s intelligence. No wonder Zhu Ran hooked him with a little scheme. Not wanting to discuss it further, Huo Boyan waved him off.

“I’m not leaving,” Huo Junlin said innocently. “Zhu Ran’s injured. I want to go back with you guys.”

Huo Boyan looked up again, his gaze appraising his brother through his glasses. The smile had faded from his face, but he didn’t seem angry—just calm. “Why the sudden urge to leave?”

Huo Junlin had been raised single-handedly by Huo Boyan. When their parents passed away, Huo Junlin had been only seven, clueless about everything. Fortunately, Huo Boyan filled both parental roles. Those years after their parents’ death had been tough, but under Huo Boyan’s care—acting as both father and mother—Huo Junlin’s life had been quite comfortable, even better than some of his other siblings.

Though there were occasional complaints, Huo Junlin trusted his big brother unconditionally. He spilled everything. “I’m worried about Zhu Ran, and I feel bad about him. He got injured on the boat, and I didn’t even notice. I want to go back with him.”

Huo Boyan said, “If you go back now, what about the people on the island?”

“Let them play on their own,” Huo Junlin said. “The island has butlers and chefs anyway. Once they’re done, you can arrange a plane to pick them up.”

“Huo Junlin, most of these people came for your birthday. You invited them.” Huo Boyan said, “The guests are still on the island. There’s no reason for the host to leave first.”

Huo Junlin was stunned. “I didn’t think that far…”

The trip was nominally for his birthday celebration, but Huo Junlin hadn’t put in much effort. Every year, Huo Boyan handled everything; he just brought his friends to enjoy.