Zhu Ran fled the cha chaan teng like his life depended on it. The more he thought about it back home, the more off it felt. What did Huo Zhixiao want to buy him for? He was just an ordinary college student—ten thousand a month would buy him out. Was there any need to flash a gold bar on the street?
Or maybe Huo Zhixiao saw that he was close to Huo Boyan and wanted to use him for something? Zhu Ran regretted tuning out the gossip while playing on his phone. Otherwise, he’d know some inside info.
He had no interest in their power struggles, but he didn’t want to cause real problems for anyone because of himself. After hesitating all night, Zhu Ran decided to tell Huo Boyan about it.
But he didn’t have Huo Boyan’s contact info. He waited days without running into him. Weird—he always bumped into the guy when it was nothing, but now that he had something important, the man was nowhere.
Zhu Ran asked his cousin for Huo Boyan’s number and called. Chen Jiaming picked up and politely asked what it was about.
Zhu Ran said, “I’m looking for Huo Boyan. Can you pass the phone to him?”
Chen Jiaming: “The boss isn’t convenient right now. You can tell me, and I’ll pass it on.”
Zhu Ran hesitated, then said, “I’ll call back later.”
Chen Jiaming was Huo Boyan’s assistant, but Zhu Ran wasn’t sure how loyal he was.
The next day, Zhu Ran called again and got the same response.
Zhu Ran was out of ideas. He asked his cousin if she’d see Huo Boyan soon and if she could bring him along.
“You want to see Mr. Huo?” Lin Ziqing was surprised. “He’s hard to meet. Even my parents can’t easily get time with him.”
“Really?” Zhu Ran blinked. “I thought he was approachable.”
From what Zhu Ran had seen so far, Huo Boyan didn’t act superior.
“Approachability is one thing, but Mr. Huo’s status is so high. Half of Hong Kong Island wants to network with him. Families like ours have a tough time.” Seeing Zhu Ran go quiet, Lin Ziqing asked, “Is it something important?”
Zhu Ran nodded: “Very important.”
Lin Ziqing thought for a moment: “If you really can’t, ask Huo Junlin? They’re brothers—he can definitely help.”
Zhu Ran didn’t want to contact Huo Junlin. He could tell the guy was into him, but he had no intention of pursuing anything. Keeping in touch wouldn’t be good.
“Forget it,” Zhu Ran shook his head. “It’s not that big a deal.”
He’d done what he could. If something happened, it was just Huo Boyan’s bad luck.
“But I just remembered—Grandpa Huo Tinghua’s birthday is in three days,” Lin Ziqing said. “Our whole family’s going to celebrate. Mr. Huo will definitely be there. If you want to see him, come with us.”
Zhu Ran was a bit surprised: “Can I go to something like that?”
It was fine for young people hanging out, but a senior’s birthday was formal. He worried an outsider like him would be out of place.
“No problem. Lots of people will be there to celebrate—no one will notice you.” Lin Ziqing added, “Did you bring a suit? You can buy one or borrow ours.”
Zhu Ran didn’t want to waste money on that and said right away, “If there’s a good fit, I’ll wear Zi Lang’s.”
Lin Ziqing eyed him up and down and shook her head: “You couldn’t fit my brother’s clothes. He bulked up like a bull after working out. Try mine.”
“Huh? Women’s clothes?” Zhu Ran smiled awkwardly. “No way. Besides, I wouldn’t fit anyway. I’ll just get my own.”
“What do you mean you wouldn’t fit?” Lin Ziqing suddenly looked serious. “You’re not even 5’11” tall, are you?”
Zhu Ran: “…”
“I’m 5’10″… 5’11” with shoes!” He defended his pride fiercely.
“You’re only two inches taller than me,” Lin Ziqing said, pulling a suit from the closet. “Try this. It’s YSL menswear I bought before. I loved that artistic, carefree vibe, but I’m not tall enough and my chest isn’t flat enough to pull it off.”
Menswear should be okay. Zhu Ran went to his room to try it on, then came out for Lin Ziqing to see.
“How’s it look? Weird?”
Lin Ziqing’s eyes widened, and she shook her head dramatically: “It’s way too handsome. Huo Junlin’s gonna fall even harder for you in this.”
Zhu Ran laughed wryly: “Sis, don’t joke.”
“I’m serious. This outfit is killer.”
Three days later, Zhu Ran went with his little aunt’s family to the Huo Family Old Mansion to celebrate the birthday.
Zhu Ran’s little aunt had a standalone villa on Shallow Water Bay’s Mid-Levels. The garden wasn’t huge, but it came with a driver and housekeeper—very respectable by local standards.
So Zhu Ran never imagined the Huo Family had such a massive estate on Hong Kong Island, complete with gardens that could be called a manor. Rumor had it there was even a private dock below.
Zhu Ran had always known the Huos were prominent, but only today did he grasp how wealthy they truly were. No wonder Huo Boyan treated his phone like a toy, and Huo Zhixiao flashed gold bars to buy people off.
The guests gathered the elite of half of Hong Kong Island. Zhu Ran’s eyes spun from the dazzling crowd, but he couldn’t spot Huo Boyan anywhere.
After rushing around, Zhu Ran felt overheated and wanted to go inside for some AC. Just then, a stretched luxury car pulled into the courtyard. It hadn’t even stopped before drawing everyone’s attention.
When the driver opened the door, almost everyone rushed over. The older folks called him “Ho Saang” in Cantonese, but most used the more respectful “Mr. Huo.”
So Huo Boyan was late—that explained why he couldn’t find him.
“Mr. Huo.”
Zhu Ran followed the crowd forward too. It was so packed that it took him great effort to squeeze to the front.
But Huo Boyan only glanced at him once before looking away, cold as if he’d never met Zhu Ran before.
