Chapter 2 Part 2

Zhu Ran had also been forced by his family into a major he disliked and might end up in a job he hated, so he sympathized with the guy.

The young man spoke passionately and indignantly. At first, Zhu Ran thought he was talking to him and was about to lift his head to respond when a low, rich voice cut in.

“I understand your predicament.”

Huo Boyan was here too? Zhu Ran was fully awake now. He looked up again and saw Huo Boyan sitting in a chair, listening patiently to the young man.

Only after the guy finished did Huo Boyan respond, with the magnanimity and elegance unique to an elder: “Your project has real potential. I can invest in your venture.”

“Really?” The young man exclaimed happily.

Huo Boyan smiled. “But I also hope you’ll have a serious talk with your father. Don’t let this strain your father-son bond.”

The young man mumbled agreements, already so excited he was babbling incoherently. Zhu Ran suspected that if Huo Boyan told him to run around the beach like a monkey right then, he’d do it without hesitation.

After the young man left, a high school girl came in. She said her parents had forced her into a major she hated and asked Huo Boyan to help talk to them.

Huo Boyan good-naturedly agreed.

By now, Zhu Ran was getting restless, as if he’d stumbled into someone else’s office.

He stood to leave, but the man ahead looked over with an encouraging gaze and a gentlemanly, mild tone: “What about you? Do you have any troubles?”

Zhu Ran froze, realizing the man had lumped him in with these people seeking favors.

Zhu Ran shook his head. “Thank you, Mr. Huo, but I don’t.”

“No need to be shy,” the man said inclusively, in the tone of an older brother doting on his sibling. “Junlin hasn’t been this enthusiastic about a friend in a long time. As his brother, I’d like to do something for you too.”

What friend… He’d only known Huo Junlin for less than a week, and Huo Junlin’s interest was just lust at first sight. Zhu Ran had always been good-looking, with plenty of admirers. To him, Huo Junlin was no different from the rest.

But Zhu Ran didn’t say it outright. He just replied politely but dismissively: “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Huo. I’m doing great on the island.”

Huo Boyan didn’t press further and simply nodded. “Feel free to come to me anytime you need anything. I can handle most things.”

You can handle it?

Inappropriately, images of arguments and his parents’ accusatory glares flashed through Zhu Ran’s mind.

You know nothing about me. What makes you think you can solve my problems?

The words nearly slipped out, but Zhu Ran held them back. Huo Boyan was just being polite; he shouldn’t take it so seriously.

Zhu Ran lowered his eyelashes and said courteously but coolly, “Thank you, but I don’t need anything.”

The other man fell silent, his gaze gaining a touch of scrutiny and probing.

Zhu Ran didn’t want to talk more and turned to leave the restaurant. He felt inexplicably irritated for no good reason. Of course, he knew his anger was unfounded—the Huos had invited him to the island and hadn’t mistreated him. He shouldn’t vent it on them.

But why did Huo Boyan dare say such things? He hated that hypocritical tolerance and enthusiasm.

It was fully dark when Zhu Ran stepped out, with only a few road lamps lighting the sandy path under the dense forest. Faint rock music drifted from the bar in the distance— the kind young people loved.

Zhu Ran kicked the ground in frustration, only for sand to get into his shoe. He gritted his teeth and walked a few steps, but the sand chafed his foot painfully. He had to squat by the side to take off his shoe and shake out the sand.

“Zhu Ran, feeling better?” A figure ran up from the end of the path. Huo Junlin stopped in front of him, face slightly flushed as he panted. He seemed to have something to say, but upon seeing Zhu Ran squatting, he changed tack. “What’s wrong? You okay?”

Zhu Ran said, “Sand got in my shoe.”

“That’s what happens with dress shoes. Why not take them off?” Huo Junlin offered an arm, standing straight and upright. “Hold onto me. Be careful not to fall.”

Zhu Ran looked at Huo Junlin’s arm, right in front of him. The guy had just turned 21 last week—young, healthy, strong, and muscular, with faint veins on his forearm.

Zhu Ran was about to speak when the sound of staff clearing dishes came from the restaurant. He shook his head. “No need. I’m good now.”

“Oh, alright then.” Huo Junlin lowered his arm in disappointment but quickly perked up. “Want to go to the concert? I sing pretty well.” He blinked, adding a bit shyly, “My singing’s decent.”

Zhu Ran smiled faintly. “Are you going to sing for me?”

It was just a light smile, but with the alcohol in him, his cheeks held a soft flush, and his usually aloof eyes looked misty and affectionate—making him seem especially tender when he looked at someone.

Huo Junlin’s face reddened further. “Of course! What do you want to hear? You pick.”

Zhu Ran put on a playful troubled expression. “Let me think…”

Huo Junlin: “Sure, take your time.”

After a moment, Zhu Ran asked, “What are you good at?”

“Love Story?” Huo Junlin scratched his head, voice a bit tight. “Or You Belong With Me?”

Zhu Ran laughed. “All English songs?”

Huo Junlin immediately added, “I do Chinese songs too. How about ‘Today You Will Marry Me’?”

This time, Zhu Ran really laughed. Huo Junlin gave off a pure, untainted vibe that wasn’t annoying at all. He didn’t respond directly and asked instead, “You’re from Hong Kong Island, right? Got any Cantonese songs?”

“Of course! I’m great at Cantonese songs…” Huo Junlin rattled off a bunch like he was naming dishes, then asked if Zhu Ran wanted to learn some Cantonese. If so, he could teach him a few phrases.

Their conversation faded into the distance with their footsteps. At the restaurant entrance, a tall figure lurked in the shadows, watching the two depart down the path through his glasses.