Zhu Ran glanced up at them warily. “Just dinner?”
“What else?” Zhu Yanqing said. “We’ve come to see you for peace of mind. We’re your parents, after all—do you think we’d harm you?”
Zhu Ran relented. He invited them to the hotel restaurant, but Zhu Yanqing said they’d already booked a place and he should just head there directly.
A black sedan waited at the entrance. Zhu Ran got in with them.
Noticing the car’s luxurious interior, Zhu Ran suddenly realized, “Whose car is this?”
“Borrowed,” Zhu Yanqing said. “Taxis are inconvenient.”
Since the man didn’t want to say, Zhu Ran didn’t press. The car drove out of the city center into a private club in Mid-Levels. Recognizing the familiar buildings, Zhu Ran frowned again.
“You booked this place?” He looked out the window, his sixth sense kicking in. “This is a club, only open to annual members. How did you get a reservation?”
Wang Ruyun sat in her little black dress suit, unflappable as if she were the empress dowager.
Zhu Yanqing glanced at Zhu Ran and changed the subject irrelevantly. “Have you been here before?”
The question felt off, and Zhu Ran’s suspicions deepened. He didn’t answer.
The car stopped in front of the familiar building, where a suited stranger greeted them at the door.
Zhu Ran eyed the man several times, confirming he didn’t know him, and began second-guessing himself. Was he being paranoid?
Then the private room door opened, and Zhu Ran saw Chen Jiaming’s familiar face. He stared for several seconds before holding his breath and passing through the ornate screen. Predictably, there sat Huo Boyan in the host’s seat.
Zhu Yanqing hurried forward with a big smile, shaking Huo Boyan’s hand warmly. “I didn’t expect Mr. Huo to be treating us this time. We’re truly sorry.”
“It’s nothing,” Huo Boyan nodded, speaking in that perfectly mild yet distant tone of the wealthy. “I’ve always seen Zhu Ran as a little brother. When I heard you were coming, I wanted to treat you both to a meal ages ago, but work kept me busy until today.”
Zhu Yanqing immediately replied, “Of course, of course. Mr. Huo comes from such a big family business—we can’t compare.”
As they talked, everyone took their seats one by one. Zhu Yanqing, who had been taciturn with Zhu Ran, now chatted fluently and socially.
Zhu Ran was the last to sit. He glared across the round table at Huo Boyan, seething with a sense of violation.
Huo Boyan had treated him and Song Xingchen to dinner here before, and now he was pulling the exact same routine for his parents, complete with escorts livening up the atmosphere.
The table’s mood was excellent—after all, with Huo Boyan’s hosting skills, no guest ever left unsatisfied.
Only Zhu Ran kept a cold face, silent throughout and barely touching his food.
Noticing Huo Boyan looking at Zhu Ran, Zhu Yanqing quickly said, “Zhu Ran, come on, give Mr. Huo a toast.”
Zhu Ran was holding back a bellyful of anger, searching for an outlet. Poked by Zhu Yanqing, he exploded. “Toast what? Can’t he pour his own drink?”
“You kid…” Zhu Yanqing tugged at Zhu Ran’s sleeve, trying to urge him.
“Mr. Zhu,” Huo Boyan interrupted with a smile, “Young people these days all have strong personalities. My own brother won’t listen to my lectures either.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” Zhu Yanqing chimed in. “I’ve put so much effort into this kid from a young age, and now all he does is sulk.”
Zhu Ran shot to his feet.
“What are you doing?” Zhu Yanqing’s face hardened. “You’re not a child anymore. Have some manners in public—sit down!”
Zhu Ran shoved his chair aside and stormed out without a backward glance.
“Zhu Ran, get back here!” Zhu Yanqing slammed the table.
The only response was the resounding slam of the door.
Caught between his disobedient son and the important figure he needed to flatter, Zhu Yanqing quickly chose. He shot Wang Ruyun a look, signaling her to fetch Zhu Ran.
“I think we’ve eaten enough,” Huo Boyan said, setting down his utensils. “You two must be busy with work, so I won’t keep you.”
Zhu Yanqing froze. “What? But I haven’t even…”
Without letting him finish, Huo Boyan added, “This meeting was rushed. I’ve prepared a small gift for you both—Jiaming’s gone to fetch it. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”
“No, Mr. Huo, please wait.” Zhu Yanqing tried to follow, but Chen Jiaming arrived with men carrying several shopping bags, blocking their path.
As he brushed past, Huo Boyan murmured to him, “Send them away directly later.”
Chen Jiaming nodded. “Understood.”
Land was scarce on Hong Kong Island, yet this club was vast enough to race horses—who knew how exorbitant the membership fees were. Zhu Ran walked out, resenting the rich, when a black sedan pulled up slowly beside him.
The window rolled down, and Huo Boyan looked up. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”
