Chapter 26 Part 3

Huo Boyan didn’t answer and continued, “Plus, with so many friends there, it’d be pretty embarrassing if you’re rejected.”

Huo Junlin: “…”

That hit home. Young guys cared about face, so Huo Junlin thought it over and decided to celebrate with Zhu Ran and his friends after the confession succeeded.

But he wasn’t familiar with the ship and couldn’t think of a private, quiet, romantic spot for now. Huo Boyan suggested the top-floor Crystal Restaurant, with its all-glass exterior walls, private rooms, and a view of the stars.

That evening, Zhu Ran received another message from Huo Junlin, inviting him to dinner together.

In truth, Zhu Ran had already sensed something amiss when Huo Junlin sought him out that afternoon. Not to mention how straightforward Huo Junlin was—his intentions were practically written on his face.

But Huo Junlin was equally stubborn and thick-skinned; he wasn’t the type to back off from a cold shoulder. Zhu Ran thought it over and decided to give him a clean rejection when he confessed.

Zhu Ran agreed to meet.

He had been worried that Huo Junlin had invited a bunch of people to lobby on his behalf, but unexpectedly, there were only the two of them in the private room. The semi-private yet not fully enclosed space allowed Zhu Ran to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

He had thought Huo Junlin was the type to rally friends and make a big show of things, but his personality turned out to be more delicate than his appearance suggested.

Zhu Ran didn’t leave right away. Out of courtesy, he stayed and finished the meal with Huo Junlin.

Once the meal ended, Zhu Ran set down his knife and fork and wiped the corner of his mouth. At that moment, Huo Junlin suddenly stood up across from him, calling his name with a hint of nervousness.

Zhu Ran set down his napkin, thinking that this moment had finally arrived.

Huo Junlin pulled out a large bouquet of roses and got down on one knee with a thud. “I-I’ve liked you for a long time. Will you be with me?”

The setup was so grand it didn’t look like a confession—it resembled a marriage proposal.

Zhu Ran sighed inwardly and said, “Get up first.”

Seeing the calm expression on Zhu Ran’s face, Huo Junlin vaguely sensed something. But he wasn’t willing to give up. He’d been thinking about this day and night until he was nearly driven mad. He couldn’t wait any longer for an answer.

“Will you be my boyfriend?” Huo Junlin took a step forward and continued, “I’m a good guy. I’ve never messed around outside. I’ll respect your wishes completely. Once we’re together, you can do whatever you want. My family is very open-minded. My parents passed away early, and now I only have one older brother. He absolutely won’t interfere with me—in fact, he even suggested tonight’s confession.”

Huo Boyan had suggested that Huo Junlin confess…? Zhu Ran widened his eyes in disbelief.

Why would he do that? Did it not matter to Huo Boyan who he ended up with?

But if that was the case, then why had he made all those ambiguous moves toward him?

Zhu Ran’s mind fell into chaos. Habitually, he refused, “Sorry, I can’t agree to that.”

Huo Junlin’s eyes darkened in an instant, but he wasn’t willing to give up. He asked again, “Then can I pursue you?”

“It’s no use,” Zhu Ran said firmly. “You won’t catch me.”

Huo Junlin: “How will you know without trying? At least let me try? Please? You don’t even know how great I am!”

Zhu Ran sighed, rubbing his temples with a headache. “Huo Junlin, do you know how many people have confessed to me?”

Huo Junlin was stunned. “How many?”

“I can’t even remember,” Zhu Ran said. “I’ve been through scenes like this countless times. Plenty of people have wanted to pursue me just like you, but none of them moved me.”

“Then what kind of person do you like?” Huo Junlin said. “I can become the type you like!”

Zhu Ran fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Liking someone was actually simple. Zhu Ran liked cats, dogs, photography, movies, and books.

Dating wasn’t hard either. If he wanted to, there were plenty of people he could choose from.

But none of that mattered to Zhu Ran.

Kindergarten kids played house and got “married.” In elementary and middle school, some people started dating early. In university, the air was thick with hormones. Everyone rushed headlong into love, but Zhu Ran didn’t get it at all. He often wondered what exactly people were doing when they dated. Why did it leave him completely unmoved?

Zhu Ran vaguely realized there was something off about him—not just his orientation, but more so his unusual attitude toward intimate relationships.

He couldn’t accept the standard couple routine: meals, dates, movies, sleep, sharing daily life. To him, those things were utterly boring.

As for what he truly wanted, even Zhu Ran couldn’t figure it out. And he hadn’t thought much about it anyway. After all, love wasn’t rice—you could live just fine without it.

Huo Junlin finally realized that Zhu Ran was even more indifferent than he’d imagined.

He knew more words wouldn’t help and said dejectedly, “Then can you watch the stars with me? There’s a Perseid Meteor Shower tonight.”

Through the transparent glass stretched a brilliant night sky, the Milky Way shimmering like a ribbon in the darkness.

“Sorry,” but Zhu Ran shook his head, “I have plans with someone tonight.”

An hour earlier, just before heading out to meet Huo Junlin, Huo Boyan had sent him the time and location for their evening meetup.

Zhu Ran said goodbye to Huo Junlin and headed to the address on his phone.

The cruise ship was massive enough to race horses on. Zhu Ran couldn’t find the place and had to ask a server, who led him to the door of a banquet hall. When Zhu Ran entered the hall, a server wearing an eyepatch handed him a mask. This turned out to be a masquerade ball!

What era was this? Still holding masquerade balls? The sexual repression of the rich was truly terrifying.

Zhu Ran casually took the mask and put it on. He lowered his head to message Huo Boyan: I’m in. Where are you?

Huo Boyan didn’t reply.

Zhu Ran pocketed his phone and walked inside.

Soft music played amid clinking glasses as Zhu Ran wove through the crowd with his hands in his pockets.