His face was masked, but even just his silhouette or the back of his head revealed a beauty etched into his bones.
People approached him one after another—men, women, young, old. Perhaps because of the anonymity, they were bolder than usual, but with ample security around, no one dared to get handsy.
Just as Zhu Ran had that thought, a middle-aged man blocked his path. Zhu Ran shook his head as usual, but the man wouldn’t let up. He followed persistently, trying to flaunt his wealth by shoving a card at him.
Zhu Ran returned the card—whatever it was—and dealt with him impatiently. “Thank you, but please excuse me. I’m not playing. I’m here to meet someone.”
But the man wouldn’t listen. He grabbed Zhu Ran’s wrist and said in halting Mandarin, “I like you a lot. I’m divorced. I won’t mistreat you.”
Zhu Ran felt goosebumps break out all over. He immediately shook off the man’s arm and said loudly, “Huo Boyan, what the hell kind of place is this? If you don’t show up, I’m leaving!”
Huo Boyan’s name carried weight. At those words, countless heads turned. In a corner Zhu Ran didn’t notice, a server pushed open a door and quietly slipped out.
After a brief silence, whispers rippled through the crowd.
Someone quietly asked who he was, daring to call out Mr. Huo’s name so rudely and offensively.
Others said Zhu Ran was some socialite new to Hong Kong Island, trying to latch onto Mr. Huo, the big tree.
The comments grew uglier, more explicit…
Zhu Ran had never endured this kind of humiliation in a social setting. He couldn’t stay a second longer. He ripped off his mask and turned to leave.
But that reveal made everyone around him gasp, silencing their harsh words.
The young man before them had exquisitely beautiful features beyond belief, but what drew people in most was his aloof, chilling demeanor—neither ingratiating nor fawning. It elevated him beyond a mere pretty toy into someone who demanded proper respect. Yet it was precisely this untouchable aura that made him even more intoxicating.
The middle-aged man who’d been rejected earlier followed again, eyes glazed over, eager to throw money at him for a night of pleasure.
Zhu Ran was beyond annoyed. He hated being eyed like a dish on the menu more than anything, and Huo Boyan had chosen this damn place of all spots. The anger he’d bottled up these days, plus his irritation with Huo Boyan, turned his body into a pressure cooker ready to explode at the slightest twist of the lid.
The middle-aged man kept pestering. Just as Zhu Ran was about to snap, the banquet hall doors opened. Huo Boyan strode in, impeccably dressed in a high-end suit.
The lights illuminated the backdrop behind him as the guests parted to form a path. Huo Boyan walked toward Zhu Ran amid all the stares, appearing exceptionally devoted.
Zhu Ran: “…?”
He stared at the scene, eyes blazing as if they could bore a hole through Huo Boyan.
Huo Boyan reached Zhu Ran’s side, leaned down slightly, and made a “please” gesture. “Sorry, I’m taking him out first.”
Gasps rose and fell around them.
Huo Boyan was always mild-mannered in social settings, even polite to servers. But his status created an inherent distance no one could ignore. Once you’d interacted with him, you’d know: the magnanimity of those at the top felt worlds apart from the approachability of ordinary people.
Even so, no one had ever seen Huo Boyan lower his posture like this in a social occasion.
His romantic history over the years had been impeccably clean. Hong Kong tabloids had racked their brains but found no dirt, eventually resorting to rumors that he was impotent.
But soon after, paparazzi snapped him swimming at a private club. Hong Kong media zoomed in on his crotch with the headline “Godzilla Attacks Hong Kong Island.” That obscure tabloid sold out completely that issue.
The next day, Huo Boyan acquired the media outlet. It pivoted to politics and economics, never touching tabloid trash again.
Afterward, another outlet joked that if a paper was failing, just snap a photo of Mr. Huo’s “big bird” and wait to be bought out.
Unfortunately, Huo Boyan guarded himself tightly. No media had gotten close since.
In a way, Zhu Ran was the first outsider to breach Huo Boyan’s social circle—and one who could make him lower his guard so much.
With that in mind, the crowd’s gazes toward Zhu Ran grew more curious. Some schemers thought to figure out Huo Boyan’s tastes through him, dreaming of their own rise to power.
But Zhu Ran had no interest in climbing the ladder. Far from flattered, he shot Huo Boyan a fierce glare.
Don’t think a timely entrance earned gratitude. If not for Huo Boyan picking this hellhole, none of this would’ve happened!
Zhu Ran wanted to explode on the spot but really didn’t want to linger in this smoky den.
He didn’t spare Huo Boyan a glance and walked out expressionlessly. Only after the heavy doors closed behind him did Zhu Ran look up, his tone icy. “Huo Boyan, you owe me an explanation.”
Huo Boyan looked puzzled but asked good-naturedly, “An explanation for what?”
“You think I can’t see through it?” Zhu Ran’s face grew colder. He didn’t hold back. “You lure me here, then don’t show up. You wait until I’m harassed before making your grand entrance, thinking I’ll be overcome with gratitude? Sorry, it just pisses me off. I’m pissed!”
“I lured you here?” Huo Boyan glanced back at the hall’s name, suddenly understanding. He said with a wry smile, “Did you get the wrong address?”
Zhu Ran: “…?”
Huo Boyan led him to the neighboring hall and pointed. “I remember I sent this one.”
Zhu Ran looked up. Two similar names were posted on the wall, differing by one character. He’d gone into the wrong hall.
Zhu Ran: “…”
Author’s Note: I outlined the rest of the story and realized there are quite a few plot conflicts and emotional tensions. To avoid readers thinking this is a straightforward fluff story without twists—only to feel let down when it doesn’t match expectations—I’ve removed the pure sweet novel tag.
There are some ups and downs, but overall it’s sweet. More tugging adds tension, making the dynamic stronger and the flavors more varied. [Yellow heart][Yellow heart]
