In a bad mood, Zhu Ran had no desire to ask. He silently followed Huo Boyan into the office.
Huo Boyan’s office was smaller than he had imagined—a 50-square-meter space with a desk, a sofa, a bookshelf, and a few modern paintings on the wall. That was it for furniture.
The office was separated from the public area only by glass. When Zhu Ran entered, Huo Boyan pressed a button, turning the glass frosted and creating a relatively private space. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Victoria Harbour filling the entire wall.
“Sit,” Huo Boyan said as he poured Zhu Ran a glass of water. “I have a meeting. Can you stay here by yourself for a bit?”
Zhu Ran had wanted to joke about Huo Boyan not fearing he’d steal company secrets, but at that moment, he couldn’t say anything. He looked burdened, as if about to be crushed by something. It wasn’t until Huo Boyan asked if he was okay that he snapped out of it and said it was fine.
Huo Boyan left for the meeting, and Zhu Ran sat on the sofa, suddenly feeling awkward.
He shouldn’t have come, he thought.
He was the one who had said he was leaving, yet less than half a day later, he was back with Huo Boyan. What would Huo Boyan think of him? That he was deliberately toying with him?
Losing his documents was troublesome, but it wasn’t like he had nowhere to go. Even if he didn’t return to Little Aunt’s House, there were places that didn’t require ID, or he could try electronic documents as a last resort.
He didn’t have to stay with Huo Boyan. It was just that the man had shown up at the airport so opportunely that Zhu Ran hadn’t had time to think straight before being brought here.
But relying on others forever wasn’t a solution, and Huo Boyan wasn’t family. He already owed him so much—if he racked up more debts, he’d really have to repay with his body.
After much internal debate, Zhu Ran decided to leave before things got worse.
He picked up his suitcase and walked out of the office. To avoid trouble, he planned to send Huo Boyan a message once downstairs. But as he looked up, Huo Boyan stood there holding a small box, staring at him with a somber expression.
“…”
The grim look quickly faded. Huo Boyan walked over and asked calmly, “Where are you going?”
Zhu Ran blinked, feeling inexplicably guilty. “Weren’t you at the meeting? How’d you get back?”
“The vice president went in my place.” Huo Boyan replied, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Zhu Ran’s suitcase.
Zhu Ran said “oh” and didn’t know what else to say. Huo Boyan’s expression wasn’t great, and he was a bit afraid of making him angry.
He carefully chose his words, but Huo Boyan had already looked away and asked casually, “You leaving?”
Huo Boyan’s demeanor remained mild, but when that heavy gaze fell upon him, with his lips twitching in an almost-smile, his entire aura shifted.
Zhu Ran felt his scalp tingle under that stare. In the end, fear of owing too much won out, and he mumbled weakly, “No, I’m going to the bathroom.”
Anyone could see through the lie—who brings a suitcase to the bathroom? But Huo Boyan said nothing, just nodded toward the office. “The bathroom’s inside.”
Zhu Ran took the out, putting on a lost, bewildered expression as he dragged his suitcase back in.
He pushed open the hidden door to discover Huo Boyan’s private bathroom concealed within the office. It was moderately sized but impeccably clean, with soft, warm lighting that carried the same scent as Huo Boyan.
Zhu Ran couldn’t pee. He washed his hands and came back out. On the other side of the bathroom was a small single room with a single bed and wardrobe—probably for overnight stays.
As he emerged, Zhu Ran heard voices and realized someone else was in the office. He jolted in surprise and ducked back.
Huo Boyan glanced up at him but said nothing. He closed the file and told the person reporting, “That’s all.”
The subordinate left the office. Huo Boyan stood, pushed open the hidden door, and said to Zhu Ran huddled behind it, “They’re gone.”
Zhu Ran felt awkward and at a loss for words. Fortunately, Huo Boyan changed the subject, opening the small wooden box Zhu Ran had seen earlier and asking if he wanted something to eat.
Seizing the chance, Zhu Ran hurried over, grabbed a piece of pastry, and stuffed it in his mouth. He had no appetite but ate it anyway.
After finishing that one and seeing Huo Boyan say nothing, Zhu Ran took a second piece and pushed the box toward him. “Want some?”
Huo Boyan didn’t take any, and Zhu Ran seemed to wilt a little. He glanced at Huo Boyan uncertainly. “Are you mad?”
Huo Boyan asked, “Mad about what?”
Zhu Ran said, “Me sneaking off.”
Huo Boyan countered, “Weren’t you going to the bathroom?”
Zhu Ran didn’t know what to say, just looked at him pitifully, feeling inexplicably aggrieved.
Huo Boyan sighed and said, “Zhu Ran, I know you can’t accept getting too close to me yet, so you wanted to leave and handle things yourself. I’m trying to restrain myself too, not to act too…” He skipped the word and continued, “I’m not ignoring you on purpose. I just don’t want to scare you.”
So that was it?
Zhu Ran blinked, then quickly shook his head. “I wanted to leave not to avoid you. I was just afraid you’d be unhappy if I stayed.”
Huo Boyan looked up in surprise. “Why would I be unhappy?”
Zhu Ran hesitated, then admitted honestly, “I left and came right back to you. Don’t you think I’m playing games with you?”
“How could I?” Huo Boyan smiled, reached out, and pulled him into his arms. “I’m not mad.”
“Really not?” Zhu Ran was full of suspicion and wouldn’t let him hug. His tone was serious, carrying a warning. “Huo Boyan, don’t lie to me. I’ll take it seriously.”
“Really,” Huo Boyan said earnestly, stroking Zhu Ran’s tense nape. “I don’t know what happened to you, but I’m genuinely happy that you stayed.”
Zhu Ran’s eyes widened, and his rigid body gradually relaxed under Huo Boyan’s touch.
He was like the furious Don Quixote, charging with his lance but unable to find the enemy. Then, at some moment, he realized he wasn’t under attack from all sides—he could have safety and understanding too.
Zhu Ran’s taut nerves finally eased, and he gave up resisting, closing his eyes meekly.
Sensing Zhu Ran’s acquiescence, Huo Boyan tightened his arms firmly.
The embrace that had begun budding on the ship, delayed at the airport, was finally completed in this moment.
He had finally held his boy. Huo Boyan sighed in satisfaction.
“Don’t you already know that?” Huo Boyan’s palm firmly stroked over the top of Zhu Ran’s head. His shoulders were broad, his body warm, and his voice steady, which made him exude a strong sense of security. “Zhu Ran, Huo Boyan has no way to refuse you.”
“He had finally held his boy. Huo Boyan sighed in satisfaction.”
Adorable🥺