Chapter 39 Part 1

Over the next few days, Zhu Ran accompanied his mother and aunt as they shuttled between various entertainment venues across Hong Kong Island.

Wang Ruyun had always maintained strict family values with limited social circles—no close friends, only colleagues and relatives. As far back as Zhu Ran could remember, she had been dignified and stern, becoming even more withdrawn and conservative after falling ill and leaving her job.

Without his aunt’s encouragement, Zhu Ran never would have dared to take her into this world of extravagance and indulgence. To his shock, however, his mother didn’t refuse.

They visited an art gallery for an exhibition, went to Happy Valley to watch horse racing, and even attended a male revue show in the evening… His aunt was wilder than he ever imagined—he wouldn’t have gone himself!

During the show, Wang Ruyun clutched her handbag tightly the entire time, her nerves on edge. She didn’t look like she was there to enjoy herself; it was more like she was enduring punishment or a strict mother out to catch her rebellious child.

That was until one of the performers came down for audience interaction and placed her hand on his chest. Wang Ruyun’s cheeks flushed bright red, and she froze like a statue, forgetting to breathe.

Zhu Ran was even more nervous than she was, terrified she might suffer a heart attack. He kept pinching the zipper of his backpack, ready to grab the nitroglycerin at any moment.

Fortunately, her heart held up; she merely blushed a bit.

After the show ended, the three of them exited the venue. Wang Zhuoying asked with a grin, “Was it okay? Did you have a little fun?”

Wang Ruyun opened her mouth as if to say something but ultimately just shook her head silently.

Zhu Ran realized his mother might be holding back because he was there. He quickly volunteered to buy water, leaving space for the two women.

There was a 7-Eleven nearby. Zhu Ran grabbed three bottles from the cooler and, upon returning, spotted his aunt from afar supporting his mother on a public bench, gently patting her tense back. Then Wang Ruyun lowered her head, her shoulders shaking continuously.

Zhu Ran turned his face away, hesitating for a long time before deciding not to approach. Only after his mother and aunt had composed themselves did he pretend to have just finished buying water and return.

Wang Ruyun’s eyes were a bit red, but her expression was serious and somewhat displeased. “Why did buying water take so long?”

Wang Zhuoying said, “The kid was being thoughtful—he waited until we finished talking before coming over.”

Wang Ruyun’s lips moved, but she said nothing, turning her face to the other side. It was then that she noticed two girls tugging at each other not far away.

“What’s going on?” Wang Ruyun frowned. “Are they fighting? Why isn’t anyone stopping them?”

Zhu Ran saw it too but didn’t think it looked like a fight. Before he could figure it out, Wang Ruyun was already walking toward the girls, adopting a tone like she was scolding students. “Don’t fight, girls. Can’t you talk things out? Haven’t you noticed her knee is scraped?”

The girl in the skirt had indeed been kneeling earlier, and her knee was red.

The other girl, with long straight black hair, suddenly stepped in front, alert yet calm. “Thank you for the concern, but we’re not fighting. No need to worry—we’ll take care of my girlfriend.”

Wang Ruyun froze, struck as if by lightning.

Before she could recover, the two girls had made up and left. Wang Ruyun remained stunned in place, her forty-plus years of life experience insufficient to process the shock.

Wang Zhuoying found it amusing and explained, “The girls are dating—they must’ve had a little argument. Not the fight you thought.”

Wang Ruyun’s expression stiffened further. She glanced at Zhu Ran, then turned back to Wang Zhuoying, her attitude extremely cautious. “Is this kind of thing common here?”

“I haven’t paid special attention, but yeah, it’s pretty common. Liking the same sex or the opposite is all normal,” Wang Zhuoying said. “Even though the law doesn’t recognize it, three years ago the Chinese University of Hong Kong did a survey: 60% of Hong Kong Island residents support same-sex marriage, 23% are neutral, and only 17% oppose.”

In other words, if she encountered ten people on the street today, six would support same-sex marriage, two would be neutral, and only two would oppose—and she was one of them.

Wang Ruyun said nothing, offering no comments on the topic even after they got home.

But the next morning at breakfast, she took the initiative to suggest working at Wang Zhuoying’s art gallery.

Wang Ruyun emphasized, “No need to pay me—I’ll handle my own insurance. Just give me something to do. I haven’t achieved much as a painter, but I still know art theory. I can help with something.”

“Nonsense,” Wang Zhuoying said with a smile. “Sis, you were always the top student—best grades back in the day. I’ve wanted you as an art consultant for ages. How about this: just put your name on it, flexible hours. You step in to introduce big clients, and I’ll pay you standard wages.”

Wang Ruyun tried to decline, but Wang Zhuoying firmly shut her down.

That very morning, Wang Ruyun donned her Chanel Tweed Suit and headed to the art gallery with Wang Zhuoying.

Zhu Ran breathed a sigh of relief. If his mom was working, he’d have time to himself. He’d planned to meet Huo Boyan in person to thank him properly—these days spent with his mom had delayed things, and Huo Boyan was so busy it would be rude to put it off longer.

“Come with us, Zhu Ran,” Wang Ruyun said as she came downstairs. “Auntie Zhuoying arranged an internship for you.”

Zhu Ran had been about to message Huo Boyan to set a time but put his phone away upon hearing this.

From Wang Ruyun’s attitude toward that same-sex couple the night before, he saw she wasn’t beyond change. And the art gallery was a great internship spot—if he wanted a career in art, more exposure would help.

Having weighed the pros and cons, Zhu Ran didn’t refuse. He put on a shirt and went to the art gallery with the two elders.

The gallery was in Central, larger than Zhu Ran had imagined, with an environment dominated by English and Cantonese. Zhu Ran didn’t speak Cantonese, so he hurriedly brushed up on English terms. Fortunately, as a new intern, he didn’t need to dive in on day one—just familiarize himself with the operations.

To his surprise, he discovered Wang Ruyun’s English was extremely fluent, and she handled guests with ease. Zhu Ran realized then that his mother wasn’t as fragile and isolated as he’d thought.

After getting acquainted with the work and environment on the first day, Zhu Ran officially started his internship the next. The tasks weren’t heavy—he mostly ran errands and handled transport, and he even accompanied his supervisor to visit an emerging artist. The gallery wanted to represent the artist’s works, but the deal didn’t go through.