Chapter 41 Part 2

After lights out, the room plunged into darkness. Zhu Ran feared the dark a bit, initially uneasy, but Huo Boyan’s voice erased all fear.

Or perhaps the task distracted him. Zhu Ran followed Huo Boyan’s instructions on the equipment, listening as he explained development techniques. He’d thought Huo Boyan just dabbled, but he had deep knowledge.

Zhu Ran was surprised. “Huo Boyan, you like photography too?”

Huo Boyan: “Mm, liked shooting as a kid. Less so now with work.”

Zhu Ran recalled the photography collection at the Huo Boyan Art Museum. He’d maliciously guessed back then that Huo Boyan just had money to burn and didn’t appreciate his work.

Now, he pictured young Huo Boyan seriously photographing scenes.

Wonder what Huo Boyan looked like as a kid…

Zhu Ran’s thoughts wandered, his heart warming. He pressed his pounding chest, telling himself it was mere coincidence.

Sure, they were attracted physically, shared tastes, and fate had thrown coincidences their way—but it was just trendy tropes overlapping. A modern malaise, mistaking shared interests for love.

Yet Zhu Ran couldn’t help wondering: when so many coincidences piled up, when they synced in so many ways, was it still coincidence? Or destiny…?

Zhu Ran was a total romantic. Huo Boyan’s wealth didn’t sway him, nor his power—but he couldn’t reject the embrace in despair, nor resist their mental connection.

He felt himself falling.

Especially as photos emerged in developer, and Zhu Ran saw the owner’s third-perspective shots—his expression while shooting Huo Boyan was downright affectionate.

Zhu Ran stared at the photos, feeling tossed to the clouds then enveloped by sea waves.

He was done for.

Really done for this time.

He truly couldn’t refuse Huo Boyan anymore.

The freshly developed photos were damp; Zhu Ran clipped them with small clothespins on a line to dry.

After washing his hands, the enthusiastic owner gifted them snacks and black tea.

Zhu Ran was hungry and accepted.

Meanwhile, Huo Boyan’s phone rang. He told Zhu Ran, set down his teacup, and stepped aside to answer.

By the time Zhu Ran finished eating, the call continued. He selected an old film camera; the owner refused payment, insisting on gifting it.

Zhu Ran relented, offering to repay by shooting photos for him.

To prove it, he opened his social account. “My photography’s decent.”

The owner removed his reading glasses and exclaimed, “Wow, that’s impressive!”

Zhu Ran, in high spirits, grinned. “I think so too.”

“Super good!” The owner asked if Zhu Ran wanted an exhibit spot— a small area for a year or so, even help selling.

Such an opportunity—Zhu Ran agreed. They exchanged contacts for future talks.

“But no guarantees on sales. I’m not your agent—price your works, and buyers can take them,” the owner said. “You know, foot traffic’s low. I don’t run it like an art museum, just sell casually. Main goal’s passing on these treasures.”

He eyed the glass-cabinet cameras, mentioning Japan’s “shukatsu” concept—pre-death tidying of possessions.

“Better I handle it now than strangers after I’m gone.”

Zhu Ran was moved, suggesting an online shop—the gear was well-preserved, sure to sell.

“Some suggested that, but I won’t sell online,” the owner shook his head stubbornly. “These are my treasures. I need to meet people face-to-face to hand them over.”

Zhu Ran thought maybe the owner sought emotional connections this way.

What was his original reason for photography? Zhu Ran could hardly recall. Luckily, he was young with time to figure it out.

Huo Boyan finally ended the call. They bid the owner farewell and left. As they exited, a mimosa flower landed on Zhu Ran’s head. Huo Boyan removed it, apologizing for the long call.

Zhu Ran shook his head. “That owner’s so cool. I wanna be like him when I’m old.”

Huo Boyan smiled, ruffling Zhu Ran’s hair. “You can.”

They walked side by side from the building; Huo Boyan opened the car door for him. That’s when Zhu Ran noticed the Mercedes-Benz.

Zhu Ran glanced over, puzzled. “Huo Boyan, why’d you switch cars?”

He wasn’t too shocked, just confused. He recognized the Mercedes badge, figuring it couldn’t be that extravagant.

But it was a Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard Pullman, an ultra-long-wheelbase armored limo with security resisting rockets and missiles—a favored armed luxury sedan for heads of state.

Huo Boyan offered no explanation, just smiled. “This one’s longer, so we can put the trunk flowers up front.”

Zhu Ran paused, then laughed—it was so typically Huo Boyan. His eyes crinkled. “Huo Boyan, you’re really so silly.”

·

Meanwhile, at a security company under Huo Boyan’s private ownership.

Chen Jiaming hung up the phone and said to the main person in charge of the security company, “You’ve all heard the boss. He wants to watch the sunset, take the sunset tram, and go on a cruise in the evening to see the Victoria Harbour night view. Although the itinerary has leaked, the boss believes the other side won’t make a move on the street—too much risk of pursuit and shooting. With the Hong Kong Island Police Force’s capabilities, no one could escape unscathed.”

“He thinks the most likely method is to stage a car accident,” Chen Jiaming said as he looked toward the tall woman wearing a black tight tank top, her muscles well-defined. “Ari, you’re the expert. The boss will arrive at the Central Star Ferry Pier in Central in one hour. What are your arrangements?”

Time was tight and the task urgent. Ari discussed with her subordinate team and then announced, “There aren’t many places where they could make a move. To avoid affecting ordinary citizens, we’ll prepare a Citybus on our own—all of us disguised on board. We’ll also set up controls on the bus and at these key locations. Additionally, we’ll send two car teams to lead and block behind the bus, minimizing the chance of accidents to the greatest extent.”

Chen Jiaming relayed the message on their behalf, and soon received a reply: “The boss is very satisfied.”

Ari and her subordinates arranged the tasks, but she felt the group’s momentum wasn’t intimidating enough. She added sternly, “This is our boss’s first official date. Make absolutely sure no one ruins it. Understood?”

Dozens of top-tier security members—burly men and fierce women—stood at attention, heels snapping together, and responded in unison: “Yes, Sir!”

Author’s Note: This story probably won’t feature plots where Huo Boyan’s career gets Zhu Ran kidnapped or anything like that. Zhu Ran also won’t get deeply involved in Huo Boyan’s revenge business.