Chapter 5

The midday sun blazed pallidly down on them, while the sea breeze rattled the beach umbrellas. Zhu Ran pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead, revealing a pair of cold, upturned eyes.

Huo Boyan looked momentarily stunned, but no trace of offense showed on his face. He merely gave a slight bow and apologized politely, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you. I’ll be more mindful of my words and actions in the future.”

Zhu Ran didn’t reply. He stared at Huo Boyan, wondering why this man kept paying attention to him.

Huo Boyan had only arrived on the island for a day, yet they’d already run into each other several times. Calling it coincidence stretched credulity. Nor did Zhu Ran buy the talk of Huo Boyan being kind and tolerant toward juniors.

Due to his family background, Zhu Ran had dealt with plenty of so-called big shots since childhood.

From his observations, most big shots were exceedingly aloof. Not that they lorded it over others or looked down their noses—save for a few oddballs, most high-ups came across as mild and courteous, even to drivers or waitstaff, without a single flaw to pick at.

But that mildness was just a facade, a way to maintain a friendly image and avoid trouble. It wasn’t because they genuinely wanted to befriend some random nobody.

The mid-level execs Zhu Ran had encountered were like that, let alone a top-tier tycoon like Huo Boyan.

He didn’t believe someone like Huo Boyan could have such a sunny personality. And even if he did, there was no reason to waste time on an ordinary guy like him. The fact that Huo Boyan kept staring at him meant there had to be some motive.

But what?

Because he was good-looking? Zhu Ran had been called handsome his whole life, and plenty of people approached him for his looks, but he didn’t peg Huo Boyan as that type.

Suddenly, Zhu Ran recalled their first meeting: he and Huo Junlin chatting by the pool. Apart from that midnight dock mishap, every encounter with Huo Boyan had involved Huo Junlin being present.

Putting it together with Huo Junlin’s attitude toward him, enlightenment dawned on Zhu Ran. He vaguely understood.

Huo Boyan must have pegged him as a gold-digging social climber trying to latch onto Huo Junlin and climb the ladder. That’s why he kept monitoring their interactions and probing with his words—to drive a wedge between him and his little brother!

Yeah, if that was it, everything clicked!

Who knew the guy was such a brother-con.

Huo Junlin did seem the type, though—generous to a fault and utterly unguarded, prime bait for anyone looking to scam money or sex out of a rich bro.

Alright, worrying about his brother made sense.

Zhu Ran relaxed and said to Huo Boyan, “Mr. Huo, I think I get your angle. But I’m not the kind of person you imagine. I have zero interest in Huo Junlin and won’t tangle with him anymore.”

Zhu Ran spoke bluntly, figuring it would dispel Huo Boyan’s suspicions. But the man’s expression grew even more enigmatic.

“Is that so?” Huo Boyan soon smiled again, making Zhu Ran wonder if he’d imagined the whole thing.

Huo Boyan reached up to adjust his glasses—a rare gesture. The man spread his broad palm, pinching the frames between thumb and middle finger before nudging them up. For a moment, his entire face vanished into the shadow of his hand, and Zhu Ran sensed something profound lurking beneath that affable smile.

Zhu Ran inexplicably felt a twinge of panic. He didn’t want to tangle with a bigwig like Huo Boyan, so he added, “If you’re still worried, I can take your plane and head back early.”

Huo Boyan’s gaze grew even more loaded. He neither agreed right away nor refused.

·

In the Central Villa Study, Chen Jiaming burst through the door and reported breathlessly, “Boss, the operation’s wrapped up. Everything went exactly as planned—no surprises.”

Huo Boyan looked up. “Everyone under control?”

Chen Jiaming: “Yes, and we’ve kept the evidence intact. We’ll know the full details after interrogation.”

Huo Boyan: “Don’t spook them. Keep digging.”

“Got it,” Chen Jiaming nodded. “So, next steps…”

Huo Boyan glanced out the window and fell silent for a moment.

Last night, he’d deliberately leaked info to test Zhu Ran. But based on today’s outcome, Zhu Ran hadn’t passed anything along.

Two possibilities presented themselves:

One, Zhu Ran wasn’t a corporate spy, had no ties to the Huo Family or Huo Zhixiao, and all prior encounters were coincidence. He’d misjudged the guy.

Two, Zhu Ran was deeply scheming, holding back on passing messages to earn his trust and aim higher. That would explain why Zhu Ran cozied up to his brother only to ditch him so easily—because the real target was Huo Boyan himself.

But a nobody like Zhu Ran wasn’t enough to rattle him. After handling business, Huo Boyan finally instructed Chen Jiaming at the end: “Dig into Zhu Ran’s background thoroughly—why he came to Hong Kong Island, who he’s contacted during his stay.”

Chen Jiaming acknowledged the order and left. Huo Boyan turned back to the window.

The younger Huo Family generation splashed in the pool, laughing uproariously now and then. One person sat quietly in the orange afternoon sun, his skin glowing ethereally white.

So many people, so loud.

Zhu Ran had wanted to be alone, but halfway there, he’d run into his cousin and some girls who dragged him over for photos.

Zhu Ran hadn’t brought pro gear to the island—just his phone—but somehow, his shots outshone the pro photographer’s DSLR compositions and high-res pixels. Everyone preferred them.

“Phone GIFs look so natural—that effortless, chill vibe is exactly what we want,” his cousin and her bestie said, striking confident poses to show off their healthy, beautiful bodies in the sunlight.

Of course Zhu Ran got it. His eye and skills were honed; he just played dumb to stay low-key.

Even so, the sidelined pro photographer wasn’t thrilled. Evan sat nearby nursing a drink, shooting disdainful glances and eyeing Zhu Ran like a rival.

Evan had leveraged his photography skills to glom onto the rich kids’ circle. An edge player, sure, but he’d scored real perks. Now this Zhu Ran shows up, threatening his spot.

Zhu Ran had noticed Evan’s sulk at first and considered explaining. But Evan’s attitude soured fast—fake smiles in public, eye-rolls in private. Zhu Ran hated drama and saw no point in chasing goodwill from someone hostile.

“Plus, your shots have no male gaze—just pure appreciation of the human form,” Huo Jiahui said after reviewing the photos. “You nailed my vibe perfectly.”

An American returnee, she rocked the rebellious heiress look—fitness fanatic with aggressively hot beauty. Past shooters had tried molding her into a demure lady or American sweetheart. Evan was obedient enough to tolerate, so she’d brought him along.

But Zhu Ran had captured her essence flawlessly, even amplifying it. His photos looked more natural than her selfies.

Huo Jiahui loved every shot and complained to Lin Ziqing, “How’d you hide such a gem of a cousin until today?”

Lin Ziqing: “Haha, I only found out about my cousin ten days ago.”

After shooting them, Lin Ziqing offered to return the favor: “Want some shots?”

Zhu Ran: “Nah, I’m good.”

“Don’t be shy—sisters got you,” Huo Jiahui snatched the phone and snapped away. “You’re so handsome, you’ll look good in anything.”

Zhu Ran loved shooting others but hated being in frame himself.

Spotting his stiff expression, Lin Ziqing said, “We’ll use your phone. Delete if you hate ’em later.”

Reassured by his cousin, Zhu Ran relented.

“So pale—you never tan.”

“Guys have the best starting point. Legs longer and straighter than mine.”

“Totally, guys are the real ‘pale, skinny, cute’ ideal.”

The girls directed him bossily, chattering nonstop. Zhu Ran couldn’t get a word in. After beach shots, they herded him to the pool for wet-body pics.

Zhu Ran begged off, hands clasped: “…Mercy, big sisters.”

Lin Ziqing: “No wheedling out of it.”

Out of options, Zhu Ran shed his cover-up and hopped in. The pool was two meters deep—no standing; he had to tread and swim.

Sun-warmed water scalded, unfit for laps. After a bit, his heart raced, breath short. He turned for shore. Breaststroke was slow and exhausting; by the short distance’s end, Zhu Ran panted raggedly, clutching the edge.

“Zhu Ran, look back,” Huo Jiahui called from behind.

But suddenly, Zhu Ran sensed something and instinctively looked up—

Huo Boyan stood by the pool, gazing down at him.

Sunlight glared, water stung; Zhu Ran couldn’t make out Huo Boyan’s eyes. But Huo Jiahui reflexively snapped the shot.

Zhu Ran didn’t turn as expected, so she figured it a dud, paid it no mind, didn’t delete it, and went to chat with Huo Boyan.

“Bro Boyan, you swimming too?”

“Nah, just getting some air.”

“We bugging your work?” Huo Jiahui asked sheepishly.

“No—your noise actually boosts my efficiency,” Huo Boyan replied with a smile, ever the good-tempered guy.

“Phew, glad to hear it,” Huo Jiahui laughed, adding, “Don’t overdo it. Vacation’s for resting.”

Others swarmed Huo Boyan upon his appearance. Zhu Ran skipped the chit-chat, grabbed a beach towel to wrap up, phone in hand, and headed to his room.

After showering, Zhu Ran opened his gallery to sort photos—and finally saw Huo Boyan’s expression in that shot.

The refined gentleman, the affable big-bro type to all juniors, had stared at him swimming with a gaze thick and terrifying.

Zhu Ran deleted the photo and tossed his phone aside.

A while later, he buried his face in the pillow. Suddenly, he didn’t want to stay any longer.