After I Died, My Childhood Friend Became Daddy - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Eggnog Friends of That Kind

Fang Ran and Huo Yan went to soak in a private spring.

The surroundings were like a tropical rainforest, complete with the sounds of birds and insects, which was very soothing. On a tray nearby were fruit juices and some snacks. Fang Ran lay comfortably on his stomach while Huo Yan pressed his shoulders and neck for him.

What kind of divine life was this?

“When you’re having problems, don’t always keep your head down.” The man’s palm covered Fang Ran’s neck, squeezing gently.

“You had this habit before; you need to change it.”

Fang Ran let out a yawn. “Naggy ghost. You really have become a ‘Daddy’.”

Huo Yan loved these moments of being alone with Ranran, without those sightless people coming to disturb them. It felt as if only the two of them were left between heaven and earth.

The man’s dark gaze fell upon Fang Ran. Although he had worked hard to feed Ranran and make him a bit chubbier lately, the youth’s frame was still thin and his back slender. The butterfly bones (scapulae) on his back were prominent, looking like a butterfly truly ready to spread its wings and fly.

Huo Yan had an impulse to embrace Fang Ran from behind and leave a string of burning kisses along his spine.

But Huo Yan didn’t dare.

He knew clearly.

Fang Ran… was straight.

Although Fang Ran had never been in a relationship or said he liked anyone, he had mentioned the matter of getting married and having children more than once.

From beginning to end, the only one trapped in this distorted emotion… was Huo Yan.

In the steam-filled hot spring, Fang Ran felt a bit sleepy. He took a sip of icy fruit juice and sighed comfortably.

“Life in senior year can actually be this happy.”

Huo Yan’s lips hooked up slightly. He asked casually, “Have you thought about which school you want to attend?”

Fang Ran didn’t even think. “S University, I guess, if I can get in.”

The man felt a slight relief in his heart. S University was close to home; he could arrange for Ranran to be a day student then.

“There will definitely be no problem.” Fearing Fang Ran was too anxious about his grades, Huo Yan comforted him. “Huo Corporation donates experimental equipment or teaching buildings to S University every year. I am an honorary board member of S University; sending one person in is more than enough.”

“What do you mean? Can’t I rely on my own strength?” Fang Ran frowned, his kitten-like eyes glaring at Huo Yan. “You’ve been corrupted by money now. You wouldn’t have said such things before.”

Huo Yan was momentarily stunned, then gave a very faint smile.

Of course it was different.

Ten years ago, Huo Yan had expectations for the future—wanting to take the entrance exams with Fang Ran, work together… They might have started in a rental apartment and only gone out for a big meal two or three times a month, but those years would have had Fang Ran by his side, so bitter days would have been sweet days.

But the current Huo Yan had struggled in hell for ten years before finally seeing the light. He didn’t dare let go, yet he couldn’t see a future for himself and Fang Ran. He could only pitifully hold onto the bit of brightness in front of him.

“I’m sorry,” Huo Yan said. “Since you don’t like it, I won’t say it like that anymore.”

The man’s prompt apology made Fang Ran pause slightly. “What are you doing? I was just speaking casually.”

Huo Yan smiled. “I’m afraid of you hating me.”

Afraid of you discovering that the Huo Yan in front of you is no longer the Huo Yan of back then.

Fang Ran frowned and punched Huo Yan’s shoulder. “Do you even treat me like a brother? How could I possibly hate you?”

Huo Yan caught Fang Ran’s fist. He really wanted to bring it to his lips for a kiss, but in the end, he restrained himself. He deliberately said in a joking tone, “I don’t treat you like a brother.”

Be my wife instead.

.

Because of a joke, Fang Ran actually got angry. In the evening, when everyone was having a barbecue in the yard, he changed his clothes and went out, deliberately not calling Huo Yan.

But after going, he regretted it. He was the one who asked Huo Yan to come in the first place, and since he didn’t even know anyone else, leaving Huo Yan all alone was too pitiful.

Why bother getting into a huff with Huo Yan?

Thinking this, Fang Ran prepared to get up and go back for him, only to see the man already walking over carrying a jacket.

The sounds of gossip and chatting nearby diminished quite a bit.

Huo Yan’s expression was natural as he draped the jacket over Fang Ran, his tone carrying a hint of doting. “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

He didn’t seem to intend to stay long; he was about to leave after helping Fang Ran put on the jacket, but Fang Ran grabbed his arm instead. “Are you going back to eat instant noodles?”

Fang Ran pouted slightly and commanded him, “Go grill some skewers for me.”

The surroundings seemed even quieter.

Huo Yan gave a very light laugh. “As you command.”

Two classmates had originally been grilling the skewers. Seeing President Huo walk over, they didn’t even know where to put their hands, looking very awkward.

But Huo Yan was always good at acting in front of Fang Ran. He gave a slight smile and said in a gentle tone, “You guys go play over there; I’ll take over.”

With them here, how would Ranran feel comfortable coming over?

The classmates kept up the polite formalities. “No, no, no, President Huo, you go rest, we’ll do it…”

Before they could finish, they were scared back by a cold glance from Huo Yan.

Huo Yan lowered his brows and said in an impatient, low voice, “Go away.”

The classmates scurried off like a wisp of smoke.

Fang Ran only looked up after taking a few sips of his drink, realizing that only Huo Yan was left at the grill. He hurriedly put down his cup and stood up to walk over.

“I’ll help you.”

Huo Yan looked up and smiled at him. “The smoke is choking; go chat with your classmates.”

Fang Ran ignored that and directly moved a small stool to sit beside Huo Yan, muttering in a low voice.

“Your temper is so good; won’t you get bullied in business?”

A trace of a smile appeared in Huo Yan’s eyes. He first handed a meat skewer to Fang Ran. “Taste it first.”

Children who came from an orphanage cherished food especially. Every time Fang Ran ate, he looked like he was enjoying it immensely, his cheeks puffed out like a little hamster.

The man’s gaze fell deeply upon his face eyes, eyelashes, tip of the nose, cheek fat, mouth.

Every part was killingly cute.

Pop!

A burst of lively noise suddenly came from behind them.

It was a few people opening champagne.

Fang Ran’s attention was instantly captured. He turned his head to look, his eyes bright.

Someone called to him, “Fang Ran, want a drink?”

Fang Ran immediately stood up and ran over with a “deng deng deng.”

Huo Yan lowered his eyes slightly.

His Ranran was too young; he would always be lured by fresh things.

Fang Ran’s gaze would not stay fixed on him forever.

Huo Yan transformed into a melancholic mushroom, sitting quietly by the barbecue grill.

Suddenly, his arm was tugged.

Huo Yan looked up to see Fang Ran’s smiling face. “Oh, stop grilling for a bit, let’s go have a drink.”

In that moment of being stunned, the man was dragged over by Fang Ran.

There was a small bar counter over there; besides ordinary champagne, there were some cocktails.

Huo Yan gently squeezed the back of Fang Ran’s neck with some helplessness. “Forgot you got drunk last time?”

Fang Ran argued, “I wasn’t drunk last time! I was just a little sleepy!”

“You can only have one glass.”

Huo Yan asked for an ordinary whiskey. Ice cubes were added to the glass tumbler. The man’s fingers were slender, looking especially beautiful while holding the glass.

Fang Ran looked down at the eggnog in his hand and leaned in. “Give me a sip of yours.”

Huo Yan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t hand him the glass; instead, he brought it directly to Fang Ran’s lips and said softly, “Open up.”

The two were very close. In the dim, yellowish light and shadows, their shadows were almost overlapping.

Zhao Yan was taking photos with a few classmates. His gaze inadvertently caught sight of them, and he suddenly paused.

The man tilted the glass, feeding the liquor into Fang Ran’s mouth, his lips becoming shiny…

“Zhao Yan! Over here.”

He snapped back to his senses, turned his head and smiled, “Coming.”

“Does it taste good?” the man asked softly.

Fang Ran smacked his lips and shook his head. “A bit astringent.”

Huo Yan laughed. “Little kid, don’t always think about drinking alcohol.”

“What about you? Is your tolerance good?” Fang Ran asked curiously. “When you talk business, do you have to drink?”

Huo Yan paused.

Having reached his position, he no longer needed to drink at the table. It was just that when he first took over the Huo family, everything was a mess, and he was going crazy searching for Fang Ran. Every night, he could only barely fall asleep if he was drunk. Only when he slept could he see Ranran in his dreams.

His tone was very light. “It’s alright. I rarely drink lately.”

The eggnog was very sweet. Fang Ran, thinking the alcohol content wasn’t high, drank it all in two gulps. He licked his lips and let out a burp.

Seeing this, Huo Yan lost his smile. “Do you still want to eat grilled skewers?”

Poor tolerance but a big addiction.

The alcohol hit him quickly. Within two minutes, Fang Ran’s cheeks were red as he leaned against Huo Yan.

Seeing this, there was no way to continue playing. Just as well—Huo Yan didn’t want to stay with these eyesores either.

He picked Fang Ran up directly and started walking back.

Fang Ran leaned his dizzy head against Huo Yan’s chest. Halfway there, he suddenly cried out that he felt nauseous.

Seeing a leisure chair nearby, Huo Yan carried him over to sit down, gently patting his back. “Going to throw up?”

Fang Ran shook his head, like a small animal, nuzzling against Huo Yan.

Huo Yan’s whole heart was nuzzled into softness by him.

He suddenly spoke, “Baby, close your eyes.”

Drunken Fang Ran was very obedient. He immediately tilted his head up and closed his eyes, his long black lashes casting faint shadows under his eyelids.

The night breeze was gentle. The man lowered his head slightly and kissed Fang Ran’s lips very lightly.

And not far away, under a streetlamp.

Zhao Yan covered his mouth, looking at this scene in shock.

Crap!

So they were friends… of that kind of relationship!