After I Died, My Childhood Friend Became Daddy - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Holding Hands Even While Sleeping

During the day, Huo Yan had his secretary send some important documents to the hospital room. He wanted to handle them as quickly as possible; he didn’t want these trifles to waste the time he had alone with Ranran.

The doctor even specifically asked if President Huo needed to change rooms. There was a larger suite upstairs with two beds, so the two of them wouldn’t have to squeeze together.

Huo Yan gave the doctor a chilly look.

He was “allergic” to two beds.

Calculating the time, Fang Ran should be arriving soon. Why was he ten minutes late?

Huo Yan felt a bit irritable. Lately, he had been restraining himself from checking Fang Ran’s GPS too often, but this feeling of losing control only made him more anxious.

Just as he pulled out his phone, he heard the door. Fang Ran pushed it open, followed by the driver, who was carrying two large bags of things.

“A-Yan, I’m back!”

Hearing these words, Huo Yan felt his entire body relax.

He curled his lips slightly. “Next time don’t run up here. I’m not in a hurry.”

The secretary standing nearby couldn’t help but roll his eyes toward the ceiling.

Sure, you’re not in a hurry.

You were checking your phone every minute, looking like you were about to rush out and find him yourself.

Fang Ran rummaged through the bags, pulling things out one by one. “I went home first to pack some things—daily necessities for both of us, clothes, and some soup Auntie Liu cooked.”

Even though he was like a little baby himself, he was starting to learn how to take care of someone very seriously.

Huo Yan smiled tenderly. “No rush. Come sit for a while first.”

“Oh, and this.”

Fang Ran pulled a large pile of medicine bottles out of his bag. “I brought the medicine you need to take, too.”

The smile on Huo Yan’s face froze.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

The driver silently took two steps back, preparing to sneak out of the room. Fang Ran’s round, cat-like eyes glared at Huo Yan, seemingly waiting for an explanation.

Huo Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly turned his head to look at the secretary.

Secretary: Me again???

Thinking of his year-end bonus, the secretary spoke with a heart like cold ashes, “Little Mister, actually those medicines…”

“Slap!” Fang Ran suddenly slammed his hand on the table. He raised his voice, “Huo Yan! Try lying to me again! Try fooling me one more time!”

Fang Ran had always had a very soft temper. Forget the secretary and driver—even Huo Yan had rarely seen him truly angry.

For a moment, no one dared to make a sound.

Finally, Huo Yan raised his hand slightly. As if receiving a divine amnesty, the secretary quickly hurried out with the driver.

In an instant, only the two of them remained in the ward.

Fang Ran spoke fiercely, “Confess! Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist!”

Huo Yan actually really wanted to see how “severe” his Ranran could be.

However, knowing Fang Ran was truly angry this time, Huo Yan didn’t tease him. He said in a natural tone, “There’s really nothing else. I take the medicine because… I had some psychological issues a while back, but I’m fine now.”

Just that simple?

Fang Ran didn’t believe him for a second.

If he hadn’t researched the names and uses of these medicines before coming here, he might have actually been fooled by Huo Yan.

This big liar!!

Fang Ran looked at him quietly. “Since you don’t want to tell me the truth, you don’t treat me as a brother. There’s no point in me staying here then. I’m leaving now, and from now on…”

“Fang Ran!”

Huo Yan interrupted him urgently. His face turned a bit pale, his tone sounding like a plea. “Don’t say things like that.”

It was almost Fang Ran’s instinct to soften his heart toward his fragile childhood friend.

The hand hanging at his side clenched slightly. Fang Ran controlled himself, gritting his teeth, his small face cold as frost. “Then are you going to confess or not?”

Huo Yan paused, his voice dropping lower.

“Ever since you went missing, I started becoming… abnormal.”

“At first it was just insomnia, then I started dreaming about you frequently. In the dreams, I’d ask where you were, but you wouldn’t speak. Ranran, I truly didn’t know where to go to find you.”

During that period, Huo Yan’s condition was truly terrible. He lost a massive amount of weight, had to deal with the “monsters and demons” of the Huo family, and had to exhaust every means to find Fang Ran’s whereabouts.

At one point, he even thought about following Fang Ran to the afterlife.

But he was afraid. If he died and Ranran came back—Ranran was so clumsy and pure—how would he survive alone? He would surely be bullied by countless people.

Later, Huo Yan started seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication.

Huo Yan exhaled, raising his hand to cover his eyes, his voice raspy. “Ranran, don’t be afraid of me, and don’t avoid me. I’ll change. I won’t monitor you anymore, won’t track you anymore…”

He whispered, “Just take pity on me. Don’t leave me, okay?”

Suddenly, his wrist was grabbed. Huo Yan was momentarily stunned—a rarity for him. He lowered his arm and raised his eyes, meeting Fang Ran’s reddened ones.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Fang Ran sniffled, trying hard to keep his tears from falling. “Why didn’t you say you were sick? When I had a fever as a kid, you stayed by my bedside all night. You’d get nervous if I even coughed once. So why didn’t you tell me when you were the one who was sick?”

Huo Yan’s throat felt tight.

He never expected that this was what Ranran wanted to say to him.

Fang Ran looked at him with red eyes, his voice very soft.

“Huo Yan, I was only gone for ten years. How did you manage to mess yourself up like this?”

“You always say I’m clumsy, but look at you—you can’t take care of yourself either.”

The man’s eyes were also a bit red. He looked away, his voice terrifyingly hoarse. “Ranran, aren’t you afraid of me?”

“Why would I be afraid of you? You’re A-Yan.”

Fang Ran walked up to him, struggling to turn the man’s head back to look at him seriously.

“Don’t worry! I will stay with you through your treatment!”

Huo Yan repeated word for word, “Treatment?”

“Because you saw the scene of me being hit by a car, plus the fact that I was missing for ten years, you have such a massive psychological shadow. Now that I’m back, I’ll be with you—staying by your side to help you walk out of this gloom!”

What a positive, wholesome speech.

But Huo Yan looked straight at him. “How are you going to stay by my side?”

Fang Ran thought about it distressedly. “I need to make a plan first. But… you don’t have anything else hidden from me, right?”

Huo Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “No. I’ve confessed everything.”

Except for the tracker in your phone, except for the fact that I’ve stolen your underwear and clothes, except for the fact that I love you… other than that, nothing.

…

Half an hour later, the nurse came to change the dressing.

The person lying on the hospital bed had been replaced by a round-faced, round-eyed youth, while the actual patient sat to the side, holding a spoon to feed him. “Be good, take another sip.”

“Oh, don’t bother me.”

Fang Ran was taking notes on his phone. “How has your sleep been lately… mmmph.”

Huo Yan took advantage of him opening his mouth to quickly shove a spoonful of soup in.

He gave an ambiguous answer. “It’s hard to say, but yesterday when you were beside me, I slept very well.”

Fang Ran frowned and typed a few words into his table:

[Lack of security]

“Open up, eat another piece of rib.”

Huo Yan used chopsticks to strip the meat from the bone, feeding it to Fang Ran’s lips.

“But Auntie Liu made this for you.”

While he was talking, a piece of meat had already been fed into his stomach.

“You eat more,” Huo Yan said. “You’ve lost weight these past two days.”

Lost weight? Who!

Fang Ran touched his own cheeks.

There is a type of “thin” called “your childhood friend thinks you’re thin.”

“I’ve decided.” Fang Ran clenched his fist. “For the next few days, I’ll sleep with you first. When you go for your next check-up, I’m going with you.”

Huo Yan’s eyes darkened, staring deeply at Fang Ran. “Sleep… with me?”

Fang Ran nodded heavily. “I need to monitor your sleep condition.”

Huo Yan frowned, looking very conflicted, then nodded. “Well, alright then.”

The nurse nearby was stunned. She hesitated for several seconds before speaking. “President Huo, shall we change the dressing?”

Fang Ran reacted first, nodding quickly. “Change it! Oh, why did I end up on the bed?”

Huo Yan held him down. “You stay lying there. I’ll go next door to change it. The wound is scary; don’t look, or you’ll cry again.”

If you cry, my heart will ache.

Fang Ran blinked. “Okay then, I’ll keep taking notes.”

Huo Yan smiled. “Good boy.”

From the current perspective, Fang Ran’s “treatment plan” was exactly what he wanted. If he had known it was this simple, he would have pushed the medicine in front of Fang Ran from the very beginning.

…

Huo Yan went to change his dressing, and Fang Ran sat on the bed sketching and writing.

Actually, the logic was very simple.

Huo Yan lacked security, so he would just give him security. Thinking about it, Huo Yan had only ever had him as a friend since they were little; it would be weird if he could accept his sudden disappearance.

When Huo Yan came back after the dressing change, Fang Ran was sitting upright on the bed, looking at him with a serious expression.

Huo Yan found it funny and thought his baby was deathly cute. He followed suit and asked with a solemn face, “What is it?”

“From now on, you have to report your itinerary to me. Likewise, I will report mine to you.”

Fang Ran thought: since Huo Yan wanted to know his whereabouts at all times, he would just let him know. He would open himself up and let Huo Yan see everything clearly.

Huo Yan raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Fang Ran spoke seriously, “Of course it’s true.”

“Then I’ll report to you right now,” Huo Yan said. “I want to go take a rinse.”

Fang Ran immediately scrambled up. “No, no! The wound on your head can’t touch water.”

Huo Yan frowned. “Then what should I do? I haven’t washed since yesterday; it’s very uncomfortable.”

Fang Ran raised his hand, volunteering himself.

“I’ll wipe your body for you.”

Huo Yan sighed. “Troubling you again, Ranran.”

Fang Ran’s eyes were round. “What kind of talk is that? Good buddies are supposed to help each other. You raised me when I was young, I’ll take care of you when you’re old.”

Huo Yan: “…”

Only after he said it did Fang Ran feel like something was wrong. He gave an embarrassed smile.

Huo Yan curled the corner of his mouth, walked over, and draped an arm around Fang Ran’s shoulder to lead him to the bathroom.

He always did these sudden intimate gestures, which startled Fang Ran. “What are you doing!”

“Good buddy, aren’t you going to wipe my body for me?”

…

It’s so hot.

Fang Ran used a wet towel to help Huo Yan wipe his body. With the bathroom door closed, the temperature was higher than outside. The rising steam made Fang Ran almost unable to breathe.

His hand pressed the towel, moving from the pectoral muscles to the abdominals. The man’s physique was like a 3D model bulging exactly where it should. Fang Ran even stealthily pressed it with his hand; the chest muscles were soft yet quite elastic.

A muffled chuckle came from above his head.

Fang Ran instantly bristled. “What are you laughing at! So what if you have a good body!”

Huo Yan quickly coaxed him. “Nothing. Ranran has a very good body too.”

Dammit!

Next time he would also get up early to exercise at the gym.

But having said that, every time Fang Ran would stay in bed sleeping like a little pig with his butt in the air, unable to get up at all.

He muttered, “Don’t patronize me.”

Not patronizing; it’s the truth.

Huo Yan’s eyes darkened. Thinking of Ranran’s white, soft belly—like a piece of cream cake—if he buried his whole face in it, it would be full of Ranran’s scent. If he took another bite and saw his own teeth marks left on the belly, his possessiveness would explode…

After wiping Huo Yan’s upper body, Fang Ran’s movements paused.

This…

How was he supposed to wipe that?

Was Huo Yan supposed to lift it up?

Even though they were both boys, every time Fang Ran saw it, he would feel red-faced and breathless.

He couldn’t take it; it was getting even hotter.

How could someone grow that big?

He was never going to shower with Huo Yan again!

Fang Ran’s head was filled with messy thoughts. Finally, he couldn’t help but stuff the towel into Huo Yan’s hand. “Wipe the rest yourself.”

After saying that, he paused.

“Wait, your hands aren’t broken. Why aren’t you wiping it yourself?”

Huo Yan looked innocent. “You were the one who said you’d wipe it for me.”

“Aaaaah!!”

Fang Ran fumed like a pufferfish, turned around, and left the bathroom without looking back.

Less than half a minute later, the bathroom door opened.

Huo Yan asked him, “Reporting to you: I’m about to wipe my lower body. Is that okay?”

The response he got was a throw pillow tossed over by an embarrassed and angry Fang Ran.

Without Fang Ran there, Huo Yan did a cursory wipe. Just as he was about to change into a new set of pajamas, he hesitated, took out the bathrobe from the side, and deliberately tied the belt very loosely.

When he stepped out of the bathroom, he saw Fang Ran doing homework at the table. Although it was a hospital room, it had all the facilities and was no different from an apartment.

Huo Yan washed some fruit and brought it over. He stood behind Fang Ran intentionally or unintentionally, one hand propped on the other side of the table, whispering slightly, “Any problems you can’t solve?”

Fang Ran huffed, “Don’t talk to me, you’re delaying m—”

He turned his head as he spoke.

But as fate would have it, Huo Yan’s belt was loose, and the bathrobe fell open at that moment. Fang Ran’s nose brushed right against the man’s pectoral muscle.

Face… face buried!

Fang Ran’s eyes went wide instantly.

Huo Yan still carried the dampness of just having bathed. His chest muscles seemed to faintly emit heat. Clearly he hadn’t used body wash just now, but for some reason, Huo Yan still carried a very faint minty scent that drilled into his nose.

For a moment, both of them froze.

Fang Ran kept his head down, so naturally he didn’t see how terrifyingly deep Huo Yan’s gaze was as he looked down at him. The man wanted nothing more than to reach out and press Fang Ran’s head directly into his chest.

Finally, Fang Ran snapped back to his senses first. He lunged backward, his waist almost hitting the table, but fortunately Huo Yan reacted and blocked it with his hand.

Fang Ran’s entire face turned red, steam practically rising from him. He stuttered, “You-you-you… your clothes…”

Huo Yan gave a hypocritical smile, acting as if he had just realized. He reached out to pull the clothes together. “Sorry, I didn’t tie it well.”

Enough, truly enough!

Fang Ran thought irritably! Stop teasing an eighteen-year-old high school boy!!

“What’s wrong? Angry?” Huo Yan observed his expression. “I didn’t mean to tease you on purpose, and I didn’t want to bully you. How about tomorrow I serve you instead? I’ll wash your body and your feet, how about that?”

“No need!” Fang Ran spoke muffledly.

Huo Yan lowered his eyes, suddenly let out a “hiss,” and raised a hand to cover his temple.

Fang Ran raised his head quickly. “What is it? A headache? The doctor said after a concussion you’ll feel dizzy and nauseous. Oh, you’re still standing—go lie down on the bed quickly.”

He reached out to support Huo Yan, but was instead gripped tightly by the hand. “Then you aren’t angry with me anymore?”

Fang Ran spoke repeatedly, “Not angry, not angry. What is there for me to be angry with you about?”

He quickly ushered Huo Yan to lie down on the bed, looking at him anxiously. “How is it? Do you feel nauseous? Should I call the doctor?”

Huo Yan whispered, “It’s fine.”

Fang Ran immediately felt regretful again. “I should have wiped you just now. You can’t bow your head if you’re dizzy. Honestly, I didn’t take good care of you at all.”

He felt a bit self-blame, his lips pursed, looking like a puppy with its tail drooping.

Huo Yan gripped his hand. “Don’t say that, Ranran. Knowing I have such an illness and still being willing to stay by my side—I’m already very satisfied.”

Fang Ran looked up and met Huo Yan’s gaze. It was the first time he had seen the man look at him like this—not with a gentle smile, but with eyes that were very deep, as if carrying intense emotions and possessiveness, looking as if he wanted to devour him.

His heart skipped a beat, and he actually turned his gaze away in a bit of a panic.

Huo Yan paused and said softly, “Go do your problems.”

Fang Ran felt as if he’d been granted amnesty. He quickly pulled his hand away and practically fled.

…

But no matter what, at night, they still had to lie in one bed to sleep.

This wasn’t the first time the two had slept together, but Fang Ran felt inexplicably nervous. He didn’t know if it was because he had just touched Huo Yan’s chest muscles or because he’d been startled by Huo Yan’s gaze.

The bed wasn’t small. Fang Ran lay ramrod straight, looking like he was going to a heroic execution.

The room was very dark. Fang Ran stared at the ceiling, trying hard to distinguish Huo Yan’s breathing nearby to judge if he was fast asleep.

But…

Why can’t I hear it?!!

Fang Ran’s eyes went wide. He became nervous all at once and turned his head sharply, only to find Huo Yan lying on his side facing him, staring at him deeply.

Their eyes met. Fang Ran scrambled up.

He immediately went for a preemptive strike: “What are you doing! Why aren’t you sleeping yet!”

Huo Yan’s tone was calm. “I felt like you seemed a bit nervous.”

Fang Ran denied it quickly. “I’m not. I’m almost asleep.”

“Oh,” Huo Yan said. “I thought someone was hiding on the ceiling, considering you were looking so intently.”

Don’t scare people like that, okay!

Even though it was furnished like an apartment, it was still a hospital after all. Fang Ran felt like a cold draft blew past him for a second, his whole body covered in goosebumps. He involuntarily shivered twice and hugged himself.

Huo Yan spoke at the right time. “Ranran, can you come a bit closer? I feel like I still can’t sleep…”

What?!

“Why didn’t you say so sooner!”

Fang Ran quickly lay down and scooted closer to Huo Yan. “Is this okay?”

Huo Yan’s voice was low. “Can we hold hands?”

Huh?

Holding hands even while sleeping?

It’s not like we’re in kindergarten!

In the moment Fang Ran hesitated, Huo Yan’s tone became a bit dejected. “I’m bothering your sleep too much.”

Say no more!

My hand is yours!

Fang Ran immediately shoved his hand into Huo Yan’s. “Take it, take it. As long as you don’t take it to [be productive], you can do whatever you want with it.”

Huo Yan seemed amused and gave a low chuckle. He gently squeezed Fang Ran’s soft palm and whispered, “Goodnight.” Baby.

Those words seemed to have magic. Fang Ran followed with a yawn and muttered, “Goodnight.”

The night grew deep. The first to fall fast asleep was Fang Ran.

Huo Yan turned his head, greedily looking at every inch of Fang Ran, wanting to carve him into his heart forever.

The better Fang Ran was to him, the more it highlighted his own despicableness.

But every time Fang Ran opened his mouth—”brothers,” “buddies”—it was like a knife cutting gashes into Huo Yan’s heart.

If one day Fang Ran truly knew his thoughts, knew that his feelings had long since ceased to be pure, would he still be so willing to stay by his side?

Huo Yan scooted a bit closer to Fang Ran, gently burying his face in the crook of Fang Ran’s neck.

Baby.

If you’re going to pity me.

Then pity me to the very end.

…

A few days later, Huo Yan was discharged from the hospital. After all, it wasn’t serious, and the conditions in the hospital weren’t as good as at home. Huo Yan couldn’t bear to let Fang Ran continue staying there.

Fang Ran didn’t care; it was the same to him wherever he stayed. He was like a happy puppy all day, fluttering around—he didn’t know why he had so much energy.

Today was the weekend. Generally, when Fang Ran was home, Huo Yan wouldn’t go to the study; he would mostly be in the living room downstairs or playing games with Fang Ran.

Having some temporary work to handle, Huo Yan sat on the sofa tapping on his laptop. Within two minutes, Fang Ran came running down from upstairs, circled around to glance at Huo Yan, and then ran back upstairs to continue playing games.

After this repeated three or four times, Huo Yan began to consider installing an elevator in the house.

When Fang Ran ran in front of him again, Huo Yan couldn’t help but be amused. He hooked a finger at Fang Ran, and Fang Ran obediently leaned over.

Huo Yan reached out and grabbed Fang Ran’s wrist, pulling him into his arms. “Why are you running back and forth? Aren’t you tired?”

“Afraid you wouldn’t see me.”

Fang Ran said seriously, “Have you been feeling better lately?”

Huo Yan thought for a bit, his lips curving. “Mm.”

Lately, Ranran has been incredibly well-behaved. He would often send him messages at school, video call him during lunch breaks, and report to him when going out. Every night, if he pulled back the covers, he could harvest a warm Ranran.

It was like a dream.

If he had known he could be this happy, on the first day Fang Ran came back, he would have driven the Rolls-Royce like a bumper car.

He supported Fang Ran’s waist, holding him like a giant doll, his chin resting on Fang Ran’s shoulder. His posture was a bit languid. “It’s all thanks to Ranran. I’ve been feeling much better lately.”

Fang Ran blinked. “Next week, our school has a graduation ball. Can you come?”

“It might not be appropriate. I’m getting old; it wouldn’t be good if I went.”

“Who said you’re old?”

Fang Ran brandished his paws and pressed against his neck, huffing, “Who said it! Who said it!”

“If you don’t go with me, who will I dance with?”

Huo Yan narrowed his eyes.

Just the thought of someone else possibly holding Fang Ran’s hand or waist made him want to kill someone.

He quickly changed his tune. “Alright, I’ll go.”

Fang Ran smiled gigglingly, leaned over, and let a loud kiss land on Huo Yan’s cheek. “Mwah!”

Huo Yan was shocked for a rare moment. He widened his eyes slightly, looking at Fang Ran in disbelief.

The feeling of the youth’s wet, soft lips pressed against his cheek was even more wonderful than a dream.

Fang Ran felt a bit embarrassed by Huo Yan’s gaze and glared back with false bravado. “What? Didn’t you say good brothers can kiss? What’s wrong with kissing your cheek!”

Huo Yan: “…”