After I Died, My Childhood Friend Became Daddy - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Making Himself at Home An Eighteen-Year-Old High Schooler is in a Hurry

Huo Yan took two deep breaths before he managed to steady his mind.

He turned around, looking at Fang Ran’s bright eyes, and spoke as calmly as possible, “Why do you suddenly want to go back to school?”

“I’ve studied for so long, and the College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) was right there. It’s the final stretch; it would be such a pity not to finish.”

It was a perfectly good reason.

Huo Yan let out something like a smile, his tone very gentle. “So, is the Gaokao for the sake of going to university?”

Fang Ran nodded. “Of course.”

“And then? After university, finding a good job?”

Fang Ran didn’t quite understand why Huo Yan was asking this, but he still nodded. “Yeah, just like we agreed before we’ll work at the same company, and after we get married, we’ll…”

Huo Yan didn’t want to hear any more and quickly reached out to signal a stop.

“Then what is a job for? To earn money?” Huo Yan coaxed him step-by-step. “Ranran, you don’t need to earn money now. I have as much as you want to spend. You can buy whatever you want, planes, yachts, private islands… whatever makes you happy.”

“Since the ultimate goal has already been met, why do you still need to go to school?”

Fang Ran was slightly stunned.

According to Huo Yan’s logic, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong.

But… Why did it feel like something was off…

Seeing Fang Ran’s confused expression, Huo Yan’s lips curled, his tone carrying an enticing quality. “Or, if you want to work, you don’t need to study. You can come directly and be my assistant, okay?”

Fang Ran pouted slightly. “I’m not going to go and cause trouble for you.”

Huo Yan laughed. “How is it causing trouble? If Ranran goes, as long as you sit beside me, I’ll be happy and my work efficiency will be much higher. Come to think of it, I should even give Ranran a year-end bonus.”

Fang Ran was amused by him. “Really? Then I’d be a shareholder too?”

Huo Yan nodded. “Of course.”

He took the opportunity to grab Fang Ran’s hand, playing with his fingers and squeezing his palm. “Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the company to play, okay?”

Fang Ran nodded, then quickly added, “Not playing working.”

Huo Yan smiled. “Right, working.”

He lowered his eyes again, the smile not reaching them.

…

In the evening, as usual, Huo Yan heated a glass of milk for Fang Ran, but Fang Ran didn’t drink it. “No, I’m afraid if I drink it, I won’t be able to get up for the company tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll just go whenever you wake up naturally.”

Fang Ran still shook his head.

Huo Yan didn’t push him further, setting the milk glass aside.

“Then go to sleep early tonight. Don’t play games too late.”

“I know.”

Back in his room lying in bed, Fang Ran hugged his quilt, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Previously, after drinking the milk, he could always fall asleep quickly.

Before bed, it’s easy to let one’s mind wander.

Fang Ran raised his hand to touch his chest. When he woke up this morning, he noticed a few red spots there. He had originally wanted to ask Liu Ma for some ointment, but then he forgot.

It was strange he hadn’t seen any mosquitoes or bugs in the villa, so how did he get bitten?

Fang Ran couldn’t figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it.

After rolling around on the bed a few more times and still being unable to sleep, he simply climbed out of bed, put on his slippers, and intended to go downstairs for a glass of water.

Rubbing his eyes, he pushed the door open. Just as he was about to head downstairs, he suddenly noticed the sensor lights on the upper floor were on.

The stair corners of the villa all had sensor lights with a relatively long duration. Out of boredom, Fang Ran had once asked Liu Ma, and they stayed on for about five minutes.

Which meant that within the last five minutes, someone had gone upstairs.

The third floor was where Huo Yan’s study was.

Is he still working this late?

Fang Ran thought that since he couldn’t sleep anyway and remembering that CEOs in TV dramas usually love coffee he would run downstairs to brew a cup for Huo Yan.

Fang Ran didn’t know how to use the coffee machine. After rummaging through the cupboards for a long time, he finally found a packet of instant coffee and brewed it. He specifically chose a very beautiful coffee cup and carefully carried it up to deliver it to Huo Yan.

He stepped on the stairs, going up one by one.

Directly across from the third-floor landing was the study. Fang Ran knocked on the door, but there was no sound from within.

He blinked and spoke directly, “A-Yan, it’s me. Are you busy?”

It remained silent inside.

Only then did Fang Ran realize something was wrong. He looked down and saw that the gap under the door was pitch black; there were no lights on in the room.

Huo Yan wasn’t in the study.

Then, on the third floor

Fang Ran suddenly remembered something. He turned his head and looked straight down the other side of the hallway.

On the first day, when Huo Yan introduced the villa, he had mentioned that the room there was a storage room.

And right now, a faint light was seeping through the gap under that “storage room” door.

Huo Yan is in the storage room?

Fang Ran was curious. He walked over slowly until he reached the door. He hesitated for a second between knocking and not knocking, and at that exact moment, the door opened.

Huo Yan walked out, his hand moving quickly behind him to shut the door.

The light inside had been turned off; it was pitch black, and Fang Ran saw nothing.

The hallway light wasn’t very bright; in fact, it cast a somewhat dim flickering light on Huo Yan’s face. The man was much taller than him, looking down at him with an unreadable expression. “Not asleep yet?”

“Mm.”

Fang Ran’s nose twitched; he seemed to faintly catch the scent of sandalwood. He was dazed for a moment, but quickly raised the coffee cup. “I thought you were working, so I brewed some coffee for you.”

“I went to the study to knock, but you weren’t there.” Fang Ran looked past him. “What were you busy with?”

“Just organizing some miscellaneous items.”

As Huo Yan spoke, he stepped forward, taking the coffee cup with one hand and putting his other arm around Fang Ran’s waist, surreptitiously guiding him to turn around.

“Is it because you can’t sleep?” The man’s voice sounded very gentle. “Do you want to go to the media room and watch a movie?”

“Okay!” At the mention of a movie, Fang Ran completely put the previous matter out of his mind.

Although drinking coffee at night was a bit odd, since it was brewed by Fang Ran personally, Huo Yan still tilted his head and drank it all.

Many great films have been released over the last ten years. Fang Ran picked through them and finally chose a highly-rated horror movie.

Fang Ran was the type who was “addicted despite being a coward.”

It was the same in high school ghost story books would circulate in class, and he would be terrified but still want to read them. He’d secretly hide under his quilt at night with a flashlight to read; afterward, he’d be too scared to sleep and would whimper while crawling into Huo Yan’s bed.

He thought he was the one waking Huo Yan up.

Little did he know, Huo Yan hadn’t slept at all and was waiting for him the whole time.

After choosing the film, Fang Ran immediately ran back to the beanbag chair. He looked around but couldn’t find a throw pillow; he felt his arms were empty and lacked any sense of security.

Huo Yan spoke up at the right time, looking very considerate. “Come sit on my side and hold onto my arm.”

Fang Ran was touched. “Good bro.”

Huo Yan: “…”

Fang Ran immediately crawled onto Huo Yan’s sofa, treating Huo Yan like a giant plush pillow. As the movie played, his body unconsciously leaned backward, looking tense and anxious.

Calling it a “ghost movie” wasn’t quite right; it was actually more of a thriller with very atmospheric music. Fang Ran’s heart was in his throat, looking like he wanted to watch but didn’t dare to.

In the movie, the protagonist always felt like someone else was living in his house. One night when he was supposed to work late, he returned home early. Nothing in the room had changed; everything was exactly as it had been when he left.

The unwashed coffee cup forgotten on the table, the throw pillow accidentally dropped on the floor in the rush to work, the magazine that had fallen into the crevice…

The protagonist felt relieved, thinking he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

He took a shower and lay in bed playing on his phone. But he was too tired; as soon as his eyes closed, the phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor with a “thud.”

The sound was so sudden that even Fang Ran, outside the screen, was startled. His eyes widened, and he hugged Huo Yan tightly.

The man found it amusing. In the darkness, his lips curled almost imperceptibly, while he simultaneously gave Fang Ran’s back a gentle, soothing pat.

The protagonist was also startled awake by the sound. Dazed, he closed his eyes and reached down to feel for the phone. Suddenly, his movements stopped, and his eyes flew open.

Someone under the bed had grabbed his hand.

“AH!”

Both inside and outside the screen.

Fang Ran and the protagonist screamed at the same time.

Huo Yan quickly held him tight, pressing Fang Ran’s head against his shoulder while coaxing him in a low voice, “It’s okay, Ranran, don’t be afraid. It’s all fake.”

Even after the sound on the screen stopped, Fang Ran’s head remained buried. After a while, he asked in a small voice, “What happened?”

Huo Yan patted his back and glanced at the screen. “That scene is over. If you’re scared, we don’t have to watch the rest.”

Fang Ran struggled with himself. “Forget it, since we’ve started, let’s finish it.”

Huo Yan thought for a moment and suggested, “Why don’t you sit in my lap? I’ll hold you, and that way, if you’re scared, I can cover your eyes immediately.”

Fang Ran was terrified right now, and his brain didn’t have the capacity to analyze if Huo Yan was “harboring wicked intentions.” He agreed without hesitation.

Huo Yan moved quickly, scooping him up and holding him tightly in his arms. Fang Ran sat on his thighs while he wrapped his arms around Fang Ran’s waist.

Huo Yan loved this posture; it made him feel that Fang Ran was entirely under his control, and the possessiveness in his heart was greatly satisfied.

He leaned in as if casually, pressing the tip of his nose against the back of Fang Ran’s neck and sniffing gently.

The body wash in the rooms was purchased in bulk and should have the same scent. But he always felt that the scent on Ranran was different like the most succulent peach in summer, the kind that bursts with juice with one bite.

On the sofa, the two of them were squeezed together intimately, but they were in completely different moods.

Fang Ran’s nerves were highly strung, terrified that a ghost face would pop up the next second.

As for Huo Yan, his mind was entirely filled with: Baby smells so good, baby smells so good, baby smells so good…

Over an hour later, the film finally ended.

Fang Ran had enjoyed the thrill.

Huo Yan had enjoyed the scent.

Top-tier lung-filling satisfaction.

He was scared while watching, but afterward, he discussed the plot with Huo Yan with great interest.

Huo Yan’s attention had been on Fang Ran from start to finish; he hadn’t even glanced at the screen twice. He hummed in agreement a few times and glanced at the clock—it was nearly midnight.

“Time to sleep.” Huo Yan ruffled Fang Ran’s hair.

He walked Fang Ran back to his room. At the door, Huo Yan paused slightly and asked deliberately, “Are you brave enough to sleep alone?”

“Don’t be afraid. Movies are all fake; there won’t really be a person hiding under the bed.”

Fang Ran: “…”

I wasn’t afraid before, but now that you’ve said it, I am.

He looked at the pitch-black room and didn’t dare walk in. He hesitated, then turned back to look at Huo Yan and said softly, “A-Yan…”

Huo Yan’s lips curled almost imperceptibly. “Should I stay with you then?”

He finished and added another sentence, “Just like back in school—when you were scared by ghost stories, didn’t you always come and find me to sleep?”

Hearing Huo Yan say that, the embarrassment in Fang Ran’s heart instantly vanished. He nodded vigorously. “Right, right, right! Come and stay with me.”

Thus, Huo Yan entered the room openly and legitimately.

This room had been prepared long ago, but before Fang Ran returned, Huo Yan hadn’t set foot in it once. To him, it was no different from an ordinary guest room.

But now, Ranran is back. After he had slept here for a few nights, the whole room felt different it seemed Ranran’s scent was everywhere.

During the day, in order to maintain the persona of a gentle childhood friend, Huo Yan almost never entered Fang Ran’s room on his own. Only at night, after Fang Ran was asleep, would he sneak in to take a good look and give his Ranran a kiss.

This was the first time he had done so openly.

Lying side-by-side on the bed with Fang Ran, perhaps it was the effect of that cup of coffee, or perhaps his mental state was unstable again, but Huo Yan felt his temples throbbing violently. His heart was beating very fast, and he was in a state of high arousal.

He tilted his head slightly to look at the obediently lying Fang Ran. Adam’s apple rolled, and he leaned in closer bit by bit, calling out softly.

“Baby?”

Fang Ran didn’t respond; his breathing was rhythmic.

He fell asleep so fast.

He reached out his arm, wrapping it around Fang Ran’s waist and pulling him into his arms.

Baby.

I really wish I could hold the baby to sleep every day.

This was a rare night of peaceful sleep for Huo Yan.

In contrast, Fang Ran didn’t sleep quite so well.

He felt as if he were being coiled by a python, so wrapped up that he couldn’t breathe. He struggled to move, but the snake only coiled tighter.

…

When the alarm went off, Fang Ran woke up dazed. He turned his head and was met with Huo Yan’s face.

The man also seemed to have just been woken by the alarm. His cold, handsome face had a slight frown. When his eyes opened and met Fang Ran’s gaze, his slightly impatient expression vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of softness. He said softly, “Ranran, good morning.”

Because he had just woken up, the man’s voice was low and hoarse, like the trailing notes of a cello, falling lightly on Fang Ran’s heart.

In this moment, Fang Ran could suddenly clearly distinguish the man before him from the childhood friend of ten years ago.

Clearly the same person.

Yet the difference seemed huge.

Fang Ran snapped back to his senses, looked at their posture, and his entire face instantly turned red. Only then did he realize why he had such a dream last night—he was being held tightly in the man’s arms, the two of them pressed together with almost no gap at all.

His eyes widened, his cheeks flushed red, and he gave Huo Yan a glare.

That one look made Huo Yan take a sharp breath.

Something poked directly against the root of Fang Ran’s thigh.

Fang Ran’s eyes grew even wider. “You”

Huo Yan released his hold, rolled over, and sat up. His voice was terrifyingly hoarse. “Sorry. I’m just a bit excited in the morning. Ranran, can I use your bathroom?”

Fang Ran’s heart was drumming.

He also sat up, but his whole body was still huddled under the quilt, showing only a small, flushed face.

“Of course…” Fang Ran tried to breathe deeply and keep his tone natural. He even forced a stiff tug of his lips into an awkward smile. “I’m a guy too, I get it, I get it.”

“Oh?” Huo Yan stopped at the bathroom door and turned back, looking at Fang Ran with a half-smile as he invited him, “Then shall we go together?”

“…”

Fang Ran shook his head like a rattle. “No, no, no, no need! Mine is obedient; it’ll settle down on its own.”

Huo Yan held it in, but couldn’t help the corners of his mouth curling up. He intended to tease Fang Ran a bit more, but seeing the youth looking as if he were about to catch fire, he finally showed mercy. He said nothing more and stepped into the bathroom.

As soon as the bathroom door closed, Fang Ran bounded off the bed, holding himself awkwardly as he scurried out to use the guest bathroom.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

An eighteen-year-old high schooler is in a hurry.

…

By the time Huo Yan had tidied himself and walked out, Fang Ran was no longer in the room. He wasn’t surprised. He went back to his own room to change clothes. When he went downstairs, he saw Fang Ran already sitting properly and eating breakfast.

There were two identical breakfasts laid out.

Black coffee with bread and fried eggs.

Huo Yan frowned. “Why are you eating this? It’s not nutritious.”

The words were meant for Fang Ran, but his gaze was on Liu Ma.

Fang Ran quickly spoke up, “I asked for this. A worker should look like a worker! I did some research online yesterday; office drones have to drink coffee.”

After speaking, he took a sip from his cup, his face scrunching up from the bitterness.

Huo Yan was both annoyed and amused. “What kind of nonsense are you learning online?”

He took Fang Ran’s coffee for himself and had Liu Ma pour a glass of orange juice for Fang Ran.

“I really should put your phone on youth mode.”

Huo Yan said this, yet he picked up the coffee cup Fang Ran had just used and took a sip from the spot with Fang Ran’s lip print.

Mm.

It tastes good.

…

After a simple breakfast, the driver was already waiting at the door. Fang Ran had clearly stepped into his role; he jogged over from the door and eagerly opened the car door for Huo Yan, shouting loudly, “President Huo, please get in!”

Huo Yan had a smile on his lips and nodded. “Thank you, Assistant Fang.”

The driver in front didn’t know what kind of roleplay they were doing; he didn’t dare speak or ask, only staring straight ahead while gripping the steering wheel tightly.

The secretary had received word in advance and specifically asked President Huo if an extra small desk was needed in the office. Huo Yan refused.

Was he joking?

Ranran would obviously sit with him.

They entered from the first floor during the morning rush hour. The lobby was crowded, but perhaps because Huo Yan often had a cold face, the employees of the Huo Corporation were quite afraid of him. Seeing President Huo walking over, the crowd automatically moved aside.

Fortunately, Huo Yan took his own dedicated executive elevator.

Initially, Fang Ran followed behind Huo Yan. He was, after all, just a senior high student and had never set foot in a workplace before; he looked around curiously in all directions.

He was looking at others, and others were looking at him.

After all, it was the first time they had seen President Huo bring someone to work with him.

He hated it when the baby’s gaze was always on other things.

Huo Yan paused his steps for a second, falling back a step to grab Fang Ran’s wrist and lead him forward.

“Hey why are you in such a hurry?”

Fang Ran grumbled unhappily.

Huo Yan smiled faintly, his tone nonchalant. “Assistant Fang, do you want to be late and have your salary docked on your first day of work?”

Fang Ran shut up immediately.

Being led by the hand into the elevator by Huo Yan, he held it in, but eventually couldn’t help whispering, “Why does it feel like everyone is so afraid of you?”

Huo Yan lowered his eyes, showing a somewhat bitter smile. “It’s always been like this. I have poor social skills—it’s not like you don’t know.”

That was true. Back in school, Fang Ran was an optimistic “little sun” who got along with everyone. When picking teams for PE class, as soon as Fang Ran raised his hand, eighty percent of the class was willing to team up with him.

But Fang Ran would only ever team up with Huo Yan.

Because Huo Yan always stood in the corner, his whole being radiating a “do not approach” vibe. He didn’t need partners, nor did he need the concern of others.

But he needed Fang Ran.

Fang Ran felt sorry for his lone-wolf childhood friend and gave him advice many times: “You should smile more often! Don’t always have a cold face—otherwise, who would dare play with you?”

Huo Yan looked up at Fang Ran. “Isn’t it enough that you play with me?”

He didn’t need anyone else anyway.

Fang Ran was stumped. “But, if it’s only me…”

Huo Yan interrupted him. “I only want you.”

“Forget it.”

Thinking of those past events, Fang Ran put on a helpless expression and actively interlaced his fingers with Huo Yan’s. “We’re iron bros, forever!”

Huo Yan didn’t know whether to be happy or angry.

In the end, he only gave a dry, half-hearted smile. “Thanks, Ranran. Fortunately, I have you.”

…

They exited the elevator and walked through the executive office area, hearing “Hello, President Huo” all along the way. At the end of the hall was Huo Yan’s office. The secretary was already waiting there, dutifully reporting the day’s schedule.

Every slot was almost completely full.

Fang Ran was left speechless as he listened.

So Huo Yan was usually this busy.

But when he was at home, he seemed very free always playing games with him, even coming over to sit beside him when he was watching TV on the sofa.

While Fang Ran was dazed, Huo Yan had already reconfirmed the schedule with the secretary, removing one or two non-essential items.

After all, since Fang Ran was here today, Huo Yan wanted to leave more time to spend with him. Everything else had to take a backseat to Fang Ran.

“What about me, what about me?”

Fang Ran snapped back and quickly came over to ask, “A-Yan, what can I do?”

The moment he saw Fang Ran, the secretary recognized him. After all, he had handled some of President Huo’s private affairs and had the honor of seeing this “little ancestor’s” photo.

Waves of shock crashed through his heart, yet his face remained composed.

He saw the usually cold President Huo smile upon hearing the words. “You’re under my arrangement. Let me think… Ranran’s coffee brewing is very tasty. Help me brew a cup.”

He glanced at the secretary, who immediately understood and pushed open the door. “Linda, take young Master Fang to the breakroom.”

What kind of title was that? It felt so awkward.

Fang Ran looked back at Huo Yan, but still obediently followed the person named Linda out.

Once the door was closed again, the smile on Huo Yan’s face dropped.

He spoke flatly, “Handle Fang Ran’s identity documents. Withdraw his missing person report.”

The secretary complied but didn’t leave; he knew President Huo surely had more important matters to instruct.

After waiting half a minute, he heard Huo Yan say in a low voice, “Also, regarding Fang Ran’s school enrollment—find a suitable school and make the arrangements.”

The secretary didn’t quite understand what President Huo meant by “suitable.” He looked tentatively at President Huo.

Huo Yan tapped his finger on the contract on the desk.

The secretary nodded immediately. “Understood, President Huo. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Although he seemed to have temporarily persuaded Fang Ran not to go to school, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t change his mind. Huo Yan would not fight a battle he wasn’t prepared for—especially regarding Fang Ran’s affairs; he had to have everything arranged in advance.

…

The secretary had just left when Fang Ran returned with the coffee. Under Linda’s guidance, he had used the coffee machine. He excitedly handed the cup to Huo Yan.

Huo Yan took it and set it aside. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Fang Ran looking at him expectantly. “Aren’t you going to drink it?”

The man paused, then quickly picked it up and drank it all.

Fang Ran immediately took the cup back and said happily, “I’ll go brew another cup.”

Refill achieved.

Huo Yan: “…”

It looked like there would be no sleep tomorrow either.