After I Died, My Childhood Friend Became Daddy - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Welcome Party He Should Be Locked Up at Home.

Astrid was a private international high school; essentially, all the students were “rich second-generation” kids from S City.

During the morning self-study period, the classroom was a bit noisy. Class 11 was a small class; any student you picked out would have a wealthy background and a future so bright it was dazzling.

“How about we go racing at West Mountain after school?”

“Damn! My dad said if I go racing again, he’ll break my legs!”

“By the way, did you all get the message from that person?”

“Who?”

Just as the voice fell, the classroom door was pushed open. The class teacher walked in holding books, followed by a youth. Everyone wore the same uniform, but it seemed to look a bit “good” on the youth his shirt buttons were done up neatly, his hair was smoothed down obediently, and his eyes were large, like a “boy who tore through the manga” (bishonen) from a movie.

“Let me introduce a new transfer student, Fang Ran. Everyone, please welcome him.”

Fearing these “little ancestors” wouldn’t show any respect, the teacher specifically added that last sentence.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the words left the teacher’s mouth, waves of applause broke out in the classroom. The volume was so loud one might have thought they were at a concert.

Even the class teacher was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Yan looked like he wanted to stand on his chair to clap. His hands were red from the effort. He whispered to the person next to him, “How’s that? Hardworking enough, right?”

The person gave him a thumbs up.

The teacher glanced over. “There’s an empty seat next to Zhao Yan. Fang Ran, go sit there for now.”

Fang Ran nodded obediently and walked toward where the teacher pointed. Zhao Yan immediately straightened his back and waited rigidly.

Initially, Fang Ran was quite nervous; after all, he had to integrate into a new group. However, he didn’t expect his classmates to be so enthusiastic and easy to get along with.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Sitting down, Fang Ran smiled at his seatmate. “Hello, my name is Fang Ran.”

“Hello, hello! I’m Zhao Yan.”

…

At that moment, in the Principal’s office upstairs, a man sat lazily in a chair, propping up his temple with his hand. He spoke somewhat nonchalantly, “I’ll have to trouble the Principal while Ranran is at school.”

Huo Yan was sitting, while the Principal was actually standing beside him, rubbing his hands together anxiously. “Oh, President Huo, what are you saying? It is our honor to have the Young Master at our school. If you have any instructions, just send someone to let us know at any time.”

Huo Yan gave a faint smile.

This morning, he had driven Fang Ran to the school gate. He had originally wanted to walk him all the way in, but Fang Ran refused no matter what. “I’m not a kid, why do I need to walk to class!”

Huo Yan couldn’t win, so he agreed. He watched Fang Ran enter the teaching building before he got up and followed.

The Principal was uneasy, not knowing what this “Great Buddha” intended. After a moment, he heard the man ask in a sudden, low voice, “Are there surveillance cameras in the classrooms?”

Principal: “…”

…

The curriculum at international schools wasn’t that packed, and the management wasn’t strict; bringing phones was allowed.

In fact, Fang Ran watched with his own eyes as Zhao Yan played games on his phone for an entire period.

The phone in his own desk was also vibrating constantly. Later, finding the vibration against the desk too annoying, Fang Ran simply took it out and muted it.

Zhao Yan kindly reminded him, “Is your family looking for you for something?”

Only then did Fang Ran sneakily take out the phone.

He mumbled, “Huo Yan, such a nuisance.”

Zhao Yan almost dropped his phone when he heard that.

He dared to steal a glance the screen was full of [Ranran], but Fang Ran only replied with four words:

[Message again and I’ll block you]

The phone finally fell silent.

Zhao Yan patted his chest with lingering fear.

It wasn’t until class ended that Fang Ran slowly took out his phone and called Huo Yan directly.

Zhao Yan was sitting right next to him, so he heard everything clearly.

“Don’t message me while I’m in class,” Fang Ran grumbled. “Don’t delay my progress.”

Huo Yan seemed to chuckle on the other end.

“I’ll pick you up at noon. How about Cantonese food?”

“Doesn’t the school have a cafeteria?” Fang Ran leaned on the desk and let out a small yawn. “I’ll just eat at school. Don’t go through the trouble.”

The smile on Huo Yan’s face turned cold. He paused, then spoke in a tone that remained gentle. “Fine. Then in the evening. Don’t work too hard. Remember to eat the snacks and fruit I packed. If you have time, reply to my messages.”

“I know! Nagging machine!”

…

After the call ended, the car interior remained silent for a long time.

The secretary in the passenger seat didn’t even dare to breathe. Glancing in the rearview mirror, President Huo’s face was as cold as ice, and his gaze was dark. The last time he saw President Huo like this was when he sent Old Madame Huo to the mental asylum.

Is he going to send me there this time?

Suddenly, Huo Yan’s cold voice rang out in the quiet car. “Should I have not sent him to school?”

He should be locked up at home instead.

Let him hate him, let him resent him.

He shouldn’t have softened his heart.

Huo Yan suddenly got a headache. He pressed his temple, his expression gloomy and his fingertips trembling slightly.

The secretary couldn’t help asking, “President Huo, should we go to the hospital?”

The next second, the phone chimed.

Huo Yan opened it and took a look.

Baby: [Picture.]

Baby: Work hard, President Huo! I’m also studying hard! (Fist) (Fist)

The photo looked like a casual snap, a bit blurry. The youth was in his uniform, smiling at the camera with crinkled eyes. His face still had a bit of “baby fat” it looked delicious… no, it looked very “pinchable.”

Huo Yan sat up as if rising from a deathbed.

He typed rapidly.

[Button your collar. Why is it unbuttoned?]

Then he looked up and told the secretary, “To the company.”

“…”

…

After a full day of classes, the initial excitement had died out. Even Fang Ran was a bit wilted, his head drooping.

He stuffed a pile of test papers into his backpack. As he was walking out, Zhao Yan followed him. “Fang Ran, is your family’s driver coming to pick you up?”

Fang Ran shook his head. “It should be my… friend coming to pick me up.”

“Want to go grab dinner? Since you’re new, how about the class holding a welcome party for you?”

This! So enthusiastic!

Fang Ran’s eyes sparkled as he nodded. “Sure.”

But then he remembered something and frowned. “But I have to tell my friend. He said he was taking me to dinner tonight.”

“What’s the problem? Bring your friend along!”

Zhao Yan slung his backpack over one shoulder. “Your friend is my friend.”

When they reached the school gate and saw the man standing by the door of a black Maybach, Zhao Yan stopped in shock.

Friend?

President Huo?

Bro, are you kidding? The ‘friend’ you mentioned is President Huo??

Before he could speak, Fang Ran had already trotted over. It looked like he wanted to drape an arm over President Huo’s shoulder like “good bros,” but because he wasn’t tall enough, he almost had to jump. In the end, President Huo cooperated with a smile and leaned down slightly, only to be punched by the embarrassed and annoyed Fang Ran.

“A-Yan! This is my seatmate. He said the class wants to throw me a welcome party. You come too!”

The smile on Huo Yan’s face faded slightly. He looked over, his tone ambiguous. “A welcome party?”

Zhao Yan’s legs had already started to feel weak. He braced himself and walked over, smiling forcedly. “Fang Ran, if it’s inconvenient for you, another day is fine.”

Fang Ran immediately pouted and looked at Huo Yan expectantly.

After all, in the days since he time-traveled, he had been in the villa with Huo Yan every day. Fang Ran was naturally a restless person and was practically dying of boredom.

Huo Yan raised his hand to smooth Fang Ran’s hair. His tone was very gentle. “Go if you want to. It’s just that I’m older, so it’s not appropriate for me to go I’ll just ruin your fun. I’ll wait for you outside.”

Older?

Fang Ran would always subconsciously ignore the fact that his childhood friend was now ten years older than him.

He froze for a moment. “It doesn’t matter…”

Huo Yan chuckled. “Go and play. Otherwise, if I go, your classmates won’t be able to relax.”

Fang Ran felt so guilty that he quickly said, “No, then I won’t go. Let’s go home.”

But Huo Yan shook his head.

If he didn’t go this time, there would be a next time.

The man took the backpack off Fang Ran’s shoulders. “It’s your first day of school. Relax. Go, have fun, be happy.”

Fang Ran was half-coaxed and half-persuaded into leaving with Zhao Yan. His desire to not go had reached 99%, unaware that Zhao Yan beside him was even more devastated—he was practically numb.

The restaurant had been booked long ago, and most of the students had arrived. When they entered the private room, some students set off hand-held confetti poppers. With a “bang,” ribbons rained down on the two of them.

“Welcome the new student!”

Fang Ran was truly overwhelmed by the favor.

Normally, transfer students especially those entering a senior class — would usually become “invisible people.” How could there be such a grand reception?

“Fang Ran, you’re the star today. You sit in the middle.”

Zhao Yan pulled him to the center seat. “We even ordered a cake. You take the first slice.”

Fang Ran smiled with crinkled eyes. “Thank you, everyone.”

The cake was beautiful, with various berries on white cream. Fang Ran cut it carefully. Some girls nearby had brought Polaroids and took a few photos of him.

Fang Ran loved sweets and naturally loved cream cake, but back at the orphanage, opportunities to eat cake were far too few.

After cutting the cake, everyone took a group photo with it, then set it aside. Not a single person ate it.

Fang Ran was stunned. “Aren’t we eating the cake?”

“Do you want to eat? I’ll cut a piece for you.” Zhao Yan scratched his head. “It was just bought to take pictures.”

Fang Ran’s eyes sparkled. “Then can I pack it up and take it with me?”

He wanted to take it back for Huo Yan to eat.

Zhao Yan nodded quickly. “Of course! I’ll have someone pack it for you.”

“Thanks!”

Fang Ran ate the meal distractedly. His initial excitement had been dampened by the regret that Huo Yan couldn’t attend. Thinking that Huo Yan might really be waiting in the car outside, his heart was filled with guilt and worry.

Finally, Fang Ran gritted his teeth, stood up awkwardly, poured a glass of beer, apologized to everyone, and said he had to leave early.

Zhao Yan felt as if he had been granted a general amnesty; he practically couldn’t wait to see him out.

Leaving the shop, Fang Ran saw that the Maybach was indeed still parked at the entrance. He ran over in a few quick steps, opened the car door, and stumbled directly into Huo Yan’s arms.

Fearing he might hit something, Huo Yan quickly held him. He looked down and caught a faint scent of alcohol. The man frowned almost imperceptibly. “You drank?”

“Just a little bit.”

Fang Ran looked up from his arms, his eyes shining. “A-Yan, my classmates bought me a cake. I brought it back. Let’s eat it together.”

Huo Yan’s Adam’s apple rolled. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Fang Ran’s. His voice was slightly hoarse. “Okay.”

The phone he had casually thrown aside had its screen darkened.

If Fang Ran were to open it at this moment, he would see that the screen was a group chat containing many photos and videos all of them were of Fang Ran eating in the private room just now.

The final message was:

[President Huo, Fang Ran has come out.]