Chapter 3 - The Supporting Villain Is Raising a Cub Online

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

Young in Years, Yet Intoxicatingly Seductive.

 

Upon hearing these words, Rong Sheng's expression subtly shifted, a flicker of intrigue and disdain crossing his features.

 

He shot Tan Qing a sideways glance, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as if he were watching a good show. With a casual motion, he pushed his spacious boss chair back, crossed his legs, and leaned back, waiting with an air of amusement for the performance to continue.

 

Tan Qing, unfazed, stood there patiently for several long seconds. When He Mingyu still didn't respond, he pressed on, undeterred. "If a million is too much, how about nine hundred thousand... would that work?"

 

A few more seconds of silence passed.

 

Then, from the other end of the phone, came the crisp sound of a pen striking a desk.

 

He Mingyu's voice, already deep, now carried a chilling edge. It resonated with a foreboding intensity, cold and menacing, "You still have the nerve to ask me for money?"

 

"Of course I do!"

 

Tan Qing slapped his hand on Rong Sheng's desk, indignation coloring his voice as he shouted, "He Mingyu! I've given you a big, healthy son! Isn't it time you wrote me a check, took the child, and let me disappear into the sunset?!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

For a brief moment, the room plunged into an eerie silence.

 

After a pause, He Mingyu let out a cold, sardonic laugh. "Tan Qing, do you even have that... function?"

 

Unfazed, Tan Qing quipped back quickly, "Oh? And how do you know I don't? If you don't believe me, we could try again. But this time, you're paying for the room."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He Mingyu took a deep breath, speaking slowly and deliberately, "Shameless."

 

Then, with a heavy thud, he hung up the phone.

 

The busy signal immediately echoed through the receiver.

 

For a few stunned moments, Tan Qing stood in silence, a bewildered expression on his face. He turned to Rong Sheng and asked, "Is He Mingyu some kind of noble maiden awaiting marriage? Why did asking him to book a room feel like I just took his first time?"

 

Rong Sheng, who had been in the middle of taking a sip of water, nearly choked at the question.

 

He set the cup down, a far-off look crossing his face as a devilish grin curled his lips, one that could rival the most debonair rogues.

 

Rong Sheng beckoned Tan Qing closer with a crooked finger, and Tan Qing leaned in, their heads nearly touching.

 

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Rong Sheng asked, "Tell me the truth, Tan Qing. Does He Mingyu really have a son?"

 

Tan Qing nodded earnestly, "Absolutely, absolutely! He's chubby and adorable! You could take a bite out of him, and the meat would be so tender!"

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

There was something decidedly off about how that sounded.

 

Not thinking too much about it, Rong Sheng lured him further, "How about this—you tell me who the mother is, and I'll help you pay off that 600,000, and also lift the company's hold on you. How's that sound?"

 

"Deal!" Tan Qing slapped his thigh, pointing at himself. "It's me! You want He Mingyu's son? I'll sell him to you for a bargain—only 900,000."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Rong Sheng's face darkened. "Tan Qing, do you think I'm an idiot?"

 

Yet another fool who didn't believe him.

 

Disappointed, Tan Qing rubbed his nose, trying to explain earnestly, "You guys do have those special medical cases…"

 

Rong Sheng raised an eyebrow. "That's true. But, Tan Qing, you might not realize that people in such rare circumstances tend to keep a low profile. And given that you're in the murky waters of the entertainment industry, I doubt you'd be advertising something like that to the world."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Their conversation had clearly exhausted Rong Sheng's patience.

 

He gestured toward the door with his finger, saying, "Being infamous is still fame, I suppose. But I'd prefer it if you found success through the proper channels. Whether you're pretending that someone's child is He Mingyu's or not, I suggest you avoid stirring up trouble or talking to reporters."

 

"What you've said today, I'll treat as mere nonsense. But if you keep spreading these rumors... well, the He family isn't as easygoing as I am. Do you understand what I'm saying, Tan Qing?"

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Was it that this overly complicated world no longer had any room for sincerity?

 

Suppressing the urge to slap Rong Sheng with a tail flick, Tan Qing rose calmly to his feet.

 

Rong Sheng scribbled a few notes on his tablet before pausing, as if remembering something. "Oh, by the way, the breach of contract fee for that drink commercial—600,000. Zhao Cong should've already informed you, right?"

 

Tan Qing ground his teeth, eyeing Rong Sheng's smooth neck.

 

When Rong Sheng didn't hear a response, he instinctively looked up.

 

Only to find Tan Qing staring at him with the same fiery intensity as the women in the company who were trying to climb into his bed.

 

He had played the game of romance for years and had shared moments of ambiguity with countless women. Whether it was flirting or seduction, he was rarely caught off guard.

 

But right now… something about this felt… different.

 

Perhaps it was because Tan Qing's gaze was too direct.

 

Not a shred of coyness or bashfulness.

 

Rong Sheng's eyes flickered for a moment, before finally landing on Tan Qing's lips—just in time to see the tip of a moist tongue slide across them in a slow, deliberate circle.

 

Young in years, yet intoxicatingly seductive.

 

And then came Tan Qing's pitiful plea, "Mr. Rong, I really don't have any money."

 

As an entertainment mogul, the goal was, of course, money.

 

If every artist who broke a contract came to cry about being broke, the company would quickly turn into a charity organization.

 

Rong Sheng tapped his fingers on the desk, glancing at Tan Qing's moist eyes, and eventually a meaningful smile tugged at his lips. "No money, huh... but the advertising company and finance department are breathing down my neck for payment. What do you suggest we do about that?"

 

Tan Qing pursed his lips and raised a tentative finger. "A… a one-month extension?"

 

Rong Sheng's smile took on a more familiar, predatory gleam.

 

He paused for a moment before suddenly asking, "Zhao Cong said you were really busy as a trainee back then, so your encounter with Mingyu… that was your first time, right?"

 

Tan Qing blinked, eyes widening in realization as he looked at Rong Sheng.

 

If he wasn't mistaken...

 

Tan Qing subtly sized up Rong Sheng, who was sitting in the office chair.

 

The features—decent.

The build—passable.

Muscles—should be there, right?

Model...*

 

[T/N: He is obviously referring to the model of his uh-hum... Just saying, because it took me some time to guess.]

 

Tan Qing glanced at the ridiculously large desk without expression.

 

Model unknown.

 

Hopefully not all show and no substance.

 

As Tan Qing thought this, he nodded obediently at Rong Sheng, his gaze soft and alluring, unusually focused.

 

Rong Sheng, after years in the entertainment industry, still didn't quite understand what exactly attracted people who liked to play around with male stars.

 

It's all the same body structure, right?

 

But...

 

There was a different sense of conquest.

 

Rong Sheng chuckled and asked Tan Qing, "What positions do you know?"

 

Tan Qing blinked innocently. "What position do you like? I'm very flexible."

 

Rong Sheng: "Oh?"

 

Just as the conversation was about to take a more risqué turn, there was a knock on the office door.

 

Tan Qing immediately recognized Zhao Cong's voice from outside.

 

"Excuse me, Mr. Rong, are you in? I have something urgent to discuss."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

The atmosphere, which had just been heating up, vanished into thin air thanks to Zhao Cong's loud, hoarse voice.

 

The office door opened.

 

Zhao Cong immediately spotted Tan Qing sitting on the guest sofa and, like picking up a baby chick, lifted him to his feet. "I told you to find me, who gave you the guts to disturb Mr. Rong?"

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

If it weren't for you barging in, I would've known Mr. Rong's "model" by now! Ugh, so frustrating.

 

Tan Qing glared at Zhao Cong, then turned to look at Rong Sheng.

 

But Rong Sheng had already returned to his smiling, amiable self. He greeted Zhao Cong warmly, "What's the rush? Let me ask my assistant to bring you a glass of water."

 

Zhao Cong hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Mr. Rong. I was just worried this clueless kid would bother you, so I rushed over to take him away."

 

Rong Sheng glanced at Tan Qing with a teasing look, "You mean Tan Qing? No worries, we had a nice little chat. He's still young, quite amusing actually."

 

Zhao Cong, after decades in this business, instantly sensed something was off with Rong Sheng's tone. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he carefully replied, "Thank you for being so kind, Mr. Rong. It's nearly the end of the day, and I've arranged a meeting for Tan Qing to give him a little exposure, you see…"

 

Rong Sheng leisurely sipped his coffee, smiling as he asked, "A dinner meeting?"

 

Zhao Cong immediately nodded, "Yes, yes. Mr. Liu from Kai Shi Group and Mr. Sun from Mao Da Industries have been wanting to have dinner with Tan Qing for a while. Since both of them have ongoing collaborations with our company, today seemed like the perfect opportunity."

 

Tan Qing: "???"

 

Tan Qing got up from the sofa and walked over to Zhao Cong, poking his round, stocky waist. "Uh, Brother Zhao..."

 

Zhao Cong pushed him aside. "Go wait outside."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Glancing back at Rong Sheng, he saw him set down his coffee cup casually and remark, "If I recall, Mr. Liu and Mr. Sun aren't exactly young, are they? Zhao Cong, you are quite capable."

 

Zhao Cong hesitated, then forced a smile and said, "Well, you know, Mr. Rong... Both Mr. Liu and Mr. Sun have been friends of the old chairman for many years…"

 

"Enough."

 

Rong Sheng cut him off, raising an eyebrow with a smirk. "What, trying to outshine me now? Fine, take your people and get out."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

The strong, handsome man had suddenly turned into two old, soft, and unappealing men.

 

Ugh, no reason to smile anymore.

 

Feeling deflated, Tan Qing trudged behind the group, eyeing Zhao Cong with resentment, wishing he could slap his dog's head off with his tail.

 

Soon, a cheongsam*-clad hostess led them to the private dining room door, where Mr. Liu and Mr. Sun stopped and both turned to look at Tan Qing.

 

[T/N: a straight, close-fitting silk dress with a high neck and slit skirt, worn by Chinese and Indonesian women.]

 

Zhao Cong gave Tan Qing a nudge from behind, whispering, "What are you waiting for? Go on in! Do you need the two bosses to personally invite you?"

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

If he weren't so broke that he hadn't eaten at a six-star hotel before, he would've just run away right then and there.

 

Oh well.

 

Eat first and talk later.

 

Puffing out his chest, Tan Qing stepped forward, ready to enter the private room.

 

But just as he was about to cross the threshold, his eyes drifted, catching sight of a group of people stepping out of the elevator.

 

Who's the person leading the group?

 

Wasn't that the father of the brat?

 

Tan Qing squinted to take a closer look.

 

Sure enough, there stood He Mingyu, dressed in a sleek silver-gray suit with a light-colored tie, speaking coolly to the person beside him.

 

Tan Qing's gaze slid down He Mingyu's impeccable suit...

 

The Model...

 

Now that there was nothing in the way, even though it wasn't fully activated yet.

 

But judging from the way he walks—

 

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

 

Not only could he satisfy his curiosity, but he might even return the brat!

 

This chance can't be missed!

 

With a sly grin, Tan Qing turned to Zhao Cong and said, "Brother Zhao, I've been experiencing some frequent and urgent urges to pee lately. I'm just gonna hit the restroom! Be right back!"

 

Author's Note: Mini-theater

Tan Qing: I've been completely honest with you guys, but no one believes me. It's heartbreaking.

He Mingyu: Is it big?

Tan Qing: Yeah, I'm very satisfied. 0.0

He Mingyu: Good, sleep. The kid is watching.

Tan Qing: …Wait, I'll go strangle him now and be done with it.

 

——

 

In the world of fox spirits... Looks matter a lot...

 

Warning again!!! Tan Xiaoqing's animalistic tendencies are quite strong—rough when it comes to raising kids, randomly flirting with people, with no proper morals, and relies mostly on the "gong" to discipline him.

 

Poor He Xiaogong*, hang in there! pats shoulder

 

[T/N: Little gong He, "gong" is the chinese term for seme, or top.]

 

The author's office is currently busy with year-end reports, so updates will be every other day for now. Once this busy period is over, daily updates will resume! squeezes all my babies' little flat chests!

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