Chapter 5 - 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.

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Tan Qing: "I did, yeah. His name is Tan Jiji."

 

"Isn't that obvious?!"

 

Tan Qing rolled his eyes at He Mingyu, gesturing with his hand to indicate a rough size. "He's grown this big already, hard to raise and eats a lot, and I bet he inherited his IQ from his biological father."

 

He Mingyu felt uncomfortable with this statement, frowning as he replied, "How can such a young child showcase his IQ? Wait, did you just say... the biological father? Isn't the child yours?"

 

Tan Qing, rubbing his full belly without a care, said, "I gave birth to him, sure, but he's also got a father who planted the seed."

 

Given that Tan Qing's credibility was already in the negatives, He Mingyu's expression turned cold again. "You're not about to say he's my child again, are you?"

 

Tan Qing sighed dramatically, sucking in his stomach. "He is yours. If you don't believe me, you can go check it. Don't you guys have some fancy DNA test?"

 

From all the chaos with Rong Sheng until now, Tan Qing seemed unusually confident about the child's parentage.

 

He Mingyu was silent for a moment before speaking. "I'll get the test done."

 

A grin of pure joy spread across Tan Qing's face, like a giant pie had fallen from the sky.

 

Yet He Mingyu remained impassive, continuing, "If it turns out he's not mine..."

 

"Of course he is!"

 

Tan Qing scooted closer to He Mingyu, batting his eyelashes innocently. "But if the test shows he's yours, could you give me a million and let me disappear as far away as possible?"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

The rare hint of warmth that had returned to He Mingyu's face instantly vanished, replaced by storm clouds. "Tan Qing, did you have this child just to ask me for money?"

 

Tan Qing pouted, sighing, "Of course not..."

 

He had originally thought he was giving birth to a beautiful, playful little fox cub.

 

One that could ideally rule the mountains with him, as a bandit king or something.

 

But then—

 

Who knew He Mingyu's genes would be so dominant?

 

Ahhhh!

 

Tan Qing clenched his teeth in frustration, before blinking up at He Mingyu. "The thing is, raising a kid is really expensive..."

 

In He Mingyu's social circle, no one ever complained about the cost of raising children, and he hadn't expected to hear it from Tan Qing either. He paused for a few seconds before asking, "How expensive?"

 

Tan Qing held up his fingers. "Well, the little guy needs formula, some eggs, and he has to drink meat broth..."

 

"And most importantly—"

 

Tan Qing, feeling the explanation was unnecessary, snapped irritably, "Humans even have to go to school! Why do humans need to go to school? Isn't it enough to eat, drink, and wander around all day?"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

His face had darkened considerably, and he looked at Tan Qing expressionlessly. "Didn't your biology teacher teach you that the existence of education is what differentiates humans from other mammals?"

 

Tan Qing, the "other mammal": "..."

 

Ha, humans.

 

And as if that wasn't enough, He Mingyu added, "Wandering around after eating and drinking is what unemployed people do, and statistics show that the crime rate is highest among that group."

 

Tan Qing, the currently unemployed non-human in the city center: "..."

 

Tan Qing kicked the car door in frustration. "Let me out! I want to get out of the car!"

 

Perhaps due to the tension in the car, the bodyguard acting as the driver shivered and cautiously asked He Mingyu, "Mr. He, we've reached the convenience store. Should I let Mr. Tan out?"

 

He Mingyu didn't even lift an eyelid. "No need. First, go to the fresh market to buy some milk, then head to the baby store and get a few boxes of imported formula."

 

Tan Qing, who had never known the meaning of the word "shame," quickly surrendered to the power of money.

 

Turning around, he squirmed up to He Mingyu, wriggling his body in front of him. "You'll buy presents for the little guy, but what about me?"

 

He Mingyu was probably busy with work, as it took him a while to look up from his tablet. "What do you want?"

 

Tilting his head, Tan Qing thought for a moment before compromising. "Well, since you're not willing to give me a million... how about sleeping with me one more time as a reward?"

 

He Mingyu choked on his own breath, lifting his head to speak, only to realize Tan Qing was suddenly very close.

 

So close he could see every individual, long, inky eyelash, slightly curled at the tips, making the eyes beneath them look all the more innocent.

 

His lips, red and parted just slightly, revealed a sliver of pearly white teeth.

 

In an instant—

 

A fire ignited in He Mingyu's lower abdomen, burning fiercely.

 

Tan Qing, oblivious, continued to smile, eyes bright as he edged even closer.

 

He Mingyu could now distinctly feel the reaction happening in his lower body.

 

He quickly reached out to push Tan Qing away, his tone carrying a subtle hint of something even he didn't notice. "Do you act this way with every man?"

 

"Of course not!"

 

Tan Qing blinked, quickly clarifying with sincerity, "I wouldn't with someone old and ugly. I like the young and handsome ones! They supposedly have better stamina! But skill is important too."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He was not comforted by this explanation. Taking a deep breath, He Mingyu glanced at Tan Qing. "Sit properly."

 

Having failed in his proposition, Tan Qing sulked. "Heh, can't even fulfill such a small request?"

 

He Mingyu subtly shifted his posture, carefully covering the changes in his body.

 

He straightened his expression, seriously reiterating, "Tan Qing, listen closely. That time was an accident, and it can only ever be an accident."

 

"If the child you speak of...", He Mingyu paused, "really is mine, I'll take responsibility for him. But that doesn't mean there will be any relationship between you and me. I hope you understand."

 

Tan Qing blinked, taking only a second to process this, before quickly responding, "Got it, got it, so you're saying you'll take care of the little one and leave me to fend for myself!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Though he hadn't intended to be so blunt, after thinking about it, He Mingyu realized that's essentially what he had just implied.

 

Feeling an unusual sense of unease, he glanced over at Tan Qing.

 

The person who had just been leaning next to him had now retreated to the far corner of the back seat, looking deflated.

 

Then, He Mingyu watched as Tan Qing mulled it over before thoughtfully saying, "Hmm, that's fine... At least without the little guy bothering me, I can find someone new. Hopefully someone better endowed and more skillful... boohoohoo."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

For a moment, He Mingyu couldn't quite explain his feelings. His face darkened as he said, "Are you saying you want to find the child a stepfather?"

 

Tan Qing, seemingly unaffected by He Mingyu's statement, looked genuinely confused. "No, not at all. The kid... you're taking him anyway, so whether or not I find someone else has nothing to do with you two."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He couldn't comprehend Tan Qing's mindset. "Do you have no feelings for the child at all?"

 

Tan Qing: "???"

 

Tan Qing found He Mingyu equally baffling.

 

He turned to explain seriously, "I don't have any money. I even have to buy discounted milk for him. Clearly, he's better off with me, isn't he?"

 

Besides, the little guy didn't even have a tail.

 

If he ever took him back to the mountains, none of the foxes would believe this was his offspring.

 

Forget it.

 

Useless father, useless genes—there's no point talking about it.

 

He Mingyu was momentarily speechless, taken aback by Tan Qing's well-reasoned argument. After hesitating for a moment, he didn't continue the conversation.

 

The gray-blue sedan left the city center after picking up formula and fresh milk, driving past the third ring, the fourth ring, and eventually the fifth.

 

After about twenty minutes of driving along the outskirts of the city, He Mingyu asked, "When did you move out here?"

 

The streetlights along the outskirts were spaced much farther apart than in the city. This area, with its low rent and dense population, felt increasingly dim and remote.

 

Tan Qing pulled out an old phone to check the time and replied, "Two or three weeks ago?"

 

As they spoke, the car drove further along.

 

The streetlights became dimmer, and on the bumpy, aging road, the lights from the shantytown homes on either side seemed brighter and brighter.

 

These lights were entirely different from the grand crystal chandeliers of the wealthy districts.

 

Each dim, yellow glow was filled with the atmosphere of ordinary life: the noise of people chattering, and the clatter of pots and pans.

 

It was the sound of the city's most underprivileged people, returning home at night.

 

For reasons unknown, He Mingyu suddenly recalled the image of Tan Qing on stage.

 

It had been during a performance at the Shengjing Entertainment annual gala.

 

He Mingyu, attending as a shareholder, had caught a casual glimpse of Tan Qing while discussing plans for the next year with Rong Sheng.

 

Likewise, it had been under the stage lights.

 

He Mingyu turned back to look at Tan Qing.

 

In the flickering light, Tan Qing's profile seemed stripped of the glamorous façade built on money, revealing a certain softness underneath.

 

He actually looked much more pleasant now than before.

 

He Mingyu's voice softened a little. "Where do you live?"

 

Tan Qing yawned and reached back for the backpack he had been carrying all day, pointing ahead. "At the intersection up there. The car probably won't fit. Just drop me at the alley entrance."

 

"I'll go with you."

 

He Mingyu ignored Tan Qing's suggestion, adding, "I might as well check on the child."

 

Tan Qing blinked, hesitating briefly but not objecting. "Alright, but remember to bring the milk and formula."

 

He Mingyu sighed, "I know, I'll carry it myself. Now get out of the car."

 

Tan Qing wriggled his way out, hopping agilely out of the vehicle.

 

Grandma Li, who was set to return to her hometown with her daughter tomorrow, was spending her last day helping Tan Qing take care of the child.

 

The lights in the old house were on, and the faint aroma of chicken soup wafted through the air.

 

Tan Qing sniffed, knocked on the door, and suddenly remembered something, nudging He Mingyu with his elbow. "Do you have any cash on you?"

 

Before He Mingyu could answer, the door opened.

 

Grandma Li, her wrinkled face full of affection, peeked out from behind the door. "Oh, you're back, Dazhuang! Jiji has been such a good boy today... And who's this person behind you?"

 

Tan Qing quickly replied, "This is a friend of mine. He's also here to check on the child."

 

Grandma Li, small in stature, glanced up at He Mingyu before taking Tan Qing's hand. "Dazhuang, I can tell your friend comes from a wealthy family. Tomorrow, I'm going back home, and you'll be left alone with the child. How will you manage?"

 

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she patted Tan Qing's hand. "Life is hard, child. If things get tough, maybe you could ask your friend for help, see if he can come up with a solution."

 

Tan Qing nodded, feeling a little awkward, and changed the subject with a smile, "I came back in a hurry today, and you're leaving tomorrow, so I didn't have time to get anything else for you."

 

Grandma Li wiped her eyes. "You already gave me so much money yesterday. You work hard to earn it, so no need to worry. Now, take the child home."

 

Tan Qing took the little one from her hands, said goodbye, and the door behind them closed.

 

The little child, wrapped in a small blanket, was very well-behaved.

 

Tan Qing lifted a corner of the blanket, and the baby gazed up at him, smiling foolishly.

 

Tan Qing bared his teeth in mock disdain and then, turning around, shoved the baby into He Mingyu's arms. "Here, your son."

 

He Mingyu was startled by Tan Qing's sudden movement.

 

The child in his arms was so light and soft, like cotton, that he was afraid even the slightest jostle would harm him.

 

He Mingyu nearly stumbled as he tried to walk, panicking as he called out, "Tan Qing, wait! Am I holding him right?!"

 

Tan Qing glanced at him indifferently. "What's there to get right or wrong? You can also just carry him by the scruff of his neck—saves energy."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

In that moment, He Mingyu was certain: if this child really was his, there was no way he could let Tan Qing raise him.

 

This person wasn't just planning to skip sending the child to school; he didn't even have the patience to properly learn how to hold a baby.

 

How could he be a good parent?

 

Tan Qing, completely unaware that He Mingyu had just questioned his parenting ability from top to bottom, opened the door and flicked on the light. "Come in," he called over his shoulder.

 

He Mingyu, already anticipating the simplicity of the interior from what he'd seen of Grandma Li's room next door, asked casually, "By the way, what did that old lady just call you?"

 

"Dazhuang."

 

Tan Qing tossed his backpack onto the table and rummaged through it for a moment. "I go by Liu Dazhuang* around here."

 

[T/N: The name "Liu Dazhuang" is quite common and generic in Chinese, often giving a rustic or down-to-earth impression, as "大壯" (Dazhuang) roughly translates to "big and strong," which is typically associated with someone robust and sturdy.]

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

A bad feeling crept over He Mingyu, and after a long pause, he mustered the courage to ask, "What about the child? Did you give him a name?"

 

Tan Qing: "I did, yeah. His name is Tan Jiji*."

 

[T/N: In this context, "Tan" is the surname, and "Jiji" is the given name of the child. The name "Jiji" (嘰嘰) sounds playful and informal, as it imitates the chirping of birds or a similar high-pitched sound in Chinese. It gives a lighthearted, almost humorous feel, suggesting that the character, Tan Qing, didn't put much thought into choosing a formal name for the child and instead picked something that sounds cute or amusing.]

 

He Mingyu: "???"

 

Convinced he had misheard, He Mingyu asked, "What's his name again?"

 

Tan Qing: "Tan. Jiji."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Tan Qing, meanwhile, seemed completely unfazed, as if there was nothing wrong with the name.

 

After packing up his backpack, he swung it over his shoulder and said earnestly, "Mr. He, I need to go set up my night market stall. Could you look after the little guy for me?"

 

After a moment's thought, Tan Qing added, "Or you could just pack him up and take him with you. All his stuff is already packed and waiting in the kitchen! Bye!"

 

Author's Note: Mini-theater

He Mingyu: My son's name is Tan Jiji. My partner's name is Liu Dazhuang… I… Yes, I'm totally thrilled about this…

Tan Qingqing: Huh? Didn't you take the kid yet? I've already found my next fling~ 0-0

He Mingyu: ……

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