Chapter 10 - 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.

"He's Coming Back to Take Care of the Cub."

 

Tan Qing thought Rong Sheng was overthinking things, making everything too complicated.

 

He hiccuped from the alcohol, placing his hands on his hips with exaggerated seriousness as he argued, "We're in a modern society now, it's the age of reform and openness! You can't expect someone to stay pure just because they've been to bed with someone!"

 

Rong Sheng flashed a charming smile. "I'm just afraid your breach of contract penalty will jump from six hundred thousand to six million."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Stunned, Tan Qing stared at Rong Sheng for a moment, then sheepishly shrank back, moving closer to whisper, "How come the price can go up?"

 

Rong Sheng, watching Tan Qing close the distance between them, was left speechless. They were so close that their breaths mingled, and Rong Sheng could even catch the faint scent of alcohol from Tan Qing's lips.

 

Almost involuntarily, Rong Sheng asked, "Did you just have a Bloody Mary?"

 

Tan Qing playfully shushed him, "Shh—don't tell anyone, I didn't pay for it. I got it for free!"

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Before Rong Sheng could respond, a man suddenly approached them from the direction of the bar.

 

The dim lighting in the private rooms of the club was meant to protect guests' privacy, casting shadows over the area.

 

Without even looking at Rong Sheng, the man quickly reached for Tan Qing, pulling him into an embrace. "Hey, beautiful, didn't I tell you to wait for me?"

 

Tan Qing casually slipped out of the man's arms, flashing a smile at Rong Sheng. "See, that's where I got it from."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Rong Sheng recognized the man as Roy, a bartender known for both his talent and charm. Having frequented this club, Rong Sheng had heard plenty of Roy's exploits. He didn't expect, though, that tonight Roy would be targeting Tan Qing.

 

Bold, to say the least.

 

Irritated, a hint of displeasure crept into Rong Sheng's smile as he reached out to pull Tan Qing toward him. Just as he made contact, Roy interjected with a smirk, "Oh, honey, that's not how you play the game. First, you come onto me, and now you're after another man?"

 

"Well..." Tan Qing paused thoughtfully before pointing at Rong Sheng. "Actually, I was flirting with him first."

 

Roy: "..."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Rong Sheng, feeling slightly childish but somehow triumphant, suddenly felt a head taller than Roy.

 

Buoyed by this sense of superiority, Rong Sheng's mood lifted. He casually pulled out his wallet and motioned to a nearby waiter.

 

He handed over a wad of bills, speaking lightly, "Settle the tab for the bartender here, and keep the rest as a tip."

 

The waiter, recognizing Rong Sheng as a VIP, hurriedly bowed, thanking him profusely before rushing off to handle it.

 

Rong Sheng then turned to Roy with a playful smirk.

 

Roy, now realizing who Rong Sheng was—the CEO of Shengjing Entertainment—couldn't swallow his pride. Sneering, he shot a glance at Tan Qing and then said to Rong Sheng, "I could've sworn he just climbed out of Mr. He's bed, and now he's in yours?"

 

Rong Sheng, who came from generations of business acumen, was not one for flowery words. He coldly straightened his sleeves and replied, "I'm in a good mood today, so here's some advice—don't ask questions you shouldn't be asking."

 

Just then, a few of the second and third-generation heirs, likely wondering why Rong Sheng hadn't returned to the private room, opened the door to call for him.

 

With that, Rong Sheng turned and began walking back toward the private room. Before leaving, Rong Sheng glanced back at Tan Qing with a grin. "You coming? Weren't you just saying you wanted to share my bed? Here's your chance."

 

Tan Qing stood there, unmoved, gazing innocently at Rong Sheng, who stopped by the thick soundproof door.

 

Rong Sheng: "Why aren't you coming?"

 

Tan Qing replied earnestly, "Because I feel a little dizzy."

 

The dim, flickering lights of the club cast a mesmerizing glow over Tan Qing's face. Each flash illuminated his features, painting them with a soft, alluring haze.

 

His long lashes fluttered, and a faint blush colored the corners of his eyes, the alcohol enhancing the seductive allure in his gaze.

 

Rong Sheng suddenly felt hot. He tugged at the silk tie around his neck, loosening two buttons on his shirt. Smiling, he asked in a teasing tone, "Drunk?"

 

Tan Qing tilted his head, considering the question. Feeling wrongly accused, he protested unhappily, "No."

 

Unable to resist, Rong Sheng moved closer, slipping his hand around Tan Qing's waist. "If you're not drunk, why's your waist so soft?"

 

Tan Qing blinked up at him and, with utmost seriousness, answered, "It's always soft. I can even do the splits."

 

The delicate, pale tips of his ears twitched, as if shyly avoiding Rong Sheng's breath.

 

Leaning in, Rong Sheng brushed a kiss over Tan Qing's ear and chuckled softly, "Will you show me?"

 

Pulled snugly against Rong Sheng's chest, Tan Qing, docile as a lamb, paused for a moment. Then, after some thought, he extended his hand, palm up, and said, "One look, ten thousand."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Rong Sheng remained silent.

 

Tan Qing quickly reassessed, adjusting his price: "Five thousand?"

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Tan Qing: "One thousand?"

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Frustrated, Tan Qing pushed Rong Sheng away, hands on his hips as he huffed, "Get lost! You won't even pay a thousand and still expect me to do the splits! Are you bullying this old man who's already been struck by lightning?!"

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

The playful, sultry atmosphere was utterly shattered.

 

With a sigh of resignation, Rong Sheng gently pulled Tan Qing back into his arms, his voice, unexpectedly soft, coaxing him. "You're drunk. Let me take you home to rest, okay?"

 

Tan Qing looked at him skeptically for a moment, then coldly refused, "No, I want to play some more."

 

This time, he meant it.

 

After all, it was the first time he'd been out having fun since arriving here.

 

Besides, he had someone watching his little cub at home, so no matter how late he partied, there was nothing to worry about.

 

Life was good.

 

Without hesitation, Tan Qing turned his head away, though he did take Rong Sheng's advice and didn't head back to the stage. Instead, he wandered toward the bar.

 

The drink he'd had earlier was delicious—sweet and spicy.

 

If he could trick someone into giving him another one, that'd be perfect.

 

Rong Sheng immediately saw where Tan Qing was headed, and displeasure flickered in his heart.

 

What? He'd just sent one overly presumptuous bartender packing, and now Tan Qing was about to go charm another one?

 

As He Mingyu's close friend, Rong Sheng couldn't let that happen.

 

The He family was always discreet and low-key, and He Mingyu himself was a cool, distant man who rarely appeared in public.

 

Recently, the scandalous photos of Tan Qing and He Mingyu entering a hotel together were still circulating. If Tan Qing flirted with another man right now, how would that reflect on He Mingyu's reputation?

 

Yes, that's it.

 

Rong Sheng quickly found a perfect excuse for himself, grabbed Tan Qing's thin wrist, and pulled him back, saying, "I'll take you home and give you 10,000 yuan."

 

Tan Qing blinked. "OK, deal."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

Luckily, Rong Sheng had barely had time to sit down before being dragged into this mess, and hadn't even touched his drink yet.

 

He sent his driver home and then half-carried, half-dragged Tan Qing into the passenger seat.

 

While fastening Tan Qing's seatbelt, he accidentally pulled his worn-out white shirt aside, exposing a small patch of soft skin on his chest.

 

Even that bit of skin had a faintly tipsy flush to it.

 

Rong Sheng forced himself to look away, opened the driver's door, and sat down with a sigh.

 

It had been a long time since he had played chauffeur for anyone.

 

In his sports car, there were only two seats, and Rong Sheng retracted the convertible roof. Once they left the lively bar street, he turned and asked, "Where to... Tan Qing?"

 

The man sitting in the passenger seat had fallen asleep.

 

His small face was turned toward the driver's side, his head slightly lowered, revealing a delicate jawline.

 

His long, curled lashes cast neat little shadows, making him look calm and obedient.

 

Rong Sheng paused for a few seconds, lowering his voice considerably, "Tan Qing?"

 

Still no response. Tan Qing simply pressed his lips together, adjusted to a more comfortable position, and resumed his steady breathing.

 

The bustling streets of the city had long been swallowed by the night.

 

Pale moonlight spilled over the zebra crossings, while the wind howled softly, stirring the last few leaves clinging to the treetops.

 

Rong Sheng reached out and gave Tan Qing a gentle nudge.

 

Even through the thin shirt, Tan Qing's skin was cool to the touch, and he shivered slightly as though cold.

 

Rong Sheng draped his cashmere coat over Tan Qing, and just then, his phone lit up with a message from his assistant.

 

—"Boss Rong, Ran Anluo's new movie is confirmed."

 

—"Paparazzi snapped new pics of Tan Qing at a nightclub. We can use them to spin the previous hotel scandal around, paint him as a playful type, and claim Mr. He was just an innocent bystander."

 

Rong Sheng turned up the car's heat a few notches, typed a reply, and sent it: "Hold off for now."

 

Not far from the bar street was a property Rong Sheng had bought back in college.

 

It wasn't big, but since he had bought it early, the value had since skyrocketed thanks to its location in a commercial district.

 

Since taking over Shengjing Entertainment, he rarely came here anymore, but after driving around for a couple of circles, Rong Sheng decided to bring Tan Qing there.

 

The apartment was a compact three-bedroom, two-living room layout, regularly cleaned by staff, with fresh sheets on the bed.

 

Rong Sheng tucked Tan Qing in, then retired to the master bedroom for a quick shower.

 

He had barely fallen asleep when a phone call jolted him awake.

 

Annoyed, Rong Sheng fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, glanced at the caller ID, and groaned, collapsing back into bed, "Damn it, He Mingyu! Can't you let anyone sleep this early in the morning?!"

 

He Mingyu, having already finished his morning jog and breakfast, sat in a quiet tearoom.

 

On the wicker chair across from him, the little cub was happily playing with two small teacups, his chubby hands clutching a handful of precious Biluochun tea leaves, scattering them across the table.

 

He Mingyu fetched a 60-year-old tea cake from a rosewood drawer and handed it to the cub. "Got any good investment projects lately?"

 

Rong Sheng blinked in surprise. "You never invest in the entertainment industry."

 

He Mingyu helped the cub cut the aged tea cake into a cake slice, then calmly said, "Find something Tan Qing can act in. Money's no issue, but it shouldn't take up too much time."

 

Rong Sheng: "Not too much time? He's not exactly busy right now, is he?"

 

He Mingyu replied, "I've enrolled him in a parenting class. It starts the day after tomorrow."

 

Author's Note: Mini-Theater

Rong Sheng: You won't believe this, bro, but I was just about to invest in a new film for our little darling myself.

He Mingyu: ...

Rong Sheng: After all, while you're sipping tea in solitude, he's lying in my bed.

He Mingyu: ...Oh? Is that so?

Little Tan Qing: Bro, I advise you to choose your words carefully...

In short, today, we once again light a candle in sympathy for Mr. He.【candle emoji】

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