Chapter 15 - The Supporting Villain Is Raising a Cub Online

Translator's Note:

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"She Ran off Into the Mountains With Some Guy."

 

 

The police? Seriously?

 

Tan Qing, who had been a bit sleepy, was instantly wide awake.

 

He pressed his ear to the door, listening closely, his heart racing with suspicion. "It's so late… How do I know you're really officers?!"

 

The voice outside was stern and oppressive, filled with authority. "We can present our badges and ID numbers for verification. Now, please open the door."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

"If you continue refusing to open the door, we'll have to assume you are obstructing law enforcement."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Tan Qing was in despair.

 

Ever since he came here and learned that post-socialist society wasn't kind to supernatural beings, he'd lived cautiously, terrified of getting caught and locked up.

 

Yet despite all his efforts, life had finally caught up to him—this soft, but gluttonous little fox.

 

After thinking it over for a moment, Tan Qing ran over to the small wooden bed, giving Tan Jiji's little butt a couple of pats. "Wake up, kid! Hide your tail!"

 

The little cub, startled awake from his dreams, rubbed his eyes with his chubby hands, the tip of his tail curling and uncurling unconsciously. He mumbled sleepily, "Papa… papa…"

 

Tan Qing, stern now, pointed at Tan Jiji's tail. "Tuck it away, quickly."

 

The cub looked up at him, bewildered and helpless.

 

Tan Qing took a deep breath, grabbed the wagging tail, and spoke with utmost seriousness, "Make this disappear. If you don't, we'll be captured by humans. Got it?"

 

Tan Jiji, ever so precious about his tail, yanked it out of Tan Qing's grasp and cradled it protectively in his little hands.

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Outside, the officers knocked again. "Sir, if you don't open the door, we'll have to come in ourselves."

 

"No, no, no!" Tan Qing panicked.

 

With no other choice, he quickly rummaged through the bedside drawer, pulling out a couple of toddler-sized diapers and clumsily fastening them onto the cub. Then, grabbing some tiny clothes off the sofa, he hurriedly dressed the child, half pleading, half threatening, "When we go out there, don't move around. Stay still in my arms, okay?"

 

Tan Jiji, thinking his papa was taking him outside to play, immediately became obedient, clapping his hands happily and nuzzling into Tan Qing's chest.

 

Tan Qing carefully cradled the little cub in his arms, making sure to hold him in a way that hid his plump little bottom and the suspicious bump where his tail was tucked. "Don't wag your tail," he warned, "If anyone sees it, they'll cut it off!"

 

The cub's tiny nose twitched, his face full of worry.

 

Just in time, Tan Qing managed to open the door before the next knock.

 

Even though the hallway was dimly lit, Tan Jiji's alert sniffing and cute little expression quickly charmed the young officer standing in front of them.

 

Both officers immediately shifted their gaze from the cub to Tan Qing—

 

Only to realize that the person holding the child was even more stunning.

 

Though the cub, at his young age, already showed signs of growing into his good looks, he was still undeniably a child.

 

But Tan Qing, peeking from behind the little one, revealed a face far too exquisite for reality.

 

He blinked his long, curved eyelashes and, in quick succession, denied everything. "Officers, I'm really not a trafficker. You see, this is my son… Look how much we resemble each other!"

 

It was true. There was logic to his statement.

 

The two officers exchanged a glance.

 

A child this adorable… He really didn't seem like someone from an ordinary family.

 

The officer on the left softened his tone slightly. "So you and your son live here? How long have you been staying?"

 

Tan Qing, looking troubled, replied, "More than half a year."

 

The officer jotted it down, then asked, "What do you do for work now?"

 

Tan Qing sighed deeply. "I'm unemployed."

 

The officers: "..."

 

Suddenly, the officer on the left seemed to remember something. He nudged his partner and pointed at Tan Qing. "Wait… Aren't you that guy… Tan something?"

 

Tan Qing's eyes lit up with hope. "Yes, yes, I used to be a celebrity! Do you know me? I swear I'm not a trafficker!"

 

"I don't know you, but my girlfriend's a fan," the officer replied, shaking his head.

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Foolish humans.

 

The officer continued kindly, "I remember there was a scandal about you and that wealthy heir… what was his name? He Mingyu, right? Actually, my girlfriend was right. You should be more like your teammate, that guy… Ran, Ran something…"

 

Tan Qing scratched his ear, gently reminding him, "Ran Anluo."

 

"Yeah, him. See, your teammate's so diligent and reliable. Sure, you're better looking than him, but in life, it's not just about looks…"

 

Thankfully, the officer on the right stepped in, interrupting the dangerous life lecture. "Here's the thing, Mr. Tan. Since you already have a child, where's the mother?"

 

Tan Qing instantly replied, "We're separated."

 

"Where does she live?"

 

"She ran off with some other guy."

 

"Can we contact her?"

 

"She ran off into the mountains with him."

 

"..."

 

The officers straightened up again. "Mr. Tan, we need you to cooperate. Even if you're a celebrity, we still need proof that this child is yours."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Grinding his sharp teeth, Tan Qing's gaze swept over the officers' necks before he sighed. "Fine. How can I prove that this cub… this child is mine?"

 

The officer asked, "Do you have the child's birth certificate?"

 

Tan Qing shook his head, confused.

 

"Is the child registered in your household?"

 

"No."

 

"Then I'm afraid you'll have to come down to the station. We'll need a DNA test to verify if the child is biologically yours."

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

The police car was dark, big, and fast.

 

Tan Qing was terrified.

 

Sitting in the back seat, holding Tan Jiji tightly, he pulled out his phone and asked the officers, "Can I call a friend?"

 

One officer turned around, "Of course, celebrities like you usually call lawyers, right? But we have laws protecting minors, so even lawyers can't interfere with proper police procedures."

 

Tan Qing hummed a couple of times, hesitated as he scrolled through his contacts, and finally made a call.

 

At that moment, Rong Sheng was having a drink with He Mingyu.

 

The two had been good friends for nearly twenty years, so the moment they met, Rong Sheng could immediately tell that He Mingyu was in a foul mood.

 

No surprise there.

 

He Mingyu only called him for a drink when things were really bad.

 

The phone was sitting nearby, and when Rong Sheng saw the caller ID, he instinctively glanced at He Mingyu.

 

He Mingyu picked up his flat glass, downing the amber-golden liquid in one gulp.

 

Pushing the glass back to the bartender, He Mingyu asked, "Why are you looking at me?"

 

Rong Sheng smiled, "Nothing, just need to take a call."

 

Without lifting his head, He Mingyu poured himself another drink.

 

Rong Sheng stepped away and answered the phone, "Tan Qing, what's up?"

 

On the other end, Tan Qing whimpered, "Well, here's the thing… I got arrested by the police..."

 

Rong Sheng: "..."

 

He hurried back to his seat.

 

Before he could even explain the situation, he saw He Mingyu already grabbing his coat off the back of the chair, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm leaving."

 

Rong Sheng was stunned. His words immediately turned into, "Why the rush?"

 

He Mingyu's voice was low and laced with frustration. "I have something to do. Need to find someone."

 

Rong Sheng quickly asked, "What about your driver—"

 

But He Mingyu had already walked out.

 

Rong Sheng, at a loss, grabbed his own coat and was about to leave when his gaze suddenly landed on the two glasses at the bar.

 

The glasses gleamed under the light, with banknotes tucked beneath them, left by He Mingyu to settle the bill.

 

Rong Sheng paused for a couple of seconds and then turned to the bartender. "Did you guys wash those glasses before serving?"

 

The bartender, who'd been working there for a while and knew exactly who his customers were, quickly replied, "Mr. Rong, are you joking with us? Not only do we wash them, we sanitize them several times."

 

Rong Sheng picked up the glass furthest from him, curling his lips. "I quite like this glass. I think I'll take one as a model. How much?"

 

Author's Note: Mini Theater:

Author: "Where's your dad?"

Tan Jiji: "Huh? Which dad are you asking about?"

Author: "???"

Tan Jiji: "I've ranked them, you know. The one who buys me the most food and toys is Dad Number One!"

He Mingyu: "… Forget it. My heart hurts."

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