Chapter 16 - 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.
It was a Tantalizing and Unspeakable Taboo.
The police station had limited resources, and it was clear that Tan Qing couldn't just loiter around with Tan Jiji, waiting all night without food or drink.
Especially after Rong Sheng came to post bail, the officers were more than happy to see the two of them—big and small—taken home by Rong Sheng, with instructions to return in the morning for the DNA test results.
Under the warm and nurturing gaze of the officers, who were clearly concerned for the well-being of the nation's children, Tan Qing felt too embarrassed to continue holding Jiji by the scruff of his neck.
So, he adjusted his posture and awkwardly stuffed Tan Jiji into his arms.
Before they had gone to the examination room at the station, Tan Qing had made a pit stop in the restroom with the little one.
He patted through the fabric, then pulled down the tiny split pants.
It seemed that, perhaps due to the stress and fear of being in an unfamiliar environment, the little tail that had barely just grown had quietly shrunk back out of sight.
Perfect.
Tan Qing gave Jiji's bare bottom a little pat and carried him off to the lab for the blood test.
But being carried this way didn't seem as comfortable for the little cub as being held by the scruff. Jiji wriggled restlessly in Tan Qing's arms, squirming to the left and right.
Finally, fed up with the fidgeting, Tan Qing pointed at Jiji's nose and threatened, "Keep moving, and I'll spank you!"
The police officer: "..."
Rong Sheng, worried that Tan Qing's words might be overheard and blown out of proportion, quickly reached over and took Jiji from Tan Qing's arms. "Alright. Let's get in the car—I'll hold him."
Tan Qing, happy to pass off the chubby and heavy Jiji, confirmed by patting his bottom that the tail was indeed still tucked away. Then, without any hesitation, he placed the child in Rong Sheng's arms, flashing him a mischievous smile. "Thank you, Mr. Rong! Mwah!"
Rong Sheng: "…"
Rong Sheng wanted to kick Tan Qing but found that he had already swiftly and skillfully climbed into the car.
Unlike He Mingyu's understated luxury vehicle, Rong Sheng's car screamed extravagance at first glance.
It was perfectly in line with Tan Qing's flashy, over-the-top taste.
As the driver started the car, Tan Qing, sitting in the back, sniffled and turned to Rong Sheng beside him. "Wow, Mr. Rong, I can smell at least seven or eight different perfumes in here!"
Rong Sheng, amused, gently tapped Jiji's little nose. "Tan Qing, are you part bloodhound?"
Tan Qing sneezed, reaching for the window control. "No way, the perfume is way too strong. I'm opening the window."
Rong Sheng stopped him, pushing his hand back. "Don't. Your son is asleep, and it's not good for him to catch a cold."
Right on cue, Jiji let out a soft snore.
Tan Qing: "…"
Sneezing repeatedly, Tan Qing glared at Rong Sheng in frustration. "You playboy! How many women have you had in this car?"
Rong Sheng, feeling innocent, pointed to the air purifier in the car. "Come on, you're the first person to say it smells like perfume in here."
Annoyed, Tan Qing suddenly missed He Mingyu's old beat-up car.
Though it looked like a Santana, the air inside was fresh.
No smell of smoke, no stench of alcohol, and no overpowering perfume.
Instead, there was a faint scent of sandalwood.
It reminded him of the pine forest behind the ancient mountain he once meditated on, blanketed in snow on a crisp morning.
The police station wasn't far from the small house Tan Qing currently lived in.
After the car stopped, Rong Sheng got out first, carrying Jiji, only to reveal a puzzled expression as he looked at Tan Qing's home. "Tan Qing… you live here now?"
Tan Qing nodded with enthusiasm. "Yep! No paparazzi can find me here—so peaceful and cozy."
Rong Sheng: "..."
He couldn't argue with that. No paparazzi would think to look for a once-famous idol living in a place like this.
While some former celebrities may have faded from the limelight, they usually still lived comfortably, far from the hardships of everyday life.
But Tan Qing… he really seemed to be broke.
Instinctively, Rong Sheng turned back to look at Tan Qing, who had just stepped out of the car.
The face that had once captivated countless fans remained youthful and expressive—every glance, every smile—carrying a charm that was even harder to define than before.
Was it because… he'd had a child?
Though the thought was absurd, in that moment, Rong Sheng found himself wondering if he should believe what Tan Qing had told him.
Was it possible that the child in his arms really belonged to both Tan Qing and He Mingyu?
Rong Sheng had always been aware of the similarities he shared with his father—traits that ran in their blood.
The same flaws in men—the search for a challenge, the thrill of the forbidden, the allure of something new.
A child between two men…
It was a tantalizing and unspeakable taboo.
Tan Qing had already made his way over, eyes sleepy. "Thanks for taking me and the little one home. We'll head in now."
The soft and sleepy Tan Jiji rolled out of Rong Sheng's arms and into Tan Qing's. After a rough pat from his dad, he woke up, eyes wet with exhaustion, as if he were about to cry.
He rubbed his eyes and, upon seeing Rong Sheng standing before him, grinned and sweetly called out, "Pa, Pa!"
Rong Sheng: "…"
Tan Qing: "…"
The air grew instantly awkward.
Tan Qing lifted Jiji higher in his arms and scolded seriously, "Silly boy, I'm your dad!"
Having been playfully teased too many times, the little one blew a snot bubble, wriggling out of Tan Qing's arms and reaching out his chubby arms toward Rong Sheng, "Pa, Pa, Pa!"
Rong Sheng grinned, effortlessly taking the little one from Tan Qing's hands and coaxing, "Call me that again, and I'll buy you a model airplane."
Tan Jijiji, not entirely understanding what a model airplane was, still sensed the grown-ups' joy. Seeing how happy the handsome uncle holding him was, he too smiled and obediently called out again, "Pa, Pa!"
Rong Sheng kissed the little one's smooth forehead and immediately dialed his assistant, "Elena, tomorrow, go to the toy store and buy a whole set of toys suitable for children under six months. Make sure they're the safest and best quality. I'll send you the address later."
Tan Qing: "???"
Rong Sheng hung up the phone and turned to the little one, seeking validation, "Well, little darling, is Pa treating you well?"
Tan Jijiji immediately planted a kiss on Rong Sheng's cheek in return.
Tan Qing: "..."
Annoyed, Tan Qing blocked Rong Sheng's path and argued earnestly, "The little one's getting gifts—what about me?"
He stood with his back to the streetlight, the old, dim light of the rundown neighborhood casting dappled reflections in his bright eyes, making them look lively and captivating.
Rong Sheng pointed to his cheek with a smirk, "Qingqing, your son gave me a kiss to earn his reward—what about you?"
Tan Qing pondered for a moment, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, one kiss means you'll forgive my 600,000 yuan debt?"
Rong Sheng walked past him, shaking his head, "Sweetheart, one kiss from you sure is expensive—more than any movie queen in the industry."
Tan Qing turned, his attention instantly diverted, "Oh? A movie queen kissed you too? She must have been so beautiful—I really like her! Did you two sleep together? What was it like? Was she tasty? I'm so jealous of you."
Rong Sheng: "..."
Whatever atmosphere had been building crumbled once again.
Rong Sheng realized that, in Tan Qing's world of relationships, the awkwardness between exes and currents didn't seem to exist. Even something as private as sleeping together was discussed as casually as mentioning an everyday necessity.
Sighing, Rong Sheng silently vowed never to bring up any woman around Tan Qing again.
After taking a few steps forward with Tan Jijiji in his arms, he casually asked, "By the way, considering He Mingyu's old-fashioned ways, he's probably planning a full-month celebration for the baby. Have you set the date?"
Tan Qing sighed as he trailed behind, "Maybe no full-month party after all..."
Rong Sheng paused, "What happened?"
Tan Qing clicked his tongue, "He said the tests showed the kid isn't his biological child."
Rong Sheng was momentarily stunned.
Before he could respond, Tan Qing determinedly declared, "So, I've decided to find a rich sugar mama as a stepmom for the little one!"
Rong Sheng: "..."
Tan Qing quietly added, "Or maybe a rich sugar daddy would do."
Rong Sheng: "..."
Turning around, Rong Sheng asked seriously, "Tan Qing, are you really not going to let He Mingyu be the child's father anymore?"
Tan Qing pouted and counted on his fingers, "Of course I want him to! First of all, He Mingyu, just like the little one, is so easy to trick. He's rich, treats the baby well, and even provides imported formula."
"But it's no use."
Tan Qing's expression turned pitiful as he sighed, "Even though he's willing to pay for return shipping, he still sent the package back. Sob."
Rong Sheng: "..."
After a moment, Rong Sheng cautiously asked, "Did you really name the child Tan Jijiji?"
Tan Qing raised his face, eyes full of suspicion, "What's wrong with that?"
With a straight face, Rong Sheng replied, "Nothing... I'm just thinking, if He Mingyu was willing to take the child home despite that name, he must really like him."
Tan Qing: "Sigh!"
They finally reached the end of the alley.
Rong Sheng took off his jacket to wrap the now-sleeping Tan Jijiji and placed him back into Tan Qing's arms. "Oh, by the way, I found a job for you. It should start in a few days, and you should be able to earn quite a bit."
Money.
Cash!
Tan Qing's eyes lit up with excitement, "Great! What job?"
Rong Sheng replied, "It's an online drama series. The production seems decent. The cast will be announced tomorrow, and the official account will tag you—make sure to respond."
Tan Qing: "Oh..."
Rong Sheng added thoughtfully, "I asked Xia Jing earlier today. She said Ran Anluo's schedule is quite packed lately, so she might not be able to manage you. I'll assign you another agent."
Tan Qing obediently nodded, "Mm-hmm."
Rong Sheng hesitated before saying, "So... I'll be going?"
Tan Qing earnestly waved goodbye, "Oh, bye."
Rong Sheng: "..."
Not only lazy but completely oblivious to the unspoken rules of the industry.
Doesn't even invite people in for a moment.
Hopeless.
Rong Sheng got back into the car.
The driver in the front seat asked, "Mr. Rong, should I take you home now?"
Rong Sheng looked at the few strands of hair in his palm. "Not yet. Take me to the hospital first."
Meanwhile, Tan Qing, walking home alone, had no idea about the little schemes running through Rong Sheng's mind, the seasoned entertainment executive.
As someone about to regain proper employment—once a small-time street vendor king, and even further back, a sly fox—his mood was filled with excitement.
With Tan Jijiji in his arms, he cheerfully approached the door of his small house.
Then he noticed a black Santana parked in front of his bare little home.
Wait... maybe it wasn't a Santana.
Inside the Phaeton sat He Mingyu, whose face matched the car's dark exterior.
Author's note: Mini-theater:
Rong Sheng: "Bro, your kid is awesome!"
He Mingyu: "?"
Rong Sheng: "Your wife's amazing too!"
He Mingyu: "Enough. (draws a sword)"
Tan Qing: "Little one, just sit here and wait a bit. Once both of them are done for, we'll go find a sugar mama together =v="
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