Chapter 37 - The Supporting Villain Is Raising a Cub Online

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Tan Qing Turned Toward the Voice.

 

 

Shengjing Entertainment was an empire built from scratch by Rong Sheng's father, Rong Jinkang.

 

More than forty years ago, Rong Jinkang married the daughter of his first boss, securing his initial capital to establish Shengjing Entertainment—a business that was barely more than a small workshop at the time.

 

Over the span of four decades, the business world underwent countless changes. The once beautiful and vibrant Mrs. Rong aged along with the decline of her family, and with them, the promises that Rong Jinkang had made in his youth faded as well.

 

Forty years later, apart from the "Sheng" in Shengjing Entertainment representing long-lost aspirations and love, the person standing alongside Rong Jingkang had changed repeatedly, and Mrs. Rong was no longer in the picture.

 

For his 60th birthday banquet, whether to save face for Rong Sheng or due to a sudden change of heart, Rong Jinkang finally remembered to bring his wife to the event.

 

When Tan Qing stepped out of the car with He Mingyu, he overheard a nearby couple gossiping about which mistress Rong Jinkang might bring to the party in addition to his wife.

 

Curious, Tan Qing perked up his ears, but before he could catch more of the conversation, He Mingyu pulled him by the arm.

 

He Mingyu glanced at the couple as they passed by. "What's wrong?"

 

Tan Qing, regretful at missing out on the juicy gossip, sighed. "They were guessing which mistress Rong Jinkang would bring along today, besides his wife. I really wanted to listen in."

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He Mingyu tugged on Tan Qing's bowtie. "No need to wonder. Today, it's just him and his wife. No mistresses."

 

Tan Qing, a little disappointed, nodded obediently and allowed He Mingyu to lead him forward.

 

After a few steps, something seemed off. Tan Qing jumped in front of He Mingyu and asked, "Hey, is Rong Sheng's dad really sixty this year?"

 

He Mingyu raised an eyebrow. "He's not a celebrity. He has no need to lie about his age."

 

But Tan Qing's mind was on a completely different track.

 

After hearing He Mingyu's response, Tan Qing's eyes widened with admiration, and he sighed in awe. "Wow—sixty years old and still handling multiple women! That's impressive."

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He Mingyu's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. "What did you just say?"

 

Ignoring He Mingyu's question, Tan Qing blinked innocently and asked, "How old are you this year, He Mingyu?"

 

He Mingyu: "…Almost twenty-nine."

 

Tan Qing sighed dramatically. People really couldn't compare themselves to others.

 

Feeling a little down, Tan Qing trailed behind He Mingyu, and after a while, he tiptoed to pat him on the head sympathetically. "Don't worry. You're still young; there's still room for growth."

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He Mingyu removed Tan Qing's hand from his head, took a deep breath, and said, "I don't need any more 'growth.'"

 

Tan Qing gave him an innocent, sympathetic look, thought for a moment, and finally came up with a line of comfort. "Brother, we can't give up on ourselves like this. Stand tall! You can still grow!"

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He Mingyu let out a cold laugh, released Tan Qing's hand, and reminded himself to stay calm, determined not to let Tan Qing's antics get the best of him.

 

Fortunately, after spotting waiters carrying trays back and forth, Tan Qing, moved by his conscience, dropped the topic.

 

He glanced down at his empty hands in confusion, then looked up at He Mingyu with wide, questioning eyes. "Hey, did you see the little one? I remember putting him in the car when we left!"

 

He Mingyu remained expressionless. "You left him in the car."

 

Tan Qing quickly shifted the blame to the baby's father, pouting and indignantly scolding, "Look at you, being so careless! Why didn't you bring him down with us?"

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He Mingyu, by now used to Tan Qing's shamelessness, sighed. "The baby is too young for events like this. I asked Lin Yu to take him to my parents' place. We'll pick him up tonight."

 

Tan Qing blinked in confusion, trying to remember where "my parents' place" was. When he realized, he immediately flattered He Mingyu with an exaggerated compliment. "Oh, that's good, that's good. You're so thoughtful! Do your parents like boys?"

 

He Mingyu frowned slightly, seeming a little displeased with Tan Qing's phrasing. "Jiji is bright and well-behaved. Of course, my parents will adore him."

 

"Really!?" Tan Qing beamed with anticipation. "Do you think they'll give me a big red envelope? I've seen on TV that in-laws usually hand out large checks to mothers they don't approve of!"

 

He Mingyu coolly replied, "Sorry, my parents don't have that habit."

 

Tan Qing lowered his head, fidgeting with his fingers, and muttered sadly, "How about you go back first and help them cultivate that habit? Then I'll come along. It doesn't need to be too much—just a few million will do…"

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He Mingyu's lungs felt like they were about to burst from frustration. He was tempted to give Tan Qing a harsh lesson—one deep and thorough.

 

Especially since today… Tan Qing was clearly asking for it.

 

Completely oblivious to He Mingyu's darkening expression, Tan Qing happily wandered over to a row of sparkling crystal glasses, his eyes scanning the vibrant cocktails inside. After a long and difficult deliberation, he finally picked the one that caught his eye.

 

However, the towering champagne pyramid made it impossible for Tan Qing to reach, so he grabbed a nearby waiter and earnestly asked, "Can I have the glass from the very top, please?"

 

The waiter, a slender, pale young man in a blue uniform, looked troubled as he glanced up at the champagne tower that stood taller than him. "Sir… the glasses at the top are just for decoration. The champagne tastes the same as the ones on the tray."

 

Tan Qing replied seriously, "But I haven't tasted the one at the very top, so how can I be sure it's the same?"

 

The waiter: "…"

 

Desperate to escape the situation, the waiter spotted He Mingyu standing behind Tan Qing and immediately bowed deeply. "Mr. He, is this gentleman your friend? Could you perhaps…"

 

"No, no, no!"

 

Tan Qing was quick to notice the waiter's actions and immediately spun around. "Wow! You're telling on me? That's so unfair!"

 

The waiter: "…"

 

Blushing deeply, the waiter cast a helpless look toward He Mingyu, his eyes pleading for help, yet mixed with an indescribable emotion.

 

Perhaps noticing He Mingyu's silence, the waiter saw a glimmer of hope. He hesitated briefly before trying to grab the hem of He Mingyu's tailored suit, pleading, "Mr. He, if the champagne tower is damaged, we'll all be punished by the manager. Please, could you convince this gentleman to reconsider?"

 

The waiter's hand was still several centimeters away from He Mingyu's suit when He Mingyu swiftly stepped back, his voice cold and steady. "Go get your manager."

 

The waiter: "???"

 

Before the stunned waiter could process what was happening, the event manager rushed over from the reception area, practically sprinting.

 

Since He Mingyu's return to the country, he had kept a low profile, rarely attending such social events. A few years ago, when He Mingyu had just returned from studying abroad to take over the He family, the company had been in turmoil, and many had been eager to see him fail.

 

Yet, within a year, He Mingyu had firmly secured control over the He family business, and the once influential relatives who had been living in the old mansion, waiting for Old Mr. He to pass away, quietly moved out without a word of complaint.

 

No one ever mentioned the methods He Mingyu used.

 

Since then, many in the upper echelons of J City had sought to build connections with him. But despite repeated visits to the He residence, very few had even caught a glimpse of He Mingyu.

 

Over time, it became widely known that He Mingyu preferred peace and quiet, and few dared to disturb him without a legitimate reason.

 

So now, with He Mingyu making the rare gesture of attending Rong Jinkang's grand event, the manager had no idea what that poor waiter could have done to offend him.

 

Fearing that his career might end today, the manager ran over, gasping for breath but trying not to show it. "Mr. He, he's new here. If he's done anything wrong, I apologize on his behalf. Is there something that's upset you?"

 

Without sparing a glance at the flustered waiter, He Mingyu briefly eyed the champagne tower beside them and said, "Find someone to get a ladder and bring me the glass from the very top."

 

The event manager: "…"

 

What kind of bizarre request was this?

 

Swallowing his frustration, the manager had no choice but to comply. "Of course, Mr. He. Please wait a moment. I'll get someone to bring a ladder right away!"

 

Soon enough, a ladder was brought over.

 

Dressed in a well-tailored black suit, the manager personally climbed to the top of the champagne tower, carefully retrieving the glass that, by some stroke of bad luck, had caught Tan Qing's attention.

 

He handed it over to He Mingyu.

 

Tan Qing, standing beside He Mingyu, was practically bursting with excitement, immediately reaching out to grab the glass. He leaned in closer, his hand stretching towards the delicate crystal stem.

 

But He Mingyu moved the glass slightly out of reach, saying softly, "You can look, but you can't drink."

 

Tan Qing: "…"

 

Grinding his teeth in frustration, Tan Qing retorted angrily, "Why not? I went through all that trouble to get it down, and I'm not just here to look at it!"

 

He Mingyu responded coolly, "When setting up a banquet venue, no one usually pays full attention. Hotel staff often replace high-quality champagne with cheaper versions for the display—it's all for show."

 

He placed a steadying hand on Tan Qing, who was wobbling a little from standing on tiptoes, his voice now softening, "Besides, the glass at the very top is the most likely to collect dust. It's not hygienic."

 

Tan Qing: "…"

 

Deflated, Tan Qing glanced at the beautiful glass of champagne. "Then why did you take it down? Just to tease me?"

 

A flicker of amusement passed through He Mingyu's eyes. "I figured if you couldn't reach it, you'd throw a fit once we got home."

 

Tan Qing: "…"

 

Just as Tan Qing was about to argue and give He Mingyu a piece of his mind, a voice filled with laughter echoed from the other side of the crowd.

 

The voice was carefree, almost swaggering, and as the footsteps grew closer, it called out, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Let me see—who dares to dismantle my champagne tower?"

 

Tan Qing turned toward the voice.

 

Rong Sheng appeared, his deep purple suit both stylish and flamboyant. He walked over from the other end of the long table. Upon seeing Tan Qing, he paused for a moment before flashing a roguish, charming smile. "Well, well, if it isn't Tan Qing. Alright, I'll let it slide this time."

 

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