Chapter 39 - The Supporting Villain Is Raising a Cub Online

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He Mingyu Froze. "Tan Qing isn't Here Yet?"

 

 

Tan Qing secretly tugged at He Mingyu's sleeve and whispered, "Wow... Look at Rong Sheng's face. I feel like his father coldly and heartlessly sold him out."

 

Tan Qing's pulling left a wrinkle on He Mingyu's expensive tailored suit, so He Mingyu gently took Tan Qing's restless hand down. "Listen closely. Didn't you want to see what Fang Yuqiao looks like? She's standing right in the front row."

 

Tan Qing immediately widened his eyes, excitement clear in his voice. "Where, where! Which one?"

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

He pointed, "The one in the light blue dress, standing in the first row."

 

Tan Qing: "Oh…"

 

In the midst of a crowd of plump, greasy old men in the front row, Miss Fang was indeed easy to spot.

 

At that moment, Miss Fang, perhaps out of shyness, lowered her head with a gentle smile, which only enhanced her delicate and graceful demeanor.

 

After a long, careful look at Fang Yuqiao, Tan Qing nodded in satisfaction and said to He Mingyu, "Well, she might not be as curvy as Film Empress Yu, but she's got that pure, innocent look! Not bad at all. I approve of this marriage!"

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

With a sigh, He Mingyu replied, "It doesn't matter if you approve. Rong Sheng won't."

 

As if to confirm He Mingyu's words, before Tan Qing could ask why Rong Sheng would turn down such a pretty girl, Rong Sheng, who was standing nearby, spoke first.

 

His voice still held its usual playful tone, but now it was laced with unmistakable anger. "Dad, how could you arrange my engagement without even telling me?"

 

The guests at Rong Jinkang's birthday banquet shifted their gaze from the stage to Rong Sheng.

 

Then, as if choreographed, the guests in the front rows parted, creating a clear path for Rong Sheng.

 

He walked down that path and stepped onto the center of the stage.

 

Rong Jinkang's birthday banquet had been set up with such grandeur—scarlet carpets covered the entire banquet hall, making the display appear somewhat excessive.

 

There wasn't enough class for such a grand display.

 

Tan Qing shrugged and stuffed another small cake into his mouth, whispering to He Mingyu from behind, "Hey, I think this Rong Jinkang guy isn't a good person."

 

He Mingyu helped Tan Qing stand upright. "Don't gossip behind people's backs."

 

Tan Qing: "…"

 

He blinked. "Then can I call him a short-lived ghost in public?"

 

Without changing his expression, He Mingyu popped the last coconut ball from the tray into Tan Qing's mouth. "No, you can't."

 

Tan Qing: "…"

 

Tan Qing pouted, wiping the grease from his mouth onto He Mingyu's hand with a mischievous grin. "Fine, if I can't, I can't. Let's just enjoy the show."

 

He Mingyu: "…"

 

Rong Sheng stood firm before the microphone, a smile on his face. "Uncles and aunties, I must apologize. My father announced my engagement, but up until now, I've never even met Miss Fang Yuqiao. May I ask if Miss Fang could come forward so I can finally meet her?"

 

The engagement had already been announced.

 

But the groom hadn't even met the bride?

 

What kind of engagement was this?

 

The crowd erupted in murmurs, and even Chairman Fang's face showed clear signs of embarrassment.

 

Setting aside Rong Jinkang's notorious affairs, Rong Sheng's countless romantic entanglements were already well-known in high society. Any prestigious family with some standing would think twice before marrying their daughter to a man like him.

 

But with the economy in decline in recent years, Fang's restaurant business had been suffering consecutive losses, and they desperately needed a solid alliance to save their entire chain.

 

Rong Jinkang, knowing his son's nature, had long been looking for a well-bred young woman who could handle his public image and play the part of a respectable wife—one to keep the family's "main flag" steady at home while allowing the "side flags" to flutter outside. A man's ideal life, as he saw it.

 

The match between Rong Jinkang and Chairman Fang was a perfect fit.

 

Chairman Fang had sought his daughter Fang Yuqiao's opinion, but no one had thought to ask Rong Sheng.

 

The atmosphere of the banquet stiffened.

 

After a moment, Rong Jinkang pulled Rong Sheng back and forced a smile onto his aging face, cupping his hands politely. "My son's just trying to lighten the mood. Apologies for the joke."

 

It was obvious to anyone that he was trying to smooth things over, and the guests, being no fools, exchanged knowing glances.

 

For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to brighten again with polite laughter.

 

Standing beside his father, Rong Sheng also smiled.

 

But after the laughter subsided, he spoke again. "Now that everything's been said, can I finally meet my fiancée?"

 

The crowd: "…"

 

Under the piercing gazes of everyone in the room, Fang Yuqiao's face flushed a deep red.

 

Unable to bear seeing his only daughter publicly humiliated, Chairman Fang finally stepped forward and spoke sternly, "Rong Sheng, don't take this too far."

 

Rong Sheng turned to him with a polite smile. "So, you must be my future father-in-law."

 

Chairman Fang, giving Rong Sheng a cold look, retorted, "Young man, if you're upset, take it out on your mother at home. My daughter is more than worthy of you. I suggest you drop that attitude of yours."

 

Rong Sheng glanced at Fang Yuqiao standing nearby and smiled again. "Indeed. Your daughter looks like she fits my father's taste in a refined young lady."

 

The crowd: "..."

 

What did he mean by "fits Rong Jinkang's taste"?

 

Everyone couldn't help but recall Rong Jinkang's romantic history, wondering if this meant he was originally planning to take her home as a concubine?

 

It was clear that even Rong Jinkang, standing nearby, thought the same, as his face turned livid with rage. "Rong Sheng, what nonsense are you spouting?"

 

Rong Sheng paid no mind to his father's furious expression and continued addressing Chairman Fang, "Since your daughter is so excellent, marrying her would indeed be my good fortune. However, before we proceed, I have a few questions for you, Chairman Fang."

 

Chairman Fang, on the verge of a heart attack but mindful of his family's near-bankruptcy, gritted his teeth and asked, "What questions?"

 

Rong Sheng's lips curved slightly, his tone unexpectedly gentle. "First, you're aware of my father's character, right? I've inherited that trait from him. After marriage, I probably won't be able to stick to a one-man, one-woman relationship. But don't worry, I'll make sure your daughter is the only one I marry publicly."

 

Chairman Fang: "...!!!"

 

Rong Sheng then cast his gaze over the audience for a few seconds before continuing, "Second, I'm bisexual. Can your daughter handle that?"

 

At this point, if Chairman Fang still insisted on marrying his daughter into the Rong family, even if the Fang family's fortunes were restored thanks to her sacrifice, they would be the laughingstock of high society.

 

No.

 

Perhaps they were already a joke.

 

Enraged, Chairman Fang cursed Rong Jinkang and declared the engagement null and void, leading Fang Yuqiao out of the venue in fury.

 

Rong Sheng, smiling serenely, watched them leave, but before he could relax, a cry rang out from the crowd.

 

"Chairman Rong—!"

 

"Oh my God! Call an ambulance!"

 

Rong Sheng froze and instinctively turned his head to look.

 

In that moment, as he saw Rong Jinkang collapse—

 

His mother, Hong Yue, slapped Rong Sheng hard across the face.

 

The sharp sound echoed clearly.

 

Even Tan Qing, sitting in the audience, was so startled that he shrank back, spilling the sunflower seeds in his hands*.

 

[T/N: Implying that he was enjoying the show while munching on sunflower seeds.]

 

He quickly hid behind He Mingyu, then sneakily reached into He Mingyu's pocket for more sunflower seeds, whispering nervously, "Yikes, Rong Sheng's mom is scary."

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He Mingyu wordlessly confiscated all of Tan Qing's sunflower seeds.

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

The ambulance arrived quickly.

 

As the paramedics lifted Rong Jinkang onto the stretcher, they asked Rong Sheng, as his son, if he was aware of any of his father's medical history.

 

The mark left by Hong Yue's slap stood out more clearly under the lights on Rong Sheng's left cheek.

 

After a moment of dazed silence, he followed his mother into the ambulance.

 

Still eyeing his confiscated sunflower seeds, Tan Qing poked He Mingyu and asked, "Aren't you going to the hospital too?"

 

He Mingyu shook his head. "I'll take you to my parents first."

 

Tan Qing cheerfully replied, "You go ahead, go ahead. Maybe Rong Jinkang will just kick the bucket!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

After thinking for a moment, He Mingyu called Lin Yu.

 

Upon learning that Lin Yu was already waiting outside, He Mingyu instructed him to take Tan Qing to his parents' house and promised to pick up both Tan Qing and their son, Tan Jiji, later.

 

With everything arranged, He Mingyu looked at Tan Qing, who was excitedly dancing about in front of him, and felt a headache coming on.

 

Tan Qing was busy negotiating with a waiter to pack up untouched sausages and roast chicken from the buffet when the event manager rushed over with several large food containers.

 

"Mr. Tan, Mr. Rong told me to pack these for you. He said you love these dishes."

 

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Tan Qing accepted the containers eagerly and ran over to He Mingyu, saying, "Why haven't you left yet?!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He straightened Tan Qing's clothes and said, "Remember to greet my parents accordingly when you see them. If it's past Tan Jiji's bedtime hours and I'm not back, put him to sleep first, alright?"

 

Tan Qing swatted He Mingyu's hand away in annoyance. "Alright, alright! And don't forget to wish Rong Sheng an early promotion to Chairman!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Bending down, He Mingyu kissed Tan Qing gently on the forehead. "I'll pick you up from my parents' place tonight. Be good."

 

It was the first time He Mingyu had kissed Tan Qing in public.

 

Tan Qing was astonished, one hand holding the takeout boxes from Rong Sheng's condolence meal, while pointing to his lips with the other. "How about another kiss here?"

 

He Mingyu turned and walked away without a word.

 

Tan Qing: "..."

 

Disheartened, Tan Qing hugged his takeout boxes tightly and headed downstairs to find Lin Yu.

 

The underground parking lot was packed with cars.

 

Tan Qing circled the entire lot but couldn't find Lin Yu or his car. As he continued walking, he suddenly stopped in front of a white Porsche.

 

At the exact moment he halted, the front passenger window of the Porsche rolled down.

 

Inside, Yan Jianbai leaned out and greeted him, "Qingqing, we meet again."

 

Tan Qing looked troubled. "Do reptiles have some kind of special attachment to underground parking lots?"

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

Tan Qing continued, "Why is it that every time I see you, it's in a parking lot?"

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

With a smile that revealed his sharp little fangs, Yan Jianbai's youthful face lit up. "Qingqing, if you'd agree to go on a date with me, I'd meet you anywhere."

 

Tan Qing firmly declined, "No thanks, snakes are too thin."

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

Helpless, Yan Jianbai suppressed his frustration. "Aren't you curious where Lin Yu is?"

 

Tan Qing didn't seem interested at all. "There's no smell of blood on you, so you probably tricked him into going somewhere."

 

A hint of contempt flashed through Yan Jianbai's eyes as he sighed. "Exactly. Humans are such naive and ignorant creatures. I told him you were waiting by the road, and he drove off to find you."

 

Tan Qing: "Oh, I see..."

 

A bit foolish, indeed.

 

After assessing the situation, Tan Qing calmly added, "His salary will be docked tomorrow."

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

Yan Jianbai glanced at Tan Qing, clearly baffled. "Do you really intend to stay entangled with He Mingyu? You're a powerful demon, immortal and ageless, while he's just an ordinary human with only a few decades to live. What can he possibly give you?"

 

Hugging a box of fragrant fried chicken, Tan Qing seriously considered the question. Then he looked at Yan Jianbai and asked, "And what could you give me?"

 

Thinking Tan Qing was finally listening, Yan Jianbai smiled. "It makes more sense for great demons to be together, doesn't it?"

 

Tan Qing let out a long "oh," nodding. "Hmm, you make a good point…"

 

Yan Jianbai's heart leaped with hope.

 

Then Tan Qing added, "But I just won't listen, hehe."

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

Standing beside the car, Tan Qing lowered his head slightly, raising Yan Jianbai's chin with a single finger.

 

His slender index finger traced the line of Yan Jianbai's jaw.

 

His thumb gently brushed across Yan Jianbai's lips a few times.

 

Then, as if teasing a kitten, Tan Qing's delicate fingers lightly caressed the pulse on Yan Jianbai's neck.

 

Tan Qing's eyes curved into a smile as he gently patted Yan Jianbai's cheek. "Claiming to be a great demon in front of me... Little demon, your powers aren't nearly enough to impress me."

 

With a lazy stretch, Tan Qing hugged his sausage and fried chicken closer, adding sincerely, "Do you smell that? These are far more tempting than you."

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

His face stiffened. "Sorry, but snakes don't eat those."

 

"Oh, that's too bad, then," Tan Qing shrugged, standing up straight before walking around the car to the passenger side. He opened the door and slid in. "Come on, give me a ride."

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

Surprisingly, Yan Jianbai didn't refuse. After pulling out of the parking lot, he finally asked, "Where to?"

 

Tan Qing, enjoying the rare chance to fully stretch out his tails in the car, carefully placed his late-night snack aside.

 

Then—

 

He sprawled out across the passenger seat like a starfish, his nine fluffy, snow-white tails spreading out instantly.

 

Propping his feet up on the dashboard, Tan Qing leaned back, brushing his tails while browsing hairstyles on the car's tablet. Hearing Yan Jianbai's question, he wagged one of his tails enthusiastically. "Let's go to Rong Sheng's father's hospital!"

 

Yan Jianbai paused. "What for?"

 

Blowing gently on the tip of one of his tails, Tan Qing lay back and replied, "To teach him how to be a proper dad, of course! Now hurry up. Oh, by the way, what do you think—should I curl my tails in cornrows or get a wavy perm?"

 

Yan Jianbai: "..."

 

For once, Yan Jianbai was silent. He drove Tan Qing to the hospital without a word.

 

Meanwhile, He Mingyu had just returned to his parents' house from the hospital.

 

Although He Qi hadn't fully stepped down from his position, his wife, Liao Xian had finally retired in the past two years.

 

When He Mingyu walked into the house, he saw his mother bringing out the freshly cooked dishes from the kitchen. In the living room, little Tan Jiji was clapping his hands as he watched his grandfather perform the "build-the-tallest-tower" block game.

 

Tan Jiji was an adorable, well-behaved child, having inherited the best features of both He Mingyu and Tan Qing. Ever since Lin Yu dropped him off at home, he'd been soaking up all the love from the He's parents without hesitation.

 

So much so that five minutes after He Mingyu entered the house, no one had paid him any attention.

 

Finally, little Tan Jiji, who had been sitting by watching his grandfather build the tower, gave him a bit of face. Gnawing on his tiny pig-shaped toy, he looked up at He Mingyu and sweetly called out, "Pa, pa!"

 

Moved to tears, He Mingyu rushed over, eager to pick up his son.

 

Before he could touch him, though, He Qi slapped his hand away. "What's with you? Have you forgotten how your mother taught you? Go wash your hands before you hold the child!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Stripped of his dignity, He Mingyu obediently went to wash his hands. On his way back, he bumped into Liao Xian, who was bringing out a bowl of soup from the kitchen.

 

Despite everything, Liao Xian still loved her son. With a gentle voice, she said, "Didn't you say you were bringing the child's mother for us to meet today? Why are you back alone?"

 

He Mingyu froze. "Tan Qing isn't here yet?"

 

Author's note: Mini-Theater:

He Mingyu: Where's my wife? My wife's gone again… Has anyone seen my wife?

Lin Yu: I saw him… He left with that guy Yan from next door.

Lin Yu: My wall was torn down* (so sad), and I still haven't received my final payment (crying uncontrollably).

Tan Qingqing: Hey, Yan the little demon, stop by the hair salon up ahead. I'm getting every one of my tails permed with a different style today!

Yan Jianbai: Whoa, now that's what I call going full glam or bust…

 

[T/N: His trust was abused, he was betrayed, and he is now mourning his salary.]

 

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