Chapter 46 - The Supporting Villain Is Raising a Cub Online

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

 

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.

  

I’ve finished setting up the Bella Novels Discord server! You can join us using this invite. There, you’ll be able to easily follow chapter updates for the novel(s) of your choice—along with access to many other features and community content.

I’m also introducing something new: the Chapter Boost System! This system lets you accelerate a novel’s releases by one, five, or even ten chapters.

Join the Discord to learn more about how it works and take part in this new feature!

 

If you’re able to provide me with the Raws of the Novels I need, you'll be the first person to receive my translation of them. You’ll also gain instant access to up to 30 advanced chapters for the novel of your choice, OR you can also request a SuperBoost for that novel.

For more details, you can check out the Raw Provider new page. 

 

Here you go, and I wish you a good read. 

Are You My Boyfriend?

 

 

However, long after Liao Xian finished calling out, He Mingyu remained frozen by the roadside.

 

Growing more anxious, Liao Xian pushed open the other half of the window, shouting, "Son? Why are you just standing there holding the baby? Do you want me to come down and get him? Don't move, I'll come down."

 

Just as Liao Xian was about to leave the balcony, He Mingyu seemed to snap out of his daze. As if burned, he hurriedly pulled up Jiji's tiny pants and covered his little bottom with the blanket.

 

Then, He Mingyu took a deep breath and turned Jiji around to face him.

 

That little face, so familiar, a mix of both his own features and Tan Qing's. The long eyelashes, still trembling with crystal-clear tears, seemed like they were about to fall at any moment.

 

—This was his son.

 

He Mingyu realized his hands were shaking.

 

He reached out again and touched Jiji's bottom, once more confirming whether that... thing was really growing from the child's body.

 

The reality was devastating.

 

The moment he gingerly tugged at it, the half-asleep baby woke up, sniffled pitifully, and began to shed tears again.

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

At that moment, Liao Xian opened the gate to the courtyard of the small two-story house, rushing over. "Why are you still standing here? Didn't you say the baby's mom was in a car accident? Hand the baby to me and hurry over."

 

He Mingyu quickly turned around, adjusting Jiji so that his back was to him, with his little bottom facing inwards and his soft, adorable face towards Liao Xian. "It's fine, I'll just take him with me."

 

Liao Xian was visibly displeased with his decision. "How can that be? The baby is so young, and the place is far. If anything happens, how are you going to explain it to his mom?"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Before he could even argue, Liao Xian frowned and added, "And didn't I tell you before not to carry a baby like that? It's bad for his spine! Do you think you're holding a rifle? The baby's already crying!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He really did have his reasons.

 

In all his life, He Mingyu had never been this flustered like this.

 

In a panic, he quickly opened the car door, swiftly placed the tearful Jiji back into his car seat, and then got into the driver's seat himself.

 

Before driving off, he waved at Liao Xian. "Sorry, Mom, I'll explain when I get back. I've got to go."

 

Liao Xian: "???"

 

She stood there, watching helplessly as the grandson she had been eagerly awaiting was once again whisked away by her son. She was so upset she nearly had a heart attack and had to take several laps around the small garden to calm down.

 

When He Qi came home from work, Liao Xian angrily complained about their son's behavior before heading upstairs to pack some clothes she had prepared for her grandson.

 

Meanwhile, not long after leaving the neighborhood, He Mingyu pulled the car over to the side of the road.

 

Sitting in the driver's seat for a moment, he turned to look at Jiji in the car seat behind him.

 

Having just cried, the tiny, fragile little baby had curled himself into a small ball, hiccupping softly in the aftermath of his tears.

 

Sensing He Mingyu's gaze, Jiji hiccuped again, his little nose twitching as he called out in a hoarse voice, "Papa..."

 

Since taking on the responsibility of raising Jiji, He Mingyu had never seen him cry so pitifully in front of him.

 

He looked like a little abandoned creature, lost and scared, trying his hardest to take up as little space as possible, as if afraid of being discarded.

 

His normally bright and lively eyes were now swollen and red like a rabbit's. Each tiny sob made his small body tremble, making him look even more heart-wrenching.

 

With a sigh, He Mingyu got out of the car, went to the back seat, and picked Jiji up.

 

Father and son returned to the front seat together.

 

After closing the car door, He Mingyu unwrapped the small blanket from around Jiji, pausing for a moment before pulling down his tiny pants as well.

 

With his little bottom now bare, Jiji obediently lay in He Mingyu's arms, softly hiccuping and holding onto the corner of He Mingyu's suit jacket with cautious fingers.

 

And there, right between his tiny bottom cheeks, at the base of his spine...

 

A soft, delicate little tail shyly wiggled.

 

The newly exposed tail, much like its little owner, seemed timid and unsure, swaying weakly behind his butt.

 

Then, cautiously, the little tail nudged against He Mingyu's hand.

 

For a moment, He Mingyu forgot to breathe.

 

His actions were slow and deliberate, as though he were preparing for something monumental.

 

Carefully, he touched the spot where the little tail met Jiji's spine.

 

No buttons, no zippers.

 

No strange attachments...

 

The soft, pale tail seemed to sense He Mingyu's lack of affection, and the tip, which had been resting in his palm, drooped and pulled away dejectedly.

 

Following the movement, He Mingyu's gaze trailed down to the very tip of the little tail , and he saw a small tuft of white fur at the tip, just barely tugged loose by his earlier touch.

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

At that moment, the little one, who had been lying in He Mingyu's arms for quite some time, seemed to finally realize that his little tail was exposed.

 

He froze, his tiny body stiffening slightly, and it was unclear if he remembered his earlier promises to Tan Qing.

 

Instead, Jiji simply brought his soft, white tail forward, wrapping both small hands around the tip. His teary eyes glanced several times at the now-bald spot on his tail before he, in a heartbroken manner, popped the tip into his mouth and gave it a gentle suck.

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

The parenting class instructor, with years of experience, had repeatedly warned the parents never to let children chew on furry things. Stray fibers could easily enter a child's mouth and cause numerous adverse effects.

 

Yet, He Mingyu silently watched Jiji suck on his own tail for a long while and made no move to take it out of his mouth.

 

Human children certainly shouldn't be chewing on fur.

 

But what about... little demons?

 

And what about a demon's... mother?

 

For the first time, He Mingyu realized that when it came to parenting and family education, he might first need to take some lessons from a zookeeper.

 

But there wasn't enough time right now. He'd have to schedule that for later.

 

Sighing, He Mingyu held Jiji, who was still sucking his tail, and took out his phone to call Lin Yu. "Book me the next available high-speed train tickets."

 

Lin Yu was surprised. "Boss, weren't you planning to fly there?"

 

There was a faint, almost undetectable trace of despair in He Mingyu's voice. "I'm taking the child with me. He's too young; let's switch to the train."

 

Lin Yu nodded. "Understood, Boss. I'll send the high-speed train schedule to you right away. Do you need me to come pick you up?"

 

After a brief pause, He Mingyu replied, "No need, I'll drive myself."

 

Soon, Lin Yu sent over two tickets.

 

The city where Tan Qing was located wasn't too far from J City. Even by train, it would only take about four hours to reach.

 

He Mingyu sat down in a business class seat, holding the now-sleeping Jiji in his arms. As he looked at the tiny figure resting against him, he suddenly felt a strange sense of embarking on a journey to reunite with family across a great distance.

 

The train started moving.

 

Lin Yu called again. "Boss, I just remembered the hospital might require Tan Qing's identification. Should I deliver it now?"

 

He Mingyu tucked the small blanket around Jiji, rubbing his temples tiredly. "No need, I brought it."

 

Lin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, Boss, you and the baby stay safe. I'll update you on company matters through email every day."

 

He Mingyu responded with a nonchalant "Mm," then, almost absentmindedly, added, "By the way, has the hospital contacted you about Tan Qing yet?"

 

Lin Yu hesitated. "Boss, no one knows about your relationship with Mr. Tan... so the hospital..."

 

He Mingyu: "Got it."

 

Lin Yu: "..."

 

Just as He Mingyu was about to hang up, on some strange impulse, he asked, "Lin Yu, do you believe in the existence of demons in this world?"

 

Lin Yu: "..."

 

Having worked under He Mingyu for nearly eight years, Lin Yu was momentarily stumped, unable to guess the meaning behind his boss's question.

 

Driven by a survival instinct and his attachment to his paycheck, Lin Yu ventured cautiously, "I... don't think so? Boss, don't you think... we should still uphold the belief in socialist atheism?"

 

He Mingyu: "Heh."

 

His boss coldly and mercilessly hung up the phone.

 

Only the cold beeping of the disconnected line echoed in Lin Yu's ears, as his attempt to flatter had gone completely awry.

 

After the train arrived, He Mingyu and Jiji were picked up by the branch office's general manager and driven to the hospital.

 

Luckily, before they got out of the car, He Mingyu checked Jiji's tiny bare bottom once more.

 

With Jiji's emotions settled, the soft, delicate tail had quietly retreated back into his body.

 

However, that luck didn't last long. As He Mingyu approached the inpatient building with Jiji, they were met with a scene of chaos—entertainment reporters and fans had nearly blocked the entire entrance.

 

Even from a distance, many reporters spotted He Mingyu and the little one in his arms. A large portion immediately abandoned their wait for a response from the hospital and rushed toward He Mingyu.

 

"Excuse me, sir, may I ask why you've come all the way from J City to Hengcheng?"

 

"Is this visit related to Mr. Tan Qing?"

 

"Excuse me—"

 

Quickly, before the reporters could surround them, He Mingyu skillfully wrapped Jiji in his arms. With the help of a few security guards, they managed to squeeze through the crowd and reach the floor where Tan Qing and Ji Yanxiu were staying.

 

Compared to the chaos outside, this area was much more peaceful.

 

No reporters were present, only a few fans who had been given special permission to enter.

 

Lina, Ji Yanxiu's agent, was in the hallway speaking with a few of those fans. When she saw He Mingyu, she was visibly surprised. "Mr. He, what brings you here?"

 

He Mingyu cut straight to the point. "Where's Tan Qing?"

 

The question held a certain weight.

 

Lina's expression shifted slightly before she pointed to one of the hospital rooms. Apologetically, she said, "I'm so sorry, Mr. He. The person responsible for the accident was one of Ji Yanxiu's stalker fans. The police are already dealing with it."

 

The door to the pale pink hospital room was closed.

 

He Mingyu asked coolly, "Can I go in now?"

 

Lina nodded. "Don't worry, even though the crash was severe, both of them were only unconscious when they were brought in. The doctor just checked on them, and apart from a fracture for Ji Yanxiu, they both only sustained minor injuries."

 

He Mingyu frowned. "They haven't woken up?"

 

Lina replied, "They were probably still under the effects of the sedatives when I went in earlier. They were both still asleep."

 

Without further words, He Mingyu brushed past Lina and headed directly toward the hospital room.

 

As he pushed open the door, the spacious presidential suite inside was quiet.

 

A doctor, accompanied by a few nurses, had just finished taking notes and was about to leave when they came face-to-face with He Mingyu.

 

Closing the medical record, the doctor looked up and said sternly, "Sir, the patients are still resting. Please don't disturb them."

 

He Mingyu glanced inside. "The person in the bed by the window is my partner."

 

The doctor hesitated, looking momentarily unsure.

 

Before he could respond, one of the nurses behind him blurted out, "Wait, really? I thought those two were a couple!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Another nurse quickly chimed in, "Right? Tan Qing even protected Ji Yanxiu with his body! Oh my gosh, they're so sweet! But remember, we promised not to talk about it!"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

His face darkened. "What did you just say?"

 

The lead doctor turned and gave the nurses a stern look before answering He Mingyu. "Both of these patients are public figures. They signed confidentiality agreements when they were admitted."

 

After a pause, the doctor added, "When the police came earlier, I overheard part of the conversation. During the crash, Mr. Ji apparently turned the steering wheel to take the brunt of the impact himself, and Mr. Tan seems to have noticed and shielded him as well."

 

Finally, the doctor asked, "Do you have any proof of your relationship with Mr. Tan?"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

Just as the conversation reached an impasse, a voice came from one of the hospital beds.

 

Ji Yanxiu, likely still feeling the pain from his fracture, spoke weakly, "It's alright. Let Mingyu come in."

 

Since the patient had given permission, the doctor had no reason to stop him and quickly left with the nurses.

 

He Mingyu walked over to the bed with a stern expression, glancing down at Ji Yanxiu. His voice was cold, like shards of ice. "Are you alright?"

 

Ji Yanxiu gestured to his arm.

 

He Mingyu's expression grew even darker. "What happened?"

 

Ji Yanxiu shook his head. "Don't overthink it. I'm not like you and your privileged crowd. No one's trying to assassinate me. It was just a stalker fan and some scalpers chasing our car—an accident."

 

He Mingyu asked, "Where's Tan Qing?"

 

Ji Yanxiu glanced at the other bed. "I was going to take him out for dinner, but then... Tan Qing, are you awake?"

 

The timing of their sedation had been about the same, so they woke up around the same time.

 

Tan Qing, apart from some ointment applied to his scrapes, looked much livelier than Ji Yanxiu. He bounced up from the bed and looked around, finally locking eyes on Ji Yanxiu. "Huh, why are we here?"

 

Ji Yanxiu gave him a gentle smile. "There was a car accident. I'm so sorry for dragging you into it."

 

Tan Qing let out a long "Oh," crossed his legs, and seriously examined Ji Yanxiu. "Is that so? By the way, what's your name?"

 

With that question, both Ji Yanxiu and He Mingyu froze.

 

He Mingyu hurried over to Tan Qing's bed. "You don't remember him? What about me?"

 

Tan Qing's big, bright eyes, still as beautiful and lively as ever, blinked at He Mingyu for a moment before he concluded, "You look so polished and fancy, clearly not someone who was in the car crash with me. Alright then, who are you?"

 

He Mingyu: "..."

 

He Mingyu was clearly starting to panic. "You don't recognize me?"

 

But Tan Qing had already lost interest in him, turning his curious gaze back to Ji Yanxiu. "So, did we get into a car crash while we were out having fun? Are you my boyfriend?"

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter
⥼ Bonus Discord Chapter ⤴

 

❧ Join Bella Novels' Newsletter by clicking here ↫ and
receive an email for each New Update -͙✧˖*°࿐