Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Shen Tingzhou used his fingerprint to unlock the villa of Employer No. 3. The pregnant man, three months along, was reaching for something on a shelf using a mobile book ladder.

Shen Tingzhou's heart nearly stopped in fright. He didn't dare to make a sound, fearing he might scare the pregnant man and cause him to fall from the ladder.

Su Yu turned his head at the sound of footsteps, his smiling eyes bending. "Doctor Shen."

Shen Tingzhou walked over to steady the book ladder. "What do you need? I can help you."

Su Yu wore a light blue hoodie, with only a slight curve to his abdomen, barely noticeable if one wasn't looking closely.

He touched his belly. "Sure, then I'll trouble Doctor Shen."

Worried about Su Yu's safety, Shen Tingzhou naturally extended a hand to support him as he descended the ladder.

Once Su Yu's feet safely touched the ground, Shen Tingzhou withdrew his hand and asked, "What were you looking for?"

Su Yu said, "A green handheld suitcase, it belongs to Mingyan. I remember putting it on the top shelf."

Shen Tingzhou climbed the book ladder and searched through the cabinet. "There's no suitcase here."

Su Yu exclaimed, "Not there? Then it must not be inside."

Shen Tingzhou searched again, confirming its absence before descending the ladder. His elbow accidentally knocked something, causing it to clang to the floor.

Startled, Shen Tingzhou hurried down.

The object rolled some distance after hitting the ground.

Chasing after it, Shen Tingzhou bent to pick it up when a slender hand beat him to it.

Looking up, he met a pair of almond-shaped eyes.

Yu Mingyan straightened, a smile playing on his lips. "This... I'll handle it."

"Indeed, Doctor Shen," Su Yu approached, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "You shouldn't touch this."

Shen Tingzhou suspected he had seen wrong.

Su Yu quickly returned to his usual demeanor, his eyes curved in a carefree innocence. "Doctor Shen, I bought lots of baby items. See if I got them right."

He ran off to fetch things from the nursery.

Yu Mingyan smiled at Su Yu's back, then turned and opened a nearby drawer.

In a quick glance, Shen Tingzhou saw the drawer filled with... handcuffs.

Shen Tingzhou: !!!

Yu Mingyan casually tossed the item into the drawer and closed it.

Shen Tingzhou hadn't seen clearly what had fallen, only catching a vague outline—a yellow, rubber-like object, about the size of a palm, with a small tail.

Since both of them told him not to touch it, what could it be?

Could it be...

Su Yu emerged dragging a large bag. "Doctor Shen, look."

Shen Tingzhou was shocked. "So much?"

Approaching, he found nothing suitable for newborns.

Su Yu boasted, "This is a temperature-sensitive feeding spoon; it changes color above 40°C. I also bought one for myself, a matching set."

Shen Tingzhou: "...Great."

Su Yu continued, "And this duck-billed cup, very cute. I bought a pink one for the baby and a blue one for myself."

Shen Tingzhou: "...Great."

Su Yu added, "I even bought a Lamborghini, a toy car for kids. When I tried it, I realized I could drive it too."

Shen Tingzhou couldn't help but laugh. "That's great."

Su Yu's purchases focused more on his own use than the baby's.

But that wasn't wrong; keeping a happy mood during pregnancy was what Su Yu needed now.

After a long chat, Su Yu suddenly changed the topic. "Doctor Shen, stay for lunch today."

Yu Mingyan, who had been silent, interjected, "Knowing you were coming, he had crabs bought early this morning. We're having crab stew and steamed crab buns for lunch."

Shen Tingzhou: !!!

An employer who lets you input your fingerprint into their password lock and knows your taste preferences—what more could you ask for?

Still, Shen Tingzhou reminded, "Pregnant men should eat fewer crabs."

Yu Mingyan said, "I prepared a black chicken soup just for him."

Without giving Shen Tingzhou a chance to refuse, they resumed talking about the green suitcase belonging to Yu Jurong.

Yu Mingyan: "I put it in the study."

Su Yu: "No wonder I couldn't find it in the cabinet. I troubled Doctor Shen to search for it."

Shen Tingzhou: "Not at all."

-

Shen Tingzhou staying for lunch was confirmed.

At noon, most of the dishes on the dining table were ones Shen Tingzhou loved.

If this were in ancient times, Shen Tingzhou would have called them both "Lord."

The only things that could win him over were fluffy animals and delicious food.

Shen Tingzhou: My worthless life.

While he was busy devouring the food on the table, Shen Tingzhou felt something was off and slightly lifted his eyelids.

Su Yu sat across from him, resting his chin on his interlocked hands, smiling at him warmly.

Shen Tingzhou stopped eating and looked at him questioningly. What's wrong?

Su Yu smiled and shook his head. "Nothing, just really happy that we're now a family of three."

Yu Mingyan ruffled Su Yu's hair, looking gentle with a soft smile, then looked up at Shen Tingzhou. "Yes, a family of three."

In wealthy families, there are often many unhappy couples.

Su Yu and Yu Mingyan were the happiest couple Shen Tingzhou had seen among the various wealthy families.

Their backgrounds matched, their appearances complemented each other, and their personalities fit perfectly.

When they said they were a family of three, it made Shen Tingzhou, a single man, feel the sweetness, but...

Could they please not say "family of three" in front of him? It felt a bit strange, as if he were part of the "family of three."

This thought gave Shen Tingzhou goosebumps.

After lunch, once the food had digested a bit, Shen Tingzhou taught Su Yu some simple exercises to help with future childbirth.

Su Yu pulled Yu Mingyan along to do them together.

Watching the intimate couple, Shen Tingzhou marveled at their relationship.

Once they both learned the exercises, Shen Tingzhou glanced at his wristwatch.

"It's getting late; I should go. Also, don't exercise too long; rest is important. Call me if anything comes up."

Su Yu showed reluctance. "Doctor Shen, you can come by anytime you want; sometimes I get pretty bored."

Yu Mingyan put his arm around Su Yu's shoulder, his eyes filled with a gentle smile, and joined Su Yu in inviting Shen Tingzhou.

"Yes, since you have our fingerprint access, you can come anytime." His words carried a special rhythm, "We welcome you wholeheartedly."

Shen Tingzhou was amazed by their hospitality but also felt a bit awkward.

But he still agreed verbally.

After leaving, Shen Tingzhou opened the car door and got in, looking through the window at the exquisite little villa surrounded by green vines and roses.

Suddenly, he wondered if it was appropriate to record his fingerprint at his employer's house.

However, Shen Tingzhou's attention was quickly drawn to the small cat hanging from the rearview mirror inside the car, and his eyes turned into stars.

A cat.

So cute.

Shen Tingzhou petted the cat for a while before driving away.

Back home, Shen Tingzhou lay on the sofa and scrolled through his social media feed as usual.

His cousin had posted "Immoral 2" a minute ago, paired with a drowning video.

Shen Tingzhou: Is there no end to this!

Oops, he accidentally clicked on it.

A minute later, Shen Tingzhou fell into another bout of melancholy because he had unintentionally watched the entire thing again.

He knew this stuff was addictive and brainwashing!

Fuming, Shen Tingzhou called his cousin. Who edited this video, turning the stepson and the stepmother into a tragic couple! Besides, the college entrance exam is coming up; what's the point of posting all these random videos?

Before he could unleash his lecture, Fu Yunyun answered the phone.

Fu Yunyun: "Brother, are you free this Friday? Can you come to my school for a parent-teacher meeting?"

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Shen Tingzhou: "Where are your parents?"

Fu Yunyun chuckled. "Wouldn't it be awkward to ask them? Besides, I've already told my classmates that I'll bring my handsome and rich cousin to give them a little shock. Everyone is eagerly waiting for you to show up with your handsome face."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Fu Yunyun pouted. "Please come, please come."

Shen Tingzhou rubbed his temples. "I can attend the meeting, but! No more posting nonsense on social media!"

Fu Yunyun was puzzled. "What nonsense?"

Shen Tingzhou coldly reminded her, "Immoral, stepmother."

Fu Yunyun: "Isn't it just exciting?"

Shen Tingzhou: ... That's invigorating.

Shen Tingzhou said righteously, "If it's not invigorating, don't send it!"

Joke’s on him if he could admit that.

Fu Yunyun responded readily, "Alright, I'll block you too."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

-

Shen Tingzhou's educational plan failed, and he still had to attend Fu Yunyun's parent-teacher meeting as a public service. He lay lifelessly on the sofa, feeling utterly hopeless.

The daylight outside had dimmed considerably, and the streetlights were beginning to glow, signaling dinner time once again.

Having enjoyed a good lunch, Shen Tingzhou didn’t want to settle for less at night. He planned to call Qin Si and go out for another hearty meal.

Shen Tingzhou sat up but fell back into the soft sofa halfway through.

He couldn’t get up, truly couldn’t muster the strength.

Forget it; he’d just order takeout.

Shen Tingzhou grabbed his phone and skillfully opened the food delivery app. Suddenly, a message popped up on the screen.

Steward: Doctor Shen, have you eaten dinner yet?

Shen Tingzhou immediately sat up straight and thoughtfully replied, Not yet. Has the weather been bad these past two days, making Mr. Xu’s leg uncomfortable?

Steward: There is a slight issue.

Steward: We made some millet and yam porridge, stir-fried bamboo shoots, and bok choy, along with bitter melon. Doctor Shen, come over for dinner.

Shen Tingzhou was silent for over thirty seconds.

He suspected the other party knew about his indulgent lunch and was deliberately offering something lighter for his digestion.

Dinner can be skipped, but money needs to be earned.

Shen Tingzhou quickly replied to the steward: Alright, I’ll be there soon.

Previously, He Yanting’s bodyguard came to his house saying He Yanting had a minor illness, and Shen Tingzhou believed it.

When he arrived, he almost became a witness to a crime scene.

This time, the fourth employer’s steward also mentioned a slight issue, and Shen Tingzhou believed it again.

Driving over and pushing open the employer’s bedroom door, he saw a black coffin.

Shen Tingzhou: !!!

Folks, who understands the feeling of cardiac arrest?

Author's note:

Attacker: That’s right, my entrance is always this explosive.

Xiao Shen: ...