Chapter 188

Chapter 188

"What dowry?" Yue Lanshan's sycophantic smile stiffened. "Yu Shang now bears the Yu surname—he’s part of the Yu family. When he grows up and marries, the Yus will take care of everything."

Tian Ruan waved his hand, signaling Lu Qiuyan and Yu Shang to sit back down. "This is a major life event. We need to sort this out properly."

Yu Shang frowned. "Marriage is too far away..."

"Too soon? In two years, you’ll reach the legal marriage age. Even if you don’t marry then, you can at least get engaged or register. The dowry would be at least a hundred million yuan—can you pull that kind of money together at once?" Tian Ruan glanced at Lu Qiuyan.

Lu Qiuyan: "...Why are you looking at me?"

In Tian Ruan’s mind, Lu Qiuyan was the only one he’d accept as his son’s partner. Channeling his inner patriarch, he declared, "The Yus are a prestigious family. Though we don’t care about that five million yuan, we still follow traditions. Since Mr. Yue has come claiming ties to Yu Shang, he should show some sincerity."

As a pseudo-intellectual, Yue Lanshan wasn’t easily swayed by Tian Ruan’s words. "Mr. Yu, you must be mistaken. That five million yuan was to sever my ties with Yu Shang and give you custody of Nuo Nuo. After this, we’ll have no further connection. The dowry shouldn’t fall on me."

Tian Ruan shot him a cold glare. Having spent so much time around Yu Jingmo, he had absorbed a fraction of his aura—enough to make his gaze feel like he was squashing a bug.

Yue Lanshan shivered, his bravado crumbling. "Am I... wrong?"

Tian Ruan: "Not exactly."

"Then—"

"At the very least, you’ve made it clear that you’re just as heartless toward your son as you are toward your daughter. You remain as irresponsible as ever. That puts my mind at ease."

"What?"

Tian Ruan rose gracefully. "I won’t adopt your daughter. Give up on that idea."

Yue Lanshan froze, then slammed the table and stood. "Why? Don’t you adore her? Feel sorry for her?"

Tian Ruan: "I’ve read more novels than the pretentious poetry you’ve written. Save your moral blackmail tactics. Exploiting others’ sympathy is why you’ve achieved nothing in life."

"..."

The most painful blow to a middle-aged literary man was having his works ignored—chasing ‘freedom’ his whole life, only to remain utterly mediocre.

Yue Lanshan’s raised hand trembled, his lips quivering. "You—you—"

Tian Ruan gave himself a mental high-five. "Well done."

Lu Qiuyan snorted. "Damn right."

Tian Ruan sauntered out of the café, smug as a cat. "Let’s go, son."

Yue Lanshan chased after them, rambling pleas, trying to change their minds. Tian Ruan simply waved a hand, and bodyguards rushed forward to restrain Yue Lanshan. The trio then boarded a limousine and drove off.

Inside the car, Yu Shang’s brow remained furrowed.

Tian Ruan said, "Yu Shang, you’ve seen Yue Lanshan’s true colors. Let us handle the rest."

Yu Shang replied flatly, "You’re turning into my dad."

Tian Ruan blinked. "What does your dad smell like? Peppermint and orange?"

"..."

Lu Qiuyan lazily crossed his arms. "Not his actual smell. It’s an aura."

Tian Ruan murmured shyly, "Oh."

Speak of the devil—Yu Jingmo called.

Tian Ruan answered the phone as if he could smell Yu Jingmo's scent. They say when you miss someone or something, the first thing one recalls is the scent.

"I'm at the airport. If you need anything, we can stop to buy it on the way. We’ve got about half an hour to kill," Yu Jingmo said succinctly.

Tian Ruan: "You’re heading back to Su City already?"

"Yes. My flight’s already booked."

"Lemme check if I need anything. We'll be there soon."

After hanging up, Tian Ruan asked the two in the back if they needed anything. Lu Qiuyan said, "No."

Yu Shang: "No."

Tian Ruan: "I want to buy some local specialties."

Coincidentally, there was a local specialty shop by the roadside. Tian Ruan went in and bought fermented bean paste, hotpot base, Qingcheng Mountain smoked ham, Qingcheng tea, and Shu embroidery (a Sichuan style) handkerchiefs.

Yu Shang claimed he wouldn’t buy anything but ended up ordering over a dozen bamboo-woven porcelain vases.

Lu Qiuyan bought some cured meat and had it mailed home as well.

The shop provided mailing services, so there was no need to worry about buying too much. The three left loaded with goods—guess shopping really does lift your spirits, as even Yu Shang seemed in a much better mood.

Tian Ruan kept the handkerchief close and gave it to Yu Jingmo upon arriving at the airport, saying, "These lovebirds in the water on this are just like you and me."

Yu Jingmo folded the handkerchief neatly and placed it carefully in the breast pocket of his suit. "Mm."

Too much for them to watch, Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan simultaneously averted their gazes.

Along with Assistant Xu and the bodyguards, they flew back to Su City.

They arrived a little past 1 p.m., and the butler called—lunch was ready.

Tian Ruan: "...Could’ve told me sooner. I already ate on the plane."

"I'll take Lu Qiuyan home," Yu Shang suddenly said.

Lu Qiuyan quickly declined, "No need, I’ll take a taxi. First-class tickets were already too much."

Seeing Lu Qiuyan’s insistence, Yu Shang didn’t press further, watching him get into a taxi before boarding his own car back to the estate.

Father and sons shared the ride in the same limousine used for Tian Ruan’s wedding—spacious and comfortable, even had a mini fridge. Tian Ruan opened it, took out a bottle of chilled mineral water, and only got two sips in before it got taken.

Yu Jingmo said, "Ice water is bad for your stomach. Cut back on it."

Tian Ruan: "It’s hot."

"Drink it at room temperature," he added.

Tian Ruan made a mental note that he’d eat two ice creams as soon as he got back.

The car was filled with the scent of woody essential oils, and the driver held the steering wheel steadily, keeping the ride smooth as silk. Yu Jingmo tapped out a few texts on his phone and mentioned casually, "This lawsuit isn’t difficult. We’ve got this in the bag."

Yu Shang looked down. "Mm."

On the plane, after hearing the details of the matter, Yu Jingmo made a swift decision—to sue for custody of Yue Nuonuo.

This way, they wouldn’t have to throw away five million for no reason, and it would be a permanent solution.

Yu Shang didn’t voice his opinion, only saying, "I’ll go along with Dad’s plan."

Tian Ruan, who wasn’t well-versed in legal matters, asked, "Yue Lanshan is Yue Nuonuo’s biological father. Can we really take custody away from him?"

Yu Jingmo, who had some knowledge of the law, replied, "It’s true that Yue Lanshan is Yue Nuonuo’s father, but biologically speaking, Yu Shang is Yue Nuonuo’s older brother and also has a legal claim to custody. As long as we present evidence that Yue Lanshan has been unemployed all these years and can’t support her, Yue Nuonuo’s custody will naturally fall to Yu Shang."

"But Yu Shang is just a student."

"He’s over eighteen and has plenty of assets under his name. He’s more than capable of raising a little girl."

Tian Ruan felt reassured. "Then let’s go to court."

At most, it would cost a hundred thousand or so to secure Yue Nuonuo’s custody, keeping her away from her useless, deadbeat dad while ensuring she gets proper medical treatment. It’d be money well spent—at least it wouldn’t go to Yue Lanshan.

However, after obtaining Yue Nuonuo’s custody, the Yu family really didn’t have the time to take care of her—at least Yu Jingmo, Yu Shang, and Tian Ruan wouldn’t.

Leaving her with a nanny wasn’t a great option either.

When Tian Ruan raised this concern, Yu Jingmo thought for a moment and said, "We could place her under Third Uncle and Third Aunt’s care. They’ve been wanting another kid but haven’t been able to conceive."

Tian Ruan asked, "Will Yu Ti agree to that?"

"We’ll check with them first."

For such an important matter, it was only right to discuss it in person.

When they returned to the estate, Yu Ti came rushing out. "Uncle! Uncle’s hubby~ Brother! Sister-in-law~ Where’s Sister-in-law?"

Yu Shang deadpanned, "If you want a sister-in-law, go bug Yu Jun for one."

Tian Ruan blinked. "Yu Jun? He has a girlfriend?"

"He’s always got a new fling. Changes about every three days."

"..."

Yu Ti made a face. "I’m not playing with him. I only have one brother, and that’s you."

Tian Ruan had no time to dwell on a background character like Yu Jun. He pulled out a handkerchief embroidered with tomatoes from his pocket and handed it to Yu Ti. "A gift for you. Wishing you ‘tomato luck’—may everything go your way."

Yu Ti happily accepted the handkerchief. "Thank you, Uncle’s hubby! You’re the best, remembering to bring me a gift."

The butler and servants bowed together. "Welcome home, Sir, Madam, and Young Master!"

Tian Ruan waved his hand like a VIP making rounds. "Is everyone doing well?"

The butler smiled. "Everything’s good."

"That’s good."

"Though Mr. Du did stop by once asking for Madam. Not sure what it was about, but he left when he found out you weren’t here."

"My eldest brother?" Tian Ruan checked his phone. "He never called."

"Probably wasn’t a big deal."

That must be the only explanation. Tian Ruan decided to call Du Henbie back later.

After nearly ten days without breathing the fresh air of the estate or seeing the familiar faces of the servants, Tian Ruan felt deeply at home and greeted them, "Liu Ma, Auntie Zhang, I sent your gifts by mail. They’ll arrive in a couple of days."

Liu Ma, still wearing an apron, clearly having been busy all day, smiled and said, "I’m just happy to see you back, Ma’am. No need for gifts."

Tian Ruan had come to understand them a little—offering small perks from time to time kept them motivated. Just like how Yu Jingmo would send him gifts every month, and on those nights, they’d be especially passionate.

It just showed that human nature craves gifts.

"Sir, Ma’am, shall we serve dinner now?" another servant asked.

Yu Jingmo took off his coat and handed it to a servant, then said to Tian Ruan, "Wash your hands first."

Tian Ruan’s hands were meticulously scrubbed by Yu Jingmo, rich foam slipping between his fingers, rinsed thoroughly three times before being dried. Yu Jingmo lowered his head and kissed Tian Ruan’s slender, fair fingers, saying, "Tonight, these hands are mine."

Tian Ruan glanced at the "dragon’s lair," his cheeks turning pink as he nodded. "My hands are yours, and so is my mouth."

"And the flower is mine too."

Tian Ruan shuddered at those words, and he quickly shook off Yu Jingmo’s hand and dashed out of the bathroom—how indecent! They hadn’t held back much outside, but now that they were home, the flirting had begun.

Truly, a man in his thirties was like a flower in full bloom, full of vigor, always up for it.

Yet when Yu Jingmo stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants, looking fresh and composed, his imposing aura gave no hint of how he had just teased his husband into blushing furiously.

Tian Ruan took a moment to cool his face before glancing at Yu Jingmo, his amber eyes shimmering with playful reproach.

Yu Jingmo took his hand and said solemnly, "Darling, let’s dine."

The servants witnessed this scene of domestic bliss.

At least in front of Yu Ti, Tian Ruan had to maintain his authority as an uncle. Sitting properly at the dining table to Yu Jingmo’s left, he said, "Yu Ti, it’s been a while since you’ve had Liu Ma’s cooking, right? Go ahead, dig in today."

Though really, Tian Ruan was the one eager to indulge—though he couldn’t eat much.

Yu Ti: "I already had Liu Ma’s durian pastry and yam-blueberry cake when I arrived earlier."

"Durian pastry? Yam-blueberry cake? How come I’ve never had those?"

Liu Ma: "...Ma’am, those are new snacks I made today. Miss Yu Ti just tried them. I set some aside for you."

Tian Ruan nodded, then suddenly asked, "Yu Ti, do you eat durian?"

Yu Ti, puzzled, replied, "Of course. Durian is amazing."

"Exactly." Tian Ruan shot a glance at the father and son who refused to eat durian. "It’s delicious, but some call it stinky."

"If durian were poop, how are we any better than dogs?"

"...Let’s not talk about this. Let’s eat. Liu Ma’s sweet and sour ribs are to die for—have more."

Yu Ti nodded.

The late lunch was lively. After the meal, the four of them retired to the small tea room.

Tian Ruan drank hawthorn tea—he had eaten a bit too much and needed something to aid digestion. Or, more accurately, hawthorn water.

Yu Jingmo gracefully prepared tea for himself and offered a cup to Yu Shang before leisurely asking, "Yu Ti, would you like a baby sister?"

Yu Ti was drinking the same hawthorn water as Tian Ruan, which still didn’t taste great even with a lot of honey added. At the question, she paused mid-sip, her eyes widening in shock: "Uncle, are you saying my dad cheated like Uncle Fa-da and had a daughter?"

"...No."

"That’s ridiculous!" Yu Ti slammed her cup down heavily. "I'm telling Mom!"

Tian Ruan quickly stopped her: "Not your dad."

Yu Ti grew even more panicked: "Then it's Mom? She secretly had a daughter with someone else?"

"Not your mom either."

"Then who?" Yu Ti was utterly confused. "Other than my parents, no one in my family can have a sister."

Yu Shang pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Not born—it’s an adoption."

"Adopted?" Yu Ti processed this for a moment. "Oh, adopted. You scared me! Okay, no big deal."

"So, do you want one?"

"Of course! Preferably a sister who looks like a doll I can dress up." Yu Ti immediately began fantasizing. "I'll get her tons of cute outfits, and when she grows up, I'll teach her how to do makeup."

Tian Ruan, recalling his bad memories from the opera troupe, said, "Maybe hold off on the makeup."

Yu Ti's phoenix eyes widened: "I’m not the best at makeup, but I’ll get better!"

Yu Jingmo cut in decisively: "Since you want a sister so badly, we’ll give you one. Not only does she look like a doll, but she’s also frail, so you’ll need to take extra care of her."

Yu Ti: "A sister dropped into my lap! I’ll take good care of her!"

Tian Ruan: "The surname Lin is nice. How about Lin Qiang for your sister? 'Qiang' as in rose, sounds like 'strong,' so she grows up healthy and robust."

Yu Ti mulled over the name. "Lin Qiang sounds lovely. I’m getting a sister... When can I meet her?"

"Could take up to six months, maybe just two," Yu Jingmo estimated.

"I want to see her right now! I’ll spend summer vacation playing with her!"

Then Yu Ti went home and threw a fit, insisting on meeting her sister as soon as possible, even pestering Elder Yu about it. Originally, Elder Yu had reservations about Shen Wanyue and Yu Xinglong adopting a daughter—after all, the Yu family was vast, and one more person meant another slice of the pie.

But upon learning that she was Yu Shang’s half-sister and suffered from hemophilia, Elder Yu softened. He called, promising to pull strings, given his extensive government connections.

Next, now they just needed the court to summon Yue Lanshan.

Tian Ruan didn’t have much to worry about. He called Du Henbie and asked, "Big brother, I was at summer camp the other day—did you come looking for me?"

Du Henbie replied calmly, "Yes. He Lanshi took off again."

"...How much did he take this time?"

"Four billion yuan."

"..."

The brothers went quiet.

After a moment, Tian Ruan asked, "Big brother, where are you now?"

"Suzhou."

"Why not go find him?"

"Why should I go find him?" Du Henbie sneered. "So he can come back and scam me out of another eight billion?"

Tian Ruan took a deep breath. "But forty billion—you can’t just let that slide, can you?"

Du Henbie: "Consider it a breakup settlement."

"...Bro, if we cut ties, will you give me forty billion?"

"Dream on."

Tian Ruan rolled his eyes, then remembered the other couldn’t see it and sighed helplessly. "Bro, you should still go find He Lansi. If you don’t, he’ll really be gone for good."

Du Henbie stayed silent.

Tian Ruan couldn’t understand. "Why did he run? Did something happen between you two?"

Last time, He Lansi ran because his family was gone—it could be seen as self-abandonment. But this time? He couldn’t have just suddenly lost it, could he?

After a moment of silence, Du Henbie said, "A few days ago, my triple-ex came to borrow money from me. I lent it to him."

Tian Ruan: "…………So it was you who lost your mind. Your triple-ex came to borrow money, and you actually gave it?"

"It was just like a hundred grand. His family’s business was failing, and he hoped I’d help. I only lent it out of old times' sake."

"He Lansi found out?"

"...He saw my phone. Right when my triple-ex sent some flirty texts. Then he ran off, taking forty billion with him." Du Henbie said, "There’s no way He Lansi would get angry over something like this. He planned this whole thing."

Tian Ruan also thought He Lansi wouldn’t get jealous over some random nobody. Most likely, this disappearing act was just another one of his drama queen moments. "You two are two peas in a pod—both certifiable."

Du Henbie: "Instead of mocking me, why don’t you think about where He Lansi might’ve gone?"

"France, probably," Tian Ruan guessed. "If he wanted you to find him, he’d go to France."

If he didn’t want to be found, then it was really over.

After calming down these past few days, Du Henbie had vaguely guessed He Lansi’s thoughts, but this wasn’t something to discuss with outsiders. He said, "Got it."

Tian Ruan didn’t want his OTP to break up, so he quickly added, "Bro, you have to go find him. There’s no one in this world more suited to you than He Lansi."

Du Henbie hung up.

Still worried, Tian Ruan told Yu Jingmo about it.

Yu Jingmo’s work ethic was insane—he still went to the company that afternoon for a meeting and returned by evening to read the newspaper. Unfazed, he said, "He Lansi has always been like this. Others have to adapt to him, not the other way around."

Tian Ruan: "Guess the hotter they are, the crazier they act. Hot people are high-maintenance—it’s normal."

Yu Jingmo set down the newspaper and narrowed his phoenix eyes. "Beautiful?"

"Yeah, isn’t He Lansi beautiful?"

"Not within my type."

"...Aesthetics should be diverse, Mr. Yu. You’re such a dinosaur."

Yu Jingmo’s phoenix eyes turned cold, his silhouette glowing in the sunset as he curved his thin lips. "Go upstairs, take a bath, and be in bed when I get there."

Tian Ruan said, "I haven't eaten yet."

"I'll feed you."

"..."

Tian Ruan was fed all kinds of nutritious meals.

There was so much food that his hands couldn’t hold it steady, his mouth was stuffed full, and even his delicate parts were mercilessly toyed with.

Yu Jingmo held him by the knees and asked, "How’s the power of this old relic?"

Tian Ruan couldn’t answer. He felt like he had turned to liquid, unable to move on his own—only when Yu Jingmo shook him could the sound of water ripple.

The gentle, trickling water echoed through the valley.

A dragon played in the valley, sometimes coiling around, sometimes nuzzling gently, sometimes charging fiercely.

Until the valley shook, waves splashed, as if trying to bury the dragon beneath the water.

Tian Ruan refused to beg for mercy, so he was flipped and folded repeatedly.

The power of an old relic was truly terrifying.

Only when Tian Ruan could barely stand did he remember how to write the word "regret." His legs trembled so badly he couldn’t even descend the stairs.

He had no choice but to slip down via elevator.

That’s right—the manor had elevators between floors, though they weren’t often used.

The lowest floor of the elevator wasn’t the first floor but the wine cellar. Tian Ruan had gone to take a look before, but finding it stuffy with no windows and only ventilation holes, he hurried back upstairs.

"Madam, why are you taking the elevator?" The butler, on his way to retrieve wine, quickly stepped back when he saw Tian Ruan emerge as the doors opened.

Tian Ruan walked out slowly, playing it cool. "I just felt like being lazy for once."

The butler smiled. "Madam, go have breakfast."

Tian Ruan went to eat. After days without shengjian bao, he almost cried at the first bite. "Nothing beats home cooking."

The housekeeper Liu Ma said sympathetically, "Madam, you’ve gotten a tan from your summer camp."

Tian Ruan was shocked. "Really??"

He hadn’t noticed any change in his complexion when he looked in the mirror last night, but others wouldn’t lie.

Liu Ma: "Actually, just a little bit. It doesn’t affect Madam’s beauty at all."

Tian Ruan didn’t believe her and immediately ran to check the mirror, gaping at his newly golden skin. "No—!"

There’s a kind of tan that creeps up on you, only becoming noticeable after a few days in the sun, waking up one morning to realize you’ve darkened.

Tian Ruan couldn’t accept it. He had applied sunscreen every day—return my fair, milky complexion!

In the evening, when Yu Jingmo returned from work, he scanned the room. "Where’s Madam?"

The butler replied, "Apologies, Madam found out he got a tan and is avoiding all human contact."

In truth, Tian Ruan wasn’t just hiding—he had also pulled every curtain shut in the guest room. He was convinced that avoiding sunlight would bring back his pale glow.

Two knocks came at the door.

Tian Ruan poked his head out from under the covers, "Who is it?"

Yu Jingmo: "It's me."

Tian Ruan got out of bed and unlocked the door. In the darkness, only his eyes gleamed brightly, "You're back, Mr. Yu."

Yu Jingmo reached out to turn on the light.

Tian Ruan hurriedly stopped him, "Don't!"

Yu Jingmo said, "Let me see if you've lightened up some."

That's when Tian Ruan agreed to turn on the light.

Having stayed in the dark for so long, the sudden light made Tian Ruan squeeze his eyes shut from the glare. After a moment, his face was cupped by a large hand. He didn’t dare open his eyes, "Have I gotten fairer?"

Yu Jingmo rubbed his thumb over the young man’s soft lips and said, "A little bit."

"Really?"

Yu Jingmo kissed him and said, "You know, in America, rich people love getting tanned."

Tian Ruan: "But I’m not American. I don't look good with a tan."

"Who said that? You've got this exotic look going on. I bought you clothes in the Dunhuang style. Try them on and give me a dance. I've still got seven rounds in me tonight."

"..."