Chapter 193

Chapter 193

"Nephew." Tian Ruan waved.

Hai Chao didn’t respond, his expression indifferent. Hai Mingyue stepped forward, eyeing Nan Huaiju suspiciously, and asked, "Is this a classmate?"

"Yeah." Hai Chao left it at that—his relationship with Nan Huaiju was none of their business.

Nan Huaiju observed Hai Mingyue’s still strikingly beautiful for her age, noting a few similarities in her brows and eyes to Hai Chao. Guessing she was his mother, he greeted, "Hello, Auntie."

Hai Mingyue nodded. Just then, Yu Fada approached, about to share some private words with Hai Chao, but Hai Chao brushed past him coldly.

"Hai Chao," Yu Fada followed, "Where have you been these days? You didn’t answer my calls."

Hai Chao glanced at Nan Huaiju.

Nan Huaiju’s cheeks flushed instantly, "..."

Tian Ruan’s gossip radar went off—Hai Chao had been missing for days? Definitely with Nan Huaiju, spanking him every night!

Had they... tasted forbidden fruit?

Seeing Hai Chao ignore him, Yu Fada continued his usual monologue, "Kids grow up and get their own ideas. I can’t control you anymore, Hai Chao. At your age, studies should come first. As long as you’ve got your priorities straight."

Hai Mingyue’s face darkened. "Hai Chao, why aren’t you answering your father?"

Only then did Hai Chao reply impatiently, "I was working. No time for calls."

"You spent your whole summer working? Didn’t we give you enough allowance? Why didn’t you tell us?"

Hai Chao had already walked up to Tian Ruan, pulling a slim box from his pocket. "Happy birthday."

Tian Ruan took it, opening it to find a limited edition Hero fountain pen. Beaming, he said, "Thanks, I’ll study hard." He blinked at Nan Huaiju.

Nan Huaiju also produced a Hero pen, saying, "Wishing you a perfect pair."

"...Thanks."

Yu Fada, undeterred, tried speaking to Hai Chao again when suddenly Yu Jun marched over. Quickly stepping between his two sons, Yu Fada said, "Yu Jun, today’s your uncle’s birthday. Don’t cause trouble."

Yu Jun pointed rudely at Hai Chao and Hai Mingyue. "That mistress and her bastard have no place in the Yu family!"

"This is your uncles’ home!"

"So what? I’ll still knock their heads in!" Yu Jun swung a fist at Hai Chao.

Hai Chao stood his ground.

Nan Huaiju, threw a punch without thinking—Yu Jun went flying with a yelp three or four meters back.

The room went dead silent.

Tian Ruan seemed to recall how Wang Weiqi had been sent flying by Nan Huaiju before. With such high fighting prowess, yet submitting to Hai Chao—clearly, Hai Chao’s strength was no joke.

Meaning, when Yu Jun had picked fights before, Hai Chao had been holding back. Otherwise, he could’ve crippled this moron.

"Xiao Jun!" Yu Jun’s mother, Madam Wu, rushed over.

Yu Jun, still stunned from his sudden flight, clutched his swollen face as he stood. Seeing Madam Wu’s sorrowful gaze, he saw red. Glaring at Hai Chao, he roared, "You fucking hit me?"

Hai Chao: "Which eye saw me hit you?"

"If it wasn't you, then who?"

Nan Huaiju looked at his fist: "First time I’ve hit someone without getting caught. Did I just unlock the Shadowless Dragon Fist?"

Yu Jun: "...It was you!"

Nan Huaiju nodded. "Yes, it was me. What’d you hit Hai Chao for? If you hit him, you’re crossing me."

"And who the hell do you think you are?"

"My surname is Nan."

"..."

In Su City, there was only one prominent Nan family. Their business was no match for the Yu family’s, but they were still a major force—not someone a widow and her son could mess with.

Since Wu Mu divorced Yu Fada, Yu Jun had stayed with his mother. Though he was still a descendant of the Yu family, their circle already saw him as a washed-up fourth-gen heir.

Yu Jun clenched his fists, finally biting his tongue. "Fine, you’re all teaming up on me."

Wu Mu burst into tears.

Yu Fada, seeing his ex-wife and son like this, felt terrible too. He moved to comfort them, but Wu Mu suddenly wiped her tears and coldly asked Tian Ruan, "Xiao Tian, is this what your birthday party’s about? Letting your classmate beat up my son?"

Tian Ruan: "...I didn’t allow it. Nan Huaiju hit him on his own." Besides, Yu Jun walked right into it.

Wu Mu: "He’s my only son. He’s not getting hit for free. I want your classmate to apologize."

Tian Ruan: "Nan Huaiju..."

Nan Huaiju stepped forward. "A gentleman uses words, not fists. It was my fault, and I apologize. Next time you see me, remember to walk the other way. I’m spoiled—bad temper, no patience for fairness, just loyalty. My apologies."

Yu Jun glared at him furiously.

Nan Huaiju dusted off his fist.

Yu Jun said to Wu Mu, "Mom, I’m fine."

Wu Mu reluctantly replied, "We’re clearly not wanted. Let’s leave."

Tian Ruan quickly tried to stop them. "Sis-in-law, hold on! My bad for not stopping it sooner. Let’s first apply some bruise ointment and ice to his face. He’ll recover soon."

Wu Mu nodded. "Fine." She pulled Yu Jun toward the main house with the butler. Knowing they’d overstepped, she took the out and warned Yu Jun, "If you cause trouble again, don’t ever step foot in the Yu family home. You’re cut off for good."

Yu Jun said bitterly, "I know." Suddenly noticing Yu Ti staring at him wide-eyed, he snarled, "Keep looking, and I’ll gouge your eyes out."

Yu Ti screamed bloody murder: "Help! Cousin Yu Jun wants to gouge my eyes out!"

Yu Jun: "..."

Wu Mu smacked Yu Jun’s back. "Stop talking nonsense."

After the drama, Yu Jun cooled off, though he still occasionally glared at Hai Chao, Hai Mingyue, Yu Fada, and even Nan Huaiju—till his eyes ached. Tian Ruan tossed him eye drops.

Yu Jun: "...Thanks."

Tian Ruan pulled rank to console him. "Yu Jun, I know you resent Hai Mingyue and Yu Fada—can’t blame you. But Hai Chao is innocent. He didn’t ask to be born, and he’s never had a real family."

Yu Jun: "His mere existence is a sin."

Tian Ruan: "You spend way too much time online."

Yu Jun: "..."

Tian Ruan: "I won’t deny it—a child born from cheating isn’t innocent, but everyone’s circumstances are different. Hai Chao has a cheating biological father and a mother who sold her body. He grew up witnessing many dirty things and refused to use that tainted money. He worked to support himself from a young age. While other kids enjoyed their parents’ love at five, he was already scrounging for cigarette packs, cardboard, beer cans, and water bottles to sell."

Yu Jun skeptically: "You pulling this out of thin air? How do you know so much detail?"

Of course, this was written in the original novel. Given Hai Chao’s personality, it was entirely plausible that he started supporting himself at five.

Tian Ruan quietly: "Hai Chao told me himself."

Yu Jun: "And you bought that? I could claim I potty-trained at three."

Tian Ruan, surprised: "You were still wearing diapers at three??"

"..."

"Let me tell you an open secret in the Yu family—Hai Chao still hasn’t acknowledged Yu Fada as his father, and he probably never will. Relax, you’re still Yu family blood, while Hai Chao will leave sooner or later. He’s going abroad."

This happened to strike a chord with Yu Jun’s hidden concerns—he didn’t want the inheritance he deserved to be split in half with Hai Chao. He looked at Tian Ruan and said, "If he really leaves the Yu family and disowns Yu Fada, I can forgive him. But his mother—I’ll never forgive her."

Tian Ruan smiled: "In that case, how about a drink to bury the hatchet?"

Yu Jun, not the sharpest tool but loved playing the big man, picked up a glass of champagne and walked toward Hai Chao.

Hai Chao wasn’t one for conversation or greetings. He leaned lazily against a pillar, holding a glass of orange juice. When Yu Jun approached, he didn’t even blink.

Yu Jun, seeing no one nearby, said, "Uncle told me about you. I’m willing to make peace."

Hai Chao remained expressionless. "Oh."

"Let’s drink to it. Call it a truce?"

"Did Tian Ruan slip you something?"

"..." Yu Jun suddenly doubted Tian Ruan’s words. "Are you really going abroad?"

Hai Chao didn’t deny it.

Yu Jun relaxed slightly. "I’ve lived abroad for twenty years. If you’re going to the U.S., I have some connections. Hit me up if you need help."

A flicker of interest crossed Hai Chao’s face. He clinked his orange juice against Yu Jun’s glass with a *ding*. "Deal."

Yu Jun strutted off like he’d won the lottery. Seeing Hai Mingyue approach, he flashed a cocky grin, downed his champagne, and strutted away.

Hai Mingyue frowned at him before turning her gaze back to Hai Chao. "What did he say to you?"

Hai Chao set his glass on a nearby side table—the help would get it later. "Nothing."

"Yu Jun is just a flaky dirtbag. Don’t get too involved with him. He’ll just drag you down."

"Mm."

Hai Mingyue said a few more things, but Hai Chao only gave noncommittal grunts, his eyes glued to the garden in the front courtyard. She followed his line of sight—there, Nan Huaiju was actually surrounded by bees and butterflies.

Real bees and butterflies, that is. Nan Huaiju found it fascinating and was loving every second—until a little bee stung his hand, sending him yowling.

Hai Chao strode over with long steps, took Nan Huaiju's pale, soft hand to examine it, his forehead creasing slightly. "This is what happens when you're not careful."

Nan Huaiju's tears sprang to his eyes as he watched his thumb gradually swell. "It hurts."

Tian Ruan came out upon hearing the commotion: "Hai Chao, Hai Chao, hurry and suck the poison out, or Nan Huaiju will kick the bucket!"

Nan Huaiju, upon hearing this, was even more terrified, bursting into louder sobs. "Will I die??"

Hai Chao pulled Nan Huaiju inside the main residence. "There's no venom. We just need to remove the stinger."

"How do we remove it?"

"With a needle."

"...Waaah!"

Hai Mingyue watched the two of them, her elegant eyebrows drawn together.

Just as Tian Ruan was about to follow them inside to catch the drama, a Ferrari entered the estate gates—the main couple always made their entrance as the final act, though unfortunately, they missed the big scene.

"Son~ Lu Qiuyan~" Tian Ruan bounced over calling. "You worked hard buying me a gift."

Yu Shang had only prepared the gift today and swung by to get Lu Qiuyan along the way. Tian Ruan had reason to suspect that Yu Shang had only thrown together the gift at the last minute for this very "incidental" purpose.

Lu Qiuyan exited the car with effortless cool. Though dressed plainly today, the protagonist's aura was practically glowing.

Tian Ruan threw an arm over his eyes. "Ah, so bright."

Lu Qiuyan handed him the gift. "Is this bright enough?"

As the spots cleared from Tian Ruan's vision, he happily took the gift box and opened it. "Wow, it's my favorite mini whip... huh?"

Lu Qiuyan quickly closed the box. "That's for you to play with for nighttime... activities. There's another layer underneath."

Tian Ruan: "...Gee, thanks."

"You're welcome."

Tian Ruan decided to hide the gift—he wasn’t about to let Yu Jingmo wield the mini whip on him.

"Son, where's yours?" Tian Ruan looked Yu Shang up and down. "In the car?"

Yu Shang said, "Nothing caught my eye. How about I give you one credit hour?"

Tian Ruan: "...Just one?"

"Five?"

Tian Ruan reluctantly agreed. "Fine. Next time, remember to check out the gold shops. As long as it's gold, I like it."

Yu Shang remained expressionless. "I thought you didn’t care for such things. Turns out you're a gold-digger too."

"I *am* materialistic. I just love gold," Tian Ruan said. "It's my ancestral instincts kicking in—my five elements lack metal, so I need to replenish it in a big way."

Luxury cars streamed into the estate gates one after another. Tian Ruan got his wish for gold—his dear parents had carried in a gold-plated cash tree for him.

A small ginkgo tree crafted from pure gold, adorned with colorful gemstones and silver pendants, lit up the room the moment it was unveiled.

With a proud smile, Madam Du said, "It took three months to make, with parts shipped from five countries, all to collect all these gemstones."

Tian Ruan stood with his mouth agape, forgetting to breathe.

Madam Du asked cautiously, "Do you not like it?"

Tian Ruan suddenly took a deep breath and hugged Madam Du. "Mom, thank you. I really love it."

Seeing this, Du Danren stood beside Madam Du. When Tian Ruan released her, he looked at his youngest son expectantly.

His son gave him a quick look and said, "Thank you too, Dad."

Du Danren opened his arms.

Tian Ruan immediately picked up the golden tree and walked off. "Whoa, this thing’s heavy! I'll carry it—I can manage."

Madam Du took out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe his nonexistent sweat. "Oh, my sweetheart, you’re such a hard worker."

Du Danren stood with his arms outstretched, stuck there like a statue.

The butler stepped in with a smile to smooth things over. "If you’d like, Chairman Du, I could..." He also opened his arms, ready to embrace him.

Du Danren snapped back to reality and took a step back. "That won’t be necessary."

As the Du family gradually established their foothold domestically, the Yu family learned that Tian Ruan was the long-lost youngest son of the Du family. The Du name carried serious clout overseas, with influence spanning both legal and underground circles. Tian Ruan’s stock shot up, and thus, everyone treated Du Danren and Madam Du with great respect.

Even Elder Yu, upon arriving, chatted and laughed with Du Danren, piling praise on Tian Ruan—calling him sensible, obedient, smart, well-behaved, studious, polite, filial... Any positive adjective, Elder Yu generously applied.

Du Danren remarked, "The ‘filial’ part might be a stretch."

Elder Yu gripped his cane. "Hm?"

Du Danren lamented, "He still hasn’t hugged me."

Elder Yu: "...Have you hugged him?"

"I did hold him as a baby."

Elder Yu didn’t know how to respond. While hugging among family members is common, we don’t usually go around hugging here, or giving cheek kisses upon meeting. After a moment of thought, he said, "I’ve never hugged any of my grandsons either. They’re boys—gotta toughen up."

Du Danren nodded. "True. I hardly ever hugged Henbie either. He only hugged his mother... They’re not actually disgusted by me, are they?"

Elder Yu, a man of authority his entire life, found it quite a challenge to comfort someone at his age. His beard quivered as he said, "Definitely not. What kid hates their own parents? Only if the child is untaught is it the father’s fault. Just educate them properly."

Du Danren nodded and said no more.

The house was buzzing with excitement inside and out. Tian Ruan dragged Lu Qiuyan off to talk while the others entertained themselves.

"Where’s your Mr. Yu?" Lu Qiuyan hadn’t seen Yu Jingmo since arriving, which was odd. Everyone else was present, yet Tian Ruan’s husband was missing.

Tian Ruan replied, "He went to the company. He’ll be back later."

Lu Qiuyan was surprised. "He’s *working* today?"

"Why wouldn’t he? Money doesn’t make itself."

"You’re way too chill about this." Lu Qiuyan admitted he couldn’t do the same—if the most important person wasn’t by his side on a significant day, he’d definitely be pissed.

Tian Ruan grinned. "You don’t understand. It’s *for* me."

Lu Qiuyan blinked. "...Huh?"

Tian Ruan didn’t hide it and said, "Mr. Yu went to the group today to collect gifts for me."

"Gifts?"

"Yeah, although we didn’t invite people from the company to the birthday banquet, gifts still have to be accepted." Tian Ruan only learned about it last night when Yu Jingmo told him. "He had Assistant Xu spread the rumor that my birthday was coming. Those who wanted to send gifts naturally did so."

Lu Qiuyan gave a thumbs-up. "Impressive."

Tian Ruan didn’t mention that when he found out Yu Jingmo still had to work today, he threw a fit last night and even moved to the guest room to sleep. It wasn’t until Yu Jingmo carried him, blanket and all, back to the master bedroom, explained the situation, and then had his way with him that Tian Ruan finally gave in.

Sure enough, by evening, an auto transporter stopped at the manor’s entrance.

The Maybach drove into the manor first, and the butler rushed to welcome him, opening the car door.

Polished handmade pointed leather shoes stepped onto the lawn, while tailored suit pants and a bespoke suit gleamed under the sunlight, surrounded by a refined woody scent.

"Mr. Yu!" Tian Ruan ran over and flung himself into Yu Jingmo’s arms.

Yu Jingmo’s tall, imposing figure remained steady as he caught him, kissing the young man’s soft earlobe. "Sorry for the wait," he murmured.

Tian Ruan let go, his eyes sparkling as he watched the auto transporter drive in. "What’s this?"

"Your gifts."

"A car?"

"Mhm."

Workers opened the truck’s rear door, revealing a brand-new Rolls-Royce. The driver operated the system, lowering the car smoothly to the ground. The auto transporter driver then left with a generous tip, beaming.

Yu Jingmo handed the keys to Tian Ruan.

Tian Ruan pressed the unlock button and opened the car door—a flood of gift boxes instantly spilled out, piling up to his calves.

The car was packed full of gifts.

Yu Ti came running over, exclaiming, "Uncle, you’re so lavish!"

Tian Ruan played the generous host for once. "Pick whatever you like."

Yu Ti treated it like a mystery box, selecting a pink gift. Unwrapping it, she found a pair of collectible figurines and laughed. "I love these!"

The butler had the staff haul all the gifts inside, emptying the Rolls-Royce.

Tian Ruan ran his hand over the sports car, growing fonder the more he looked at it. "Can I take it for a spin around the manor?"

"Sure," Yu Jingmo said. "Just don’t drive into the lake."

"...I’ll stay far away from the lake."

Tian Ruan fumbled with the controls for a while before starting the car, inching forward at walking speed.

Lu Qiuyan chuckled. "Total newbie. Did your dad buy your car too?"

Yu Shang: "...I bought it myself."

Lu Qiuyan raised an eyebrow.

"My dad said a man ought to stand on his own by fifteen."

"Oh, I get it—you're three years older than your dad."

"..."

Tian Ruan carefully drove a lap around the estate, daydreaming about how he could now take Yu Jingmo out for rides, even with the top down—perfect for summer.

A long, drawn-out "sputter"—the car suddenly stalled.

Tian Ruan: "..."

Seriously? It died after one lap??

Tian Ruan quickly checked and restarted the car, and it seemed fine again.

Yu Jingmo walked over and said, "This car has been modified with a governor. Driving too slowly will also make it stall."

"Why?" Tian Ruan understood the speed limit, but not why it couldn’t go too slow. "Didn’t you say slower is better?"

"Sometimes, going too slow can hold things up." Yu Jingmo, always decisive, knew that if he rode with Tian Ruan to the company, his phone would be flooded with urgent calls halfway there. "Driving requires boldness, good reflexes, and a calm mind. Being too timid isn’t good either."

Tian Ruan nodded, got out of the car, and said, "I’ll practice more, and my courage will grow."

Yu Jingmo mussed his hair. "Mm."

"My hairstyle’s messed up..."

Yu Jingmo’s slender fingers combed through his strands. "You always look good."

Tian Ruan beamed, boldly taking Yu Jingmo’s hand. "You’ve been busy all day. Go rest for a bit."

When he turned around, everyone was watching.

Tian Ruan: "..."

Madam Du and Shen Wanyue, Yu Ti’s mother, stood together, exchanging amused smiles. "They’re so affectionate, it’s almost cloying."

Yu Jingmo clasped Tian Ruan’s hand in return and addressed the crowd, "Thank you all for attending my wife’s birthday party. Sorry if we've been poor hosts."

Elder Yu waved it off. "No need for formalities among family."

Yu Jingmo headed into the main house to change upstairs, with Tian Ruan naturally following. But he didn’t dare linger, afraid of what others might think. Yu Jingmo changed quickly—just over ten minutes—into a more casual suit, his hair combed back to reveal a full forehead and a distinct hairline.

His sideburns were sharp, his jawline firm, his features deep-set. His long brows and phoenix eyes held a gaze that seemed affectionate yet detached, godlike in his beauty.

Tian Ruan was completely spellbound, breathlessly whispering, "Mr. Yu, you’re so handsome."

Yu Jingmo chuckled. "After being together this long, you’re not tired of looking yet?"

Tian Ruan vigorously shook his head. "I’ll never get enough."

Yu Jingmo’s gaze grew intense. "You’re tempting me like this."

"I’m not!" Tian Ruan’s face flushed, his gaze watery.

Yu Jingmo tipped his chin up with one hand. The young man was utterly pliant—how was this not temptation? He kissed him, wanting to devour those petal-soft lips, yet unable to bear it.

Tian Ruan melted into the kiss, the last shred of sense in his mind straining. "Mmm... Mr. Yu... we can’t..."

Yu Jingmo kissed him again. "Mhm."

Tian Ruan took a step back, accidentally brushing against a small box. The box fell to the ground, its lid separating from the base, scattering its contents everywhere—

A small black leather whip, red ropes, a pair of silver handcuffs, a perforated ball, a feather teaser, a pair of pink vibrator toys, and more...

Tian Ruan: "…………Don’t look!"

Yu Jingmo raised an eyebrow slightly: "Already saw. A surprise for me?"

"No—"

"Stashing it in the closet—weren’t you just waiting for me to find it?"

"……" Tian Ruan couldn’t talk his way out of this even if he tried.