Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The scorching sun beat down on the beach.

Zhuang Ji's eyes stung from the glaring light.

He looked down at Lu Tingchao, who was leaning against him, fingers tugging and swinging on his pinky—

Time, that cruel thing, seemed to have been exceptionally lenient toward him, leaving no trace.

Lu Tingchao's gaze remained pure, harmless, and innocent, still capable of sending him to hell or to heaven like a knife or a flame.

Zhuang Ji suddenly saw the Lu Tingchao from many years ago.

—“Hey! Student representative, stop studying and take a break. If you keep going, Jiang Rong won't be able to catch up with you. Do you know how hard she's working?”

—“I kind of like that third-ranked student in our grade. His family doesn’t seem well-off. I’ll try to sweet-talk him with gifts.”

—“Hehe, I landed him!”

—“Huh? I moved on ages ago. It’s been months! You’re always busy with competitions, so of course you wouldn’t know.”

—“Met this super cool guy who rides a mountain bike. Ah, never mind, you bookworms wouldn’t get it. Not going out with you—I have a date this weekend!”

—“Brother Zhuang, I ran out of pocket money. Spot me some, please!”

—“Zhuang Ji, the Lu family is bankrupt. Can I marry you and live off your money from now on…?”

—“Love you, hubby! Love you for eternity!”

Lu Tingchao was the most selfish, irresponsible, and ruthless liar Zhuang Ji had ever seen.

He had no redeeming qualities—he was neither hardworking nor diligent. He was willing to take every shortcut available and refused to endure even the slightest hardship.

The world was so cruel. A good-for-nothing like Lu Tingchao, if let go, would surely come running back in tears soon enough.

“You’re the guilty party.”

Zhuang Ji reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Lu Tingchao’s ear, his voice almost tender. “Chao Chao, if we divorce, you won’t get a dime.”

Lu Tingchao: “……?!”

Lu Tingchao was stunned.

It took a long moment for his round almond eyes to widen abruptly, filled with disbelief. “Wh-what?”

Zhuang Ji: “Our marriage is legally binding. You not only damaged our relationship but also made it onto the hot searches. If lawyers get involved, it could even affect my public image…”

Lu Tingchao: “!”

Stop talking—Chao Chao can’t bear to hear this!

Lu Tingchao whimpered, wiping his eyes. “I don’t understand. I’m broke. Are you trying to bully me?”

Of course, Lu Tingchao had no money.

Zhuang Ji knew this better than anyone.

He loved buying everything he wanted and would spend every cent to his name.

In his world, there was no such thing as saving—only “gotta have it” and “not interested.”

His pretty face trembled, and large teardrops rolled down from the corners of his eyes.

See? So easily reduced to tears.

Just a small punishment, and he was already… falling apart.

Zhuang Ji felt like he was going crazy himself, enough to calmly lower his head and kiss his tears away.

Then he said, “Stop whining.”

Lu Tingchao hiccupped between sobs. “Then… sue me. Take me to court. I—I’m broke anyway!”

“What about this film crew?”

Zhuang Ji’s voice carried a laugh, yet with an ominous, threatening tone. “They know you’re married now. What if they sue for damages? What will you do, baby?”

Lu Tingchao: “……”

Lu Tingchao didn’t know what to do either.

He just wanted to earn a little spending money.

He never expected to go viral or for Zhuang Ji to find out.

Though Lu Tingchao wasn’t pampered as a child, Grandpa Lu doted on him. After marrying Zhuang Ji, he never had a care.

Terrified, Lu Tingchao bit his lip tightly and clutched Zhuang Ji’s arm.

He looked around uncertainly, as if struggling with a decision, before firmly closing his eyes, standing on his tiptoes, and steeling his nerve. “N-no! Even after divorce, you can’t bully me. You still have to pay alimony to me!”

Zhuang Ji shook his head gently. “Baby, alimony is for spouses; child support is for kids.”

“There is!!!”

Lu Tingchao’s eyes widened instantly. His clear gaze reflected Zhuang Ji’s defined features, unblinking. “I had your baby!”

Zhuang Ji: “……”

Silence.

Zhuang Ji sighed. “Chao Chao, you’re fibbing again. You always lie to me.”

Lu Tingchao grabbed Zhuang Ji’s hand anxiously. “I’m not!”

Lu Tingchao: “Haven’t you always wanted to know where I went during those two and a half years I was gone? I went to… to have a baby! Your baby!”

Lu Tingchao spoke urgently, even stumbling over his words. “The baby is two and a half years old now. Very, very cute! You have to pay child support—a lot, a ton of money!”

Zhuang Ji: “……”

Zhuang Ji said nothing.

Lu Tingchao felt uneasy. “Well, if you…”

“Chao Chao, you’re male.”

Zhuang Ji said, “Males can’t give birth.”

Zhuang Ji: "Is this a new excuse you came up with to deceive me? This one won’t work, Chao Chao. Try another."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Still.

Even though he knew he was being bad, Lu Tingchao still felt briefly sad.

Lu Tingchao took a step back and let go of Zhuang Ji’s hand.

"Fine, I’m a bad person."

Lu Tingchao lowered his head, thought for a moment, then squatted down and hugged himself.

He had always been naturally thin—no matter how many nutritional supplements and tonic soups Zhuang Ji provided, no matter how many chefs and housekeepers they hired from all over the world, none had managed to put even a little weight on Lu Tingchao.

Zhuang Ji’s heart ached sharply.

He took a step forward, stood beside Lu Tingchao, and said gently, "I can deal with the director for you. The PR department can take care of the hot search online too."

Zhuang Ji: "Chao Chao, there are all kinds of people in this world. It’s always dangerous for you to be out alone."

Zhuang Ji added, "If you regret it, we don’t have to get divor—"

Lu Tingchao: "I don’t regret it."

Lu Tingchao moved a little farther from Zhuang Ji, looked at him seriously, and shook his head.

"I know I’m not good marriage material. I always spend your money, don’t do housework, can’t cook, am not good at studying or working, am not driven, and keep using your credit card."

Lu Tingchao said, "So it’s only right that you don’t like me. I’m sorry for wasting your time all these years."

Zhuang Ji frowned: "What are you talking about? That’s not what I meant."

Lu Tingchao thought for a moment, seeming a little uncertain, but forced himself to speak: "Let’s get divorced when you have time. I’ll go schedule it soon."

"And about the hot search and the money…"

Lu Tingchao bit his lip, "I… I have an uncle who might be able to help. As for the money… I’ll ask Fei Xiuqi to lend me some."

"I’ll try my best to compensate you properly, Zhuang Ji. What my grandpa said back then… well, anyway, I wasn’t wrong! You weren’t wrong either. Forget it—congratulations on your freedom."

Zhuang Ji: "???"