Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Lu Tingchao, having grown up inland with a pampered and delicate nature, endured all the hardships he'd never known during Lu Doudou's birth in Hong Kong. This experience left him with such a profound aversion to the city that he vowed never to return unless absolutely necessary.

Thus, Fei Xiuqi's suggestion was a non-starter.

Yet, from Zhuang Ji's phone call, Lu Tingchao also detected a hint of madness.

Though Lu Tingchao had never witnessed Zhuang Ji's madness firsthand, Chi Cheng had, Chi Guo had, and rumor had it that even Zhuang Ji's former assistants and secretaries had—during the two years Lu Tingchao had vanished from B City without a trace.

As Chi Cheng put it, Lu Tingchao should behave himself and stop trying to strip away Zhuang Ji's polite facade, lest he force him back into a frenzy.

In Lu Tingchao's memory, Zhuang Ji had always been exemplary in both character and academics since childhood. He simply couldn’t fathom the "madness" Chi Cheng spoke of.

But Chi Cheng wasn't one to exaggerate. Having committed his share of misdeeds, Lu Tingchao decided caution was best—so returning to Zhuang Ji's side was out of the question.

What about Mo Lingnan?

Lu Tingchao had even abandoned Zhuang Ji's car. He called Zhuang Ji's assistant, tossed the keys back inside, hailed a taxi, circled the city moat twice, and finally disembarked at a small park.

Mo Lingnan didn’t seem like a good refuge either.

Lu Tingchao slumped dejectedly on the curb, hugging his knees like a child, his pointed chin resting on them, his shadow stretching across the asphalt.

He was curled into a tiny ball.

Because each time Mo Lingnan embraced him, it felt more uncomfortably hard than the last.

And he meant that in a literal, physical sense.

Perhaps once or twice it could be dismissed as a joke, but the intense, predatory gaze in Mo Lingnan's eyes every time he pressed closer, along with his relentless attempts to kiss, touch, and initiate intimacy, made Lu Tingchao feel a sense of danger.

The man clearly disregarded Lu Tingchao's married status, every action crossing the line. Yet, Lu Tingchao dared not breathe a word to anyone.

Because in everyone's eyes—and he meant everyone's—Mo Lingnan had an impeccable reputation.

Chi Guo even remarked to him once while eating shaved ice, "Hey, Chao Chao, guess what? Breaking news! Yesterday, during our routine citizen data review, we found out Mo Lingnan's status changed from unmarried to married!"

Lu Tingchao nearly choked on a boba pearl: "...Oh."

"Your reaction is so bland!" Chi Guo exclaimed. "You have no idea how many people are lining up to marry Director Mo! Do you know what a 'distinguished married man vibe' is? He's the epitome of it!"

Lu Tingchao: "Ah... didn't he resign a long time ago?"

"Force of habit, force of habit!" Chi Guo scooped another spoonful of ice. "Last time I didn't finish telling you—when he resigned, he'd just received an honor and could've climbed even higher. But he insisted on quitting without giving a clear reason. What kind of personal matter could be so important..."

Lu Tingchao: "...No idea."

Chi Guo: "But the business he's in now is quite interesting. He's such a distant and unapproachable person, yet now he's in the jewelry and diamond trade. Rumor has it the sales are through the roof. We were all guessing yesterday that his spouse must love jewelry!"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Chi Guo: "Well, with Zhuang Ji, you probably wouldn't get it. Don't you think that high-and-mighty, stern demeanor Mo Lingnan has—like everyone else is trash—is top-tier? The girls in my office daydream constantly about what he's like in the bedroom..."

Lu Tingchao was finally too embarrassed to respond.

He hadn't seen what Mo Lingnan was like in bed yet.

But the lofty, stern, always well-dressed Mo Lingnan... on the last day of Lu Tingchao’s stay, right after getting off work, he pushed him up against the door the moment he stepped inside.

Lu Tingchao panicked and tried to push Mo Lingnan’s waist, but the man grabbed his hand and guided it lower.

Then Lu Tingchao’s face flushed bright red: "I'm not touching... Mo Lingnan, you're not like this in front of others..."

"We're home."

Mo Lingnan’s voice was hoarse. He kissed the corner of Lu Tingchao’s lips. "Behind closed doors, I can also be your darling husband."

Lu Tingchao was also afraid of Mo Lingnan.

His entire life had been defined by laziness, casualness, and a fear of hardship. He was scared of pain and exertion—his stamina was naturally poor, and he couldn’t keep up with that.

So he was too scared to go to Mo Lingnan’s place either.

Good grief!

In the vastness of B City, there was no place for Chao Chao to hide QAQ

Lu Tingchao sat under a streetlamp, feeding mosquitoes for twenty minutes, before finally getting up, dusting himself off, and calling his one and only confidant: "Student Lu Doudou, moshi moshi?"

Lu Doudou: "Motto motto."

Lu Tingchao: "...Where did you learn 'motto motto'?"

Perhaps from spending so much time around Mo Lingnan, Lu Doudou’s speech had taken on some of Director Mo’s calm, unhurried tone: "When you’re watching your tablet, you often say ‘motto motto’ while watching."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Damn Zhuang Ji x Jiang Rong fanfiction—it had ruined him too much!

Lu Tingchao tentatively asked: "Is Uncle Mo at home?"

Lu Doudou: "He's on night shift. The cooking auntie is here."

He was probably reading again—the sound of pages turning came through the smartwatch.

After a moment, Lu Doudou’s soft, sweet voice said: "Chao Chao, are you sure he’s going to be my other dad from now on?"

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

Lu Tingchao couldn’t say for sure.

But what he was sure of was that he probably couldn’t be a good parent to Lu Doudou on his own.

Lu Tingchao had never experienced a normal parent-child relationship growing up, so he had no idea how he was supposed to interact with Lu Doudou.

Back when he’d just given birth to Doudou, Lu Tingchao had gone out and bought two child-rearing books—only to find that one made him fall asleep faster than the other.

He wasn’t ambitious, not hardworking, not proactive, and he hated studying.

But Lu Doudou had inherited many of Zhuang Ji’s talents. The child had a high IQ and photographic memory from a young age. Back when Lu Tingchao was still little more than a child himself, often crying from the pain of his C-section scar, Lu Doudou would softly look at him and curl his small hand around Lu Tingchao’s finger.

Lu Tingchao was afraid of the cold, afraid of pain, afraid of loneliness, afraid of being alone.

He used Zhuang Ji’s money to get the best private room at the top hospital, hired Hong Kong’s top-tier nannies and postpartum caregivers, and even brought in world-class scar treatment specialists and medical teams.

The TV in the private hospital room played on a loop day and night, with programs cycling through and voices talking nonstop.

Sometime later,

Lu Doudou held Lu Tingchao's finger and spoke his first words: "Chao Chao, don't cry."

Lu Tingchao wasn't cut out to be a father; he was only used to being taken care of and wasn't fit to raise a child properly.

But Lu Tingchao had grown to dislike Zhuang Ji.

So Lu Tingchao wanted to find a good father for Lu Doudou.

Moonlight slanted through the night.

Just as Lu Tingchao was standing there, torn, a gray Rolls-Royce Ghost slowly came to a stop in front of him.

The window rolled down,

revealing a face that was neither entirely familiar nor completely strange.

Lu Tingchao was stunned.

The driver had already stepped out to open the door for the person.

The distinctive starlight headliner and extended wheelbase provided unparalleled comfort, perfectly matching the status of the passenger seated in the back.

Lu Tingchao asked uncertainly, "...Old Mr. Fei?"

The person in the back seat laughed.

He was still handsome, with skin and features that seemed well-cared-for, though his eyes lacked the vigor of youth, instead holding a more reserved depth.

"Chao Chao,"

the man said, "perhaps I should introduce myself properly. Or do you think someone who hasn't even turned forty-six is already old?"

Lu Tingchao: "!"

Lu Tingchao shook his head vigorously: "No, no, not old at all. It's just that I usually call your son Mr. Fei, and I got the names confused..."

Fei Yuncheng was unexpectedly amiable: "Okay, then just call me Devin, like A Qi does."

Lu Tingchao's English wasn't good at all: "De...vin?"

Fei Yuncheng smiled gently: "Say it again."

Lu Tingchao: "Devin."

Fei Yuncheng looked approving: "It's so late, why haven't you gone home yet?"

Perhaps from staying in Hong Kong for too long, though he didn’t speak Cantonese, his choice of words still differed from the mainland.

The man in the car was still wearing a Tang suit, though not the one from the evening banquet. The coiling dragon print was replaced by a pure black background, with a few orchid patterns subtly trailing at the hem.

He was still rolling a string of bodhi beads, one by one, with an air of serene elegance, clear and composed.

Lu Tingchao suddenly remembered the question that had been troubling him all evening.

Fei Yuncheng’s gaze subtly lingered on Lu Tingchao before he smiled again: "Where do you live? Shall I see you home?"

Lu Doudou also heard the unfamiliar voice: "Chao Chao, is someone talking to you?"

Having been in a bind for so long, Lu Tingchao had finally found someone willingly walking into his trap.

His eyes sparkled: "Devin, Fei Xiuqi said before that you wanted to invite me to your home. Is that true?"

Cunningly, Lu Tingchao intentionally omitted "to Hong Kong," turning it into an invitation to Fei Yuncheng’s home.

With Fei Yuncheng’s decades of experience navigating the world of fame and fortune, word games were child's play to him.

Yet Fei Yuncheng still agreed: "Of course. Does Chao Chao want to go now?"

Lu Tingchao was instantly tempted but hesitated: "Then... can I bring a child along? He’s my baby, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving him outside."

Fei Yuncheng: "Of course. Chao Chao, my estate in B City is very large and very safe. You can both roam freely."

Actions speak louder than words.

Lu Tingchao immediately said: "Lu Doudou! Wait for me at home, I’m coming to get you! We’re making our escape!"

The heavy door of the Rolls-Royce Ghost swung open like a deep, gaping mouth.

Fei Yuncheng reached out his left hand to Lu Tingchao from inside the car, his knuckles well-defined and his wrist strong.

When Lu Tingchao took it, he noticed a jade thumb ring on Fei Yuncheng’s thumb, in nearly imperial green—exceptionally rare.

Lu Tingchao also liked wearing jade.

For a long time, the most expensive jade pieces at auctions were all bought by Zhuang Ji for Lu Tingchao.

Lu Tingchao couldn’t help but steal another glance.

Fei Yuncheng took off the ring: "Do you like it?"

Lu Tingchao didn't have the nerve to ask for something so valuable from someone he barely knew, so he just praised: "Mr. Fei has excellent taste."

"‘Mr. Fei’ again."

Fei Yuncheng wasn’t annoyed. The hand that had just pulled Lu Tingchao into the car was still holding his, and he slipped the ring onto Lu Tingchao’s thumb. "It's a bit big."

Lu Tingchao still loved that shade of green: "...Yeah."

Fei Yuncheng didn’t take it back: "Keep it on for now. There’s more of the same material back in Hong Kong. I’ll have another one made for you."

"Ah?"

Lu Tingchao reached to take it off: "This is too generous, and it’s already so late, imposing on you for a ride and..."

His words gradually faded mid-sentence.

Fei Yuncheng closed his eyes slightly, the movement of his bodhi beads stilling, as if he were tired.

The secretary in the passenger seat said: "Young Master Lu, Devin hasn't had any rest all day. Since he’s letting you keep it, just keep it for now. You can talk to him about it after he wakes up."

*

Lu Tingchao had thought Fei Yuncheng’s "estate" was just an expression, but it turned out his idea of "very large" was truly massive—large enough to encompass an entire mountain.

The mountain had hot spring baths, bars, clubs, and resort villas open to the public, as well as a private area on the back half of the mountain that was not open to the public.

Fei Yuncheng was very busy.

On the day Lu Tingchao returned with Lu Doudou, he slept in blissfully. When he went to thank Fei Yuncheng the next day, his secretary informed him that Fei Yuncheng had already returned to Hong Kong.

"However, the sir will be back this weekend for dinner. I’d like to extend an early invitation—would Young Master Lu have time?"

The secretary asked with a smile.

Having eaten, stayed, and relied on his hospitality, it would be too ungrateful not to accept a meal.

Lu Tingchao agreed without hesitation and spent the following completely free week letting loose completely—

He started racing again, speeding on deserted mountain roads after Lu Doudou fell asleep, then heading to the bar club Fei Yuncheng owned on the front mountain to order drinks. Because of his strikingly beautiful appearance, he was pulled onto the dance floor and somewhat shyly played a rock song on the electric guitar.

Lu Tingchao was exceptionally skilled at playing the electric guitar, a talent born from his childhood non-academic pursuits.

His slender, agile fingers danced under the scattered lights of the dance floor. Standing at the center, the young man held an orange-red electric guitar, his hair slightly curled, his expression lazy yet flamboyant.

He played "Hotel California," his eyes tinged red from drinking, captivatingly alluring. When his gaze swept across the crowd, the audience erupted in cheers.

In this place where no one knew him,

someone finally cheered for him.

The wild and frenzied video went viral overnight, topping the trending charts for a full thirteen hours.

The comments section was flooded with comments about lost "pants."

"One minute—I need his address! I need to get with him tonight!"

"I’m hard. Why, why don’t I have the equipment to make a move?!"

"So beautiful, so beautiful, like the legendary red spider lily—decadent, fallen, and gorgeous. Who gets it? Like this if you agree..."

"Are the ladies done watching? Can us guys take a look? Dude, you're so hot!"

"Enough said, I’m bent."

This place was as safe as Fei Yuncheng had promised.

No calls from Zhuang Ji or Mo Lingnan, and no annoying disturbances from Jiang Rong.

Aside from Fei Xiuqi occasionally joining him and Lu Doudou for a meal, complaining how tough it was to do business in B City these days, and complaining about how Zhuang Ji managed both acting and family business—which was freaking inhuman—

In short, Lu Tingchao felt his life had been pretty much perfect lately.

On Friday, Fei Yuncheng finally flew back.

To express his gratitude, Lu Tingchao made an effort with his appearance and put on a new outfit to attend Fei Yuncheng’s dinner invitation.

Lu Tingchao had initially thought Fei Yuncheng had invited many people, but upon entering the restaurant, he found the vast space was set with just one table.

Blooming lilies and lavender adorned the tablecloth, with several red roses strewn across it, creating a romantic and ambiguous atmosphere.

Fei Yuncheng, still weary from his long flight, gently rubbed his temples. "Don’t mind it—this is the restaurant’s default setup. I came for a meal on short notice and forgot to ask them to remove it."

"Oh, no problem, no problem."

The other man across from him was forty-six years old—a full twenty years older than him.

Lu Tingchao didn’t overthink it and raised his glass without hesitation to toast Fei Yuncheng: “So, Mr. Fei, I’m really grateful for your hospitality this past week. This place is amazing. Thank you!”

The candlelight at the center of the long table flickered.

Fei Yuncheng clinked glasses with Lu Tingchao: “If you like it, you’re welcome to stay longer.”

Lu Tingchao shook his head: “We’re not family, and it’s already more than generous of you to let me stay. Avoiding things won’t solve anything—I still have to deal with them myself. Ugh, it’s such a headache.”

Fei Yuncheng said softly, “If something’s troubling you, you can tell me, Chao Chao. I can help you.”

Lu Tingchao paused, seeming tempted for a moment, but then replied, “I’d better not. Besides, Doudou’s starting kindergarten soon. I have to go back with him.”

“In that case, I won’t insist. You’re always welcome here anytime you want to come back.”

Fei Yuncheng’s expression grew thoughtful, then he smiled slightly. “By the way, Chao Chao, I saw some videos online. You play the guitar?”

Lu Tingchao looked up: “Huh? Oh, just a bit, and not very well.”

Fei Yuncheng: “Would you play a song for me?”

“But there isn’t even—”

As Lu Tingchao turned around, he saw a waiter approaching with a guitar.

When the waiter drew closer, Lu Tingchao noticed the guitar even bore the signature of a world-class guitarist.

A limited edition instrument!

Thrilled, Lu Tingchao reached out and touched the body of the guitar, his round eyes shining like stars: “What would you like to hear?!”

Fei Yuncheng smiled: “Anything.”

A spotlight illuminated the stage beside the dining table.

The moment Lu Tingchao’s fingers touched the strings, Fei Yuncheng’s gaze locked onto the figure on the stage like a snake’s tongue.

Lu Tingchao played one of his favorite heavy metal rock songs on the guitar he adored.

Fei Yuncheng applauded: “Chao Chao, you’re really captivating.”

It sounded like just an ordinary compliment.

Lu Tingchao gave a sheepish laugh: “I’m out of practice. I played better in my teens—I practiced hard back then, but I let it go later.”

He handed the guitar back to Fei Yuncheng: “Here, returning it to you.”

“No. It belongs to you now.”

Fei Yuncheng raised his wine glass, the clear mint-colored drink swirling inside. “A toast to the future musician.”

Lu Tingchao blushed slightly, clinked glasses with Fei Yuncheng, and downed half his drink.

A shiny drop of drink clung to the corner of his mouth, only to be licked away by his tongue.

Lu Tingchao returned to his seat and picked up a spoon to dig into the mousse cake in front of him, but he couldn’t quite coordinate.

The metal spoon clattered noisily against the white ceramic plate. After several failed attempts, Lu Tingchao’s hand was covered by a larger one.

Fei Yuncheng’s voice remained gentle, like an elder speaking patiently to a younger person: “Chao Chao, are you drunk?”

Lu Tingchao felt dizzy but stubbornly shook his head: "No, no... I have a good tolerance for alcohol, I'm just a bit unaccustomed..."

Strong, well-defined fingers gently caressed the slender fingers that had just been on the piano strings.

Fei Yuncheng murmured: "Is that so? Then why can't you even eat your cake?"

"No, I can—"

Lu Tingchao got flustered. He tried to break free from the man's grip to grab the silver spoon again but felt his whole body go weak.

Fei Yuncheng's other free hand reached from behind the young man, ran through his hair, and finally covered Lu Tingchao's eyes.

"Time to sleep, Chao Chao."

*

The Fei family's ancestral home in the eastern part of the city, facing the mountains, dated back to his grandfather's generation.

When Zhuang Ji kicked the villa door open, his eyes were already bloodshot from exhaustion, and his exposed fingers were covered in blood.

Behind him were security guards who had tried but failed to stop him, chasing him all the way from the entrance, now gasping for breath.

The security guards were at a loss: "Boss, he insisted on breaking in, we really couldn't stop him. If we tried any harder, things would've gotten ugly—"

The guard didn't dare finish.

First, Zhuang Ji's reputation was known throughout all of City B—who would dare actually stop him?

Second, Zhuang Ji's expression was like that of a devil crawling out of hell. If they tried to stop him further, no one could guarantee it wouldn't end in bloodshed.

The wall clock struck twelve times—midnight had arrived.

Fei Yuncheng sat in the spacious hall with high ceilings reading an outdated daily newspaper, methodically turning the beads of his bodhi seed bracelet one by one.

He put down the newspaper, waved his hand, and said gently: "You can go. Since it's Young Master Zhuang looking for me, he could have come directly. No need for all the drama."

"Where is Lu Tingchao?!"

Zhuang Ji stepped forward and grabbed the head of the Fei family by the collar. "Fei Yuncheng, where is Lu Tingchao?!"

Both were men.

One in his youth, the other just past his prime—their strength was not vastly different.

Fei Yuncheng gripped Zhuang Ji's hand and removed it: "Young Master Zhuang, you lost your lover and now come to me looking for him? That's pretty damn ridiculous."

Zhuang Ji clearly hadn't slept for who knows how long—his whole body was trembling.

Blood kept seeping from the broken wounds on his fingers, looking raw and brutal.

"He was photographed hanging out at your family's bar! He didn’t even know about this place originally!"

Zhuang Ji's voice was hoarse, filled with undeniable pain. "Fei Yuncheng, give him back! Return him to me!"

Fei Yuncheng smiled: "Zhuang Ji, are you accusing me of hiding your man? Accusations require evidence."

He stood up. The old-fashioned telephone next to the sofa in the ancestral home was still connected.

Fei Yuncheng picked up the phone and said slowly: "I address you respectfully as Young Master Zhuang, but that doesn’t give you the right to cause a scene here. Zhuang Ji, do you want to break into the Fei property and go to jail?"

Zhuang Ji: "..."

Zhuang Ji's bloodshot eyes fixed on Fei Yuncheng.

Fei Yuncheng stayed perfectly calm.

"Fine, fine."

Zhuang Ji took a step back. "My apologies, Mr. Devin."

Fei Yuncheng: "Don’t come here again. You are not welcome."

Zhuang Ji paused slightly, then turned sharply and pushed the door open to leave.

The weather was gloomy.

Just as Zhuang Ji stepped out the main gate, a child running by suddenly swerved and bumped into his leg.

The child was thrown backward by the momentum, landing hard on his bottom, the skin on his hand immediately breaking and bleeding.

Zhuang Ji froze for a moment, then reached out to help the child.

Surprisingly, the child didn’t cry. Instead, he pushed himself up from the ground, blew on his scraped hand, looked up, and said brightly: "Sorry, Uncle, I bumped into you."

Zhuang Ji was stunned.

The courtyard lights illuminated the child's face—his features held an oddly familiar quality.

Then.

The child suddenly added: "Wow! Uncle, it's you—I’ve seen you before."

Zhuang Ji finally remembered—that day at the luxury store, Zhuang’s mother had said this child was the spitting image of him as a child.

Almost on impulse.

Zhuang Ji asked: "What’s your father’s name?"

"I don’t have a dad."

The child thought for a moment, then said in a soft, milky voice, "I have my Chao Chao."