Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Lu Tingchao had an extremely picky nature.

He had been pampered since childhood; from major aspects like his living environment down to minor details like bedsheet sets, even the room’s fragrance could be scrutinized by him.

Thus, after Lu Tingchao moved into Mo Lingnan’s home, almost everything was completely replaced. The master bedroom was fitted with the European-style rug he favored, the original wall hangings were replaced with handicrafts Lu Tingchao had won at auction, and even the duvet covers and bedsheets were all switched to mulberry silk.

—Keep in mind that Mo Lingnan had come from a military background, accustomed to enduring hardships; during his work assignments before meeting Lu Tingchao, he could even sleep on grass. Now, however, he had been completely changed.

Expecting Lu Tingchao to change the bedsheets himself was impossible.

Mo Lingnan carried the already fast asleep person to the bathroom for cleaning, couldn’t resist teasing him a couple more times, and then, amid Lu Tingchao’s whimpering and fussing upon being disturbed, patiently carried him back to the bedroom. He placed his sweetheart on the newly added agarwood beauty couch in the bedroom before changing the bedsheets and duvet cover that had been soiled in spots.

Mo Lingnan was very self-sufficient and particularly skilled at household chores. He changed to a pattern Lu Tingchao liked, smoothed out the duvet—

When he turned to pick up his darling again, he found that Lu Tingchao had woken up at some point and was staring at him with dark, pitch-black eyes.

Having just finished bathing, whether for convenience in sleeping or due to Mo Lingnan’s own selfish reasons, when carrying him out, Mo Lingnan hadn’t dressed Lu Tingchao in a proper bathrobe but instead simply wrapped him directly in a large towel, carrying him out naked under the towel, person and towel together.

Now, as Lu Tingchao woke up drowsily, the originally loosely draped towel slipped open, half-covering, half-revealing, exposing large areas of pale and glowing skin, clearly well cared for.

Only, on the skin, almost every small interval was marked with red or bluish traces, the remaining vestiges utterly suggestive, like various shaped marks, inexplicably giving off a sense of eerie yet captivating beauty.

Yet the owner of this body was completely unaware.

He didn’t even glance down, his eyes looking straight forward, the innocent gaze pure and docile and sweet—unlike someone in their mid-twenties who already had a child.

Instead, he himself seemed like a child.

Under such a gaze, Mo Lingnan’s eyes uncontrollably lowered, trailing down past the faint Adam’s apple of Lu Tingchao, who was curled up sideways on the beauty couch, down over every inch of skin revealed by the bathrobe, finally settling below the waist.

It was pink, soft.

An undeniable thirst almost in an instant suddenly burned through all of Mo Lingnan’s thoughts. Facing Lu Tingchao, he could never achieve the self-control he had in daily life and work.

He was like a youngster barely past twenty, every moment roasted and tormented in hunger, endlessly wanting to consume the person before him.

The dark tone of the agarwood contrasted with Lu Tingchao’s skin, making it appear even softer and whiter.

His flat stomach exposed, suddenly giving Mo Lingnan a sense of jealousy—did Lu Doudou really come from here?

How did Zhuang Ji get so lucky?

Mo Lingnan had always thought that one day, when he truly possessed Lu Tingchao, he would be utterly satisfied.

But that wasn’t the case.

Love is an insatiable desire, a wildfire—especially for someone like Lu Tingchao. Only truly at death’s door might it be real 'til death do us part.

Thus desire grew day by day; Mo Lingnan wanted to be with Lu Tingchao long-lasting, wanted Lu Tingchao to love only him.

Wanted Lu Tingchao’s eyes to see only him, perhaps waiting for him forever at home—

If only Lu Tingchao had his child.

Mo Lingnan lit the aroma diffuser by the bed with Lu Tingchao’s favorite scent, and soon the rich sweetness of roses spread throughout the master bedroom.

This incense Lu Tingchao liked was utterly different from those blended with essential oils and pigments outside; every drop was extracted and refined from Damascus roses, extremely costly and resource-intensive, considered something even more luxurious than luxury items.

Mo Lingnan padded barefoot across the carpet, picked up Lu Tingchao from the beauty couch, but didn’t reach to close his open bathrobe, instead letting his hand slip inside to explore the lines within.

Until Lu Tingchao couldn’t take it anymore and pushed him: “…That tickles.”

Having been manhandled several times consecutively, plus the previous days’ shooting and travel fatigue, Lu Tingchao was truly exhausted, listlessly saying: “Sleepy.”

“Mm.”

Mo Lingnan carried him to bed, pulled the silk duvet over both of them, but his hand kept lingering on Lu Tingchao’s skin, feather-light touches.

Lu Tingchao was naturally extremely sensitive, both ticklish and sensitive to pain; when made happy he could bite his fingertips and cry out, when hurt he would sob like a child.

Sure enough, after being rubbed and prodded for a while, he couldn’t take it, blurrily opening his eyes and struggling to turn over in Mo Lingnan’s arms, his tone still sleepy but in a petulant tone: “Don’t touch me… uncomfortable…”

Mo Lingnan held his hand, asking close to Lu Tingchao’s ear: “Baby, how did you carry DouDou?”

Lu Tingchao was almost asleep, only vaguely hearing, obediently softening his voice to reply: “With my belly…”

Mo Lingnan’s large hand covered the area of Lu Tingchao’s abdomen: “Here?”

Lu Tingchao sensed danger in his sleep, reached to push Mo Lingnan’s large hand, frowning and shaking his head: “Don’t bully me…”

“Want to.”

Mo Lingnan didn’t let go, instead using his other hand to reach through the embrace, holding Lu Tingchao from the other side.

He leaned down to Lu Tingchao’s ear, the deep, husky tone overtaking the originally proper tone.

Perhaps the bathing wasn’t thorough enough, or perhaps Mo Lingnan did it on purpose.

Mo Lingnan’s finger pointed downward: “Baby, look here.”

Lu Tingchao was already asleep.

He leaned in Mo Lingnan’s embrace, as if entirely encircled by the man’s arms, sleeping sweetly and innocently.

Completely unaware of the low murmurs and filthy words beside him.

Mo Lingnan used his finger to tug slightly, slowly, as if with some meaning, scraping across Lu Tingchao’s flat, taut and beautiful waistline—

It was an extremely deliberate and subtle motion.

Exuding a frenzy and madness that even outsiders could see.

Mo Lingnan’s recent point of contact with Lu Tingchao had risen again, touching and rubbing their skin without any interval.

Lu Tingchao was completely unaware.

Nor did he know that Mo Lingnan slowly began again, after half a night’s long duration, once more cruelly took him again, thus in the quiet night, fully writing out this man’s dark thoughts and filthy plunder.

The clock on the master bedroom wall, newly acquired by Lu Tingchao, had a faint luminescent glow.

Only momentarily feeling satisfied, the man glanced at the hour hand and tightened his embrace around the person in his arms.

It wasn’t enough.

Never enough.

Mo Lingnan intermittently peppered kisses on every part of Lu Tingchao’s skin, finally letting out a deep sigh.

He held Lu Tingchao, his tone thick with emotion and damp in the pitch-black night: "Baby... Chao Chao, just a little more, let's have a baby too, okay?"

*

Normally, after a tiring night, given Lu Tingchao's lazy nature, he should have slept in late the next day.

But surprisingly, when Mo Lingnan woke up the next day, he found Lu Tingchao already sitting in the living room—

To be precise, not just sitting in the living room, but swinging gently on the swing inside the play fort built for Lu Doudou.

Lu Doudou actually wasn't particularly fond of the play fort.

When he first arrived at Mo Lingnan’s home, he hardly showed any interest in it. But Lu Tingchao was very enthusiastic about the play fort, actively involved in its construction, and enthusiastically contributed ideas and embellishments while it was being set up in the living room.

As a result, the play fort was built exceptionally large, with many facilities originally designed for children made to adult specifications.

This made it very convenient for Lu Tingchao to play inside.

Fortunately, when Mo Lingnan purchased this flat, he chose the largest unit in the community. With hundreds of square meters of usable space, it was more than enough to accommodate an adult-sized play fort, and the high ceilings also allowed the swing personally chosen by Lu Tingchao to serve its purpose.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, and from the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, only a faint streak of light was visible.

Lu Tingchao sat idly on the swing, repeatedly trying to tempt Lu Doudou, who was lying on the plush carpet reading a book, to join him: "Doudou baby, can you skip studying today?"

Lu Doudou lifted his head from the book, which was larger than his tender little face, and firmly refused Lu Tingchao’s request: "No playing."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Though reluctant, it was clear that Lu Doudou had inherited Zhuang Ji’s academic tendencies.

How irritating.

Are academic genes just dominant during inheritance?

Lu Tingchao unhappily kicked the plastic balls beneath his feet and continued pestering his own son: "Baby, get me my water cup."

Lu Doudou: "..."

His small body got up from the carpet, and he walked to the small coffee table.

Lu Doudou’s height still required effort to reach the table, so he stood on tiptoe, stretching out his plump little arm... Just as he was about to reach Lu Tingchao’s SpongeBob mug, another big hand picked up the mug first.

The owner of that big hand used his other strong arm to pick up Lu Doudou, ruffled his hair affectionately, and placed him back on the carpet, saying gently, "Just don’t mind your Chao Chao daddy. He’s doing it on purpose. Go back to your book."

Compared to Lu Doudou’s small frame, the man seemed very tall.

Lu Doudou picked up his book again, looked up at Mo Lingnan, and after a moment, let out a long sigh like a mini adult: "Bad Chao Chao."

Lu Tingchao: "!!!"

Lu Tingchao immediately defended himself: "I didn’t!"

Lu Doudou trudged over in his little slippers, stood in front of Lu Tingchao, and said, "A leader in the book said education should start from childhood."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao lost it.

He jumped off the swing: "Mo Lingnan, what on earth are you teaching him every day?!!!"

Lu Doudou’s delicate little fingers tugged at Lu Tingchao’s clothes: "It wasn’t Daddy Mo who taught me, Chao Chao. Don’t fight with him."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

"It’s the early education channel on the child's smartwatch."

Mo Lingnan opened Lu Doudou’s Little Genius watch and handed it to Lu Tingchao. "It has all kinds of audio content, though most people choose children’s stories for their kids."

Lu Tingchao said flatly: "Then why..."

Lu Doudou’s voice was crisp: "I changed the channel myself, Chao Chao. What’s so interesting about the rabbit and carrot stories?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Alright then.

Lu Tingchao, who was perfectly happy listening to rabbit and carrot stories, went quiet.

Lu Tingchao jumped off the swing, pushed open the door of the play fort, stood in front of Lu Doudou, and then crouched to his eye level—

Lu Tingchao rarely looked at Lu Doudou like this.

He wasn’t sure how to raise a child, so since Lu Doudou was little, the two had grown up together, learning as they went.

Apart from the rules Polina had told him in Hong Kong about when babies should roll over or sit up, most of the time, Lu Doudou grew up faster than other children.

He spoke earlier, read children’s picture books earlier, and naturally started on other books earlier too.

Lu Tingchao originally thought there was nothing wrong with this—but just today, the moment he looked at Lu Doudou, he was reminded of Zhuang Ji.

Lu Tingchao hadn’t thought about Zhuang Ji in a long time.

He was someone who was good at moving on from things—he could cut out anything that made him unhappy and abandon anyone who brought him sorrow.

But Lu Doudou was different.

Lu Doudou was his baby.

Just like he, Lu Tingchao, had once been Grandpa Lu’s baby.

In that moment, Lu Tingchao actually wished Lu Doudou wouldn’t resemble Zhuang Ji so much, at least not in his excellence.

He didn’t need to be a top student, nor overly diligent or clever.

If only he could be like him, a slacker who only knew how to have fun...

Never mind.

What kind of future does being like me offer?

Lu Tingchao suddenly felt a little sad.

He reached out and touched Lu Doudou’s hair, then pinched his tender cheek.

Just as he was about to stand up—

Lu Doudou reached out his small hand and held onto Lu Tingchao.

"Chao Chao, is Zhuang Ji really my other daddy?"

Lu Doudou asked in a sweet, babyish voice.

Lu Tingchao blurted out, "Who told you that?"

Lu Doudou said matter-of-factly, "Zhuang Ji said it."

Lu Tingchao pressed his lips together.

Lu Doudou went on, "Chao Chao, you don’t like him anymore, does that mean you don’t like me either?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao turned around and scooped up Lu Doudou. "Why do you ask that?"

Lu Doudou was being good this time, wrapping his little arms around Lu Tingchao’s shoulders. "Because every time you decide to do something, you get that look on your face."

Lu Tingchao: "?"

What expression?

Lu Doudou’s eyes, like Lu Tingchao’s, were beautiful almond eyes. When the two looked at each other, it was like mirror images.

But his nose and mouth took more after Zhuang Ji’s, especially the height of his nose bridge, which could be called a standout among kids.

Lu Doudou said, "Chao Chao, don’t you want me anymore?"

That’s so unfair!

Lu Tingchao shook his head like a bobblehead. "No!"

Lu Doudou thought for a moment, then shot a furtive glance in Mo Lingnan’s direction. "Chao Chao, Doudou wants to whisper something."

Lu Tingchao: "...Alright."

Lu Tingchao carried his chubby little Doudou into the room. "Well, go ahead."

An unusual hint of hesitation and worry appeared on Lu Doudou’s fine-featured little face.

After a while, he tugged Lu Tingchao’s hand with his small fingers and cautiously asked, "Chao Chao, am I gonna be your only kid in the future?"

Lu Tingchao: "What?"

This didn’t sound like a question a child would ask, but it made sense coming from Lu Doudou.

In the time they had spent together, Lu Tingchao rarely came out on top with Lu Doudou. He arched a triumphant brow. "Why do you ask that?"

Lu Doudou said, "Because a couple of days ago, Daddy Mo asked me if I wanted a little brother."

Lu Tingchao was taken aback. "What did you say?"

Lu Doudou shook his head, clutching Lu Tingchao’s neck. "Chao Chao, Doudou doesn’t want a brother. Doudou wants Chao Chao."

This child was almost three years old.

He had spent over two years on the move with Lu Tingchao in Hong Kong, and after returning to Beicheng, they moved frequently.

So much so that Lu Tingchao often forgot that this child also needed a sense of security.

"Got it, little punk."

Lu Tingchao gently patted Lu Doudou’s bottom and hoisted him up. "So, do you like living here, or do you prefer where we lived before?"

Lu Doudou’s voice was still lilting as he clung to Lu Tingchao like a koala. "Anywhere with Chao Chao is fine."

Lu Tingchao paused, then after a long moment, gave a soft 'mm'.

*

Although Lu Tingchao was quite unreliable, fortunately, Hong Kong’s private medical care was very thorough. Whether it was the maternity nurse services or the later childcare services, everything was exceptionally well-handled, so Lu Doudou’s habits were well established.

He almost never overslept, waking up on time, eating, napping, and going to bed at night.

After carrying Lu Doudou out of the bedroom in the morning, Lu Tingchao zoned out for a long time until Mo Lingnan finally couldn’t resist drawing him into an embrace. "What exactly did Doudou tell you?"

Lu Tingchao hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "By the way, I want to tell you something."

Mo Lingnan stroked Lu Tingchao’s hair. "What is it?"

Lu Tingchao: "It’s about Doudou’s kindergarten that I mentioned before..."

Lu Tingchao mulled it over for a while. "I always thought we were on the same family register as Zhuang Ji... but it turned out to be a mix-up. A couple of days ago, I asked the kindergarten’s admissions teacher, and she said if the child is on a separate family register, I can register myself there too. So..."

Mo Lingnan’s movements paused. "So?"

Lu Tingchao: "So we don’t need to register Doudou and me under your household anymore... It’ll save you the hassle, and it’ll be more convenient for you when you get married or something else in the future... You..."

Mo Lingnan’s arms around Lu Tingchao slackened.

He straightened up, lowered his head, and his gaze darkened, as heavy as the day they first met.

Lu Tingchao instinctively flinched back, then awkwardly realized there was a wall behind him: "..."

Lu Tingchao could only wring his hands, his fingers twisting together. "Uncle Mo, you... you’re not angry, are you?"

The air seemed to freeze instantly.

An invisible, heavy low-pressure cloud silently gathered in the bedroom, making everyone feel increasingly harder to breathe.

Lu Tingchao had never been good at handling such situations. Before any direct confrontation, he already wanted to slip away.

But he only managed to take a sidelong step to the left before Mo Lingnan’s arm suddenly shot out to block him, trapping him between the man’s chest and the wall—

The arm hit the wallpaper with a dull, meaty thud, making Lu Tingchao’s teeth hurt instantly.

He quickly turned to look at Mo Lingnan’s hand.

Blood was already seeping from the knuckles pressed against the wall, slowly dripping down.

Lu Tingchao panicked and immediately tried to escape from Mo Lingnan’s other side.

But he still didn’t make it in time.

The man’s broad arms completely blocked all of Lu Tingchao’s escape routes from both sides, leaving him like a panicked little prey in a cage, looking around helplessly before looking up with pleading eyes at the hunter closing in step by step.

Mo Lingnan looked down.

At this... this...

This selfish, cunning, and wayward lover.

Actually, a long time ago, on countless nights when he missed Lu Tingchao even more after getting injured at work,

Mo Lingnan knew that emotional wounds in this world hurt far more than many physical ones.

But even so, Mo Lingnan still couldn't have guessed—even after all this, Lu Tingchao could hurt him again and again, leaving him completely broken.

Their noses touched.

Mo Lingnan asked, "Shouldn’t I be angry?"

Lu Tingchao, seizing the moment, immediately snuggled into Mo Lingnan’s arms: "I’m sorry, honey."

But Mo Lingnan didn’t embrace him back.

He still kept Lu Tingchao pinned in that tight space, then slowly lowered his head and kissed the back of Lu Tingchao’s smooth neck.

Then, in the moment Lu Tingchao let his guard down, sharp canine teeth sank sharply into that patch of skin, like a beast claiming its prey, leaving his own imprint.

The sudden pain made Lu Tingchao, who was always afraid of pain, cry out and immediately try to escape.

But Mo Lingnan’s arm, which had been resting against the wall, instantly tightened, wrapping around Lu Tingchao’s slender waist like a shackle, making it impossible for him to break free.

The pain of his skin being broken made Lu Tingchao’s eyes water, but what he feared even more was Mo Lingnan’s cold, restraining demeanor.

"It hurts!! Mo Lingnan, it hurts!!"

Lu Tingchao thrashed like an animal caught in a trap, struggling desperately in Mo Lingnan’s arms but still unable to escape his fate of being eaten.

The pain lasted until Lu Tingchao’s tears soaked through Mo Lingnan’s clothes and the metallic taste of blood filled Mo Lingnan’s mouth.

It lasted until Lu Tingchao could no longer even struggle, obediently and meekly shrinking into Mo Lingnan’s arms, his voice growing quiet and subdued: "Uncle Mo, I’m sorry, whimpering... Chao Chao hurts... Let Chao Chao go..."

He still knew best how to act spoiled.

And the one who loved him was completely disarmed by this.

Mo Lingnan tightened his arms, finally holding the totally pliant Lu Tingchao fully in his embrace.

Mo Lingnan said, "Chao Chao, it hurts me too."

But Lu Tingchao barely heard Mo Lingnan’s words.

His mind was filled with thoughts of how to quickly escape Mo Lingnan’s arms, run far away, and find someplace safe.

And take Lu Doudou with him.

Despite their closeness, Mo Lingnan couldn’t see Lu Tingchao’s expression.

The person in his arms was still trembling slightly.

Mo Lingnan finally gentled his tone, kissing Lu Tingchao’s forehead: "No transferring the household registration, okay?"

Lu Tingchao nodded obediently: "Mm."

Mo Lingnan: "I’ve already handled all the related procedures. When school starts in two months, we’ll take Doudou together."

Lu Tingchao: "Mm."

Mo Lingnan stroked Lu Tingchao’s slightly thin back, feeling through the thin pajamas a pair of prominent shoulder blades.

Just as Mo Lingnan was about to say more, his phone rang from where it lay.

Lu Tingchao glanced over—he recognized the caller; it was Mo Lingnan’s assistant.

Seeing Mo Lingnan hesitate, Lu Tingchao tugged his shirt, his voice raspy: "Answer it first."

So Mo Lingnan picked up the call.

They were close, and the assistant’s voice on the other end was urgent, so some of the words reached Lu Tingchao’s ears.

"Mr. Mo, the hospital just called. Your mother..."

Mo Lingnan listened quietly, said he understood, then put down the phone and held Lu Tingchao for a while longer.

Lu Tingchao, eager to change the subject, seized the opportunity: "Your mom?"

Mo Lingnan seemed to snap back to attention: "Yeah."

After a moment, Mo Lingnan added: "Her health isn’t good and she’s been in the hospital. The hospital just called and asked me to go see her."

Lu Tingchao, perched on Mo Lingnan’s lap, hesitated a moment and ventured: "...Should I go with you?"

Mo Lingnan: "Not this time."

Mo Lingnan kissed Lu Tingchao again: "I’ll go see how she is first. When the situation improves, I’ll take you with me."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh..."

Lu Tingchao asked: "Does your mom accept our relationship?"

"She will approve."

Mo Lingnan thought for a moment and smiled at Lu Tingchao, "Nothing will come between us, Chao Chao. I love you."

Lu Tingchao blinked: "Then drive careful."

"Mm."

Overall, Mo Lingnan left in a rush.

When the house fell quiet again, Lu Tingchao realized he had never truly understood Mo Lingnan—everything he’d learned had come from other people.

Others said Mo Lingnan was exceptionally outstanding when he served as a bureau director, and was highly regarded by his superiors.

Others said Mo Lingnan left his peak career to go into business for reasons still unknown, but he found equal success in new ventures.

Others said Mo Lingnan was the object of affection for many.

Others said...

But Lu Tingchao never bothered to learn for himself, including about Mo Lingnan’s family.

His experience with Zhuang Ji’s mother had left him drained and disinterested; he had completely lost any desire to engage with another family.

Or perhaps, he was just a pretty terrible person at heart.

The moonlight quietly spilled into the windowsill.

Lu Tingchao shot a furtive glance at the sleeping Lu Doudou, then sat cross-legged on the plush carpet in the living room, quietly scrolling through train tickets.

He had the money Zhuang Ji gave him.

He had his own savings.

But he had no home outside Beicheng.

He didn’t know where to take Lu Doudou either. He scrolled through apps, searching here and there, and even checked out recommended cities to live in, but still couldn’t make up his mind.

Until Fei Xiuqi called.

Having spent a long time inland, Fei Xiuqi’s Mandarin no longer sounded as stiff as before; it now had a more accurate tone.

But his voice still carried its usual flirtatious, playful tone: "BB, did you miss me?"

Lu Tingchao moved the phone away to check the caller: "If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have answered."

"Don’t be like that, I’d be so sad."

Fei Xiuqi said, "Since Mo Lingnan isn’t home anyway, keep me company for a bit, BB?"

After having been tricked before, Lu Tingchao had developed some sharpness: "How do you know he’s not home?"

"BB, understanding your enemy is the most important rule. It applies everywhere."

Fei Xiuqi chuckled, "I just happened to make use of it. So, Chao Chao, am I better at making you happy than him?"

Lu Tingchao: "...Boring. I’m hanging up."

Fei Xiuqi: "Wait—don’t you want to leave him?"

Compared to men long entrenched in the financial world, Lu Tingchao was still far too naive.

So he easily fell into the trap: "How do you know?"

Fei Xiuqi, without batting an eye, set a trap for his love rival: "Because his mother would never accept him being gay, BB. Didn’t you know?"

Lu Tingchao pressed his lips together.

Fei Xiuqi let out an "oh": "Seems he hasn’t taken you to meet his mother yet."

Fei Xiuqi: "BB, after going through things with Zhuang Ji, you wouldn’t want to deal with that kind of unpleasant parent again, right?"

Lu Tingchao didn’t respond.

Fei Xiuqi’s cheerful voice came through the phone: "I’m different. I like you, my sister Polina likes you too, and Devin really likes you as well."

Fei Xiuqi: "All three of us welcome you."

Lu Tingchao said coolly: "...I don’t like you."

"OK, fine."

Fei Xiuqi sighed, "North City has Zhuang Ji and Mo Lingnan. No matter where you run, they’ll find you. I can’t help you much there."

Fei Xiuqi: "But Hong Kong is different, BB."

Lu Tingchao stayed silent.

Fei Xiuqi said: "I’ve spoken to my father. He feels a real connection with you, so he’s given you his favorite villa, in the most bustling part of Hong Kong, with a view of Victoria Harbour’s nightscape. You’ll love it."

Lu Tingchao gritted his teeth: "...No need. I can buy my own."

"Why turn down a free gift?"

Fei Xiuqi’s voice was irresistibly tempting as he said slowly, "Doudou was born in Hong Kong. He’s so smart, and Hong Kong has better education for him. BB, you should really consider it."

Lu Tingchao hesitated for a moment but still said: "No, don’t call me again."

Fei Xiuqi: "Don’t be like that, BB."

Fei Xiuqi’s tone sounded resigned and compromising: "How about this, baby? If you really don’t like me, I’ll just arrange a private jet to take you to Hong Kong. Then you can take Devin’s villa—sell it or live in it, whatever you want."

"Anyway, Hong Kong will give you more freedom than here."

Fei Xiuqi said, "I love you and just want to help you, Chao Chao. Can you understand that?"

This time, Lu Tingchao didn’t speak.

He lowered his head, staring at his phone screen, thought for a moment, and tentatively asked: "Can you promise not to bother me after I go there?"

"I promise."

Fei Xiuqi said, "As long as you don’t reach out, I won’t appear. Is that okay?"

Lu Tingchao fell silent again.

Fei Xiuqi’s voice was like a siren’s song at midnight, full of irresistible temptation: "Whatever you decide, BB, I’m returning to Hong Kong the day after tomorrow. The Fei family’s private jet is parked at the airport. If you want to leave, just call this number or send a message, and I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up immediately. Okay?"

The other end of the line was exceptionally quiet.

A few seconds later, Lu Tingchao hung up.

After the call clearly ended, the noise around Fei Xiuqi resumed.

This was North City’s finest high-end private shooting range.

Fei Xiuqi raised his hand, loaded the gun, and fired a shot straight into the bullseye.

The range owner, acting as a coach, clapped appreciatively: "Young Master Fei, you’re amazing! Why even look for a coach? Few in all of North City can make a shot like that. You must come by more often to show off—you really bring glory to this place!"

Fei Xiuqi tossed the gun aside and wiped his hands: "The range is too mediocre. Not interesting."

The range owner was taken aback: "Mediocre? Young Master Fei, this is the best range in North City! Well, if you have any suggestions for improvements, I’d be happy to—"

"Hong Kong’s are much better."

Fei Xiuqi picked up the jacket hanging on the chair and slung it over his shoulder. "I’m leaving."

*

The next day was a continuous rainy day.

The weather in North City was always strange—blisteringly hot in summer, but after a few rains in autumn, a penetrating chill began to spread.

Raindrops wet the glass, sliding down the bay window in streams.

Lu Tingchao’s phone memo opened to a new page. He stood by the window watching the rain, a rare look of uncertainty in his expression.

Until Lu Doudou, finished brushing his teeth, came waddling over and stood beside Lu Tingchao: "Chao Chao, hug."

Lu Tingchao snapped out of his trance and glanced down at his kid.

Lu Doudou was wearing a bunny onesie; from the feet to the hood, it was all chosen by Lu Tingchao himself. There were two perked-up ears on his head that bounced adorably as he ran over, making him look just like a little bunny.

Lu Tingchao gave one of the bunny ears an affectionate squeeze, then playfully refused: "No hugs. You're too heavy."

Lu Doudou froze, his big eyes filled with disbelief, then lowered his head and went quiet.

Lu Doudou had become more attached than before.

Lu Tingchao picked up his usually serious, studious little chubby kid and gave him a big kiss: "Tell me, do you love studying more or Daddy more?"

The bunny ear that had just been thoroughly ruffled by Lu Tingchao drooped down, covering one of Lu Doudou's eyes.

So Lu Doudou had to keep brushing the ear aside as he seriously answered Lu Tingchao's question: "Study hard... so I can provide for Chao Chao."

"That's right," Lu Tingchao said, very satisfied. "Need to make big money. Supporting Daddy costs a lot."

Lu Doudou nodded his little head seriously: "Richer than... Zhuang Ji and Daddy Mo."

Lu Tingchao chuckled and proceeded to ruffle Lu Doudou's other bunny ear, then carried him from the window: "Little student Doudou, do you know what day it is today?"

Lu Doudou's view was completely blocked by the two bunny ears, and he shook his head innocently: "Chao Chao's birthday isn't here yet."

Lu Tingchao said: "Today is the day we go see your great-grandpa."

Lu Doudou thought for a moment and asked: "Is he Chao Chao's grandpa?"

"Mm," Lu Tingchao said, pulling Lu Doudou out of the bunny onesie like pulling a radish and dressing him, a rare note of pride in his voice. "You're my little one, and I'm your great-grandpa's little one."

Lu Doudou wriggled to free his head from the little sweatshirt: "Doudou loves Chao Chao, so Chao Chao also loves Great-Grandpa."

Lu Tingchao's movements paused.

Something glistening seemed to well up in his eyes, but just for a moment before Lu Tingchao collected himself.

Lu Tingchao took Lu Doudou by the hand: "Mm, but Doudou is a special kid. Chao Chao isn't."

The rain kept falling.

Lu Tingchao grabbed an umbrella from the entryway, opened the door, glanced back at Mo Lingnan's front door, then took Lu Doudou's hand firmly: "Chao Chao is the least successful of all your great-grandpa's grandchildren."

Back then, the Lu family collapsed thoroughly and rapidly. Just when everyone thought that with Grandpa Lu holding things up, the family could still hold on a while longer—

The Lu family swiftly declared bankruptcy.

*

After that, the once-prominent Lu family fell apart. Assets were either restructured or handed over. They crashed overnight and never recovered.

No one was even willing to buy a grave plot for Grandpa Lu in North City.

In the end, it was Lu Tingchao who paid for it.

To be precise, Lu Tingchao didn't have the money back then either—it was paid for by his husband in name only, Zhuang Ji.

They chose the best and most expensive spot in all of North City, had a feng shui master carefully calculate and survey it, and laid him to rest on a bright, sunny day.

In previous years, Lu Tingchao and Zhuang Ji would come together.

But not for the past two years.

The rain continued to fall, though the time had shifted from early morning to noon.

Lu Tingchao held the umbrella and led Lu Doudou, who was bundled up like a little dumpling, up the steps along the path—they wouldn’t have been this late originally, but they were almost mobbed by fans on the way.

Lu Tingchao had never imagined he would one day have so many fans.

It started with just one fan asking for an autograph and a photo at a corner. Before Lu Tingchao could even process being famous, he politely signed autographs and posed for photos.

But after walking just a few dozen meters further, he began to sense something was wrong.

Then, in less than twenty minutes, crowds of fans completely blocked the path. They constantly flashed cameras and brazenly asked about the child Lu Tingchao was carrying.

Fans held up huge CP posters, shouting that he and Fei Xiuqi were the most perfect pair in the world, chanting about it being everyone’s duty to protect their CP.

In the end, Lu Tingchao, alone and cornered, had to call the police. With the help of the officers who arrived, he carried Lu Doudou and fled down a side path.

Rain silently dripped from the umbrella's edge before splashing softly on the ground.

Lu Tingchao held Lu Doudou’s hand and noticed the little one’s slight trembling. So he held the umbrella with one hand and scooped Lu Doudou into his arms with the other—

Zhuang Ji had done this before. So had Mo Lingnan.

Their strong arms made it look easy, but for someone like Lu Tingchao, who avoided both books and workouts, it was a strain.

But Lu Tingchao didn’t put Lu Doudou down.

He carried him a bit further. Snuggled in Lu Tingchao’s arms, Lu Doudou asked: "Chao Chao, do those people like you a lot?"

Lu Tingchao’s steps faltered.

Lu Doudou asked again: "Who is that other person in the photo?"

His nominal CP.

So this was what it meant to become an overnight sensation—fans accumulated so easily, the public was so easily fooled—

No wonder the CP between Zhuang Ji and Jiang Rong had lifted them both to such heights.

Lu Tingchao’s arms trembled slightly from the effort of carrying Lu Doudou. He hugged his little one closer and kissed him: "Doudou, they don’t like me."

Lu Doudou, still young, didn’t understand: "Then why do they say they love you?"

"They love the person they imagine me to be."

Lu Tingchao finally reached the top of the stairs.

Through the layers of rain, he saw the tombstone he hadn’t visited in so long.

Weathered by time, the tombstone remained steady, solemn, simple, and peaceful.

Just like the old hands that had lifted him up countless times when he fell.

Rain soaked the freshly placed white chrysanthemums in front of the tombstone.

Lu Doudou, nestled against Lu Tingchao’s chest, pointed a chubby finger forward: "Chao Chao, there’s someone over there."

Amid the constant sound of rain.

Before the solemn tombstone stood a man in a black trench coat, a black umbrella resting beside him.

He was very tall, with a model-like physique.

Rain had dampened his clearly expensive clothing, and even his leather shoes were spattered with rain.

The man appeared to have just finished cleaning the photo, and as he stood up, his gaze met Lu Tingchao's.

The unexpected eye contact left both men momentarily stunned.

"Zhuang Ji," Lu Tingchao said.