Chapter 113.1

Editor: Sahloknir

Cheng Yunling felt like a dark cloud was hovering over Tan Mingjin.

At this moment, her previous joy at ‘earning through hard work’ had all but vanished from her mind.

Instead, a ball of thoughts that resembled yarn connected the dots.

Shi Qing likes his uncle.

And she had persuaded him to courageously follow his heart.

Now Shi Qing wasn’t able to confess, and he dragged her down as well.

He was President Tan’s nephew. So no matter how angry Tan Mingjin was, the man wouldn’t do anything too drastic to his only relative.

But it was different for an outsider like her.

There was only one word left in Cheng Yunling’s head at this stage.

—Run!!!

“President Tan, Young Master Shi, A-Zhi and I have to hurry back to the set, so we won’t bother you anymore. We’ll be going first! See you later!”

After saying that, she ran away like a startled rabbit, dragging her bemused boyfriend out with her.

Shi Qing didn’t stop them this time because he had already accomplished his objective. Instead, he casually leaned back in his chair, directing an innocent and lost look at the man across from him.

Maybe because the outsiders had left and Tan Mingjin’s face was a truly terrifying shade of black, but Shi Qing’s voice softened again. He spoke in a self-deprecating tone to no one in particular.

“Uncle, are you really angry with me? It was just a joke. Don’t be so petty.”

Don’t! Be! So—

Luckily, Tan Mingjin’s long journey to the top had tempered his anger. If a lesser man experienced all the ups and downs that he had today, they might just faint from all the rage caused by this unfilial brat.

If anyone else put him through so much turmoil, Tan Mingjin would’ve definitely snapped by now.

But for some reason, when the man saw Shi Qing act smug, like he was sure Tan Mingjin wouldn’t actually do anything to him, all the resentment bottled up inside faded away.

He slightly shifted his hand. A trace of the youth’s warmth seemed to still remain on the thinly calloused palm.

Shi Qing has always been a rambunctious and flighty child. Although he didn’t exercise regularly like the introverted Tan Mingjin, he was in good health. His hand was much warmer than the man’s.

This warmth permeated the man’s hand when it was held.

Even his heart began to warm.

But it ended up being a joke played on him by the little guy.

His hand had already returned to its normal temperature by now. Tan Mingjin felt disappointed, but he wasn’t sure why. Was it because Shi Qing had let go, or was it because it was all a joke?

Little Shi Qing was looking at him with guilt in his eyes. His expression was filled with trepidation. It was a little pitiable. His little mouth no longer babbled like before. It was nervously pressed into a thin line.

The last remnants of frustration in Tan Mingjin’s heart dissipated at the sight.

The man didn’t think that Shi Qing was purposely going against him like he used to. Now, he just thought that the little guy was worried his uncle was angry at him for pranking him.

The man’s face darkened once more.

If you knew I would be angry, why do it in the first place?

Who knew what kind of spell that Cheng Yunling had cast on Shi Qing to convince him that this kind of joke would go over well.

As a sour and bitter feeling encompassed his heart, a gloomy look came over his gaze.

But Tan Mingjin’s answer was, “I’m not angry.”

As for what he really felt inside, well, that was for him alone to know.

Young Master Shi has always had an outrageous conduct, plus he never learned from his mistakes. When he heard that his uncle wasn’t angry, Shi Qing immediately stopped pretending to be repentant. He rubbed his clothed stomach in a particularly overbearing fashion.

“Fruit really doesn’t have much sustenance. I just ate but I’m hungry already. Uncle, let’s order some more from here. We didn’t get anything but fruit before.”

It was fine if he didn’t mention it, but now all Tan Mingjin could think about was how obediently Shi Qing had fed him fruit and demanded to be fed in return. The frustration that he had just suppressed came back again with a vengeance.

Especially when he saw the contrast between Shi Qing’s devil-may-care attitude and little Shi Qing’s guilty looks. The little guy seemed to act like he did something bad.

The man took in a very deep breath.

Shi Qing was so happy with Cheng Yunling, but with him, he was…riddled with guilt.

Could it be, does he actually like…

Even if Tan Mingjin had tried his best to brainwash himself with phrases like, “I’m just Shi Qing’s uncle”, or “I should be glad that Shi Qing finds happiness”, or “I might as well hide my feelings in the bottom of my heart for the rest of my life” etc.

That was before Shi Qing had taken the initiative to get close to him.

In just one day, Tan Mingjin had been doted on twice (even though they were both faked). It was a miracle he hadn’t trapped Shi Qing and confessed already.

How could he possibly watch Shi Qing act on his feelings for Cheng Yunling?

He sighed deeply again and forced himself to not say anything. He gestured for the menu to be brought over and watched as the youth perused the dishes.

Even if Shi Qing had no such thoughts, even if his heart was filled with unwillingness, the man must endure.

“Uncle, how about a steak?”

Shi Qing deliberately looked up at Tan Mingjin. There was a nice smile on his face, but each and every word from those ruby red lips stabbed into the man’s heart like stakes.

“Cheng Yunling seemed to really enjoy hers just now. Why don’t we try it too?”

Tan Mingjin just happened to be taking the new cup the server handed over. His hand almost slipped when he heard what Shi Qing said, condemning this cup to the same fate as its predecessor.

The hand holding the cup paused for nearly two seconds before slowly putting it down on the table.

His deep voice maintained its usual steady quality, but it was a bit hoarse.

“You seem to like Cheng Yunling a lot, but she has a boyfriend already. As a man, and one who so openly pursued her before, you should keep some distance from her, lest her boyfriend come to the wrong conclusion.

“Why would he? I came to ask Cheng Yunling for a favour. I’m sure she’ll explain it all to him so he won’t misunderstand us.”

Shi Qing was absolutely certain of that.

After all, ordinary men wouldn’t worry about a gay man making moves on their girlfriend.

Feeling quite thoughtful, Shi Qing handed the menu to the waiter and smiled at Tan Mingjin after he had left. “I ordered one for you too.”

Tan Mingjin had no interest in steak right now.

The only thing he wanted to sink his teeth into was Shi Qing.

Alas, Shi Qing didn’t want to let him take a bite. He seemed more interested in snacking on other people.

Tan Mingjin grew more and more gloomy.

He asked, “What did you ask her to help with? Wouldn’t it be better to ask me?”

He was absolutely certain of that.

Whether it was in terms of connections or appraisal ability, he was leagues better than Cheng Yunling.

The youth shot the man in front of him a puzzled look. Upon seeing the traces of gloom in Tan Mingjin’s handsome face, like he was angry at someone, Shi Qing wanted to chuckle.

He said after a pause, “It’s something Uncle has no experience with, so you can’t help me.”

Tan Mingjin glanced at little Shi Qing.

The little guy’s head was currently in his hands. His tender face looked rather gloomy as he swung his little feet idly.

Tan Mingjin would’ve been fine with that, if little Shi Qing didn’t shoot him occasional looks.

Like he had done something wrong.

Tan Mingjin grew more and more frustrated.

Was Shi Qing annoyed that he was interfering with him getting closer to Cheng Yunling?

While he thought things like, “The child I’ve raised can’t possibly do something so unethical as going after a girl with a boyfriend”, his heart was practically brewing jars of aged vinegar.

“I’m much older than her. What could she possibly have more experience at than me?”

Tan Mingjin said that quite self-righteously.

And with good reason.

He was already working multiple part time jobs as a student, and he was involved in school affairs as well. After starting his own business, he encountered all sorts of situations and overcame a vast variety of problems.

If someone were to say that there was something Cheng Yunling could do that he couldn’t, well…

Tan Mingjin didn’t believe that was possible.

Right now, Shi Qing was completely in sync with his tinier counterpart.

They were both sneaking glances at the man sitting very straight in his seat.

He pouted.

Little Shi Qing pouted too.

He opened his mouth.

Little Shi Qing followed up and sighed.

He slightly wrinkled his brows and hesitantly said, “Umm…it’s about pursuing your crush. Uncle, you’ve never been in a relationship, right?”

Little Shi Qing sighed heavily again. His gaze towards Tan Mingjin was filled with gloom once more.

Tan Mingjin: “…”

He stiffened again. It was several seconds before he spoke. To the somewhat shy and embarrassed Shi Qing, he softly said,

“You…”

There was another pause. The man couldn’t stay calm anymore. He felt like he was dreaming. “You have someone you like?”

A flush came over the youth’s pale and tender face. The normally overbearing young master fidgeted and nodded very minutely.

He and little Shi Qing peeked at Tan Mingjin again.

And to Tan Mingjin, these looks seemed to show that Shi Qing was afraid his uncle would not accept this.

“I like them a lot, so I asked Cheng Yunling about how to pursue them.”

Tan Mingjin: “…”

He didn’t know what to say anymore.

His heart…might have already exploded.

Only after half a minute did the usually steadfast man force out a sentence. His voice was hoarse. “What kind of person are they?”

Shi Qing seemed to lower his head in embarrassment.

On the contrary, little Shi Qing stared straight at Tan Mingjin.

Shi Qing sighed, “They’re a bit older than I am, and a really formidable person. I’ve admired them for a long time.”

Tan Mingjin was taken aback. His heart felt bitter.

The man thought he was the one Shi Qing admired.

He took a sip of water to appear less stiff. “It’s good that they’re older. Then they’ll know how to take care of you.”

He paused then said, “How much older exactly? Do they go to your school?”

Young Master Shi’s head dipped lower, like he was afraid of meeting Tan Mingjin’s eyes. “They’re more than ten years my senior, and they’ve had a job for a long time.”

Tan Mingjin: “…More than ten years??!!”

That much of an age gap?

Shi Qing nodded and continued. “Even though they’re much older than me, their age doesn’t show at all. They really like to exercise, so they look 25 or 26 at most. Besides…”

LIttle Shi Qing squealed and covered his burning face, like he was super embarrassed.

“They’re really good looking too.”

Tan Mingjin: “…”