Chapter 25
Chapter 25
After Tuantuan ran away crying, Grandpa Tan, who had been half listening to their argument, reprimanded them half-seriously: “How could you bully a child?”
Tan Yue scoffed, “He should be grateful he’s just a child.”
Hearing this, Grandpa Tan burst into laughter, but Song Linchu was left speechless.
He had underestimated Tan Yue. The guy acted like a possessive lover and made himself look foolish. Song Linchu had worried about being exposed in front of Grandpa Tan, but it turned out to be for nothing.
Soon, Tan Yue’s uncle Tao Yunli also arrived, along with his cousin and aunt.
Tan Yue introduced them all to Song Linchu, who received a pile of red envelopes that were getting heavier and heavier, making him feel a bit embarrassed.
They had lunch at Grandpa Tan’s house, but after the meal, the grandfather went to rest because he was not feeling well.
Tan Yue took Song Linchu to say goodbye to his relatives and then they left his grandfather’s house.
As they were leaving, Tuan Tuan looked sad and heartbroken, tugging at Song Linchu’s clothes.
Song Linchu was so touched by the little boy’s adorableness that he leaned down and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want Big Brother to leave,” Tuan Tuan whined in his childish voice.
Song Linchu rubbed his head gently and said, “Big brother will come to see you next time.”
However, Tuan Tuan was not satisfied and asked in a small voice, “Will you live with Uncle forever from now on?”
Song Linchu had initially wanted to say “no,” but he realized that it might cause confusion if he explained it to a child. If the child misunderstood and told the adults, it could lead to misunderstandings and their marriage could be ruined.
So Song Linchu nodded and said, “Yes.”
Tuan Tuan sighed like a little adult and said, “Alright then, it’s like a pig eating a good cabbage.”
Song Linchu: “…” Are you trying to laugh at me for inheriting debt?
“What are you two whispering about?” Tan Yue suddenly appeared above them and startled Tuan Tuan, who quickly covered his little mouth.
He stole a glance at Tan Yue and met his threatening gaze. He shrank his small body, and under the pressure of Tan Yue’s stare, reluctantly let go of Song Linchu’s clothes and retreated behind his mother, looking aggrieved.
Song Linchu was still holding back his laughter until he left Grandpa Tan’s house.
Tan Yue saw that his face was turning red from holding it in and asked expressionlessly, “What did that little brat say?”
“Nothing, nothing at all.”
He couldn’t betray the little guy, otherwise he would be in even hotter water under his uncle’s tyranny.
Tan Yue, of course, didn’t believe him, but he didn’t pursue the matter either.
He didn’t need to argue with a child.
The driver took them straight to Tan Yue’s house.
This was Song Linchu’s second time at the Tan house. The first time he came, Tan Yue inexplicably ignored him for a week, and their relationship was awkward and unfamiliar.
Now, unexpectedly, he had become the other master of the house.
Legally.
The people here were also treating him as the master. Apparently, Butler Liu had already talked to the other household servants and treated him the same way as Tan Yue.
Moreover, Tan Yue was too cold so they were respectful to him but much more affectionate and easy-going to Song Linchu. Despite Song Linchu’s firm opposition to being called “Young Master Song” by them, they warmly addressed him as “Little Lin”.
According to local customs in Haikou, on the day of the newlyweds’ registration, they should drink lily and lotus seed soup when entering the house, symbolizing a hundred years of happy union and a lifetime of togetherness. Although everyone in the Tan household knew that the master and Song Linchu had an arranged marriage, the kitchen still prepared the soup.
After Butler Liu consulted with Tan Yue and received his approval, he had the kitchen prepare two bowls of lily and lotus seed soup.
Song Linchu took a few sips of the sweet soup, suddenly remembering something. He took out the bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table, pushing it towards Tan Yue on the other side.
“Gege, here’s your card back.”
Tan Yue pushed the card back. “If I give it to you, it’s yours.”
Song Linchu thought Tan Yue was just putting on an act in front of his grandfather. After all, the marriage contract Tan Yue sent him yesterday did not mention this clause. It only stated that after the end of their marriage, Tan Yue would pay him a certain amount of compensation.
At the time, Song Linchu counted the zeros of the “breakup fee” Tan Yue gave him and almost knelt down to call him “dad.”
The amount was just too much.
And now Tan Yue was even giving him his supplementary card directly. Song Linchu couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really sure you trust me not to steal from you?”
Tan Yue raised his eyes slightly. “You could spend for a whole year and not even use one-tenth of it.”
Song Linchu: ???
“I can buy dozens or even hundreds of houses in Haikou and it will get over in a few days.”
Haikou’s property prices were so expensive that he didn’t believe there were billions in Tan Yue’s card.
Tan Yue gave him a strange look.
Song Linchu: “…What?”
“Do you have a household registration in Haikou?”
*In China, a household registration (or “hukou” in Chinese) is a system used to identify a person’s place of origin and it is tied to a range of benefits, such as education, healthcare, and social security.
Song-Linchu, a poor guy without any connections or background, said, “Do you need a local household registry to buy a house?”
Tan Yue gave him a look that said, “That’s obvious.”
Song Linchu: “…”
“Also, there’s a purchase limit. If you move your household registration, you can only buy one house within three years.”
Song Linchu: “…”
Ahem, awkward, it’s really awkward.
It’s not Song Linchu’s fault, he had no parents, no funds, and no one around him has ever mentioned buying a house, let alone actively sought information, so he didn’t even have basic knowledge.
Tan Yue didn’t ridicule him, but instead asked, “Do you want to transfer your household over?”
Now that he was married to Tan Yue, he could move directly to Haikou.
How many people dream of having a household registry in Haikou?
No, he had to be reserved. It’s not good to make too many demands on the first day of marriage.
Besides, he may not even work in Haikou in the future!
“Okay, thank you, gege!”
Ah, who am I, where am I, and what am I saying?
Tan Yue made a sound of agreement, and then said, “I’m going on a business trip tomorrow for a week. If you need anything, just message me on WeChat.”
This was probably the business trip Tan Yue had planned before his grandfather’s accident delayed it. Song Linchu didn’t feel anything about having to stay alone just after getting married, as he also needed to revise for exams.
“Okay,” Song Linchu stirred the lotus seed soup in his bowl and said, “I have something to tell you when you come back.”
Since he was going to hold a birthday banquet, he would definitely run into Tan Mingqing, and their relationship would surely be exposed.
Instead of being embarrassed face to face at the banquet, it’s better to confess their relationship beforehand.
He originally thought that after getting their marriage certificate, Tan Yue would have lunch at his grandfather’s house and then have a family dinner here in the evening and was a bit nervous in case he met his ex boyfriend, but Tan Yue had no intention of doing that at all, which surprised Song Linchu.
It seems that Tan Yue’s main purpose in marrying him was to deal with his grandfather, and now that they have come to his home, he didn’t want to pretend to be affectionate anymore.
Tan Yue could guess what he wanted to say and replied softly, “Okay.”
That night, Song Linchu stayed at Tan Yue’s house. He originally thought he would share a room with Tan Yue and had some secret expectations, but the butler had already prepared a room for him.
Different from the guest room on the third floor before, this time the room was arranged on the second floor, opposite Tan Yue’s room.
Moreover, it was not just a guest room, but a specially designated room for him. Inside, not only were all kinds of supplies readily available, but there were also many clothes tailor-made to fit his body, allowing him to stay here even if he didn’t specially bring his belongings from the dormitory.
As Tan Yue’s house was far away from their university, he did not ask him to live together. He just asked him to come over and stay on weekends, without putting any pressure on him, and Song Linchu felt quite happy about this in his heart.
There was no conversation throughout the night.
The next day, when Song Linchu got up, Tan Yue had already left for the airport. He had breakfast at Tan’s house and had to go back to school to review and prepare for the final exams.
“Little Lin, this is a New Year’s gift from Master. It just arrived this morning, and since you weren’t up yet, he asked me to pass it on to you.”
Before leaving, the butler handed a delicate box to Song Linchu.
A gift?
Song Linchu took it suspiciously. He didn’t trust Tan Yue’s straight male personality and suspected he might have sent him a bunch of winter vacation homework.
But the box was quite light, so it shouldn’t be books or anything.
“I didn’t prepare anything,” Song Linchu said, feeling a little embarrassed.
He didn’t even think about giving a gift.
Butler Liu smiled and said, “You can make up for it. Master won’t mind.”
Song Linchu hinted, “Does he have any preferences or hobbies?”
Butler Liu thought for a moment and asked, “Does work count?”
Song Linchu: “…”
Ah, this… Tan Yue is too dedicated.
If he had only a year or two left to live and was so rich, he should have been enjoying himself every day instead of accumulating more wealth and giving it to his nephew.
Yama won’t hand out a Top Ten Uncle Award anyway.
Song Linchu’s speechless expression was too obvious, so Butler Liu explained: “It’s not easy to sit in the position of the partriach. His father and brothers cannot be relied upon, so he can only rely on himself. Although it’s stable now, there are still some people watching in the dark, waiting for an opportunity. He cannot let his guard down.”
Song Linchu nodded: “I see.”
Indeed, Tan Mingqing’s father couldn’t even be considered a wealthy family, so he couldn’t be relied on.
But with Tan Yue’s wealth, it should be easy for him to support the Tan Mingqing family, at least to the level of an ordinary wealthy family. Should it be said that his father was too useless, or everyone was too useless?
Tan Yue had entrusted such a large industry to Tan Mingqing’s hands. Wasn’t he afraid that he wouldn’t be able to keep it?
But it seems that he can’t give it to anyone else except Tan Mingqing.
Give it to his uncle? His uncle has his own business.
Song Linchu sighed. He really worried about Tan Yue’s inheritance!
Back in the dormitory, Song Linchu finally opened the gift that Tan Yue had given him. He had prepared himself to be disappointed, but unexpectedly, Tan Yue had given him a watch.
A delicate men’s watch.
Tan Yue also wore a watch occasionally, and Song Linchu had seen it before. His memory was excellent, and even if he had only caught a glimpse of it, he recognized that the watch that Tan Yue had given him was a couple’s model.
The purpose was obvious. Wearing something on the wrist was eye-catching and could show off their love.
Damn it!
This man was like a sow wearing makeup when showing off his love, one set after another.
Thinking of the “breakup fee” with all those zeros behind it, Song Linchu silently put on the watch, took a photo, and sent it to Tan Yue.
Little Songlin: [(picture)]
Little Songlin: [Gege, I received your gift!]
Little Songlin: [I should have waited for you to come back and put it on me, but I couldn’t wait.]
Little Songlin: [QAQ The first day you’re not here, I miss you.]
Little Songlin: [(pitiful little fox.gif)]
On the other side, at the capital airport.
As soon as Tan Yue sat in the car that had picked him up, he received the message from Song Linchu.
Looking at the snow-white wrist in the picture, Tan Yue’s tense jawline slowly softened.
Tan Yue: [How much do you miss me?]
Little Songlin: [Not too much, just a tiny bit.]
Little Songlin: [Do you miss me, gege?]
Little Songlin: [(Fox emoji)]
Tanyue: [Yes.]
Song Linchu was delighted.
Tan Yue: [It’s impossible to miss you.]
Song Linchu: ???
Why are there such disgusting straight steel men in this world!
Little Songlin: [I’ll screenshot and send it to grandpa!]
Tan Yue retracted a message.
Tan Yue: [Yan Yan, I miss you.]
Song Linchu: “…”
Even if he knew that Tan Yue, this dog of a man, was artificially making sugar and was as fake as it could be, Song Linchu’s ears turned red when he saw these five words.
Damn it, he was actually teased by a lie. Was there any hope for him?
Song Linchu expressionlessly put his phone upside down on the table and decided not to talk to this dog of a man for the day!
——————–
Since both roommates had gone out to have fun and the weather was not cold enough to require heating, Song Linchu stayed in the dormitory and studied for two days with peace of mind.
On the last afternoon of the New Year’s Day holiday, Song Linchu received a voice message from Liang Xinxin.
Liang Xinxin: [Hey! Tan Mingqing and Su Zhan had a fight again.]
Liang Xinxin: [This dear sister tried to counsel him sincerely and made Tan Mingqing feel more affectionate towards me. I feel he has already started to have ideas for me.]
Liang Xinxin sent a few screenshots of their conversation, all showing Tan Mingqing complaining that Su Zhan did not understand him. He clearly knew that his finances were limited, yet he still loved to show off and wanted to go to various high-end consumption places like before. If Tan Mingqing didn’t take him along, he would sulk and throw tantrums.
Liang Xinxin’s eloquence was top-notch, such as “Your boyfriend is just spoiled by you, which makes him so vain and showy. It’s difficult to change from luxury to frugality, but you can tolerate and endure it. If you are unhappy, you can talk to me about it. I understand you!”
Damn… it was amazing! Tan Mingqing, that scumbag, was moved and even asked her to have dinner with him that night.
However, Liang Xinxin replied that she had an appointment with friends that night and didn’t have time. She could only chat with him on WeChat, but she would reply more slowly. She caught that scumbag Tan Mingqing, and Song Linchu felt that Su Zhan’s dream of marrying into a wealthy family would soon be shattered.
Song Linchu sent a thumbs-up emoji to Liang Xinxin.
Little Songlin: [Senior Sister is amazing!]
Liang Xinxin: [It’s not that I’m amazing, it’s that Tan Mingqing is despicable.]
Liang Xinxin: [This scumbag is a slave to beauty, likes every pretty girl he sees, and his interest in Su Zhan has almost worn off. I guess he’s regretting breaking up with you now.]
Little Songlin: […]
Little Songlin: [I’d rather not have anything to do with him. He’s disgusting.]
Liang Xinxin: [Yeah, being liked by such a person is unlucky for eight generations. You were blind to have liked him in the first place! Bah!]
Liang Xinxin acted weak and pitiful when playing the green tea, but she was domineering and fierce in normal times, like a split personality.
Song Linchu fell for Tan Mingqing at first because he was sincere when pursuing him and treated him well. For example, he would run out in the middle of the night in the rain just to buy ice cream that he wanted. Moreover, he was not a typical straight steel man. On the contrary, he was quite romantic and could play the role of a perfect boyfriend if he wanted to.
He was deceived by this scumbag’s disguise.
Alas…
When Su Zhan returned to the dormitory that evening, his face was gloomy. It seemed that he and Tan Mingqing had not reconciled yet.
Li Chang came back before him and learned about the progress with Liang Xinxin from Song Linchu. He was so elated that he could have laughed out loud for miles around.
Upon seeing Su Zhan come in, Li Chang asked with a smirk, “Su Zhan, what kind of New Year’s gift did your boyfriend give you? Why don’t you show us and broaden our horizons?”
Su Zhan’s face showed a hint of anger, which quickly subsided and he retorted, “Why should I broaden your horizons?”
“Oh, I thought you liked to show off to us. It seems like the new year has brought new changes for you,” Li Chang said mockingly.
Su Zhan: “…”
Ah, what a despicable person!