chapter 21
The little boy sneaked a glance at Fu Juncheng. Seeing that he had no intention of comforting him, his crying grew even louder.
“You brat, do you have to make him cry? What kind of uncle does that?”
The woman who spoke wore a simple linen dress that gave her an air of grace and elegance. Her face was as delicate as a lotus blossom, her willow-like brows and water-bright eyes bearing a faint resemblance to Fu Juncheng’s.
Though she was already in her forties, time had left no trace on her features. If anything, it had only added to her charm.
Tao Qiuyue gave Fu Juncheng a mild glare, then pulled out a tissue to wipe the boy’s tears.
Right after that, she scooped the little guy into her arms—only to shove him into Fu Juncheng’s chest. “You made him cry, so you’re the one who should coax him.”
Fu Juncheng looked down at the sobbing child in his arms. His tears and snot were smeared together, and Fu’s brows furrowed.
“Stop.”
His voice was low and even—not too soft, not too harsh. The little boy’s rosy lips pressed together instantly, his crying stopping at once.
Experience told him that if he kept crying, he’d be dropped the very next second.
His obedient yet pitiful expression made everyone around chuckle. Truly—there’s always something that can rein another in.
Fu Juncheng bent down and set the little one back on the ground. His long, elegant fingers ruffled the boy’s hair lightly.
“Go wash your face.”
The child rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, shoulders slumped, and trudged off toward the bathroom.
The old lady watching couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. She took the boy’s hand. “Come on, Hengheng, let’s wash your face. After that, we’ll come find your uncle again.”
Fu Juncheng turned and sat on the sofa, glancing at his mother. “Why did you bring him here?”
“Xuanxuan’s been busy with work lately,” Tao Qiuyue replied. “Since I’m free, I brought Hengheng over to play for a few days.”
Then her tone shifted. “By the way, didn’t you say you’d be back tonight? Why so early?”
“The business wrapped up ahead of schedule, so I came back,” Fu Juncheng said evenly, his expression unchanged.
Hearing that, Tao Qiuyue didn’t think much of it. Her attention was drawn instead to the gift boxes on the table.
“What are these?”
“Gifts for Grandpa and Grandma,” he said.
As he spoke, old Master Tao sat down on the opposite sofa, pouring himself tea.
“Then when,” he said casually, “are you going to bring me a granddaughter-in-law?”
Ah, the usual family routine—urging marriage.
Tao Qiuyue almost burst out laughing and secretly gave her father a mental thumbs-up.
At home, his grandfather pushed him to marry; outside, his grandfather-in-law did the same. Fu Juncheng was long used to it. His face remained calm, and he didn’t respond.
“Qixuan’s only a year older than you, and Hengheng’s already three,” old Master Tao pressed on. “You haven’t even brought a girl home once. Don’t tell me you plan to become a monk.”
The old man was really going all in for a granddaughter-in-law.
“It’s rare for you to come back,” he continued. “Stay a few more days this time. Let your grandmother find you a few candidates to meet.”
Tao Qiuyue, ever the instigator, chimed in, “I think your grandpa’s right. Acheng, stay for a few days. Your grandma’s got a whole album of lovely girls she wants you to see.”
Watching the two of them play tag-team matchmaker, Fu Juncheng became even more certain that coming home had been a mistake.
He stayed silent.
“Uncle!” The little boy returned from washing his face, clutching two lollipops in his chubby hands.
Children’s moods changed fast. In just a few minutes, the tear-streaked, porcelain-doll face had turned into one beaming with sunshine again.
“Uncle, this is for you!”
Having watched the boy grow up, Fu Juncheng knew exactly what kind of little schemer he was.
Whenever he acted cute, there was always something he wanted.
Fu cast him a cool glance, one eyebrow raised. “What do you want this time?”
Little Qi Heng giggled, using both hands and knees to climb onto the sofa, scooting right up beside him.
His plump little fingers tugged at Fu Juncheng’s sleeve. “Uncle, the other kids all have puppies. I want one too.”
“And what kind of dog does Hengheng want?” old Master Tao asked with a kind smile.
Before the old man could make good on that idea, Tao Qiuyue hurriedly interjected, “Dad, don’t agree to that! Xuanxuan’s allergic to dog hair. If Hengheng brings a dog home, it could be dangerous.”
Old Master Tao blinked, then chuckled. “Then there’s nothing Great-Grandpa can do, Hengheng.”
Qi Heng pouted, looking up at Fu Juncheng with pitiful eyes. “Uncle…”
Fu Juncheng asked lazily, “You really want one?”
The boy nodded vigorously.
“Let’s see how you behave,” Fu said—mercifully, for once, not crushing the boy’s hope completely.
Qi Heng’s eyes lit up, and his little voice turned syrupy sweet. “Uncle, you’re the best!”
“Acheng,” Grandma Tao said, glancing around, “why didn’t you bring your luggage inside?”
“You’re not staying a few days?”
“It’s in the car,” he replied.
Her face brightened instantly, and she asked tentatively, “Acheng, have you met any girl you like recently?”
Round and round they went—right back to the same topic.
“If not,” Tao Qiuyue chimed in, “let your grandma introduce you to someone.”
Fu Juncheng shot her a side-eye and said dryly, “So… you and my dad made up?”
That one hit home. Tao Qiuyue’s smile froze. “Fu Juncheng, don’t you bring him up to me.”
Made up?
Ha. In his dreams.
Fu Juncheng’s lips curved faintly as a certain fiery “little lion” flashed through his mind.
Not a single message from her until now.
Could it be… she’s forgotten him already?
CC Internet Café
Unlike upscale gaming lounges with clean, quiet interiors, this place was messy and cramped, thick with the stench of cigarette smoke.
Rows of computers were packed tightly together, the clacking of keyboards overlapping in chaotic rhythm, igniting the night’s restless energy.
In a shadowed corner, a slim girl leaned back in her chair, fingers flying across the keyboard as her cool, delicate eyes scanned the screen.
Lines of code flashed and shifted at dizzying speed.
Gu Qingning reached for her water bottle, her long fingers twisting the cap open with one hand.
Without taking her gaze off the monitor, she lifted it to her lips and gulped twice.
After paying for the cab, she’d been left with only a few dozen yuan—nowhere near enough for an upscale club, so she’d settled for this cheap internet café.
The place was run-down, sure—but it was cheap, and more importantly, it had computers.
Right now, she was completely broke. Worse, she still owed Fu Juncheng two hundred yuan. She had to make some money, no matter what.
Setting the bottle down, Gu Qingning’s hands returned to the keyboard, moving with lightning speed.
Just a little more…
Her lips pressed together, a glint flashing under the brim of her cap.
Done.
Her meal money for the next few days was secured.
She smiled faintly, tapped a key, and switched the screen back to a game window.
But unlike everyone else playing the latest popular games, she picked a “classic” — Candy Crush.
She leaned back lazily, long fingers resting on the mouse, clicking absentmindedly.
After a long day of work, the moment she relaxed, fatigue came crashing down.
Just as she was about to close her eyes for a short nap, a commotion broke out behind her.
“Find her! Even if you have to dig through the floor, drag that person out for me!” a hoarse male voice barked, dripping with menace.
“What’s wrong with you people? This is a public place! How are we supposed to play with you making a scene like this?”
“Boss, we paid to be here! Aren’t you going to do something?”
Complaints rippled through the room one after another, and the atmosphere plummeted into tension.
