Editor: Sahloknir

Tan Mingjin put the book about raising piglets away. He took out his phone and looked at his search history to make sure that he was the one who added this book to the list. Then, he deleted the search history as if nothing had happened, going back to his desk to continue working.

He had once gained the nickname ‘overtime fiend’. Naturally, there was a reason for this. As a first generation rich man with great self-control, who never failed to achieve anything he wanted to. Once Tan Mingjin got down to work, he focused entirely on each task.

But for some reason today, though his eyes were clearly looking at the computer, all he could think about was Shi Qing.

One second, it would be Shi Qing’s stubborn and defiant look, and in the next it would be little Shi Qing crying and pitifully wiping away his tears.

After a while, it turned into the little guy glaring at him with wide eyes and spitting at him.

The man’s hand tapping away on the keyboard unconsciously slowed down.

Slower and slower, slower and slower…

Finally, he decided to stop. Pinching his brow, he opened a new browser and started searching for why a child would put on a mask and conceal his true feelings.

Of course, he couldn’t tell anyone about how he could see a little guy on Shi Qing’s shoulder that represented his true thoughts.

He’d already gone to the hospital and visited a psychologist too. Both gave him a clean bill of health. Thus, this matter could only remain a mystery for now.

After Tan Mingjin looked at the answers that popped up on the internet, he fell back into contemplation.

When a child is afraid to show his true thoughts, it means he feels very unsafe. Some children appear unruly on the outside, but they will hide and cry alone at night. This is a textbook example of insecurity.

The man’s brow furrowed even more.

Prickly on the surface while crying in secret…

Didn’t that describe Shi Qing to a ‘T’?

He appeared overbearing on the outside, like he couldn’t care less if other people hated him. But actually, the little guy on his shoulder was already wailing.

Tan Mingjin wrinkled his brow and continued to read on.

Why would a child be insecure? There is always a reason. According to research, most children become insecure due to familial factors, such as divorce, being raised by a single parent, or both parents leaving to work in distant areas. They are often raised by their grandparents and lack parental affection growing up. In addition…

Tan Mingjin could no longer bear to read another word.

After all, Shi Qing ticked off all the boxes so far.

He lost his parents and had no one by his side.

When he was a child, he was accompanied only by a nanny who gave him whatever he wanted.

Even Tan Mingjin, his uncle, was not always there for him.

Tan Mingjin never realised that there was anything wrong with this arrangement before. After all, as far as he could remember back, Shi Qing didn’t seem to depend on him much as a child.

To Shi Qing, Tan Mingjin seemed to basically be a mobile wallet or treasure trove. He only sought out his uncle when he wanted something.

At least, that was what the man once thought.

But after experiencing the juxtaposition between the reactions of Shi Qing and his miniature counterpart, Tan Mingjin was not sure anymore.

Not since he’d seen how Shi Qing could look disgusted on the outside while his heart was full of anticipation.

Was this the case when he was a child too?

Had he outwardly treated his uncle as a mobile wallet, but in reality wanted to use the opportunity to get close to Tan Mingjin?

Yet Tan Mingjin couldn’t understand this child’s efforts. He even dismissed him as someone only interested in having fun.

When the memories of the past were seen through a lens called Shi Qing’s true thoughts were not what they appeared to be, Tan Mingjin believed more and more that perhaps Shi Qing had made an effort to become close with him at first, but he had just ignored it.

Shi Qing once fought with another student at school. When Tan Mingjin was called to get him, not only did Shi Qing not apologize, he even justified it by saying that he was not invited to his classmate’s birthday.

At that time, he thought that the boy was acting ridiculously, but careful consideration revealed that Shi Qing’s birthday was two weeks ago.

Tan Mingjin was out of the country at that time. He had made plans to come back and spent time with his nephew, but inclement weather delayed him. When Tan Mingjin finally returned, all that awaited him was a ransacked villa.

Maybe this child was just throwing a tantrum on purpose because of what happened on his birthday.

There was also the time when Shi Qing tried to secretly take his car out for a joyride. Luckily, security caught him in time. Tan Mingjin was furious then. He thought that this child was irresponsible not only with his own life, but the lives of others.

But Tan Mingjin could vaguely recall how Shi Qing had asked to be driven to school by him because he had just bought a very high-end luxury car.

At that time, Tan Mingjin was so busy that he refused immediately.

So now, when this past incident was combined with little Shi Qing’s pitiful desire to be hugged, another interpretation arose.

Shi Qing…

What you wanted wasn’t to show off that new car, was it? You just wanted to spend more time with Uncle.

Even more examples came to mind, one after the other.

The things that used to make him angry, disappointed, and even disgusted somehow changed to Shi Qing’s unusual attempts to become closer.

That’s right, this child had always been like this.

No matter how much he desired something, only disdain would be present on his face. How many times had little Shi Qing cried or asked for hugs in the years Tan Mingjin couldn’t see him?

The man sat in front of his computer in a daze, actually stunned by his thoughts.

Only one sentence was left in the man’s mind.

What’s done is done.

But he would definitely make it up to Shi Qing in the future.

****

I can feel it.

Young Master Shi Qing was currently crossing his long legs and playing a game on his phone.

While he did that, he chatted with the System in his head: Can you smell the scent of whitewashing?

The System; Host, systems don’t have olfactory organs.

Shi Qing: Pei, I won again. What a bunch of little spicy chickens. Why play when you can’t even win against me?

The System: …

It didn’t dare to say anything after peeking at the five kills displayed on the youth’s phone.

The people in the lounge just saw the young master throw his phone on the couch with a bored expression. He looked like he wanted to take a nap.

Although there were many arrogant rich kids in TV dramas, never had these people seen one so full of himself like Shi Qing in real life. After he laid down, many workers turned their eyes to him.

It could be said that they changed from looking at him covertly to looking openly.

After all, the young master had covered his face with his jacket, so he couldn’t see them looking at him anymore.

Those who were close by tried to move as carefully as possible, for fear of disturbing this young master who obviously had a temper.

Those sitting far away did not have to be so careful. They could watch and whisper to each other at the same time.

At this moment, a pretty new employee quietly asked his senior, “Zhang-ge, I just heard them say that the young master was here. Is this President Tan’s son?”

This Zhang-ge was also a gossip. He whispered back in his junior’s ear, “Not his son, his nephew.”

“Nephew?”

The new employee was dumbfounded.

A nephew could be the young master? He thought only sons could hold that position.

Their President Tan was young, strong and good-looking. He didn’t look like the kind of person who didn’t have a son, ah.

“Let me tell you something…” Zhang-ge quietly explained everything, “This young master doesn’t even share President Tan’s surname. Whether they’re actually related or not isn’t known, but he’s been raised at the president’s side since he was a child. Some people think he might be the president’s illegitimate child, but I disagree. President Tan isn’t married and doesn’t have a wife breathing down his neck, so why doesn’t he just make this kid’s identity public?”

“Anyways, this young master has a bad reputation and his temperament is said to be quite bad. If you meet him, just keep your head down.”

The new employee blinked. “He’s the young master, so the company will be his eventually. How can we avoid him forever?”

Besides, this kid seemed like a natural hedonist. It was doubtful he could successfully lead the company in the future if he inherited it.

The company not going bankrupt would already be good.

“Don’t worry.”

Zhang-ge gave a subtle smile and reassuringly patted his junior on the shoulder.

He lowered his voice some more and said, “Although we call him the young master, everyone believes deep down that the president will kick him out sooner or later.”

“Just think about it. If you have a nephew that might not even be a blood relation who was lazy, ignorant and ill-tempered… And you know about our president’s temper as well. He’s even colder and harder than a rock. How could a person like that tolerate this young master?”

He looked around and saw that everyone was talking quietly, so he added in a whisper, “I heard that the president caught this kid red-handed while he was misbehaving at so-and-so clubhouse. Apparently, he said that his nephew would be kicked out if he made trouble again. Anyways, most of us think that this young master’s days are numbered.”

“When you put it that way…”

The new employee nodded approvingly, “I’ve seen President Tan a few times before. He seems cold to the bone. I heard that he’s very straightforward and hates it when others kiss up to him. Every one of his enemies was defeated by him, so a bad-tempered nephew with no blood relation… Pei pei.”

While they were gossiping, the elevator doors dinged. A slender man in a suit walked into the lounge area.

“President Tan.”

“Huh, it’s President Tan.”

In an instant, the previously whispering employees immediately shut their mouths.

In silence, they watched as Tan Mingjin slightly wrinkled his eyebrows and strode over to the young master who was sprawled across the sofa.

Everyone knew that Tan Mingjin was a moral person who seriously approached all tasks. He hated it when his subordinates did not behave properly.

Now that he’d caught the young master red-handed, he was sure to scold him.

As the crowd thought this, their eyes drifted over, trying to get a good look at the show.

Tan Mingjin made his move.

“Shi Qing.”

In a gentle tone of voice that made people’s jaws drop, his deep voice carried notes of warmth as he softly called out.

“Get up. Don’t sleep on the sofa, it’s not good for your back.”

The crowd: !!!

Crap!

Were they dreaming or had the world gone insane??

Had their cold, stern and ruthless President Tan been replaced with a doppelganger?!!!

“Wu…”

Greater surprises were yet to come.

Young Master Shi Qing tore his jacket off his face grumpily. He quickly sat up with an annoyed expression.

“What are you trying to do?! I haven’t even slept for a few minutes!”

His overbearing attitude made the people around him start to sweat on his behalf.

This young master really didn’t even have a bit of self-awareness about who he was talking to. How could he dare to act so haughty when President Tan provided for his lifestyle?

President Tan had quite a temper too. He’d definitely be furious.

However, in Tan Mingjin’s eyes, little Shi Qing was rolling around on his shoulder with a pouty face. He yawned into his little hands, clearly upset.

The man’s eyes slowly softened as he stroked the youth’s head with his large hands, saying soothingly, “Good boy. If you’re tired, go sleep in the lounge in my office and not on the sofa.”

Those who had seen Tan Mingjin’s bad side before: “…”

“Uncle, you’re so annoying.”

The youth got up with a grumpy face and casually tied his jacket around his body, his face full of displeasure.

This attitude seemed to stomp on everyone’s faces…

It was really something.

Zhang-ge, who already felt like his three views were changed, decided to persevere to the end. He quietly said to the new employee.

“Just watch, President Tan is definitely angry.”

However…

Tan Mingjin smiled as little Shi Qing sat up too. The little guy nodded his head while continuing to yawn, looking like he was about to fall asleep any second.

“Alright, let’s go upstairs. It’s nearby.”

Zhang-ge: “…”

The new employee: “…”

The assistant who ran down to spy on look after the young master: “…”

The lounge was terribly quiet as everyone speechlessly watched Tan Mingjin coax and cajole the grumpy-faced Shi Qing to the elevator. He even called the lift for him personally.

The president even softened his voice and said, “Go up by yourself first, I’ll be right behind you.”

Motherf—

The assistant was still relatively calm. Although his legs were a bit wobbly and his mind was somewhat dazed, he still approached Tan Mingjin like a professional. “President Tan, I’ll head upstairs to take care of the young master.”

“No need.”

Tan Mingjin’s mind thought of the little guy’s sleepy face just now, how he continued to cutely ask for a hug despite being on the verge of nodding off. The corners of his lips slightly curled up.

“Shi Qing is sensitive to noise. You going up will disturb him again.”

After raising Shi Qing for more than ten years, this was the first time this man has felt tender emotions for the child. He couldn’t help but say to his assistant, “Just look at Shi Qing, isn’t he such a well behaved child?”

Before entering the elevator, he still babbled and squirmed insistently for a hug despite being sleepy…

What a sticky child.

The assistant: “…”

The people sitting nearby: “…”

Tan Mingjin: “En?”

The assistant hurriedly nodded, “Yes, yes, I’ve never seen a child more well-behaved than Young Master Shi in my life.”

He squeezed out a smile against his conscience and tried to think of ways to praise, “Kids nowadays are always on their phones, but young master is an exception. It shows how strong his self-control is.’

That’s right, he wasn’t playing with his phone.

He just lazily played with it on the sofa for a bit before taking a nap.

Tan Mingjin: “Yes, Shi Qing has always been well behaved.”

His assistant: “…”

Mom, things at work are so difficult…

Tan Mingjin: “Right, I’ve already talked with HR about raising your bonus.”

The assistant: “!!!”

“That’s right! You’re absolutely right! The young master is the most well-behaved child I’ve ever met!”

The people nearby: “!!!”

They immediately added: “That’s right, that’s right. The young master is so, so well-behaved and obedient.”

“He’ll definitely be someone in the future.”

“Yes, such a good child. I wish my kid could be as well-behaved as the young master.”

Tan Mingjin was very satisfied after hearing all these people praise Shi Qing.

That’s right, Shi Qing is a good kid.

He just shows his affection in somewhat strange ways.

But that doesn’t diminish how good he is.

See, everyone else can see it too!