AMTWPICL Chapter 43

Song Linchu rushed back to his room, his heart still pounding with loud “thumps”. He reached up to touch his burning cheeks and realized that his palms were even hotter.

His phone buzzed and vibrated.

Tan Yue: [Why did you run?]

Song Linchu: ‘Because I’m just too shy!’

Little Songlin: [Because my gege is too handsome, I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself!]

Tan Yue: […]

Tan Yue looked at these words, his expression uncommonly unnatural. He couldn’t help but think of the destroyed underwear and the spring dream from that day, his body feeling inexplicably hot.

He cleared his throat and swiftly typed a line of text with his slender fingers.

Tan Yue: [Go to bed early, good night.]

Song Linchu sighed faintly upon seeing the message.

See, that’s how the old man is.

Song Linchu said good night to Tan Yue and was about to put down his phone and take a shower when he suddenly remembered something. Hr quickly took out his phone to send a message to Tan Yue.

Little Songlin: [By the way, gege, I feel like the issue of the project information those two people took is not simple. They said that with these materials, they can aim for a director position in the new company. So you should have someone check it out thoroughly.]

Tan Yue: [Hmm, got it.]

Song Linchu felt like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders. This was all he could do to help.

Soon, it was New Year’s Day.

This was Song Linchu’s first time celebrating the New Year in the city. He thought the New Year in the city would be just like on television, lively and festive with fireworks and decorations everywhere. But the reality proved him wrong.

Haikou completely banned fireworks, and there was no New Year’s atmosphere at all. It was nothing like in his hometown, where fireworks and firecrackers were constantly going off, families were posting Spring Festival couplets, and they were slaughtering pigs, chickens, and ducks, and paying New Year’s visits to each other, making it very lively.

Tan Yue even gave the servants a holiday, even Butler Liu went home for the New Year, so the huge villa was even more deserted, with no one around.

“Gege, were you always alone like this during the New Year in previous years?”

In the kitchen, Song Linchu was chopping meat while asking Tan Yue.

Because they were going to Tan Yue’s grandfather’s house for the New Year in the afternoon, Song Linchu planned to make a simple mixed sauce noodle dish for lunch.

Tan Yue felt embarrassed to just wait for food and offered to help.

However, he was a true young master who never cooked, so Song Linchu gave him a garlic clove to peel.

As Tan Yue leisurely peeled the garlic, he casually replied, “I order takeout for lunch.”

Although he knew the food ordered would certainly be sumptuous, Song Linchu couldn’t help feeling a little sad and resentful. “What about Tan Mingqing and the others? Don’t they invite you to spend Chinese New Year with them?”

That scum would inherit such a huge fortune in the future. Was it too much to invite Tan Yue to celebrate the New Year and hire a five-star chef for lunch?

Tan Yue gave Song Linchu a strange look, but unfortunately, Song Linchu was focused on chopping meat and didn’t receive his gaze.

“I don’t like to associate with them.”

“It’s your business if you don’t like them, but at least they should have an attitude. They don’t even have that!”

Tan Yue silently smiled on seeing Song Linchu so angry.

He didn’t continue the topic, but asked, “What about you?”

Song Linchu put the chopped meat into a bowl and said, “I would spend the New Year at my aunt’s house. They are pretty good to me, at least better than some nephews!”

“…” Still thinking about his nephew.

“Forget it, it’s the New Year. Don’t bring up things that will dampen the mood. Having me is enough, gege!”

In fact, Tan Yue didn’t like the hustle and bustle of the New Year. Otherwise, the people who wanted to visit during the New Year could break the threshold.

He was used to being alone, and in previous years, he didn’t feel any different about the New Year than he did on a normal weekend.

But the youth’s words suddenly warmed his heart, making even the dull New Year colorful.

“Okay.” He said softly.

Indeed, having him was enough.

Song Linchu quickly made two bowls of noodles. He was very good at it, and the sauce was fragrant and tasty, the broth was rich and delicious, and the noodles were chewy. They were so delicious that he wished he could swallow his tongue.

After enjoying their lunch, they rested for a while, and it was around three in the afternoon when they set off to Grandpa Tan’s house.

Compared to Tan Yue’s house, Grandpa Tan’s house was much more lively.

This little mischief, Tuantuan, was enough to make a party by himself.

He hadn’t seen Song Linchu for a while, so he ran over like a little cannonball.

“Big brother! I missed you so much!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he received a deadly stare from his uncle. Tuantuan shrank back and snuggled up to Song Linchu’s right side.

As long as I pretend not to see it, I have nothing to fear!

Unfortunately, Tan Yue was an unconventional man.

He asked coldly, “Did you practice the piano today?”

Tuantuan: “…”

The words hit the fragile little heart, and Tuantuan, who had been through extended training lately, almost cried out.

He whispered, “It’s Chinese New Year today, and my mom said I can rest for a day.”

Tan Yue’s voice was cold, “It’s Chinese New Year today. How come I don’t see you taking a day off from eating?”

Tuantuan: ???

Tuantuan stared at him with round eyes. Can a person say something like this?

Seeing that Tuantuan was silent, Tan Yue uttered another interrogative word: “Huh?”

Tuantuan: “…”

Tuantuan pursed his lips and looked at Song Linchu with a pleading look, hoping he could help him.

Song Linchu laughed at their interaction. On receiving Tuantuan’s signal for help, rubbed his little head and turned to Tan Yue, “Gege, Tuantuan is still young, don’t bully him.”

Tuantuan echoed in his heart: Exactly!

Tan Yue snorted coldly, but still gave face to Song Linchu and did not pick on Tuantuan again.

Tuantuan breathed a sigh of relief. His wife was truly an angel with a kind heart. How could he have fallen for such a demon at such a young age!

He was angry!

Grandpa Tan watched them bickering and felt very happy. His injuries had healed, but he was getting older. This major injury had hurt his vitality a lot, and his mental state was not as good as before.

However, Tan Yue’s marriage had been resolved, which made him deeply relieved. He no longer had to worry like he did before and could take it easy.

After chatting with Grandpa Tan, Tan Yue went out to answer a phone call. Seeing that his uncle had gone, Tuantuan immediately resurrected and whispered, “Big brother, come to my room, I’ll show you something!”

Song Linchu bid Grandpa Tan farewell and followed Tuantuan to his room.

Tuantuan’s room was beautifully decorated in a light blue theme. The bed resembled a race car, and the tatami mat by the window was shaped like a ship, giving the room a dreamy and fairy tale-like feel. Song Linchu couldn’t help but wish to turn back time and live in such a magical space.

“Big brother, sit here,” Tuantuan said, motioning for Song Linchu to sit on the tatami mat. He then handed him a small box, which Song Linchu accepted.

“What’s this?” Song Linchu asked.

“Diamond ring!” Tuantuan exclaimed.

“…”

Damn, he was joking when he said he wanted a diamond ring. This kid really has so much money to buy him one, right? !

“Big brother, open it quickly!”

Song Linchu opened the box with trembling hands and breathed a side of relief when he saw a handmade diamond ring inside.

“Why did you give me this again?” Song Linchu asked with a smile.

Tuantuan said earnestly, “I have to save two years’ New Year’s money to buy a big diamond ring, but Xiaopant said I can’t give an empty promise to someone I like. So I made a handmade ring for you, and you can exchange it for a real one in the future! Look, this is my guarantee!”

As he spoke, Tuantuan pulled out a card from the bottom of the box, on which was some crooked pinyin: “Big brother, use this ring, you can exchange for a real one!”

Below was the signature of the child and a red handprint.

Song Linchu almost burst out laughing.

This little Tuan Tuan will never have trouble finding a partner in the future.

With these little tricks, even the straight steel man Tan Yue should learn from him!

Song Linchu couldn’t help teasing him, “What if you change your mind and like someone else later?”

“I won’t like anyone else,” Tuantuan said immediately. “I will never change my love for Big brother, even if the seas dry up and the rocks crumble.”

You even understand such a poetic phrase as “even if the seas dry up and the rocks crumble!”

Song Linchu couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing.

“I’m very serious!” Tuan Tuan clenched his little fist. “Big brother, wait for me for two more years. I will definitely save enough New Year’s money to buy you the biggest Diamond ring!”

Two years later, Tuantuan will be seven years old and would probably have a sense of shame when he remembered this.

After leaving Tuantuan’s room, Tuantuan’s mother called him to take a bath and change into new clothes, getting ready for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Tan Yue looked at the box in Song Linchu’s hand and asked through gritted teeth, “What did that kid give you this time?”

Song Linchu teased Tan Yue intentionally and said, “My secret lover is going to save money to buy me a big diamond ring for the New Year, impressive, right?”

Tan Yue heard “New Year’s money” and the anger in his heart vanished. He murmured, “Very impressive.”

Song Linchu: “…”

Something was wrong. The old man’s reaction was not right.

When the whole family was happily eating dinner, and they started giving New Year’s money, Song Linchu finally figured out what was wrong.

Because Grandpa Tan loved to have a lively New Year’s Eve dinner with everyone, not only Tuantuan’s uncle’s family but also his little uncle’s family was present. With so many elders, everyone had prepared red envelopes for Tuantuan.

Tan Yue also represented him and Song Linchu in giving a red packet.

Tuantuan grabbed more than ten red packets all at once. Being a child, he had no qualms about opening them in front of everyone and happily put them on the sofa to start opening them.

Actually, when Song Linchu saw the red packet Tan Yue gave to Tuantuan, he had an inkling that something was not right.

The thickness was wrong.

But well, it was a rich man’s house. Maybe they give cheques instead of cash, so ten thousand can also be paper thin.

Song Linchu thought this way and watched Tuantuan open one red packet, taking out a hundred yuan bill.

Tuantuan was obviously stunned and turned the red packet upside down but, unlike his expectations, he did not find a pile of big bills.

It must have been his wicked uncle who did this to prevent him from buying a diamond ring for his handsome big brother!

It must be like this!

Tuantuan thought this and regained his confidence, but on opening the second red packet, another hundred-yuan bill fell out.

Third, fourth … all were the same!

Tuantuan: ???

The adults were originally drinking tea, chatting, and watching the Spring Festival Gala when they suddenly heard Tuantuan’s “wuuu,” which scared everyone.

Tuantuan’s mother quickly ran over and asked, “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Why is all the New Year’s money a hundred yuan? It wasn’t like this before. Wuuu-wuu!”

A smile flashed in Tan Yue’s eyes.

Want to buy a diamond ring for his person, what a beautiful idea!

Upon seeing Tuantuan cry, instead of receiving any sympathy, the adults burst out laughing.

Tuantuan’s grandfather, Tao Yunli, who was also Tan Yue’s maternal uncle, spoke up. “The article Ah Yue shared is correct. Giving children too much red packet money will make them develop a skewed perspective on money, which is not good for them.”

Tuantuan’s father nodded in agreement. “When we were young, we had no concept of money, and it didn’t matter how much we received. We should give less from now on. Giving too much at such a young age will only foster a sense of competition.”

Tuantuan hlared at Tan Yue, but his cousin gave him a cold glance, causing Tuantuan to shrink back and cry even louder.

Unfortunately, everyone’s minds had been brainwashed by the WeChat article Tan Yue shared, and they paid no attention to Tuantuan’s protests.

Song Linchu covered his face with his hand, feeling exasperated. This man was beyond ridiculous!

Thankfully, he did not have such a twisted uncle during his childhood. Otherwise, his young mind would have been severely damaged.

This was just an episode. Today was New Year’s Day, and the heavens seemed to understand. Snowflakes gently drifted down outside, a rare occurrence in the southern coastal city. Tuantuan, being a child, forgot his troubles brought about by the red packets and went outside to play in the snow.

Grandpa Tan couldn’t stay up late, so he left at nine o’clock after spending time with them. Before going upstairs, he turned to Tan Yue and Song Linchu and said, “Ah Yue, Little Lin, the roads are slippery due to the snow. Why don’t you both stay here tonight instead of going back?

Song Linchu’s smile froze for a moment. He was certain that they would have to share a room if they stayed here. Ah, this…

Considering someone’s thin-skinned nature, Tan Yue said, “No need, the snow isn’t too thick yet. I’ll drive slowly.”

Since the driver had gone back for the New Year, Tan Yue was driving himself.

“I won’t feel at ease even if you drive slowly. It’s New Year’s Eve. Do you want to make Grandpa worry about you so much that he can’t sleep?”

Tan Yue: “…”

With the way Grandpa Tan put it, Tan Yue couldn’t refuse anymore. He replied softly, “Okay.”

Although Tan Yue rarely stayed overnight here, there was a room specifically for him at Grandpa Tan’s house. Someone would clean it regularly, and he didn’t need to tidy up at all. He only needed to ask the servants to change the sheets and duvet cover.

“If you don’t want to stay here, we can use an excuse to go back,” said Tan Yue as they returned to the room.

Song Linchu’s hand paused as he was about to close the door. “But what about Grandpa?”

“He’s already asleep. He won’t know,” Tan Yue said.

“… “ Song Linchu looked at the shameless Tan Yue, surprised that he could be so deceitful.

“We’d better not. He’ll be angry if he doesn’t see us tomorrow. It’s not a good start to the new year,” Song Linchu said.

Tan Yue didn’t mind and simply said, “Okay.” He then took out a red packet from his pocket and handed it to Song Linchu.

“What’s this for?” asked Song Linchu.

“It’s a red packet for good luck,” said Tan Yue.

“I’m already so old. Why do I still get red packets?” complained Song Linchu, but he still took it. It looked just like the one he gave to Tuantuan – flat and deflated.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Is it just like Tuantuan’s? Can’t you give me a symbolic hundred?”

Tan Yue took off his coat and put it aside. “Open it and see for yourself,” he said.

Song Linchu’s attention was diverted by Tan Yue’s action of taking off his coat.

Because the house had ample heating, wearing just a couple of thin layers was enough. He forgot all about the red envelope.

After removing his coat, Tan Yue was left with only a shirt. It was the first time Song Linchu had seen him wearing just a shirt, and it accentuated his sharp and striking figure, while also exuding a sense of restrained desire, which made Song Linchu feel a criminal urge.

Why bother opening the red packets when he wanted to unwrap Tan Yue instead?

Thinking about how they were going to sleep on the same bed later, Song Linchu couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. He wondered if Tan Yue slept well at night and whether he would do anything strange in his sleep.

“Hmm?” Tan Yue looked back in confusion when he noticed Song Linchu wasn’t opening the red packet.

“I, I, I’m going to take a shower first!”

Tan Yue: “…”

Song Linchu took the bathrobe the servant had prepared, turned and entered the bathroom. Inside, he dawdled for a while, telling himself not to panic, that sharing a bed was nothing, and that they were just going to chat under the covers. Yes, that was it!

Just as Song Linchu was about to leave, he changed his mind.

Tan Yue had told him last time that he was starting to develop feelings for him. Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to make a move and seduce him with his beauty?

He couldn’t chicken out now, he had to act fast!

Taking advantage of the fact that the older man was incapable of doing anything, he would use his beauty to seduce him!

With these thoughts in mind, Song Linchu returned to the mirror and opened his bathrobe a little, then a little more. He blushed slightly as he looked at his half-exposed fair chest and collarbone in the mirror, then opened the bathroom door.