ATMAWTPM Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Then I’ll just eat a little bit.

Ye Tingtong left, content, with his second glass of milk.

Looking at his retreating figure, Yu Mo chuckled, “Seriously, where did you find this cutie?”

His acting was so clumsy that you could see right through him. He was still secretly pleased with himself after their feigned cooperation, practically wearing all his thoughts on his face.

Maybe it was because of his good looks, but he actually enjoyed it the whole time, even finding the other party excessively cute.

Shen Jun took a sip of his wine, “You’re the one who attracted him.”

Yu Mo was momentarily speechless. It was indeed he who had taken the initiative to greet Ye Tingtong. “But, he just left like that?”

He even suspiciously lowered his head to check his clothes. Every item was a designer brand; you could tell at a glance that he was rich and powerful. Shouldn’t Ye Tingtong try to curry favor with him?

“Are you sure he’s the illegitimate child of the Ye family?” Yu Mo stroked his chin, “Didn’t the investigation say that he was ostracized and in a difficult situation?”

Shen Jun paused his drinking, narrowed his eyes, and looked at Yu Mo with a dangerous glint, “You’re snooping through my files?”

Yu Mo immediately raised his hands in surrender, “Big brother, I didn’t! It was just when I went to your office to talk about something last week, I accidentally glanced at it.”

Shen Jun must have just finished reviewing it. The file was carelessly placed on the desk. In the upper right corner was a blue-background ID photo. He only glanced at it roughly but still noticed something was off.

This wasn’t an official document.

The person in the photo was too beautiful. Even in a formal ID photo, he couldn’t hide his exceptional features.

That’s when he remembered and recognized his identity the moment he came to their booth.

Yu Mo guaranteed again and again, “Trust me, I would never do anything without principles.”

Their private relationship was good, but in official matters, they still needed to maintain the appropriate distance. After all, Shen Jun was not easy to deal with. If you really angered him, he wouldn’t give you any leeway.

Shen Jun said calmly, “There won’t be a next time.”

Yu Mo laughed and draped an arm around his shoulder, “Don’t try to change the subject. What’s going on? Even if I hadn’t seen that file, I’ve heard rumors about this person.”

“You let him stay overnight at your villa last week, didn’t you?”

Shen Jun poured himself a glass of wine, “Your information network is quite good.”

“Big brother, the whole thing has spread!” Yu Mo clicked his tongue. “That kid posted it on his Moments that very night. The location was Shen Family Villa.”

It just so happened that Shen Jun was in the area for business that day, so it wasn’t a secret that he was resting at that villa.

Shen Jun slowly said, “I left that night.”

“I know.” Yu Mo took a drink and wiped his mouth, “Otherwise, the Ye family would probably have washed him clean and packaged him up to send to your bed.”

Shen Jun had reached his current position, and many people wanted to take advantage of him. The simplest and most direct method was to send people to his bed. Unfortunately, Shen Jun was impenetrable. So far, no one had succeeded.

Moreover, Shen Jun detested this practice to an extreme. Once he knew the person behind it, he would sever all cooperation and contact.

Therefore, everyone was very cautious, and that night’s news about Ye Tingtong staying overnight seemed to become their breakthrough.

Yu Mo’s analysis was very reasonable, but Shen Jun remained unmoved. He could only make wild guesses based on tonight’s events, “You want to keep him as a pet?”

The Ye family had been trying to find a buyer everywhere recently, and even he had received news.

“The Ye family asked me to come and probe your intentions.” Yu Mo’s peach blossom eyes narrowed into a slit with laughter. “I didn’t want to get involved, but seeing that you’re quite interested, I thought I should tell you.”

The Ye family’s little crisis was just a small amount of money in front of Shen Jun.

As they talked, the group of young people at the table not far away were having a blast. The atmosphere was lively, with cheers and whistles coming one after another.

Shen Jun was watching, and Yu Mo followed his gaze.

It was Ye Tingtong’s table. They were all young people, and the alcohol had gone to their heads, making them very noisy.

In such an atmosphere, the person shrinking in the corner seemed out of place.

However, the person involved seemed to be quite comfortable. He was holding a tall glass filled with milk and occasionally taking a sip.

Yu Mo remembered that Ye Tingtong had poured the last glass of milk himself, a full glass. Now, it was almost empty, and he was drinking much more slowly, showing an unusual sense of cherishing.

At this moment, Yu Mo heard Shen Jun’s reply to his previous question.

“Tell them to get lost.”

—

On the other side, Ye Tingtong was completely unaware of their conversation. He finished his glass of milk, and then Shen Minghuai returned, reeking of smoke.

Shen Minghuai wasn’t a heavy smoker. He would only smoke one or two cigarettes when he was extremely agitated. After finishing the call, he said he had something to do, grabbed his jacket, and hurriedly left.

While Ye Tingtong was still in a daze, Shen Minghuai had already disappeared from the bar.

Without Shen Minghuai, he had no reason to stay at this party. He found an excuse to leave.

Before leaving, he glanced at the booth where Shen Jun was. It was already empty.

After that day, his messages to Shen Jun still went unanswered, and Shen Minghuai also disappeared from time to time. His social media posts were noticeably reduced, and his father, Ye Guodong, had been contacting him more often.

He would call to ask if he was feeling unwell, if his coursework was intense, and when he had free time.

Every time Ye Tingtong replied, he carefully considered his words, and used the excuse that finals were approaching and both he and Shen Minghuai were studying to say that he didn’t have time to go out.

Ye Guodong responded with an ambiguous laugh but didn’t call him out on it. He just told him to come home when he had free time because he had something to tell him.

Even if Ye Tingtong was naive, he could sense that something was wrong. He declined several times.

One day, when he was having a meal with Yu Huanhuan outside, he received another call from Ye Guodong. They chatted for a few moments, and Ye Guodong finally became impatient, threatening him on the phone, “I don’t want to tie you back like before.”

Ye Tingtong fell silent.

When he was first acknowledged by the Ye family, all he felt was gratitude. To be fed and clothed was a luxury for his former self. Moreover, the Ye family was wealthy. Even if they gave him the scraps that would be given to cats or dogs, he would find it delicious.

But there was never a free lunch. When he was 16, he was almost sold off. He cried and made a fuss, even resorting to self-harm and hunger strikes.

He tried his best to escape and report it to the police, but it was dismissed as just a rebellious phase.

He was tied up tightly with ropes that time and dragged back home. Then he was directly thrown into the little dark room that was exclusive to him. The ropes on his wrists and ankles were chafing his flesh.

It hurt, but he couldn’t even cry.

Fortunately, he was covered in wounds and so thin that he was just skin and bones. The deal naturally fell through.

After that, he met Shen Minghuai.

Ye Tingtong didn’t linger in the memories for too long and replied to Ye Guodong, “I do have something to do recently. The Shen family’s old lady has an 80th birthday banquet, and they invited me.”

Ye Guodong was surprised, “Really?”

“I can’t fake that.” Ye Tingtong’s tone was calm, “It’s a three-day yacht party next Friday. The Ye family should have someone going too, right?”

Although the Ye family wasn’t qualified enough, it shouldn’t be a problem for them to obtain one spot.

Ye Guodong reluctantly said, “Alright, we’ll talk after the Shen family’s old lady’s birthday banquet.”

After hanging up the phone, Yu Huanhuan, who was next to him, had heard part of their conversation and frowned, asking, “Are they starting to pressure you?”

“It’s okay, I can handle it.” Ye Tingtong seemed to be under no great psychological burden, curving his eyes into a smile. “Sister Huanhuan, thank you for taking me to the Shen family’s birthday banquet.”

He knew that getting this spot for him must not have been easy for Yu Huanhuan.

“You call me sister, how can I not help you with this little thing?” Yu Huanhuan rubbed his head. “However, it would be most meaningful if Shen Minghuai took you to this birthday banquet. Have you asked him?”

Ye Tingtong shook his head, “He said it’s not appropriate.”

The Shen family had a very strict household, and even if Shen Minghuai was a playboy, that was all in private. He had asked many times before if Shen Minghuai could introduce him to the Shen family members, wanting to gain some connections, but Shen Minghuai had always refused.

Although he was disappointed, he didn’t insist.

Shen Minghuai’s outward distance wasn’t without its benefits. At least, it proved that he really had no intention of being in a relationship.

This time, he would just stick close to Shen Minghuai at the banquet, and it would be best to bring Shen Minghuai in front of the Ye family to warn them a bit. After all, Shen Minghuai had said that he would take care of it.

Time flew by quickly. On the day of the banquet, Ye Tingtong arrived at the seaside with Yu Huanhuan by car.

As they entered the cruise ship, even though he had already been mentally prepared, Ye Tingtong was still shocked.

The luxurious, spacious double-decker restaurant, the vast lobby and performance hall, the indoor heated swimming pool, the bar, the cinema, the game room…

Ye Tingtong walked around for a while, almost getting himself lost. In the end, the waiter had to guide him to the restaurant.

He was standing on a high floor of the restaurant and noticed that most people were in the hall, surrounding the Shen family, each raising a glass to greet them.

Ye Tingtong glanced at them and then looked away. He knew he couldn’t squeeze into this circle even if he tried his hardest.

He wasn’t in a hurry to find Shen Minghuai. At this time, Shen Minghuai wouldn’t have time for him.

Ye Tingtong walked around the dessert area. His plate was full. Just as he was about to find a place to eat, he saw a familiar figure.

It was Shen Minghuai.

A woman in a light green cheongsam stood next to Shen Minghuai. Her beauty was striking, and Ye Tingtong couldn’t help but look at her several times.

Perhaps it was because his gaze was too obvious, but Shen Minghuai also looked over. His expression paused for a moment. He said a few words to the woman and then walked over to him.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Shen Minghuai flicked his forehead with his finger. “You’re just being greedy.”

Ye Tingtong covered his forehead in pain. “You’re the one making a false accusation. Isn’t it you who has been going missing recently?”

Shen Minghuai’s face suddenly relaxed a lot when he saw his aggrieved expression, “Then you should have come to find me anxiously, understand?”

Ye Tingtong pursed his lips. “I understand, I understand.”

The two chatted happily. It was as if the unhappiness from that night at the bar was just an illusion.

“I still have to entertain guests. You entertain yourself. Call me if you need anything.” After Shen Minghuai gave his instructions, he took a few steps, then turned back and pulled a gift box out of his pocket. “Here’s something to make up for it.”

Ye Tingtong opened it and found a men’s watch.

Shen Minghuai must have carefully chosen it. The style of the watch was exquisite and delicate. Ye Tingtong’s frame was small, so it was just right.

Ye Tingtong didn’t put it on immediately, carefully putting the box in his pocket and then firmly zipping it up.

Later, he would have to find a place with good lighting and a good background to take a photo and post it on his social media.

He ate his desserts while watching Shen Minghuai chat with the woman in the distance. He thought to himself, no wonder Shen Minghuai was popular with women. His generosity was impressive.

He hadn’t taken the events of the night at the bar to heart. If there could be this kind of compensation every time, he hoped that Shen Minghuai would throw a temper tantrum at him every day.

After having this daydream, he turned his head and suddenly made eye contact with Shen Jun, who was on the second floor.

Ye Tingtong quickly covered his face with his hand, trying to restrain his greedy expression and still taking the time to glance at Shen Jun.

Shen Jun’s suit seemed to be more handsome than the previous two times. It was a deep black, enhancing the cruise ship’s texture.

He had just adjusted his expression and was about to greet him when he noticed that Shen Jun had glanced at his plate.

It was piled high, with all the most expensive items.

Ye Tingtong coughed, “Um, well, I’m a little hungry.”

Shen Jun paused and reminded him, “Lunch starts in half an hour.”

Ye Tingtong understood and said reservedly, “Then I’ll just eat a little bit.”

Once the man left, Ye Tingtong took his dessert and ran to the less crowded deck.

Ten minutes later, the phone in Shen Jun’s pocket vibrated.

He opened WeChat and saw that it was Ye Tingtong’s latest post.

[Blue sky, white clouds, a slightly salty sea breeze, the perfect match~]

The accompanying photo was of Ye Tingtong’s fingers making a peace sign.

Ye Tingtong’s fingers were slender and white, with round, slightly pink fingertips.

Shen Jun’s eyes went down. On the table in the lower right corner of the photo, there was a familiar plate that was now empty.