TYMRHBDES Chapter 26

Fu Tingchuan walked over, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever.  so Bai Tang could not see any emotion leaking out.

“Have a seat first.”

Bai Tang put his small box on the tea table, sat down on the sofa, and looked at Fu Tingchuan, who sat opposite him.

“Brother Tingchuan, after you went back last night, Jiang Luoluo didn’t get angry with you, did he…?” Bai Tang frowned, his usual soft cadence carrying a hint of distress. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for not taking care of him properly. I let him down about the banquet.”

“If my actions have caused any friction between you, I’d truly be at fault…” His voice trailed off.

“There’s no friction between us in the first place,” Fu Tingchuan interrupted firmly. “You don’t need to apologize to me.”

Bai Tang’s face brightened immediately.

He knew it; Fu Tingchuan cared for him. Even now, he was making sure not to embarrass him, unwilling to accept an apology that would rob him of his self-respect.

The sight of Fu Tingchuan, seething with anger at the banquet yesterday, had frightened Bai Tang half to death.

Seated on the sofa, Fu Tingchuan continued in a low, controlled voice, “If you want to apologize, do it to his face— not to me.”

Who would want to apologize to Jiang Luoluo?! Bai Tang silently fumed. He hadn’t come today to grovel. Yesterday, Fu Tingchuan’s abrupt departure humiliated him in front of everyone. After much thought, he couldn’t just resign himself to losing Fu Tingchuan to Jiang Luoluo’s influence.

He could once again win over Fu Tingchuan’s heart like he had years ago.

Thinking this to himself, he replied aloud, “Sure, I’ll apologize to Luoluo when I see him next.”

“I just hope he can forgive me…”

As he spoke, he casually opened the box and began taking out the pastries inside one by one.

Holding a delicate pastry between his slender fingers, Bai Tang offered it to Fu Tingchuan with a shy smile. “Tingchuan-gege, I made these by hand. Want to try one?”

Fu Tingchuan sidestepped the gesture. “I don’t eat sweets.”

Bai Tang felt a hint of disappointment at being rejected. Embarrassedly, he pinched the pastry in his hand. “I’m sorry.”

Fu Tingchuan’s patience was nearly worn thin, but as he sat there facing Bai Tang, thinking ‘Considering our past, I couldn’t treat him too poorly.’

I casually said, “Put your stuff down first.”

Bai Tang’s eyes lit up as if easily satisfied by this statement. “Tingchuan-gege…”

Fu Tingchuan glanced at Bai Tang and gave a mild response.

Encouraged by this look, Bai Tang remembered his purpose for coming and slowly spoke:

“Yesterday, after you left, my dad gave me a thorough scolding. He said I have a bad temper and that I made you angry…”

“He also said…”

Bai Tang quickly glanced at Fu Tingchuan’s elegant and refined face, thinking about the intimate moments they’d share after marriage. His cheeks flushed despite himself. “Dad said I’m not getting any younger, that it’s time to find someone to take care of me…”

Bai Tang’s voice was soft and girlish as he swallowed the rest of his words.

It was true—he’d been avoiding marriage these past few years. Partly because so many people catered to him; he enjoyed being the center of attention. Partly because he felt all the men around him had their flaws. Even someone nearly perfect like Fu Tingchuan seemed to be missing something.

After all, Fu Tingchuan was cold and boring. Though he’d been good to Bai Tang over the years, Bai Tang always felt Fu Tingchuan didn’t truly understand him.

But now there was a vixen at Fu Tingchuan’s side, trying to steal him away. If Bai Tang hadn’t made his move soon, Fu Tingchuan would belong to someone else.

He couldn’t accept the fish he’d been raising jumping out of his pond. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing the advantages he’d so easily enjoyed for years, or the envious glances from noble ladies shifting to someone else.

And so, after much deliberation, he knew he must not let go of Fu Tingchuan.

If you can’t bear to leave Fu Tingchuan, just marry him, Bai Tang thought. You’re well-matched socially, and he’s been secretly in love with you all these years.

If you give him a subtle hint, Fu Tingchuan will drop that damned Jiang Luoluo and be with you in a heartbeat.

After all, between a little canary who sells his body on the streets and a young master from high society, any sane person knows which one to choose.

Bai Tang, feeling quite pleased with himself, used a gentle and soft voice. “Tingchuan-gege, my dad wants me to get married…”

As he spoke, he glanced up at Fu Tingchuan, hesitating. “Tingchuan-gege, what do you think about this?”

“Marriage?” Fu Tingchuan’s expression remained the same – cold and unchanging. He simply nodded. “That’s nice.”

Bai Tang continued dropping hints. “My dad said it would be best to find someone older than me, someone whose background is well-known, who will treat me right…”

Fu Tingchuan nodded again. “Uncle has thought this through.”

His expression was expensive-looking and distant, showing no sign that his words had interested him. But he didn’t show any disgust either.

‘I’ll have to let my father bring this up’, Bai Tang thought silently.

“Tingchuan-gege, I won’t bother you any longer. I’ll be going now.”

Fu Tingchuan stood up. “Alright.”

Bai Tang had just gotten to his feet when he swayed as if he hadn’t found his balance. He pitched toward Fu Tingchuan, who quickly grabbed his arm. “Be careful.”

Fu Tingchuan was much taller than Bai Tang. Standing beside him now, he looked like a mighty mountain. His chiseled features were handsome, with his well-defined eyebrows drawn slightly together. His presence was so strong it took one’s breath away. And his aura is so powerful that it makes people feel conquered.

Bai Tang looked up at Fu Tingchuan, feeling his heart skip a beat.

Although the arm that had steadied him was already lowered.

Bai Tang, blushing slightly, gazed up at Fu Tingchuan through those flirtatious eyes. “Tingchuan-gege, I’ll be a good wife from now on. I won’t go to those places anymore. You—”

He hadn’t finished speaking when a knock at the door interrupted him.

“Mr. Fu, here’s what you requested.”

Xiao Liu mopped sweat from his forehead, carrying a pile of shopping bags.

‘He’s buying me something?’ Bai Tang felt a secret joy.

Fu Tingchuan strode over in long steps, took the bags from Liu Te’s assistant, and walked toward the bedroom.

The redness on Bai Tang’s face hadn’t faded. He watched Fu Tingchuan go, puzzled. “Assistant Liu, what was that about?”

Inside the suite, a figure under the covers stirred at the sound of the door opening before quickly settling back down.

Fu Tingchuan set the shopping bags aside, sat at the edge of the bed, and watched the person pretending to sleep with his hands folded beneath his cheeks.

Eyes closed, but long eyelashes fluttered errantly.

The corner of Fu Tingchuan’s mouth twitched, unable to resist teasing him: “Hm… If I did something now, would it be considered taking advantage of you?”

As he spoke, his finger gently rested on Jiang Luoluo’s cheek.

Jiang Luoluo’s eyes snapped open, shooting Fu Tingchuan a resentful look, like a tiny kitten deeply aggrieved.

Fu Tingchuan playfully pinched his cheek, his voice dripping with affection: “Just kidding, my young master.”

Please give me 2 more days guys. (シ_ _)シ I promise to give you more updates. now if I were to update, my eyes would evaporate! (╥﹏╥)

Bai Tang, sweetie, you really thought you had Fu Tingchuan wrapped around your little finger? Meanwhile, our man was busy shopping for his real treasure, Jiang Luoluo! 😂 The way he didn’t even entertain your hints—just nodded like an NPC and moved on—chef’s kiss. 💀

Translating this drama has drained my soul faster than Bai Tang’s hopes and dreams. If you enjoy watching scheming peacocks get outplayed, fuel my suffering—I mean, motivation—by buying me a Ko-fi! ☕😂