TVAAMRF Chapter 19

Chapter 19 – Paper Man 18

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After discovering his new superhuman strength attribute, Su Tang was ecstatic, imagining himself as a world-saving hero who could shoot lasers with a wave of his hand, annihilating enemies in an instant.

However, he soon realized this power came and went unpredictably. After several failed attempts left him drained and exhausted, he decided to grab something to eat and resume his carefree lifestyle.

That evening, Luo Yuan returned home from work. Before even entering the house, he spotted Su Tang in the yard.

There he lay on a comfortable recliner, sunglasses perched over his eyes to block the harsh sunlight. A glass of juice and small snacks sat on the nearby table, ready for his leisurely consumption. The scene exuded pure laziness and contentment.

Luo Yuan: “……” Why am I feeling a twinge of envy?

Amused, Luo Yuan approached closer. Only then did he realize the man was sound asleep, eyes closed and mouth slightly agape, emitting soft snoring sounds. Su Tang remained completely oblivious to his presence.

His round cheeks glowed with a healthy rosy hue.

Unable to resist, Luo Yuan’s hands itched to touch. He pinched Su Tang’s cheek, reveling in its softness and smooth skin. The irresistible urge to play grew stronger, and soon both hands were kneading the plump face like a pair of meatballs.

Su Tang slept like a pig, but even he couldn’t escape being pinched awake. His eyes were misty and unfocused, his mind hazy as he stared at Luo Yuan with a dazed expression. He tilted his head, completely bewildered. “…Luo Yuan?”

This was the first time Su Tang had called Luo Yuan by his name. Many others had done so before, but for some reason, Su Tang’s mumbled voice sent a shiver through Luo Yuan’s heart. His inner turmoil grew so intense that he could barely hear anything else. In that moment, he remembered the unspeakable dream he’d once had—where Su Tang had wept, his voice raw as he called Luo Yuan’s name…

Luo Yuan’s ears turned red.

Still half-asleep, Su Tang noticed Luo Yuan’s intense gaze on him. Misinterpreting the look, he thought Luo Yuan admired his perfect sunbathing spot. He immediately stood up to make way, eagerly sharing how perfectly he’d found this location.

“Lie here—you’ll have sunlight all afternoon. It’s not too hot or too cold, just warm on your skin. There’s a gentle breeze bringing the perfect amount of floral scent. It’s the most comfortable spot in the courtyard. You must try it!”

Unable to refuse Su Tang’s enthusiasm, Luo Yuan allowed himself to be pulled into the spot. He put on sunglasses, propped up one long leg, and accepted the fresh juice and crispy lotus crisp Su Tang offered.

Su Tang’s eyes lit up with a smile as he asked brightly, “How is it?”

Luo Yuan nodded. “It’s good.”

Luo Yuan sat up and pulled Su Tang over to sit in the empty space beside him. They finished the remaining pastries, taking turns to eat the lotus crisp.

Su Tang ate happily but didn’t forget his mission. With his cheeks puffed from chewing, he leaned close to Luo Yuan and said, “Let me be your assistant, okay?”

He knew the upcoming plotline: after the domineering male lead forcibly took the female lead, she gradually developed feelings for him. The male lead then fiercely competed with Luo Yuan. When he couldn’t defeat Luo Yuan directly, he ordered the female lead to steal confidential documents from the headquarters, aiming to gain advance knowledge of major project information and steal it for himself. The male lead’s shallow experience meant he couldn’t have succeeded without Luo Father’s backing and the guidance of Luo Father’s trusted confidant. After achieving this, he convinced the company directors while simultaneously undermining Luo Yuan’s authority. This was a crucial event leading to Luo Yuan’s gradual descent into darkness.

To heal Luo Yuan, Su Tang couldn’t let Chen Yingying steal the documents. To infiltrate the company’s inner workings, becoming an assistant would be the most convenient method.

Luo Yuan looked at him with confusion, seemingly unsure why Su Tang suddenly wanted to become his assistant.

Su Tang thought Luo Yuan was refusing, so he began to plead like a spoiled child. He nuzzled his fluffy head against Luo Yuan’s shoulder and wheedled in a soft, sweet voice, “I just play with my phone at the company anyway. It’s totally useless. I want to help you too! Please, pretty please, master?”

Luo Yuan hadn’t expected this tactic and felt somewhat at a loss. He turned his head and cleared his throat to cover his confusion. He’d already been inclined to agree, but Su Tang’s cuteness proved too irresistible. He couldn’t help but stare longer, like a little kitten lying on its back, belly exposed, begging for pets.

Su Tang persisted in his act, clinging to Luo Yuan’s back and nudging him with his head. This behavior was completely foreign to him. When his parents were alive, Su Tang had lived in a blissfully loving family. His parents doted on each other and cherished him dearly. But after their unexpected deaths left the young boy alone, with no relatives to claim him, he’d been sent to an orphanage and stripped of his right to act so spoiled.

During school, some classmates took him home for holidays and meals. Watching children his age act spoiled with their parents—being scolded for picky eating, forbidden from playing with phones, and ordered to bed early—Su Tang would stand to the side, smiling foolishly while secretly envying them.

He never imagined there would come a day when someone would let him act spoiled too, when he’d instinctively want to get closer.

Finally, Luo Yuan couldn’t resist Su Tang’s charm offensive and agreed with a smile. “You’ll join the assistant office tomorrow. I’ll have someone show you around.”

Su Tang cheered, his radiant expression so infectious that even Luo Yuan found himself grinning in response.

After Su Tang’s afternoon snack binge, he faced a table full of delicious dishes but couldn’t eat a bite. Luo Yuan sighed and instructed the housekeeper to strictly limit Su Tang’s between-meal snacks.

Su Tang’s eyes widened dramatically, his wounded expression clearly asking, “How could you do this? Do you not love me anymore?”

Luo Yuan’s gaze softened momentarily before he turned away with deliberate indifference.

The next day, Luo Yuan brought Su Tang to the company and handed him over to Han Te, instructing the assistant manager to assign some basic tasks.

Then Luo Yuan returned to his office to tackle the mountain of documents.

During break time, Luo Yuan decided to check on Su Tang—worried about potential bullying or work difficulties. But to his surprise, Su Tang had already become the office darling within half a day. The staff doted on him like a baby, especially the female assistants. They couldn’t help but dramatically clutch their foreheads when Su Tang flashed his adorable dimpled smile, exclaiming in exaggerated tones: “He’s so cute it’s illegal! We want to take him home and spoil him rotten!”

Luo Yuan: “……???” Is he trying to steal my people?

Su Tang preferred staying home alone and avoided social gatherings, but this didn’t mean he lacked social skills. On the contrary, having lost his parents’ protection at a young age, he’d honed the ability to adapt his speech to different audiences. Integrating into groups came naturally to him. When he put effort into charming others to gather information, the assistant office staff grew quite fond of him.

Beyond managing colleague relationships, Su Tang’s work capabilities were also commendable. He even earned recognition from Han Te, the executive assistant known as the “instructional director.” When Luo Yuan inquired about Su Tang’s performance, the usually stern assistant offered rare praise: “He learns quickly and works diligently. If you wish for him to continue here, Mr. Luo, he could easily take over Xiaoliu’s responsibilities without needing a new hire.” Xiaoliu, the former assistant who had saved enough money to pursue his dream of opening a flower shop, had already submitted his resignation and was awaiting the arrival of the new assistant for handover procedures.

Amidst his surprise, Luo Yuan felt a bittersweet sense of paternal pride and loss.

…The little one’s grown up.

Su Tang delivered documents to the office and leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. “How did I do?” he asked, wearing an expression that clearly begged for praise.

Luo Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle. He reached out to tousle the young man’s curls and declared him the best.

The female assistant who had once accidentally discovered CEO Luo playing dating simulation games watched this scene unfold. Her heart flooded with anguish as she mentally screamed:

What happened to our pact to be paper person lovers?! How could you betray me like this, with a cute little boyfriend?! Watch out—your paper person might throw a tantrum and lose all affection points! Then you’ll be crying your eyes out!

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Author’s Note:

Luo Yuan: Who said I’m into paper person romance? I’m clearly a Tangtang lover, okay?

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