TUMZ Chapter 28

Zhuang Hanxue didn’t lie. He had made all the preparations, even sneaking down to the pharmacy to buy condoms and lubricant, eager for an intimate encounter with Qiu Zheyan.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, like a long-awaited rain after drought.

The anticipation was exhilarating, filling him with warmth.

But his mother’s sudden call shattered his plans. “Your father’s back. Did you know? Come with me to see him.”

It felt like a bolt from the blue. Zhuang Hanxue’s disappointed “Huh?” sounded as if he’d been doused with cold water.

His mother retorted, “What do you mean, ‘huh’?”

Zhuang Hanxue quickly recovered, saying, “It’s nothing, Mom. I’m just not prepared.”

“Prepared for what?” she asked.

Zhuang Hanxue responded slyly, “I haven’t finished investigating that mistress and her son. Shouldn’t we gather more information first? Besides, I don’t hit women…”

His mother laughed, “We’re not going there to fight. That little tramp can’t outsmart me.”

So Zhuang Hanxue tidied himself up and went to meet his father and his young stepmother.

Zhuang Hanxue was surprised at his parents’ vigor. Both in their early sixties, they were still so energetic. His father had even managed to father a half-brother young enough to be Zhuang Hanxue’s son. Talk about aging like fine wine.

His parents lived separately. They went to his father’s place, where he lived with his mistress.

This mistress, Jiang Xueqing, was a TV anchor who had graduated from a prestigious university. She had taken a year off during college to have a child, then started working at the TV station after graduation. His father had a type. He didn’t just go for youth and beauty in his mistresses, but also sought academic qualifications and eloquence. He particularly favored poor and beautiful girls from top universities, sometimes even sending them to etiquette classes for training. But he had never fathered a child before – until now.

When they arrived, Jiang Xueqing opened the door. At home, she wore a jade-green qipao made of sheer silk, which accentuated her snow-white skin and curvy figure. Her raven hair was loosely pinned up with a jade hairpin, and she wore pearl earrings and a high-quality jadeite bangle. She wore no other accessories or makeup, her face bare.

She bowed slightly, head lowered, resembling a lotus in the rain.

This woman, with her demure demeanor, wasn’t strikingly beautiful, but she exuded an aura of intellect and artistic sensibility.

Zhuang Hanxue understood. His father, like many wealthy older men, favored this type of cultured woman. Not too seductive, but presentable enough to bring to social gatherings, where she could serve as an ornamental conversationalist.

His mother addressed her as if speaking to a servant. “Where’s Zhuang Hongyi?”

Jiang Xueqing replied obediently, “Mr. Zhuang is waiting for you in the living room.”

As Zhuang Hanxue entered, he saw his father sitting in his usual spot, browsing financial news on his tablet. Hearing them, he looked up and greeted them nonchalantly, “Ah, you’re here.”

His mother nodded, her expression grim.

His father turned to him, saying, “You haven’t changed a bit. You disappeared without a word, and now you’re back as if nothing happened. Still as shameless as ever.”

Zhuang Hanxue replied, “I sent postcards home.” Previously, he would use his year-end bonus to travel, sending postcards to let his parents know he was alive, without revealing his location.

His father asked, “You seemed to be enjoying yourself out there. What made you decide to come back?”

Zhuang Hanxue immediately thought of Qiu Zheyan. If not for him, he wouldn’t have returned. He lied, “I’ve had enough fun out there…”

His father snorted, unconvinced.

His mother said irritably, “What are you doing? Your child suffered a lot outside and just came back. Why are you picking on him? Now that you have a new precious son, you’re discarding this one?”

His father rubbed his temples, saying, “I didn’t say that.”

Jiang Xueqing carefully served tea, maintaining her composure.

Zhuang Hanxue found the scene peculiar, glancing left and right before whispering to his mother, “She’s like a servant.”

His mother sneered, “Isn’t she? Servicing your father’s needs.”

His father raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue.

Zhuang Hanxue said naively, “Dad, I thought you’d defend her.”

His father replied shamelessly, “She’s the mistress. Doesn’t she deserve your mother’s criticism?”

Zhuang Hanxue: “…”

His father continued, “I only found out when the child was already in primary school. I couldn’t just get rid of them, could I? I don’t plan to bring the child home yet. He uses his mother’s surname, not mine.”

Zhuang Hanxue glanced at Jiang Xueqing, impressed by her unwavering composure.

“I thought Hanxue wouldn’t return, so I needed an heir.”

His mother sat up straight, “Now Hanxue is back.”

Zhuang Hanxue tensed, his knees weakening. He’d only returned to swindle some money for Qiu Zheyan. He quickly said, “But I’m useless, aren’t I?”

His mother shot him a glare, silencing him.

His father nodded calmly, “Yes, my original order of succession was Hanchen, Hanxue, then Haoxuan and Xiuwen.”

“Haoxuan” was his sister’s son, and “Xiuwen” was Zhuang Hanxue’s half-brother.

“But Haoxuan is still too young, and Xiuwen is already an adult.”

“Lingling, we’re not getting any younger. I’m at retirement age. I need someone to take over. Is that unreasonable?”

His mother crossed her arms, challenging her husband bluntly, “Half of this company is mine, Zhuang Hongyi. If it weren’t for my money and effort, do you think you’d be where you are today? You want to give my money to a bastard? Not a chance.”

His father said, exasperated, “I haven’t even said anything yet. I only considered it because I thought Hanxue wouldn’t return. I had no choice but to groom that child. Now that Hanxue’s back, he’s next in line, naturally.”

Zhuang Hanxue grew increasingly uneasy, blurting out, “Dad, am I really capable? I’m not! Please don’t overestimate me! Don’t think I’ve improved after these years away. I haven’t improved at all, really! I’ve only grown wrinkles, not brains!”

His mother smacked the back of his head, “Is this how you put yourself down?”

Zhuang Hanxue rubbed his head, whining, “But I’m just being honest.”

His father said, “I know you well enough. You don’t need to belittle yourself. You’re not clever, but you’re not too stupid either. With some training, you’ll do. Just maintain what we’ve built. I know you don’t like work. Once you have a son, we’ll groom him properly. When he’s grown, he can take over, and you’ll be free.”

A son?!

Zhuang Hanxue thought of Qiu Zheyan. He’d never have children, let alone a son.

Why raise kids? He didn’t want to!

But given the atmosphere, he couldn’t blurt that out.

Seeing his cowardly demeanor, his father frowned, “Hanchen was the best, but that rebellious child was the most disobedient. At least you’re somewhat obedient.”

Zhuang Hanxue asked reluctantly, “Dad, you really want to hand the company over to me?”

His father glanced at him coldly, “If you don’t want to work, why did you come back? You could’ve just died out there. Now that you’re back, you’re my son, Zhuang Hongyi’s son.”

Zhuang Hanxue felt like a chick facing a tiger, not daring to make a sound.

It was terrifying.

Zhuang Hanxue glanced at his mother, who also looked at him coldly.

This estranged couple had reached a consensus.

Zhuang Hanxue had an ominous feeling.

He realized his parents had long lost their affection, treating their marriage like a business partnership, coexisting for mutual benefit.

His mother’s anger wasn’t about his father’s affair – she’d have died of anger years ago if it were. She was furious about the grown illegitimate son threatening her interests.

As long as the money remained, their partnership wouldn’t truly collapse.

After the discussion, Zhuang Hanxue left with his mother.

She had her driver take him home while she went to seek comfort from her lover.

Zhuang Hanxue was also depressed.

He expected a dramatic scene of confronting the mistress and the cheating husband. He eagerly anticipated the show, but instead, a huge responsibility fell on him! He thought he could stall for a while longer…

Alas, he needed Qiu Zheyan to heal his soul.

Zhuang Hanxue immediately called Qiu Zheyan, asking, “Xiao Qiu, are you still here tomorrow? I’ll come see you. I miss you so much.”

Qiu Zheyan replied, “You big lazy bug, what’s wrong?”

Hearing Qiu Zheyan’s gentle voice, Zhuang Hanxue couldn’t hold back anymore. He started explaining his family situation: “…I first discovered my father’s affair when I was in first grade, but my brother says he’s been keeping mistresses since before I was born. Many mistresses.”

“I was thunderstruck then, thinking how pitiful my mother was. Turns out she’s no better.”

“So I think my skewed values are all because of my parents.”

“My brother says mom initially fought with dad, and to get revenge, she also went out with men. Later, she found pleasure in it and stopped caring about dad’s affairs. Dad’s weird too, he doesn’t mind mom having lovers.”

“They compete in finding lovers, but never divorce. They even agreed not to have children with others.”

“I really can’t understand their thinking. They used to argue all the time, and I desperately wished they’d divorce.”

“As they got older, they stopped arguing.”

“When I advised mom to divorce, she scolded me.”

Qiu Zheyan finally glimpsed the tip of the iceberg of Zhuang Hanxue’s family affairs. “Abroad, this might be called an open marriage. Dating others outside, but not bringing them home.”

Zhuang Hanxue said, “It sounds trendy, but I don’t believe such a marriage can last. How can a marriage between two people accommodate a third party?”

Qiu Zheyan reassured him, “You’re right. I would never look at anyone else. I only like you.”

Qiu Zheyan seized the opportunity to ask, “When are you coming to see me? I’ve spent 3000 yuan on this expensive hotel, and you’re not even here with me.”

Zhuang Hanxue cleverly said, “Give me the receipt, I’ll get the company to reimburse it. Might as well take advantage of this opportunity.”

Qiu Zheyan said, “It’s not about the money… I just want to see you, be close to you. I miss you so much.”

Zhuang Hanxue instantly forgot his troubles, blushing slightly, “I-I miss you too…”

Qiu Zheyan asked, “Doesn’t your family own most hotels in this city?”

Zhuang Hanxue named a few budget chain hotels, “Just book any of these, no need for anything expensive.”

Thinking of Zhuang Hanxue’s rich young master status, Qiu Zheyan said, “I just worried you might not be comfortable.”

Zhuang Hanxue said, puzzled, “Why wouldn’t I be comfortable? I’ve stayed in such places before. You know that small rundown place I used to rent? It was like a doghouse, but I managed. I’m easy to please, don’t treat me like some young master.”

Qiu Zheyan sighed inwardly, thinking, but aren’t you exactly that?

Before, he didn’t know, but now he did. He dared not treat Zhuang Hanxue as casually as before.

In the past, he thought Zhuang Hanxue lacked ambition and was work-shy. Now he realized Zhuang Hanxue was born with a silver spoon, possessing from birth what others might not achieve in a lifetime. That’s why he was so carefree and lazy, not striving for success.

Zhuang Hanxue said, “I’ll sneak out to see you during lunch break tomorrow. Book a room.”

After a moment, Qiu Zheyan replied, “Zhuang Hanxue, think carefully if you’ve forgotten anything.”

Zhuang Hanxue thought about it seriously. “No, I can come see you.”

“Fine,” Qiu Zheyan chuckled, “I’ll book a room. If you stand me up, I’ll make you pay next time I get the chance.”

Zhuang Hanxue: “…”

Anticipating his rendezvous with Qiu Zheyan, Zhuang Hanxue could barely contain himself.

The next day, as soon as the company’s lunch break started at 12, Zhuang Hanxue sneaked out.

Shortly after he left, his father came to his office and asked the secretary, “Where’s that boy?”

The secretary replied, “The young master said he went out for lunch.”

Meanwhile, Zhuang Hanxue had already taken a taxi to the hotel, where Qiu Zheyan was waiting.

As soon as they saw each other, they closed the door and began undressing, racing against time, even showering together to save time.

Qiu Zheyan gazed at him intensely, “When I saw you wearing these clothes, I wanted to take them off with my own hands.”

Compared to before, this had a different thrill.

Although they were lovers, it felt like a secret affair.

Even their kisses became brief and urgent, scorching hot, as if burning their cheeks and lips.

Clothes and shoes were strewn haphazardly along the way.

Zhuang Hanxue’s phone, which was left in his coat pocket, began to ring. He was too caught up in pleasure to care, thinking, “Isn’t it lunch break? I just got back to the company and haven’t done any work yet. There shouldn’t be any urgent matters requiring my attention.” He ignored the ringing.

Qiu Zheyan asked, “Aren’t you going to answer?”

Zhuang Hanxue replied, “No.”

Qiu Zheyan kissed him and asked, “What if it’s something important?”

Dazed, Zhuang Hanxue said, “What could be more important than this? Just pretend it’s not there.”

The ringing stopped after a while.

Half a minute later, the phone rang again, insistently.

Zhuang Hanxue got annoyed and grumbled, “Who is it? So annoying!”

He crawled over to pick up his pants, shook them, and the phone fell out. He looked at the screen and saw just one word – “Dad.”

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