Marriage First, Love Later: The Soft and Obedient Little Wife of Mr. Lu - Chapter 140: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (3)

Chapter 140: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (3)

After Shen Tangyu’s roommate returned to class, Shen Tangyu specifically explained Bai Fan’s situation and asked him to look after the boy a little.

But when the youngest roommate came back, he said he hadn’t seen Bai Fan at all.

Shen Tangyu’s expression darkened, but he said nothing.

He had been feeling empty inside these past few days. Shen Tangyu tried hard to ignore this restless emotion, wanting to regain his former cold and carefree self.

After several consecutive days without asking about Bai Fan’s situation, Shen Tangyu thought to himself – the kid was just a small episode in his life, like that kitten from his childhood.

But one day when the youngest roommate returned, he looked at Shen Tangyu with sympathy and said in a concerned tone, That kid you mentioned came to audit classes today, but he had casts on both his arms and legs. It seems he was in a car accident.

Shen Tangyu’s heart immediately tightened. He frowned, his tone carrying unprecedented urgency.

What happened? How did he get into an accident?

I don’t know. I asked him, but he didn’t say. The youngest roommate looked troubled, as Bai Fan’s experience reminded him of his own past.

Shen Tangyu couldn’t calm down all afternoon. His thoughts were chaotic, unable to focus.

After mechanically completing his client visits, he passed by a residential area. He remembered Bai Fan mentioning that his uncle’s family lived here.

Almost as if possessed, Shen Tangyu walked in.

The complex consisted of buildings from twenty or thirty years ago, without property management. The wall paint was peeling, and the entrance was piled with clutter – it seemed abandoned by the city.

Shen Tangyu felt he must be crazy. What was he doing here? He and Bai Fan each had their own life paths.

Shaking his head, he turned to leave when he spotted a thin figure leaning on crutches, struggling to hop on one leg while using his uninjured hand to throw trash into the bin.

When the figure turned around, Bai Fan’s clean, delicate face appeared before him. The kid was equally surprised to see Shen Tangyu here, his eyes instantly widening, those cat-like eyes filled with clear light.

Brother Shen? What are you doing here?

Seeing Bai Fan covered in injuries, Shen Tangyu unconsciously tightened his brows, his tone somewhat displeased. What happened? Why are you out and about when you’re injured?

Bai Fan sheepishly rubbed his nose and explained quietly, It’s fine. Moving around more helps with recovery.

Shen Tangyu sensed there was more to it. Life depending on others wasn’t easy – Bai Fan probably had to consider his uncle’s family’s moods too.

But with such a serious accident, he should have been hospitalized for months. Why was he discharged so early? Was it because of money again?

How did the accident happen? Why aren’t you in the hospital?

Shen Tangyu’s voice was deep, his tone almost interrogating. The kid recalled the fear of being dominated by Shen Tangyu during tutoring sessions and obediently answered.

I got hit while delivering food. In this condition, I can’t work, so I have no income…

Shen Tangyu didn’t need to hear the rest to understand – the uncle’s family definitely wouldn’t pay for medical treatment. Bai Fan could only use the compensation money to get through these months.

Any questions you haven’t been able to solve recently? Shen Tangyu’s eyes were deep and unreadable, as if contemplating something.

Bai Fan’s eyes lit up briefly before dimming again. Shen Tangyu was no longer his substitute teacher, and he had neither money nor reason to trouble him.

No, he answered softly with his head lowered.

Did you get first place in the last exam?

Of course I’m first! Bai Fan puffed up his little nose proudly, his eyes brimming with smugness.

Let me see your report card, Shen Tangyu said in a low voice.

Well… Bai Fan hesitated, I’ll go upstairs to get it for you.

Why bother with that! I’ll come up with you.

Bai Fan initially wanted to refuse, but Shen Tangyu had already followed him. Seeing Bai Fan’s difficulty walking, Shen Tangyu crouched down to carry him piggyback, but Bai Fan declined.

When Shen Tangyu learned they lived on the sixth floor, he gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, then bent down and scooped Bai Fan up horizontally, startling the young man.

Sixth floor and you’re running up and down? Why aren’t you staying put upstairs!

The teenager stood at 176cm – tall and slender, yet surprisingly light in his arms, almost weightless, as if he might scatter with a gust of wind.

The stairwell was cramped, concrete steps covered in dust, walls plastered with various small advertisements. On reaching the sixth floor, Bai Fan opened the door to reveal a small but tidy room.

His aunt and uncle hadn’t returned yet. Bai Fan poured Shen Tangyu a glass of water, but Shen Tangyu told him not to trouble himself.

Bai Fan hobbled toward the balcony on his crutches, rummaging for something inside.

Shen Tangyu followed and saw a bed placed on the narrow balcony – if it could even be called a bed, just wooden planks with a quilt thrown over them. Bai Fan’s belongings were stored in a small bag, while several stacks of books sat at the foot of the makeshift bed.

Shen Tangyu’s eyebrows instantly furrowed together, his eyes filled with anger and heartache, his voice growing hoarse with emotion.

This is your room?!

The balcony in this old residential area was naturally small – Bai Fan couldn’t even stretch his legs properly inside. The window leaked wind, summer rains easily poured in, and winters must have been bitterly cold.

Bai Fan pressed his lips together, his expression awkward. He pulled a report card from his backpack, deliberately changing the subject.

Look, I ranked first last time. I was the only one in the whole school who solved the bonus question.

Shen Tangyu’s eyes clouded with dense, aching pity. He couldn’t imagine what kind of life Bai Fan had been living all these years.

The sound of the door lock turning announced the arrival of a young couple. The woman sported an outdated perm and cheap makeup.

Seeing a stranger in the house and then looking at Bai Fan, her smiling face instantly turned sharp. She raised her dark eyebrows and shrilled in an accusatory tone:

Bai Fan, why are you letting just anyone in?! What if something gets stolen! Having one extra mouth to feed is already driving us to poverty – are you going to feed another one?

The man entered with his beer belly, frowned upon seeing the clean kitchen, and complained: What time is it and you haven’t cooked! Are we supposed to starve when we get home? You have nothing to do all day at home – can’t you do some work?

Your younger cousin will be back soon too. Are you going to let your sister go to school hungry?

Have you washed the clothes? Taken out the trash? You can’t even handle simple tasks!

The two took turns berating him, completely ignoring Shen Tangyu’s presence. Bai Fan bit his lip hard, his face pale, his eyes dark and desolate.

At seventeen or eighteen, when self-esteem matters most, Bai Fan’s dignity was being trampled repeatedly before someone familiar, as if he’d been stripped naked under the sun for everyone to scorn.

Brother Shen, I won’t keep you for dinner. I’ll thank you properly another day. Bai Fan looked cautiously at Shen Tangyu, a teenager’s pride rendered worthless in this moment.

Shen Tangyu’s face was grim, his eyes swirling with suppressed fury. He walked to the balcony, took Bai Fan’s backpack, and asked him, Is this all you have?

Bai Fan was taken aback, unsure of what the other meant, and nodded hesitantly.

Shen Tangyu glanced around, only taking the books—there was nothing else of value. After packing up, he grabbed Bai Fan and pulled him toward the door.

Brother Shen, where are you taking me?

The meal isn’t even ready yet! Where are you off to now? a woman screeched.

What’s the point of staying in this house any longer? To be their unpaid maid? Shen Tangyu’s gaze was icy as he stared at his uncle’s family. Tall and imposing, his presence was especially intimidating when he glared at them.

The woman was frightened into silence, while Bai Fan’s uncle cowardly hid behind her, raising his voice gruffly, If you leave, don’t come back! Do you think I want to raise him?

Raise a good person into this state? Shen Tangyu’s eyes turned fierce. You don’t need to raise him anymore. From now on, I’ll take care of Bai Fan!