Marriage First, Love Later: The Soft and Obedient Little Wife of Mr. Lu - Chapter 141: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (4)

Chapter 141: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (4)

Bai Fan obediently clung to Shen Tangyu’s back, the man’s broad shoulders feeling exceptionally reliable. His round cat-like eyes were wide open as he pressed his lips together in silence.

What had Shen Tangyu meant by those words earlier? Was it just a momentary impulse?

But because of that impulse, he’d lost his humble dwelling. What should he do now? Yet he couldn’t blame Shen Tangyu – the man had only meant well.

The weather was still warm anyway. He should be fine sleeping in the park.

Shen Tangyu maintained a stern expression, silent as raging fury smoldered in his chest, nearly burning him up from inside.

He’d always considered himself selfish and cold-hearted, but now he realized this world was full of far more despicable people.

He didn’t know whether it was impulse, but seeing Bai Fan hanging his head so pitifully, his heart felt as if gripped by an invisible hand. Overwhelmed by fury, he had only one thought – to take Bai Fan away.

He wondered: that kitten he’d lost in childhood, had it later ended up in similarly disappointing circumstances?

So why run away? If it had stayed with him, it would never have needed to endure anyone’s disdain.

Shen Tangyu first took Bai Fan to the hospital to have his wounds redressed. With fractures in both his arm and leg, improper recovery could lead to lifelong consequences.

Though Shen Tangyu wanted Bai Fan hospitalized, the boy stubbornly refused. Left with no choice, Shen Tangyu strictly followed medical advice and brought the boy to an apartment near the university.

This was a place he’d rented earlier, sometimes used for meetings with business partners.

Bai Fan gazed around with wide eyes at the clean, bright space, his voice tinged with both delight and caution. Can I really live here?

Shen Tangyu continued organizing things without looking up. Mm, didn’t I say I’d take care of you?

Bai Fan lowered his head. Noticing the boy had gone quiet, Shen Tangyu set down what he was holding and approached at an angle, lifting Bai Fan’s chin with a faint smile playing on his lips. Why so quiet now?

I’m easy to care for. I’ll study hard and repay you someday, Bai Fan promised earnestly, his amber eyes clear and luminous.

This place would just sit empty otherwise. Focus on recovering here properly and attending school on time. Don’t worry about tuition – you can repay me after graduation.

Shen Tangyu reassured Bai Fan, carefully preserving his dignity while treating him as an equal.

Bai Fan’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, his nose tingling as he nodded in agreement.

Later, Shen Tangyu inquired about Bai Fan’s previous part-time wages – far below market rate, no wonder the boss had hired him. Even the compensation from the accident had been taken by his uncle’s family, leaving nothing for Bai Fan.

Learning this, Shen Tangyu felt suffocated by anger, firmly tapping Bai Fan’s forehead while telling him to be more discerning in the future.

Thus Bai Fan settled here, with Shen Tangyu occasionally visiting to check on his studies.

The boy required no worrying – freed from distractions of part-time work, Bai Fan’s grades improved significantly. He proved quite bright, even reading foreign academic works during spare time.

Noticing Bai Fan rotating through just two or three outfits, Shen Tangyu bought several sets of clothes, removing the tags while claiming they were castoffs from his roommate.

During this period, Bai Fan filled out noticeably, gaining some facial fullness and several centimeters in height. His fair complexion made his dark eyes appear especially bright, and his leg injury had nearly healed.

While living here, Bai Fan always bought groceries and cooked for himself. When Shen Tangyu first learned he could cook, he was quite surprised. That evening, the young man showcased his skills with four dishes and a soup, the flavor far surpassing anything from the cafeteria.

Afterward, whenever Shen Tangyu had free time, he would come over for meals. If it got too late, he’d end up staying overnight at Bai Fan’s place.

The apartment had only one bedroom, but the two-meter-wide bed was spacious enough for the two men.

Every time Shen Tangyu woke up, the young man would be clinging to him—slender, delicate legs draped over his body, a fluffy head resting on his shoulder, and soft pink lips slightly puckered in a drowsy, adorable expression.

It reminded him of the kitten from his childhood, making Shen Tangyu’s heart melt completely.

Shen Tangyu grew accustomed to staying at Bai Fan’s. After the young man returned from school, he would cook, and Shen Tangyu would wash the dishes. In the evenings, one would do homework while the other handled work matters.

Bai Fan was clever, sensible, and quiet. Shen Tangyu felt as though he were keeping a well-behaved, endearing little pet—one that greatly pleased him.

Bai Fan hadn’t owned a phone before, so Shen Tangyu bought him one, claiming it was an old one he no longer used. The young man didn’t suspect a thing and accepted it happily.

Unlike many teenagers these days, Bai Fan wasn’t obsessed with gaming. He mainly used the phone to chat with Shen Tangyu and later added a few classmates on WeChat.

One day, Shen Tangyu returned to the apartment quite late. The living room lights were off, and he tiptoed into the bedroom, noticing some movement inside.

Bai Fan was lying on the bed, the glow from his phone illuminating his delicate face. At that moment, his eyes looked somewhat dazed.

With a click, the lights turned on, startling Bai Fan and sending him into a fluster.

Shen Tangyu stood by the door, arms crossed, a teasing smile on his face, his voice laced with undisguised amusement.

“Little Bai Fan, what are you up to?”

Bai Fan hung his head in embarrassment, the tips of his ears tinged with a cute pink, pouting with a hint of grievance.

How humiliating!

Shen Tangyu walked over with a grin, like a smiling tiger, and lifted Bai Fan’s chin with his hand. He found the young man blushing with shame, eyes reddened, tears falling one after another.

This startled Shen Tangyu. He wiped the smile off his face, grabbed a tissue from the bedside, and gently wiped the tears away, his tone both doting and resigned.

“Did I scare you? I won’t tease you like that again. Don’t be shy—it’s a sign of growing up.”

“Do you… do that too?” Bai Fan asked hoarsely.

Shen Tangyu paused. The kid’s question was rather blunt.

“Haven’t you seen how I react every morning? What did you learn in biology class? It’s a normal physiological response.”

Bai Fan pouted, both unconvinced and annoyed by his earlier embarrassment.

“You think I’m as easily teased as you, kid?” Shen Tangyu said, eyes crinkling, as he lightly tapped Bai Fan’s nose.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the phone screen was still lit, displaying two naked figures embracing each other!

Bai Fan immediately lunged to lock the screen, his expression awkward, unsure how to explain.

He had realized a long time ago that he was different, but he also knew that many people in society couldn’t accept it. He worried whether Shen Tangyu would kick him out, his heart filled with anxiety.

Shen Tangyu’s expression tightened slightly, but he showed no other reaction. He patted Bai Fan’s head, told him not to watch such things in the future, and then turned to wash up.

Shen Tangyu didn’t kick Bai Fan out, nor did he avoid him.