Marriage First, Love Later: The Soft and Obedient Little Wife of Mr. Lu - Chapter 143: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (6)

Chapter 143: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (6)

Shen Tangyu and Bai Fan began living an uninhibited life together, though Shen Tangyu remained mindful of the young man and didn’t dare to be too unrestrained.

One day, Shen Tangyu returned home with an unusually stern expression. Seeing his face, Bai Fan immediately straightened up in fear, keeping his head lowered without daring to speak.

What’s going on, Bai Fan?

If not for Bai Fan’s teacher feeling regretful and calling Shen Tangyu, he wouldn’t have known that the young man had such grand ideas – actually taking it upon himself to decline an excellent opportunity.

The paper Bai Fan had written earlier had gained significant attention abroad. After learning about Bai Fan’s situation, many universities had proactively reached out to him.

What a wonderful thing, such a rare opportunity, yet the young man had quietly refused on his own!

Why would you reject such a great opportunity! Shen Tangyu was furious.

Bai Fan kept his head down, picking at his fingers as he mumbled, Studying abroad is too expensive, and I don’t want to be separated from you.

Don’t worry about the money. It’s not like we’d never see each other again – I’ll visit you during holidays.

Staying in the country is just as good.

Bai Fan hurried to explain that domestic tuition was only a few thousand yuan, which he could earn through part-time work. But studying abroad would cost at least several hundred thousand. He already owed Shen Tangyu too much – as just a college student, how could he burden someone else with his future?

This university’s medical program is world-class. How can domestic schools compare? Didn’t you want to become a doctor?

I can still become a doctor studying domestically, Bai Fan insisted stubbornly.

Shen Tangyu’s face turned cold as he suppressed his anger. Pulling Bai Fan onto his lap, he patiently coaxed, Don’t worry about money. This amount isn’t a problem for me. When our Fanfan becomes a doctor later, you can take care of me, alright?

Bai Fan lowered his eyes, long eyelashes concealing the sadness within them. He definitely wanted to study abroad, but he already owed Shen Tangyu too much. In a relationship, how could only one person keep giving?

Understanding Bai Fan’s concerns, Shen Tangyu lifted the young man’s chin and continued gently, Study well over there. The annual scholarships will cover your tuition. After graduation, hospitals will recruit you at high salaries. I’ll be counting on our Fanfan to support me then.

But I’ll miss you, Bai Fan whispered, his face full of worry.

Shen Tangyu chuckled softly, his heart melting at the young man’s expression. He couldn’t resist leaning in again. That’s nothing. We can video call every day, and I’ll visit you during breaks.

Shen Tangyu finally persuaded Bai Fan to accept the study abroad opportunity, and he began working harder to support his partner.

Truthfully, with his current income, he could easily provide Bai Fan with a comfortable life overseas.

During winter break, Bai Fan stayed at the apartment. Having no other family, Shen Tangyu had to return home to maintain appearances with his family.

Their family maintained good relationships and often gathered for meals. During these occasions, Shen Tangyu was naturally seen as the most outstanding child among them. Relatives couldn’t help joking and urging him to find a girlfriend soon.

I’m already in a relationship.

Shen Tangyu put down his chopsticks, his expression calm as if stating an ordinary matter. The table of relatives was shocked – no one expected the usually aloof Shen Tangyu to be dating, and they couldn’t help but wonder what kind of girl she was.

It’s a boy. Very beautiful and intelligent.

Shen Tangyu lifted his head, gazing earnestly at the stunned relatives around the table and his parents’ complicated expressions.

Shen Tangyu had come out directly, without any preamble or attempt to conceal. His Fanfan wasn’t someone to be ashamed of – he was exceptional.

But his family would undoubtedly struggle to accept it. His parents shattered bowls in their fury, these usually restrained and proper elders losing their composure before everyone, demanding to know if he recognized his mistake.

Shen Tangyu looked directly at his family, enunciating each word clearly, I’m not wrong.

He had simply fallen for someone, an exceptional person – what was wrong with that?

Forced to kneel before the ancestral hall in his hometown, Shen Tangyu endured strike after strike from the cane in his father’s hand. The elder’s eyes held disappointment, heartache, and rage, asking with each blow whether he admitted his error.

Shen Tangyu gritted his teeth, stubbornly refusing to confess any wrongdoing. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his lips turned pale, his back becoming a bloody, horrifying mess.

Relatives couldn’t bear to watch, urging Father Shen to calm down, saying the child was still young and they should communicate patiently.

In a low, resolute voice, Shen Tangyu declared, The person I, Shen Tangyu, have chosen will never change in this lifetime.

Enraged, Father Shen put all his strength into the next strike. Mother Shen’s eyes were red from crying as she turned away, the sound of cane strikes echoing in her ears.

Stubbornly kneeling in the ancestral hall, Shen Tangyu grew pale, his gaze steady though his body began turning cold. He never uttered a sound until the worried Mother Shen came to check and found him collapsed in the hall.

Bai Fan hadn’t received any messages from Shen Tangyu all day and grew extremely worried. Upon waking, Shen Tangyu’s first act was to take out his phone to reassure the young man.

Bai Fan didn’t know Shen Tangyu had come out to his family, assuming instead that with numerous relatives visiting during year-end, Shen Tangyu was simply busy.

He stayed obediently alone in the apartment. Fireworks blossomed outside while the interior remained dark. For a long time now, this world’s celebrations had nothing to do with him.

Family members kept coming to persuade him. Lying prone on the bed, his back thickly bandaged and still bleeding, Shen Tangyu listened.

How will you two live? What will people think of you? Have you considered any of this?

He’s so young, what does he understand? What if he figures things out in a few years and breaks up with you?

Shen Tangyu listened coldly, no emotion in his eyes. I won’t let him leave me, and I don’t care what others think. We haven’t harmed anyone.

Seeing him completely unreasonable and determined to stay together, everyone could only sigh helplessly and regretfully.

Sometimes it’s laughable – as if you must live your entire life according to the elders’ expectations for it to be considered happiness.

While his family slept, Shen Tangyu slipped away, leaving a note for his parents before buying a ticket back to campus.

The New Year was approaching.

Bai Fan sat barefoot by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the lively streets below with calm eyes, like a spirit detached from this world.

He wondered if Shen Tangyu was happy at home. With the whole family gathered together, it must be lively. Someone as capable as him would surely be the center of attention.

What are you looking at?

Bai Fan turned in shock to see Shen Tangyu standing in the entryway, still carrying the cold air from outside, his face slightly pale but his eyes smiling gently.

Brother Shen, why are you back?!

I couldn’t leave our child here all alone.

Bai Fan happily ran over and leaped onto Shen Tangyu in one swift motion. Shen Tangyu furrowed his brows, enduring the pain as he supported the child’s bottom with one hand while holding his feet with the other.

Why aren’t you wearing shoes again?

I missed you so much, Brother Shen.

Bai Fan clung to him coquettishly, his delicate nose nuzzling against the other, cupping Shen Tangyu’s face. In that moment, Shen Tangyu felt everything was worth it.

When night fell and there was no avoiding it, Bai Fan finally discovered the wounds on Shen Tangyu’s back—flesh torn open, blood soaking through his shirt.

The child’s heart ached as tears pattered down. Shen Tangyu’s heart softened unbearably, his large hand stroking Bai Fan’s cheek, thumb wiping away the glistening teardrops at the corners of his eyes.

It doesn’t hurt at all. Don’t cry—Brother Shen’s heart aches for you.

Why didn’t you tell me? I should have gone back with you to take the beating, Bai Fan sobbed out.

Your delicate frame couldn’t handle it. Brother Shen has to protect his beloved, Shen Tangyu coaxed with a smile, the child’s pitiful expression too heart-wrenching to bear.

I’m sorry, Brother Shen. Bai Fan felt miserable—this heaven’s favorite had met him and become the family’s disgrace.

Shen Tangyu rose to kiss the tears on his face, his gaze earnest. No need for apologies. You can only stay by my side for the rest of your life. Now, no one can stop us.

But he never expected that when no one stood in their way, the child would be the one to let go.