Marriage First, Love Later: The Soft and Obedient Little Wife of Mr. Lu - Chapter 144: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (7)

Chapter 144: Shen Tangyu & Bai Fan (7)

Bai Fan went to the United States early to handle many matters in advance.

Shen Tangyu accompanied him, not wanting Bai Fan to endure the discomfort of crowded dormitories or potential racial discrimination.

Thus, he rented an apartment for Bai Fan off-campus, furnished it completely, familiarized him with the university, and took him around the neighborhood.

The boy had drifted from place to place since childhood, learning to read people’s expressions, so his adaptability was remarkably strong.

On the day Shen Tangyu left, Bai Fan wept uncontrollably at the airport, clinging to him and refusing to let go, insisting he didn’t want to study anymore and demanding to return to China with Shen Tangyu.

Shen Tangyu had no choice. Ignoring the curious glances of passersby, he sat Bai Fan on his lap and coaxed him gently in a soft voice. Even someone as aloof as him grew teary-eyed in such a scene.

Be good, Fanfan. I’ll video call you every day. Count a hundred days, and I’ll come see you, alright?

Bai Fan’s small nose was red from crying, his lips pouting pitifully as he hugged Shen Tangyu tightly, burying his face against the man’s neck in sorrow.

That’s so long. I already miss you, and you haven’t even left yet.

Shen Tangyu’s heart swelled with bittersweet emotions from the boy’s words, wishing he could tuck him into his pocket and take him along.

Be good and endure these few years. After that, we’ll never be apart again.

In the end, Shen Tangyu still left. Bai Fan gazed despondently at the unfamiliar city, realizing no one would hold him while he slept anymore.

Life had to go on. Bai Fan adapted well in the U.S.—his professor liked him and often involved him in experiments.

Despite the time difference, Shen Tangyu always answered Bai Fan’s calls, his eyes crinkling with doting laughter as he listened to the boy talk about his life at school: winning scholarships, earning money from experiments. Bai Fan had become much more cheerful compared to when they first met.

Bai Fan asked about Shen Tangyu’s graduate school life—whether he was busy—noticing that Shen Tangyu seemed increasingly tired lately.

Shen Tangyu remained calm, shaking his head and saying it was manageable.

The two maintained a stable long-distance relationship, and true to his word, Shen Tangyu visited Bai Fan after a hundred days.

He had lost weight, and Bai Fan heartachely cupped Shen Tangyu’s face.

Did you miss me too much? Why have you gotten so thin?

Shen Tangyu’s heart melted. He nuzzled into Bai Fan’s neck playfully and said, Yes, without Fanfan, I can’t even eat properly.

Then I’ll make sure to feed you well these next few days.

Using yourself as the meal will suffice.

Shen Tangyu had to return after a few days—there was much to attend to back home—but they agreed he would visit again after another hundred days.

Bai Fan tried to give Shen Tangyu the scholarship money he had earned, but the man refused, telling him to keep it for himself.

Shen Tangyu covered all of Bai Fan’s expenses in the U.S. and didn’t allow him to work part-time. He could afford to support Bai Fan; his person shouldn’t have to suffer.

But not long after returning, Bai Fan called one day out of the blue and said he wanted to break up.

It was noisy on Shen Tangyu’s end. He moved to a quieter spot, frowning, his tone sharp.

Bai Fan, this isn’t something to joke about!

I’m serious. Let’s break up. Bai Fan’s voice was calm.

Why? What happened? Shen Tangyu’s veins bulged on his forehead, his eyes turning bloodshot with a fierce glare.

Long-distance relationships are too exhausting. I don’t want to continue. I’ve met someone better here, so let’s just end it.

Bai Fan hung up after saying this. When Shen Tangyu tried calling back, the line was disconnected.

The next day, Shen Tangyu received a bank notification on his phone. Bai Fan had transferred money to him, returned the apartment deposit, and sent over all his scholarship funds, telling him never to contact him again.

Shen Tangyu, who hadn’t slept all night, booked the earliest flight to the US. Not knowing where Bai Fan had moved, he could only wait at the university to intercept him.

After class, Bai Fan spotted Shen Tangyu at the entrance—exhausted, with wounded eyes. His heart ached unbearably, as if squeezed tight, making it hard to breathe. But he clenched his teeth and walked straight past without glancing sideways.

His arm was grabbed. Shen Tangyu’s eyes were bloodshot, stubble covering his chin, as he demanded why Bai Fan wanted to break up.

I told you, I don’t like you anymore.

When we first got together, I made it clear: once you’re in my bed, Shen Tangyu’s, you can never leave me for life.

But I’ve fallen out of love.

Bai Fan lifted his head, meeting Shen Tangyu’s gaze with icy coldness, devoid of any emotion. The look pierced Shen Tangyu deeply, his heart feeling repeatedly trampled.

He didn’t understand what had happened to Bai Fan. Just days ago, they were smiling and discussing their future—why had he become so distant now?

This was his first time loving someone, and he didn’t know if he had fallen short somewhere. In that moment, he could only humbly hold Bai Fan’s hand, watching him cautiously.

Fanfan, if I’ve done something wrong, tell me. I’ll change, I promise. Please don’t be like this, okay?

Bai Fan’s heart felt as if something had overturned, suffocating him with pain. He turned his head away, hiding his reddened eyes from Shen Tangyu, and spoke in a cold voice.

Stop clinging to me. I hate you like this!

With that, he shook off Shen Tangyu’s hand and walked away resolutely. Shen Tangyu watched Bai Fan’s retreating figure, tears silently streaming down.

The proud man had lowered his head, but his little kitten had still abandoned him and left.

Bai Fan collapsed onto the bed in his cramped rented room, crying uncontrollably. The image of Shen Tangyu’s heartbroken expression haunted him—he had never seen the arrogant Shen Tangyu look so desolate.

Because of him, Shen Tangyu had endured too much hardship in the world.

A couple of days earlier, Mother Shen had somehow gotten his number and called, weeping as she begged Bai Fan to let Shen Tangyu go.

It was then that Bai Fan learned one of Shen Tangyu’s business partners had embezzled the company’s funds, leaving Shen Tangyu drowning in debt overnight, while still needing to support Bai Fan’s living expenses abroad.

He had given up his guaranteed graduate school placement to start over, building a new business. Every night, he was dragged out by clients for drinks, forced to humble himself before others.

He couldn’t afford to collapse—his Fanfan was still waiting for him.

No one knew how Shen Tangyu survived those days. He used his savings from years of work to repay debts, reinvested from scratch, and the first profits he made were immediately sent to Bai Fan.

While Shen Tangyu was bowing to others, Bai Fan was freely enjoying campus life.

No wonder Shen Tangyu had lost so much weight, his eyes always shadowed with weariness.

Bai Fan hated himself intensely. If not for him, Shen Tangyu wouldn’t have had to struggle so hard, while he remained oblivious, spending the money Shen Tangyu had earned through humiliation.

It was the first time Mother Shen had ever begged anyone so desperately—a mother’s profound love for her child compelling her to plead with Bai Fan to release Shen Tangyu.

Bai Fan yielded. He truly had no reason left to hold on.

His very existence was Shen Tangyu’s burden.

After that, Shen Tangyu never came looking for Bai Fan again. Before leaving, he said, Bai Fan, since we’ve broken up, let’s never see each other again!

Bai Fan’s heart ached unbearably, but he could only endure it with all his might. He thought, without him in the picture, Shen Tangyu would probably feel much more at ease.

Perhaps from the very beginning, they never should have come together.