Ch. 6 – Apologies

Tang Li took back the dagger without saying a word and stood stiffly in place.

When he realized what he had just done, he immediately felt goose bumps stand up all over his body

He did not dare to look back at or talk to Shen Yu.

The fear that came from the bottom of his heart welled up to the top of his head.

For more than a year after his parents left, Tang Li never cared about anyone’s feelings. He didn’t mind what others thought of him or what was said about him. Even if his knife poked that disgusting man right into the hospital and his crying aunt madly scolded him as a murderer, he never thought twice such words.

But now, just the knowledge that Shen Yu saw the other side of him and heard the two paparazzi talk about his past, he was almost drowned by the fear that came over him.

It was as if the whole heart had been dug out and thrown into cold water.

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The bitter chill made Tang Li’s body tremble.

He is only a ten-year-old child. He can’t possibly stop thinking about the things he cares for, and in turn he also can’t stop being afraid of losing those things.

“Tang Li.”

Shen Yu’s voice, which was neither disgusted nor weak, sounded behind him. Instead of calling him “Little Chestnut” kindly and gently, he called his full name directly.

Tang Li seemed to realize something. He drooped his eyelids silently and turned to face Shen Yu, but he was too timid to look directly into Shen Yu’s eyes.

“Come here.” Shen Yu said.

“…” Tang Li hesitated for a while, but still took a step forward.

The group was surrounded by silence, the only thing that could be heard was light music playing in the mall which slowly flowed in the air. Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen were both nervous and tense. They dare not make a sound, and their eyes are hovering between Shen Yu and Tang Li.

Even Manager Fu, an innocent outsider, felt suffocated He rubbed his hands nervously and stepped back a few paces in fear that Shen Yu’s anger might affect himself.

“Sir.” Uncle Zhang bent down and said to Shen Yu, “Let’s talk about it when we get home.”

Aunt Chen quickly agreed, “Yes, that sounds like the best idea.”

The child was still carrying a dagger and was so impulsive. What if Shen Yu accidentally said something to stimulate him?

Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen became more and more panicked when they thought about it. Unconsciously, they took two steps forward and stepped between Shen Yu and Tang Li.

Just then, they could barely hear Tang Li whispering, “I’m sorry.”

Hearing this, Shen, Yu who was standing in the middle of the stunned Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen, did not wait for their reactions and asked Tang Li: “Do you know what you did wrong?”

Tang Li nodded; his gloomy eyes fixed on the floor. He slowly clenched his fists at his side and squeezed out a lone sentence from his mouth after great difficulty: “I know my wrong.”

“Come a little closer.” Shen Yu once again beckoned.

Tang Li did not hesitate to cross between Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen and stood in front of Shen Yu, but his head remained buried in his collar, his soft black hair hanging down, covering his eyes.

Shen Yu couldn’t clearly see Tang Li’s expression at the time. He only knew that his face was pale, his thin lips were tight, and his face was in hiding.

“Raise your head.” Shen Yu continued.

Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen were frightened to hear this. They were afraid that Tang Li would pull out a dagger and stab Shen Yu in a moment of madness. Tang Li’s words had really left a shadow in their hearts.

In this day-in-age, which ten-year-old child can speak such cruel words so clearly?

Fortunately, Tang Li did not lash out. Instead, behaving like a good student who accepted the teacher’s criticism, he raised his head silently and for a moment, looked at Shen Yu with his deep black eyes.

For a long time, Shen Yu did not shy away from looking at him. Then suddenly, he burst into laughter. He reached out and touched Tang Li’s hair. “It’s good that you know your mistake.”

He looked down at Tang Li’s hands.

Although the wound on his palm still looks a little scary, after Dr. Liu’s treatment, the blood had coagulated.

Shen Yu was relieved. He stuffed a card into Tang Li’s hand. “Go and pay the money. Don’t do that next time.”

“…”

Tang Li stared at the bank card in his hand with surprise.

Shen Yu spoke, “The password is your birthday. From now on this card will be yours. It will be my welcoming present to you.”

The card belonged to the original Shen Yu, but the current Shen Yu took advantage of Dr. Liu’s examination of Tang Li and asked Zhang housekeeper to temporarily go out and change the password, and additionally, put 20 million yuan [1] into the card’s account.

After a long time, Tang Li finally opened his mouth: “What am I supposed to pay for?”

“Baseball bat.” Shen Yu sighed lightly and pointed helplessly to the staff who were staying in the sports store not far away. “Didn’t you take it from the store and plan to pay for it later?”

Looking in the direction that Shen Yu’s finger pointed, Tang Li saw a girl in her uniform looking at them fearfully with an expression like she was about to burst into tears.

Shen Yu said, “Go ahead.”

Tang Li gradually understood Shen Yu’s meaning. Instantly, the despair and fear in his eyes were swept away and replaced by a small light that was shining like the stars.

He must have been looking at Shen Yu for a long time, his hot eyes walking up Shen Yu’s skin, as if to deeply imprint Shen Yu’s appearance onto his very soul.

Then, he quickly ran away.

Shen Yu smiled and shook his head.

While waiting for Tang Li to return, Aunt Chen couldn’t help complaining, “Sir, don’t let Tang Li carry knives with him in the future. How can such a small child play with such dangerous things?”

Shen Yu said, “I’ll talk to him when I have a chance.”

“That’s all right.” Aunt Chen quickly waved her hand. “Sir, you don’t have to do that. After a while, I’ll find an excuse to remind him that a good child shouldn’t be more aggressive than adults.”

As for Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen’s worries, it’s not like Shen Yu didn’t understand them.

In the past, he himself was the person most afraid of Tang Li, but avoidance could not solve any problems. If today, out of fear, he sent Tang Li away, maybe more than ten years later, Tang Li would come knocking on his door with a sharp knife.

Fate, this troublesome thing…

No one can be sure how it will turn out.

It’s better to let Tang Li grow under his careful watch than to drive him away to some unknown place. At least he can personally participate in Tang Li’s life, and perhaps even gradually influence Tang Li’s outlook on life.

Thinking about it, at least Tang Li’s actions just know were done in order to protect him.

After a little self-comforting, Shen Yu felt much better.

——————————————————

They spent most of the day at the mall and went to eat on the way home, so it was already dusk when they had finally returned with their car full of new purchases.

Who knows where the people living in the neighboring villas had heard the news of Shen Yu’s trip outside, but by now they have long been standing in groups in front of the gate, waiting for Shen Yu to return.

Before the car could pass through the gate, Shen Yu could see a crowd of people coming towards them through the windshield.

“…” Shen Yu rubbed his forehead irritably. “Doesn’t it feel like we’re being attacked by zombies?”

Tang Li blinked with his beautiful phoenix eyes and looked curiously at the group: “What are they doing?”

“Waiting for me…”

“Why wait for you?”

Shen Yu thought about it and bitterly joked, “Maybe I’ve gotten more popular. Perhaps I’m even more popular than those big stars you see on TV. Should I give them all my autograph?”

Tang Li: “…”

Uncle Zhang, who was driving the car, said, “They would prefer you to sign your autograph on their contracts.”

Hearing this, Shen Yu could only give an ugly laugh. After thinking about it, he decided to let Uncle Zhang drive them back without further pause.

After enjoying his lazy day out with Tang Li, Shen Yu’s assistant, who had to work overtime in the company, sent a large number of documents to Shen Yu for approval. Shen Yu complained incessantly but had no choice other than to go to the study with a sad face.

As an art student who likes baking, Shen Yu has never learned anything about business administration.

Managing a corporation is not as easy as running a dessert shop. Despite being a member of the transmigration club, Shen Yu never got his golden finger, nor did he get a fate defying master to support his rise to the top. He can only harden his scalp and pretend at being a top-notch president.

Developing a piece of land in the south of Chengdu into a high-grade housing area?

—— Let’s go! Not bad money!

Suggested a merger and acquisition of XXX studio?

—— Buy, buy, buy! Not bad money!

Relevant matters concerning the establishment of a branch company in A country?

Emmmm… After the establishment of the branch office, it seems that a mountain of work will be piled up for him to deal with…

—— Rejected, many projects in the company have not recovered their cost of capital, the current amount of liquidity is insufficient to establish a new branch.

…

By the time Shen Yu finished all his work, the clock showed it was two in the morning. He steered the wheelchair out of the study and turned his head to see Uncle Zhang still outside the door.

“How’s Chestnut?”

“He’s fallen asleep.”

“Uncle Zhang, find a school that has a good reputation and is near the house and go through the admission formalities for Chestnut.” Shen Yu thought for a while before continuing, “It’s better for him to start school after National Day. Chestnut isn’t in good health. I want him to have a chance to adjust before he goes.”

“Understood.” Uncle Zhang nodded. “What about the adoption procedures?”

Shen Yu said, ” Leave it alone for the time being.”

“All right.” Although Uncle Zhang was doubtful, he did not ask questions.

However, Shen Yu went ahead and explained, “The relationship between Chestnut and the Tang family is not clear yet. If I bring Chestnut into the Shen family without better understanding it, it may cause unnecessary trouble. It is a small matter for me but a difficult problem for Chestnut.”

Uncle Zhang looked up at Shen Yu and his lips moved. It seemed that he wanted to say something. Unfortunately, it turned into a silent sigh.

It’s just.

Since the death of Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen, the young master has been addicted to his pessimistic world view. Now, he is willing to come out of it, which is a good thing.

Although, the fact that he chose to walk out of his pessimistic world for that cruel child…

Shen Yu knew what Uncle Zhang wanted to say, but he could only turn a blind eye to it. After saying good night to Uncle Zhang, he steered the wheelchair towards his bedroom.

As he passed Tang Li’s bedroom, Shen Yu stopped somewhat awkwardly. He listened for a moment in front of the door before he grabbed the door handle and opened it with a click.

Night lights were placed around the bedroom, dim yellow lights filled the room.

There was a touch of warmth.

Looking sideways, Shen Yu saw a small ball bundled up on the big soft bed.

He slowly steered the wheelchair in and came to Tang Li’s bedside.

The little villain sleeps very well, with long eyelashes, thick and curled like a small fan, casting a light silhouette on his clean skin. His lips are very thin, and he always wipes them unconsciously, looking a little serious.

Really, it’s only a ten-year-old child…

He’s still just an innocent child.

Shen Yu sighed softly. He wondered whether he had demonized the villain too much. After all, a ten-year-old child could not turn over the sky.

After a long time, Shen Yu touched the soft cheek of Tang Li, tucked the quilt around him, and whispered, “Good night, Chestnut.”

After speaking, he pushed his wheelchair and turned to go out.

After the door closed, the originally sleeping Tang Li slowly opened his eyes, and the dark eyes stared straight at the closed door.

After a while, he suddenly opened the quilt and got out of bed. After removing the pillow from the bed, he saw a dagger in its scabbard.

Tang Li picked up the dagger expressionlessly. His cold eyes swept over the weapon. Then he opened the empty drawer at the bottom of the bedside cabinet and threw the dagger in.

[1] about $2.9 million given the current exchange rate.