Chapter 54

"Back to Dad Mo's place."

Mo Lingnan lifted Doudou from the car seat and into his arms, carefully straightening the child's clothes. "You've stayed there before, remember?"

Doudou first glanced at Lu Tingchao sitting beside him before nodding. "I remember. Dad Mo's place is huge."

Mo Lingnan ruffled Doudou's hair gently. "It might not be as big as the place you and Chao Chao lived in in Hong Kong, but Dad Mo's place is very safe. Doudou will also have a new school to go to. Okay?"

Doudou gave an obedient "mm-hmm" and reached out a small hand to grab Lu Tingchao's hand. "Chao Chao, up please."

Lu Tingchao was still holding Su Mingyu's urn in his arms and hesitated for a moment, but then he saw Doudou nimbly wriggle out of Mo Lingnan's embrace and snuggle against him.

Perhaps because he had always been on the move with him, Doudou had clearly become even more attached to Lu Tingchao than before.

This realization made Lu Tingchao feel a little sad.

He carefully placed the urn aside, propping it between two cushions, then wiped his hands and turned to pick up Doudou, who was nestled beside him.

Time flows ever onward.

When Lu Tingchao held Doudou again, he realized that the child had also been slowly growing during their time in Hong Kong.

For instance, his once-small frame had secretly grown a bit taller, and he was a little heavier than before.

Moreover, at a glance, Doudou's eyes looked just like Zhuang Ji's.

This suddenly made Lu Tingchao feel momentarily stunned.

Doudou had rarely been this quiet while in Lu Tingchao's arms before, but now the child was exceptionally obedient, curled up in Lu Tingchao's embrace like he had found a long-lost safe harbor. Even his voice sounded muffled against his chest.

Very childlike: "Chao Chao."

Lu Tingchao held Doudou a little tighter. "Yeah, buddy?"

After a moment, Doudou's childish voice sounded from within Lu Tingchao's embrace. "Chao Chao won't ever leave Doudou, right?"

Lu Tingchao was almost confused by the double negative.

It took him two seconds to process it, and then he laughed. "Of course not! I love Doudou the most. You're my own kid, after all!"

Doudou wrapped his plump little arms tightly around Lu Tingchao's waist.

The child's tender voice was slow and soft as he said, "Then will Chao Chao bring Doudou everywhere he goes?"

Lu Tingchao replied firmly, "Of course!"

Only then did Doudou lift his head from Lu Tingchao's chest. Under the dim light in the car, his eyes glistened with tears, but he quickly held them back.

Doudou wrapped his arms around Lu Tingchao's waist. "Chao Chao has to swear."

Although Lu Tingchao wasn't exactly the most reliable or responsible parent, he had personally raised Doudou since he was little.

Strictly speaking, Lu Tingchao didn't so much raise Doudou as the two clueless little creatures grew up together, stumbling along the way.

Doudou's tears tugged at Lu Tingchao's heart. He immediately picked up his adorable little one and planted a big kiss on his cheek. "Okay! I swear! I'll bring Doudou everywhere I go. Is that good enough?"

"...Mm."

Doudou sniffled and nestled back into Lu Tingchao's arms.

After a while, the child's even breathing resumed in the quiet surroundings.

He was, after all, just a kid.

Lu Tingchao reached out to smooth Doudou's hair and gently pinched his little one's soft cheek, once again reflecting on his own inadequacy with a sense of confusion.

He wasn't a good father.

But Zhuang Ji probably wouldn't be a good father either...

Lu Tingchao didn't know.

His life had always lacked the role of a father.

Mo Lingnan reached for Lu Tingchao's hand. "Arms getting tired? Should I hold him?"

"Huh?"

Lu Tingchao hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, it's fine. I'm okay."

The car fell silent for a while.

Lu Tingchao seemed to gather his courage with great effort and said thoughtfully, "Um, Mo Lingnan, I've been thinking... maybe I should go live in my old dump..."

For now, Lu Tingchao didn't want to use the money Fei Yuncheng had given him.

As for Zhuang Ji's money... he should save more of it, just in case Doudou needed it for school in the future. He couldn't spend it all right away.

Lu Tingchao thought again about the house his grandfather had left him—it was the last place he could go.

Mo Lingnan's brow, hidden in the dim light of the car's rear lamp, furrowed slightly. "The one from when we first met?"

Lu Tingchao: "Mm."

Mo Lingnan: "In that neighborhood, you have to read the utility meters and pay them yourself. Do you know how to read meters?"

Lu Tingchao: "Uh..."

Mo Lingnan: "Also, the plumbing there gets clogged all the time, and you have to call a plumber to fix it every time. Do you know how to hire someone?"

Lu Tingchao's expression grew serious: "..."

Mo Lingnan gently played with Lu Tingchao's fingertips: "That neighborhood doesn't have much public green space. Doudou won't even have a place to play. Plus, there are square-dancing grandmas every day. Aren't you worried it'll affect Doudou's studies in the future?"

Lu Tingchao was too lost in thought to even notice Mo Lingnan's actions, his concern growing deeper.

"And one more thing."

Mo Lingnan took Lu Tingchao's hand, pressed his slender pale fingers to his lips, and kissed them. Then, as if not satisfied, he brought the finger to his teeth.

Lu Tingchao jumped all over. "Why'd you bite me all of a sudden?!"

Mo Lingnan's gaze fixed on the moisture his lips had left on Lu Tingchao's fingertip, his expression deep but his tone gentle. "Because Chao Chao wasn't listening."

Lu Tingchao immediately retorted, "I was too!"

Lu Tingchao: "I was just thinking about what you said."

Mo Lingnan took out a handkerchief, slowly and possessively wiping Lu Tingchao's fingertips clean, then said, "I don’t think you should go back to living there, Chao Chao."

Mo Lingnan continued, "First of all, the environment there is too old and not conducive to Lu Doudou’s future schooling."

Mo Lingnan added, "Secondly, you’re a public figure. How can you be sure that fans of you and Fei Xiuqi from before won’t show up and disrupt normal life for you and Lu Doudou?"

Lu Tingchao hesitated, "I..."

"Just stay at my place for now."

Mo Lingnan held Lu Tingchao’s hand. "The things prepared for you and Lu Doudou are still at home, everything is convenient. I’ll have someone take care of Lu Doudou’s school registration procedures tomorrow—it’ll be taken care of in a few days."

Mo Lingnan paused, then gestured to the wooden urn beside Lu Tingchao. "I’ll also take care of this for you. When the time comes, we’ll handle his final arrangements together, alright?"

Lu Tingchao trailed off.

This was actually the life Lu Tingchao was familiar with.

He didn’t need to worry or stress; everything would be taken care of by others. He could do whatever he wanted, buy whatever he wanted, and see whoever he wished, all right away.

In this world, it seemed there was nothing that could trouble Lu Tingchao.

—It should have been like this.

But on this day, Lu Tingchao suddenly felt an emptiness.

It was as if everyone had moved forward, leaving only him behind.

Yet, Lu Tingchao didn’t know where exactly the mistake was.

In the end, Lu Tingchao finally nodded, "...Alright then."

After hesitating for a while, he added with effort, "Make sure to find a really nice spot for Su Mingyu."

"I know."

Mo Lingnan leaned over and kissed Lu Tingchao’s cheek. "Don’t worry, rest well once you’re on the plane."

Mo Lingnan said, "By the time you wake up, we’ll be home."

*

In truth, the midsummer in North City was very different from that in Harbor City.

If Harbor City had humid and stifling air, with constant, spreading humidity; then North City’s midsummer had a suffocating, airless feel.

It was like being tossed into a pot to roast, then sprinkled with a final sprinkle of spices before being served.

Lu Tingchao had left North City in the previous winter, never expecting to return in the summer.

Yet, in this city with its vast gap between rich and poor, even the air seemed divided into different zones, much like Harbor City. Unlike the main roads outside, the area where Mo Lingnan lived had excellent heat mitigation measures.

Well-dressed security guards and a luxurious underground parking lot separated the community from the outside world.

Even the underground garage was fully equipped with a cooling system.

Lao Zhang got out of the car and opened the rear door for them. Mo Lingnan stepped out first, then turned to take the sleeping Lu Doudou from Lu Tingchao’s arms.

Lu Tingchao paused, hesitated, and shook his head. "It’s alright, I’ll carry him."

Mo Lingnan lowered his gaze for a moment and remarked offhandedly, "Alright, then I’ll take Su Mingyu’s urn out."

Having been by Mo Lingnan’s side for so many years, Lao Zhang was naturally a very observant driver. He immediately turned to retrieve the urn from the car but was signaled by Mo Lingnan not to.

Soon, Mo Lingnan personally took Su Mingyu’s ashes and followed Lu Tingchao.

The elevators in this upscale community passed through an extravagantly large entrance hall, each building spanning hundreds of square meters with high ceilings, serving only as decoration with useless paintings and plants.

Lao Zhang accompanied Mo Lingnan and Lu Tingchao all the way to the elevator.

Lu Tingchao paused for a moment, looking out through the entrance hall, then suddenly turned and asked, "Uncle Zhang, after dropping me and Mo Lingnan off, are you heading home?"

Lao Zhang was taken aback by the sudden question and scratched his head. "Ah? Yeah, Young Master Lu, if there’s no work, I usually go home."

"Oh..."

Lu Tingchao thought for a moment. "Where do you live? Is it nearby?"

Lao Zhang chuckled warmly. "How could that be?! Young Master Lu, the properties near Mr. Mo’s home are worth a fortune. I could never afford one! I live in Siping Village—have you ever heard of it?"

Lu Tingchao indeed hadn’t.

He looked at Lao Zhang somewhat blankly. "Siping Village? Is it in North City?"

Lao Zhang nodded. "Yeah, of course!"

Lu Tingchao was puzzled. "I grew up in North City, but I’ve never heard of it."

"Ha!"

Lao Zhang waved his hand. "That place is where ordinary folks like us with little money live. You’ve never been to those areas since you were young, so it’s normal you wouldn’t know!"

Lu Tingchao frowned. "I’m just... an ordinary person too."

"How could you be ordinary?"

Lao Zhang quickly replied. "You’ve been the youngest master of the Lu family since childhood, then became a big star, and now Mr. Mo has your back. Your food, clothing, and daily necessities aren’t just luxuries—even an ordinary meal of yours is something we..."

Mo Lingnan’s cool gaze shifted over. "Lao Zhang."

Lao Zhang, realizing he had misspoken, immediately shut his mouth. "Ah, Young Master Lu, please ignore my careless words. I’m just an uneducated man—don’t take what I said to heart!"

Mo Lingnan reached out and drew Lu Tingchao close. "Alright, Lao Zhang, you can go now."

Lao Zhang hurriedly scurried away.

Only Lu Tingchao remained silent the entire way.

The large flat in this upscale community was exceptionally spacious, with one elevator per household, each unit nearly 500 square meters, complete with a sky garden and extensive terraces.

From home, one could not only see North City’s moat but also take in the vibrant nightlife of the inner ring.

Mo Lingnan placed the urn properly and went to check on the room where Lu Doudou was sleeping.

Finally, he approached the terrace and saw Lu Tingchao staring into the distance, lost in thought.

Mo Lingnan wrapped his arms around Lu Tingchao’s waist from behind in an intimate gesture. "What are you thinking about?"

Rarely did Lu Tingchao’s eyes hold such uncertainty.

He stared into the distance for a long while before slowly asking, "I keep feeling like what I’m doing might be wrong."

Mo Lingnan: "Isn't that right?"

Lu Tingchao thought for a moment, and he said, "Everyone I see is working very hard."

Mo Lingnan kissed Lu Tingchao's smooth neck, and after a moment, as if unable to resist, kissed him again: "My Chaochao shouldn't have to work hard."

But this doesn’t seem right."

Lu Tingchao turned around in Mo Lingnan’s arms, straining to look up to meet the man's deep, dark eyes. "Uncle Zhang, and all the staff when I was filming—everyone works very hard."

Lu Tingchao: "But it seems like I don’t know how to do anything."

"You don’t need to know how to do any of that."

Mo Lingnan lowered his head to kiss Lu Tingchao’s lips. "Baby, you were born above doing those things."

Mo Lingnan’s voice, between kisses, was low and profound: "You only need to learn how to spend money, do whatever you want, as long as it’s something you desire—"

"No—"

Lu Tingchao firmly pushed Mo Lingnan away.

His face still carried a kiss-dazed expression and traces from the kisses, the marks on his neck tempting and suggestive, his breathing rapid and panting.

Lu Tingchao looked up at Mo Lingnan somewhat helplessly, then glanced around in confusion.

He seemed like a true newborn, seeing the whole world anew after a sudden upheaval.

Lu Tingchao said: "It seems like I should also take work seriously. I should also... be an ordinary person."

"And then?"

Mo Lingnan suddenly asked.

Lu Tingchao was taken aback by the question and he couldn't answer immediately.

But Mo Lingnan stepped closer, bending down until his tall frame completely covered Lu Tingchao: "What do you mean by an ordinary person? What kind of work do you want to do?"

"Just like before, stirring up CP rumors with Fei Xiuqi? Letting fans endlessly fantasize?"

Mo Lingnan pressed down on Lu Tingchao’s struggling hand. "Or trying to attract more men, hmm? Chaochao, what kind of work are you looking for?"