A Single Father’s Troubles - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Creditor

In a state between sleep and wakefulness, Lin Tingwan was jolted awake by a frantic pounding on the door.

He climbed out of bed in a daze and glanced at his phone: 21:37.

He had almost no friends, and since his parents passed away, he rarely interacted with relatives. Occasionally, only the Bian family from downstairs would come looking for him.

Lin Tingwan threw on some clothes and called out, “Coming…”

Hearing the increasingly urgent knocking, he assumed the Bians had an emergency. Without a second thought, he pulled open the door. “Bian Wang, what’s—”

The words died in his throat the moment he saw the man’s face. Lin Tingwan stared blankly at Kuang Ye, his mind going completely white.

“You… you… I…”

Kuang Ye? Why was he here?!

“You what?”

Kuang Ye pressed a step closer, looking coldly at this face that hadn’t changed at all in his memory. Time had left no mark on him, more than four years had passed, yet he still looked exactly the same as when they first met.

Shy, timid, and pitiable.

But who could have imagined? This very person, with courage the size of a mustard seed, had left something that couldn’t even be called a breakup letter and dumped him like trash, vanishing without a word for four whole years.

He had returned to City B but never contacted him, and wouldn’t even pick up his calls!

What exactly did he take him for?! A pastime? A hookup?

At the thought of this, Kuang Ye let out a cold laugh, pulling back his lips to reveal forest-white teeth. “Lin Tingwan, do you still remember who I am?”

He grabbed Lin Tingwan’s wrist and yanked him into his chest. His warm breath sprayed directly against Lin Tingwan’s ear as he asked grimly, “Still remember your man, hmm?”

Lin Tingwan was both guilt-stricken and terrified. His body shook, and his eyes darted around, not daring to meet Kuang Ye’s gaze.

His avoidant attitude only fueled Kuang Ye’s rage. He pinched Lin Tingwan’s chin and demanded sharply, “Answer me!”

“…I-I remember.”

“Why didn’t you pick up the phone?!” Kuang Ye’s sharp gaze locked onto him.

“…That call was from you?” Lin Tingwan looked at him in shock, his mouth forming a small ‘o’ of surprise.

Seeing his dazed expression, Kuang Ye was so angry his teeth itched. He hadn’t changed his phone number for four years—who the hell did he do that for?!

Lin Tingwan felt the pain from the pinch, but it was that very pain that brought him fully back to his senses.

Guagua was still sleeping inside; he couldn’t let Kuang Ye see him!

He grabbed Kuang Ye’s arm that was holding his chin and pleaded anxiously, “Kuang Ye, p-please let me go first…”

Kuang Ye’s gaze swept over his bare feet. The fair, tender toes curled piteously, the soles flushed with a pink warmth that easily triggered Kuang Ye’s memories of Lin Tingwan during sex.

This guy was incredibly delicate. With just a little bit of force, those big, misty eyes would cover with a layer of water as if he were about to cry the next second.

And Kuang Ye could never help but feel soft-hearted. He feared the other was in pain or uncomfortable, so he would hold him, kissing and coaxing, serving him like a little emperor.

But the brief beauty they once shared had likely been forgotten by Lin Tingwan, just like that phone number.

How sweet it was then was how furious Kuang Ye was now.

He gave a cold snort and yanked Lin Tingwan’s arm with a bit of strength. Lin Tingwan stumbled forward into his chest before his body suddenly felt light—he had been scooped up in a princess carry.

Lin Tingwan let out a sharp, short gasp, frantically clinging to Kuang Ye’s neck. His instinct was to scream, but then he remembered Guagua was sleeping in the room. He lowered his voice, pleading with the fierce-looking man, “Kuang Ye, Kuang Ye, don’t do this, put me down!”

Put him down? He had finally found the person he’d thought about for all these years; how could he possibly let go?

Kuang Ye turned a deaf ear, intending to use physical action to make this guy accept his “punishment,” but then he heard a rustling sound coming from the bedroom.

Both of them froze instantly.

Kuang Ye narrowed his eyes, staring at the half-open door.

Upon realizing a certain possibility, instead of putting Lin Tingwan down, he hooked his arm tighter around Lin Tingwan’s slender waist and let his other hand slide down to support his rounded buttocks in a highly possessive gesture.

Lin Tingwan began to struggle violently.

The more he struggled, the angrier Kuang Ye became. The arm around his waist tightened, and his large palm delivered a wicked slap to the buttocks.

Smack!

Realizing what Kuang Ye had done, Lin Tingwan’s thin, delicate skin flushed a deep crimson. A massive sense of shame enveloped him. His body trembled slightly, his eyes turned scarlet, and a layer of mist filled them.

Kuang Ye, however, seemed oblivious to his humiliation. He chuckled maliciously into Lin Tingwan’s ear, “What are you afraid of? Afraid your lover will find out?”

As he spoke, Kuang Ye’s sinister gaze remained fixed on the bedroom door, which had opened a crack.

The door was pushed open with effort from the inside.

A little ball of fluff rubbed his eyes, clutching a giant octopus plushie that was as tall as he was. He mumbled, “Daddy…”

Usually, he would hear his father’s gentle reply immediately, but today he waited for a long time and heard nothing.

Guagua looked up in confusion. Facing the light and still half-asleep, he couldn’t see Kuang Ye’s face clearly, but he could clearly see Lin Tingwan in Kuang Ye’s arms.

Seeing his sorry state reflected in his son’s pupils, Lin Tingwan’s eyes filled with tears of shame. He shouted for Guagua to go back to his room.

Lin Guagua’s eyes suddenly widened. He let go of the octopus’s neck, balled his hands into fists, and charged at Kuang Ye like a little cannonball.

“Bad man, let go of Daddy!”

“Guagua, no!”

Two voices rang out simultaneously.

With a clunk, Guagua’s “iron head” collided with Kuang Ye’s shin.

Kuang Ye usually spent his time racing cars, skydiving, or boxing. He didn’t look overly bulky, but his physique was top-tier, covered in rock-hard muscle. From the impact, Guagua felt as though his smooth forehead had hit a giant hard stone. In the next second, a large red patch appeared on his snowy-white forehead, swelling into a high bump.

Guagua was knocked back several steps, landing with a thud on his bottom.

But this brave little warrior didn’t even cry. He was dazed for a moment, then scrambled up, clenched his fists again, and charged at Kuang Ye once more. He landed two “bang-bang” punches on that iron leg, wailing loudly as he hammered away, “Bad man, bad man! Let go of Daddy!”

Seeing the red bump rapidly swelling on Guagua’s forehead, Lin Tingwan felt as if his heart were splitting open.

“Kuang Ye, put me down!”

Lin Tingwan struggled as violently as a dying fish. In the chaos, he felt his wildly waving arm hit something. Kuang Ye turned his face away and let out a pained, muffled groan.

Lin Tingwan didn’t care about him at all. He stumbled out of Kuang Ye’s arms, scooped up Guagua, and hid far away from Kuang Ye.

He carefully cupped his son’s face, looking at the high-swollen forehead. Lin Tingwan’s tears fell from heartache. He pulled his son into his embrace, kissing the top of his head. “Guagua, baby, does it hurt?”

Being held by his father, Guagua finally realized he was scared. His small hands tightly gripped Lin Tingwan’s collar, and he let out a loud wail.

“Waa… Daddy… waa…”

Hearing Guagua’s heart-wrenching cries, Lin Tingwan felt his heart being crushed.

He looked around the room dazed. The tidy living room was now a mess; coats and throw pillows were strewn across the floor, and two chairs had been knocked over. Guagua’s forehead was swollen, his fists were red, and as for himself, his clothes were dishevelled. It looked like they had just fought a battle.

Lin Tingwan, who usually had to summon all his courage just to argue with someone, finally snapped because his son was hurt. He glared at Kuang Ye, who was trying to approach, and shouted sharply, “Get out! Otherwise, I—I’ll call the police and report you for illegal breaking and entering!”

Looking at the furious Lin Tingwan, whose features were slightly distorted with rage, Kuang Ye subconsciously took a step back.

He had never seen Lin Tingwan angry. At most, if he bullied him too hard in bed, the next day Tingwan would timidly negotiate for more restraint, his voice so small it seemed like he was the one who had done something wrong.

The person in front of him felt incredibly strange.

However, what felt even stranger was the child Lin Tingwan was shielding in his arms.

Kuang Ye felt a burning pain in his cheek where Lin Tingwan’s fist had struck; it was likely swollen. But from beginning to end, Lin Tingwan hadn’t asked him a single question.

Kuang Ye’s hands at his sides clenched into fists, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. He glared fiercely at Lin Tingwan, his expression terrifying. “Who is he?”

Mentioning the child made Lin Tingwan lose his nerve. The courage he had managed to muster leaked away like a punctured balloon. His gaze wavered, not daring to meet Kuang Ye’s eyes.

In truth, Kuang Ye already had the answer in his heart. Although it was just a fleeting glimpse and he hadn’t seen the child clearly, the outlines of the features were enough to tell that it was Lin Tingwan’s child.

But Kuang Ye didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t believe Lin Tingwan would break up with him so easily, and he certainly didn’t believe Lin Tingwan would actually marry and have a child.

“Is this kid… your son?” Kuang Ye stared intently at Lin Tingwan, asking once more.

Lin Tingwan hung his head guiltily, his voice trembling along with his body. “Y-yes.”

Kuang Ye felt as if someone had punched him in the chest, leaving him dizzy. He took two steps back, leaning against the wall to steady himself.

“You…”

Kuang Ye took a deep breath, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

He felt like a fcking joke.

Over four years of waiting, four years of searching, four years of never forgetting.

And what did he get in return?! He got a married Lin Tingwan! With a child!

A scene suddenly flashed in Kuang Ye’s mind.

Lin Tingwan was shy and never proactive, but one night he had been especially sweet and obedient, leaning on Kuang Ye’s shoulder and asking if he wanted children.

Lin Tingwan couldn’t give birth, so why ask about kids? At the time, Kuang Ye had rejected the idea and told Lin Tingwan he wouldn’t have children and that Tingwan shouldn’t think about it either.

He knew there was a problem! Lin Tingwan only broke up with him because he wanted kids!

After all these years, Kuang Ye finally thought he understood the reason for their breakup, and he felt a burning sting on his face. He couldn’t breathe staying here for even one more second!

With a face of iron, Kuang Ye didn’t say another word. He turned on his heel and left.

BAM!

The door was slammed shut with a world-shaking crash. The large and small figures huddled in the corner both shuddered involuntarily.

About four or five minutes passed before the room finally returned to silence.

Now that the “bad man” was gone, Guagua dared to make a sound, burying himself in his father’s arms and sobbing.

“Waa… Daddy…”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Were you scared?” Lin Tingwan cupped Guagua’s tear-streaked face, his own tears falling uncontrollably.

After being coaxed and held by Lin Tingwan for a long time, the child cried himself to sleep. But this time Guagua was truly terrified; even lying in Lin Tingwan’s arms, he was restless, sobbing in his dreams and twitching occasionally.

Seeing Guagua like this made Lin Tingwan’s heart ache. If it were anyone else, he would have fought them to the death. But the culprit happened to be Kuang Ye.

With lingering fear, Lin Tingwan sat on the floor leaning against the sofa, letting out a long breath. He felt all the strength drained from his body.

Thankfully—Kuang Ye didn’t recognize Guagua.

Feeling a bit of strength return, Lin Tingwan gritted his teeth and picked Guagua up from the floor, placing him back in the warm bed. Guagua opened his eyes immediately, and Lin Tingwan had to hold and coax him for a while longer before the child fell back asleep.

By the time he was done, Lin Tingwan was covered in sweat. He wiped his face and dragged his body toward the bathroom to shower when the doorbell rang abruptly again.

The hair on Lin Tingwan’s body stood on end. He stared at the locked door, his face white, his voice shaking: “W-who is it?!”

“It’s me, Bian Wang.”

The heart in Lin Tingwan’s throat slowly lowered. He walked to the door and answered without opening it, “Bian Wang, is something wrong?”

Bian Wang’s voice came through the door muddled. “I thought I heard some noise just now and thought something happened. Are you okay?”

“Thank you for your concern.” Lin Tingwan’s eyes swept over the mess in the living room. “Nothing happened. I was just about to rest.”

“Oh, then I’ll head down. You and Guagua get some rest. Goodnight.”

“You too, goodnight.”

Lin Tingwan stood by the door and listened for a while. Hearing the footsteps fade away, he breathed a sigh of relief and sat back on the sofa, clutching his pounding heart.

He didn’t know that on the other side of the door, Bian Wang didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he stood by the hallway window, watching a Mulsanne parked on the street drive away before heading into the elevator with an expressionless face.

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