After a Real Person Plays the Protagonist of an Anguish Novel [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

Shen Zeqi entered his rut, and Shen Shuowen forcibly sent him to Huo Wei’s place. Since Shen’s parents were not at home, there was no one to look after him constantly. His condition made entering a rut a dangerous affair, so going to Huo Wei’s private hospital was for the best, as he could receive better treatment there.

This development allowed Tang Yiqing to breathe a sigh of relief. Looking back, the day he smelled the pheromones on Shen Zeqi was the day the man was about to enter his rut; it was a lingering fear. If Shen Zeqi had truly entered his rut in front of him, both of them would have spiraled out of control.

Among the Shen siblings, it seemed only Shen Mingzheng appeared physically and mentally healthy. Tang Yiqing knew of Shen Shuowen’s condition, and Shen Zeqi’s situation was likely no less severe than his brother’s.

Now that he was away from home, the heart Tang Yiqing had been holding in his throat could finally settle; he didn’t need to be on guard at every moment.

During this period, Tang Yiqing truly felt that Shen Mingzheng had changed his ways. Not only did he constantly bring him gifts, but he also specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare medicinal meals designed to nourish Omegas for him.

Life finally seemed to have become pleasant. The family of three was harmonious, and days were peaceful and no longer a struggle.

At breakfast time, Shen Shuowen came down and walked straight across the hall toward the exit. Shen Mingzheng, in a good mood, asked, “Big Brother, not having breakfast?”

Shen Shuowen didn’t even look back. “No. I’ll eat at the company.”

Tang Yiqing watched his retreating figure, his movements in eating slowing down. Lately, Shen Shuowen had been leaving early and returning late, rarely spending time at home.

Shen Mingzheng turned back and said to Tang Yiqing, “I’ll go with you to drop off Shanyu today.”

A flash of surprise crossed Tang Yiqing’s face, followed by a smile. “Alright.”

Today, it wasn’t Tang Yiqing driving Shen Shanyu to kindergarten, but the Shen family driver. The family of three sat in the back, with Shen Shanyu in the middle. He looked left and right at his father and mother, clearly not understanding why they had suddenly become so close.

Not only was Shen Shanyu unaccustomed to this harmonious family picture, but Tang Yiqing was as well. He stared out the window, not knowing what to say.

Outside, the greenery lining the road was neatly trimmed, and mottled light and shadows flickered across Tang Yiqing’s face. The car was silent, and even Shen Shanyu had quieted down.

Shen Mingzheng and Shen Shanyu—one large, one small—both had their gazes fixed on Tang Yiqing.

Few people can make the surrounding air feel so tranquil just by sitting there quietly, like characters at the end of a movie who have finally found happiness.

Shen Mingzheng couldn’t help but think that his realization had come late. With a person like Tang Yiqing, he should have recognized the beauty of having him as a wife long ago. It was a feeling—as if joy and happiness were within arm’s reach.

But just then, a mood-breaking ringtone sounded. Both Tang Yiqing and Shen Mingzheng were drawn to it; it was Shen Shanyu’s children’s watch.

These watches were very practical for kids; all the children in his class had one, and they often called each other like adults. But the name displayed on the watch now was not one of his friends.

“Uncle Xiao He!” Shen Shanyu cried out excitedly.

A gentle voice responded from the other end, “Baby Shanyu, what are you doing right now?”

“On the way to school,” Shen Shanyu said.

“What a good boy. Who is taking you to school?” He Chenguang asked.

Shen Shanyu immediately said, “Daddy and Mommy are both taking me today!”

The voice on the other end stalled for a moment. “Then be good at school.”

From the moment Shen Shanyu picked up the call, Shen Mingzheng became awkward. He looked at Tang Yiqing, who was also looking at Shen Shanyu, but her expression was flat, as if she were a detached outsider. This, for some reason, made Shen Mingzheng feel very uncomfortable.

In truth, Tang Yiqing was used to it. Whether it was on the way to drop off Shanyu, while telling him bedtime stories, or while giving him a bath, He Chenguang’s calls could come at any time. He was already numb to it.

Actually, during this period, his internal state wasn’t particularly happy or immersed. It was as if he had activated an “anti-addiction system” within himself; whenever Shen Mingzheng showed kindness, this system would boot up.

Not only were there undercurrents buried beneath the surface—mines ready to explode at any time—but he also no longer believed in Shen Mingzheng’s transformation. It was as if after years of this man treating him poorly, punishing him mentally, giving him the cold shoulder, and ignoring him, the inner Tang Yiqing remained anxious under the facade of harmony. He always felt this was just a precursor to a more cruel punishment from Shen Mingzheng.

“What are you thinking about?” Shen Mingzheng frowned slightly, looking at the dazed Tang Yiqing.

Tang Yiqing snapped back to his senses. He had just been aligning his internal monologue with his character’s persona to ensure his actions wouldn’t break character.

“Nothing,” Tang Yiqing said.

“Nothing?” Shen Mingzheng’s expression darkened. He gritted his teeth but didn’t speak again.

Inexplicably, the atmosphere in the car turned cold. Tang Yiqing didn’t understand why; Shen Mingzheng should be happy. He had become numb to He Chenguang and would no longer interfere with their relationship.

On the return trip, Shen Mingzheng got out of the car and slammed the door in dissatisfaction. Tang Yiqing didn’t know which nerve of his he had rubbed the wrong way, so he simply stopped thinking about it and followed the plot.

The Shen villa became completely quiet. No one from the Shen family was there; only he, the outsider with a different surname, remained at home.

The day passed peacefully. At nine in the evening—a time when Shen Mingzheng would usually be home lately—he didn’t return. Instead, he called Tang Yiqing.

When the call connected, Tang Yiqing knew where he was. The background was very noisy; it sounded like a bar. Before marriage, he had attended many gatherings with Shen Mingzheng.

Shen Mingzheng told him to come over now. This left Tang Yiqing stunned; this was the first invitation he had ever received from Shen Mingzheng. Since their marriage, Shen Mingzheng never allowed him to see his friends, believing he wasn’t worthy.

Tang Yiqing agreed. After getting ready, he went to the bar Shen Mingzheng mentioned.

He hadn’t been to such a place since getting married. Stepping inside, a sense of chaos rushed at him. He thought he had overcome this kind of atmosphere, but he still couldn’t help but feel nervous. Bad things had happened to him here before…

Under the waiter’s guidance, he arrived at a private room on the second floor. Laughter drifted from within. His palms were sweating, but he eventually gripped the handle and pushed the door open.

The noise in the room died down. Tang Yiqing scanned the room; they were all familiar faces—some he knew from school, some from the same social circle.

When his gaze fell upon Shen Mingzheng and He Chenguang beside him, his eyes froze. He realized this was a “Hongmen Banquet.”

“Sister-in-law!”

“Why is Sister-in-law just getting here? Sit, sit!”

The chorus of greetings brought Tang Yiqing back to his senses. His face was wooden as he looked around, finally walking toward Shen Mingzheng. The room was very large, with a large U-shaped sofa. Shen Mingzheng and He Chenguang sat on one section alone, where no one else could fit, but there was a spot next to Shen Mingzheng as if it were reserved specifically for him.

Tang Yiqing sat down. He was somewhat stiff, his gaze wandering aimlessly. Seeing his lack of reaction, Shen Mingzheng’s face darkened.

From the moment Tang Yiqing walked in, Shen Mingzheng’s eyes had been on him. He had to admit, his aura was completely out of place here—like an innocent student who had wandered into a den of chaotic socialites. From the moment he entered, the Alphas’ gazes landed on him; looks of surprise, ill-intentioned appreciation, and admiration all made Mingzheng irritable. And now, as he sat with He Chenguang, Tang Yiqing just looked around as if he were window shopping, refusing to look at him. This made him even more annoyed.

It was He Chenguang who spoke first, leaning past Shen Mingzheng. “What are you drinking?”

Tang Yiqing looked at him. He Chenguang had a friendly gaze and a smile. “Oh… anything is fine.”

“Look at him, what kind of alcohol can he handle? Get him some juice,” Shen Mingzheng snapped irritably.

Tang Yiqing looked embarrassed. He Chenguang gave Shen Mingzheng a reproachful look and patted his arm. “Mingzheng, how can you say that? Of course you have to drink at a bar. Here, fruit wine has low alcohol content. Drink this; it tastes great.”

Tang Yiqing looked at the brightly colored drink He Chenguang pushed toward him and took a sip. It was indeed delicious. He looked at the two people beside him; they were the ones who looked like a couple, while he was someone to be dealt with casually, having to check their expressions even to have a drink.

At that moment, the system in his head displayed: Satisfaction +5.

Tang Yiqing no longer showed hurt or loss. His performance had become more advanced: numbness, a total lack of reaction—one could say his heart was nearly dead.

Suddenly, He Chenguang’s eyes lit up, and he leaned in. “You really do like that necklace, don’t you? When we bought it, I urged Mingzheng to get this one. See, my taste is pretty good.”

He Chenguang looked at Shen Mingzheng, seeking credit, while Tang Yiqing blankly raised his hand, fingers clutching the pendant, looking dazed.

For some reason, the more Shen Mingzheng looked at Tang Yiqing, the angrier he got. A nameless, wicked fire rose in his chest. Just then, He Chenguang spilled a drink beside him. He let out an “Oops,” and the liquid flowed down the table.

“What the hell were you thinking? The drink spilled, didn’t you know to move!”

Shen Mingzheng’s sudden roar made Tang Yiqing jump. He reacted, moving his leg to the side, but his trouser leg was still stained.

Tang Yiqing used a tissue to wipe it. He Chenguang stuck his tongue out at him. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

Tang Yiqing didn’t speak. After a long while, he muttered, “It’s okay.”

Shen Mingzheng was so angry he laughed at this scene. He didn’t know whether to praise Tang Yiqing for his good temper or if the man truly didn’t care…

Does he not care anymore? Does he not care about He Chenguang, or does he simply not care about him anymore?

Tang Yiqing kept his head down, silently tidying his trouser leg. Just then, a wave of cheering and jeering broke out, but he didn’t pay attention. With a dead heart, nothing was worth noting.

He lamented once again—no wonder some hosts ran away; this “doormat” route was truly hard to act. Not only was it difficult, it was a matter of life and health. If one truly got into character, they’d get depression at best, or literal organ damage from anger at worst.

456 appeared with a guilty face. “Dearest Host, you are amazing! Your persona is still maintained at 100%, absolutely perfect!”

Tang Yiqing: “…”

“Um… well, everything is normal and on our planned trajectory!” 456 said. “Satisfaction has accumulated to 27! Right now, we’re in the classic plot point of every angst novel: the protagonist’s heart dies. We should be entering the next phase of the story soon!”

Tang Yiqing couldn’t bring himself to be happy. Angst was angst; the protagonist couldn’t feel “satisfied” at all. Does bitterness ending in sweetness count as satisfaction? Of course not.

“How much more to trigger the next phase?” Tang Yiqing asked.

“Just the last 5%!” 456 said.

While Tang Yiqing was still pondering what that last 5% could be, a slender figure appeared before him.

He looked up and saw a handsome, clean-cut face that left him stunned.

“Can I sit here?” the young man asked, pointing to the empty seat beside him.

The jeering in the room grew louder. Tang Yiqing nodded blankly. He hadn’t expected to meet his senior from university here. This man had once pursued him passionately, but he had been completely devoted to Shen Mingzheng. The last time he saw this senior was when the man was going abroad; he had asked Yiqing if he would ask him to stay.

The result was that he didn’t. The senior left decisively and hadn’t contacted him since. He never expected him to appear before him now.

The senior’s name was Zhuo Mingyuan, and he carried a fresh, pleasant scent.

“Long time no see, Yiqing,” Zhuo Mingyuan smiled at him, extending his right hand.

Tang Yiqing’s smile was somewhat shy as he shook it back. “Long time no see, Senior.”

Beside them, Shen Mingzheng nearly crushed the glass in his hand. He gritted his teeth and whispered, “Who invited him?”

Beside him, He Chenguang’s smile was somewhat meaningful. “Who knows?”