After Snagging a Stuffy Giant-Wealthy Daddy - Chapter 12

When Li Chu woke up the next day, he felt a bit disoriented for a moment. He hugged his pillow and sat dazed for a while before remembering he was at the Shao Mansion.

He sniffed his nose, his voice sounding muffled and his head still heavy from the hangover.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, he ran into Shao Tingyue the moment he pushed open his bedroom door.

The man appeared to have just finished bathing, wearing only a dark bathrobe tied loosely around his waist. The collar was open, revealing his well-defined pectoral muscles and collarbones.

His damp black hair was slicked back, with a few stray strands hanging over his forehead, adding a mature masculine hormone to his usual cold and dignified demeanor.

Li Chu paused. Having grown accustomed to seeing Shao Tingyue in rigid, serious suits, this look made him appear much younger.

Fragments of last night flashed through his mind. Li Chu vaguely remembered being quite rowdy while drunk. He bowed his head and whispered, “Good morning, Second Uncle.”

Shao Tingyue had not expected to bump into Li Chu so early. Hearing his voice, which was clearly congested with a nasal tone, he frowned slightly before giving a simple “Hmm” in response.

In the small garden restaurant, a sumptuous breakfast was already prepared.

Auntie Mei served two bowls of stewed soup, placing one in front of Shao Tingyue and the other in front of Li Chu.

“Second Young Master, Young Master Chu, this is a nourishing soup the kitchen stewed early this morning,” Auntie Mei said with a smile. “The Old Madam has already finished her breakfast and gone to the garden for a walk.”

Li Chu smiled, his eyes curving into crescents as he thanked her, then picked up his spoon to take small sips.

People in the Greater Bay Area were keen on all kinds of nourishing soups. If the weather was humid, they would have a bowl; if they were dehydrated or feeling heaty, they would have a bowl; even for a cold or flu, they would have a bowl.

Since moving into the Shao Mansion, Li Chu had been drinking plenty of these stews, and his complexion had visibly improved.

Shao Tingyue drank a few mouthfuls as well. His bowl had a much stronger medicinal scent and even a faint, fishy odor.

After drinking it, the heat in his body, which had only just settled, began to stir restlessly again.

His noble, handsome brows knit together as he said in a low voice, “Auntie Mei.”

Auntie Mei, who was about to retreat, felt her heart skip a beat and hurriedly turned back. “Second Young Master, is there something you need?”

“What exactly did you put in the soup?”

Auntie Mei was stunned, answering instinctively, “It is old mountain ginseng, goji berries, astragalus, and there is also seahorse, cistanche, and so on. It is all very nourishing.”

Shao Tingyue: “…”

It was indeed very nourishing; it made one’s body burn with restless fire and caused dreams at night.

Li Chu did not understand the efficacy of the herbs. He blinked after hearing the list, thinking only that it must be very beneficial for his health. But why did Shao Tingyue’s expression look so strange?

“There is no need to stew this kind of soup again in the future,” Shao Tingyue said, rubbing his brow with a look of helplessness. Auntie Mei was a servant who had been with the family for decades, and he could not bear to scold her too harshly.

Auntie Mei nodded repeatedly, though she still could not grasp her young master’s thinking. This tonic was not the first time she had stewed it, and he usually had no complaints; why was his reaction so strong this time?

From that day on, Shao Tingyue became a man of mystery, often busy until late at night and leaving again in a hurry early the next morning. They almost never ran into each other.

Even when they occasionally encountered one another at dinner, Li Chu felt that Shao Tingyue’s attitude had become much colder.

Uncle Ming quickly arranged Li Chu’s schedule, starting with weekly golf lessons. The lessons were held at a top-tier golf course in Hong Kong with a quiet environment and first-class facilities.

“Don’t be so stiff with your wrists. Relax a bit. Use the power from your waist, abdomen, and shoulders to lead the swing.” The personal trainer was patiently correcting Li Chu’s posture on the side.

Li Chu had average athletic talent. He tried his best to swing the club, but the little ball rolled out crookedly.

Someone nearby laughed, and then a familiar male voice rang out. “Chu Zai? What a coincidence, you are learning to play here?”

Li Chu looked toward the sound and saw James wearing sunglasses and a stylish golf outfit approaching, followed by two young men.

“I saw you from afar just now and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.” James examined the boy before him. His cheeks were already flushed with heat, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead like little pearls.

Li Chu was a bit surprised; he had not expected to run into him here. But upon reflection, golf was a rich man’s sport, so it was normal to see him here.

James walked up to him naturally and said enthusiastically, “It is really not easy when you first start learning. Would you like me to teach you a few tricks? I play quite well.”

Li Chu pursed his lips. He wanted to decline politely, but James was already demonstrating and explaining on his own. “Remember, in golf, your stance is very important. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, fix your wrists like this, and keep your eyes on the ball when you swing.”

He taught with great focus, but his body moved closer inadvertently. When adjusting Li Chu’s posture, his fingers brushed against Li Chu’s hand intentionally or otherwise.

Li Chu felt uncomfortable.

However, out of courtesy, he could not push him away directly, so he could only respond vaguely and try to avoid overly close contact.

Not far away, next to another tee box with an excellent view.

Shao Tingyue and his good friend Zhong Yili stood side by side. Both wore casual golf attire and held clubs, resting and chatting after finishing a hole.

“I must say, you have been so ascetic for these past few years that you are practically an immortal. There are countless socialites and ladies in Hong Kong looking longingly at the position of Mrs. Shao, yet there is not one who catches your eye? You really should settle down and consider your lifelong affairs. Surely you don’t intend to spend the rest of your life with your ships?”

Zhong Yili was recently about to marry his childhood sweetheart, the daughter of the Huo family, and had just finished the betrothal ceremony. As the saying went, everything goes smoothly when one has happy events, and now that he was married, he could not stand seeing his friend alone.

People like them had enough wealth from their ancestors to squander for generations, so why work so hard and worry so much about their careers? Keeping the family business was already a victory.

It would be better to have a gentle wife in one’s arms and a pair of children to enjoy a happy married life.

Shao Tingyue’s gaze swept across the rolling green in the distance. He did not pick up on that topic but simply asked calmly, “Are you not busy with your wedding lately? Do you still have the leisure to care about my personal business? On the matter of Zhao Hongye, did he not continue to cause you trouble?”

Mentioning Zhao Hongye, the smile on Zhong Yili’s face faded, and he snorted coldly. “He suffered a secret loss regarding the land investment matter, so he has been quiet lately. However, I heard that he has been getting close to a few shipping companies in Southeast Asia recently, probably targeting your Shao family business. This man’s methods are not clean; you must be careful.”

Shao Tingyue withdrew his gaze as if he had already anticipated this. “A mere clown. If he wants to compete, he must see if he has the appetite to swallow something that does not belong to him.”

“As long as you have it in your mind.” Zhong Yili nodded, completely at ease with his friend’s ruthless methods.

The weather was clear today, and there were many people in the club.

Zhong Yili stopped his conversation and looked to the other side, recognizing Li Chu who was practicing. “That should be the young master your family just recognized, right? Is that James, the youngest son of the Chen family, next to him? They seem to have a good relationship.”

Shao Tingyue followed his gaze, watching James leaning behind Li Chu to give instructions.

The boy’s cheeks were flushed with heat, and his expression showed resistance.

Shao Tingyue’s fingers tightened on his club, and the air pressure around him dropped by several degrees.

“Why, are you worried? Shall we go over and say hello? I happen to want to get to know your little nephew.”

Shao Tingyue was silent for two seconds. He did not object and gave a “Hmm” before walking toward the practice area. Zhong Yili raised an eyebrow and followed with interest.

On this side, James was in the middle of teaching and took his own club. “I will demonstrate a standard swing for you, watch closely.”

He intentionally wanted to show off in front of Li Chu and chose a flagstick target that was relatively far away. He set his posture and swung hard.

However, there was only a dull “thud.”

The little white ball flew away, but it deviated far from the target direction, causing a few people nearby to chuckle softly.

“Pfft.”

“Hahahaha, James, are you too nervous? Where did your ball fly to?”

“Your level is not good enough to teach others. Why don’t you let me do it?”

His companions could not help but tease him. Even Li Chu could not help but be amused, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

James’s face turned red and white in turns, and he was incredibly embarrassed. He coughed twice and tried to remain calm. “An accident, it was purely an accident! My hand slipped just now.”

While they were talking and laughing, Shao Tingyue was already standing a few steps away, his figure tall and straight, radiating intense pressure. Beside him was the refined Zhong Yili.

“Second Uncle?” Li Chu froze, not expecting to meet Shao Tingyue here.

Seeing Shao Tingyue, James hurriedly composed himself and greeted him respectfully. “Mr. Shao.”

Shao Tingyue just glanced at him indifferently and introduced Zhong Yili to Li Chu. “Chu Zai, this is Zhong Yili. You can just call him Uncle Zhong.”

“Hello, Uncle Zhong.” Li Chu greeted him politely.

“Hello there, little one.” Zhong Yili smiled warmly. “Your Second Uncle is very good at golf. Why don’t you let him teach you? It will be twice the result with half the effort.”

Li Chu looked at Shao Tingyue upon hearing this. Recently, his attitude toward him had been noticeably distant, suggesting he did not approve of him, so Li Chu did not have the courage to trouble him.

However, to his surprise, Shao Tingyue did not refuse.

Under everyone’s gaze, he walked to Li Chu’s side. His long, powerful fingers covered the hand holding the club, while his other hand gently supported Li Chu’s waist to adjust his stance.

Li Chu was dazed, not expecting that he was really willing to teach him.

“Relax your wrists, align the web between your thumb and forefinger here, separate your feet a little more, and use the power from here when you turn.” His palm pressed slightly against Li Chu’s waist, indicating the core position for exerting force. “Use your shoulders to lead your arms, like this.”

His voice was wrapped in the hot summer wind, landing in Li Chu’s ear, low and magnetic.

The distance between the two was extremely close. Li Chu could feel the man’s higher body temperature, and his calloused palm completely enveloped his own hand.

Li Chu’s body stiffened, his ears buzzing. Everyone’s attention was focused on them.

“Keep your eyes on the ball, don’t look anywhere else.” Shao Tingyue squeezed Li Chu’s palm, pulling back his attention. “Start trying to swing now.”

Li Chu was actually very nervous, but under Shao Tingyue’s guidance, he naturally completed the entire process from starting the swing to finishing it following that force.

“Whoosh.”

The little ball drew a beautiful and powerful arc, flying steadily forward and landing at a very good spot.

“Good shot!” Zhong Yili was the first to applaud with a smile.

The people around could not help but sigh in admiration. This shot was indeed beautiful, especially since it was hit by a beginner like Li Chu, which made it all the more rare.

Li Chu could not believe it. His bright peach-blossom eyes opened wide. He looked at the ball in the distance, then at Shao Tingyue beside him, and said sincerely, “Second Uncle, you are amazing.”

He was much better than James, who would not stop talking!

Shao Tingyue lowered his eyes and stepped back half a step to look at Li Chu. “Practice the posture according to the method just now until it is standard.”

“Yes, Second Uncle.” Li Chu replied hurriedly, his heart still racing.

Zhong Yili’s gaze shifted between Li Chu and Shao Tingyue, finding it increasingly interesting.

For the rest of the time, Li Chu practiced alone, and when the lesson ended, he was even praised by the coach.

After working up a sweat practicing, Li Chu went to the changing room to prepare to change out of his sportswear.

The changing room area of the top club was very large, divided into multiple independent compartments and public lounge areas. It was quiet at the moment as there were not many people.

Li Chu took a quick shower, changed his clothes, and was about to leave when he suddenly heard a man’s voice talking on the phone from an independent lounge next door.

He was using a mobile phone, and the signal inside seemed to be average, so the volume was a bit louder.

Li Chu had no intention of eavesdropping, but he caught a few key words as he was about to leave.

His footsteps stopped abruptly. He carefully leaned closer to the door, and the voice became clearer. “Yes, don’t worry, Mr. Zhao, everything is arranged. Shao Tingyue will definitely take a big tumble this time. Let’s see how arrogant he can be! Don’t worry, the work is absolutely clean; they won’t be able to trace it back to us.”

Li Chu froze, his brows gradually furrowing. It seemed that someone was planning to do something bad against the Shao family. He had to tell Shao Tingyue as soon as possible.

However, just as he turned to leave, Li Chu stopped again. He looked back and thought for a moment, then dodged into the corner nearby.

Shao Tingyue had been waiting for Li Chu in the lounge for half an hour. Seeing that he had not come out yet, he checked the time on his watch with a dark expression.

Seeing his expression, Zhong Yili teased, “It is rare to see you worried about someone. As expected, your little nephew whom you searched so hard to bring back has an extraordinary status.”

Shao Tingyue could not be bothered to respond to his insinuation. He stood up and looked around, not seeing James’s figure, and a surge of irritation rose in his heart.

Zhong Yili restrained his teasing and said, “Could your little one have gotten lost? Why don’t you go inside and look?”

Shao Tingyue gave a “Hmm” and did not hesitate, walking quickly toward the changing room. Just as he turned a corner, someone grabbed his arm with force.

He reacted very quickly, his muscles tensing instantly. When he saw who it was, a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

Li Chu did not give him a chance to ask. One hand raised quickly, and his warm, damp palm pressed tightly against Shao Tingyue’s lips.

A faint scent lingered in the air.

Shao Tingyue frowned. The boy stood on tiptoe, his soft lips brushing against his earlobe. “Shh. Second Uncle, don’t speak! Someone is…”