After the Arranged Marriage, I Was Pampered by the Powerful Tycoon - Chapter 12

The Old Man’s gaze instantly became razor-sharp: “What are you doing here?”

Cheng Jin pointed to the jade fan in his hand: “Naturally, I am here to wish Grandfather a happy birthday.”

The Old Man said pitilessly, “You do not have the qualification.”

“You really are biased.” Cheng Jin looked at Cheng Ruan with a half-smile. “Cheng Ruan can call you Grandfather, but I cannot?”

He pressed forward step by step until he stood before the Old Man: “From childhood until now, you have never looked at me properly. Isn’t that a bit too unfair?”

The Old Man gave a subtle look. A servant standing beside him picked up a tea cup; before anyone could see the movement clearly, the tea splashed onto the carpet, and the front of Cheng Jin’s white suit was soaked through.

“I am so sorry, sir!” The servant steadied the teacup in a panic, shoving Cheng Jin several times in the chaos.

Cheng Jin staggered back a few steps. The jade fan in his hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound, shattering into pieces, yet he still looked up at the Old Man stubbornly.

The Old Man barked a faint rebuke at the servant: “Get out.”

Cheng Ruan stepped in front of the Old Man and said to Cheng Jin, “Do you still not understand? You are already the son-in-law of the Cui family. Don’t come here seeking discomfort for yourself.”

Whispers broke out in the surroundings. Cheng Jin’s lips were pressed tight: “Cheng Ruan, by what right do you say that?”

“By the right that I am legitimate.” Cheng Ruan looked around as if speaking to everyone present, his voice resounding, “Just an unacknowledged illegitimate son—what right do you have to run wild in the Cheng household?”

The Old Man let out a cold snort, stood up, and looked at Luo Mingzhi: “Come with me for a moment.”

Seeing the Old Man and Luo Mingzhi leave the table, Cheng Ruan looked contemptuously at the pale-faced Cheng Jin: “Will you go out yourself, or should I have someone escort you out?”

Cheng Jin’s voice trembled slightly: “No need. I’ll go myself.”

“Cheng Ruan, we have a long time ahead of us.”

Cheng Ruan watched Cheng Jin’s retreating back coldly. His eyes caught the fragments on the ground, and he called over a servant.

“Clean up the trash on the floor. Pack it up and return it to Cheng Jin.”

“Give him a handkerchief to wipe himself down.”

Cheng Ruan looked up and flashed a smile, acting as if nothing had happened as he greeted the relatives and friends present: “I apologize, just a small interlude.”

“Everyone, please enjoy yourselves.”

Inside the dimly lit meeting room, Cheng Shufeng pulled out a handkerchief, covered his mouth, and coughed violently a few times before looking at Luo Mingzhi: “Did you see?”

Luo Mingzhi nodded slightly: “I saw.”

“Since that is the case, I won’t hide anything.” Cheng Shufeng took the tea handed to him by the butler and took a sip. “Back then, you begged me to preside over your parents’ funeral and promised you owed me a favor in return. Does that still count?”

Luo Mingzhi replied: “It counts.”

Cheng Shufeng nodded with satisfaction: “Very good.”

He spoke slowly: “I’ve lived for decades. My lover, my daughter-in-law, and my son have passed away one after another. For all these years, Xiao Ruan and I have practically depended on each other to survive.”

At the mention of Cheng Ruan, Cheng Shufeng’s eyes softened: “Xiao Ruan… surely you have seen what kind of person he is. He has been incredibly stubborn since he was a child, refusing to show weakness. If something is on his mind, he’d rather keep it bottled up than speak out. All these years, fearing I would worry, he has acted flamboyant and willful outside. But I know he is still that little child who would secretly cry when treated unjustly.”

“He looks rebellious, but he actually has the softest heart,” Cheng Shufeng said with a smile. “I’ll be blunt with you. Although I survived the last surgery, my body is at the end of its tether.”

Seeing Luo Mingzhi frown, Cheng Shufeng continued: “Don’t let Xiao Ruan know yet.”

“The reason I arranged the marriage alliance with you was twofold: first, for the Muyao Town project—I want Xiao Ruan to inherit the Cheng family legitimately through this. Second, for a future ‘strong-strong’ union. I want to use your influence to give him some protection, so no one can stir up trouble again.”

“Since you let that girl Luo Zhen go and have acquiesced to the marriage with Xiao Ruan, then I, as an old man, will shamelessly play the seniority card one more time.”

Cheng Shufeng moved his fingers, and the butler respectfully placed a paper agreement in front of Luo Mingzhi.

Cheng Shufeng said word for word: “You are already married, so the property Cheng Ruan will receive hereafter will be your common property. I hope you can help me look after Xiao Ruan, respect his wishes, and mitigate all risks. Regardless of whether feelings develop in the future, you must give him support and protection when he needs it.”

“If there is no problem, then sign it.”

When the banquet ended, Cheng Ruan escorted Luo Mingzhi to the parking lot. As they passed the back garden, he still felt like saying something.

He cleared his throat and said awkwardly, “I let you see a joke tonight.”

Luo Mingzhi raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.

Cheng Ruan took the opportunity to ask, “What was Grandfather saying to you when he kept you behind just now?”

Luo Mingzhi seemingly had no intention of telling him: “Some insignificant matters.”

Cheng Ruan nodded cooperatively: “True, Grandfather always likes to make a mountain out of a molehill.”

Stepping out of the elevator, Luo Mingzhi’s car was already before them. Cheng Ruan watched as Luo Mingzhi sat in the back seat and waved goodbye to him.

“Cheng Ruan.” Luo Mingzhi called out to him.

Cheng Ruan turned around. Under the lights, his skin was so pale it was almost transparent.

“What is it?”

Luo Mingzhi lowered his eyes slightly, speaking as if casually: “I’ve settled it with Old Master Cheng. You should move into my place tomorrow.”

“Huh?” Cheng Ruan hadn’t expected Luo Mingzhi to make this request at all. “Is that what Grandfather was discussing with you today?”

Luo Mingzhi looked up: “I’ll send someone to pick you up tomorrow.”

After seeing Luo Mingzhi off, Cheng Ruan went straight to find the Old Man: “Grandfather, why are you making me live with Luo Mingzhi?”

The Old Man put away the thumb ring Cheng Ruan had given him: “You are married. Isn’t living together a matter of course?”

Cheng Ruan asked righteously, “Haven’t we not even registered the marriage yet?”

“You reminded me. Let’s complete the procedures as soon as possible then.”

“Grandfather!” Cheng Ruan asked anxiously, “What exactly are you thinking? He and I are just a marriage alliance, just acting a part. Do we have to make the fake act real?”

The Old Man looked at him: “Making the fake act real is even better.”

“Xiao Ruan, I cannot protect you for a lifetime.”

Cheng Ruan said petulantly: “I don’t need anyone to protect me.”

The Old Man countered: “Then why do you still need the marriage alliance?”

Cheng Ruan said: “You can’t protect me for a lifetime, but Luo Mingzhi can?”

The Old Man said with certainty: “Luo Mingzhi can.”

Cheng Ruan’s brow furrowed: “What benefits did you give him?”

The Old Man shook his head and turned his back to Cheng Ruan: “Xiao Ruan, you only need to remember that from now on, besides me, you also have Luo Mingzhi to rely on.”

Cheng Ruan left the old residence after an unpleasant talk with the Old Man and headed straight for Wu Zhou’s club.

Upon receiving his call, Wu Zhou slipped out of his house and looked worriedly at the silent Cheng Ruan before him.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Ruan?” Wu Zhou handed him a glass of lemon water. “Who upset you?”

Cheng Ruan pushed the lemon water away and asked dejectedly, “Is there alcohol?”

Wu Zhou was surprised: “You…”

Cheng Ruan said gloomily, “The Old Man wants me to move into Luo Mingzhi’s house and live together.”

“I don’t know what agreement he reached with Luo Mingzhi, but Luo Mingzhi actually agreed to it.”

“Just that?” Wu Zhou breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought something serious happened.”

Cheng Ruan rubbed his throbbing temples: “Do you also think I’m being unreasonable?”

“Not exactly,” Wu Zhou said. “But Xiao Ruan, you and Luo Mingzhi are already married. There’s no great harm in living together, right?”

Wu Zhou asked tentatively: “Or do you think… Luo Mingzhi agreed to live with you for some kind of benefit?”

Cheng Ruan suddenly looked up.

“I hit the mark.” Wu Zhou shrugged. “If you’re living together, just live together. Who cares what he’s trying to get. Don’t forget, you were the one who tied him to the wedding for the Muyao Town project first. It’s not unreasonable for him to agree to live together out of his own considerations.”

“You said it yourself—it’s not like you’re asking to fall in love and live a domestic life. You’ve already slept together once; what’s a little time under the same roof?”

Cheng Ruan bit his lip, then let go: “You’re right.”

He pressed the service bell and ordered a dozen drinks.

Wu Zhou found this a rare sight: “Are you… really going to drink?”

Cheng Ruan nodded: “My heart is troubled.”

After a drink, Cheng Ruan said to himself, “Cheng Jin came today.”

Seeing Cheng Ruan in low spirits, Wu Zhou also raised a glass: “Forget it, I don’t care about sneaking out anymore. Tonight, I’ll sacrifice myself to accompany the gentleman.”

The two of them lay on the table with flushed faces. Cheng Ruan tapped his wine glass with his finger, the crisp sound of clinking echoing in his ears.

Cheng Ruan recalled: “Today, Luo Mingzhi said I poured wine on him before, haha.”

Wu Zhou widened his eyes: “That happened? What did you say?”

“I apologized to him!” Cheng Ruan drunkenly patted his chest. “Good thing he reminded me, otherwise I would have almost forgotten the things from back then.”

“Back then… right! That time Cheng Jin came too, and his troublesome mother.”

Cheng Ruan stood up wobbling, then slowly slid down to sit on the sofa, his eyes vacant: “She splashed red wine on my face and asked what kind of thing I was, saying the Cheng family should belong to Cheng Jin.”

“Cheng Jin hid behind her; he must have taken those words to heart.”

Cheng Ruan sank into his memories: “My mother was taking medicine and bedridden, and Cheng Jin’s mother came to the door to cause a scene. The Old Man was there scolding my father, and I ran out in a fit of rage, knocking over Luo Mingzhi’s wine glass.”

“It’s really so ridiculous.” Cheng Ruan murmured, leaning against the sofa. “Not long after, my mother committed suicide.”

Wu Zhou’s eyes felt a bit sour. He sat up from the floor and patted Cheng Ruan’s shoulder: “It’s okay, Xiao Ruan, you still have us.”

Cheng Ruan said softly: “Yeah… it’s all in the past.”

A ringtone suddenly went off. Cheng Ruan sluggishly pulled his phone out of his coat pocket, frowned, and gave a “Hello.”

The voice on the phone was frigid: “Where did you go?”

Cheng Ruan looked around: “Drinking with Wu Zhou, what’s up?”

The call was hung up. Cheng Ruan tossed the phone aside strangely and collapsed onto the sofa with Wu Zhou, both of them rambling about their own troubles.

“Is Cheng Ruan inside?”

The waiter outside bowed his head in fear, not daring to meet the man’s eyes, his limbs trembling: “He’s… he’s inside.”

The door to the private room was kicked open. A man in a suit with a grim expression walked in, seeing at a glance Cheng Ruan lying on the sofa, crying in Wu Zhou’s arms.

He pulled Cheng Ruan into his own embrace and coldly instructed the waiter at the door: “Help your President Wu down to rest. Notify Gu Lin.”

The waiter nodded nervously and carefully helped Wu Zhou leave, leaving Luo Mingzhi and Cheng Ruan alone in the room.

Luo Mingzhi placed Cheng Ruan on the sofa, towering over him and examining the flush-faced young master. The scene of the last time Cheng Ruan was drunk suddenly flashed through his mind.

A soft waist, rosy lips, blurred eyes…

Luo Mingzhi’s expression became increasingly dark. He couldn’t imagine what outrageous things Cheng Ruan would have done if he hadn’t arrived.

It took a while for Cheng Ruan to realize the person he was crying with was gone. He only felt the air pressure around him was a bit low, so he asked the man in front of him blankly: “Eh, did you see Wu Zhou?”

Luo Mingzhi answered irrelevantly: “You’ve been drinking again.”

Cheng Ruan gave an appropriate wine burp and asked him back: “What else?”

He hooked a finger at Luo Mingzhi, gesturing for him to come closer.

Luo Mingzhi frowned, standing firm with his hands in his trouser pockets.

Seeing Luo Mingzhi made no move, Cheng Ruan grumbled a few times, stood up wobbling while supporting himself with his hands, then staggered a few times and fell toward Luo Mingzhi.

He successfully leaned against Luo Mingzhi’s shoulder and blew a breath into his ear: “If I don’t drink wine… do I drink air?”

Luo Mingzhi pinned Cheng Ruan into his arms, his lips close to his cheek in a threat: “Did I not say that night that you are not allowed to drink outside alone?”

Cheng Ruan pushed Luo Mingzhi away and looked at him with a strange gaze: “What does it have to do with you? I was with Wu Zhou, not alone.”

“Sir, who are you? I am a married person; I advise you to respect yourself.”

Luo Mingzhi approached him without a word. Cheng Ruan had no way to retreat and was soon forced into a corner.

“You still know you’re married?” Luo Mingzhi felt inexplicably hot.

Cheng Ruan suddenly recognized Luo Mingzhi. His eyes lit up, and he boldly stepped forward to hug his waist.

“It’s you, Luo Mingzhi! What a coincidence. Didn’t I just send you back?”

Luo Mingzhi had almost run out of patience: “Let go.”

“I won’t!” Cheng Ruan leaned his face against Luo Mingzhi’s chest. “I begged you for so long on the bed before; you said you would cherish me.”

Luo Mingzhi’s gaze was heavy: “Cheng Ruan, I’ve found that after you drink, you become particularly ‘asking for it’.”

Cheng Ruan was startled by Luo Mingzhi’s tone, and his grip around him loosened: “You, what are you doing?”

Luo Mingzhi gripped his waist and then unexpectedly picked him up horizontally, the heat of his palms transferring to the skin through the clothes.

“Doing you.”

Cheng Ruan lay on the bed with a chaotic consciousness. His chin was forced up, and a cold kiss fell on his forehead, then all the way down to his neck.

Cheng Ruan couldn’t help but shiver, only then realizing he had fallen into deep water and scorching fire.

He forced his eyes open, seeing that handsome, cold face above him, and was instantly jolted awake by fear.

“Luo, Luo Mingzhi!”

Luo Mingzhi pulled his hands above him: “Only now do you realize it’s me?”

Cheng Ruan turned his face away, his eyes turning red: “You, get out of me.”

Luo Mingzhi brushed the sweat from Cheng Ruan’s forehead dismissively: “Too late.”

When dawn broke, Luo Mingzhi finally let Cheng Ruan go, carrying him to the bathroom for a shower. Cheng Ruan’s voice was hoarse beyond belief, his lips bitten raw, and his face covered in tear stains.

For some reason, he felt a desperate urge to cry, his nose stinging: “Luo Mingzhi, you can’t treat me like this.”

Luo Mingzhi’s palm covered his back, seemingly turning a deaf ear to his words.

After carrying Cheng Ruan back to the bed, Luo Mingzhi announced: “Cheng Ruan, let’s go register the marriage during the day.”

Cheng Ruan shook his head, pulling the quilt up to hide his face: “No.”

“I’m not doing the marriage alliance anymore.” Cheng Ruan sobbed softly, “I’m not doing the marriage alliance with you anymore, Luo Mingzhi.”

Luo Mingzhi pulled back the quilt and used his slightly rough fingertips to wipe away Cheng Ruan’s tears.

“It’s useless, Cheng Ruan.”

“You were the one who begged me first.”