Chapter 106
Meg, thank you for the Ko-fi!
Editor: Casey
Tan Mingjin has always been generous towards his subordinates, and they worked dutifully for him in return.
President Tan, did you ask for something?
Okay! We’ll get on it right away!
It will definitely be done well!
So when Tan Mingjin returned with Shi Qing, the books he had asked for were already on his desk.
Tan Mingjin rarely took Shi Qing to the company before, let alone his own office. The teen’s face showed no curiosity. His att.i.tude was still as arrogant as ever. He even crossed his legs without a care, sitting down comfortably on the sofa.
While he crossed his legs, he even looked around with an unbearably arrogant expression: “Uncle, your office is not even as chic as the ones in the subdivisions. You don’t even have any fish here. The other company bought a giant fish tank that’s really nice to look at.”
These words were really too much. Shi Qing was still as hard to please as always.
But Tan Mingjin did not get angry like he usually did. He raised his eyes to look at the small Shi Qing sitting on his shoulders glancing around curiously with wide eyes and a slightly open red mouth. He was simply adorable as he explored the brand new surroundings, even having a slight smile on his face.
This child’s personality is too twisted. Did he really have to hide his curiosity behind this kind of facade?
He said to Young Master Shi: “People rarely come here so there aren’t many decorations. If you like fish, I’ll have someone bring over an aquarium. It might be good to have a few around.”
Hearing his permissive words, Shi Qing turned around to look at him. The little Shi Qing sitting on his shoulder was happily holding his face to only reveal his beautiful eyes filled with joy. His gaze towards Tan Mingjin was very soft and sweet.
Tan Mingjin was very satisfied with Shi Qing’s reaction. Even if Shi Qing scoffed and raised his chin arrogantly as if saying ‘you should have done this earlier’ and other irritating things like that, the man could brush past them in his heart.
Although the topic shifted to office decorations, Tan Mingjin did not forget why he took Shi Qing to the company.
Plus, looking at the way little Shi Qing glanced curiously around his office, Tan Mingjin, who had never doubted the way he raised this child before, felt somewhat guilty.
He even automatically found excuses for Shi Qing acting out before.
No wonder this child has such a weird temperament. He insisted on acting in a way that would make others disdain him when he was simply just being curious or embarra.s.sed.
It might be because Tan Mingjin never gave him a promise about the future.
After all, the man had never hidden the fact that Shi Qing wasn’t his before. The child knew from a young age who his biological father was. He knew that Tan Mingjin was just an uncle that was not related to him.
Even if Tan Mingjin was nice to him, the fact that they were not related made him feel insecure. He was forever the stranger without a safety net that was even worse off than an adopted son.
Tan Mingjin had always thought that he did his best for Shi Qing, but he could see now that his efforts were lacking.
He could only tell this from the way little Shi Qing was looking around his office.
The man automatically forgot that Shi Qing was an underage student who had no good reason to come to the company. He just sighed after putting together the pieces of why Shi Qing’s personality was so twisted.
It was his fault.
Because he ‘understood everything’, Tan Mingjin’s gaze towards the youth became even softer.
“It’s just an internship. Why don’t I transfer you over to the main company? Then Uncle can look after you.”
The youth frowned. He was still acting as disobedient as always: “No need, I still think an entertainment company is better. At least there’s lots of pretty girls there to hover around me. How sweet is that?”
He might be rejecting it with his mouth, but the little Shi Qing on his shoulder was staring at Tan Mingjin with bright eyes as he swayed his little feet around. He was trying his hardest to nod vigorously at Tan Mingjin. It was like the words ‘I want to go’ were written in big letters on that cute little face.
The man couldn’t help but laugh.
He used to feel drained after interacting with Shi Qing, but ever since little Shi Qing appeared, it was like his body and mind could completely relax every time he spoke with this child.
Maybe Tan Mingjin had been alone for too long. Only now did it suddenly dawn on him that he wasn’t alone after all. It’s just that the little guy by his side was so shy that he hid his soft, sweet little face behind a fierce mask.
Yes, how could he have not noticed for so long?
Tan Mingjin’s lips curled up slightly as he looked at the young man who was still sitting on the sofa, trying to put on a “I’m the most arrogant young master ever” look.
Although the reason just now seemed like nonsense, Tan Mingjin had heard some of his seniors in the industry complain about their sons before at various banquets. Young people around this age were quite eager to make a name for themselves.
Naturally, being around beautiful women around them was one way to be in the limelight.
Tan Mingjin opened his mouth to say something like, “You’re still young, so don’t think about those things yet and advance your career first”.
But just as he opened his mouth, he recalled how every one of his conversations with Shi Qing ended up with the young master storming away because of something Tan Mingjin had said.
There was nothing he could do about the past, but now little Shi Qing’s pitiful cries echoed through his mind. The man’s eyebrows wrinkled slightly. He took advantage of how Shi Qing couldn’t see his desk right now to randomly pull out one of the books he had asked his a.s.sistant to buy beforehand.
After flipping through the table of contents for ‘How to communicate with children’, Tan Mingjin quickly turned a relevant page. It clearly stated: [When you and your child have a disagreement, try not to just state your own ideas outright. Instead, acknowledge your child’s opinions first. This way, the child will feel accepted by their parents and let down their guard. Then parents can politely express their view of things.]
It made a lot of sense.
Tan Mingjin himself had little experience in dealing with family relationships. When he was a child, he and his mother were dependent on each other, so he tried to ease her burden in every way possible. He had neither the heart nor the time to argue with her.
When he a.s.sumed custody of Shi Qing, the child’s abrasive att.i.tude and his busy workload left Tan Mingjin with no desire to take the time to understand the little boy.
If little Shi Qing hadn’t appeared and made him see that Shi Qing wasn’t as uncaring towards Tan Mingjin as he believed, the man wouldn’t have tried to improve their relationship.
The inexperienced senior studied the text once again.
It should be fine since it got published, right?
He looked up at little Shi Qing, who was holding his tiny chin and waving his legs like he was bored.
He didn’t seem to be in too bad of a mood.
The man read over the pa.s.sage again. He felt like this was a good opportunity to break the ice, so he coughed dryly a few times:
“Uncle knows that people your age tend to be easily infatuated. I can understand you liking pretty girls as well. Uncle doesn’t have too many rules in this regard. As long as you pursue them using moral methods, I will support you.”
“That seemed like a good way to put it.” Tan Mingjin thought as he looked up confidently, ready to greet a Shi Qing who had ‘let down his guard after being acknowledged’. But what greeted him instead was a vicious death glare from a clearly displeased little Shi Qing.
Tan Mingjin: “……”
There was still nothing but arrogance in Shi Qing’s voice. “So in other words, Uncle is fine with me finding a girlfriend?”
Tan Mingjin had already realized that something wasn’t right. His answer took a while. “As long as your girlfriend is willing, I won’t interfere.”
Shi Qing: “Oh, I see.”
Little Shi Qing：“Hmph!!!”
The little guy had already puffed up like a pufferfish. No longer did he wave his feet. Jumping to his feet, little Shi Qing started spitting at Tan Mingjin again.
If anyone saw how aggravated and angry he was, they would definitely suspect Tan Mingjin had done something unforgivable.
Tan Mingjin: “……”
He looked down at the book on the table that clearly stated children would open up to their parents after being acknowledged. Even if they didn’t open up completely, they would definitely feel closer to their parents than before. They would even eagerly tell their parents about what they planned to do.
Tan Mingjin: “……”
This book clearly didn’t know what it was talking about.
He put that book back and pulled another one from the very bottom of the stack. He just happened to flip to the section about what to do if the child was angry.
Tan Mingjin didn’t have time to read it thoroughly. He skimmed through.
[Babies at this stage will be very insecure, scared, and maybe even angry. But not to worry, this is natural. If you see them behaving this way, just stroke them from head to tail to provide comfort.]
The man rose on his long legs and walked right over to Shi Qing.
Little Shi Qing：“Pei pei pei!”
Tan Mingjin pretended he didn’t hear anything and hugged Shi Qing. His long, slender hands fell on the youth’s soft hair and slowly but gently stroked down his head.
He clearly felt how the person he was holding stiffened instantly, but Shi Qing didn’t push him away. He let Tan Mingjin touch his head with uncharacteristic obedience.
Feeling that the time was right, Tan Mingjin began to stroke the youth’s back as well.
He took a moment to look at little Shi Qing, who was no longer spitting at him. The angry and aggrieved expression on his little face was gone as well. The little guy now had narrowed eyes like he was very much enjoying this.
As expected, parenting books came in handy.
Tan Mingjin seized the moment and slowly let go. He spoke, “You’re all grown up now. Tell Uncle if you want something or if you want to do something. I will always be there for you.”
The youth’s expression and tone were no longer arrogant. In fact, his reply was soft and quiet, “I know. I’ll listen to Uncle from now on.”
Tan Mingjin had never seen Shi Qing like this. He was never this soft towards him, even as a child.
The man felt a little flattered for a moment. He wanted to say more when there was a knock on the door.
He collected his thoughts: “Come in.”
His a.s.sistant walked in, not surprised to see Shi Qing here. “Young master.”
Young Master Shi seemed to be in a good mood today. He wasn’t as arrogant and cold as the last time the a.s.sistant had seen him. He even acknowledged being greeted with a grunt.
While demeaning himself for his low standards, the a.s.sistant respectfully handed the list in his hand to Tan Mingjin. “President Tan, here is your itinerary for tomorrow and a summary for the day after. I have already checked it earlier, but please look it over again. If there are no problems I will begin booking appointments.”
“Alright.”
Tan Mingjin intended to spend some quality time with Shi Qing later. He spoke to the youth as he accepted the list. “Go outside and play in the lounge for a while. We’ll go back together tonight.”
Young Master Shi pouted. He was clearly displeased that his uncle was busy with work again. But the soothing session earlier seemed to have an effect, since he walked out without saying anything.
Only Tan Mingjin and his a.s.sistant were left in the office now.
The a.s.sistant glanced at Tan Mingjin again and again. In the end, he couldn’t help but whisper, “Um, President Tan, can I ask about the books you asked me to buy..?”
Tan Mingjin didn’t even raise his head. “I used the information inside on Shi Qing.”
The a.s.sistant: “……”
The a.s.sistant: “…All of it?”
Tan Mingjin finished looking over the itinerary and placed it down with a slight frown. He felt like his a.s.sistant was acting strange today, but he still replied. “That’s right.”
Thinking of Shi Qing’s instant obedience after being pat on the head, Tan Mingjin’s mood improved significantly. He praised, “You did well this time. Although some of the books you bought were not so great, the one on the desk worked like a charm. Expect a larger bonus this month.”
The a.s.sistant subconsciously glanced in the desk’s direction. From where he was standing, he could just make out the slightly curved cover of the open book.
And the picture of the little piglet there.
The a.s.sistant: …WTF.
Did all rich people use such peculiar methods to raise their children??
He staggered out, feeling lightheaded.
Only Tan Mingjin was left in the office.
After finding a way to deal with Shi Qing’s disobedience, Tan Mingjin was feeling pretty good. He returned to his desk, planning to quickly deal with things so he could take Shi Qing to dinner.
The man closed the book on the desk and picked it up to put it back.
Suddenly, his hand stalled in place.
Tan Mingjin’s gaze shifted to the picture of the piglet on the cover.
Then he ever so slowly looked up.
He saw the words ‘How to raise weaned piglets’.
Tan Mingjin: “……”
He slowly found the page he was just reading again. It was describing how to appease piglets after separating them from their mother.
Tan Mingjin: “……”
The man stood there, frozen in place with this book in his hands.
Finally, he moved.
Tan Mingjin expressionlessly went to throw the book in the trash.
But he paused right before dropping it in the bin.
The youth’s docile tone and him obediently letting Tan Mingjin hug and pet him came to mind.
Tan Mingjin: “……”
…As long as it works.
He was silent for a few seconds before walking over to his safe and quickly punching in the code.
He put the book inside.
Author’s Corner
4.2k words!!!
Wow! I’m so good, I can type this much even on my phone!
Sending out red envelopes to random little cuties~
Here’s a little extra:
On a certain day in a certain month in a certain year…
On a dark and windy night, a certain thief went through all sorts of hardships and difficulties and finally arrived at the office of the Tan family’s chairman.
Putting all his skills to the test, he carefully opened the safe and held his breath as he reached inside.
Then he took out a book called ‘How to raise weaned piglets’ hahahahahahahaha.