The Art of Being a Kept Man - Chapter 3

At the child’s first-birthday banquet, Wen Tingnian’s gift was half his own equity.

On top of that, Old Madam Wen doted obsessively on this grandson. Before she died, she transferred all her shares to him.

I laughed inwardly. Bet you never saw that coming—the kid is mine!

Shen Shuyu and I named our son Yuduan. His nickname was Dundun.

Shen Shuyu rarely let the child spend time alone with Wen Tingnian.

Even when Dundun was a newborn, Shen Shuyu hated letting Wen Tingnian hold him for long.

Once the baby learned to recognize people, he became even less willing to let Wen Tingnian hold him.

Wen Tingnian was disappointed, but he never complained.

Whenever Wen Tingnian went away on business, Shen Shuyu took the child back to Xizi Bay.

Thinking of the look in Wen Tingnian’s eyes, I held Shen Shuyu and sighed. “Wen Tingnian is actually kind of pitiful.”

The words had barely left my mouth when Shen Shuyu slapped me.

“Don’t be such a cheap bastard. Since when is he the one you feel sorry for?”

His slap felt like a tickle. I kissed the corner of his mouth. “Why can’t I pity him? His wife is in my bed right now, and he’s raising my son for me. If I could, I’d even thank him!”

I caught Shen Shuyu’s hand, sealed his mouth with mine, and began our long night.

…

Dundun and Shen Shuyu looked as if they had been made from the same mold.

Their personalities were alike too. Even while he was still in diapers, Dundun was as composed as a little adult.

Thanks to his son, Shen Shuyu was allowed to become involved in the Wen family businesses.

By the time Dundun was ten, Shen Shuyu had entered upper management.

Before anyone realized it, his faction had gained the upper hand within the Wen Group.

Wen Tingnian had always been in poor health because of his congenital gland defect. Somehow, he learned about Shen Shuyu and me. I heard he coughed up blood on the spot and landed in the ICU.

The first thing Wen Tingnian did after he was resuscitated was ask to see Dundun.

From the rearview mirror, I looked at Dundun’s face, so similar to Shen Shuyu’s, and worried Wen Tingnian might take his anger out on the boy. “Dundun, if Wen Tingnian gives you any trouble, call me immediately.”

Wen Tingnian had always treated Dundun as his most precious treasure, so the boy did not understand. He asked innocently, “Why would he give me trouble? Did he finally figure out I’m not his son?”

I coughed at Dundun’s innocent question.

Rubbing my nose, I glanced at the passenger seat.

Wen Tingnian’s every move was under surveillance.

As usual, he played the loving father and chatted with Dundun.

When they finished, a nurse said Wen Tingnian wanted to see Shen Shuyu and me.

His ashen face was shocking to behold.

Shen Shuyu met his gaze calmly.

Wen Tingnian coughed and gasped loudly. A nurse brought something for him to inhale, and only after a while did his breathing settle.

He spoke. “Shen Shuyu, do you really hate me that much?”

Expressionless, Shen Shuyu gave him four words. “I utterly despise you.”

Wen Tingnian began coughing again. This time he refused the nurse’s help and spoke through his coughs. “I gave you everything, yet you could be this heartless!”

“You even… even…”

His trembling right hand pointed toward the door. “Even Dundun isn’t my son!”

After that, Wen Tingnian passed out for a time.

I was horrified. He actually knew.

When Wen Tingnian woke again, his venomous gaze fixed on me.

I shrank back.

He laughed eerily. “I truly don’t understand what Shen Shuyu sees in a spineless loser like you.”

I was furious and wanted to hit him.

Shen Shuyu held me back.

I grabbed Shen Shuyu’s hand and made to leave.

Wen Tingnian suddenly said, “So your weakness isn’t Dundun after all. It’s this pathetic coward. Why?”

For some reason, his words reminded me that Dundun had gone missing a few days earlier.

Had Wen Tingnian done it?

I narrowed my eyes, murderous intent stirring within me.

Shen Shuyu clearly had no patience to answer his question. He turned to leave.

Behind us came Wen Tingnian’s horrifying voice. “In that case, go to hell!”

My heart lurched. I looked back and saw a gun in Wen Tingnian’s hand.

What was he doing?

Was he going to kill Shen Shuyu?

My body moved faster than my mind, shielding Shen Shuyu behind me.

The bang of the gun made my entire body go numb.

Shen Shuyu’s scream filled me with panic.

Had he been shot?

I desperately wanted to look at him, but all the strength had left my body.

“No! No!”

The anguish in Shen Shuyu’s voice made my heart ache.

I seemed to float into the air. Below, doctors were trying to save me.

There was probably no saving me. But Shen Shuyu’s terrifying expression kept them from declaring me dead. All they could do was continue their futile attempts to resuscitate my corpse.