The Selfish Father

After the meal, Meng Shangzhi had no intention of keeping his guests, and Feng Yanshan did not continue to impose. When they reached the door, Feng Yanshan seemed to think of something. A sly glint flashed through his eyes, and he stopped. "Yunsheng, if I remember correctly, you and Tingfan start school the day after tomorrow, right?"

Bai Yunsheng and Feng Tingfan attended the most famous elite academy in the area. Their holidays differed from those of ordinary schools; after the Spring Festival, they still had a full month off. It was nearly April tenth now, so it was indeed time to return to school.

For a moment, Bai Yunsheng did not understand why Feng Yanshan had suddenly brought this up. "Yes."

Then Bai Yunsheng heard Feng Yanshan say, "If Chairman Meng does not mind, he can discuss the partnership with Yunsheng and pass on some of his experience while he is at it."

"It is only for one day. Yunsheng has to prepare for school tomorrow, and once school starts, he may not have so much time."

Meng Shangzhi's previously mild expression turned completely cold after Feng Yanshan finished speaking. The way he looked at Feng Yanshan carried a trace of concealed disgust and faint killing intent.

In those brief seconds, Meng Shangzhi's heart underwent an earth-shattering change.

Reason told him that he should not keep Bai Yunsheng here. He knew exactly what Feng Yanshan was plotting.

But...

His selfish desires could not resist the longing he felt for Bai Yunsheng.

Meng Shangzhi carefully turned his gaze toward Bai Yunsheng.

Bai Yunsheng stood there, his expression unreadable. His overly pale skin made him seem white and hazy beneath the sunlight, impossible to grasp.

Meng Shangzhi drew in a deep breath. His chest felt stifled, as though a rough stone were pressing down on it.

While Meng Shangzhi was still wrestling with reason, Bai Yunsheng suddenly spoke. The stone in his heart instantly split apart, sharp pain slicing through every blood vessel.

"Mr. Meng, is that alright?" Bai Yunsheng lifted his chin, his gaze calm yet unfathomable, as though separated by a layer of pale green mist.

Meng Shangzhi swallowed. Disbelief showed in his eyes before he said hoarsely, "Alright."

Feng Yanshan's smiling voice rang out. "Then we will have to trouble Chairman Meng. Yunsheng, it is rare for Chairman Meng to personally instruct you. Make sure you learn well."

Bai Yunsheng gave a quiet hum, lowering his raised chin. His heart was cold.

He was like merchandise.

As long as it benefited Feng Yanshan, Feng Yanshan would send him away without hesitation.

Even if the other party had ulterior motives.

Feng Yanshan happily led Feng Zhiyou and the others away.

Bai Yunsheng stood at the door, watching the car drive farther and farther away until it disappeared.

"Shall I show you around?"

Meng Shangzhi's voice broke Bai Yunsheng out of his rigid stillness. Bai Yunsheng shifted slightly and wore a flawless smile. "Alright, Mr. Meng."

The driver arrived quickly.

Bai Yunsheng listened to Meng Shangzhi's introduction all the way through, from the golf course to the racetrack, then from the racetrack to the park for strolling. Meng Shangzhi's home was so vast that it far exceeded Bai Yunsheng's imagination. He could not even understand why someone would deliberately build a gymnasium solely for exercise.

Bai Yunsheng listened attentively and looked attentively as well. He had not fastened his seatbelt, instead leaning against the window frame and staring unblinkingly at the scenery outside. "Is that an artificial lake?"

Meng Shangzhi looked at Bai Yunsheng's windblown strands of hair and answered absentmindedly, "Mm. My mother liked black swans, so my father had an artificial lake built specifically to raise swans."

Bai Yunsheng asked, "Where are the swans?"

Meng Shangzhi said, "Dead."

Bai Yunsheng froze against the window frame and turned around. The wind had blown his black hair into his eyes, and he raised a hand to brush it aside. "Sorry, I did not know."

Meng Shangzhi said, "It is fine. It was a long time ago."

Bai Yunsheng gave an oh. "Won't you raise a few more?"

Meng Shangzhi did not answer immediately. Only after the car made a turn did he say, "The person who liked swans is gone. What is there left to raise them for?"

Bai Yunsheng felt that he should not have mentioned the swans, so he instinctively tried to steer the conversation away from the heavy subject. "Why are there no flowers here?"

Meng Shangzhi watched Bai Yunsheng's hair fall over his eyes again, his fingers twitching. "I do not like them."

The wind outside scattered some of the heaviness of the topic.

Meng Shangzhi stared at Bai Yunsheng's hair for several seconds. It was soft and obedient, clinging to his eyelashes and making him look gentle and beautiful. "Your hair is again..."

Meng Shangzhi reacted first, turning to shield Bai Yunsheng. With a screech of brakes, the car came to an abrupt stop.

The driver's apologetic voice sounded. "Sorry! Chairman Meng, there was a cat."

Bai Yunsheng's faint fragrance slipped into every corner of Meng Shangzhi's body, filled with lingering attachment and tenderness, making Meng Shangzhi hold him even tighter.

A dull pain came from his ribs where Bai Yunsheng had hit him, making him want to cough for no reason. Even so, Meng Shangzhi did not loosen his grip. His fingertips brushed over Bai Yunsheng's back. His slender spine protruded beneath the skin, like the fragile body of a butterfly, as though Meng Shangzhi could crush it with a light squeeze.

"Are you alright?" Meng Shangzhi's voice was hoarse.

Bai Yunsheng did not respond.

Only after two or three seconds did Meng Shangzhi realize something was wrong. His tone turned anxious. "Bai Yunsheng!" He helped Bai Yunsheng sit upright, only to see that Bai Yunsheng's face was deathly pale and covered in cold sweat.

"Bai Yunsheng!"

"Drive back!"

After an unknown amount of time, Bai Yunsheng finally woke from the pain. Even with Meng Shangzhi shielding him, his back had still struck the seat. Meng Shangzhi's anxious voice remained by his ear, and Bai Yunsheng reached out to cover Meng Shangzhi's hand.

It was trembling.

Meng Shangzhi was trembling.

Before Bai Yunsheng had come to the Meng Household, he had already planned to find an opportunity to casually tell Meng Shangzhi that he was injured. But when he saw that the entire table was filled with dishes he liked, Bai Yunsheng suddenly abandoned the idea. He suddenly did not want to use Meng Shangzhi at this moment.

Bai Yunsheng squeezed the back of Meng Shangzhi's hand. "Mr. Meng, I am fine. Do not worry."

Meng Shangzhi clearly did not believe him. "Do not speak. Once my doctor gets here, we will know whether you are really alright."

Bai Yunsheng said, "Mr. Meng, I really am fine."

"Do not be afraid."

Meng Shangzhi's eyes were filled with restrained redness. The joy and excitement he had felt from embracing Bai Yunsheng had long vanished.

As soon as they reached the front door, Meng Shangzhi hurried out of the car. Before Bai Yunsheng could open his door, Meng Shangzhi had already opened it from the other side. Without asking Bai Yunsheng, he reached in and carried him out.

Bai Yunsheng was stunned for a moment. He wanted to say something, but when he saw Meng Shangzhi's tense jaw, he found himself unable to say anything. In the end, he could only curl up in Meng Shangzhi's arms without a word.

By his ear was Meng Shangzhi's heartbeat, fast and powerful.

Bai Yunsheng could not help leaning closer against Meng Shangzhi's chest.

He had to admit it.

Meng Shangzhi's embrace was warm.

Like the wind in spring.