Extra Chapter: The Doubter
Qu Tongqiu was a warmhearted man. Whenever former stall neighbors from his struggling days came asking for help, he never refused.
Back when he had been down on his luck, he had received plenty of help from those around him. Now that he had the ability to help others, he believed the people he met during hardship deserved support whenever he could offer it.
So when A-Mei wanted a steadier job that didn’t require waking before dawn and working late into the night, he immediately offered her a position at his shop.
The bento shop’s work only required quick hands, attention to detail, diligence, and reliability—qualities that made a great employee. Since A-Mei was already familiar to him and he knew her temperament well, he trusted her completely.
Qu Tongqiu treated all employees kindly, but he was especially kind to A-Mei. Whenever there were leftovers at the shop, he packed them for her to take home and often drove her back if it was on his way.
Sometimes she would pick up her daughter from school first and bring her to the shop, and mother and daughter would head home together after work.
Her daughter Beibei was an adorable little girl—obedient, sweet, always carrying a small schoolbag, and generous enough to share her only orange with everyone at the shop.
Once she became familiar with the staff, she often came on weekends, sitting quietly in a corner practicing writing or helping shell broad beans on a small stool.
Everyone liked her. With more free time as the boss, Qu Tongqiu would play with her, carry her outside to buy candy, balloons, and picture books.
When A-Mei decided to move to a cleaner, better-ventilated place for her daughter, Qu Tongqiu eagerly helped search for apartments, driving her around to view many places.
They finally found a suitable home with an acceptable price, but the landlord required a full year’s rent upfront. It was too good to miss, and if they didn’t sign immediately, it might be gone.
A-Mei didn’t have enough money, so Qu Tongqiu paid most of it for her. She felt deeply embarrassed and wanted to write an IOU with her fingerprint, but he refused, saying, “It’s fine. I trust you’ll pay me back.”
He even helped with the move. A woman with a child faced many difficulties, and he naturally felt responsible to help.
One night he returned home late. Afraid of waking his daughter and Ren Ningyuan, he didn’t turn on the lights and quietly went to the bathroom first.
He carefully adjusted the water to avoid noise, washed off sweat and dirt, brushed his teeth, and only after making sure he was clean did he return to the bedroom.
As soon as he entered, Ren Ningyuan spoke from the darkness. “You’re back?”
“Ah, did I wake you?”
“No. I just lay down.”
The bedside lamp turned on. Embarrassed, Qu Tongqiu realized he had planned to change in the dark, and now he stood naked before Ren Ningyuan, instinctively covering himself.
“You showered?”
“Yes. I was filthy.”
“Dirty?”
“I helped A-Mei move things. Climbed the sixth floor several times.”
Ren Ningyuan simply nodded.
Even though the man knew his body well, standing naked before him still made his heart race. He hurried to the wardrobe and pulled out a robe and underwear.
“You’ve been helping for four or five days. Not finished yet?”
“At first we thought there wasn’t much. I planned to drive two trips. But once sorted, there were too many bags. We didn’t want to throw things away, so we moved them gradually.”
“The bed frame the landlord left was broken. Buying a new one wasn’t worth it, so I dismantled an old stool tonight and used the wood to fix it.”
“These things aren’t expensive. I could have someone deliver furniture.”
“That wouldn’t be appropriate. Helping a little as a friend is fine, but giving furniture would feel like a huge favor she’d feel pressured to repay.”
Ren Ningyuan looked at him. “You’re thoughtful.”
Climbing into bed, Qu Tongqiu added, “It should be done tomorrow. A-Mei invited us to dinner to celebrate the move. What gift should we bring? Bedding? A standing fan?”
While he was still thinking, Ren Ningyuan suddenly leaned in and kissed him.
The warm lips wiped away thoughts of fans and pillowcases. He instinctively responded before remembering it was Friday.
Feeling guilty for being late, he shyly removed his underwear and climbed onto him.
Ren Ningyuan seemed surprised but embraced him after a pause.
The intimacy that followed was familiar, yet he never grew numb to it. Still, the intensity felt unusually fierce that night, leaving him exhausted and trembling afterward.
“Can we go again?” Ren Ningyuan asked.
“Mm…”
They did once more before the lights went out. Lying in the darkness, Qu Tongqiu felt strangely unsettled.
Moving finished later than expected, so the housewarming dinner was moved to Monday.
That afternoon, Qu Tongqiu called. “I’m installing the bookshelf late. You and Little Ke come by yourselves.”
A-Mei’s new apartment was small but tidy and cozy, thanks in part to Qu Tongqiu’s efforts.
A-Mei cooked while he set snacks in the living room, inviting Ren Ningyuan and Little Ke to eat.
Soon, he and A-Mei moved between kitchen and living room with natural coordination, like the home’s hosts.
Ren Ningyuan and Little Ke sat on the sofa, exchanging glances.
A knock sounded. Qu Tongqiu opened the door. A middle-aged man stood outside with two children.
The little girl hugged Qu Tongqiu’s leg. “Mr. Zhang, thanks for bringing Beibei back again.”
“No trouble. Same school, same building.”
Beibei entered, greeting them politely.
She wore a child’s qipao, with neat bangs and bright eyes, looking like a living doll.
Qu Tongqiu took off Beibei’s schoolbag and carried her to the sofa, praising her to his daughter and Ren Ningyuan. “Look how adorable Beibei is.”
Qu Ke said nothing. Ren Ningyuan smiled. “She really is.”
A-Mei brought out a plate of spicy diced chicken from the kitchen and laughed. “The dress you bought her—she refuses to take it off. I just washed and dried it yesterday, and today she insisted on wearing it again.”
Qu Tongqiu sighed with both satisfaction and regret. “My own Little Ke doesn’t like the clothes I pick anymore. Says her dad has no taste. Good thing Beibei is willing to wear them.”
Qu Ke glanced at him, then at Ren Ningyuan, then at Beibei, remaining silent.
“Come on, Little Ke, play with Beibei.”
“What should we play?”
“Anything. Help her with the puzzle. You’re good at puzzles.”
“I don’t like that anymore.”
Qu Tongqiu was surprised. “Hey… this kid…”
A-Mei quickly added, “Those toys get your hands dirty. Little Ke, just watch TV. Dinner will be ready soon.”
—
Some time later, Ren Ningyuan received a call at home.
“Hello, Ren Residence.”
A hesitant female voice asked, “Hello… I’m looking for Qu Tongqiu.”
“He’s not here right now. Would you like me to pass on a message?”
“No, that’s okay… When will he be back?”
“In a little while.”
“I’ll call again later. Thank you.”
When Qu Tongqiu returned from grocery shopping, Ren Ningyuan told him, “A-Mei called earlier.”
“Oh?” He checked his pocket. “I forgot my phone. What did she want?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll call her.”
After a brief conversation in the living room, his expression turned subtle, and he moved to the balcony to continue the call.
Ren Ningyuan glanced at Qu Ke. The girl, long past childhood in appearance, stood up silently and went to her room, slamming the door.
Several days later, Ren Ningyuan received a visitor in his study.
“Mr. Ren. Here is what you requested.”
Inside the envelope were photographs: a man shading a woman with an umbrella, holding towels and water, accompanying her to the hospital, calling taxis, carrying heavy shopping bags.
“The woman you asked me to investigate is indeed pregnant.”
Ren Ningyuan remained expressionless. “You may go.”
He knocked on Qu Ke’s study door and entered.
She sat reading, not turning around.
The cold tension between them had returned.
“I think you already know.”
Silence.
“Don’t blame your father.”
Silence.
“I hope you can prepare yourself.”
She kept reading.
“Perhaps Tongqiu still wants a biological child.”
She turned and glared, eyes reddened. “Yes, I’m not his biological daughter. But whose fault do you think that is?!”
In some ways, both he and Qu Ke were good companions to that man. Yet in another sense, their bond with him wasn’t truly unbreakable. He always had the right to leave.
When Qu Tongqiu came home later, he carried two bags of groceries. Feeling guilty for neglecting home lately, he wanted to make up for it.
Qu Ke worked on her laptop while Ren Ningyuan read a magazine. Both looked surprised.
“Dad, why are you home so early?”
“I’m cooking for you tonight.”
He rarely cooked at home now, leaving meals to the household chef. But tonight he put in full effort—fried chicken rolls, papaya fish, steamed fish, beef slices, fried crab claws, candied lotus root, bamboo shoots, and a delicate tofu soup.
Sweating but satisfied, he served the dishes eagerly. Cooking was one thing he could still do for them.
Qu Ke dipped a shrimp crab claw into ketchup. “So many dishes. Is it a special day?”
“No, Dad just had time.”
“If you cooked like this every day, that would be great.”
He sighed. “I might not have time in the future.”
She stopped eating. “Why?”
He felt shy explaining his business expansion plans. “You’ll know later. If it works out, it’ll be a good thing.”
Her expression changed. She suddenly stood and left the table, heading upstairs without a word.
Qu Tongqiu sat stunned until Ren Ningyuan said, “Kids are like that. Don’t worry. Let’s eat.”
Qu Tongqiu nodded and picked up his chopsticks.
By this point, Qu Ke had reached adolescence. The first time she slammed her book down impatiently and said, “Dad, you’re so naggy!” he was deeply shaken and couldn’t sleep the whole night.
Now he had come to terms with it.
Sixteen was the age of rebellion. Even someone as ordinary as he had once been full of strange thoughts in his youth, inexplicably sentimental, convinced that parents could never understand him.
So it wasn’t that his daughter’s temper had worsened—she was simply in a sensitive stage of growing up.
The older Qu Ke grew, the less she resembled him and the more she looked like Ren Ningyuan. Beautiful, intelligent, reservedly proud, and mature beyond her years.
Without him even realizing it, his daughter had already become something of a celebrity at T University. When he went to watch their rehearsals, people would say, “That’s Qu Ke’s dad,” and then a bunch of boys would crowd around him, flattering him, bringing tea, carrying chairs, fussing over him until he felt overwhelmed and flustered.
Of course, most of the time his daughter still acted spoiled, cute, and thoughtful, happily clinging to his arm as before.
But it felt like he was just a cat. When she was little, he had comfortably thought she was simply a slightly outstanding kitten. As she grew up, anyone could see she was actually a young tiger far bigger than him.
Just the profits Qu Ke made from financial investments in her spare time surpassed what he earned running a shop full-time. The power of bloodline stood out clearly; he could no longer deceive himself.
Not everyone was suited to the role of “father.”
After dinner and tidying up, he returned to the bedroom with Ren Ningyuan. It was Friday again, and he was so afraid of getting busy and forgetting such an important day that he had even written it in his memo.
He had fully prepared for tonight, yet Ren Ningyuan showed no sign of that kind of intention.
They even showered separately—there was no such thing as a romantic bath together. After getting into bed, Ren Ningyuan simply sat reading a magazine.
Qu Tongqiu sat awkwardly under the covers for a long time before finally gathering his courage, leaning over to kiss the man.
Ren Ningyuan looked at him.
Under that gaze, he forced himself to continue, undoing the man’s pajama buttons. When the shirt was completely off and there was still no response, he took off his own clothes and, with nowhere left to retreat, tried to undo the man’s trousers.
Ren Ningyuan reached out and stopped him. “No need.”
“… ”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“… ”
“Go to sleep early.”
Qu Tongqiu answered awkwardly. After the lights went out, he lay quietly in the darkness, pulling the blanket up to his chin.
He suddenly realized that in the Ren household, he really did seem like an outsider.
After breakfast, the man picked up his keys. “Um, I’ll come back earlier tonight. Do you and Little Ke want anything to eat?”
“It’s fine, anything is okay.”
“Oh, then I’m off.”
“Drive safely.”
Ren Ningyuan watched the man leave.
He knew Qu Tongqiu cared deeply about his feelings and was trying to make amends to both him and Qu Ke in his own way. Qu Tongqiu was kind-hearted; he understood that better than anyone.
And he didn’t want to keep taking advantage of it.
He was Ren Ningyuan. There were many things in this world he already possessed, or could obtain almost whenever he wished. As the strong, he had no right to take from the weak.
Like a rich man who, out of morality, shouldn’t take the last coin from a poor man’s pocket.
He had taken those ten-plus years from him, taken the man’s dignity, taken Qu Ke, taken everything precious he had.
And yet that man had one day returned to his side, calmly lying beside his pillow.
That was already the greatest stroke of luck in his life.
Many nights he woke suddenly, half-convinced it was only a dream. Thankfully, when he reached out to touch him, the man was still there.
Qu Tongqiu was alive and beside him. That was good—good enough.
He didn’t dare become greedy and ask for more. If his desire grew even a little, perhaps the man would vanish like a broken illusion.
He was Ren Ningyuan—powerful, steady, reliable.
But in truth, he was more afraid than anyone.
There were many kinds of love in this world. Right now, he only hoped that man could live the life he wanted, gain the things he desired, and have the freedom to choose his own path.
His strength might not bring himself happiness, but at least it could fulfill and protect that man’s happiness.
As for himself—
The burden a person bears should be proportional to his ability.
Qu Tongqiu was just an ordinary man; naturally, he deserved an easy life.
And he was Ren Ningyuan. He could restrain himself.
There was nothing he could not endure.
When Ren Ningyuan returned home, the man had already come back earlier.
He heard him secretly making a phone call in the bedroom, the door slightly ajar, his tone soothing and reassuring.
“It’s okay, don’t worry. I think it’ll be fine. I’ll definitely give you a proper status.”
“… ”
“No, don’t be so anxious. Go ahead and try boldly. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll speak for you. I don’t believe he’d be that unreasonable.”
Ren Ningyuan stood there for a moment, then quietly left before the man noticed him.
He had overestimated the human part of himself.
Even now, before things had reached the point where he truly had to face them, the ugly demonic side within him was already stirring, threatening to burst out and tear through his skin.
Until he could suppress it again, he couldn’t appear in front of that man. He needed a little time unseen.
Beneath his calm and tolerant exterior lived a pure devil. He had once been so careful, yet still drove that man mad.
Qu Tongqiu might have forgotten this, even forgotten that he had risen from the underworld and still wasn’t in a clean business, seeing only his gentle and generous side and blindly treating him as a saint.
But he knew exactly what he was made of.
Many things about him were things Qu Tongqiu simply couldn’t bear.
If that man knew how much he wanted him, he might be terribly frightened.
So he couldn’t be too real.
When he returned home again, he was once more the calm and steady Ren Ningyuan.
The man was still waiting with Qu Ke, looking a little anxious. Hearing him enter, he hurried to stand. “You’re back? Why so late? Your phone was off—I even went to your shop to look for you…”
Ren Ningyuan took off his coat and handed it to him to hang up, saying gently, “Something came up. I went to deal with it.”
“If something happens in the future, at least call. It doesn’t take much effort and saves us from worrying.”
Ren Ningyuan smiled. “Alright.”
“I’ll go reheat the dishes. The taste won’t be as good—let’s just make do.”
The man hurried off to busy himself. Sitting across the table, Qu Ke glanced at him and suddenly said, “Do you want to tell him, or should I?”
Ren Ningyuan looked at the girl who was growing more and more like himself and said calmly, “Let’s eat first.”
There were many things he could give Qu Tongqiu—money beyond imagination, power, the most extravagant luxuries in the world.
But none of those were what Qu Tongqiu wanted.
In a man-to-man competition, he had defeated Zhuang Wei—barely. But competing with a woman… he had never dared imagine the outcome.
His strength had little practical use to Qu Tongqiu. Even if he were richer than nations, so what?
He couldn’t even give Qu Tongqiu a biological child.
He simply didn’t have that ability, even though he could do almost anything else.
After a dinner filled with unspoken thoughts, Qu Ke sat a while before returning to her room, leaving them alone.
They looked at each other. Qu Tongqiu moved to sit beside him. “Oh right, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
At last, it had come.
“It’s about A-Mei. Before, she was too embarrassed to let me tell anyone.”
“… ”
“A-Mei is pregnant.”
Ren Ningyuan looked at him.
“She’s really something—actually shy about it. Saying that at her age, being pregnant before marriage is too embarrassing.”
“… ”
“But honestly, what era is this? There’s no need for that. Now that everything’s out in the open, it’s not too late to prepare for the wedding.”
Ren Ningyuan suddenly interrupted, “Wait.”
“Hm?”
“Even though I prepared myself mentally, at a time like this, I still feel… I wasn’t prepared at all.”
He could never be prepared.
In the end, he still couldn’t endure it. He still couldn’t bear it.
“Qu Tongqiu.”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
In the suffocating silence, the man grew uneasy and pressed his hand over Ren Ningyuan’s trembling one. “Are you okay? What’s wrong? Do you feel unwell?”
He was Ren Ningyuan, indestructible. But this man was his weakness.
“We need you.”
“Huh?”
“Qu Ke and I… both…”
Perhaps his own weight alone was far from enough to hold him back.
“So please…”
He wanted to ask him never to look at anyone else, to stay forever with just the two of them, never to have another family, never to leave them because of someone else.
But he couldn’t say it. Qu Tongqiu had never sold himself to them, nor did he owe them anything.
He had helped raise their daughter, endured his desires and mistakes, wasted his youth and future for nothing.
They owed Qu Tongqiu—he owed them nothing.
So he couldn’t ask for more, even though only this man could give him what he wanted.
The man’s tolerance and patience were not meant to be taken for granted.
And part of him genuinely hoped the man could live the easy, happy life he wanted in the years to come.
Torn between reason and the demon inside him, he felt as though he might split apart.
Qu Tongqiu was clearly confused, but he hugged him, trying to comfort him. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to Little Ke?”
Receiving no answer, he touched his forehead anxiously. “Are you sick? Headache? Stomachache?”
That sincere, bewildered gentleness felt like hands squeezing his heart.
Yet more than anyone, he wished that after those long years, this man could finally find happiness.
Ren Ningyuan slowly calmed himself and spoke in a reassuring tone. “Go on.”
“What?”
“What you were saying.”
“Oh, that… where was I? Right, A-Mei is pregnant. Um, does your head still hurt?”
Ren Ningyuan looked at him. “It’s fine.”
“A-Mei didn’t dare tell Mr. Zhang before. But today she confessed, and he was very happy. Both families get along, the kids are good friends—what a wonderful family. They’ll probably get married soon.”
“… ”
“I wanted to ask what you think we should give them as a gift.”
“… ”
“Ren Ningyuan?”
For a moment, Qu Tongqiu almost thought he was having a heart attack. Panic wiped his mind blank as he shouted, “Little Ke! Little Ke!”
Qu Ke rushed in, alarmed at Ren Ningyuan’s pale face. “Uncle Ren? Are you okay?”
Qu Tongqiu was so frightened he couldn’t speak, frantically rubbing the man’s chest.
Ren Ningyuan slowly recovered, still expressionless, but he grasped his hand gently. “I’m fine.”
That mask-like calm finally angered Qu Tongqiu. “How can you be fine? Do you know how scary you looked? If you feel unwell, you should say so. Hiding it only makes us worry more.”
Qu Ke poured water and brought heart medication, still suspicious. “Uncle Ren… are you really okay?”
“Who knows? He’s been off all night and won’t say anything when asked.”
Even Qu Tongqiu felt restless now. With A-Mei’s situation still unresolved, he had no mood to prepare wedding gifts. “Little Ke, help Dad buy a present tomorrow.”
Qu Ke frowned warily. “What present? For who?”
“For your Aunt A-Mei.”
She frowned in refusal. “Why are we giving her a gift?”
“Sigh, she’s about to marry Mr. Zhang and will soon have a baby. Double happiness. We must give a generous, practical gift. Pick whatever you think is suitable. Money doesn’t matter—I’ll reimburse you.”
“… ”
When no answer came, Qu Tongqiu turned. “What’s wrong?”
Qu Ke’s expression was complicated. “…I’m going to sleep.” She left immediately, shutting the door firmly behind her.
Not only had she refused the task—she didn’t even care about Ren Ningyuan’s condition.
Feeling dejected, Qu Tongqiu helped Ren Ningyuan to bed, brought him water, and wiped his face with a towel, unsure how else to show concern.
“Feeling better?” His color looked improved.
Ren Ningyuan set down the cup and hummed in agreement.
“What happened? Did you suddenly feel unwell?”
Though not muscular, Ren Ningyuan had always been strong and graceful, never appearing strained. Yet that made this more worrying—when someone so healthy faltered, the illness could be worse than it seemed.
He didn’t know what was wrong, and Ren Ningyuan wouldn’t answer.
“If you won’t talk, at least tell the doctor so it can be treated.”
Ren Ningyuan smiled faintly. “Really, I’m fine.”
That distant calm suddenly pushed Qu Tongqiu to his limit. “There’s clearly something wrong—why won’t you say?”
Ren Ningyuan looked at him.
“Do I not deserve to know? Or would telling me be useless?”
Even he felt his tone was too bold, too offensive, but Ren Ningyuan only watched him quietly.
Facing that wall-like calm, Qu Tongqiu felt a fire burn in his chest.
“Yes, you don’t need me for anything. I can’t help much. But telling me doesn’t cost anything, does it? I should at least know. Is that too much to ask? After all, I’m…”
His anger faltered mid-sentence. What was he in this household?
After a moment, Ren Ningyuan said thoughtfully, “Maybe it wouldn’t matter much.”
“Huh?”
“If something really happened to me.”
“… ”
“Without me, maybe you could find a woman, marry, and have your own child.”
“… ”
“Wouldn’t that be good?”
Qu Tongqiu’s lips trembled. “You… what are you saying…”
“I’m just suggesting a possibility.”
After a long silence, Qu Tongqiu said, “I… don’t understand.”
“I mean, have you ever thought your life could have other choices besides this? Perhaps one day you could meet a woman you like, marry her, and have your own child.”
Qu Tongqiu couldn’t speak for several minutes.
Clinging to the title of “Qu Ke’s father,” stubbornly following Ren Ningyuan without being asked to stay—perhaps, in some way, he truly had become a burden.
Maybe he should start over like a man, build his own family from scratch, have a wife and child of his own, instead of placing those feelings on Ren Ningyuan and Qu Ke.
