CH 33

Translator: Abo Dammen

Editor: Miha 

Proofreader: Agneya

Rubbing normal saline and applying calamine lotion every day helped lighten up the rash on Jiang Yunshu’s body. But when he was distracted, such as before going to bed, he would always feel itchy, and even the quality of his sleep would deteriorate. 

Today was Bai Tang’s first formal day at school. With dark circles under his eyes, he sent Bai Tang to the school and went straight to the company. Unexpectedly, the moment he stepped into the company door, he was caught.

“President Jiang, President Jiang! Hurryhurryhurryhurry!! President He had been waiting for quite a while!” Secretary Xu brisked over and stuffed a folder in Jiang Yunshu’s hand.

Jiang Yunshu used to be very confused. According to the tyrannical character of the original owner, why was Secretary Xu and his subordinates not afraid of him, but instead they were somewhat ‘cheeky’. Only later did he learn that the original owner had always been polite on the outside, with a very easy-going temper, a good image and temperament, and a well-known reputation. Everyone who had gotten along with him testified so.

However, the bad emotions accumulated in the outside world each day could only affect the one person in his family at home in this manner. And since the original owner was a beast donning a human mask, Bai Tang’s situation only got worse. 

“Here.” Jiang Yunshu sighed inwardly and stepped back a little from Secretary Xu.

The company was originally famous for the work of the original owner. 60% of the guests came here because of his reputation, but he really lacked talent in this area. After he announced to the outside world that he was washing his hands of the business, the number of people who made appointments to meet every day did not decrease at all, but instead made him a mascot-like existence. 

“President Jiang,” The first guest he received today was a beta who was over 50 years old. “Are you really going to be in seclusion?”

Jiang——Yunshu was fazed, essentially guessed what he meant, and played the fool. “Yeah.” 

The beta’s face was full of regret. “Okay. Then could you recommend to me which young’un under you who’s skilled.”

Jiang Yunshu immediately picked up the folder and talked in a proficient manner that made people’s hearts ache. 

After finally sending one away with great difficulty, he quickly took out “Modern Oncology“. And just as he flipped it to the bookmarked page, Secretary Xu knocked on the door again. “President Jiang! Another guest!”

Jiang Yunshu was done at this point. “Didn’t I say I wouldn’t see guests? Which designer are they looking for exactly.” 

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At noon, Jiang Yunshu casually cooked something to eat. Only until it was the third time he took out a few strands of dog fur from his mouth did his gaze finally move to Heitang who was staring at him and frantically wagging its tail.

“…Say, you, aren’t you shedding too much fur recently?” Jiang Yunshu ran his hands along Heitang to smooth his fur, and a lot of fur floated into the air, resembling catkins. Meanwhile, Heitang’s head formed a bald spot! 

Jiang Yunshu was greatly alarmed. He hurriedly arranged the dog’s head, trying to cover up his crime of balding Heitang. “……”

Heitang’s black orbs shone bright. It tilted its head to stare at its owner, clueless. “?” 

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yunshu fanned the air in front of him, swept away all the fur, and searched online: What to do if a dog loses its fur and becomes bald?

It’s popular science that dogs have a shedding period when they’re about 4-5 months old. Like dandelions, their hair needs to be taken good care of. 

He refused to be misled by hearsay and pulled again. In an instant, his hands were full of fur, and a small patch on Heitang’s back sank.

“It’s over,” Jiang Yunshu looked at Heitang, who was bald everywhere, “how do I explain this to your other owner?” 

—— 

Dundundun——dundundundun—— 

Because there was still one semester left for the college entrance exam in the third year, Bai Tang was arranged to attend the class together with the second years.

The class bell rang at 2 pm, after the lunch break. Bai Tang was sitting in the last row in a brand-new blue and white school uniform. His face was small and pale. His hair was cut short, revealing his small ears. He had a neat and refreshing temperament, and he seemed to blend in with a bunch of minors. At first, his classmates thought he was their age, someone who had transferred from another school. 

Bai Tang took out the geography textbook from the desk compartment then sat upright. He was ecstatic all day, and his focus was unrivalled. He couldn’t keep up with the teacher’s flow of thought, but he could plainly hear every word.

Perhaps because the opportunity to study again was hard-won, that’s why he especially cherished it. 

Bai Tang’s eyes were sparkling. He loved school so much!

When the bell rang, the geography teacher arrived and wrote ‘Cross regional distribution of resources’ on the board. He then turned around and swept his eyes. When his attention was drawn to a certain location, it collided with Bai Tang’s. Both had shock in their gazes. 

When the dismissal bell rang, Bai Tang immediately took his transparent cup and stealthily went through the back door and walked to the pantry.

In the background, the ear-splitting din of construction works could be heard. From time to time, he’d hear the sounds of laughter and conversations as a couple of the students passed by. He observed the water in the cup steadily rising. He felt guilty, ashamed, and a bit low-spirited. 

“Bai Tang?” Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly came from the pantry door. “Is that you?”

Bai Tang froze. Then, he took a deep breath, turned around, and pretended to calmly pull the corners of his mouth. “Ruyun… Long time no see.”

—— 

It was already 8:20pm when the evening self-study concluded. Jiang Yunshu, who was waiting outside the school gate, saw the students come out in pairs and trios, and without exception, all of them had family members or friends waiting outside the gate. No omega was alone.

After waiting for a while, he saw Bai Tang from afar, carrying a pure white backpack, walking out of the classroom building. He stood at the school gate, his gaze subtly roaming around, seemingly searching for his figure.

“Bai Tang, here.” Jiang Yunshu took a few steps forward and waved to show his presence.

He actually came to pick him up after school… Bai Tang was a little dumbfounded as he slowly walked over. 

Soon, Jiang Yunshu noticed that Bai Tang didn’t seem to be in high spirits. He slumped in the co-pilot seat without saying a word.

Why is he like this? Is he unhappy with school? Is the school food bad? Was he ostracised by his classmates? Bullied? A row of question marks flashed through the mind of the worried old father. 

He racked his brains for a sentence. “Did something happen at school?”

Really, it’s like a parent trying to find a common topic of conversation. 

It was better if he didn’t talk. The moment he opened his mouth, Bai Tang, who was in a trance, jerked. He subconsciously huddled next to the car door, and after he reacted, he slowly relaxed, but he was still nervous. Because of Zheng Ruyun’s appearance, he almost forgot that he was not completely sure whether the man beside him was Jiang Yunsu himself.

He leaned himself back to the right, but this time it was discreet. His response was vague, “…It’s nothing.” 

Jiang Yunshu didn’t delve deeper into it, and smoothly changed the subject. “It seems to be Heitang’s shedding season.”

“Shedding season?” When it came to Heitang, Bai Tang talked a lot. “Ah, yes. I checked online. Dogs will have a shedding period when they’re about 4 to 5 months old. Heitang is more than 4 months old…” 

“But the current Heitang is a bit…” Jiang Yunshu paused, trying to organise his words, intending to make a psychological construction for Bai Tang. “Ugly.”

——  

Bai Tang stood at the door with wide eyes.

Critical hit. 

S-So ugly… It looked as if the dog lost a round.

“Arf arf arf!” Heitang didn’t know why its two owners stood at the door and didn’t come in, but it could feel the warm gazes of the two owners! It wagged its tail more enthusiastically, very self-expressive, and some more fur was shed! 

“It’s like this.” Jiang Yunshu casually touched the shoe cabinet and picked up a few furs. “That’s why I want to ask the housekeeper to do the cleaning and cooking. It’s the original housekeeper. What do you think?”

The housekeeping aunt was a beta, the only outsider and the only person who treated Bai Tang well in the three years that he was abused. 

As expected of an elder who had met a lot of people in her life. The first time she came, she completely understood Bai Tang’s situation just by looking at him. Every time she came, she would bring him some desserts, chat with him, and comfort him.

Bai Tang affectionately called her ‘Aunt Chen’. 

After a few meetings, Bai Tang would always see his grandmother’s shadow in her.

He remembered that there was that time when he tried to commit suicide, and Aunt Chen persuaded him.

Bai Tang poured his whole affection on Heitang. He touched his dog’s puffy hair, distressed and feeling comical. “I think it’s alright…”

Author’s Feed:

Zheng Ruyun is a male omega.