Chapter 4: He Chases, He Runs
The car arrived at the airport, and even after getting out, the staff continued explaining things to Tang Yue.
Tang Yue held Tang Mian’s hand. His expression was impassive, cold, and distinctly aloof despite his casual attire. But the young child, smiling brightly, softened Tang Yue’s coldness.
Viewers in the livestream found it hard to accept the fact that Tang Yue had a child, but the child was proof.
At this time, the top trending topics on other platforms were all related to the variety show “A Journey with a Child.”
The top three trending posts were filled with outrage and accusations.
——”Who slept with our maknae and then abandoned the child?!”
——”Let’s dig up all the women who interacted with Tang Yue in the past three years!”
——”I don’t care anymore! I’d rather the child was Tang Yue’s own than imagine my idol having a child, wuwuwu!!”
The posts were filled with heartfelt anguish and vivid descriptions, resonating deeply with fans of other boy bands.
The person involved, however, was angered by the program crew’s last-minute notification.
Tang Yue knew about the breach of contract penalty, but his motivation wasn’t money; it was Liang Yi’s suggestion.
Having successfully avoided the deadly time node in the original story, Tang Yue naturally assumed the main characters would have a happy ending.
Though he hadn’t gotten the love he had fantasized about, he did have a blood relative.
After all, if it weren’t for Liang Yi’s help back then, Tang Yue wouldn’t have known how to raise the child.
Liang Yi also knew Tang Yue wanted to return to the stage and suggested this as a way to familiarize himself with cameras again.
But the thought of traveling with strangers for half a month immediately made Tang Yue want to quit.
No matter how many years passed, his inherent “solitary” nature remained unchanged.
Perhaps Tang Yue’s solitary nature in his original world, and his experience of being bullied and mocked, had created a conflict within him after transmigrating.
He was socially anxious yet craved excitement, enjoying being alone while watching others having fun.
He was shy yet loved performing on stage, loved seeing the vast sea of lightsticks from Away’s fans.
He unconsciously furrowed his brows, his facial expression in the camera transitioning from a youthful look to a more mature one, still captivating viewers.
Tang Yue looked up: “If it’s not just me and Mian participating, then is it okay if I go back?”
The livestream was still on, and most viewers didn’t think Tang Yue was being arrogant.
Ninety percent of the show’s audience was made up of fans. Those who were not familiar with the situation would still find themselves unconsciously staring at Tang Yue’s face, like the other viewers.
“Tang Yue is still so cute when he’s angry!!”
“I wanted to kiss him to death when he first debuted! Damn it, even though he’s a dad now, he still doesn’t have that greasy middle-aged man vibe!! I still love him so much!”
“That familiar furrowed brow, the familiar lifted chin, little cat is so proud hahaha, so cute.”
“He’s still so unapproachable. Has he not made any friends in all these years?”
“It’s only natural for Tang Yue to have no friends. He’s like an untamable cat, looking expensive, yet wild and cold-hearted.”
“No matter how many years have passed, Away’s fans are still so eloquent, wuwuwu, that familiar feeling!”
Staff: “This…”
Having already arrived at the airport, this was extremely awkward.
Just as the director was about to call the producer, Tang Mian tugged at Tang Yue’s sleeve.
He called Tang Yue “Dad,” his milky voice full of affection: “But I haven’t been on a plane before.”
The child was incredibly adorable, capable of endearing even those who didn’t like children.
His long eyelashes fluttered when he blinked, easily melting hearts.
“Why is he called Little Mian?! So cute!!”
“Tang Yue’s naming sense is so unique, doesn’t his wife think it’s strange?”
“Can this show finally tell us who slept with Tang Yue?! So awesome!”
“I still think he’s young… what do I do, I can’t accept it.”
“This child’s eyes are so similar to Jiang Shulu’s! Does Jiang Shulu have any sisters or brothers? I seriously suspect it’s a Jiang family member!”
“That doesn’t make sense, though, why did Jiang Shulu lose contact with Tang Yue too?”
Tang Yue: “Next time…”
Tang Mian: “What next time? What year, month, day, and time?”
The child held Tang Yue’s hand, his anticipation evident: “Xiao Yue, I want to go on one. You said there would be mountains, seas, and boats!”
“LMAO, why is he calling his own dad by his name.”
“Two adorable babies.”
Tang Yue looked at the staff, then at his surroundings, before agreeing.
He still tried to resist, asking, “I don’t have to share a room with others, right?”
Staff: “It depends, we can adjust it.”
Tang Yue was relieved.
While Tang Yue walked forward, Tang Mian gave a V-sign to the staff.
Tang Yue didn’t see it, but the livestream viewers did.
“The little guy has two faces!”
“Hahahaha, is he setting his dad up??”
Tang Yue hadn’t been out in many years, perhaps having gotten used to staying at home in his original world’s cold landfill. He didn’t seem to be very out of place.
But once he entered the airport terminal, the announcements, the crowd… all blended together, easily stirring up memories of his three years traveling with his bandmates.
However, this airport was newly built, having opened in early last year. Tang Yue had never been here before.
As he followed the staff to the VIP waiting area, he was surrounded by numerous fans who had heard the news.
Bodyguards still led the way.
Besides longtime fans, there were also new fans, all looking excited, shouting Tang Yue’s name.
Tang Yue silently lowered his head. Tang Mian, on the other hand, curiously looked around, noticing banners and lightsticks.
Tang Mian: “Dad, they’re calling your name.”
Tang Yue hummed in response.
Back then, Yao ge would be standing beside him, San ge would sign autographs, Er ge would chat with fans.
The captain…
The captain would just tell me to stop playing with my phone.
I wonder how he’s doing now…
Tang Yue had cut off almost all contact with the outside world and deliberately avoided the news. He had assumed Jiang Shulu and Liu Xi Chao were together.
After all, he had tried, but fate was unchangeable, and the facts could not be falsified.
Those two were just secretly dating back then.
Ge Liu was so gentle; they must still get along well with the captain.
They should have officially announced it by now, right?
Tang Yue knew that even if a story was unfinished, there was still an ending beyond the story.
Yet, Tang Yue felt so despicable that he didn’t want to offer his blessings.
He also felt self-loathing, feeling like he had committed the crime of abandoning his father and keeping the child.
Staff: “Mr. Tang, this way.”
Tang Yue and Tang Mian entered the VIP room.
At this moment, Yao Lixin was still chatting with Jiang Shulu.
He was very talkative, and in the short wait, he had already expressed his anticipation for the show and continued to chat with Jiang Shulu about his recent family life.
The comments said he was practically interrogating him.
Jiang Shulu answered selectively. When Yao Lixin mentioned, “I heard you went on a blind date recently,” he noticed the commotion at the door.
The cameraman carrying the equipment stepped across the threshold. A tall, slender figure in a blue sweatshirt followed, a figure both familiar and unfamiliar, causing Jiang Shulu to instinctively stand up.
Yao Lixin was startled and followed Jiang Shulu’s gaze.
A tall young man entered, holding a child’s hand. His calm demeanor was the same as before, but the child he held seemed extraordinarily lively, looking around curiously.
Outside the glass door were enthusiastic fans, the noise barely muffled, just like the vast sea of fans from those days.
But Jiang Shulu felt the world was silent.
Because Tang Yue had looked up.
Staff: “The other two guests for this trip are inside.”
Tang Yue was still unhappy. He casually glanced up and, from a distance of five or six meters, precisely saw the people sitting in the booth.
One standing, one sitting.
They seemed the same as before, yet everything had changed.
Tang Yue froze.
Jiang Shulu froze.
Only Yao Lixin strode over, his surprised eyes on the child Tang Yue held: “It’s really your child?”
He bent down to look at Tang Mian: “Hello, little one, I’m your brother, what should you call me?”
“Help! This scene, will post-production add background music?”
“They’re cutting the shots!! Tang Yue, why are your eyes red!! It makes me think the wrong things!”
“Yao Lixin, don’t take advantage!”
“Look at Jiang Shulu’s hands, they’re shaking?? Am I seeing things!! This is our most steady captain!”
“Why do I get the feeling he’s running away with the child…”
“Tang Yue, is that a serious retreating step?”
Tang Mian was about to speak, but the next second, Tang Yue picked him up and turned to leave.
Yao Lixin exclaimed, bewildered: “What’s going on?”
The staff were stunned, but Jiang Shulu was quicker, chasing after them.
Tang Mian, held by Tang Yue, didn’t struggle, only whispering in Tang Yue’s ear, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
Tang Yue pursed his lips, not knowing how to explain.
For example—
That man inside is the person you’ve been thinking about for all these years.
Your mother didn’t die, she’s just male, and I, a man, gave birth to you.
But that’s too unnatural.
After eight years of transmigration, Tang Yue felt he had perfectly integrated, but Tang Mian’s existence constantly reminded him, “You’re not from this world.”
Men in this world can’t have children.
Absolutely! Absolutely cannot be revealed.
This was a secret Tang Yue would never reveal.
Tang Yue had always had average physical fitness. During his time in the group, additional training would exhaust him, and a concert would leave him incapacitated for several days.
Even more so now, after years of seclusion, he only occasionally practiced his vocals, lacking in all aspects except lung capacity.
He wasn’t a match for the increasingly mature Jiang Shulu.
Fans outside, stopped by security, watched a tall and handsome man chase after Tang Yue, who was running while carrying a child. Many couldn’t help but scream.
Tang Yue was a young man, yet he still had the fresh air of a teenager.
Jiang Shulu easily caught up to Tang Yue, grabbing his shoulder. A familiar yet strange beautiful face was inches away.
Jiang Shulu called him “Xiao Yue.”
His brows furrowed slightly, as if carefully observing Tang Yue.
Seeing Tang Yue panting, Jiang Shulu’s annoyance at being avoided dissipated.
He said helplessly, “Have you stopped exercising?”
He extended his hand towards Tang Mian: “Let me hold the child.”
But Tang Yue quickly took half a step back, seeming very alert: “No!”
His nervousness gave Jiang Shulu the illusion that he was trying to snatch the child.
The man sighed, seeming amused by Tang Yue.
“Okay.”
He looked at Tang Mian: “Then, little one, do you want uncle to hold you? Your dad is out of breath.”
This was Tang Mian’s first time seeing Jiang Shulu.
The camera crew diligently recorded this scene.
Anyone would marvel at the similarity between the two.
“Is it possible for men to give birth now?”
“All I can think about are those Tang Yue pregnancy fanfics I read in school… No!”
“How is this child both like Tang Yue and Jiang Shulu?”
Tang Yue was about to refuse, but Tang Mian reached out to Jiang Shulu.
His voice still held a child’s naiveté, yet it was endearing: “Uncle, hold me.”
Tang Yue thought: It’s over.
This fifteen-day trip, will the captain remember what we did back then?