The Cold and Ruthless Supporting Male Lead

As a new father, Hai Ku doted on his son exceptionally. Not only because he had liked him when he observed him before, but now that he had truly become his father, his affection for the boy was unstoppable.

“Son, what do you want to eat today? Pick anything you like,” Hai Ku said enthusiastically as they arrived at the vegetable market. He gestured grandly at the stalls, ready to celebrate properly.

“Dad, there’s just the two of us. How much can we eat? I just feel like having scrambled eggs with chives today. If you want something else, you can buy that too,” Zhang Xiaobao said casually, a small backpack slung over his shoulders. He wasn’t particularly concerned since he already knew his father’s cooking skills.

“How about I get you some pig brain?” Hai Ku said as he ruffled Zhang Xiaobao’s hair with a hint of concern. “I see how much stress you’ve been under with all your studying lately. A bit of pig brain might help boost your mental energy.”

Zhang Xiaobao: “…” How did I end up with a father like this?

While this father and son were enjoying their close bond, Ning Yourou stood in a corner, her eyes welling up with tears. After 10 years of hard work abroad, she had finally succeeded in her career and established her own company. Yet, she couldn’t even touch her own son…

Determined to make up for the motherly love her son had been deprived of over the past 10 years, Ning Yourou clenched her teeth and left the vegetable market.

Hai Ku and Zhang Xiaobao enjoyed a relaxed life for another 2 or 3 days.

***

On Friday after school, Ning Yourou intercepted Hai Ku, who had come to pick up Zhang Xiaobao.

She was wearing a snow-white chiffon dress with spaghetti straps and six-centimeter high heels. If one didn’t look closely, Ning Yourou hardly seemed like a 28-year-old woman.

Hai Ku found it odd. Female leads in Mary Sue stories always seemed to have a delicate, innocent air about them, regardless of their profession. Whether they were secretaries in professional attire or unemployed, they always presented a pitiable little white flower image when meeting other men.

Looking at the woman blocking his way, Hai Ku feigned a surprised expression. “Miss, is there something I can help you with?”

In the company, Ning Yourou was used to maintaining an air of superiority. Now, however, she had to lower herself and cautiously asked, “May I speak with you?”

“Sorry, but I need to pick up my son from school. If it’s something urgent, please find someone else,” Hai Ku said with an apologetic smile before turning toward the school gate.

It was peak school dismissal time, and there were many parents coming and going. Hai Ku knew that Ning Yourou cared about her image and would never cause a scene in such a public setting. He walked away confidently, almost arrogantly.

Elementary schools dismissed students class by class. When Hai Ku spotted the fourth-grade sign, he waited nearby. As the class approached the gate, he waved at Zhang Xiaobao.

Like a little rabbit, Zhang Xiaobao dashed out and happily asked, “Dad, can we go to the amusement park this weekend?”

“We just went there a couple of weeks ago, didn’t we?” Hai Ku said as he pulled his son close by the shoulder. He had done plenty of research to keep his son entertained. “How about we visit the science museum instead?”

After some thought, Zhang Xiaobao agreed. “That works too!”

Hai Ku thought he had successfully avoided the female lead, but when they returned to the apartment complex, he found her waiting at the gate.

As they approached, still some distance away, Hai Ku tugged on his son’s backpack. “Xiao Bao, don’t you think that woman looks suspicious?”

Zhang Xiaobao frowned.

Despite his high IQ of 280, he was still just a child and couldn’t help but feel afraid. Clutching Hai Ku’s sleeve, he whispered, “I’ve seen her several times before. I think she’s been watching me. Dad, you’d better take me to school tomorrow.”

Ning Yourou was also feeling anxious. She hadn’t dared approach at the school gate because of the crowd, so she waited at the apartment complex entrance. However, the security guards wouldn’t let her in, leaving her to stand outside.

After waiting so long, her feet ached from the high heels, but her outfit left her no choice but to stand upright.

Finally, when they walked closer, Ning Yourou was about to speak, only to be startled by Zhang Xiaobao’s wary gaze.

Ning Yourou hesitated, then carefully called out, “Xiao Bao…”

Zhang Xiaobao’s heart raced. This person is indeed terrifying.

“Dad, pick me up!” Without hesitation, he climbed onto Hai Ku’s lap, looking thoroughly frightened.

At 10 years old, he hadn’t been carried in years, but fearing a human trafficker, he clung tightly to Hai Ku.

Seeing her son so afraid of her, Ning Yourou felt her heart shatter. Her face turned pale, and her voice grew urgent. “Xiao Bao, I… I’m your mother!”

Zhang Xiaobao: “Pfft…”

Hai Ku: “…” Damn, nice one! That’s my boy!

“Xiao Bao, I really am your mother! Look how much we look alike!” Feeling as though she could no longer stand, Ning Yourou pulled a picture from her bag. “If you don’t believe me, you can look at this picture. This is your father in the picture, isn’t it? You two are like two peas in a pod.”

“My Dad is holding me right now!” With a serious expression, Zhang Xiaobao turned his head away with a huff. “Auntie, if you keep this up, I’ll call the police. Are you trying to kidnap me?”

“No, no, that’s not my intention…” Ning Yourou was startled by Zhang Xiaobao’s accusation and quickly started to explain, “I’m just too excited to see you. It’s okay if you don’t recognize me now. We can talk slowly.”

“You expect me to believe this nonsense?” Leaning on Hai Ku for support, Zhang Xiaobao maintained eye level with Ning Yourou. “Do you think I’m a fool?”

Ning Yourou was rendered speechless. “I…”

“Ahem, Miss, you must have mistaken us for someone else. Please don’t scare my son,” Hai Ku said, his face bearing a noble and dignified expression. He gave her a polite smile before walking into the residential complex without a backward glance.

Caught off guard, Ning Yourou found herself unable to stop them.

Turning her gaze to the security guard stationed at the gate, a glimmer of hope returned to her eyes. “Big brother…”

Having witnessed everything, the security guard was visibly uneasy, his expression akin to someone looking at a human trafficker.

Softening her tone, Ning Yourou decided she needed to make an effort. “Big brother, could you please let me in? That really is my son.”

“Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve worked here for 6 years, and that father and son have lived here just as long. You’re just a liar, aren’t you?” The guard pointed at her accusingly, his tone unfriendly. “I’m telling you, young lady, you’re quite pretty, so don’t go around doing something as awful as trafficking children.”

Ning Yourou’s face instantly turned awkward. She smoothed her hair nervously, unwilling to force her way in. Disappointed, she had no choice but to leave and wait for another opportunity.

***

Once they got home, Zhang Xiaobao patted his chest in a dramatic show of relief. “That scared me to death! Dad, that woman was so terrifying!”

“Yeah, I was startled too!” Mimicking his son’s actions, Hai Ku patted his own chest, clearly enjoying the moment.

In truth, how did he feel inside? Absolutely elated!

“Dad, you must never abandon me,” Zhang Xiaobao said as he threw his small backpack aside and rolled into Hai Ku’s arms. The father and son lay together on the couch; the groceries they had bought sitting untouched on the coffee table.

“How could I? You’re my precious son. I fed you and raised you with so much care; how could I ever abandon you?” Hai Ku said, pinching his son’s cheek with a hint of emotion.

Although Zhang Xiaobao’s face showed some distaste, he didn’t move his head away. “Even though I’m touched, Dad, what you said is so gross…”

“Hahaha!” Feeling utterly refreshed, Hai Ku didn’t forget to use the experience points he had gained to purchase the female lead’s cheat ability.

Although he hadn’t finished reading the story, that didn’t matter. His priority was keeping the child by his side. As for how the female lead soared to success, Hai Ku couldn’t care less.

[The female lead, Ning Yourou, possesses the cheat ability of “commanding wind and rain” in this world.]

[What does ‘commanding wind and rain’ mean?] Hai Ku was puzzled.

[It means something like, “The weather has turned cold; it’s time to bankrupt the Wang family…”

(T/N: The weather has turned cold; it’s time to bankrupt the Wang family = Chinese meme; something that’s always said by wealthy characters when they simply decide to crush another family easily.)

Hai Ku: “…”

***

The weather turned cold, and Hai Ku was fired…

“Mr. Zhang, as far as I know, you are currently unemployed. Given your circumstances, how can you possibly take proper care of a child?” Sitting across from Hai Ku, Ning Yourou’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

It had been more than a week since Hai Ku lost his job. In another month, the summer vacation would begin, and by then, it would be impossible to hide his unemployment from Zhang Xiaobao.

However, this plotline where the female lead caused Hai Ku to lose his job wasn’t in the original story.

Falling into deep thought, Hai Ku began pondering how long his savings could last or how much time it would take him to secure a new job.

“Mr. Zhang, are you listening to me?” Ning Yourou’s face darkened. She was a powerful boss at her company, and no one had ever dared to zone out in front of her like this.

Hai Ku gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, I got distracted just now. What were you saying?”

Ning Yourou: “…”

“What is it?” Hai Ku asked, pretending not to notice her increasingly sour expression.

“Mr. Zhang, I hope you can think about what’s best for the child. Considering your current financial situation, it’s impossible for you to provide Xiao Bao with the best upbringing. Moreover, he’s already missed out on 10 years of a mother’s love. I don’t believe you have the right to deprive him of the chance to be with his mother.”

Taking out a check from her bag, Ning Yourou slid it across the table toward him. “I hope you’ll consider this.”