Chapter 45

Chapter 45

The bakery had indeed closed early. Before heading home, Lu Yao specifically sought out a pet store, where he purchased a cage, dog food, and a range of other pet supplies.

These assorted items were quite heavy. Lu Yao spent a few extra yuan to cycle home, but thankfully, his apartment was on the first floor. He successfully managed to get all the puppy’s new furnishings inside by himself.

Lu Yao gently lifted the puppy out. Its new cage was lined with a soft cushion, and following the pet store owner’s instructions, Lu Yao had also set aside a designated spot for the puppy to relieve itself.

“It needs to be soaked in goat’s milk. It should be soft by now, right?”

Lu Yao hesitantly poked at the food. The puppy, meanwhile, joyfully scampered around the room, eventually flopping down at Lu Yao’s feet and wagging its tail.

Lu Yao smiled, watching it. “Hungry, are we? Come on, let’s eat.”

The puppy munched away with gusto. Lu Yao stroked its soft fur; the little creature felt warm. “You’re like a dollop of cream.”

He nodded, confirming his own thought. “You’ll be called Cream.”

Cream, oblivious to its new name, finished its meal, meticulously licked the bowl clean, then sat upright, tilting its head to gaze at Lu Yao.

Lu Yao picked Cream up and held it close. Having a small dog, he thought, felt right for him.

A lovable little animal could momentarily make him forget life’s sorrows, and its affectionate licks might even help heal his wounds.

Lu Yao’s hands were cool, and the puppy, sniffing the cool scent, playfully chased his fingers.

“I don’t have a home, and neither do you,” Lu Yao said, tapping Cream’s tiny head. “But now, this is our home.”

Lu Yao calculated his savings. He felt an even stronger urge to open his own dessert shop, ideally with a small, private space—just enough for him and Cream.

Looking into the puppy’s dark eyes, Lu Yao made a solemn promise. “I will protect you.”

He hadn’t protected Nian Nian, and that was his fault. This time, he wouldn’t let this puppy suffer any harm.

He and Cream would live an ordinary, happy life together.

Cream adapted well to its new home on the first day. The one struggling to adjust in the empty house was someone else entirely.

For the past four months, Fu Yanhuai had rarely returned home.

Initially, it was due to Nian Nian’s continuous hospitalization. Without Lu Yao, Nian Nian’s need for pheromones became even more demanding. While in Lu Yao’s womb, Nian Nian had received a perfectly balanced and continuous supply of caramel and silver fir pheromones. This ideal environment should have lasted until Nian Nian could independently and naturally face the world, but this beautiful utopia had abruptly shattered the moment he was born.

Fu Yanhuai spent long hours at the hospital every day. He couldn't quite tell who the baby resembled; premature babies were so tiny, and their eyes were open for only brief moments.

For that entire month, Fu Yanhuai wore a healing gland patch on his neck to aid wound recovery. Gland extraction was more strenuous for alphas than for omegas; a thick, long needle had to pierce through the muscles of the neck to reach the gland, leaving large, persistent bruises that looked terrifying.

But what Nian Nian truly needed was still Lu Yao.

The villa was silent, not a single light turned on. It had been quiet even when Lu Yao was there, but this silence was different.

Fu Yanhuai stopped at the entrance, not venturing further inside.

He had to admit, the difference between Lu Yao’s presence and absence was not as trivial as he had imagined.

The butler appeared from somewhere, silently switching on the lights.

That day, after sending Lu Yao to the hospital, the butler had left a message for Wen Zheng before rushing to arrange the purchase of all necessary post-delivery items. The lawyer had introduced himself as representing Mr. Fu, so the butler had confidently allowed him to wait outside the operating room.

The butler neither understood nor approved of Fu Yanhuai’s actions. He quietly said, “Mr. Fu, you’re back.”

Fu Yanhuai gave a faint “Mm” and stepped back into the house.

Before Fu Yanhuai could go upstairs, the butler spoke up. “Will you be having breakfast at home tomorrow morning? If so, I’ll have the kitchen prepare the ingredients for tomorrow’s breakfast.”

Fu Yanhuai paused for a long time. In the past, the butler would never have asked Fu Yanhuai such a question; the kitchen would prepare three meals a day according to the nutritionist’s recommendations. Fu Yanhuai had never cared much about food, unless Lu Yao had a particular craving and would happily share his “unhealthy food” with Fu Yanhuai at the dining table.

Even further back, Lu Yao would cook for him to please him, along with some of the desserts he made himself.

Fu Yanhuai found himself thinking of Lu Yao more and more often.

He turned his head. The sofa on the left side of the first floor was Lu Yao’s usual spot. Every night when Fu Yanhuai returned home, Lu Yao would be curled up there like a fluffy little animal, waiting for him.

Fu Yanhuai would hug him, then lean down to kiss him.

“No need,” Fu Yanhuai heard himself say. “I have something to do tomorrow morning.”

Fu Yanhuai continued upstairs. He could no longer recall what his life was like without Lu Yao. Was it always like this—returning from work and exchanging a few perfunctory words with the butler?

Fu Yanhuai couldn’t remember.

During their time at the Fu family’s old estate, Fu Yanhuai had noticed Lu Yao’s fondness for red roses. Fu Yanhuai had never imagined Lu Yao would like such a vibrant, intense color, but from then on, the fresh flowers in the house were always red roses.

Deep blue satin lay beneath them, the contrast of intense colors creating a striking visual impact.

In the fourth month since Lu Yao left, Fu Yanhuai thought of him countless times.

Life moved forward peacefully. Lu Yao quickly adjusted to life with just him and his dog. Cream was a very well-behaved yet lively puppy. Hearing its little paws pattering around the house every day, Lu Yao’s mood gradually improved.

While working in the mornings, Lu Yao would leave the balcony door open. The first floor connected to a small garden, allowing Cream more space to run around.

The shop wasn’t large; usually, one person handled the cashier while another made desserts in the back. Lu Yao typically wasn’t assigned to the register, but today, the pretzels were selling out quickly, and Yao Jun was swamped.

Yao Jun hastily called out, “Little Deer, can you help me at the register for a bit?”

Lu Yao wiped his hands and quickly emerged from the back kitchen, but he froze when he reached the counter.

A young mother was there to pay, her baby lying in a stroller, clutching a small cookie and taking a slobbery bite.

The baby hadn’t grown teeth yet, so it certainly couldn’t chew. The small cookie was a mess of drool, and its mother bent down, affectionately pinching the baby’s cheek. “Making a mess again, huh?”

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Lu Yao watched the scene unfold, unable to stop himself from recalling his own child.

For eight months, Lu Yao had poured all his love into his baby, eagerly and joyfully awaiting its birth. But, but…

The baby hummed, clutching the cookie tighter. Its gaze accidentally swept over Lu Yao, and it stared at him with curiosity.

The mother apologized, “Sorry, have you been waiting long?”

Lu Yao blinked. He lowered his head and quickly stepped behind the counter, trying his best to conceal his unusual demeanor.

He scanned the cookie jar and placed it in a bag, his eyes downcast as he murmured, “Just scan here.”

As the young mother paid, a mix of bitterness and impulse overwhelmed him. Lu Yao couldn’t help but ask hoarsely, “Your baby… is very cute.”

She paused for a moment on the other side, but quickly smiled. “Thank you. Ruirui, wave goodbye to the big brother.”

The baby flailed its arms clumsily. Lu Yao stood stiffly in place for a long time.

“Nian Nian… Nian Nian must have been just as cute.”

If the baby took after him, then Nian Nian would probably have a pair of big eyes.

If he resembled Fu Yanhuai…

Lu Yao feared his tears would dampen his mask and alert Yao Jun to his distress. He forced himself to stop thinking and turned back to the kitchen.

At first, Yao Jun didn’t notice anything amiss with Lu Yao. He was busy bagging the pretzels one by one, while Lu Yao silently stood beside him, helping with the packaging.

Yao Jun casually asked, “What did that customer just buy? She seemed in a hurry.”

Lu Yao’s voice sounded no different than usual. “A child was playing around and grabbed a jar of cookies, so she bought it.”

Yao Jun immediately sensed trouble. He cautiously said, “Kids that age do like to run around.”

Lu Yao finished packing the last loaf and took it out. “No, the child couldn’t even speak yet. I’ll go stock the bread.”

Yao Jun regretted his words, slapping his thigh in frustration. He hadn’t originally planned to hire anyone; business was just okay, and he had intended to sell the shop and move to another city.

But then, one day, a man who seemed clearly important gave him a sum of money along with an employment contract.

Not long after, Lu Yao showed up looking for work.

Over the past few months, Yao Jun had vaguely pieced together that Lu Yao had a child before coming here to live alone. Lu Yao had an easygoing nature and worked diligently, so Yao Jun always tried to avoid overworking him.

But today was unexpected. Yao Jun was stuck between a rock and a hard place, unsure whether he should report the incident to that important client.

Lu Yao returned home as usual. Cream, having long recognized his footsteps, rushed out and circled him excitedly.

Lu Yao forced a smile. “Have you been waiting long?”

Cream let out those little puppy whimpers unique to a puppy seeking affection. Lu Yao crouched down and hugged Cream tightly.

His voice sounded muffled. “Cream, do you ever miss your mom?”

“I saw a baby today. He was so cute, but…”

A spot on Cream’s fur got wet. Lu Yao whispered, “But I had a baby too. Even though I don’t know what he looks like, he must've been that cute too.”

Cream didn’t understand what was wrong with its owner, but it sensed Lu Yao’s sadness and anxiously pressed its body against him, trying to wipe away his tears.

“I miss him so much,” Lu Yao managed to say, his voice choked. “I just want to see my child.”

Nian Nian was only a nickname—Lu Yao didn’t even know if the name was still being used.

Of course, Lu Yao had imagined holding Nian Nian in his arms, soothing him, kissing his little face.

But none of that was possible now. Clutching the only thing he could hold—his little dog—Lu Yao knelt on the floor, huddled in the corner by the door as he shut his eyes in anguish.

The next day was his day off, so Lu Yao slept in as expected.

After witnessing Lu Yao’s emotional breakdown the night before, Cream was on high alert today. The moment Lu Yao stirred, it dashed to the bedside and stared at him intently.

Lu Yao’s eyes were slightly swollen. He reached out to pat Cream’s head. “Morning, Cream. Are you hungry?”

Cream stood up, resting its paws on the edge of the bed as it studied Lu Yao carefully.

Normally, dogs weren’t allowed on the bed. But facing those puppy eyes, Lu Yao couldn’t ignore it.

He lifted Cream onto the bed, and the puppy circled once before settling into Lu Yao’s arms.

It was cloudy today, leaving the room dim. Lu Yao didn’t feel like getting up yet.

He mused aloud to Cream. “The chew toy I ordered for you should arrive today. It’s made of beef bone—I hope it’s not too big for you to gnaw on.”

Lu Yao wanted a cup of soy milk for breakfast and nothing else.

After working up the energy for a while longer, he finally got up and pulled open the curtains. Dark clouds covered the sky.

Lu Yao said worriedly, “Looks like it’s going to rain heavily.”

He needed to take Cream out for a walk quickly.

As Lu Yao changed clothes and fastened Cream’s leash, he hurriedly searched for a bag. Cream, bursting with energy, bounced around excitedly—just as the doorbell rang.

It was Cream’s chew toy, finally delivered.

Lu Yao rushed to open the door, speaking distractedly. “Hello, just leave it here is fine—”

The wind blew the door, and the doorknob hit the wall with a loud bang.

Lu Yao went completely still, staring at who stood there, even forgetting to shut the door.

“Lu Yao.”

Fu Yanhuai stepped closer slowly. “You’ve gotten thinner.”