Chapter 52

Chapter 52

After the car vanished from sight, Lu Yao remained by the roadside, unable to move. As Nian Nian receded further, a hollow ache settled in Lu Yao’s heart.

The alley was now deserted. Lu Yao stood there a while longer, comforting himself with the thought that Nian Nian would return on Sunday—the separation wouldn't be too long.

Back home, Lu Yao absently stroked Cream’s fur while scrolling through his phone. A deluge of articles and hospital recommendations for gland trauma repair flooded his screen. He pressed his lips together tightly.

Unable to resist, he touched his gland again. Aside from a slight swelling, it felt no different from a beta’s.

"Consequences of excessive inhibitor injections."

Lu Yao meticulously read every search result, but none offered truly useful information.

He grew increasingly agitated. Dwelling on it was pointless now; the most pressing concern was to restore Nian Nian to a healthy state.

When Nian Nian was carried back, still wailing inconsolably, Lu Yao wondered if he was hallucinating. Frowning, he glanced towards the balcony and was startled to see Fu Yanhuai’s car.

In an instant, Lu Yao rose and rushed to open the door. Fu Yanhuai met his gaze, caught off guard.

Lu Yao barely spared him a glance, his entire focus on the child. Seeing Nian Nian crying so hard he was gasping for breath, Lu Yao’s heart ached. "What happened?"

Taking Nian Nian into his arms, Lu Yao’s voice was laced with displeasure. "Is this what you meant by letting him stay with you until Sunday?"

"I didn’t expect him to cry this much," Fu Yanhuai murmured. "He’s very attached to you."

Lu Yao reminded him coolly, "That’s only natural. Nian Nian is my child."

Nian Nian’s sobs gradually subsided, but he remained unusually wary, clinging tightly to Lu Yao and refusing to let go.

"I know," Fu Yanhuai said, his expression unreadable. "You’re the one he needs most."

"Would you…"

Lu Yao held Nian Nian, the coffee table a barrier between them. Fu Yanhuai gazed at the short distance, which felt like an unbridgeable chasm.

Nian Nian nestled quietly in Lu Yao’s arms as Lu Yao gently patted his back. "What do you want to say?"

The scene was idyllic, yet Fu Yanhuai seemed utterly out of place.

"Would you be willing to return to the capital?"

It was progress, at least. The once autocratic alpha had learned to humble himself and ask for Lu Yao’s opinion.

Lu Yao couldn’t help but glance at Fu Yanhuai.

Finally, he stated bluntly, "If it’s for you, then no. But if it’s for treating my gland and taking care of Nian Nian, I won’t object."

No objection—yet returning to the capital was clearly not Lu Yao’s first choice.

"I’ll consult the hospitals for preliminary treatment plans, but you’ll still need to undergo examinations there."

Fu Yanhuai had already come to terms with Lu Yao’s stance. He had anticipated Lu Yao’s clear resistance, though he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

"But none of this is mandatory. I respect your decision."

"I’ll decide based on Nian Nian’s condition," Lu Yao replied impassively. "Don’t take him back today. I’m not comfortable with it."

His voice brooked no argument. Fu Yanhuai yielded without a moment’s hesitation. "Alright."

Fu Yanhuai returned to the capital alone. For him, there were no days off; every day was business as usual.

But now, something far more important had entered his life.

Lu Yao firmly rejected the nanny’s suggestion of using even a tiny bit of soothing agent. This time, he was mentally prepared. When Nian Nian cried in the middle of the night again, Lu Yao remained much calmer.

Nian Nian’s chubby face pressed against Lu Yao, his tears soaking a large patch of Lu Yao’s shirt. Lu Yao could feel that Nian Nian was truly uncomfortable.

The next night was no different.

Without soothing agents, they had to wait for Nian Nian’s distress to subside naturally.

Unlike his impulsive departure from the capital, Lu Yao’s decision to return this time was made after careful consideration.

Lu Yao resigned from his current job. To his surprise, Fu Yanhuai once again came along to pick him and Nian Nian up.

Fu Yanhuai tried his best to maximize his time with Lu Yao, but Lu Yao remained oblivious to his intentions. He simply found Fu Yanhuai’s presence unnecessary.

Throughout the journey, Lu Yao focused solely on entertaining Nian Nian, not sparing Fu Yanhuai a single glance.

Only when the car pulled into the Fu family estate did Lu Yao finally pause. He gazed silently at the luxurious mansion.

"I do need some time to find a place to rent. Nian Nian will be in good hands with Aunt Wen."

Fu Yanhuai looked at him deeply. "Just stay here. I won’t disturb you or the child."

Lu Yao had already begun unbuckling Nian Nian’s car seat straps. At Fu Yanhuai’s words, his eyelids fluttered.

"Stop calling her ‘Aunt Wen.’ She genuinely considers you her son. Don’t worry—your gland will heal."

The words sounded like a promise. Lu Yao hugged Nian Nian tighter, unwilling to dwell on Fu Yanhuai’s words. "Whether it can be healed depends on what the doctors say."

What right did Fu Yanhuai have to promise it would heal?

After a moment, Lu Yao added, "I don’t want to bother her. You take Nian Nian inside."

Though he wasn’t the one at fault, Lu Yao still didn’t know how to face Wen Zheng.

He had truly regarded her as his mother. Wen Zheng had given him the maternal love he had always yearned for. The warmth of family gatherings during the New Year had once brought him to tears of happiness. But in the end, it had all been an illusion.

Fu Yanhuai’s voice was steady and patient. "She’s your mother. Of course, she’d want to see her child come home."

Lu Yao’s nose suddenly tingled. His bond with Wen Zheng was entirely different from his relationship with Fu Yanhuai. Wen Zheng had done nothing wrong; on the contrary, she had been devoted to Lu Yao, loving him deeply.

He just felt so profoundly wronged.

"I’ll find a suitable place to move out as soon as possible. That’s all."

Lu Yao didn’t want to speak to him anymore. Fu Yanhuai lowered his gaze and said nothing further. As Lu Yao carried Nian Nian out of the car, Fu Yanhuai instinctively reached out to steady him, fearing he might stumble.

Lu Yao recoiled as if avoiding a dangerous beast. Fu Yanhuai froze slightly.

"I’m sorry. It’s my fault."

Lu Yao heard him but didn't slow his steps.

Sensing Lu Yao’s silence, Nian Nian deliberately whimpered to get his attention. "Shh, we’re almost there," Lu Yao whispered, kissing Nian Nian. "You must be tired from the ride."

Lu Yao was distracted. If Fu Yanhuai had humbled himself and communicated with him as an equal during the early days of their marriage, he would have been overjoyed and deeply content.

But Fu Yanhuai’s respect came far too late.

Lu Yao didn’t want Fu Yanhuai to affect him again. He paused on the path to compose himself before entering with a normal expression.

Wen Zheng arranged the last red rose, frequently glancing towards the door.

Only when the maid’s voice announced, "Mr. Lu, let me hold the young master," did Nian Nian’s protests immediately follow. Wen Zheng abruptly stood up and hurried towards Lu Yao.

Seeing her, the emotions Lu Yao had just suppressed surged again. He bit his tongue to steady himself, but Wen Zheng’s eyes reddened as she embraced him first.

"My child, you’ve gotten so thin. You’ve truly suffered."

Lu Yao let the tears fall. While Wen Zheng couldn’t see, he stifled a sob and whispered, "Mom… Mommy."

Wen Zheng hugged him tightly, just as Lu Yao had held Nian Nian when he cried at the door.

Wen Zheng had no idea what excuse Fu Yanhuai had used to coax him back, but now that Lu Yao was home, she felt relieved. With her personal care, it was far better than Lu Yao being alone in an unfamiliar place.

Wen Zheng pulled Lu Yao to sit down. Apart from slightly reddened eyes, he showed no other signs of distress. His emotions had not yet settled, so Lu Yao pretended to adjust Nian Nian’s collar to avoid Wen Zheng’s gaze.

Both Wen Zheng and Lu Yao had cried upon seeing each other. Nian Nian, clearly unaccustomed to such a scene, sat stunned on the sofa, letting Lu Yao fuss over him, glancing between Lu Yao and Wen Zheng.

Wen Zheng was amused by Nian Nian. "Nian Nian is quite brave. He doesn’t cry much, actually."

"Yes," Lu Yao said uncomfortably, turning back. "Except for waking up crying in the middle of the night, Nian Nian rarely cries at other times."

At the mention of this, Wen Zheng grew a little distressed. "What a mess."

She scoffed, "Fu Yanhuai went to the hospital these past two days. He made this mess himself; let’s see how he fixes it."

Fu Yanhuai had already gone to the hospital? Lu Yao squeezed Nian Nian’s chubby arm—no wonder he had mentioned it in the car earlier.

What could Fu Yanhuai do? In the end, Lu Yao would still have to follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment. Lu Yao didn’t respond to her comment.

Of course, Wen Zheng knew how outrageous Fu Yanhuai’s actions had been. Fearing she might add to Lu Yao’s stress, she immediately softened her tone. "I only see you as my child, and you should only see me as your mother. Whatever happens between you and Fu Yanhuai won’t affect your place in this home."

She looked at Lu Yao with tenderness. "When I left, you still had some flesh on your face."

Lu Yao had grown so thin that Wen Zheng could hardly bear to look. His once lively personality had now become withdrawn again.

Lu Yao tried to deflect. "Maybe I haven’t been eating well these past few months. Being a little thinner isn’t so bad; my old clothes fit again."

Wen Zheng’s heart ached even more. "I wouldn’t care if I had to make you a hundred outfits. Why would you need to save on such things?"

Both knew it wasn’t just about Lu Yao not eating well. Leaving just three days after giving birth and falling severely ill had severely depleted his vitality, and he still hadn’t recovered.

"Your complexion isn’t good either," Wen Zheng fretted, pulling Lu Yao closer to examine him. Lu Yao felt a little embarrassed. "Mom, I’m really fine."

"You called me ‘Mom,’ and I answered. That means I have to take good care of you."

Wen Zheng declared firmly, "You’ll stay here. I’ll prepare a new room for you—one with a balcony, spacious and beautiful. The nursery will be right next door, so Nian Nian can stay with you too."

Lu Yao quickly tried to refuse. "No need. I also want to find another job, and renting nearby might be more convenient."

Wen Zheng feigned annoyance. "We have drivers at home, so distance doesn’t matter. Do whatever you like. If you feel too tired, then don’t do anything at all. Our family won’t miss one extra mouth to feed."

She offered a completely reassuring fallback, a safety net. Lu Yao dared not accept, but he didn’t want to upset Wen Zheng on his first day back.

Lu Yao nodded obediently. "Understood, Mom."

Wen Zheng smiled again, her voice gentle with concern. "Have you eaten? I made soup—I remember you loved it when you were pregnant with Nian Nian. Come."

Wen Zheng happily led Lu Yao towards the dining room. After much hesitation, Lu Yao couldn’t help but ask quietly, "But if I stay here… what about Fu—?"

If he had to live under the same roof as Fu Yanhuai, Lu Yao would rather move out.

Wen Zheng waved it off casually. "He has his own place. Why would he come here? Just ignore him."