Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Xia Shiyue's business was thriving, and his life remained as carefree as ever. Yet, the more he idled, the more a nagging sense of emptiness crept in.

Gu Hechen placed a glass of water beside Xia Shiyue. "Why the long face? What's on your mind?"

Xia Shiyue rolled his eyes. "None of your business."

Accustomed to Xia Shiyue's temper, Gu Hechen sat down beside him. "Is it because your good friend is back but hasn't reached out?"

Xia Shiyue immediately retorted, "Little Deer must be tied up. I'm not upset because he didn't contact me. I just feel..."

"Feel what?"

Xia Shiyue wasn't sure what exactly had transpired within the Fu family. He sighed. "I don't know if his return is a good thing."

Though Xia Shiyue didn't particularly care for Fu Yanhuai—finding him an irresponsible alpha—he could clearly see Lu Yao's deep affection. The love in Lu Yao's eyes was unmistakable whenever he looked at Fu Yanhuai.

Gu Hechen held a different view. "Fu Yanhuai is too overbearing. Even if nothing had happened, their previous dynamic would have inevitably led to problems. This current situation might actually offer a chance for things to turn around."

Xia Shiyue scrutinized Gu Hechen. "Alright, keep your distance from me."

Gu Hechen was taken aback. "What did I do?"

Xia Shiyue stated matter-of-factly, "You sound too calculating right now, a bit like Fu Yanhuai. That's my biggest pet peeve."

Gu Hechen let out a wry laugh. "Fine."

As Lu Yao entered the lounge, he saw Xia Shiyue and Gu Hechen sitting together. He paused slightly—Gu Hechen didn't seem the type to last long in a kitchen job; his demeanor was too refined. Yet, surprisingly, he was still there.

Xia Shiyue was still bickering with Gu Hechen when he heard the door open. He looked up and froze in place.

Lu Yao stepped forward, steeling himself. "Shiyue, I..."

"You're really back," Xia Shiyue murmured in shock. "How long has it been? I didn't even know when you left..."

Lu Yao felt a pang of guilt. "It's only been a few months."

Gu Hechen discreetly left the lounge to give them space. Xia Shiyue walked around the table and pulled Lu Yao into a fierce hug. "You left without even telling me. But forget it—I know you must have had no choice. Little Deer, you have no idea how worried I've been."

Lu Yao's eyes welled up. He looked at Xia Shiyue with both remorse and joy. "Everything happened too suddenly back then. I wasn't in the right state of mind either. I'm sorry for making you worry."

"What kind of talk is that?" Xia Shiyue pulled Lu Yao towards a private booth. "We've developed tons of new dishes since you left. Come try them."

This was Lu Yao's first time in the VIP booth, and it was even a treat from the boss himself. Xia Shiyue ordered lavishly, getting a taste of all the signature dishes.

Lu Yao quickly interjected, "Don't order too much. We won't be able to finish it."

Xia Shiyue waved him off. "If we can't finish, it'll be my staff meal tonight. And don't rush—we're making an afternoon of it. Nothing will go to waste."

With a decisive sweep, Xia Shiyue pushed the tableware aside, leaned forward, and fixed his gaze on Lu Yao. Lu Yao blinked.

"Now, tell me exactly why you left the capital so suddenly back then."

Xia Shiyue's preparations proved prescient, as it took Lu Yao a long time to painstakingly piece together the events of those difficult months.

The mind, in self-preservation, instinctively buries memories of gut-wrenching pain. Lu Yao had never deliberately brought it up. Since returning to the capital, he hadn't seemed unhappy, and he'd thought he was completely over it.

But he wasn't. The past remained vivid, as clear as if it had happened yesterday.

"Our marriage wasn't exactly a love match," Lu Yao finally murmured, lowering his gaze to the table. "Perhaps this was just the termination of a contract."

But Fu Yanhuai could have chosen another way to make him leave, Lu Yao thought. The way it had happened was simply too brutal.

"Marriage and business contracts aren't the same thing!" Xia Shiyue fumed. "Can Fu Yanhuai's company keep him warm at night?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Xia Shiyue suddenly realized, "Damn, knowing him, he probably *can* live with his company."

Xia Shiyue's frustration eventually morphed into bewilderment. "Fu Yanhuai's nothing special. How did you even fall for him?"

Perhaps it was Fu Yanhuai's looks and privileged background that had clouded Lu Yao's judgment. What a shameless alpha.

Lu Yao gave a hollow laugh. "Maybe... I can't even explain it. But that's all water under the bridge now. The most important thing is getting my gland back to normal so Nian Nian can sleep peacefully. It hurts to see him suffer."

Xia Shiyue's eyes widened. "How can it not matter? Of course it matters! Fu Yanhuai has been a complete bastard. Just wait—I'll make him regret this."

"Hey." The prominent families in the capital were all interconnected. Lu Yao quickly stopped him. "Don't be impulsive. This is between us. I'll handle it."

Xia Shiyue sighed in frustration. "You're just too soft-hearted."

Lu Yao knew it wasn't soft-heartedness. He had simply yearned for a little warmth of his own.

But he didn't need it anymore. Perhaps what a person could have in life was limited. If something wasn't meant for him, Lu Yao wouldn't force it.

Lu Yao tried to calm him. "I ignore him, and he's swamped with work anyway. It's fine this way."

Lu Yao's expectations of Fu Yanhuai were basic now: just that he cared for Nian Nian, took responsibility, and raised him well. Their personal conflicts shouldn't affect the child. Nian Nian had already suffered enough, being born with such a severe illness.

Xia Shiyue asked worriedly, "Then what about you? What are your plans?"

"I..." Lu Yao looked distant. "I'll save up some money first, then maybe open a dessert shop."

It didn't need to be big—just enough for him and his pastries.

Xia Shiyue seemed to sense something. Tentatively, he asked, "Actually, have you ever thought about going back to Beijing University to finish your studies?"

Lu Yao froze. "What?"

Xia Shiyue thought it was a great idea and pressed on. "Studying wouldn't stop you from making desserts. Look, my shop still hasn't hired a new pastry chef. If you come back, you wouldn't need to work every day—just rotating shifts. And we have morning and evening shifts, so we can arrange them around your classes."

Returning to school hadn't even crossed Lu Yao's mind. He hesitated. "But Beijing University's tuition is expensive, and..."

And he wasn't the young student who had just been admitted anymore. Lu Yao had long forgotten whatever dreams he used to have. He didn't know if going back to school still made sense.

"Fu Yanhuai should pay the tuition. Or your family should. It's their responsibility." Xia Shiyue was getting worked up again but held back from saying more.

He took a deep breath and murmured, "Little Deer, you really should finish university."

"You can still open a dessert shop after graduating, or keep working as a pastry chef. You were supposed to have that whole college experience and that diploma. You shouldn't have had to give them up because of other things."

Lu Yao stared at his plate, lost in thought. After a long silence, he finally said, "Alright, I'll think about it."

He had been away from school for so many years and had been through so much. Lu Yao wasn't sure if he should still go back. But Xia Shiyue's words made him reconsider. Those two years in university, balancing work and school, had actually been happy.

Seeing that Lu Yao was listening, Xia Shiyue relaxed. "How's Nian Nian these days? Is he behaving for you?"

Lu Yao's thoughts returned. At the mention of Nian Nian, his expression softened. "Nian Nian's a good baby. He doesn't fuss much—he's just always uncomfortable."

Then, as if remembering something, Lu Yao brightened. "Oh, I also found a little dog. I called it Cream. It's white and really cute."

Xia Shiyue's eyes lit up with excitement. "I love puppies the most!"

Xia Shiyue's thoughts shifted, and he suddenly took Lu Yao's hand. "Since you're back, I haven't seen Nian Nian yet. Let's hang out tonight and have a sleepover."

Lu Yao was intrigued. "Sure."

After a while, Lu Yao added somewhat shyly, "I don't know when I'll be able to buy my own place. Once I do, you're welcome anytime."

Xia Shiyue was deeply moved. He wanted to buy Lu Yao a house but knew he'd likely refuse.

"That day will definitely come," Xia Shiyue encouraged him. "When it does, I'll never leave, sticking around your place every day."

Hanging out with a good friend was always fun. Xia Shiyue pulled Lu Yao along; they hit the gas and headed back to the Fu family's old residence.

Since Lu Yao had moved back, Wen Zheng's daily routine had shifted from tea ceremonies and flower arranging to pet grooming and pampering.

"Sit, Cream, sit."

Wen Zheng held a piece of dog food in her hand. Cream's tail wagged furiously, looking up at her hand before obediently sitting after a brief moment of thought.

Cream not only knew how to sit but could also shake hands. Wen Zheng was pleased. "Good boy, so smart!"

After finishing, Cream was scooped up by Wen Zheng and placed on her lap for brushing. His fur was fluffy but shed easily.

Grooming was oddly relaxing. Wen Zheng carefully combed from the puppy's head all the way to the tip of his tail.

The moment Xia Shiyue entered, he was instantly charmed. Barely containing his excitement, he greeted Wen Zheng first, "Auntie Wen, I'm here to hang out with Little Deer. Mind if I crash here tonight?"

Cream turned his head toward him, sniffing the air.

Lu Yao also glanced at Wen Zheng, feeling a weirdly nostalgic vibe—like a student bringing a friend home and seeking parental approval.

Lu Yao added softly, "And Cream."

Wen Zheng, who had been elegantly petting the dog, couldn't help but laugh at the two of them. "Of course. You young people naturally get along better. The house is all yours—make yourselves at home."

She lowered Cream to the ground gently. "Go on."

Cream eagerly dashed to Lu Yao's feet, whining happily. Xia Shiyue's eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Auntie Wen. We'll take Cream up with us then."

Wen Zheng smiled warmly. "Have fun."

With Lu Yao back in the capital and reunited with his good friend, Wen Zheng felt much more at ease. She turned to the maid and said, "Take some fruits and snacks up to them, and see if they need anything else."

The moment they entered Lu Yao's bedroom, Xia Shiyue lost it. "OMG, his fur is so soft!"

Such an adorable puppy! So warm! And alive! A tiny white fluffball!

Lu Yao hadn't realized Xia Shiyue loved dogs so much. "If you're such a dog person, why haven't you gotten a pet?"

Xia Shiyue hesitated. "I feel like raising a pet means taking responsibility for them. I'm not sure I'd be a good owner."

Xia Shiyue stood up, cradling Cream. "Is Nian Nian up yet? I wanna say hi."