Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Xia Shiyue, with two carloads of belongings, grandly moved into Lu Yao’s bedroom. Wen Zheng found Xia Shiyue’s lively demeanor refreshing; a cheerful child always wins over elders.

“Wine, low alcohol. Little Lu, just a tiny bit.”

Wen Zheng was in high spirits, and the maid poured only a shallow amount into Lu Yao’s glass.

“Thank you, Mom. Today’s dessert is my creation—I chose canelés.”

Lu Yao looked like a well-behaved child, diligently studying all day, awaiting praise from a parent. Wen Zheng’s heart softened. “You remembered even though I just mentioned it casually. Mom will definitely finish it all.”

The nanny placed Nian Nian in the high chair, while Fu Jizhong, beaming, played with him.

“Hahahaha, want this? Oh, you can’t eat it.”

The more Fu Jizhong looked at Nian Nian, the fonder he grew. Since Lu Yao’s return, Nian Nian was no longer listless; he was plump, fair, and very active. Fu Jizhong was overjoyed.

Xia Shiyue felt somewhat satisfied. Although Fu Yanhuai was a mess, his family was quite good.

Nian Nian was also a wonderful baby. Excellent, excellent.

“Auntie Wen, your family chef cooks so deliciously, even better than my own restaurant.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Zheng remembered. “Your restaurant is quite famous. Your father is very proud and always brings it up.”

Xia Shiyue wore a look that said, *As expected of me*. “But he didn’t agree with me starting a business at first. It was my business acumen that eventually won him over.”

Wen Zheng heartily agreed. “It’s just pocket money; how much trouble can it cause? Little Lu, didn’t you also want to open a dessert shop? Mom will open one for you.”

Lu Yao quickly refused. “No, no, really, there’s no need. I don’t understand enough about these things yet. Opening a shop rashly would lead to losses.”

Wen Zheng reassured him, “So what if it’s a loss? If it loses, what then? We’ll just open another one, won’t we?”

Lu Yao had never comfortably accepted things given by others in his life; he didn’t feel it was his due. Although he knew Wen Zheng genuinely cared for him, he still instinctively refused.

“Perhaps not, Mom. I think…”

“I think it’s a great idea.”

Xia Shiyue’s eyes lit up as he spoke to Wen Zheng with utmost sincerity, “Auntie Wen, you truly have exceptional foresight.”

Wen Zheng chuckled, flattered. “Of course. Little Lu, you don’t need to feel burdened. When Fu Yanhuai started his business, the startup capital was dozens of times higher than opening a single shop.”

Wen Zheng’s idea of “opening a shop” was clearly far grander than Lu Yao’s. Lu Yao discreetly tugged at Xia Shiyue. “Although it’s a good idea, still…”

“Shiyue, you’ve done very well this time. I see you have real business talent.”

Wen Zheng smiled. “Why don’t the two of you start a chain brand together?”

“Wait—what?”

When Wen Zheng praised Xia Shiyue’s business talent, he burst out laughing on the spot.

“That’s fantastic! Auntie Wen, don’t worry, this time, I definitely won’t lose money!”

*Auntie Wen truly is the most understanding mother in the world.* Xia Shiyue felt a rush of exhilaration; this was the first time anyone had ever praised his talent.

Lu Yao’s vision went dark. Starting a chain brand couldn’t be that easy, could it? Yet now it sounded as simple as buying cabbage.

Lu Yao hesitantly looked at Fu Jizhong. He wasn’t sure what Nian Nian had been playing with Fu Jizhong just now, but Nian Nian, with a puffed-up face, grabbed the chopsticks from Fu Jizhong’s hand. Fu Jizhong cooperated, letting him take them, and Nian Nian unhesitatingly let go and threw them on the ground.

Fu Jizhong, beaming with delight, praised him, “So young and already knows how to take the chopsticks from my hand, truly clever!”

Lu Yao sighed, rubbing his forehead. *Alright, maybe this really is as simple as buying cabbage. I hope I’m overthinking it.*

But Lu Yao still went to correct Nian Nian, “You can’t throw Grandpa’s chopsticks like that, understand? That’s wrong.”

Nian Nian didn’t understand what Lu Yao was saying, but he could tell from the tone whether it was praise or criticism. He protested with two whines, looking utterly wronged.

“Never mind, never mind.” Fu Jizhong’s heart ached seeing Nian Nian, a tiny lump, sitting in the chair. “I was the one teasing him with the chopsticks. If anyone’s at fault, it’s Grandpa’s, isn’t it?”

Wen Zheng’s attention finally shifted. She looked at Fu Jizhong with disdain, “What’s wrong with you, upsetting a child?”

Lu Yao began to worry again. *Is this the right way to educate him? Isn’t this spoiling Nian Nian too much?*

Xia Shiyue mused, “The doting of grandparents is indeed unavoidable in every family—even the Fu family is like this.”

Lu Yao had never experienced this feeling. On one hand, he felt Nian Nian was being overly indulged, yet on the other, he thought it must be a wonderful thing to receive such affection from family.

Lu Yao turned to Xia Shiyue, “So, were you like this when you were little?”

Xia Shiyue nodded. “My grandparents spoiled me rotten, but my parents didn’t—especially my dad, who was very principled. But if everyone had spoiled me like that, I might be a holy terror now.”

Lu Yao gazed at Nian Nian, lost in thought. *Had Fu Yanhuai ever disciplined Nian Nian? He’d probably be very strict. I can’t imagine Fu Yanhuai being gentle and kind with Nian Nian.*

Regardless, Fu Yanhuai was Nian Nian’s father. Lu Yao knew that, in the future, he would inevitably have to communicate with Fu Yanhuai about Nian Nian.

But the challenge of raising a child had appeared far too early; Lu Yao was already troubled by it.

Xia Shiyue noticed Lu Yao’s distraction, though this time he didn’t understand what Lu Yao was thinking. “Little Lu, what’s wrong?”

Lu Yao pulled his gaze back. “Nothing. Let’s eat.”

Afterward, Xia Shiyue enthusiastically discussed his grand vision with Lu Yao. Wen Zheng unhesitatingly gave Lu Yao pocket money, telling him to do whatever he wanted with it, but he absolutely had to spend it.

The meal lasted two hours. Unbeknownst to him, Lu Yao drank two extra glasses of wine. He had a low tolerance for alcohol, and by the time he carried Nian Nian back to the room, his cheeks were flushed, but his eyes were bright, just like Nian Nian’s.

Nian Nian held onto Lu Yao, not letting him leave. Lu Yao sat down and spoke to him seriously, “You have to be good; you can’t be a naughty baby, understand?”

Nian Nian held Lu Yao with one hand, while pointing at the Little Deer toy with the other; he wanted Lu Yao to play with him.

Cream trotted over on its short legs, sniffed the Little Deer toy, and tilted its head, looking at Lu Yao.

Lu Yao’s eyes widened. “That’s not the right attitude!”

Nian Nian looked at Lu Yao and laughed innocently. He pounced into Lu Yao’s arms, hugging his neck.

Lu Yao’s heart softened. He held Nian Nian and murmured, “Don’t pull Cream’s fur, and don’t throw tantrums at Grandpa. Remember?”

Nian Nian made a soft, milky sound of assent, and Cream rested its head on Lu Yao’s lap.

Lu Yao tilted his head back, lips slightly parted, feeling uncomfortable. He had drunk a bit too much wine, and he felt so hot.

But Nian Nian suddenly started wriggling on Lu Yao’s arm. Lu Yao pinched his bottom. “Stop moving.”

Nian Nian grabbed Lu Yao’s collar and pressed closer to his neck, making Lu Yao feel even hotter. He sighed helplessly, “Nian Nian, what’s wrong?”

Nian Nian made meaningless babbling sounds. Lu Yao was so hot he was starting to feel dizzy.

“No, I can’t squish Nian Nian.”

Lu Yao shook his head. Why was this wine hitting him so hard?

Lu Yao tried to put Nian Nian down, but today Nian Nian was exceptionally uncooperative. He cried out a few times, transforming into a sticky piece of taffy, clinging tightly to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao’s mind wandered, wondering if Nian Nian had truly turned into an evil baby, but how could such an adorable evil baby exist?

“Go play with Cream.”

Lu Yao blinked hard and reached out to press the bell for the nanny.

Hazily, he felt someone take Nian Nian away; Nian Nian seemed to cry too.

It seemed Xia Shiyue helped him back to the bedroom. The moment his head hit the pillow, Lu Yao fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Yao slept soundly, while Xia Shiyue hovered above him, looking uncertain.

“Little Lu seems a bit strange…”

Xia Shiyue was also a little drunk. He scratched his head in confusion. “Is this what being drunk is like?”

Right now, Lu Yao looked like he had drunk something… adult-oriented, appearing incredibly soft and tempting.

Xia Shiyue suddenly understood. “No wonder Lu Yao underwent secondary differentiation—he was always meant to be an omega.”

In his sleep, Lu Yao frowned, unconsciously gripping the corner of his pillow, looking very uncomfortable.

Xia Shiyue quickly crouched down and touched his forehead; it was burning hot, startling him. “Little Lu, Little Lu?”

Lu Yao barely managed to open his eyes a slit. “I’m so sleepy…”

“You’re sleepy? You, you, wait.”

While the Fu family was still awake, Xia Shiyue hurried to find Wen Zheng. The family doctor was called in for an impromptu house call.

“It’s not a fever,” Dr. Feng stated firmly to everyone. “Alcohol has a stimulating effect, catalyzing the inducer.”

Lu Yao was completely asleep in his room. Wen Zheng felt a pang of self-reproach. “This is my fault.”

Dr. Feng quickly reassured her, “It’s not your fault. The inducer would have taken effect eventually; a reaction is quite normal.”

Wen Zheng asked worriedly, “Then what now? Is Little Lu alright like this?”

“It’s best to go to the hospital again,” Dr. Feng said calmly. “The dosage of the inducer might need adjustment.”

Wen Zheng’s heart stirred slightly. “Alright, I understand. Thank you for your trouble.”

Xia Shiyue relaxed. Once everyone left, Wen Zheng returned to the bedroom, deep in thought.

Fu Jizhong, lying in bed, gave her a puzzled look. “Why aren’t you resting yet?”

Wen Zheng turned to him, her expression very strange.

“Lu Yao’s gland was merely damaged, but he is an omega. Have you ever considered what will happen if his gland recovers?”

Fu Jizhong smiled dismissively. “Recovers? Wouldn’t that be even better? Then he and Nian Nian could…”

As he spoke, Fu Jizhong’s smile froze. “Right, he’s an omega.”

And one who had been marked by Fu Yanhuai. Inhibitors had no effect on marked glands; to get through his heat, he would need his alpha.

Lu Yao’s gland had been damaged from postpartum hormonal imbalance, compounded by an excessive injection of inhibitors, leading to its complete failure. Now, everyone’s attention was on Nian Nian, and this issue had been overlooked.

Lu Yao and Fu Yanhuai were already divorced. If Lu Yao’s gland recovered now, what then?

Fu Jizhong rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. “Bond-removal surgery carries significant risks. Little Lu can’t undergo that; his body couldn’t handle it.”

Wen Zheng could no longer ignore this matter. She didn’t care what happened to Fu Yanhuai. He was tall, strong, and robust, with an S-grade gland that gave him powerful regenerative abilities. Fu Yanhuai would never be in trouble, but Lu Yao was different.

Wen Zheng pondered, then slowly spoke, “Dr. Feng must have told Yanhuai about tonight’s events. We still need to go to the hospital tomorrow.”

Fu Jizhong looked puzzled. “What do you intend to do?”

“It’s not about what *I* intend to do,” Wen Zheng corrected him. “For something like this, we need to ask for Little Lu’s opinion.”

If Lu Yao wanted to forgive Fu Yanhuai, Wen Zheng would make Fu Yanhuai find a way to win him back. If he didn’t, then Fu Yanhuai could no longer approach him.

Wen Zheng sighed. “I need to think about this.”