Chapter 67

Chapter 67

The doctor looked from Lu Yao to Fu Yanhuai, then cleared his throat. "We'll begin medical intervention immediately. Mr. Fu, your cooperation is essential."

Fu Yanhuai seemed unconcerned, but with Lu Yao beside him, he agreed without a second thought. "Alright."

"And one more thing," the doctor continued, choosing his words carefully. "Mr. Lu's gland function has largely recovered—though it remains fragile and requires careful attention—he can now release pheromones normally."

Lu Yao's expression darkened. "Are you suggesting I help with his treatment?"

The doctor quickly clarified, "It's simply about providing an environment with pheromones of a certain concentration at fixed intervals. Of course, if that's inconvenient, we can explore other options."

Fu Yanhuai spoke calmly, "No need for complications. Just use medication."

Lu Yao suddenly turned and fixed him with an intense stare. Fu Yanhuai's heart tightened. He tried to soften his voice. "What's wrong?"

"Are you deliberately trying to look pathetic in front of me?"

Lu Yao bristled, every reaction to Fu Yanhuai acutely sensitive. He couldn't shake the feeling that everything Fu Yanhuai did now was calculated. Unable to discern whether Fu Yanhuai's intentions were good or bad, he could only resort to indiscriminate questioning and aggression to protect himself.

"You're deliberately acting like this so I'll stay and help you treat your gland."

Sensing the conversation was becoming too personal, the doctor quietly closed the door and left.

Fu Yanhuai sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "If I were doing this on purpose, would you be willing to stay with me?"

Lu Yao remained silent, but his rigid posture conveyed his stance.

Fu Yanhuai looked at Lu Yao and said softly, "If acting pitiful could make you forgive me, I would stop at nothing to do it."

Lu Yao's eyes reddened slightly. He turned his face away, composing himself.

"Go stay at the Fu family estate," Lu Yao said after a moment, masking his emotional turmoil. "You're alone where you live now anyway. You can take the butler with you."

Fu Yanhuai's brows furrowed deeply. "I don't need to go home to be looked after. You and Nian Nian are doing well at the old estate. Suddenly changing environments would also be hard on Nian Nian."

Lu Yao's voice was cold. "You'll stay until your condition stabilizes, then you can move out."

Fu Yanhuai paused, then his heart pounded as realization dawned. He looked up at Lu Yao. "You mean… you're willing to live with me—"

Lu Yao turned away sharply. "You talk too much. You should know—you're not just Nian Nian's father, but also Mom and Dad's child. Even if they don't say it, I can tell they're worried about you. Did you ever consider how Mom would feel, seeing your gland in this state?"

Fu Yanhuai was Wen Zheng's child. Despite his actions making it difficult for Wen Zheng to accept, he was still her flesh and blood. Lu Yao understood her feelings; they were likely similar to his own when Nian Nian fell ill.

Wen Zheng wouldn't explicitly ask Fu Yanhuai to return, but Lu Yao knew she'd want constant updates on his condition. Lu Yao wouldn't put Wen Zheng in a difficult position between him and Fu Yanhuai. Wen Zheng had been so kind to him; Lu Yao didn't want to be an ungrateful child.

"I was wrong," Fu Yanhuai admitted without hesitation. "It won't happen again."

Lu Yao couldn't be bothered to say another word to Fu Yanhuai. He pushed the door open and left. Lu Yao must have discussed the treatment plan with the doctor in the hallway, as the doctor re-entered a few minutes later.

"Given your current condition, it's not advisable for you to recuperate at home. You need to remain hospitalized for a few days of observation," the doctor stated gravely after reviewing the readings. "We'll begin with some gentler reagents for stimulation."

Fu Yanhuai raised an eyebrow. "Must I be hospitalized?"

"Absolutely," the doctor affirmed. "Additionally, your stomach is showing complications from the gland damage. This requires attention; if it worsens, a minor minimally invasive surgery may be necessary."

Fu Yanhuai seemed only half-listening, but he nodded. "Understood."

Fu Yanhuai's cooperation this time was significantly better than before, much to the doctor's relief. "Excellent. We'll prepare your room now."

Lu Yao didn't stay to accompany Fu Yanhuai. He felt he had fulfilled his duty, and staying with Fu Yanhuai for the entire night was simply out of the question.

Feeling low, Lu Yao drove back to the Fu family estate. Before getting out of the car, he practiced smiling a few times, adjusting his expression before entering.

Nian Nian was indeed in the living room, playing with Wen Zheng. The moment he saw Lu Yao enter, Nian Nian's eyes lit up, and his chubby arms shot up, wanting to be held.

Lu Yao walked over and picked up Nian Nian. Nian Nian murmured sweetly, hugging his neck tightly.

Lu Yao smiled, patting Nian Nian, then looked up, a hint of apprehension in his gaze, at Wen Zheng.

"Mom."

Wen Zheng looked somewhat weary, yet she still asked gently, "Have you eaten? Are you hungry? There's congee left in the kitchen, would you like some?"

Lu Yao's eyes welled up. He lowered his head, pretending to look at Nian Nian. "I'm not hungry. Just now… I just accompanied Fu Yanhuai to the hospital."

Lu Yao caught a glimpse of Wen Zheng's hand, gripping a toy, tightening. She spoke lightly, "Is his gland badly damaged?"

Lu Yao looked up helplessly. Although he hadn't asked Fu Yanhuai to do this, Fu Yanhuai's gland damage was indeed for his sake.

At this moment, sitting before Wen Zheng, looking at the person who had given him so much warmth and maternal love, Lu Yao felt a profound sadness and guilt.

"It's very serious."

The words were difficult to utter, but he couldn't lie to Wen Zheng. "He can't smell my pheromones, and touching his gland doesn't elicit a response. And I… I can't smell Silver Fir anymore."

In the car, Lu Yao had deliberately released pheromones, not just to test if Fu Yanhuai could smell them, but also to see if Fu Yanhuai could still spontaneously secrete pheromones.

Remembering the dark bruises and needle marks on Fu Yanhuai's neck, Lu Yao felt a pang of sadness, but he forced himself not to harbor unnecessary emotions for Fu Yanhuai.

Wen Zheng's toy fell to the ground. Nian Nian keenly sensed that both Lu Yao and Wen Zheng were upset. He made anxious sounds, trying to get their attention. Wen Zheng sniffled, then bent down to pick up the toy.

Wen Zheng's voice had a nasal quality. "What did the doctor say?"

Lu Yao quickly put Nian Nian down and sat beside Wen Zheng. "The doctor provided a treatment plan, combining medication and physiological stimulation, but we don't know what the outcome will be."

His voice slowly trailed off. "It's… it's my fault."

He should have realized it sooner. Fu Yanhuai's strange behavior every time he took or got medicine, his lies about having company business, how much thinner he had become. If Lu Yao had thought carefully, he would have noticed something was wrong, but he hadn't wanted to dwell on anything related to Fu Yanhuai.

Nian Nian flailed a few times, but neither Wen Zheng nor Lu Yao comforted him. Nian Nian grew a little anxious, and the nurse came over, wanting to pick him up. Nian Nian pouted aggrievedly and burst into tears.

Lu Yao quickly turned to comfort him. Wen Zheng's eyes were a little red, but her overall expression remained largely unchanged.

"It's not your fault," Wen Zheng said, not just to comfort Lu Yao, but calmly stating a fact. "Those who make mistakes must bear the consequences. Everyone must be responsible for their own actions."

Of course, Wen Zheng felt sad about Fu Yanhuai's injury, but she wouldn't absolve him of responsibility because of it.

Lu Yao hugged Nian Nian closer. He lowered his eyes and said softly, "Fu Yanhuai will be hospitalized for a few days. If the situation doesn't worsen, I hope he can come back to the old estate to live."

Wen Zheng looked somewhat surprised. Lu Yao explained, "If he only has the butler with him, his cooperation with the treatment will be very low. Here, with you and Dad, it's easier to care for him."

Wen Zheng looked at Lu Yao with a complex expression. "I naturally have no objection to this, but you, Xiao Lu, you don't have to force yourself to make any decisions. If you're not ready to face him, then you don't have to make concessions."

Wen Zheng treated Lu Yao with genuine affection. "You have the right to choose to forgive or not to forgive. You've suffered a lot, and it's perfectly fine if you don't want to forgive him yet."

Lu Yao smiled gratefully, though still tinged with shame. "Thank you, Mom. I don't know what to do in the future. I haven't thought that far ahead right now."

Wen Zheng immediately said, "Of course, there's no need to do anything unwillingly. I just want you to be happy."

Lu Yao nodded tearfully, "I will."

It was a sleepless night. Nian Nian was an insecure baby, and after today's little incident, he cried and fussed, insisting Lu Yao stay with him.

Coincidentally, Xia Shiyue had something come up today and was called back to the shop by Gu Hechen for who knows what. So Lu Yao carried Nian Nian to his own bedroom, where the toddler happily curled up in Lu Yao's arms to sleep.

Nian Nian smelled sweetly of milk powder mixed with caramel pheromones, making the bedroom smell warm and sugary.

Xia Shiyue didn't return to the Fu family mansion until the dead of night. The moment he stepped into the bedroom, he froze.

Lu Yao lay on his side, his hand resting on Nian Nian's back, a small portion of the blanket shared with the baby. Nian Nian's little bottom stuck out, his cheeks flushed from sleep.

There was a surprisingly nurturing presence about Lu Yao as he soothed the child to sleep. Breathing in the warm, sweet fragrance, Xia Shiyue sighed, "Fu Yanhuai comes home to this every day and still isn't satisfied? What kind of ungrateful alpha is he?"

Tiptoeing, Xia Shiyue climbed into bed. Lu Yao sensed the movement and drowsily opened his eyes.

"Shiyue?"

His voice was sleep-heavy. "I'll take Nian Nian back to the nursery."

Xia Shiyue quickly stopped him. "No need, just sleep like this."

Lu Yao woke up a bit more. "No, Nian Nian wriggles around constantly in his sleep."

Before Xia Shiyue could protest, Lu Yao carefully picked up Nian Nian, who remained fast asleep.

Exhausted, Xia Shiyue flopped onto the bed. Lu Yao soon returned from the next room.

Yawning, Lu Yao burrowed back under the blanket. "Why are you so late today?"

He murmured softly, "I thought you weren't coming back tonight."

Xia Shiyue sighed. "You don't wanna know. I suspect Gu Hechen was just messing with me. Oh, by the way, you went to the hospital with Fu Yanhuai today?"

Though the timing wasn't ideal, Xia Shiyue couldn't resist asking out of curiosity. "How is he?"

Lu Yao's eyelids grew heavy, his words trailing off. "He's hospitalized. He'll be back in a few days to recover."

?!

Xia Shiyue's eyes widened in disbelief. What? How?!

Just one day later, and Fu Yanhuai is already coming back?

Damn that smooth-talking alpha, taking advantage of our naive Little Deer!