Xia Chengzhang was still recovering from the effects of anesthesia, and his brows were furrowed with discomfort.
Xia Wan, who had experienced this before, knew how uncomfortable it could be before the anesthesia wore off.
While he called Xia Chengzhang, he dipped the prepared gauze into water and gently moistened Xia Chengzhang’s lips bit by bit.
After repeating this action countless times, Xia Chengzhang finally shook his head and said, “That’s enough.”
Xia Wan put the items away, grabbed another orange, and placed the orange peel near Xia Chengzhang’s nose.
He continued to apply the orange peel under Xia Chengzhang’s nose, hoping it would provide some relief.
This method was effective in alleviating the dryness and discomfort in the respiratory tract caused by deep anesthesia.
Just as Xia Wan was helping with this, Aunt Zhang arrived.
“Thank you for your hard work, Wan Wan. Let’s have a meal,” Aunt Zhang said, placing the food box down. She then glanced at Xia Chengzhang and softly added to Xia Wan, “Rest well after eating, I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Okay,” Xia Wan replied. He pulled over a chair, sat down on the opposite side of the hospital bed, and began to eat.
He had been busy since morning and hadn’t even had time to take a break, but now that he saw Xia Chengzhang resting peacefully, the exhaustion on his face seemed to disappear.
“It’s not easy for this kid,” a fellow patient chatted with Aunt Zhang. “I saw him pushing patients in the lobby in the morning, lining up everywhere for procedures, and going upstairs and downstairs for examinations. Just now, he even helped the medical staff move his father. There aren’t many children who are as responsible as him nowadays.”
Aunt Zhang beamed with pride and responded, “Yes, he has always been a responsible child.”
Aunt Zhang turned to Xia Wan and asked, “Did you have lunch?”
Since the operation required Xia Chengzhang to have an empty stomach, Xia Wan didn’t want Aunt Zhang to make an extra trip.
“I had a steamed bun for lunch,” Xia Wan replied with a mouthful of food.
Aunt Zhang felt sorry for him upon hearing this. She said, “Then eat up quickly, I’ll make more food for dinner.”
While Xia Wan was eating, Zhang Ruicheng called.
“Is your father’s surgery over?” Zhang Ruicheng inquired, concerned in his voice. “What did the doctor say?”
“Yes,” Xia Wan replied between bites, “Everything went well, and the doctor said the procedure was clean.”
“That’s a relief,” Zhang Ruicheng sighed with relief. “I’ll come to the hospital tomorrow and help you take care of him.”
“Don’t come,” Xia Wan smiled, “I can manage on my own.”
Xia Wan and Zhang Ruicheng had discussed this beforehand, Zhang Ruicheng had planned to assist with Xia Chengzhang’s surgery. However, two days ago, he accidentally twisted his foot while going downstairs. He had intended to come today but was dissuaded by Xia Wan.
With the hospital lobby being crowded, if Zhang Ruicheng were to bump into someone and fall, it could lead to further complications.
“Since he will stay in the ward from tomorrow onwards and won’t go to crowded places. I’ll be fine,” Zhang Ruicheng made the final decision.
“Okay,” Xia Wan replied after a moment of thought. “Thank you, uncle.”
After ending the call, Xia Wan noticed that there were several missed calls on his phone.
Xia Wan had received several missed calls, all from Huo Yu, except for one from Su Tang. He held the phone tightly, pondering Huo Yu’s earlier message: “You come down.”
Xia Wan frowned slightly, then quickly realized something. Could it be that Huo Yu went to school?
However, he quickly dismissed this idea. After all, he had informed Huo Yu about his two days absence; it wouldn’t make sense for him to show up at school.
Xia Wan picked up the chopsticks again only after the screen automatically turned off.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Qtfc atf qtbcf gjcu jujlc, tf jcrkfgfv klatbea tfrlajalbc, jrrewlcu la kjr Itjcu Eelmtfcu: “Lfiib, Fcmif Itjcu.”
“Qtb lr Fcmif Itjcu?” Ktf nblmf bc atf batfg fcv kjr ibk jcv mbiv.
Ktf mtbqralmxr lc Wlj Qjc’r tjcv ogbhf lc wlv-jlg. Lf rajwwfgfv, “Sivfra wjrafg?”
“Qtja?” Leb Te’r abcf tfiv j tlca bo ijeutafg, yea tlr ecvfgislcu lgglajalbc kjr fnlvfca. “Qfgf sbe fzqfmalcu j mjii ogbw rbwfbcf firf?”
“No,” Xia Wan replied quickly. He put his chopsticks and stepped out into the corridor. “Is there something you need, eldest master?”
Huo Yu hesitated for a moment, not wanting Xia Wan to know that he was concerned about him neglecting to eat due to his busy schedule, and that’s why he had made a special trip to the Academy of Fine Arts.
Because even he couldn’t help but find his actions slightly amusing.
Based on his understanding of Xia Wan, he figured he would probably prefer not to finish his homework than skip meals.
“It’s nothing,” Huo Yu replied. “I got off work this afternoon and just wanted to check in on how you’re doing.”
“Oh,” Xia Wan sighed in relief and chuckled. “It’s just the beginning; I’ll be busy for a few days.”
“How many days will you be busy?” Huo Yu inquired.
Xia Wan thought that Huo Yu was concerned about him being too occupied to accompany him when visiting Yan Rui, so he playfully teased, “Eldest young master is quite clingy.”
Then he added, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to complete the task you assigned. Can you rest easy now?”
Huo Yu didn’t respond further, but Xia Wan could hear a faint, exasperated snort from him.
The eldest young master wasn’t easy to coax, and Xia Wan was also aware of that, so he asked cautiously: “If there wasn’t anything urgent, could I hang up? I haven’t finished eating yet.”
Xia Wan thought for a moment before asking, “Have you had your meal, eldest master?”
There was a brief pause from Huo Yu’s end, and after a while, he gave a very soft “um.”
After hanging up the phone, Huo Yu casually flicked the cigarette ash between his fingers and then raised his eyes to look upstairs.
The windows at Xia Wan’s house were open, but the lights were off. Occasionally, a corner of the beige window screen could be seen blowing in the wind.
That was Xia Wan’s room.
Huo Yu watched it silently, unintentionally recalling that night when Xia Wan was focused on packing, and the unexpected feeling of happiness that filled his heart just being with Xia Wan.
Watching for a while, he raised a hand to his lips, took a deep drag from his cigarette, and observed as the grey smoke dissipated, almost as if his happiness was dissipating with it. His slender fingers lightly tapped on the steering wheel, and amid the dissipating smoke, a hint of confusion flickered in Huo Yu’s eyes.
Where was Xia Wan right now?
Why had he lied to him?
Was he with someone else?
Was he treating someone else the same way he treated him?
Or was Xia Wan treating them even better than he treated him?
Huo Yu couldn’t find the answers to his questions.
All he could see were Xia Wan’s eyes, curved when he looked at him, or his cheeks puffing up when he was quietly upset.
Huo Yu smiled softly and shifted his gaze away.
….
Xia Chengzhang woke up in good spirits last night, but the pain from the surgery made it hard for him to move. Xia Wan had to carefully help him turn over little by little.
Early in the morning, Aunt Zhang went to the market to buy two pigeons because she heard that pigeon soup was good for healing. As she carried the food, she didn’t expect to run into Huo Yu at the entrance of the building.
“Aunt Zhang,” Huo Yu greeted her with a friendly smile.
“Hello, Mr. Huo,” she replied, hesitating.
Xia Chengzhang had warned her not to let Huo Yu know about his illness.
Since Huo Yu’s family was well-off and Xia Wan had just gotten married, Xia Chengzhang was worried that Huo Yu might think Xia Wan was with him for the money, or that he would misunderstand their situation.
Aunt Zhang, being a few years older than Xia Chengzhang, understood the situation and chose to keep the secret for now. She wondered why Huo Yu was here at this particular moment when he hadn’t shown up before.
“So early in the morning, where are you going, Aunt Zhang?” The corners of Huo Yu’s mouth curved up slightly, and his long eyelashes hid any emotions in his eyes.
“Oh,” Aunt Zhang replied with a forced smile, “I was just heading out to buy some groceries.”
“You’re busy,” Huo Yu nodded with a friendly smile, “I’ll go upstairs to see Dad then.”
He turned as if to leave, but Aunt Zhang stopped him once more. “Mr. Huo.”
“Huh?” Huo Yu turned around and glanced at her with a smile.
Huo Yu is handsome, and he looks even more attractive when he smiles slightly in the sunlight. There’s also a softness about him that’s different from his usual demeanor.
“Mr. Huo, Sir not at home today,” Aunt Zhang informed him, “Xia Wan has gone to school too. There’s no one at home right now.”
“Dad’s legs are not good,” Huo Yu furrowed his brows, looking somewhat puzzled. He asked with a touch of confusion “Where could he have gone?”
Aunt Zhang, who was straightforward and not well-versed in intricacies, struggled to find a suitable response. “Oh, maybe he went to visit some friends.”
Huo Yu’s gaze lowered, recalling the voice that had called Xia Wan’s phone, addressing him as “Uncle Zhang.”
“Uncle Zhang,” he said, “I believe Xia Wan mentioned it to me. In that case, I’ll head over there and pay a visit.”
Aunt Zhang was taken aback, surprised that Huo Yu knew Zhang Ruicheng’s address. Her face flushed, leaving her momentarily speechless. Seeing Huo Yu about to leave, she hurriedly stopped him.
In the hospital room, the bed wasn’t very comfortable, and Xia Wan had been worried about Xia Chengzhang’s condition all night. So he hardly slept all night.
When he saw Xia Chengzhang awake, he quickly stood up and asked, “Dad, how are you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” Xia Chengzhang replied, his face slightly pale but his spirits seeming good. “I feel better than yesterday.”
“Are you feeling uncomfortable?” Xia Wan asked. “You can also ask Director Wang when he comes for his rounds.”
“It’s mainly the incision that hurts,” Xia Chengzhang explained, “but it’s bearable. I believe I should be able to move around after breakfast.”
The earlier mobility after lung surgery was essential to prevent complications. Xia Wan’s eyes brightened as he said, “Great, I’ll push you around later. There’s a window not far from our ward where you can get some fresh air.”
Xia Chengzhang smiled and nodded. Just then, the family next to them received their breakfast, and one of them reminded Xia Wan, “Have you ordered your food? The hospital cafeteria is delivering meals. Don’t forget to pick it up.”
Xia Wan rushed to the opposite side and smiled: “The aunt at home will come to deliver meals.”
“It’s still convenient for your local patients.” As soon as the next bed sighed, he laughed: “Well, you were just saying your aunt would come, and here she is.”
Xia Wan hurriedly turned his head and saw Aunt Zhang.
“Aunt Zhang, you came so early, it’s hard work.” Xia Wan got up, intending to collect the lunchbox from Aunt Zhang, but he stopped in his tracks as he noticed Huo Yu’s tall figure standing behind her. Xia Wan pursed his lips and then rolled his eyes at him.
Huo Yu looked at him for a few seconds before entering the ward. He put down the things in his hand, bent down and said to Xia Chengzhang: “Dad, I have come to see you.”
Xia Chengzhang was also surprised to see Huo Yu, but a smile soon appeared on the corner of his mouth: “You are so busy…”
“Compared to you,” Huo Yu interrupted, “that’s all trivial.”
Xia Chengzhang’s Adam’s apple rolled down and he didn’t speak, but his love for Huo Yu was a little more.
“How are you feeling?” Huo Yu inquired once more.
“I’m okay,” Xia Chengzhang replied while lying on his side. “It’s still a bit sore, so I can’t turn over.”
“I’ll help you,” Huo Yu offered. He half-hugged Xia Chengzhang and gently assisted him in turning over.
Xia Chengzhang was a tall adult male, and without the use of his legs, it was no easy task for Huo Yu to assist him. Huo Yu couldn’t help but glance at Xia Wan as he released his hold.
Meanwhile, Xia Wan had just fetched a bib, tied it around Xia Chengzhang’s neck, and carefully adjusted his pillow.
“Xia Wan,” Xia Chengzhang suggested, “just have Aunt Zhang stay with me for dinner, and you can take Xiao Yu out for a nice meal.”
“Sure,” Xia Wan agreed with a smile, then lightly hooked his pinky finger with Huo Yu’s.
Huo Yu shot him a glance and then silently left the ward with Xia Wan.
“So, you did go to my school yesterday?” Xia Wan leaned against the wall at the end of the corridor and looked up at Huo Yu.
Huo Yu remained silent for a moment and then nodded.
Xia Wan smiled in response, asking, “So, what brought the eldest master to my school?”
There were large dark circles under his eyes, and fatigue lined the corners of his eyes and brows.
Yet, despite this, his smile remained incredibly beautiful.
In the past, Huo Yu used to think that Xia Wan was only interested in money. He married him and acted affectionately for the sake of money. He even did live broadcasts to earn money.
Sometimes, he wondered what Xia Wan’s limits were when it came to money. But whenever he had such thoughts, he tried to push them away.
After all, how many people don’t love money?
Before, he felt like he could understand Xia Wan.
But even so, he still couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret that the jade was slightly flawed. It was this very feeling that made him feel so conflicted after learning about Xia Chengzhang’s condition.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Huo Yu asked.
“Tell you what?” Xia Wan smiled.
“About your father’s illness,” Huo Yu clarified.
Xia Wan continued to smile. “Why should I tell the eldest master? So you can pity me?” He raised his head slightly, the warmth in his eyes fading as he spoke. “In the end, this is my family’s issue. I’ve taken money from you, so it’s not right for me to burden you with my problems.”
Huo Yu was taken aback for a moment, and his gaze at Xia Wan grew more intense.
He hadn’t expected Xia Wan to have such thoughts, but upon reflection, given their relationship, it was natural for Xia Wan to think this way.
It was never Xia Wan who sought to change their circumstances; it had always been Huo Yu.
“Is that so?” There was a brief silence before Huo Yu spoke again, “Have I never told you about my family’s affairs or my uncle’s affairs?”
“Xia Wan, don’t be so unreasonable,” he sa
id as lifting his hand to gently stroke the dark shadows under Xia Wan’s eyes. “At least, for now you’re still my person.”
Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalk!!!!! Talk about everything!
Thank You for the new chapter (⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝) ෆ
…the relationship is very much based on money, which is a lot more difficult to make a proper romantic relationship out of than, say, a forced marriage without money involved and then uniting against the poisonous relatives.
Also, no matter what the relationship, communication is key. Not like we can read minds, especially not the minds of the people we like.
Thank you for the chapter!
Yes, that makes the relationship feel more natural. I also think Xia Wan has a crush on Huo Yu, but these feelings are restrained by his rationality, considering how that relationship came to be, that he has no experience, and that Huo Yu has a considerably different status from himself. He feels that there is a power imbalance, so he doesn’t dare trust Huo Yu fully until he is convinced that Huo Yu’s attitude and feelings are genuine.
And thank you for that teeny-tiny spoiler, it makes me very much look forward to their further development!
This story is so addicting
Thank you for the chapterrr
Thank you so much for your translation ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I need to reread previous chapters as I forgot why he has surgery because it doesn’t say anything here and how it will improve dad’s health.
As far as I remembered he had cancer