chapter 45

Chapter 45: He Didn't Want Him to See Nan Zhi

He Yushen got off work quite late today. Subordinates had made four or five incorrect revisions to a project, prompting an outburst from him at the office.

By the time he got home from work, it was already nine o'clock.

The omega, who usually secluded himself in his small office by this hour, was now lost in thought on the living room couch.

"Why haven't you gone upstairs yet?"

At the sound of his voice, the daydreaming figure jolted, turning hesitantly toward him, resembling a startled rabbit.

Those indifferent eyes blinked in bewilderment, radiating an adorable daze.

"Have you eaten?" He Yushen inquired.

Settling next to Nan Yi, his arm naturally wrapped around Nan Yi's shoulder, speaking in a gentle tone.

The omega nestled in his embrace shook his head subtly, leaning further into He Yushen's neck.

With a slight arch of his eyebrow, He Yushen observed that Nan Yi was unusually docile today.

"Did you wait on purpose to dine together?"

He Yushen's breakfasts were prepared by Nan Yi, and they typically shared their morning meal. As long as He Yushen maintained regular working hours, they also dined together in the evenings.

Nan Yi neither nodded nor shook his head, but the blush on his ears betrayed his current sentiments.

All the irritation from work dissipated. With a light chuckle, He Yushen held one of Nan Yi's hands, commenting, "You're getting better at charming others."

In high spirits, He Yushen served Nan Yi generous portions during dinner.

Even though Nan Yi felt a bit overstuffed, he still ate everything He Yushen placed on his plate.

Nan Yi had always yearned for simple things - just some genuine care. His blood-related family never genuinely valued him.

Yet He Yushen, who could discard him at any moment, showered him with attention and affection.

"I'm not working tomorrow. We'll go to the hospital to collect your test results; they're ready."

At bedtime, Nan Yi curled up in the warmth of He Yushen's embrace, resting his hands gently on the alpha's chest, feeling the warmth and heartbeat.

He yearned to always be cradled with such tenderness.

Accompanied by He Yushen, Nan Yi once again visited the hospital.

"Mr. Nan's condition is manageable. Full recovery is very likely, though it might be a lengthy process ranging from 3 to 9 months, perhaps even longer."

The aging doctor, his temples graying and holding the test results that Nan Yi couldn't comprehend, studied them with keen eyes, as if looking at a rare treasure.

Nan Yi's eyes widened in disbelief, his fingers trembling slightly with emotion. Having lost his voice for over a decade, he had almost resigned to this being his life's fate.

"How much longer could it be?" He Yushen asked.

"It's uncertain; it depends on the recovery."

"Don't worry, Mr. Nan's condition isn't too severe. He should be speaking normally in at most nine months."

"If you both wish to proceed with treatment, please make an appointment in advance. Our hospital tailors surgical plans based on each patient's needs. Surgery costs range from a hundred thousand to two to three hundred thousand."

The elderly doctor set aside the pile of test reports and adjusted the reading glasses on the bridge of his nose.

Joy on Nan Yi's face faltered for a moment, and he subconsciously looked towards He Yu Shen.

The few thousand he had on him wouldn't even cover a tenth of the surgery fees.

"Money is no issue. Provide us with the best treatment plan."

Alpha's deep voice thudded against his heart, causing Nan Yi's heart to race with that statement.

It felt even more exhilarating than the news of him possibly speaking again.

Nan Yi thought that if he could speak, the first words he'd utter would be calling out He Yu Shen's name.

To let Alpha's beautiful name flow from his lips, to personally feel the charm of those three characters.

"Alright, once the surgery date is confirmed, we'll notify both of you."

Exiting through that door, Nan Yi still felt a bit surreal. Following behind He Yu Shen, he resembled a child venturing outside for the first time, closely tailing Alpha.

As they descended to the hospital lobby, it was crowded. In the cold winter, many children had caught colds.

"Mommy, I don't want a shot!" A child's tantrum caught Nan Yi's attention.

A chubby little boy in an orange down jacket, wrapped up in a scarf like a rice dumpling, was lying on the floor, throwing a fit.

Nan Yi's lips curled up in amusement.

Due to the boy's outburst, a line of similarly sick children awaiting shots began crying in unison.

Suddenly, the entire lobby echoed with the wailing of children.

Nan Yi's smile froze upon spotting the figure of Nan Zhi rounding the corner ahead.

"Tsk."

It was the sound of an irritated Alpha.

As He Yu Shen, who was engrossed in his phone, looked up, Nan Yi suddenly grasped his hand without hesitation.

Caught off guard by the sudden grip, He Yu Shen halted in his steps.

"Want to hold hands? Why is yours so cold?"

"Put your hand in my..." Before He Yu Shen could finish, Nan Yi was already pulling him in the opposite direction.

Bemused, He Yu Shen had no choice but to follow behind Nan Yi, who was striding ahead.

"Where are we going?"

Instead of taking the stairs, Nan Yi turned the corner, heading in the direction of the restrooms.

Stopping in front of the men's restroom with He Yu Shen in tow, he suddenly felt heat rush to his cheeks.

"Oh, you need the restroom?" He Yu Shen gently released the hand that was noticeably smaller than his.

"Go ahead, I'll wait out here."

Nan Yi didn't use the facilities but just washed his hands. Splashing cold water on his burning face, he then looked up at his reflection in the mirror.

His intention wasn't to use the restroom; he'd impulsively dragged He Yu Shen away the moment he saw Nan Zhi.

He was selfish. He didn't want He Yu Shen to see Nan Zhi. Everyone, whether they were Nan Yi's past friends or those he had naive crushes on, eventually fell for Nan Zhi.

Initially, what He Yu Shen wanted was the high-quality omega, Nan Zhi. Would seeing Nan Zhi again stir old feelings? Or perhaps He Yu Shen had never moved on from Nan Zhi?

Nan Yi couldn't be certain.

He just didn't want the two of them to meet.

Nan Yi lingered in the restroom for a few more minutes to ensure he wouldn't bump into Nan Zhi upon exiting, then dried his hands and face before leaving.

He Yu Shen stood by the window, his silhouette strikingly upright.

Nan Yi thought, if there were onlookers, they'd undoubtedly be captivated by Alpha's profile.

"Took you long enough. I was starting to think you'd fallen in. Was about to come rescue you."

He Yu Shen chuckled softly, taking Nan Yi's hand.

"Let's go."

As they passed through the hospital lobby, Nan Yi sighed in relief, not seeing any sign of Nan Zhi.

He Yu Shen didn't return to the villa but headed to his company midway.

Nan Yi, on the other hand, was picked up by Xiao Wang and taken back to the villa.

The moment he returned, he went straight to his drawing room and began working on his drafts without a break.

Unsure about the date of the surgery, he wanted to get as much done as possible, building up a stockpile.

Today was January 10th. Due to the recent tumultuous days and emotional turbulence, he'd completely forgotten it was the day his manuscript fees were to be paid.

Seeing the added amount in his bank account brought him satisfaction.

That evening, Nan Yi chatted with Yin Feng again.

A young man in love often feels a mix of nervousness, shyness, and contentment. With a heart fluttering from excitement and anxiety, he confided in Yin Feng that he had developed feelings for He Yu Shen.

[He Yu Shen! You're into He Yu Shen!?]

Just from the text, one could sense the sheer excitement on the other end.

Without asking anything further, Yin Feng immediately made plans to meet up with Nan Yi the next day for a more in-depth conversation.