chapter 73

Chapter 72: Yiyi is an Orphan

There's still plenty of time with He Yushen in the future; Nanyi could slowly broach this subject later.

The priority now was to check on Nanzhi's injuries.

Even though Nanzhi hadn't treated him well, he was still Nanyi's younger brother — the same one who used to chase after him daily, calling him 'big brother' and asking for candy.

Despite all the years that had passed, Nanyi had never wished ill upon Nanzhi due to any resentment.

He simply hoped that Nanzhi would lead a happy life, and that, subsequently, their paths wouldn't cross again.

When the two entered the room, Nanzhi was lying down, his left leg encased in plaster and elevated on the bed.

"Big brother? You both?"

Upon seeing Nanyi, Nanzhi appeared somewhat bewildered. His round almond eyes widened in disbelief.

"How come you two are together... and also..."

His gaze, which had settled on Nanyi's face, began to drift downward, his pale lips slightly parted.

His words trailed off midway.

Nanyi, focused on his brother's injured leg and pallid complexion, missed the entirety of what was said.

However, He Yushen, who caught every word, furrowed his brows.

"Your... how's your leg? Is someone taking care of you?"

Nanyi, standing beside He Yushen, took a subtle step forward.

"Big brother, I'm fine. It's been a long time."

A smile graced Nanzhi's face, genuine as if he were truly overjoyed to see a beloved sibling after a prolonged absence.

For a fleeting moment, Nanyi felt as if he'd been transported back to their childhood.

Yet, Nanyi was also aware that Nanzhi was a master of pretense, probably putting on an act for He Yushen's sake.

"Have you... had breakfast yet?"

"Not yet," Nanzhi replied with a wistful smile.

"There's breakfast near the hospital entrance; I'll go..."

"Stay put, I'll get it."

Nanyi's words were interrupted by the ever-silent He Yushen, who gently guided him to sit.

He Yushen affectionately ruffled Nanyi's hair, his steady tone tinged with warmth, "Just sit tight. I'll handle it."

The person in the bed observed the intimacy between the two.

Those endearing almond eyes betrayed a mix of complex emotions: resentment, malice, and a barely discernible hint of envy.

He Yushen gently closed the room's door behind him.

With the alpha gone, the seemingly innocent face on the bed darkened instantaneously.

Nan Zhi disdainfully looked at Nan Yi, who sat on the chair in front of the window, looking exactly like her.

With a sarcastic tone, she remarked, "It hasn't been long, yet you've become so cunning."

"A low-quality omega," she scoffed, "So quick to be accepted. Doesn't He Yu Shen despise you?"

Nan Yi wasn't surprised by Nan Zhi's change in demeanor. Over the years, he'd grown accustomed to her double-dealing nature.

Faced with Nan Zhi's mockery, he replied coldly, "I thought you had changed."

The person on the bed paused momentarily, a trace of bewilderment crossing their eyes.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Nan Zhi exclaimed, "Change? To what? It's all been decided. Nan Yi, why are you always so fortunate?"

"Fortunate?"

When had Nan Yi ever been fortunate? His only stroke of luck was meeting He Yu Shen.

But even that wasn't truly his at first.

Before meeting He Yu Shen, Nan Yi never felt he had a brush with good fortune.

At seven, he was intentionally pushed into a pool by his stepmother, Xu Fang, while his younger brother pretended not to see, resulting in his loss of voice for over a decade.

Being a low-quality omega, he was despised by Nan Zhai Min. At first, Nan Yi wanted to clarify the truth with him.

But once he realized Nan Zhai Min didn't care about him at all, he learned not to seek refuge with anyone.

He isolated himself for many years, feeling that without He Yu Shen, his life was barely worth living.

It was a tribulation.

"Do you call this kind of life fortunate?" Nan Yi said with a self-deprecating smile.

"Even if I could start over, I would still be cherished and loved. What about you? Why must I suffer? Why does the person I love not love me back?"

The person on the bed had bloodshot eyes, seemingly agitated by Nan Yi's words, speaking hoarsely and angrily.

Nan Yi, taken aback, stared at the emotionally charged Nan Zhi on the bed, asking, "What do you mean by 'start over'?"

Nan Zhi's expression froze for a moment. With a fierce glare at Nan Yi, she snorted, "Nan Yi, I truly wish we weren't related by blood."

Nan Yi just coldly looked back at the person on the bed.

The little kid who used to follow him around, calling him "big brother", had changed ever since his near-drowning incident.

He lowered his head, murmuring softly, "I often wonder, is this place truly home? Have I ever had a family?"

For all these years, Nan Yi never understood why Nan Zhai Min treated stray dogs better than him.

Even if he despised his low-quality Omega status, Nan Yi was still his child. He couldn't comprehend Nan Zhai Min's heartlessness.

Nan Zhi looked at Nan Yi as if he were an idiot, saying, "Despite your obvious foolishness, why are you always so fortunate?"

Nan Yi ignored Nan Zhi's words, having long grown accustomed to his insulting remarks.

Nan Zhi, however, seemed resentful. He despised Nan Yi's apparent ignorance and perpetual naïve demeanor.

With a mocking smile, he said, "Do you want to know why Nan Zhai Min despises you so much?"

Nan Yi's hand twitched slightly, but he remained silent.

Nan Zhi coldly stared at his hand, speaking in a calm and steady tone, "Because, dear brother, Nan Zhai Min is not our real father."

"What?! Impossible... That can't be."

Nan Yi's ears rang, and he shook his head in disbelief.

"While Nan Zhai Min might be an alpha, he's incompetent. He squandered his youth on drinking and gambling. He married our mother solely for her wealth and property."

Putting it bluntly, he was just the opportunist. If our mother hadn't passed away when we were one, there would be no connection with Xu Fang and her daughter."

Nan Zhi finished with disdain, his contempt clear in his voice.

"Our very existence constantly reminds Nan Zhai Min of his past failures. How well do you think he could possibly treat you?"

Nan Yi could no longer hear Nan Zhi's rhetorical question. The injustices he had suffered for over a decade became suddenly clear.

Instead of feeling sorrow, Nan Yi felt liberated.

At least he no longer believed that it was due to his inferior Omega status that even his presumed biological father despised him.

"If not Nan Zhai Min, then who is our father?"

His gaze, now distant, turned towards the person on the bed, his hands trembling slightly.

Nan Yi held his breath, his legs growing weak with tension, even as he sat.

"He's dead. Died on a mission. He doesn't even have a gravestone; you won't find him."

"Dead?"

Upon discovering the truth, Nan Yi felt the sudden weight of being an orphan.

His eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

Perhaps because he had never met him, Nan Yi couldn't say he felt profoundly heartbroken.

With blurred vision, he looked to Nan Zhi on the bed, "How do you know all this?"

The person on the bed stiffened once more. His lips barely parted when he caught a glimpse of a shadow outside the door.

The mocking expression from just moments ago turned instantly into one of aggrievement.