chapter 74

Chapter 73: You're All I Have

Nan Zhi protested, "Brother! Why did you deceive me and marry He Shao in my stead?"

With a face full of sorrow and a quivering voice, Nan Yi, still immersed in his own grief, was taken aback.

"Ever since we were kids, you've been taking what's mine. But He Shao... he chose me! You can't just steal my life because you're aware of He Shao's background!"

"You're my older brother, yet you deceived me, all for wealth and prestige!"

Nan Yi: !!!

Incredulously, Nan Yi stared at the face on the bed – a face so similar to his own – and said, "What are you talking about?"

"Brother, did you bank on the fact that since you're carrying his child, He Shao wouldn't dare to drive you away, making you so audacious?"

"Or did you think I wouldn't have the heart to expose you?" Nan Zhi's voice was shaky, filled with choked emotion.

Given his aggrieved demeanor, if Nan Yi hadn't experienced the marriage substitution firsthand, he might have been fooled by Nan Zhi's act.

He Yu Shen stood emotionless outside the ward.

He had heard every emotionally charged word spoken by Nan Zhi inside the room.

Frowning, Nan Yi coldly glanced at the person on the bed.

"Why are you saying all this? He Yu Shen isn't..."

Before Nan Yi could finish, the door to the ward swung open with a clang.

He Yu Shen, who had been out for half the day, entered the room with breakfast he'd bought.

Nan Yi turned around nervously, realizing why Nan Zhi had suddenly changed his tone.

It was the same old plot twist he always resorted to: shifting blame.

Nan Yi wasn't sure how much He Yu Shen had heard or if there had been any misunderstandings. He wanted to explain.

"He Yu Shen," he called out tentatively.

He Yu Shen stood by the door.

The omega who looked up at him had eyes slightly reddened. The gentle curve of He Yu Shen's lips stiffened for a moment.

He Yu Shen swiftly approached Nan Yi, placing the breakfast he'd bought on a table.

Standing in front of Nan Yi, he gently tousled his hair.

With a touch of concern, he remarked, "Why are your eyes so red?"

Treading carefully, Nan Yi inquired, "Did you hear what Nan Zhi said earlier?"

The corners of He Yu Shen's eyes lifted slightly, realizing that the young one was worried he'd be blamed.

He softly comforted his omega, "I heard everything. But why would I blame you? Why are you beating yourself up?"

"It hurts me to see you upset, and the little omega inside you would feel the same, you know."

Nan Zhi: ???

Without consolation, Nan Yi could bear the injustice. But with the soothing words from his alpha, he suddenly felt more aggrieved.

Even after hearing Nan Zhi's schemes, He Yu Shen's first instinct was to reassure him, to tune into his emotions.

Grief, coupled with gratitude and a sense of redemption, welled up in Nan Yi.

Sincerely, he expressed, "He Yu Shen, you're all I have left."

Nan Yi's hands, which had become slightly chubbier, wrapped around his waist.

His voice quivered as he spoke.

He Yu Shen felt his heart melting.

"Please, don't leave me."

Burying his face into He Yu Shen's waist, Nan Yi's voice took on a muffled tone.

"I won't leave you. I adore you so much; I can't be without you."

He Yu Shen gently patted Nan Yi's back, whispering words of solace.

"The house next to Yun Luo complex is ready. I thought we could move in tonight."

"We should also talk to Mr. Ling. He'd be thrilled. Maybe he could even stay with us for a few days. What do you think?"

Nuzzling against He Yu Shen's shoulder, Nan Yi responded, "Do we really need to move and tell... Mr. Ling?"

"Given your current situation, the nearby location happens to be one of the top hospitals in City A. Plus, the housing environment is also quite pleasant."

Every decision made by the alpha was with Nan Yi in mind. Touched even more, feeling the moisture returning to his eyes, Nan Yi hummed in agreement.

"Also," He Yu Shen said with a light laugh, "Next time you see Mr. Ling, call him like you did just now."

Flushing slightly, Nan Yi awkwardly murmured in agreement.

"Mr. He..."

From the bed, Nan Zhi frowned and audibly interrupted the embrace between the two.

He Yu Shen subtly turned his head to glance at Nan Zhi on the bed.

Gently ruffling Nan Yi's hair, he spoke softly, "Yi Yi, could you step out for a moment?"

Nan Yi's grip loosened slightly, and as she looked up, she met the gaze of the one who had been staring down at her.

"Sweetie, just wait for me outside the door for... thirteen minutes, okay?"

"Okay."

He Yu Shen gently assisted Nan Yi to her feet from the chair.

The door to the VIP ward was left open, but Nan Yi still walked to a chair in the corridor, sat down, and gazed absentmindedly at her toes.

The only two relatives in the world, one was a pretense, the other harbored animosity from a young age.

Truly, all Nan Yi had was He Yu Shen.

Thankfully, the alpha treated her well.

Nan Yi thought, at least there was still hope in life.

.........................

With only the two of them left in the room, joy spread across Nan Zhi's face as he exclaimed, "Mr. He!"

The man, who was just smiling moments ago, instantly turned solemn.

Those clear-cut black and white eyes became obscure and inscrutable.

He Yu Shen stated upfront, "When I chose to marry you, it was initially because of your esteemed Omega status. As for you, I had never met you and held no emotions for you."

"You're Nan Yi's younger brother. I will compensate you, but I don't want you to discuss these matters with her anymore."

"I have an apartment in the south, consider it compensation. And this card." He Yu Shen casually pulled a bank card from his pocket, placing it gracefully beside Nan Yi's pillow.

"During your hospital stay, I've arranged for a caregiver."

Nan Zhi cast a disdainful look at the bank card beside him, the gleam in his eyes dimming.

"He Yu Shen, have you forgotten who the bride was when you got married?"

Nan Zhi's tone took on a cold edge, contrasting starkly with his innocent face.

He Yu Shen, who was about to turn away, shot a cold glance at Nan Zhi.

"Do you think you can threaten me?"

With no change in his calm tone, Nan Zhi was momentarily left speechless by the alpha's retort.

He truly couldn't do much against He Yu Shen's vast wealth; to put it bluntly, his little tricks wouldn't even warrant a second glance from He Yu Shen.

Nan Zhi stared at the retreating figure, his eyes slightly unfocused.

Unexpectedly, after a change in life paths, He Yu Shen still fell for Nan Yi.

It seems when you're truly enamored with someone, no matter how you meet, you're destined to fall in love all over again.

As for those who don't love you, is it that no matter how hard you try, you're just chasing after wind?

The card beside the pillow remained untouched, instead, he pulled out his phone.

The screen displayed a candid photo, somewhat blurry, as if taken surreptitiously.

Amidst two or three indistinct figures, a man with a wine glass was engrossed in conversation.

Atop a pronounced nose rested a pair of rimless glasses; beneath them, a set of sharp, detached eyes.

Tall and elegant, his handsome face exuded a hint of menace, lips curled in a cold, captivating smile.

Nan Zhi's fingers caressed the phone screen.

His desolate gaze fixed on the wallpaper, he murmured, "Lin Qiu Wu..."