Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Their conversation was brief, and it was only due to the coincidental timing of Lu Wei's return for his lunchbox that they crossed paths.

After overhearing their exchange, Lu Wei had a clear understanding of what had transpired.

The child must have accidentally witnessed Huo Nian hurting himself, and now, to keep him from revealing this, the youngster was attempting to intimidate him.

The child emerged from the room, making brief eye contact with Lu Wei before quickly averting his gaze.

Lu Wei didn't let him leave unchecked, instead swiftly catching up to him.

Approaching the child, Lu Wei whispered, "I heard everything you said to Huo Nian just now."

The youngster seemed surprised that Lu Wei dared to address the Emperor Star's prince by his given name, "W-What's wrong?"

Lu Wei inquired, "Did you really see him hurt his head?"

"..."

The child lowered his head and waved dismissively, not intending to engage in conversation but rather to hurry away.

However, the adult's strides were longer, and he quickly blocked the child's path: "Brother, if you really don't want to talk, just nod or shake your head to give me a hint?"

Not wishing to be further bothered, the child nodded.

Lu Wei continued, "Why did he hurt his own head?"

The child's face paled as he shook his head, "I... I don't know."

"Little brother, are you very afraid of Huo Nian?"

The child finally spoke up, "N-not really, just a bit... because he seems fierce."

He had heard about Emperor Star's young prince long before, and it was well-known that he wasn't an easy person to deal with. After being forced into an encounter, Lu Wei found that the rumors were indeed true.

From the child's reaction, Lu Wei sensed that it was more than just 'a bit.'

Earthlings disliked making things difficult for others or causing them trouble.

Having obtained the answer he sought, he allowed Kid Brother to leave.

Instead of immediately returning to the ward to question the young one, Lu Wei kept a watchful eye on the matter.

When he went to seek out His Canine Majesty that evening, Lu Wei was still pondering over it.

This made His Canine Majesty quite discontented.

"Lu Wei, you're thinking about someone else."

The Earthling absentmindedly stroked his head. "No, I'm not."

His Canine Majesty requested that they change their social media profile pictures to a couple's theme. "If others have it, I want it too."

"..." Ah, such clinginess.

The Earthling pondered again.

Well, wasn't that just how relationships worked?

The social media profile picture was quietly changed to embrace the very PDA he once disdained.

His Majesty the Dog held his hand and took a photo for his profile picture.

"Dating again, Lu Wei."

Lu Wei: "What the hell."

His Majesty the Dog had suddenly become enlightened and was now taking him on dates.

Unfortunately, even on a date, Earthling Lu Wei wasn't in the right mindset.

How perceptive His Majesty the Dog was, watching Lu Wei's expressions all evening.

"If you're curious, just ask him directly."

Lu Wei: "....!"

"You know what I'm thinking?"

The lazy "Your Majesty the Dog" said nonchalantly, "If you're not thinking about me, it's life imprisonment."

Damn.

Lu Wei didn't intend to let the matter slide. He wanted to have a serious talk with the young one.

The next day, in the hospital room, he didn't beat around the bush but went straight to the point.

"Why did you hit your head on purpose?"

There was a momentary stiffness in the figure of Little Fatty Ball before he lifted his head to look at him.

He seemed relatively composed on the surface.

"No, Dad,"

It was impossible for Lu Wei to betray the kid brother, so he said, "Yesterday, I realized halfway that I had forgotten my lunchbox. When I came back to get it, I overheard your conversation outside."

Upon hearing this, there was a brief pause in the room.

The young one's eyes flickered, his lips pressed into a straight line.

"How much did you hear?"

Lu Wei replied, "I think it was all of it."

There was no discernible change in the young one's expression.

Lu Wei carefully examined his wound. If it was indeed self-inflicted, then this little one had been truly ruthless, not treating himself as a person at all.

From the young one's attitude, Lu Wei could tell that what the child had said was true.

In this situation, mere gentleness would be ineffective. Lu Wei adopted a slightly assertive demeanor. "Why did you do this to yourself?"

This was a serious matter, suggesting that the young one's inner world might not be entirely healthy.

Pang Qiu's expression resembled that of the Dog Emperor, but unlike the Dog Emperor, Pang Qiu was more afraid of his anger.

"...

The child lowered his eyelids, hiding the emotions in his eyes, sitting silently on the hospital bed.

The tiny child seemed to be on the verge of being submerged by the overwhelming whiteness of the hospital room, appearing quite pitiful.

However, there was no response to his question.

Lu Wei softened his tone: "Does it hurt?"

The child tugged at the blanket, his expression indecipherable, whether it was defiance or sadness.

It was all the fault of that damn Emperor Dog. If he hadn't been acting strangely every day, how could his big cub have picked up such behavior?

After a moment of silence, the Earthling heard the child speak.

The child stubbornly shook his head. "It's different."

"..."

"In Father's eyes, I'm not the same as Danjiao or Father. Father has lived with Danjiao for almost three years, but he's only been with me for less than a month."

The child spoke in an even tone, unusually calm, though the end of his words trembled slightly.

Lu Wei was somewhat taken aback. He hadn't expected that Little Fat Ball had thought so much. One could say this child was more delicate and sensitive than Lu Danjiao.

Lu Wei replied, "Dad can't deny that."

Little Fat Ball, still dressed in a hospital gown, looked tiny as he said, "Dad, I hurt my head myself."

"..."

"Will you abandon me?"

Following this confession, the question left everyone, including Earthlings, breathless.

Lu Wei asked, "Why would I abandon you?"

The child persisted with a determined tone, "Because I lied to you, and I'm not the good and obedient child that Dad imagined. I'm also very selfish."

This single sentence revealed many misconceptions the child held.

Lu Wei wished he could tell him that being well-behaved wasn't the only reason for someone to be loved, and that lying didn't automatically mean one would be abandoned.

Damn it.

What kind of values had damn Huo Jin instilled in his child?

But then, considering that the boy had grown up in such a twisted environment, how could he expect a normal upbringing? Lu Wei felt a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

"I'm sorry."

Pang Qiu stared intently at Lu Wei, waiting for an answer, only to be suddenly scooped up into a tight embrace the next second.

It was a firm and warm hug, entirely unexpected by the little one.

Pang Qiu blinked. "Dad, why are you hugging me?"

"Brother just feels like hugging, no reason needed."

The little one nodded.

From his reaction, it was evident that this child wasn't often held. He couldn't even figure out the intention behind others hugging him.

—In his eyes, every action had an ulterior motive, so he couldn't decipher Lu Wei's intentions.

Lu Wei asked, "Are you afraid that Father will abandon you?"

That was why he was nervous after finding out yesterday that Lu Wei was an alien. He was scared that Lu Wei would leave again, abandoning him once more.

Pang Qiu nodded.

"But I'm not like Lu Lan. I'm not lively at all."

"You're you. Why do you need to be like Lu Lan?"

The little one spoke calmly, "Father probably likes Danjiao more."

"…"

Ever since that exchange, the tone was set, and even now, Little Pang Qiu aspired to be closer to the image of Lu Lan - or rather, the "unabandoned beloved child" in Lu Wei's heart.

Inherited insecurity, passed down through generations.

These lost years were indeed tangible for both His Majesty the Dog and Huo Nian.

Lu Wei took a deep breath, striving for calmness in his tone. "In this world, no two leaves are exactly alike. Even if you and Lu Lan are twins, you are still two distinct individuals."

Noticing the young one looking up at him, Lu Wei continued,

"Back when Father was studying, I came across a picture book called 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse.' The mole helps the fox escape a trap, and with love, it aids a self-doubting young boy in his growth. On the frontispiece, it reads—"

"Always remember that you matter, you are important, you are loved, and you bring something irreplaceable to this world."

Lu Wei, accustomed to soothing children, had become much gentler in his speech compared to a few years ago. If His Majesty the Dog were here, he'd probably pounce on the bed and smother the man with kisses.

The child continued to gaze at him with his dark, round eyes.

After listening, Little Pang Qiu finally cracked a smile, "Dad is so childish."

The young one no longer put on an act in front of him, openly expressing his thoughts. Clearly, for this child, fairy tales were now considered childish things.

"Cough..."

As for reading picture books, it was purely because their teachers' college library had books on early childhood education that he casually browsed through.

It wasn't because he was immature.

Lu Wei explained, "It's true that we've just gotten to know each other, and Dad can't deny that. But you're an important part of Dad's life, and I've never excluded you from my plans for the future."

The young one's eyes brightened a bit. "Are there plans for me in the future too?"

"Didn't Father say yesterday that he started thinking about it after finding out? From that moment on, Father made up his mind to take on the responsibility of being a father."

Pang Qiu pursed his lips and looked at Lu Wei several times, seemingly building up his courage.

Then the little one said, "I hit my head by myself, and it hurts. But I did it because I wanted to spend more time with you."

Lu Wei's heart trembled.

Sweetheart hasn't done anything wrong; he just lacks a sense of security, so he chose this way.

Ultimately, it was the adult who failed to guide him properly.

"Even without using this method, Dad is willing to be by your side."

Pang Qiu shook his head persistently and said, "But I did it on purpose."

The little one was trying hard to convey the idea that he was 'not normal.'

He was still testing the waters.

Testing whether Lu Wei could accept him as he was.

"Your own father like that, and you'd still hit him," Lu Wei rubbed the child's head. "Dad loves eccentrics the most, so there's no need to be afraid.

The little one's eyes lit up instantly.

"However, next time when you encounter a problem, tell the adults. Kids shouldn't always try to solve things on their own. Communication is crucial, and it's the first step in growing up."

"..."

The youngster tilted their head. "Dad said communication is useless; it's faster to just fight directly."

Lu Wei covered his forehead, contemplating suicide.

"If you listen to that idiot, your life will soon be over."

Damn it.

Lu Wei sincerely wished he could immediately fly there to curse that bastard out.

But he also feared that it would only give the other person pleasure.