Chapter 64: Caught in the Act! What Are You Two Up To?

Chapter 64: Caught in the Act! What Are You Two Up To?

Jiang Xingliu blinked and reached out to hold Du Du's hand that wasn't attached to an IV, whispering, "Are you feeling better?"

Du Du squinted and thought for a moment before replying, "It still hurts a little, but it's okay. Du Du is a brave boy and won't cry."

Jiang Xingliu smiled slightly, the corners of his lips curling up.

Seeing that the two children were chatting happily, Shen Zhixue turned and went out to find a doctor.

After the doctor arrived, they checked Du Du's condition and closed the medical chart, saying, "The patient is out of danger now, but the injuries still need careful attention. Since he's awake, we can use the medical pod. I'll arrange for one to be brought over soon to repair the wounds."

Shen Zhixue breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

The doctor nodded and hurried off to see the next patient.

Shen Zhixue sent a message to Lady Yuan, informing her that Du Du had woken up.

Lady Yuan and Mr. Yuan were both extremely busy people, rarely seen during the day, so Shen Zhixue had been the one staying at the hospital these past few days. Upon hearing that Du Du was awake, Lady Yuan put down her work and rushed over.

When she entered the ward, Du Du was holding Jiang Xingliu's hand, chattering away about something.

Jiang Xingliu, wearing a hospital gown and still injured himself, hadn't lain down on the bed. Instead, he sat beside Du Du, his expression unusually patient, his eyes lowered as if listening intently.

Shen Zhixue couldn't quite figure it out. In the past, Jiang Xingliu had been annoyed by Du Du, especially by what he called Du Du's "stupid talk." But now, his patience might stem from a sense of guilt toward Du Du.

However, Du Du hadn't thought much of Jiang Xingliu before either, not just because Jiang Xingliu often gave him a "what nonsense is this idiot spouting now" look, but also because of Jiang Xingliu's background. Though only five years old, Du Du had heard the rumors—that Jiang Xingliu was a child born out of wedlock, the one who had ruined someone else's family.

Children born out of wedlock were bad people, and Du Du, as the righteous hero of light, couldn't possibly play with bad people!

But in that small warehouse where they were kidnapped, the person who held his hand and calmly told him not to be afraid was this very "bad person."

At that time, even though his whole body hurt terribly, just hearing Jiang Xingliu's voice made him feel less cold and scared. This person, who gave him a sense of security, felt much more real than the rumors of "child born out of wedlock" he had heard from others at such a young age.

"I'll tell you something," Du Du said, swinging his little feet. "After you left, that jerk wanted to hit me, but he didn't dare, probably because of what you said. Hmph! I knew you'd protect me. From now on, we're really good friends! Jiang Xingliu, I'm sorry for saying bad things about you before. I know I was wrong! When you come to my house, I'll let you play with my favorite Ultraman model, and also, there's this red velvet cake my mom brought from the palace. It's so delicious, and you can't buy it anywhere else. It's my favorite, and I'm sure you'll love it too..."

Lady Yuan paused to catch her breath, slowing her hurried steps as she walked in, sighing, "You just woke up and you're already chattering like a little bird. I think you're not hurt enough... Stop bothering Xingliu. He went through a lot to get you out and send a message. He's been in the medical pod four or five times these past few days, and his injuries still haven't healed!"

Hearing that Jiang Xingliu was also injured, Du Du quickly sat up, his eyes wide with concern. "You're hurt too? Why didn't you say so earlier? You must be so tired sitting here... You should lie down... No, wait, then I won't be able to talk to you. I still have so much to say!"

Jiang Xingliu shook his head. "I'm fine."

"Just lie down next to me," Du Du said, scooting over and patting the empty space beside him. "Here, lie down with me. That way, you won't be tired."

Lady Yuan sighed and gently touched Du Du's head. "You're just as annoying as always."

"I'm not that annoying!" Du Du said, squinting with a smile. "Jiang Xingliu is my good friend. He doesn't find me annoying, right, Jiang Xingliu?"

Jiang Xingliu pursed his lips. "Mm."

"Come on, lie down already," Du Du urged, even using his little hands to straighten the bed beside him. "Hurry up!"

Jiang Xingliu hesitated. "It's fine..."

"No," Du Du said, puffing out his chest. "You need to lie down with me. Are you still my good friend?"

Jiang Xingliu glanced at Du Du's IV hand and said helplessly, "I might accidentally bump your hand."

Du Du looked at his hand and reached out with his other hand to pull out the IV needle. Jiang Xingliu quickly grabbed his arm, frowning. "What are you doing?"

"Remove it," Du Du said. "I feel fine now. Once it's removed, you can rest easy."

"Don't be silly!" Madam Yuan pinched Du Du's little face with a serious expression. "The doctor said it can only be removed when he says so."

Du Du's spirits dropped. "But I want to be with Jiang Xingliu."

Madam Yuan sighed helplessly. "Just keep your hand slightly raised, and be careful not to let it get pressed."

Shen Zhixue chimed in. "Jiang Xingliu, be careful not to press on Du Du's hand."

Jiang Xingliu then cautiously sat down next to Du Du and nodded. "Okay."

Du Du finally seemed content, sitting side by side with Jiang Xingliu, and began babbling again...

Madam Yuan gave Shen Zhixue a look, hinting he should step outside.

Shen Zhixue reminded Jiang Xingliu a few times, telling him not to touch Du Du's arm, and then followed Madam Yuan out of the ward.

Madam Yuan remarked, "It's impressive how well-behaved and thoughtful Jiang Xingliu is. Anyone else would have lost patience with him by now."

"Not at all," Shen Zhixue replied. "I apologize; I should have been more attentive to Du Du."

"How could it be your fault?" Madam Yuan squinted. "I've been staying behind the scenes these past few years, not showing my face much. Some people have really overstepped their bounds, thinking they can manipulate me, Lu Qingwan, and even pull one over on me!"

Shen Zhixue was momentarily taken aback, unsure whether Lu Qingwan was referring to Yexue or Jiang Huizhou.

"Don't worry, Yexue is in the imperial prison, and she won't have it easy," Lu Qingwan said with a cold laugh. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she grasped Shen Zhixue's hand and said, "Oh, I nearly forgot to mention. Back when Wan Chenghan was involved with Yexue, it seems he secretly gave her shares in an entertainment company behind Madam Wan's back. It's a small company, and Yexue has practically run it into the ground over the years. Now, it only brings in about 50 million a year..."

Shen Zhixue swayed slightly.

Lu Qingwan quickly steadied her. "What's wrong? I told you it's tiring to look after two kids by yourself. I suggested we get a nurse..."

"It's nothing," Shen Zhixue took a deep breath. "I'm just from the countryside, and I've never seen so much money before."

Lu Qingwan chuckled helplessly. "Now that Yexue is in prison, the company's shares have plummeted. I heard from Old Yuan that the company was acquired by Chengfeng Group at a very low price. I wanted to ask you if you have any connection to Chengfeng Group?"

Shen Zhixue swallowed hard, thinking to herself that the connection was huge, and you probably wouldn't believe it if I told you it's my husband's company.

"Not at all," Shen Zhixue lied. "Someone like me, how could I possibly know the CEO of Chengfeng Group? Haha, Sister Lu, you're really good at joking. I don't know, I have no idea, I'm clueless."

Lu Qingwan narrowed her eyes. "I didn't say you knew him."

"..." Shen Zhixue coughed twice and quickly changed the subject. "Sister Lu, why are you asking me this?"

"Just casually asking," Lu Qingwan said, touching her hair and sighing. "I was planning to buy that company and give it to you as a gift, but someone beat me to it. Chengfeng Group has been doing really well lately. First, they competed with the Jiang family for business, and then they acquired several companies, big and small. They're growing fast, almost catching up to the Jiang family."

Shen Zhixue leaned against the wall and let out a cold laugh. Jiang Huizhou's goal wasn't just to catch up to the Jiang family.

"It's also because of the recent scandal in the Jiang family. Their business has been struggling, and Chengfeng Group has taken advantage of that," Lu Qingwan shook her head. "But those people in the Jiang family, well, they kind of deserve it... Oh, I'm not talking about you. Jiang Huizhou is a good person, even though he's disabled, he's always been kind to others. Don't worry, if the Jiang family really goes bankrupt, I'll make sure to take good care of you and Jiang Huizhou."

Shen Zhixue touched her nose, hinting at something. "Jiang Huizhou... is indeed very kind to people."

"You don't have any feelings for him, do you?" Lu Qingwan immediately became alert. "Even though he's a good person and decent-looking, he's still disabled! Listen to me, Zhixue. We omegas may not have the same status as Alphas in the empire, but we shouldn't degrade ourselves! Besides, how can a disabled person comfort you during your heat? If you ask me, you should find a healthy Alpha. If you care about looks, you don't have to limit yourself to him. Let me tell you, my brother Lu Qingyan is considered the most handsome in the entire empire..."

Before Lu Qingwan could finish, Lu Qingyan's voice came from not far away. "Shen Zhixue!"

The famous actor seemed to have just come from a film set, wearing a black mask and glasses. His tall figure was wrapped in casual jeans, and as he walked toward them, nurses and patients along the way couldn't help but glance at him.

"Sister," Lu Qingyan approached them and adjusted his mask. "What are you talking about in the hallway? Let's go inside. This mask is suffocating me."

With that, he led the way into the ward.

Then he saw Jiang Xingliu hovering over his beloved nephew, their heads nearly touching.

Lu Qingyan instantly lunged forward with a swift kick, and the hospital bed shook with a deafening crash!

Jiang Xingliu frowned, turning his head in confusion.

"What the hell are you two doing?!" Lu Qingyan darted forward, grabbed Jiang Xingliu by the scruff of his neck, and yanked him off the bed: "You motherf—, you little shit—"