Chapter 173: Du Du and Jiang Xingliu Side Story (1)

Chapter 173: Du Du and Jiang Xingliu Side Story (1)

"Congratulations, Mrs. Yuan. The young master has almost fully recovered as of today."

Lu Qingwan stood by Du Du's bedside, her eyes instantly turning red as she heard the doctor's words, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face.

For twelve long years, she had accompanied Du Du through his treatment here.

When Du Du first arrived, his condition was severe, with episodes of hormonal imbalance occurring almost every two days. Being confined to a square hospital room and unable to go outside made each day unbearably oppressive.

She hired over a dozen renowned child psychologists to counsel Du Du daily through a protective barrier, fearing that something might happen to him.

Fortunately, the situation gradually improved. In the first year or two, Lu Qingwan often woke from nightmares where Du Du cried, asking her to hold him. But there was always that protective barrier between them, and she could never reach him.

She would then peer through the barrier to see Du Du often crying under the covers. In the dead of night, his muffled sobs would seep through the blanket.

It tore at her heart.

Sometimes, Du Du would call out Jiang Xingliu's name in his sleep, crying and asking why he lied to a child.

At that time, Lu Qingwan truly despised Jiang Xingliu, wishing she could erase him from her son's memory. But Jiang Xingliu was Du Du's first real friend, and how could she bear to do that?

Later, Jiang Xingliu continued to send strange herbs from other star systems. Doctors in the Stellar Era didn't understand why these bizarre plants could cure illnesses. After testing and confirming the herbs were safe, they brewed them for Du Du.

The herbs had miraculous effects, slowly but surely regulating Du Du's hormones.

She didn't know how Jiang Xingliu got the herbs, but she sometimes saw dried blood on the packages. Finding these must have been hard, and Lu Qingwan couldn't hate Jiang Xingliu anymore.

Du Du sat on the bed, looking out the window.

Twelve years changed him. He was no longer the chubby, fair-skinned boy he once was.

Years of illness left him thin and frail. The lack of sunlight gave his skin a sickly pallor, with faint blue veins beneath, making him look like a fragile porcelain doll.

The child had grown into a teenager, with only his round almond eyes remaining the same—cute and playful, making anyone who saw him instantly fond.

"So, Du Du is normal now, right?" Lu Qingwan's tears fell in excitement. "He's a normal..."

"Omega," the doctor glanced at the report in his hand. "His hormone levels are stable. Thanks to timely treatment, the complications are under control. His gland is omega, with a sweet orange scent. However, due to post-natal modifications, there might be reproductive defects. He will have normal omega heat cycles and hormones, but his uterus isn't fully developed, making offspring unlikely."

Lu Qingwan sighed in relief. "It's okay. As long as he's healthy, that's a blessing."

The doctor closed the folder in his hands and smiled. "Yes, it's all thanks to those herbs that were sent..."

Before the doctor could finish, Lu Qingwan quickly interrupted him. "So now, we can be discharged, right?"

"Yes," the doctor glanced at the dazed Du Du and nodded. "You can complete the discharge procedures at any time."

Lu Qingwan held Du Du's hand and gently ruffled his hair.

Twelve years. The child before her had long grown into a teenager. Last month, he had just turned eighteen, spending his birthday in the hospital without inviting anyone.

"Let's go home," Lu Qingwan said softly.

Du Du simply nodded. Twelve years of hardship had changed him. He was no longer the noisy, lively child he once was, but had become quiet and reserved, carrying a sense of world-weariness and apathy.

Lu Qingwan knew what he had been through all these years. Maintaining his current state was already a miracle. As for the rest, perhaps the person in the imperial capital would have a solution.

Although she couldn’t bring Du Du back to his former innocent and happy self, she believed that, to this day, Du Du is still willing to see him.

Soon, they checked out of the hospital, and Lu Qingwan took Du Du on a starship back to the capital.

This time, she only let Lu Qingyan know through her contact list, without telling anyone else. She figured Lu Qingyan would inform Jiang Xingliu.

Lu Qingwan was actually looking forward to seeing Du Du meet Jiang Xingliu again.

Perhaps this way, she could catch a glimpse of the old Du Du in him now.

After disembarking from the starship, Du Du’s mood shifted noticeably. He grew restless, constantly glancing around, as if waiting for someone.

Lu Qingwan felt a spark of hope. Indeed, Jiang Xingliu always knew how to stir up Du Du’s feelings.

She sent a message to Lu Qingyan, asking where Jiang Xingliu was now.

Lu Qingyan quickly replied, “Him? He’s the empire’s Supreme Commander and swamped with work. But right now, he should be at the military headquarters building. You’d need an appointment to see him.”

Lu Qingwan snapped, “Doesn’t he know to come and pick up Du Du?”

All those years of sending herbs felt like a waste. Watching Du Du search for someone who never appeared, Lu Qingwan fired back.

“Doesn’t he know Du Du is coming back today?!”

Lu Qingyan paused.

“He really doesn’t know.”

Lu Qingwan said, “You didn’t tell him?”

“He’s too busy, and I don’t get to talk to him much,” Lu Qingyan replied. “But tonight, there should be a banquet at the military-political hall, and according to tradition, he needs to attend. I’ll arrange for you to join the banquet.”

Lu Qingwan couldn’t hold back her frustration and said coldly, “So now Du Du has to go find him? If it weren’t for Du Du chasing after him all those years ago, we wouldn’t have had these twelve difficult years! Now you want Du Du to keep chasing after him, is that it?”

Lu Qingyan remained silent.

The events of that year had passed twelve years ago. Even if Jiang Huizhou was at fault, didn’t everyone here also bear some responsibility?

They truly had no right to lay all the blame on Jiang Xingliu. Over the years, he had gone to great lengths to find medicine for Du Du. Without him, Du Du might still be confined within the white walls of the hospital.

Lu Qingwan looked at the somewhat dejected Du Du and finally said, “Forget it, what time does the banquet start?”