Chapter 96

Chapter 96

When Bo Yiming arrived home, he learned from Uncle Xu that his papa was feeling unwell and hadn’t come downstairs since morning.

His face, which had been bright with excitement as he was about to share happy moments from the farm with Uncle Xu, instantly fell with concern. He bolted for the stairs, taking the steps two at a time to rush up to the second floor.

Uncle Xu watched the young master’s abrupt shift in mood, and stood frozen for a moment.

This was likely the first time he saw a trace of the oldest young master’s expression flicker across the child’s features.

Second floor.

Auntie Zhong happened to step out of the bedroom and gently cautioned the hurriedly approaching boy, "Your papa ate and fell asleep. He hasn’t woken up yet."

"Okay~" Bo Yiming was about to enter when he suddenly tugged at her sleeve, his eyes pleading. "Granny Zhong, why didn’t anyone call to tell me?"

Auntie Zhong patted the back of his hand. "Your father didn’t want you to worry. Besides, the doctor has already been here—it’s not serious."

Bo Yiming nodded, then quietly pushed the door open.

Not wanting to wake his papa, he slipped his feet out of his house slippers and tiptoed across the plush carpet toward the master bedroom.

By the bed, Bo Tingyuan sat on the sofa. At a glance, he noticed his son had returned and glanced at his bare feet.

Bo Yiming hurried over, carefully studying his papa’s peaceful expression before relaxing. He puckered his lips and blew a silent kiss toward his sleeping figure.

Then, his amber eyes shot a glare at his father.

With just one look from his youngest son, Bo Tingyuan knew exactly what was on his mind. Wordlessly, he stood and walked to the doorway.

He picked up his son’s slippers and placed them neatly by the bed, ruffling his hair.

But Bo Yiming, with a stern expression, pointed outside, signaling that he had something to say to his father.

Father and son walked one after the other into the sitting room.

Bo Tingyuan glanced back at the bed to ensure their conversation wouldn’t wake the sleeper, then fixed his gaze—framed by his glasses—on his youngest son’s face.

Bo Yiming had intended to wait calmly for his father to speak first, but when no words came, he gritted his teeth and whispered fiercely, "Father, no matter whether I worry or not, you *have* to tell me immediately if Papa isn’t feeling well in the future."

Bo Tingyuan’s expression remained composed.

The request was fair—he had no reason to refuse.

Seeing his father’s indifferent expression, unsure if his words had even registered, Bo Yiming grew impatient. He rose onto his tiptoes, gritting his teeth. "This is an *order*! Not a discussion! Humph!"

With that, he spun around and dashed back toward the bed.

Bo Tingyuan’s gaze followed his retreating figure, lingering thoughtfully on the lanky, growing frame.

On the bed, Wen Cishu began to stir awake. Blinking as his eyes adjusted to the soft light, he smiled at the sight of his little one’s face. "Yiming~"

"Papa, did I wake you?" Bo Yiming froze.

Bo Tingyuan returned to the bedside.

Wen Cishu took his small hand and held it to his cheek, smiling. "No, I’ve slept too much today."

As he spoke, he pushed himself up.

Bao Yiming quickly knelt on the bed to support him, urging, "Papa, hurry up!"

Bao Tingyuan had already helped Wen Cishu sit up, propping two pillows behind him. He chose not to argue with his son and instead reached for the water glass on the nightstand.

Bao Yiming grumbled, "Hurry and give Papa some water!"

Wen Cishu: "?"

What’s this about?

He took a sip of warm water to moisten his lips, then looked at the little one with puzzled eyes. "Hmm?"

Bao Yiming gently smoothed Papa’s long hair, pouting as he grumbled, "When I’m not home, Papa doesn’t take good care of Little Papa."

He smacked the blanket in frustration. "He must’ve stolen Little Papa’s blanket in the middle of the night—that’s why he got a fever!"

Both fathers went quiet.

Just as Wen Cishu was unsure how to respond, Bao Tingyuan said bluntly, "Yi Ming, hush now."

Wen Cishu looked up at him in surprise, his brows twitching.

—What kind of attitude is that?!

Reading Little Papa’s expression, Bao Yiming immediately bent down and buried his face in the pillow beside him, fake-sobbing, "Little Papa, listen! Papa scolds me like this and even stopped people from contacting me, waaaah…"

If Bao Tingyuan weren’t present, Wen Cishu would’ve loved to pull him into a hug and fake-cried:

Exactly! Your Papa is so mean—he tied up my hands when I was sick! Not only that, he even threatened me and wouldn’t even let me feed myself!

Bao Tingyuan reminded him calmly, "Don’t crush your Little Papa’s hair."

"Oh." Bao Yiming quickly shifted over.

Wen Cishu hugged the unusually well-behaved little monkey and asked slowly, "Yi Ming, tell me, what did you and Xingxing do at the farm?"

Bao Yiming began whispering excitedly.

After finishing, he asked curiously, "Little Papa, didn’t you and Papa check the surveillance last night?"

Wen Cishu: …Don’t even ask about last night!

Bao Tingyuan answered for him, "We went to bed early."

Bao Yiming readily accepted this explanation and continued chattering away.

Just then, Uncle Xu knocked and entered.

"Young Master, Albert has arrived. I’ve asked him to wait in the study."

"Mm." Bao Tingyuan glanced at the father and son cuddled up and was about to speak when his son interrupted.

"Papa, go ahead, your work’s waiting~ It’s fine, after all, work is more important than Little Papa."

Wen Cishu: …Why so snippy?

Bao Tingyuan pushed up his glasses, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Suddenly, Wen Cishu deciphered six unmistakable words in those dark green eyes—

—French boarding school!

Panicked, he quickly reached out to hug his son and said to Bo Tingyuan, "Go ahead, don’t make Albert wait."

"Cut it short."

Seeing Wen Cishu looked alright, Bo Tingyuan didn’t press further.

As he left, he instructed Uncle Xu to have Aunt Zhong keep them company.

Uncle Xu complied.

Bo Yiming, aware of his Papa’s sore throat, offered, "Papa, don’t talk. Just listen to me."

"Mm." Wen Cishu smiled and pinched his cheek.

-

By dinnertime, Wen Cishu felt well enough to insist on eating in the dining room.

Bo Tingyuan didn’t object this time and carried him downstairs.

Bo Yiming piled his plate with soup and dishes. "Papa, tonight after my bath, I’ll come tell you a story and tuck you in, got it?"

His tone sounded less like a request and more like an announcement.

Of course Wen Cishu wouldn’t refuse his son’s kindness. Glancing at Bo Tingyuan, who was serving him food, he replied, "Sure."

When it was time to return to the room, Bo Tingyuan swept Wen Cishu up in his arms and stepped into the elevator.

Wen Cishu whispered, "Tonight Yi Ming and I will sleep in my room."

Bo Tingyuan lowered his gaze. "Hmm?"

Wen Cishu clearly saw his frown, as if displeased, and hastily explained, "Your bed... we..."

Bo Tingyuan turned his head slightly, pressing a kiss to his temple. "What about me? No room for me?"

Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Wen Cishu tightened his arms around his neck. "Of course, together."

They shared a smile, but when Wen Cishu leaned in for a kiss, Bo Tingyuan subtly avoided it.

Bo Tingyuan said calmly, "You’re not fully recovered yet."

Wen Cishu was stunned—not even one little kiss?

As they stepped out of the elevator, he snapped coolly, "Then sleep alone tonight!"

Bo Tingyuan didn't respond, remaining silent.

Wen Cishu got even more annoyed.

Had this man undergone some special training to have such willpower of steel?!

When Bo Tingyuan carried him into the bedroom, Wen Cishu grumbled, "Wrong way. My room."

But to his surprise, Bo Tingyuan ignored him and strode straight into the dressing room, dropping onto the sofa.

Wen Cishu immediately saw the look in his eyes and asked softly, "What are you up to?"

As Bo Tingyuan wordlessly took off his glasses, Wen Cishu shrank back. "You—!"

Bao Tingyuan kissed the corner of his lips, slowly moving to his earlobe, drinking in his soft scent as his breathing gradually grew heavier.

Wen Cishu wrapped one arm around him, had to arch his slender neck, letting him nuzzle and explore at will.

What kind of bastard was this?

He wouldn't let me kiss his lips, yet acting so unrestrained himself!

Wen Cishu felt like a slippery bar of soap, handled until he felt boneless, his breath coming in heavy pants.

Unconsciously, his hand rested on Bao Tingyuan’s left one, touching the ring—

The ring!

Remembering some strange details, he recoiled as if burned by a red-hot iron.

Unbeknownst to him, Bao Tingyuan seemed to share a telepathic connection with him, fully aware of his thoughts, and instead pushed his fingers away, lacing their fingers together tightly.

Wen Cishu: *You're doing this on purpose! So unfair!*

When Bao Tingyuan leaned against his shoulder, kissing his plump earlobe, his scorching breath seared Wen's skin.

Wen Cishu murmured, “Are you planning to take medicine again?”

He had guessed Bao Tingyuan might do this when he had a fever that morning.

“Hmm?” Bao Tingyuan nuzzled into the crook of his neck, drunk on the contact. “Do you want me to?”

“Of course not,” Wen Cishu muttered. “I mean…”

He was sitting in his lap—it wasn’t like he couldn’t feel it. He gave a meaningful nudge, hinting, “What are you going to do about… this?”

The motion made Bao Tingyuan’s throat work visibly. “I'll handle it in the shower.”

Wen Cishu flushed bright red. “You—how can you say it so bluntly?”

Bao Tingyuan gave a low, knowing chuckle at his shy words. “We can do it, but not talk about it?”

Wen Cishu thought, *He rarely smiles, but when he does, it’s incredibly charming.*

His pulse quickened, and he couldn’t resist turning to kiss his lips.

But Bao Tingyuan only brushed his lips against Wen's jaw. “Wait until you’re better—”

Wen Cishu covered his lips with a hand, whispered in a pleading tone, “Please, don’t say it.”

Bao Tingyuan chuckled, clearly amused, lifting him and carrying him out of the dressing room, past the screen.

Bao Yiming hadn’t arrived yet.

Wen Cishu was deposited onto the bed, his gaze accidentally dropping to Bao Tingyuan's groin. He quickly averted his eyes in embarrassment, whispering, “Isn't this… bad for you?”

Before Bao Tingyuan could answer, he hastily added, “I mean your health!”

Bao Tingyuan gave his cheek an affectionate rub. “Mm, I’m going to shower.”

Wen Cishu: “…”

His eyes followed Bao Tingyuan’s retreating back, yanking the covers up as his mind filled with thoughts of what he might do in the shower.

—*Goddammit!*