Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Lu Yao slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times before his vision focused.

The moment he stirred, he couldn't help but groan. "That's strange... My body aches all over..."

Two glasses of wine shouldn't have such a strong aftereffect. He swore never to drink again.

Wen Zheng sat by the bed and gently touched Lu Yao's forehead. "Little Deer, you're awake. Are you still feeling unwell?"

Lu Yao turned his head groggily and froze when he saw Wen Zheng. "Mom..."

Wen Zheng chuckled softly. "This child, still half-asleep."

Lu Yao's ears turned slightly red. "No, I'm awake."

This scene was exactly like the mother he had always dreamed of. He hugged the blanket and sat up, a little self-consciously. "I think I drank too much last night."

Wen Zheng ruffled his hair, her voice gentle. "It wasn't the alcohol. It was your gland."

Lu Yao stiffened instantly. "My gland... Did my gland react?"

He visibly brightened with excitement. "Then Nian Nian can sleep well every night now!"

Wen Zheng held his hand, unable to hide her concern. "But... the mark between you and Fu Yanhuai is still there. A gland cleansing procedure is too serious. I was thinking..."

Lu Yao raised his hand to touch the back of his neck, belatedly remembering the issue.

"Mom," Lu Yao clenched his hands under the blanket. "I know this matter between us shouldn't trouble you. What Fu Yanhuai did has nothing to do with you, and I... I have no right to blame him for anything."

Wen Zheng's heart ached. "Of course you have the right. How could you think that?"

"I'll handle things between us properly," Lu Yao said earnestly. "I won't make you worry anymore."

Wen Zheng had treated him so well, and Lu Yao knew he should repay that kindness. He couldn’t take her generosity for granted.

Wen Zheng understood what Lu Yao meant but didn’t press further. "The kitchen made some porridge. Have some later, and then we’ll go to the hospital."

"There’s one more thing," Wen Zheng added casually. "Before you returned to the capital, Fu Yanhuai would come once a week to give Nian Nian his pheromone doses. Nian Nian hasn’t received them in a week, so he’s in Nian Nian’s room now."

Lu Yao hadn’t considered this—or rather, he had subconsciously avoided thinking about anything related to Fu Yanhuai.

"Oh, I see," Lu Yao licked his lips. "That's only right."

He had never planned to raise Nian Nian entirely alone. After all, Fu Yanhuai was his father, and the Fu family could indeed provide Nian Nian with many things Lu Yao couldn’t.

Still, Lu Yao felt a little awkward. "Then I won’t go over there for now."

Wen Zheng studied his reaction carefully, a thought crossing her mind. "Alright. Later, he can take you to the hospital directly. Don’t mind him—just focus on yourself. There’s no rush."

Lu Yao nodded obediently. Not wanting to run into Fu Yanhuai, he went downstairs for breakfast while Wen Zheng went next door to check on Fu Yanhuai and Nian Nian.

Nian Nian remembered Fu Yanhuai’s scent. After all, Fu Yanhuai had been one of the few people closest to him since birth, so he wasn’t resistant.

But that didn’t mean he particularly liked him.

Lying on the bed, Nian Nian frowned at Fu Yanhuai.

Fu Yanhuai looked at him and murmured, "Your eyes are just like Lu Yao’s."

At least he was quite cute.

After looking him over briefly, Nian Nian lost interest and started wriggling impatiently, searching for Lu Yao.

"Little Deer is eating downstairs," Fu Yanhuai said with the same no-nonsense tone he used with subordinates—unlike others who always coddled Nian Nian. "Stop fussing."

But Nian Nian wanted to fuss. He wanted Lu Yao now.

Whimpering, he was working himself up to cry. Fu Yanhuai patiently picked him up. "Don’t disturb your dad."

Holding the baby stiffly, Fu Yanhuai cupped his face. Unlike Lu Yao's warm, natural hold, Fu Yanhuai was stern and uncomfortable. Angry, Nian Nian bit Fu Yanhuai’s hand.

Fu Yanhuai frowned at the saliva on his hand before setting Nian Nian down to sit upright.

"Why did you bite me?"

His stern, expressionless gaze was intimidating, and Nian Nian pouted, sniffling as he tried to hold back. But after two seconds, he couldn’t take it anymore—he burst into loud, dramatic tears.

Wen Zheng arrived just as Nian Nian burst into loud sobs. Tsking in annoyance, she snapped, "What happened here? I left him with you for barely any time!"

Nian Nian stretched out his arms, crying. Just as Wen Zheng crouched to pick him up, Fu Yanhuai stopped her.

"He bit me just now."

"He—" Wen Zheng paused. Technically, biting isn't acceptable, but Nian Nian was still a baby. "Nian Nian doesn’t even have teeth yet. Did he actually hurt you?"

Fu Yanhuai raised a brow. "I can tell if it was intentional. There’s no need to indulge bad behavior."

Wen Zheng stared at him in disbelief. "If you’re so strict, why aren’t you a judge? Being a CEO must be a real waste of your talents."

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Nian Nian cried even louder.

"You spoil him too much," Fu Yanhuai said firmly. "He's a bit willful."

Wen Zheng retorted, "Because he's still a baby! And he’s sick—we owe him. Of course, we should be good to him."

"That’s not the same thing," Fu Yanhuai remained unmoved. "You can't always indulge him."

Nian Nian's cries broke Wen Zheng's heart. "Fine, fine. Then what do you suggest?"

Fu Yanhuai replied calmly, "Let him calm down. He'll stop when he cries himself out."

Wen Zheng closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "It's easy to be heartless when it's not your own child."

Nian Nian seemed to realize no one was going to comfort him this time. His sobs gradually quieted, his eyes and nose red as he pitifully watched the two argue.

Dejected, he hung his head, fiddling with his toes and pulling at his socks as tears rolled down.

Wen Zheng scoffed. "Since you won’t let me comfort him, you can be the one to tell Little Deer why Nian Nian’s crying like this."

Fu Yanhuai stiffened slightly, scrutinizing Nian Nian. "He doesn't seem much worse than normal, does he?"

Wen Zheng gave a disdainful sniff and walked away.

When Lu Yao came upstairs to find Nian Nian, Fu Yanhuai was trying unsuccessfully to lift him, but Nian Nian stubbornly refused, lips trembling with unshed tears as he looked everywhere except at Fu Yanhuai.

Staring into Nian Nian’s big, tear-filled eyes, Fu Yanhuai suddenly felt a jolt of mixed emotions—a pang of tenderness and a strange ache.

Nian Nian’s eyes were just too much like Lu Yao’s.

"You..."

Lu Yao pushed the door open. Originally, he wanted to ask Fu Yanhuai why he had taken so long, but he quickly noticed Nian Nian crying silently, clearly upset.

"Nian Nian?"

Lu Yao had never seen Nian Nian with such an expression before. The little child was crying without making a sound, and Lu Yao immediately panicked.

"Baby, baby, Daddy's got you. What's the matter, sweetheart?"

Nian Nian looked up at Lu Yao for two seconds, his lips trembling more and more, until he finally couldn't hold back anymore. He buried his face in Lu Yao's neck and sobbed with quiet little sobs.

"What happened?"

Lu Yao was genuinely worried. He leaned down to check Nian Nian over carefully. "Are you feeling bad? Does something hurt?"

Nian Nian clung to Lu Yao's collar tightly. Fu Yanhuai reached out to help adjust it, but Lu Yao turned his head slightly away.

Fu Yanhuai quietly pulled his hand back. "He's not uncomfortable."

Lu Yao looked up at him.

"It was me," Fu Yanhuai said reluctantly. "I scolded him earlier."

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Lu Yao glared at him with reddened eyes. "If you're dissatisfied with me, why take it out on my child? What did Nian Nian ever do to you? Is this how you act as a parent?"

Fu Yanhuai lowered his eyes, accepting Lu Yao's reprimand. "He was acting up a little, but I was too harsh."

"I'm not dissatisfied with you. I just didn't consider your feelings. I won't do this again in the future."

Lu Yao's anger was suddenly cooled. Nian Nian was starting to show a slight tendency towards willfulness, and he had been worrying about it just last night.

"What do you mean by that?" Lu Yao pulled Nian Nian closer. "If I don't allow it, you won't educate Nian Nian like this anymore?"

"Nian Nian is your child. If you don't permit it, I won't do it."

Lu Yao stood with his back to Fu Yanhuai, staring at the door ahead without moving.

"Then... what if Nian Nian grows up to be a very willful child?"

Nian Nian stared at Fu Yanhuai with a hurt, accusing look. Fu Yanhuai softened his tone. "His father is the head of Fu Group. No matter how willful he becomes, I’ll always have his back."

Lu Yao still felt a heavy weight in his heart, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what was bothering him.

"I don’t want Nian Nian to become that kind of child," Lu Yao murmured. "I hope he grows up capable and independent. He doesn’t have to be too well-behaved, but he should be sensible. Whatever he chooses to do, as long as he’s healthy and happy, that’s enough."

"Then let Nian Nian grow up just like that," Fu Yanhuai replied, his voice as calm as always. "He will."

Lu Yao said quietly to himself, "How would you know?"

Just empty words, not a single sentence of truth. Lu Yao wouldn’t believe him again.

He turned away sharply, Lu Yao said, "Hurry up. We’ll be late for the hospital."

Nian Nian was still upset. Though he had stopped crying, he remained sullen. Lu Yao carried him to the hospital, where Nian Nian sat like a little bundle on his lap.

The doctor crouched down to play with him. "Look over here. Grab the feather above. Good."

Nian Nian’s development was much better compared to last month. When the doctor needed to examine Lu Yao’s gland, a nurse tried to take Nian Nian for a moment, but he immediately held on tight and wouldn't let go of Lu Yao.

"Give him to me."

Fu Yanhuai bent down. Lu Yao hesitated, looking uncertain. Worried that the examination might accidentally bump Nian Nian, he reluctantly let go.

Still upset with Fu Yanhuai, Nian Nian stared in disbelief as he was taken away. "Hmm?!"

Fu Yanhuai flicked Nian Nian’s bottom lightly. "Be good."

Nian Nian pouted angrily. The doctor quickly checked the gland.

"It’s indeed responding to external stimuli."

The doctor was encouraged. "Don't overstimulate it during this period. Be careful to protect it, and let the gland react naturally."

Lu Yao was delighted. "Okay, I will."

He stood up and took Nian Nian back. While Lu Yao stood with the doctor, soothing Nian Nian, Fu Yanhuai glanced back once before silently leaving to get the medicine ready.

After this extraction of gland fluid, the skin over Fu Yanhuai’s hidden gland on his neck started turning blue.

The doctor looked worried. "Mr. Lu still needs at least a month to recover. If this continues, your own gland may not be able to handle it."

Fu Yanhuai responded indifferently, "Then do you have any solutions?"

The doctor didn’t. The gland was an extremely delicate and complex organ—man-made versions couldn't compare to real gland fluid.

"It’s fine. Just extract the normal dosage."

Even if it gets damaged, it doesn’t matter. This was what he owed Lu Yao.