Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Family is a truly unique identity. From the perspective of human social development, parents were not initially "parents"; they were merely individual members of a tribe. It was only later, driven by biological instincts and social conventions, that stable relationships were established.

To procreate and build a family.

Within this small network, the members’ identity is "family."

When Lin Se heard the emergency doctor say the word "parents," he actually froze for two or three seconds. Biologically speaking, Bo Chengyan and Qi Jing shared no relation whatsoever.

But, given the current situation...

He seemed to be filling the missing "family member" role in Qi Jing’s life.

Or rather, he was doing the work of two, acting as both mother and father.

"Is there a reason for this emotional fever? Has he been checked before?"

The emergency doctor patiently asked again.

Before Lin Se could answer, he caught a glimpse of a tall, striking figure out of the corner of his eye. The next moment, a bag was tossed into his hands.

Inside were electrolyte drinks, plain bread, a few warm rice balls... and how did a lollipop get in there?

"He's in his final year of high school. He gets anxious before major exams and develops a low fever."

"He also can't handle injuries; if a wound gets inflamed, his temperature tends to rise."

Bo Chengyan’s voice was deep but carried well, providing a sense of calm amidst the noisy emergency room.

The emergency doctor nodded knowingly. "Alright, I understand. A high school senior this year... that’s not surprising."

However, just then, the doctor looked down at the boy, then frowned at Bo Chengyan, and finally, as if accepting an undeniable truth, enlightened:

"You’re such a young father..."

The man before him exuded an extraordinary aura, and that watch... a Vacheron Constantin, wasn’t it?

Wealthy people certainly know how to maintain themselves.

Seeing no response, the doctor thought the man believed he was just being polite, so he earnestly explained, "Seriously, I’ve seen mothers and daughters who looked like sisters—they genuinely appeared to be the same age. But you’re the youngest father I’ve ever seen. You’re truly exceptional."

He gave a thumbs-up.

"..."

"Thank you."

The doctor only exchanged those few pleasantries before turning back to observe Qi Jing on the chair. "Once this IV is finished, take him home. Since it’s emotionally driven, just take the child out to play."

With that, he left.

One second, two seconds.

Lin Se couldn’t hold back and let out a chuckle.

"Hahaha... you really take good care of yourself..."

But Bo Chengyan showed no reaction. He simply bent down to the drowsy Qi Jing, meticulously brushing back his hair to check his temperature.

Much better now.

Lin Se suddenly felt foolish for laughing and quickly stopped.

"Actually, he’s fine. His temperature is dropping."

"Mhm."

Qi Jing seemed uncomfortable in his sleep, stirring slightly. The emergency room had limited beds, so those with milder symptoms were arranged in chairs. While the IV was fine, getting proper rest was difficult.

Lin Se had already used his coat to make a pillow for him, but maintaining one position for too long would inevitably strain his neck.

"Should we wake him?"

Before the suggestion could be answered, Bo Chengyan reached out and supported Qi Jing’s neck, gently lifting it to make him more comfortable.

"..."

The boy’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly as he tilted his head, seemingly nestling into Bo Chengyan’s forearm.

Thirty minutes passed.

When the nurse arrived, her voice was initially loud, but upon seeing the scene, she automatically quieted down.

"Name?"

"Qi Jing."

The nurse checked the name on the IV bag against the patient and softly said, "Oh dear, he’s so exhausted... better get him home to sleep."

Qi Jing’s consciousness finally stirred. He dazedly watched the nurse’s movements until he felt a slight tug on his vein, a sharp sting.

He instinctively flinched.

Lin Se held his hand steady.

"It’s 2 AM. You should head back now," someone said.

"Where did you go? Why did you change clothes?"

Qi Jing’s eyes were bleary. He felt his clothes being adjusted, his head involuntarily lolling to the side, too weak to hold it up.

Then, hands slipped under his armpits, and a familiar scent drew near. Without needing to react, his own hands reached out.

He was lifted into an embrace.

Muffled voices seemed to be speaking near his ear.

He couldn't quite make them out.

"Didn’t you see a doctor? Just took a cold shower? Is that okay?"

"It’s fine. Thank you for tonight; get some good rest."

That was another voice. Qi Jing could feel the vibrations against his shoulder, a pleasant sensation.

Lin Se followed behind, carrying their coats, and said earnestly, "Don’t mention it. You took me in. What are friends for?"

Their car was already waiting outside.

Lin Se thought for a moment and said, "I’ll take a taxi myself. Having the driver drop me off first would just waste time. Let Xiao Jing sleep properly."

Bo Chengyan didn’t object to this, only saying, "Then be careful on your way. Text me when you get home."

The young man waved, turning away with a relaxed demeanor, a stark contrast to the guarded expression he had when he arrived.

After all, from his observations during this time, no one could take care of Qi Jing better than Bo Chengyan.

Societal norms would often deem this wrong.

But they never offer a better solution.

Qi Jing was just an ordinary child who needed love to thrive.

If others, under the guise of doing what’s best for him, stripped away that nourishment, who would water him then?

Lin Se hadn’t noticed at all that Qi Jing was sleeping uncomfortably, nor could he stand still for thirty minutes in one position.

The young man paused, looking up at the moon in the sky.

*

Qi Jing had little consciousness after that, vaguely sensing he had returned home, his mouth gently opened to be fed some liquid food.

He didn’t want to drink it.

But the other person seemed to know his reactions perfectly. Before he could even spit it out, his chin was tilted upward, and cool fingers gently traced his throat, guiding the liquid down.

Like feeding a newly hatched bird.

Bo Chengyan finished tending to him with one hand, placing the bowl back on the housekeeper’s tray, and said gently, "Thank you for your trouble. It’s so late; I’ll give you a bonus."

Always so thoughtful and considerate.

Qi Jing slept until noon, waking up lightheaded from hunger, his mind a blank as he sat up in bed.

996 was also sound asleep, but it was covered by the blanket, wiggling for ages before finally emerging.

Qi Jing looked down at his clothes—pajamas...

Memories slowly resurfaced, and the boy’s beady eyes met the system’s.

"Ah..."

"Were you delirious from fever?"

Qi Jing couldn’t quite react appropriately; it was all too chaotic. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It was the housekeeper’s voice from outside. "Xiao Jing, are you up? Time for lunch."

The boy quickly responded, "Okay!"

His voice was hoarse. Qi Jing frowned and touched his throat.

He immediately got up and headed to the bathroom, adding hurriedly, "Coming, Auntie."

As he brushed his teeth, he tried to piece together yesterday’s events.

Florence Restaurant... a one-night stand, Ruan Hang... then Bo...

*Clink.*

The toothbrush fell.

Qi Jing froze for a long moment, then pulled off the toothbrush head and numbly reached for a new spare.

*—I kissed him.*

*—But he doesn’t like me.*

Seeing no reaction, 996 floated over on its own, wrapped its body around the spare toothbrush head, used its phantom teeth to open it, and attached it for Qi Jing.

Looking mighty proud.

Qi Jing absentmindedly brushed his teeth, then quickly took a shower, as if trying to buy time.

Only when heading downstairs did he finally remember to ask 996, "Why wasn’t I eliminated?"

996, having been in full follow-mode, assumed he was about to open the door and didn’t even open its eyes, simply flattening itself against the door like a pancake.

Its beady eyes blinked.

"Xiao Jing, your canary identity arc is complete."

"But I’m still at Jinjiang Villa."

996 slowly peeled itself off the door and returned to its lentil shape, lamenting pitifully:

"That involves what happened last night."

Qi Jing tightened his grip on the doorknob, biting the inside of his cheek, feeling a bit helpless. "I’m sorr—"

"Ruan Hang slept with a rent boy—ugh... he topped."

The boy pressed against the door anxiously, blurting out, "It was me... I kissed Bo Chengyan..."

As if to say, *I am guilty, I am guilty.*

Repeating it to himself barely dulled the ache in his heart.

996 said, "I know. You just kissed his cheek, right?"

"..."

"But the plot was ruined an hour ago. I was too busy trying to stop the protagonist receiver... I didn’t expect..."

996’s tone had started with guilt.

But it quickly turned to anger.

"The protagonist gong came to hijack my storyline!"

996 fumed, darting about in the air, chattering incessantly, "I could’ve taken you straight to Hong Kong. My host even prepared a room for you."

"But now those two... It’s outrageous!"

One broke character, the other stole the plot.

*Knock knock—*

The door suddenly knocked.

Qi Jing froze for a moment, then reached out and opened it directly. "Sorry, Auntie, I..."

It was Bo Chengyan.

996 was about to bare its teeth, but Qi Jing’s wrist was suddenly pulled outward, nearly sending him stumbling forward a few steps.

He caught himself with his hand.

Bo Chengyan raised his hand to feel Qi Jing’s forehead.

"No fever now."

Qi Jing subtly recoiled, withdrawing his hand self-consciously.

Someone else’s husband.

"Why aren’t you at work?"

Qi Jing, thinking he was being clever, changed the subject, looking down as he asked.

"Didn’t want to."

Honestly, it was a remarkably undignified thing for an elder to say.

But Bo Chengyan frowned as he said it, then directly asked, "You don’t want me to hold your hand?"

The young man froze, looking up in panic.

"You don’t have to let me hold it, but if it bothers you, tell me. Perhaps I can change."

That wasn’t exactly it.

Qi Jing wanted to explain, but didn’t know how. He kept feeling like he was... what was the word?

Ah, the homewrecker.

996 froze, its beady eyes widening.

"No rush. I’m not asking you to say anything now."

Bo Chengyan extended his hand, saying calmly, "Would it be alright if you just held my sleeve?"

"The stairs are steep; you might fall."

996: "..."

Qi Jing didn’t know what to do, but his hand had already reached out and grabbed the sleeve. Only after sitting down at the dining table did he belatedly ask, "We have an elevator at home."

"Yes."

"Then..."

"It’s broken."

That’s just how it is: when certain emotions surge in the human brain, people tend to do the most inexplicable things.

Love makes fools of us all.

A scientifically proven truth.

— *996 Work Manual*