Chapter 105 What Are You Doing?

Chapter 105 What Are You Two Doing?

Zhao Louyue stood in the corridor, several test results in hand, and answered Jiang Shen's call.

"It's fine, don’t worry. Once all the results are in, I’ll go ask the doctor." Zhao Louyue’s tone was steady, carrying a strangely soothing quality.

Jiang Shen’s heart, which had been lodged in his throat, slowly settled back into place.

"Thank you for the trouble," Jiang Shen said.

Zhao Louyue heard the disappointment in his voice and felt a sudden pang of sympathy. "I know you’re worried, but I’m here."

"Yeah."

Zhao Louyue asked, "Have you eaten?"

"No."

Jiang Shen stood on the balcony and, hearing this, glanced across the street, having already scouted out a few restaurants. "Got it."

"Alright, I have to go. My phone just alerted me that the reports are ready. I’ll take them to the doctor first."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Jiang Shen stood still for a moment, holding his phone. Though he had no appetite, he still called Song Lin and went to eat dumplings.

Jiang Erkun sat at the doctor’s desk, with a visibly nervous Wang Xiuyu standing beside him. Zhao Louyue was the most prominent person there. The doctor reviewed the reports, glanced around, and finally said to Zhao Louyue, "There’s a tumor, but it’s benign. Just needs surgery."

Wang Xiuyu’s eyes widened. "Will he be fine after the surgery?"

"It's not that simple. Given his age, he still needs to stay warm and, most importantly, smoke less!" The doctor said, "Old sir, the handle of your pipe is worn shiny—you must cherish it, don't you? Listen to me, you really can’t smoke anymore."

Jiang Erkun was embarrassed by the doctor’s words. "Yeah, I plan to quit gradually."

"First, he’ll need to be hospitalized. He has slight hypertension. Once his blood pressure stabilizes, we’ll prepare for surgery."

Zhao Louyue let out a sigh of relief. "Okay."

He specifically arranged for a double room with a comfortable caregiver’s bed. There were fancier rooms, but Zhao Louyue knew the elderly couple would feel awkward in them. This bright, spacious room was just right.

"Louyue, thank you. Look, there’s even a stove here, we can cook. How much is it? Auntie..." Wang Xiuyu began, but didn’t finish her sentence before meeting Zhao Louyue’s helpless, slightly reproachful gaze. She swallowed the rest of her words and said, "Auntie thinks it’s very nice."

"The food at this hospital is also good. If you don’t feel like cooking, Auntie, you can buy meals. I can bring food by when I'm free."

"Bring what? Don’t bother." The usually taciturn Jiang Erkun suddenly spoke with firmness. "You're a busy man—having to deliver meals? We’re both capable of cooking or buying food. Just focus on your own work."

Zhao Louyue didn’t argue. "Alright, alright, I’ll listen to Uncle."

He helped Wang Xiuyu unpack everything from the woven bag, arranging each item neatly. If he felt something was missing, he went downstairs to the supermarket to buy it. He was so diligent that Jiang Erkun and Wang Xiuyu were deeply touched. They had seen plenty of ungrateful children in their village—eight or ten who neglected their parents—but Zhao Louyue was like a considerate son who had unexpectedly come into their lives.

Zhao Louyue left his contact information in the elderly couple’s phones, telling them to call him if anything came up.

Wang Xiuyu thought, what else could possibly happen? Zhao Louyue had already arranged everything so thoroughly.

Jiang Shen’s meeting ended in the evening. Seeing that Zhao Louyue had replied to his WeChat message, he directly called him.

"How is it?" Jiang Shen asked.

Zhao Louyue explained in detail, including some minor points the doctor had mentioned.

A cool breeze seemed to blow through Jiang Shen’s mind. As people age, they inevitably develop health issues—as long as it wasn’t life-threatening, it was manageable. He sighed softly. "I won’t be back until the day after tomorrow."

"Then come back the day after tomorrow," Zhao Louyue said. "Ting’an isn’t busy lately. I’ll stop by to chat with the elderly couple when I have time. Don’t worry. The surgeon has been confirmed—an experienced senior doctor with steady hands."

"Okay." Jiang Shen gazed at the orange sunset spreading across the sky, feeling as though Zhao Louyue were right there beside him. That early-dating feeling of trust and affection came flooding back.

Zhao Louyue, you’re something else, Jiang Shen thought.

This trip was crucial for Jiang Shen. Originally, he had considered letting Song Lin handle it alone and calling Yan Sui for support. But now, with no more worries holding him back, he navigated the negotiation table with sharp precision, and everything fell into place smoothly under his assertive style.

He returned to Lindu at three in the afternoon.

Jiang Shen let Song Lin make his own arrangements and drove straight to the hospital.

Zhao Louyue had told him the floor and room number. As the elevator doors opened, Jiang Shen faintly heard the sound of conversation. Approaching the half-open door, he heard Wang Xiuyu’s cheerful laughter, followed by Zhao Louyue saying, "Auntie, don’t laugh at me."

Jiang Shen paused, his expression indescribably soft.

Wang Xiuyu was about to go out and buy a can of pepper powder. As she opened the door, she saw Jiang Shen standing there.

"Guagua!" Wang Xiuyu was overjoyed.

Jiang Shen hugged her tightly, burying his head slightly and inhaling the familiar, comforting scent on her. "Mom, I’m sorry I’m late."

"Oh, you silly boy, late for what? Your dad and I are both fine!"

Jiang Erkun also stepped out, wearing an old jacket, his expression relaxed. "What’s the rush? Louyue is here."

Jiang Shen was surprised. For his father to say something like this, had Zhao Louyue used every trick in the book?

Wang Xiuyu read Jiang Shen’s expression and whispered, "Louyue stayed up playing chess with your dad until 1 a.m. last night. Even the nurse couldn’t pull them apart. Your dad was always frustrated by the lousy chess players in the village, but Louyue is quite skilled."

Zhao Louyue raised an eyebrow at Jiang Shen with a smile.

For dinner, Wang Xiuyu made noodles, even using tomatoes they brought from their hometown. The aroma was so enticing that the nurse came in and complimented it twice.

After eating, Zhao Louyue went to get water so Wang Xiuyu wouldn’t have to make trips during the night.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and Zhao Louyue knew immediately it was Jiang Shen.

"Are you tired?"

Jiang Shen said, "Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Are you tired?"

"Not tired at all." Zhao Louyue tightened the lid of the water kettle and told the truth. "It’s less demanding than taking Zhao Xiangting to the arcade."

Jiang Shen chuckled.

Zhao Louyue turned around and paused slightly.

He clearly sensed something different in Jiang Shen’s eyes.

Zhao Louyue’s throat felt a little scratchy.

"Thank you. If it weren’t for you this time, things would’ve been chaotic on my end," Jiang Shen said.

Zhao Louyue laughed. "You’ve thanked me eight hundred times already."

"Zhao Louyue."

"Yeah?"

Jiang Shen's lips moved, but not a single word came out.

This was consistent with his usual style, especially in matters of emotion—after taking the first step, he left it up to the other person to take it from there.

And as it happened, Zhao Louyue was more than happy to.

Boss Zhao nearly dropped the kettle, his gut suddenly somersaulting with joy, so intense that before he could even process it, his ears rang for a full minute.

"Jiang Shen..." Zhao Louyue's throat was dry, his words came out haltingly. He dazedly set the kettle down, but when he reached out to grab Jiang Shen's arm, the motion was surprisingly smooth.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Zhao Louyue seemed to be testing his luck, yet also like a general pressing toward victory. His hand slid down inch by inch, his eyes blazing intensely. When he finally grasped Jiang Shen's wrist and wasn't shaken off, Zhao Louyue felt his nose sting unexpectedly.

"Jiang Shen..." His voice was hoarse.

But just then, Jiang Erkun's voice rang out from not far away: "What are you two doing?"