Chapter 20 The Checkup

Chapter 20 Examination

Morning light seeped through the gap of the drawn curtains, filling the bedroom with a soft, dim light.

Lian Yi propped against the headboard, holding his phone in one hand as he answered work messages.

He lay quietly on his side beside Lian Yi’s legs, his face buried deeply, revealing only a fluffy-haired back of his head and sleep-flushed ears.

Lian Yi’s broad palm rested protectively against his slender back, instantly alert to any movement.

Bzzzt—

His phone buzzed with an incoming call.

The cold screen light illuminated Lian Yi’s handsome, well-defined features.

He frowned slightly, looked down tenderly at the boy nestled in his arms, and when he looked up again, his eyes had regained their serious, all-business demeanor.

With a flick of his finger, he declined the call and typed a text reply to his assistant’s questions with one hand, informing them that he couldn’t speak at the moment.

Just as he finished revising what felt like the umpteenth draft of a lawyer’s letter and litigation documents for the intern, the omega in his arms finally stirred, whimpering softly as he stretched forward and nuzzled closer.

Qiao Zhimian drowsily opened his eyes, revealing his face as he let out a small yawn, gazing blankly into space for a moment.

“Had enough sleep?” a familiar voice sounded above him.

He looked up in surprise, remembering what had happened the night before, and instantly grew more alert.

“Why haven’t you left…”

Lian Yi’s lips curved into a smile, set his phone aside, slipped his hands under the omega’s arms, and effortlessly lifted him onto his lap, holding him sideways.

“I took the day off.”

He was afraid the omega would wake up, find him gone, and feel hollow inside.

Qiao Zhimian blinked dazedly, his sleeves pushed up to his elbows, revealing half of his thin, pale, delicate wrists.

Lian Yi gently tugged his sleeves back down, then raised a hand to soothe the red marks left on his face from sleeping.

His skin was too tender and fair, easily marked.

“Do you remember what you promised me yesterday?” Lian Yi asked softly.

How could he not remember? It wasn’t like he had amnesia.

Qiao Zhimian thought to himself, lowering his eyes, pouting slightly before mumbling a quiet “mm” in response.

Satisfied, the man lifted his small hand to his lips and gave it a kiss, then carried him to the bathroom to freshen up.

After brushing his teeth and washing his face, Lian Yi went to the walk-in closet and picked out comfortable clothes for the omega, then sat on the edge of the bed to dress him.

Qiao Zhimian listlessly nestled in the alpha’s arms, his mind wandering anxiously, tension and unease clinging to him closely. His eyes once again darted around, growing watery.

“Will you not take care of me?” he suddenly asked in a muffled voice.

Lian Yi carefully held the boy’s slender calf, gently guiding it into the pant leg, then leaned in patiently to kiss the top of his head.

“No,” he answered firmly. “Never. I will stay with you.”

Qiao Zhimian pressed his lips together. The man cupped his bottom to help pull his pants up properly. With ten fingers gripping the alpha’s solid arm, he looked up and asked again, “Then… can I take it slow?”

“Yes,” the alpha answered every question and granted every request.

“Can we go tomorrow instead?”

What followed was the omega’s pitiful attempt to bargain.

Lian Yi held the freshly dressed omega in his arms, met those wet, almond-shaped eyes, and felt both helplessly amused and deeply heartached.

“We’re not doing anything major today,” he pondered for a moment, coaxing patiently. “We’re just going to see the doctor. I’ll talk with him in detail and ask about your condition, alright?”

The omega’s eyes darted around, still somewhat reluctant.

Lian Yi’s heart ached with tenderness. He tightened his embrace, leaned closer, and kissed the omega’s soft cheeks, beautiful eyes, and then his soft pink lips.

He found that kissing was the most effective way to ease his anxiety.

The man lowered his voice to coax, “Good, Mian Mian.”

Those three words, laced with warm breath, rolled into his ears. Qiao Zhimian felt as if a feather had brushed against his heart, tingling and soft, making his ears go weak.

He let out a complaining whimper and buried his face in the alpha’s chest.

That's cheating…

There was no way he could resist like this…

.

The car slowly came to a stop downstairs at the rehabilitation center.

After so long, he was back at this familiar place that held unpleasant memories for him.

Qiao Zhimian nervously clutched the hem of his clothes, staring through the car window at the entrance, his heart once again filled with the urge to retreat.

The car door opened. Lian Yi leaned in, unbuckled the omega’s seatbelt, and lifted him out.

Qiao Zhimian clung to the man’s neck like a lifeline, anxiously gripping the back of his collar as he buried his face against his shoulder.

The bodyguard who had followed them took a wheelchair from the trunk and pushed it over to them.

Lian Yi held the omega’s slender frame, his lips parting slightly as he glanced at the wheelchair and instructed, “I’ll carry him inside. You bring the wheelchair in.”

With that, he turned and strode up the steps, one stair at a time.

The rehabilitation center was equipped with top-notch facilities and technicians. It was expensive and offered the highest level of service, so there were few patients.

The spacious place felt quiet and nearly deserted, with barely any figures in sight.

Lian Yi carried Qiao Zhimian to meet with the prearranged attending physician for examinations on his legs and gland. Afterward, they went to the doctor’s office to discuss adjustments to the treatment plan and his current condition.

It took the omega quite a while to mentally prepare himself before he mustered the courage.

Once the examination was over and he was off the cold machine, he curled up in the alpha’s warm arms, refusing to go any further.

Lian Yi looked down at the small figure nestled against his chest, his heart clenched with pity.

The boy gripped his clothes tearfully, as though afraid he would be put down or left alone.

“Qiao Zhimian’s injured nerves are connected to his gland, and the gland is one of the most vital and sensitive parts of an omega’s body, prone to pain,” the doctor explained calmly, a hint of a smile in his eyes as he glanced at the back of Qiao Zhimian’s head. “Coupled with his previously despondent mental state, the rehabilitation process has been extremely painful for him.”

Rehabilitation hadn’t been progressing well, largely because these two factors were hindering the process.

After speaking, he met Lian Yi’s gaze, seeming somewhat comforted by his arrival.

As a doctor, he didn’t want such a young and likable patient to give up—it would be a pity, and he believed the patient would regret it later too.

Although Lian Yi asked the question, judging by the doctor’s expression after reviewing the report, it seemed like it would be good news—though he didn’t dare to jump to conclusions.

Afterward, the doctor explained the examination results to the two of them in detail but concisely.

Qiao Zhimian’s current psychological state is much better than before. His gland, marked by a top-tier alpha, has become more stable, with additional potent pheromones helping to regulate his system.

According to the report, all his levels look quite good.

Moreover, having an alpha accompany him during future rehabilitation sessions—releasing pheromones—can help numb the pain a bit and ease his stress.

Hearing this, Lian Yi’s heart, which had been in his throat, settled a little.

After the doctor finished speaking with them, he was called away briefly by a nurse.

The door was left slightly ajar, leaving only the two of them in the examination room, with the bodyguard stationed outside.

Only then did the omega, who had been hiding, cautiously reveal his face, relaxing his tense, downcast demeanor.

Lian Yi gently stroked the boy’s slightly red-rimmed eyes. “It’s alright, we won’t do anything strenuous today,” he said, leaning in to kiss his smooth forehead, his lips brushing gently to soothe him. “The doctor said your condition is quite good. When it’s time for rehabilitation, I’ll be by your side, giving you my pheromones—it won’t hurt as much. Don’t be afraid.”

Qiao Zhimian took a deep breath, pressing his cheek against the alpha’s chest, and nodded obediently, a spark of hope flickered in his heart.

“Are you hungry?” Lian Yi’s large hand rested on his soft abdomen, changing the subject. “After this, I’ll take you to eat something delicious?”

He hadn’t eaten much breakfast before leaving home this morning; he’d been feeling down all morning.

“Okay…” Qiao Zhimian responded cooperatively, though still lacking enthusiasm.

Lian Yi understood well that the omega’s clinginess stemmed from a deep sense of insecurity.

.

His pain couldn’t be transferred, and no one could bear it for him.

All he could do was offer reliance, provide the strength of companionship, and be his steadfast support.

After returning from the examination that day, Lian Yi scheduled the formal rehabilitation session with the doctor for the following day.

Qiao Zhimian was no longer so timid; he tried to steel himself and face reality head-on.

However, contrary to expectations, just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, he developed a low fever on the morning of his scheduled rehabilitation session.

The omega listlessly nibbled on an egg while slumped over the dining table, completely lifeless.

At first, the alpha thought the kid was just in a mood again. It wasn’t until he finished preparing to carry him to the car that he noticed his unusually warm temperature.

Lian Yi touched his forehead with his large hand, and his expression immediately shifted—he canceled their plans immediately.

The doctor made a house call and examined him. Qiao Zhimian’s constitution was weak, his immunity poor; he had likely caught a chill a few days prior, and combined with mental stress and anxiety, it led to a cold.

He had a slight cough and low fever and adamantly refused to get a shot, no matter what. The doctor suggested trying fever reducers first.

Qiao Zhimian lay listlessly in bed, listening to the doctor and the alpha talk, his head felt foggy.

He hadn’t expected his body to become so fragile all of a sudden.

The sick omega was even more clingy than usual. Lian Yi tended to him while blaming himself, wondering if it was from when he had gotten caught in the rain that night and then held him.

In the quiet study.

Lian Yi sat at the spacious desk, working from home.

The omega, wrapped in a blanket, drowsily nestled in his arms—a cooling patch on his smooth forehead—like a little heater, watching the computer screen with him.

The man’s slender, deft fingers tapped rhythmically at the keyboard, occasionally leaning in to touch the soft hair of the person in his arms.

Qiao Zhimian felt weak all over, coughing twice and sniffing before tilting his face up dependently, rubbing his small, upturned nose against the man’s jaw.

Lian Yi shifted his attention from work, looking down at him and meeting his watery eyes.

“Still cold?” he asked, pressing his lips to the boy’s temple to check his temperature.

Thankfully, he wasn’t too warm.

Qiao Zhimian squinted, shook his head slowly.

“Are you feeling unwell again? Thirsty?”

The omega thought for a moment, then nodded this time, wrinkling his nose as he sniffed.

Lian Yi tightened his embrace, shifting his long legs slightly to adjust the office chair with ease.

He picked up the prepared water cup nearby, added more warm water, and held the straw to the lips of the person in his arms.

Qiao Zhimian gently took it, sipping slowly a few times before resting weakly, then drinking a bit more.

The alpha watched him patiently until he let go of the straw, murmuring softly to indicate he was done, before moving the cup away.

Lian Yi quickly grabbed a couple of tissues, wiped his nose for him, gave him a final kiss, and shifted back into the original position to continue working.

Qiao Zhimian’s mind was hazy; he leaned back lazily against the alpha’s chest. He didn’t want to lie in bed—he preferred staying like this.

With the desk in front, he could watch the man work to pass the time, and behind him was a sturdy chest and a secure embrace, which made him feel a lot better.

By the time Lian Yi finished up his work, the omega had already fallen asleep in his arms.

He carried him quietly back to the bedroom, laid him down on the bed, then left the door slightly ajar and stepped out to take a phone call.

It was from Yan Zhi, sent to discuss matters about some changes at the law firm.

“I’m looking to shift my work priorities,” Lian Yi said as quietly as possible. “I won’t be taking on urgent cases like this anymore. There are some matters at home.”

“I get it, but this case really can’t be handled by someone else, man,” Yan Zhi understood his situation but was in a bind. “You and I are the only two international lawyers at the firm. I’ve got a lot on my plate—if you don’t take this, no one else can.”

Yan Zhi paused, then added persuasively, “Besides, the managing partner said that if you’re willing to take on this major case, it doesn’t matter if you come to the office or not. The firm is making a special exception for you. How about it?”

Lian Yi massaged his temples, thought it over carefully, and finally sighed. “Alright.”

He then chatted with Yan Zhi as friends for a bit about personal matters before hanging up.

The alpha turned and quietly pushed open the bedroom door, carefully checking on the omega in bed.

What he saw startled him—in that short time, Qiao Zhimian’s face was flushed an unnatural red, and his forehead felt burning hot to the touch.

Lian Yi was really startled and quickly pulled him out from under the covers. Without a moment's delay, he carried him downstairs, got into the car, and drove straight to the hospital.

Author's Note:

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The next chapter is expected to be released as a VIP chapter. Thank you for your support, my dears! [Please, I beg you!]

Preview of the Next Chapter:

The serious Lawyer Lian forces little Mian Mian to play a "potty game" at the hospital,

making our baby so embarrassed that he cries and gets truly angry. Lawyer Lian has no choice but to grit his teeth and comfort him.