Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Why Let Him Touch the Baby?

At these words, Ming Jiang chuckled lightly, hooking his arm around Cen Lin's shoulder. "She's been constantly testing the waters and trying to win you over. After all, with talent like yours, every family wants to snatch you up. But I have a feeling... she likes you?"

"Different social standings. If anyone's getting married, it's you." Cen Lin shot him a cold glance, then paused briefly. "At the last birthday banquet, she glanced at you a few extra times."

"Nonsense. That woman is all fire and fury; we'd never get along." Ming Jiang shook his head. "Besides, I'm not getting married. Living it up forever sounds much better."

Young Master Ming curved his lips into a fake smile and retreated, plopping directly onto the sofa.

Cen Lin's phone suddenly buzzed with an encrypted message. He quickly opened it. The text contained a few lines: *The soil and water samples you sent indeed have issues. Severe heavy metal contamination was detected. Some trace elements closely resemble the toxic components we've been tracking. However, due to insufficient sample size, no definitive conclusion can be drawn yet.*

As he scanned the message, Cen Lin said to Ming Jiang, "Make yourself at home. I have to go out for something."

Without waiting for Ming Jiang's reply, Cen Lin returned to the bedroom, locked the door, and called the lab.

"Hello? Is what the message mentioned true?" Cen Lin asked.

The person on the other end replied, "Absolutely true. The old professor personally conducted the tests. Several of us also ran multiple checks, all with the same results. There's at least a forty percent overlap with the toxic components extracted from that patient you mentioned last time."

"Can we be completely certain?" Cen Lin pressed.

There was a brief silence on the other end before the voice continued, "I'm afraid not. Forty percent is still too low. Moreover, you only provided one soil sample. It would be better if we could collect and test samples at varying distances."

"I'll think of a way."

After hanging up, Cen Lin planned to make a simple meal. However, upon pushing the door open, he found Ming Jiang still sitting on the sofa.

"Um... I haven't eaten yet," Ming Jiang said, scratching his nose with a smile.

"Go home and eat," Cen Lin replied.

"Last night, so-and-so organized a gathering. We played for a whole day and night. My old man is already very displeased; I don't dare go back for a meal," Ming Jiang explained.

"You could also choose not to go play," Cen Lin said.

...

In the end, Ming Jiang stayed and mooched a meal at Cen Lin's place. Sitting at the dining table, he looked at the fragrant dishes and grinned. "I knew you were the most reliable, Lao Cen."

Cen Lin let out an almost imperceptible sigh and ignored him.

Nearby, Lian Sheng carefully sat down, with a hand on his belly. Cen Lin pushed two separate sectioned plates towards him so he could reach every dish without stretching.

Cen Lin then got up and brought a small bowl from the kitchen. "Medicinal food to replenish qi and blood. Eat it while it's hot."

Beside them, Young Master Ming, who had been focusing on his meal with chopsticks, pushed up his glasses. "Lao Cen, you..."

The man sitting opposite him gently raised his eyes, revealing a chilling gaze. "What do you want to say?"

Just as Ming Jiang was about to speak, the doorbell rang clearly from outside. "You have a guest? And it's already evening."

Lian Sheng quickly stood up. "Oh, it must be my friend. He knew about my accident and came specifically to see me. He probably just got off work! I'll get the door!"

Unexpectedly, as soon as he lifted his foot, his wrist was firmly seized. "Sit down."

Cen Lin steadied him and sat him back down. "Eat your meal."

Ming Jiang glanced at Cen Lin, then smiled meaningfully, revealing a pair of sharp canine teeth that seemed oddly out of place on his cold, aloof face. "Alright, enough with the mind games. I'll get it."

He opened the door directly, putting on what he thought was a cool expression and giving a slight wave. "Hello—"

"Holy crap! Why is it you?!" Ming Jiang couldn't help but curse.

The visitor adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses. His skin was fair as jade, his features gentle and refined. The light cyan shirt he wore accentuated his scholarly aura. Seeing Ming Jiang, he was only momentarily surprised before offering a gentle smile. "Long time no see, Young Master Ming."

Shen Yunqing nodded elegantly to him, then walked in. "Lian Sheng, how are you feeling now? I brought you some tonics."

"You... why are you here?" Ming Jiang frowned.

Lian Sheng, sitting at the dining table, looked puzzled. "Mr. Ming, Doctor Shen, do you know each other?"

Shen Yunqing glanced at Ming Jiang, adjusting his glasses with one hand. "We know each other. Young Master Ming... is a very impressive person."

"Who knows him! When it comes to gloating, no one is better than him." Ming Jiang touched his nose, his entire body instantly fuming.

"What... happened between you? Doctor Shen is a very good person. Is it a misunderstanding?" Lian Sheng blurted out.

Cen Lin immediately looked over, the muscles between his eyebrows twitching almost imperceptibly.

"Actually, it's nothing much. A while ago, the young master of the Xiao family organized a street racing event, and I went..." Ming Jiang's expression turned somewhat awkward.

His gaze drifted towards the window, as if falling back into that wind-whipping evening. His tone rose and fell, filled with complex emotions: "That day during the race, I was driving a souped-up car with a powerful engine. I overtook Young Master Xiao and the others along the way. In the latter half, I floored the accelerator..."

The roaring sound of the car engine kept blaring in Ming Jiang's ears. He glanced in the rearview mirror; Young Master Xiao's car was falling behind.

The howling wind whistled past, the gusts hurting his ears.

Young Master Xiao's voice came through the walkie-talkie: "Boss Ming, this isn't the time for messing with your life! Slow down, don't show off!"

But Ming Jiang just laughed, smugly starting to brag: "I could run this route with my eyes closed! Everyone watch me take the championship!"

However, approaching the final sharp turn before the finish line, the boastful Young Master Ming, not paying attention to the road conditions, ran over something. The car accelerated and instantly skidded sideways. No matter how he turned the steering wheel, it was useless. With a loud "clang," the entire car was abruptly flipped over.

And he was pinned inside, unable to move.

Ming Jiang only felt pain all over his body, so intense he gasped for air, nearly dying on the spot. Blood immediately soaked through his arm. His leg grew increasingly numb under the pressure, and feeling left it quickly.

He could only hope that Young Master Xiao and the others would hurry over and find him soon.

Just as he was thinking this, the sound of a car stopping came from outside. Footsteps drew nearer. An extremely young male voice said, "Hello, there's been a car accident in the new sixth district of the suburbs. Send an ambulance... Yes, I'll try to see if I can get the person out... Understood, I'll call the police in a moment."

Soon, the sound of a jack slowly lifting the car came from outside. Covered in blood and grime, Ming Jiang opened his eyes to see a man in a white shirt.

The man asked softly, "Are you okay? Can you move?"

Ming Jiang blinked, his voice hoarse. "Yes."

The man in the white shirt retrieved a bag from his own car, pulled out a tourniquet and medicine. After helping Ming Jiang out, he didn't move him recklessly. Instead, he helped him lie down on an open patch of ground nearby and briefly applied medicine and bandaged his wounds.

"Bear with it. Stopping the bleeding is the priority. We need to wait for the ambulance." Shen Yunqing looked up, revealing eyes that seemed naturally as warm and smooth as mutton-fat jade, and spoke softly.

Ming Jiang stared at him for a moment before slowly saying, "Thank you. You are..."

Hearing this, Lian Sheng asked curiously, "Isn't that good? He saved you. Why are you still angry with him?"

Upon hearing this, Ming Jiang was stunned.

What was he supposed to say?

Say he was just feeling grateful and about to say thanks, but before he could even get the word out, the other suddenly turned hostile?

So humiliating.

"That day when the police were questioning, he was there too. My dad called to ask about the situation, and he just went ahead and told him about me street racing, flipping the car, and getting injured! Because of that, my credit cards got suspended, and even my car was confiscated by my dad!"

"And also..." Ming Jiang glanced at the new guest, Shen Yunqing, sitting at the dining table, gritting his teeth in resentment, "Later, after getting bandaged up at the hospital, he said with a smile..."

Shen Yunqing sat in the consultation room, looking at Ming Jiang beside him, whose hands were wrapped in bandages and in a cast, smiling slightly, "Ordinarily, someone of Mr. Ming's age shouldn't be this fragile, even showing signs of osteoporosis."

The orthopedic colleague nearby also nodded, "Right, you're way too fragile. After you go back, you must supplement calcium and stop staying up so late. Otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you, Mr. Ming. In a few years, your body might not hold up. Osteoporosis is no joke."

"What did you say?" Ming Jiang couldn't believe it.

Shen Yunqing next to him pointed at his watch, which didn't have a single scratch, and his lips curved into a slight, extremely amiable smile, as pleasant as a spring breeze, "Mr. Ming doesn't believe it? Your watch is completely unscathed from the impact, but your hand..."

"Shen Yunqing, right? I'll remember you." Ming Jiang looked at the name tag on his chest, gritting his teeth, "Well, thank you very much then!"

Shen Yunqing smiled gently, "You're welcome. It's my duty."

Lian Sheng's eyes went wide, and he blurted out, "Doctor Shen was reminding you for your own good! And if he hadn't rescued you in time, the consequences would have been even worse!"

Hearing this, Ming Jiang choked, opening his mouth but unable to refute. He just snorted and started picking at his food, "Anyway, the grudge between him and me is settled!"

How can a man be told he's not capable? He didn't believe Shen Yunqing didn't understand; he clearly brought it up on purpose!

"So he's the one you mentioned that day?" Cen Lin held a water glass, his fingertips lightly rubbing the cup's surface. A faint trace of amusement flickered in his eyes as he said calmly, "Serves you right."

Shen Yunqing beside him suddenly spoke, "Hmm? So Young Master Ming mentioned me before? That's truly an honor."

"Doctor Shen's skill in overestimating his own importance is truly profound, his face thick enough to stop bullets, right?" Ming Jiang said sarcastically.

Shen Yunqing still smiled gently, adjusted his glasses, the smile in his eyes undiminished, his tone still as soft as a spring breeze, "To be remembered by Young Master Ming for so long is indeed my honor. But it still can't compare to Young Master Ming's confident and flamboyant nature."

Flamboyant enough to flip a car?

Did Shen Yunqing think he didn't get the implication?

This guy really... a wolf in sheep's clothing, all dressed up but... couldn't think of the word. Anyway, just an annoying guy!

Shen Yunqing picked up a piece of tofu skin and, under Ming Jiang's gaze, placed it in his bowl, "Young Master Ming, try this. It supplements calcium, helps prevent osteoporosis."

Ming Jiang immediately extended his chopsticks to intercept and push Shen's chopsticks away, "No need, I don't like it. Wasted your effort, Doc."

As he pushed the chopsticks out, the force from Shen Yunqing's chopsticks holding the tofu skin didn't lessen at all; it was even stronger than Ming Jiang's push just now.

Weird. Shen Yunqing looks thin. What does he eat every day? How is he so strong?

Even more annoying!

"You're welcome. It's my duty, my patient."

Ming Jiang's chopsticks were forcefully pushed back. Shen Yunqing successfully placed the tofu skin in Ming Jiang's bowl, nodded slightly, and said seriously, "If you need financial help, I can also assist."

"...You!" Ming Jiang was furious.

Lian Sheng at the dining table was about to say something when he felt a slight movement in his belly. He instantly froze, abruptly looked down, and placed his hand on his rounded belly.

"What is it?" Cen Lin noticed his movement.

"The baby just moved. This is the baby's first kick!" Lian Sheng was so happy he didn't know what to say, "It's very strong. This must be a healthy little one, won't be born already..."

He trailed off, looking downcast, his eyelids drooping slightly as they fluttered. He pulled his shirt up, exposing his belly, and pulled Cen Lin's hand to press against his stomach.

Cen Lin trembled slightly when his hand was grabbed but ultimately didn't pull away. His large hand gently covered the round belly. A slight coolness spread across the skin, followed by a wave of warmth.

The baby inside kicked again, right into the palm of Cen Lin's hand.

Ming Jiang was desperate to change the subject. He hastily stood up and said, "Really? I've never felt a baby kick before. Can I feel?"

But before Ming Jiang's hand could even touch a corner of Lian Sheng's clothing, a powerful hand immediately pressed him back down. When Ming Jiang looked up, he met Cen Lin's eyes, which were so cold they made his teeth chatter.

Really? Just touching.

The dinner wrapped up in chaos. Cen Lin finally couldn't take it anymore and kicked the two of them out.

Regarding this, Ming Jiang propped himself against the door, trying to prevent Cen Lin from shutting him out, "I say, Lao Cen, that's not very fair. With our friendship over so many years, what's wrong with me staying here for one night?"

Cen Lin said, "You just bought a small villa last month. Don't tell me you bought it for pigs to live in."

The door slammed shut with a "bang." Ming Jiang sighed and could only turn to leave, but then bumped into the gaze of Shen Yunqing behind him, "What are you looking at? So annoying!"

Shen Yunqing gave a gentle laugh, "Well then, in that case, come with me."

"?"

Ming Jiang looked at him like he was an idiot, raising his eyebrows in surprise and frowning, "What did you say?"

"Where did Young Master Ming's thoughts go? My car is outside. I happen to be going your way, I can give you a ride." Shen Yunqing narrowed his eyes and added.

"Who's overthinking!" Ming Jiang quickly interrupted, turning away angrily, and muttered before leaving, "What awful luck."

Shen Yunqing watched him go, touched the car keys in his pocket, and also stepped forward to follow.

...

Inside the house, Lian Sheng had just finished the medicine Cen Lin handed him and was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

He now recognized quite a few characters from the human world, most of the common ones, so Cen Lin had bought him some storybooks to read.

Lian Sheng pointed his finger at the page. When he encountered an unfamiliar character, he pursed his lips and secretly glanced at Cen Lin, who was doing paperwork. Before he could speak, he saw the man, without looking up, hand him a pen, "Circle it. I'll teach you before bed."

After finishing reading, Lian Sheng happily opened his phone to play.

The baby gently turned over inside his belly. Lian Sheng smiled, stroked his stomach, and looked up at Cen Lin, who was still looking at the computer.

He began to scheme in his head.

If raised well, the baby would probably be born not long from now.

When that time came, he wouldn't need to stay here anymore. Although Doctor Cen was very good, he knew that Doctor Cen had tolerated him for so long because of the baby in his belly. He had inquired before; Doctor Cen was usually cold to everyone.

And, he was indeed afraid of Doctor Cen... and couldn't trouble him anymore. He would return to his clan with the baby, and then find another man to start a family with.

Lian Sheng's hand stroking his belly slowed down, and his eyelids drooped slowly along with his thoughts.

Cen Lin glanced over just in time to see this scene, "Sleepy? If you're sleepy, go to bed. Don't fall asleep here."

"Oh... okay, I'll go then," Lian Sheng said.

He walked slowly to the bedroom, pushed the door open, and sat on the bed.

The tablet Cen Lin used to let him watch cartoons was still on the nightstand.

Lian Sheng picked it up but suddenly switched to their hospital's website. He tapped it and, without meaning to, jumped to the list of personnel from various hospital departments.

He intended to close it, but then he had a second thought.

Wait, wasn't this perfect? Later, when he needed to find a man to help him get pregnant, this list was full of men!

Brilliant!

And so, the incredibly clever Little Lotus Pod Spirit happily began tapping through the list one by one, as if "selecting consorts."

His fingertip poked at the doctors' photos on the screen as he muttered softly, "This name sounds fragrant, maybe he has abundant spiritual energy?"

Then another: "This one looks so serious, would he be as strict as Doctor Cen?"

"..."

It wasn't until Cen Lin finished his work and pushed the door open that Lian Sheng closed the list and switched back to his cartoon.

"How long have you been watching?" Cen Lin looked down at the screen and frowned. "Stop watching, go to bed early. Don't you know staying up late harms your health?"

Lian Sheng turned off the tablet and obediently lay back down. "Mustn't harm the baby, I'll sleep right now!"

Cen Lin watched him for a moment, then reached over to turn off the bedside lamp before getting into bed.

After all, tomorrow they had to attend the Luo family's banquet.

**

"What kind of banquet is it?" Lian Sheng asked, sitting at the table eating breakfast, his eyes sparkling. "Will there be good food? Can I go?"

"No," Cen Lin frowned slightly, stealing a glance at his noticeably rounded belly. "You can't. Stay home and behave."

Hearing this, the previously excited Lian Sheng instantly deflated, and even the little lotus pod materializing on his head drooped. "Oh... okay."

The next moment, Cen Lin pushed a peeled egg in front of him. "Remember, don't run off."

**

The Luo family's banquet hall was brilliantly lit, crystal chandeliers shimmering with dazzling splendor. The venue was filled with socialites, all dressed in tailored suits and elegant gowns, their laughter and clinking glasses exuding luxury.

Under the sparkling lights, the silverware gleamed with a cold luster, and the dishes were arranged with meticulous precision, leaving no room for fault.

Luo Li descended the stairs, capturing everyone's attention the moment she appeared.

Her meticulously styled hair was perfect down to each strand, her makeup bright and bold, especially the vermilion evening gown she wore, which perfectly accentuated her soft, graceful curves.

She spotted Cen Lin standing not far away, holding a wine glass, and slowly walked towards him. "You came."

Cen Lin turned, his sharply defined face fully visible to her. His eyes remained an unfathomable, deep black. "I was invited."

"It's my first time seeing you in a suit," Luo Li chuckled softly. "It looks good. If I were your little boyfriend, I'd want to marry you right away."

"Oh, right, my father will be down soon too. He's been talking about wanting to see you," Luo Li added.

Not long after, very light footsteps sounded from the staircase leading to the banquet hall's second floor, accompanied by a few gentle laughs. He wore a well-pressed dark gray Tang suit, its cuffs embroidered with subtle pine and crane patterns. His hair was neatly combed, the silver at his temples meticulously groomed.

Instead of holding the walnuts or antiques favored by many elderly, he carried a plain brocade pouch. His face wore a warm smile, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes radiating kindness—clearly a benevolent elder.

"Xiao Lin, finally managed to get you here," he said briskly, his tone warm and familiar. He reached out as if to pat Cen Lin's shoulder but deliberately slowed the motion, as if afraid of startling him. "Haven't seen you in years. You've grown so much more steady, no wonder you've achieved such great things in medicine."

The surrounding guests immediately came over to greet him, their voices full of respect. "Mr. Luo, the mountain school you funded this time is truly a virtuous deed!"

"I heard you donated another large sum to the disability foundation, making a great contribution to the country!"

Luo Jingtong smiled and waved a hand modestly. "It's all what should be done. Being able to contribute a little to the country and do some practical things for the children is better than anything."

As he spoke, he pulled a few simply wrapped candies from his brocade pouch and offered them to the people nearby. "These were made by the children in the mountains themselves, completely handmade with no additives. Everyone, please try some."

Cen Lin then watched as Luo Jingtong walked over to talk with two other people.

That couple was clearly husband and wife, elegant and intimate in their demeanor... but why did they look somewhat familiar?

Oh right, they were Ming Jiang's parents.

And the middle-aged man next to them... oh yes, he was one of the vice presidents of Zhiming Biotechnology Group, which had competed with the Luo family last year. But that group also belonged to Ming Jiang's maternal grandfather's family, so it wasn't a big deal.

What was his name again...?

*Crash!*

The sound of a wine glass shattering on the floor instantly snapped Cen Lin's thoughts back. He turned to look and saw Ming Jiang, wearing an outrageously flashy suit adorned with silver chains and rhinestones, half-leaning against a table, clearly having had quite a bit to drink.

Cen Lin quickly walked over and pressed his wrist.

"You—how—" Ming Jiang looked surprised.

Cen Lin took the glass from his hand and placed it on the table. "Drinking so much at an event like this. If Young Master Ming doesn't understand proper conduct, he should go home and ask his elders more."

At the mention of elders, Ming Jiang's expression darkened again. "I'd rather drink myself to death here."

Cen Lin frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ming Jiang lifted his chin, gesturing towards Luo Jingtong. "My old man and old lady are over there discussing with Uncle Luo which day to sell me off to Luo Li."

"You were right," Ming Jiang looked at him. "I really am... going to be tied to the Luo family."

"If you don't like it, don't marry her," Cen Lin said.

"We'll see," Ming Jiang pulled his hand free and took another sip from his glass. "I just don't know what I really want in my heart, how to follow it, how to live without regrets. Thinking about it gives me a splitting headache, so I don't want to think anymore."

He set the glass down heavily. "It's hard..."

"Was it this hard for you and Lian Sheng when you got together?" Ming Jiang looked up and asked.

Cen Lin was taken aback.

Together?

How could their current strange relationship be equated with that of a couple?

"We..."

Before he could finish, Ming Jiang slumped forward, completely drunk, right in front of him. Cen Lin quickly caught him, the smell of alcohol instantly filling his nostrils. He let out an almost imperceptible sigh, explained the situation to the house manager, and then left the banquet hall with Ming Jiang.

While driving, Cen Lin didn't glance at Ming Jiang in the back seat at all, focused only on getting back quickly.

Once they finally got out of the car, the young master couldn't hold it in any longer and leaned over a trash can to vomit: "Blegh—"

Cen Lin stood by the car, observing with a cold expression. Only when the sounds subsided did he slowly walk over and toss him a pack of tissues. "Clean yourself up and come upstairs with me to take some hangover medicine."

Ming Jiang nodded and followed him upstairs.

Back at home, Lian Sheng was still watching TV. Cen Lin frowned. "Watch less TV."

Lian Sheng pouted. "I just turned it on. I've been studying for a long time."

Hearing this, Cen Lin didn’t insist on turning it off. After forcing the hangover medicine down Ming Jiang’s throat, he sat on the nearby sofa, waiting for the young master to sober up a bit.

It took a long while before Young Master Ming opened his eyes. He took one look and absolutely refused to move.

He shifted over, sitting next to Lian Sheng, and blinked at the rounded bulge under his pajamas. "So round... burp... so big... Can I... touch it?"

"?" Lian Sheng was taken aback for a moment, then nodded gently. "You still remember... Alright, but be gentle, okay? Don’t wake the baby."

Ming Jiang nodded, but just as he reached out, Cen Lin grabbed his wrist. "The room is ready. Go to sleep."

As if worried he might cause trouble, Cen Lin personally took him to the guest room.

"Ding-ding-dong-dong—"

Lian Sheng’s phone rang. Seeing the caller’s name, he smiled and immediately answered. "What’s up, Doctor Shen? Do you need something?"

The man on the other end replied, "Nothing urgent. I just forgot to mention last time, I noticed your skin has been a bit dry lately. Remember to ask Cen Lin to bring this ointment next time he comes back [image]."

Lian Sheng quickly opened the image he sent. It showed a tube of green ointment with writing on it... Hmm, couldn’t read it, didn’t recognize it. Oh well.

"Okay, got it. You’re so thoughtful, thank you!" Lian Sheng said.

He paused, wanting to say something more to Shen Yunqing, but was abruptly interrupted by a noise from the guest room.

From inside, Ming Jiang giggled a couple of times. "This young master just doesn’t want to get married! No one can make me! No one!"

This was followed by the sound of a door closing.

"Who’s singing over there?" Shen Yunqing asked over the phone.

Lian Sheng replied, "No one’s singing. That’s Mr. Ming Jiang. He’s drunk and talking nonsense. Doctor Cen went to get him more hangover medicine... Oh, seems like we’re out. Doctor Cen is changing clothes to go out."

Before saying the last part, he glanced over his shoulder and answered in a hushed tone.

Hearing this, the other end fell silent for a moment. After a pause, Shen Yunqing asked, "He’s at your place?"

"Don’t go out. I’m nearby. I’ll buy some and bring it up," Shen Yunqing said.

Lian Sheng blinked his large emerald-green eyes. "Huh?"

"Author's Note"

My dismal ending stats [sobbing][sobbing][sobbing]

The backend is almost finished, but the original outline might need slight adjustments. The initial plotline was too complex. Only after reviewing it did I realize I’m writing a fluffy romance! Why design something so intricate and serious?!

Also, our side couple has finally appeared. Hope it’s not too late.