Chapter 78

Chapter 78

After the maid changed the bedsheets, Li Xiujin placed Lin Ze on the bed.

Li Xiujin also went to take a shower. After washing, he slipped into Lin Ze's arms, still damp from the shower.

"Don't overthink things. You will recover."

Lin Ze was slightly taken aback, then gently stroked his hair.

"Mhm."

Li Xiujin pressed his cheek tightly against Lin Ze's chest. After catching a whiff of his scent, he swallowed hard and nudged Lin Ze's pajama top open.

When he felt his chest being taken into Li Xiujin's mouth, Lin Ze's cheeks flushed. He said somewhat guiltily, "Xiu Jin, there's no milk left..."

Typically, lactation can last for a year, but it stopped after his severe injury.

Li Xiujin hummed in acknowledgment but continued to suckle.

Lin Ze had no choice but to lift his chest slightly higher to feed him.

Only after Lin Ze's condition improved somewhat could Li Xiujin set aside some time for work.

One day, Lin Ze saw flowers blooming outside through the window. After lulling Li Chongyi to sleep, he asked the maid to push his wheelchair into the yard.

The warm sunlight shone on Lin Ze's face. He closed his eyes, feeling fortunate. He had been prepared to die, never expecting he could survive and see Xiu Jin and their child again. However... Lin Ze lowered his gaze, looking at his own limp legs...

A cry interrupted Lin Ze's thoughts. The maid brought over Li Chongyi, who was crying and looking for Lin Ze. The moment he saw Lin Ze, he stopped crying, struggled to get down from the maid's arms, wiped his tears, took Lin Ze's hand, and pointed outside the gate: "Fafa..."

"Chong Yi, do you want to go out and see the flowers?" Lin Ze straightened his clothes for him.

Li Chongyi made some indistinct sounds, persistently pulling Lin Ze towards the outside.

Lin Ze had the maid open the main gate. The area where they lived had excellent greenery. Around their house were lush trees and some flowering trees. Magnolias and peach blossoms were in full bloom. A gust of wind scattered petals all over the ground. Li Chongyi let go of Lin Ze's hand, wobbled to stand under a magnolia tree, stretched out his hands, tilted his head back, and waited for a flower to fall into his palm.

Lin Ze couldn't help but smile.

Unexpectedly, the wind seemed to favor him. A magnolia in full bloom landed right in Li Chongyi's palm. His eyes immediately curved into slits with joy. He toddled over to Lin Ze and stuffed the flower into his hand.

Then he ran back, squatting down to pick up more flowers from the ground.

Li Xiujin was returning from work. As he neared home, he saw through the car window Li Chongyi in his split pants, popping up and disappearing like a groundhog. Then he saw Lin Ze sitting in the wheelchair, gazing tenderly at Li Chongyi.

The car stopped. Li Xiujin got out of the car, ignored Li Chongyi, and walked towards Lin Ze.

"Xiu Jin." Lin Ze's fair cheeks were slightly flushed from the sun. He asked softly, "Are you tired today?"

Li Xiujin, however, frowned at the small mountain of petals piled on Lin Ze's lap.

"Did he pick all these from the ground?"

"Mhm."

"Isn't it dirty?"

"It's okay, it's fine."

Li Xiujin then went over to Li Chongyi.

Because he was wearing split pants, whenever Li Chongyi bent over to pick flowers, most of his bottom was exposed.

Li Xiujin gave his bottom a light kick. "Li Chongyi, stop picking."

Li Chongyi almost face-planted into the ground. After wobbling back to his feet, he let out a wail, crying as he threw himself into Lin Ze's arms.

Although he couldn't say 'mommy' yet, he could already mumble an accusation: "Bad daddy! Bad daddy!"

Lin Ze patted his head. "Chong Yi, Daddy was just playing with you..."

When Lin Ze was unconscious, if Li Chongyi cried and fussed, Li Xiujin would soothe him for at most ten minutes. If it exceeded ten minutes, Li Xiujin would ignore him. After Li Chongyi realized that no one paid attention no matter how much he cried, he would lose interest on his own, acting as if nothing happened and picking up his bottle to drink milk.

Now that Lin Ze was awake, Li Chongyi knew Lin Ze was more indulgent than Li Xiujin. So, the more Lin Ze tried to soothe him, the louder he cried, even stretching out his arms for Lin Ze to hold him.

Just as Lin Ze really wanted to take him into his arms to comfort him, Li Xiujin scooped him up with one hand and pushed Lin Ze's wheelchair back home with the other.

Li Chongyi's cries grew louder and louder. Lin Ze couldn't bear it. After being carried to bed by Li Xiujin, he asked Li Xiujin to bring Li Chongyi over as well. The moment Li Chongyi got on the bed, he crawled into Lin Ze's arms. Between sobs, he wanted to nurse, tugging at Lin Ze's clothes.

While Li Xiujin was busy talking on the phone with someone else, Lin Ze unbuttoned his top. He cradled one breast and offered it to Li Chongyi. Just like Xiu Jin, even though there was no milk left, Li Chongyi still sucked contentedly.

Lin Ze gazed at him with affection. When he heard Li Xiujin's footsteps approaching, it was too late to try and pry Li Chongyi's mouth away.

Li Xiujin frowned.

"Xiu Jin, I... I just wanted to soothe him to sleep..." Lin Ze said bashfully.

Li Xiujin: "Don't feed him anymore."

Lin Ze nodded.

Then Li Xiujin placed the sleeping Li Chongyi to the side, carried Lin Ze to the bathroom for a bath. After removing his pajamas, Li Xiujin first held him over the toilet to help him urinate.

Lin Ze was mortified, wishing he could disappear. "Xiu Jin, I... I don't need to go right now..."

Li Xiujin then placed him in the bathtub and meticulously washed him...

Lin Ze felt the towel wiping continuously. Even though his legs had no sensation, a faint tingling began to stir there...

Thinking he had lost control again, Lin Ze trembled slightly with shame...

But Li Xiujin's breath hitched, realizing it wasn't that...

The towel was replaced by calloused fingers gently rubbing...

Lin Ze's cheeks flushed crimson, and he slumped weakly into his arms. "Xiu Jin, don't..."

Li Xiujin was still somewhat worried about Lin Ze's health, so he didn't proceed further. He hummed in acknowledgment, finished washing him, wrapped him in a bathrobe, placed him on the bed, and before putting on his pajamas, first put a diaper on him.

Throughout the entire process, Lin Ze was too ashamed to look. Only after his pajamas were on did he raise his head, face fully flushed, watching as Li Xiujin also changed Li Chongyi's diaper...

After taking care of both of them, Li Xiujin was covered in sweat. Lin Ze's heart ached for him as he wiped the sweat from his forehead and face. "Xiu Jin, are you tired?"

"Not tired."

Lin Ze cradled his head against his chest. Li Xiujin lifted his head to kiss him. After a moment of shy hesitation, Lin Ze parted his lips and offered his tongue. Their tongues soon intertwined...

After the kiss, Lin Ze felt a burning heat against his abdomen. Realizing what it was, his face flushed red. It had been half a year from his coma to waking up, and Xiu Jin hadn't had any release during this time. He must have been pent up.

Thinking Li Xiujin might do something, Lin Ze was surprised when he only breathed heavily and went to take a cold shower.

Upon returning, Lin Ze simply buried his entire head in his arms, just as Chong Yi often did.

Lin Ze gently stroked his back, feeling a twinge of guilt for not being able to help him let it out...

Choosing a day with good weather, Li Xiujin took Lin Ze and Li Chongyi out for a spring outing.

The housekeeper was somewhat worried: "Sir, can you manage taking Mr. Lin and the child by yourself? Should I come along?"

"No need." They had decided to have a picnic in the park at noon. Li Xiujin placed the picnic blanket and food into the trunk, answered, and then lifted Lin Ze and settled Li Chongyi into the car.

Then the family of three set off.

Flowers were in full bloom on both sides of the road. Li Chongyi excitedly climbed up to look out the window, and Lin Ze enjoyed the view with him.

While driving, Li Xiujin watched them in the rearview mirror. Noticing that Li Chongyi was getting overly excited and starting to slap the window, and that Lin Ze couldn't stop him, Li Xiujin said sternly, "Li Chongyi, do you want a spanking?"

Li Chongyi quickly hid in Lin Ze's arms.

They had specifically chosen a weekday, and since this park required tickets, there weren't many people.

Li Xiujin carried Li Chongyi with one arm and pushed Lin Ze's wheelchair with the other, walking along the flower-lined path.

Li Chongyi spotted a butterfly and struggled to get down from Li Xiujin's arms to chase it.

Li Xiujin set him down and then noticed a cherry blossom had fallen onto Lin Ze's dark hair.

He leaned down to brush it away. A bit of pollen stuck to Lin Ze's nose. After brushing it off, seeing Lin Ze's fair skin tinged with pink, as lovely as the flowers, he gently kissed him...

Lin Ze's ears slowly turned red.

After admiring the flowers, they found a clean patch of grass, spread out the picnic blanket, and laid out the food. Not far from them, another family was also enjoying a spring picnic.

They were also a family of three, with a child slightly older than Li Chongyi. The father was preparing the food while the mother played and ran on the grass with the child. Soon, the father joined them, and the family of three played various fun games on the lawn.

Li Chongyi was also drawn by their laughter and tugged at Lin Ze's hand, wanting to play. But... Lin Ze tried to move his legs, yet they remained limp and unresponsive.

Lin Ze felt a pang of guilt. He should have been able to jump and play with Chongyi like other parents, but now he could only sit here... "Chongyi, I'm sorry, Daddy can't play with you..."

Seeing this, Li Xiujin picked up Li Chongyi with one hand: "Come on, I'll play with you."

As the sun set, they headed home.

On the way back, Li Xiujin observed Lin Ze in the rearview mirror.

Lin Ze was holding the tired, sleeping Li Chongyi, lost in thought.

After arriving home, when Li Xiujin came out of the shower, he found Lin Ze staring at his own legs.

Li Xiujin understood what was troubling him: "Tomorrow we'll go to the hospital for a follow-up appointment."

The next morning, Li Xiujin took Lin Ze to the private hospital he had specifically invested in for another examination. The results were still the same: there was nothing wrong with his legs.

"When he'll be able to walk, we can't say for sure. But there's nothing wrong with his legs. It's just a matter of time; he just needs to recuperate and wait."

While the doctor was discussing the condition with Li Xiujin, Li Xiujin didn't intend to hide it from Lin Ze and let him listen in.

After the doctor left, Li Xiujin asked, "Are you reassured now?"

"Yes." Lin Ze forced a smile.

In truth, Lin Ze wasn't reassured. Six months is time, ten years is also time. What if it took him ten years to recover and be like a normal person? Would he let Xiu Jin neglect his career and take care of him all the time?

After returning home, as usual, Li Xiujin carried him from the car to the bathroom, helped him to the bathroom, bathed him, and finally put him to bed. Before he could even catch his breath, he received a phone call. From the tone, it seemed to be a work-related call.

By the time he finished the call and returned, it was already late at night. He nestled into Lin Ze's arms and quickly fell asleep.

A few days later, Lin Ze made some cookies. After feeding some to Li Chongyi, he learned from the servant that Li Xiujin was in the backyard. So he took some cookies and went to find him in his wheelchair. As he approached, he noticed Li Xiujin was on the phone. Lin Ze didn't disturb him but quietly pulled up in his wheelchair behind him.

"I can't get away recently. Go on my behalf," Li Xiujin said to the person on the other end of the line.

"Sir, the partner over there insists that only you go."

Lin Ze heard Fu Zhi's voice.

Li Xiujin pinched the bridge of his nose: "Then forget it. Call off the deal."

"But our losses would be quite significant."

"Do as I say. From now on, don't consider any business that requires travel."

"Yes."

Just before hanging up, Fu Zhi added, "Colonel Yang said he couldn't reach you yesterday and asked me to inquire when you'll return to the military department to resume your duties? He said things are quite chaotic there, and he's struggling to handle it alone."

"We'll see."

After hanging up, Li Xiujin turned and saw Lin Ze.

"Xiu Jin, I just baked some cookies and wanted you to try them."

As if he hadn't heard what was said earlier, Lin Ze raised the tray gently.

While Li Xiujin was working, Lin Ze began looking into specialized care hospitals for people with disabilities.

"The General said you're not allowed in." While he was browsing, Lin Ze heard some commotion. He struggled to move himself into his wheelchair and wheeled himself out.

In the courtyard, the servant was blocking Li Tingyuan, preventing him from entering, but couldn't stop the several strong men Li Tingyuan had brought with him.

"If you're here to see Xiu Jin, he's not here right now. Please leave," Lin Ze said as politely as possible.

"I'm not here for him. I'm here for you," Li Tingyuan's gaze fell on his legs.

"Do you know how much the entire group has lost because Li Xiujin has neglected his work for you?" Li Tingyuan said. "If you have any conscience left, you should take the initiative to divorce Li Xiujin, leave with nothing, and not hinder his future or be a burden to him."

After saying this, Li Tingyuan snorted coldly and left.

Lin Ze sat motionless in his wheelchair.

The servant comforted him: "Sir, don't listen to his nonsense. The General would never think you're a burden."

Lin Ze forced a smile.

He knew Xiu Jin wasn't that kind of person. If he thought he was a burden, he wouldn't have taken such meticulous care of him while he was unconscious...

It was he himself who felt like a burden...

"Don't tell the General about Li Tingyuan's visit," Lin Ze instructed before returning to his room.

When Li Xiujin finished his shower and lay down beside him, Lin Ze clenched the bedsheet and whispered, "Xiu Jin, let's separate for a while..."