Chapter 41: Discovered by Family

Chapter 41: Discovered by Family

Song's Private Hospital, Inpatient Ward

The air was faintly tinged with the smell of disinfectant, the luxurious single-patient room bright and clean.

Zhou Qian lay on the hospital bed with his eyes closed, mouth wide open, sleeping soundly, without a care in the world.

The IV dripped down the thin tube one drop at a time, the red rash on his face beginning to fade.

Confirming Zhou Qian was out of danger, Song Ji and the attending physician walked out of the room.

"How is Zhou Qian (Uncle Zhou) doing?"

Seeing Song Ji, Fei Yu and Suisui stood up from the bench, their eyes filled with worry.

Song Ji: "He's fine."

He paused and said softly, "Zhou Qian is somewhat allergic to cat fur. Combined with the fatigue from flying back today, his body couldn't handle it, which caused the sudden fainting spell."

"He's gotten IV fluids, and the allergic symptoms have eased a lot. He hasn't woken up yet only because he's too tired from the layover and fell asleep."

They hadn't expected this to be the reason. Fei Yu and Suisui looked at each other, blinking in confusion.

After a moment, Suisui rubbed his nose and asked, "Dad, does Uncle Zhou need to take medicine?"

Fei Yu mm-hmmed in agreement: "If Uncle Zhou is willing."

Catfolk, though now in human form, were still essentially cats and always carried a trace of feline scent.

If someone with allergies interacted with him in human form, it might not trigger a strong allergic reaction, but it would still make them uncomfortable.

Over time, to move more easily in human society, clever catfolk had developed a remedy.

According to the prescription, regular use could help them overcome their allergy to cats.

Hearing Fei Yu's explanation, Song Ji raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Then Old Zhou will have a blessing in disguise. He loves cats more than anything."

He checked the time and said, "It's getting late. I'll have the driver take you and Suisui back. Don't wait for me. I'll come back once Zhou Qian wakes up."

But Suisui immediately shook his head, gripping his father's hand anxiously: "I don't want to go back. I want to wait for Uncle Zhou!"

Because of what happened today, Suisui had formed a deep bond of camaraderie with Uncle Zhou.

Little Meow's sense of responsibility welled up; he wouldn't feel at ease until he saw Uncle Zhou get better.

Since it was because of them that Zhou Qian was hospitalized, Fei Yu didn't press further. He stroked the child's hair.

"Alright. If you get sleepy, you can sleep in Daddy's arms. When Uncle Zhou wakes up, Daddy will call you."

Song Ji smiled faintly: "I'll stay with you."

The sunset glow silently shifted direction, and the moon slowly rose, casting its light on the spotless hospital corridor.

Song Yao tossed aside the cotton swab in his hand, picked up the medicine prescribed by the doctor, and walked out of the ward.

He made a call while walking: "I won't be going to evening class... The cake had mango in it. I didn't notice. I've already seen a doctor and got medicine."

Whatever the other person said, he scoffed: "The Qin family's second son is just asking for it! Who told him to live a life of debauchery and end up with an illegitimate child?"

"The Lin family won't agree to the marriage alliance, so the Qin family's business is doomed."

"Don't worry, our family is nothing like them," Song Yao puffed out his chest proudly. "From my cousin to my brother, they're all clean, never had a single girlfriend. And of course, I'm the same!"

"Believe me. My cousin is now in charge of the group, so busy he barely has time to breathe. When does he have time for dating?"

"Yeah, yeah. Go to class. Bye."

Song Yao hung up happily, humming a love song, and walked out with a spring in his step.

Just as he turned the corner and took half a step, he glanced up idly.

The next moment, Song Yao froze in shock, as if struck by lightning. Without thinking, he quickly shrank back into the shadows.

Pressing his back against the cold hospital wall, he inhaled sharply.

The person across the corridor—was that his—his cousin?!

His cold, aloof, unapproachable cousin, the one who was the model child since childhood and now inherited the family business—Song Ji?

Why was he here, and with a child?!

Could he have seen wrong?

Song Yao held his breath, slowly peeked out cautiously, and looked outside.

There, on the bench outside the ward opposite, his usually distant cousin Song Ji was holding a very small child in his arms.

His cousin was looking down slightly, lips curved upward, showing a gentle expression he had never seen before, speaking softly to the child.

And then—he looked at the child in his arms. Song Yao gasped, covering his mouth, as if he'd seen a ghost.

That face, that chin—it was the spitting image of his cousin as a child!

And the kid wasn't afraid of his cousin at all; he giggled and fussed in his arms, clearly familiar with him.

Thinking of the phone call he had just made, Song Yao's eyes widened in shock, and he sucked in another cold breath.

He quickly pulled his head back, his fingers trembling, nearly dropping the medicine bottle.

Had he just stumbled upon his cousin and his child?!

Who was that in the ward? Could it be his future cousin's wife?!

"What's wrong? What are you looking at?"

Fei Yu returned from the restroom at the end of the corridor and saw Song Ji lift his head, frowning at a certain direction.

Little Suisui in his arms also widened his eyes, mimicking Song Ji's serious expression as he looked in the same direction.

Fei Yu followed their gaze and saw nothing but a clean white wall.

Song Ji withdrew his gaze, a trace of uncertainty passing over his brow: "Nothing. Maybe it was my imagination."

Fei Yu was confused and exchanged a glance with equally puzzled Suisui.

Suisui scratched his ear. Baby didn't see anything either.

*

Song Yao couldn't remember how he managed to hail a cab. He returned home in a daze.

When he stepped into the first-floor living room, he realized that coming home was a complete and utter mistake.

Because Song Yao found that his aunt, his cousin Song Ji's mother, Ms. Jiang Yunru, had come over today!

His aunt and his mother were chatting cheerfully, and Song Yao tiptoed, planning to sneak back to his room using the elevator.

But just as he pressed the button, his mother suddenly called out to him from behind.

"Xiao Yao, are your allergies better? Why did you skip your evening study session again?"

"Never mind that, just come over here and chat with your aunt and me for a while."

Ms. Song Lanyu's voice was gentle, but Song Yao knew it was a sign she was about to get angry.

He didn't dare sneak upstairs anymore and nervously made his way to the sofa.

Song Yao forced a stiff smile and greeted his aunt, listening absentmindedly as his mother and aunt chatted.

The two sisters talked about everything from the mall's development trends next quarter to the climbing roses the villa gardener had chosen this year.

As they talked, Song Lanyu suddenly asked softly, "A Ru, have you heard about that thing with the Chen family's son? Is it true?"

Jiang Yunru took a sip of tea and said, "Absolutely true. The girl agreed to the Chen kid's proposal, and the wedding is expected to take place in the second half of this year."

Song Lanyu sighed, "They broke up only to find out she was pregnant, and then reunited because of the child. I never thought something like this would happen around us. It's fate."

Song Yao beside them was sweating profusely, his vision blurring. Was he learning about too many "children" today?

Song Yao's gaze wandered, hesitating. Several times, the words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed his words.

Should he tell his aunt about what he saw today?

His aunt was so understanding and reasonable; surely she wouldn't make things hard for his future sister-in-law.

Why did his cousin have to keep it a secret, even about having a child?

Song Yao's expression was off, and he hadn't said a word, which finally caught Song Lanyu's attention.

She frowned and asked, "Xiao Yao, are you still feeling sick?"

Song Yao shot up from the sofa, stammering, "I, I, I—I have an exam tomorrow, Mom, Aunt, you two chat. I'm going upstairs to study."

With that, he turned and bolted up the stairs.

Watching his back disappear up the stairs in a few steps, Song Lanyu shook her head and laughed, "That rascal of mine probably got scolded by the teacher at school again today."

Song Lanyu sighed, "He doesn't like studying, and he's never reliable. I've worried the most about Xiao Yao since he was little. If only he were as easy to look after as Xiao Chen and A Ji."

Jiang Yunru also sighed, "A Ji being that way isn't good either. He's at work every day and has no thoughts of dating or starting a family."

"I think he wants to marry the company instead."

"I told Old Song that if he brings someone home this year, regardless of gender, I'll thank my lucky stars."

The two sisters vented to each other, then caught each other's eyes and burst out laughing.

Kids have their own luck; let them handle their own lives.

*

By the time Zhou Qian slowly woke up and the family of three returned home, the moon was already high in the sky, and it was late at night.

Suisui had taken a nap in the car, and when they got home, when he learned he had to take a bath that night, the baby, still rubbing his eyes, immediately perked up.

Little Meow pouted, blinking his innocent eyes, and his tone couldn't have been more sincere.

"Daddy, it's really late. Can I skip the bath tonight? Look at my arms, Daddy—I stayed clean at school today."

Fei Yu was exhausted, and he also didn't want to deal with the little kitten.

But since he had taken Suisui to the hospital today, the Catfolk, his cleanliness obsession flaring up, decided to give the baby a scrub.

Suisui sulked, puffing out his cheeks, trying to resist with stubborn silence, but after waiting a good while, Daddy didn't relent.

So he fidgeted with his fingers and whispered to his daddy, "Then… Daddy, can Uncle wash me instead?"

Fei Yu, who was halfway through rolling up his sleeves, raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked at Suisui with an air of leisure.

He felt a little bit of jealousy, but mostly curiosity.

What on earth had Song Ji done to make the baby accept even his most dreaded bath?

Song Ji, who was busy nearby with his head down, felt a chill run down his spine.

He coughed lightly into his fist, acting as if nothing was wrong, and said calmly, "Baby is such a brave Little Meow, for being considerate of Daddy."

Watching as Song Ji picked up the pouting little kitten and headed toward the bathroom, coaxing him along the way.

The corners of Fei Yu's mouth unconsciously curled up, thinking that Song Ji really had a way with kids.

The bathroom door was gently closed.

The villa had good soundproofing, so he couldn't hear a single sound from the bathroom from his bedroom.

Even if he was curious, it was useless now.

Fei Yu looked away leisurely and collapsed onto the sofa like a cat.

He pulled a white cat plushie out of his pocket and lightly ran his fingers along the kitten's fur, absentmindedly stroking it down.

The snow-white long fur was soft and smooth, and the moment he touched it, it felt like he was really petting the Lion Cat from a distance.

The two golden eyes were round and bright, staring back at Fei Yu innocently.

Fei Yu gently bit his lip, slid his fingers down, and squeezed the kitten's pink paw pads.

The tender paw pads immediately sank in, and after a little while, the material slowly bounced back.

It was obvious that Song Ji had put a lot of thought into the plushie.

Fei Yu squeezed it again and again, his playful mood swelling, and a little dimple appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The scene of meeting the tabby cat during the day surfaced in his mind again.

After listening to his worries and concerns,

The tabby cat, who was excellent at being both human and cat, took a big bite of a chicken leg and spoke with the same conviction as always.

"Xiao Yu, we're cats! If we want to sleep, we sleep. If we want to scratch, we scratch. If we want to claw the sofa, we claw it. If we want to like someone, we like them."

"Do as we please, be free. Cats are naturally like that. Why, after becoming Catfolk, do we get all tied up instead?"

Tabby cat vowed, "Since he likes you, and you kind of like him too, what's the harm in giving it a try?"

"You know, before the first Catfolk in the world transformed from a cat to a human, no cat thought it was possible."

"Maybe you two can truly cross species, break the curse of Catfolk's asexuality, and become the first lifelong partners in the Catfolk world!"

Yeah, what's the harm in giving it a try?

Maybe as Senior Pang Qiu said, he should be braver.

Besides, he had always known that Song Ji was a very, very good human.

If he, out of fear of consequences, refused to consider Song Ji himself and stubbornly believed that Song Ji would hurt him and Suisui after learning the truth,

then how was that different from Suisui refusing to listen to Zhou Qian's explanation and stubbornly misunderstanding Zhou Qian as a bad guy?

Suddenly remembering something, Fei Yu quietly made a 'three' gesture in front of his chest.

He looked at the little cat charm in his hand, blushed, and quietly extended his pinky finger, turning 'three' into 'four.'

Because it was Song Ji, he was willing to give it a try.

Precisely because it was Song Ji, he wanted to bravely take one step, and then another.

Fei Yu clasped his hands together, gripping the little cat plush in his palms, and silently made a wish in his heart.

Cat God above, please let happiness fall into this Catfolk's hands.

When his liking turned into six, he would tell Song Ji his feelings.

With a little more liking, when it became ten, he would tell Song Ji that Suisui is their child.

Their shared treasure.

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Author's note: Soon, the whole world will know that he has a new child—except for President Song.

President Song has entered the boyfriend evaluation stage. Use your charm to win Yubao over.