Chapter 30: Father

Chapter 30 Father

In front of others, Cai Gu was too embarrassed to blame He Yanxing. He could only sigh and silently endure He Yanxing's actions.

His indulgence only ever invited the young man's audacity. He Yanxing grew bolder, gently lifting the hem of his skirt with his gloved hand, revealing the smooth skin of his thigh.

Cai Gu's body trembled. To make He Yanxing stop, he struggled to cut a small piece of steak with his knife and brought it to He Yanxing's lips. "Let's eat first, okay?"

Cai Gu looked up, his dark eyes veiled with a mist of tears, his thick, curled lashes fluttering.

He Yanxing's attention was instantly captured. He nodded and was about to open his mouth to take the steak from Cai Gu's hand when He Jing, unable to watch any longer, grabbed a whole piece of steak and shoved it into He Yanxing's mouth.

He Jing wasn't blind. He had long noticed the commotion under the table, and now he finally had the chance to intervene. He arched his eyebrows and smiled. "Ah Xing, no need to thank your uncle. Eat up."

"Mmph—"

Cai Gu held the cut piece of steak, sitting helplessly between them. The tender, juicy meat gave off an enticing aroma, making him unable to resist swallowing.

He couldn't help himself. He was about to take a bite when he noticed the gaze from across the table. He saw Grandpa He staring at him, hesitating as if he wanted to say something.

"Hmm?"

Cai Gu suppressed his desire to eat the steak and kindly offered it to Grandpa He. "Would you like some?"

Grandpa He frowned and was about to refuse sternly when the two men who had been bickering suddenly stared at him in unison.

Grandpa He flinched. "Fine, I'll eat."

Cai Gu had no idea that the two Alphas were silently warning Grandpa He with their eyes. He obediently placed the cut steak onto Grandpa He's plate.

His eyes sparkled, full of anticipation.

Perhaps it was the sheer innocence in his gaze that softened Grandpa He's defenses. Clearing his throat, Grandpa He ate the steak, his expression relaxing. "Your relationship with A Jing... I suppose I can accept it."

"As long as you get rid of the little bastard in your belly, then marry A Xing's father and stay by A Jing's side as his (A Jing's) sister-in-law. That way, in the eyes of outsiders, you won't have such an age gap between you two."

Cai Gu listened, dazed, tilting his head. "Huh?"

He Jing put down his fork with a cold laugh. "You're getting more senile by the day. I finally found myself a wife, and you want me to turn him into my sister-in-law?"

Grandpa He retorted. "Have you looked at your ages? How far apart are you?"

"Don't you think people will laugh?"

"You're being unreasonable—all grown older, but not wiser." At He Jing's words, Grandpa He began shaking with rage. He Yanxing, familiar with the scene, smoothly wrapped his arm around Cai Gu's waist and moved him away from the table.

As expected, the entire table was overturned, plates crashing onto the floor and shattering into pieces.

Seeing that they were about to come to blows, Cai Gu quickly covered the ears of the young man next to him—barely an adult. Pressing his lips together, he said, "Let's leave, okay?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached He Yanxing's ears clearly. He turned his head and saw Cai Gu frowning, concern written all over his face.

He thought Cai Gu was frightened, so he immediately wrapped his arm around him and led him outside.

Walking through the garden under the bright sunlight that drove away the chill in their bones, He Yanxing guided Cai Gu to sit on a swing while he sat cross-legged on the grass.

He Yanxing wasn't good at comforting others. He said earnestly, "Don't be scared—"

A warm, broad hand rested on his head, gently ruffling his hair. "Were you frightened?"

Cai Gu lightly pulled him close, letting him rest against his chest. A fresh, light scent wafted over, leaving He Yanxing frozen in place.

He Yanxing was like a puppet on strings, unable to speak. After a long moment, he finally found his voice, mechanically repeating Cai Gu's words. "Frightened?"

He Yanxing didn't know how to answer. This had happened countless times; he had long grown used to it. But no one had ever asked him if he was scared.

He Yanxing closed his eyes, as if returning to his childhood. He took a deep breath and finally uttered those words. "Mm, I'm really scared."

Cai Gu's heart broke. He stroked He Yanxing's soft blue hair and said gently, "Don't dwell on it."

Things like this had undoubtedly happened more than once.

He Yanxing looked up, clumsily trying to comfort Cai Gu. "Don't listen to Grandpa. Uncle looks old for his age. You look much younger than him."

"Roughly speaking, you and I are the same age."

Cai Gu was amused, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes stood out. He tapped He Yanxing's forehead lightly. "Don't talk nonsense. If I had gotten married earlier, I might have been able to have a son your age."

"Axing." Aunt Xiao stood awkwardly not far away, letting out an embarrassed chuckle. "Your grandfather wants you to go to the hospital later, to visit your father."

At the word "father," Cai Gu could clearly feel the young man in his arms stiffen, his resistance palpable.

"Alright."

He Yanxing raised his head. Aside from being a bit pale, he showed no other signs of distress. "I understand."

Having delivered the message, Aunt Xiao sighed in relief and quickly hurried away as if her task was done.

He Yanxing said calmly, "Go back to the bedroom first. They'll probably keep arguing for a while. Don't come out no matter what you hear. Uncle will be fine."

"I'm going to the hospital. I'll be back soon."

Cai Gu grabbed his hand. Even through the glove, He Yanxing could feel the scorching heat of his palm.

Cai Gu said gently, "I'll go with you."

Given his personality, He Yanxing would normally have refused coldly, but this time he hesitated. Selfishly, he wanted Cai Gu to stay by his side.

He struggled with himself for a moment before finally deciding to be a little selfish. "Alright, I'll take you with me. But you have to stay close and not wander off."

"Okay."

He Yanxing stood up, looking at Cai Gu sitting on the swing. Today, he was wearing a pure white dress, the square neckline revealing his delicate collarbones. A white ribbon was tied into the side braid of his hair.

Unable to resist, He Yanxing bent down and kissed Cai Gu on the lips. This time, he was more practiced, greedily sucking on Cai Gu's lower lip, the wet sounds of their kiss filling their ears.

Cai Gu indulged him, parting his lips to accept what was almost a rough kiss. His tongue went numb, nearly losing all sensation.

"Little aunt."

He Yanxing let out a sigh from deep in his throat. "How can you be so good?"

Hearing the words "little aunt," Cai Gu felt a strange sense of shame. He knew full well that he was just a wife hired by He Jing, yet he couldn't help but start to believe the illusion.

He raised his hand to cover He Yanxing's mouth, the corners of his eyes red, his expression both delicate and alluring. "Don't... don't say that."

He Yanxing grabbed his hand and licked his palm, his tone both teasing and possessive. "Aren't you my little aunt? Then why do you smell like Uncle's pheromones?"

With that cold, expressionless face, he acted as if he were discussing an academic question with Cai Gu. "How did you get them on you?"

"Hmm?"

Cai Gu swatted the little brat's hand in annoyance, pursing his red lips. "If you keep teasing me, I'm going to get mad."

His words carried no threat at all—soft and weak, making him look even more vulnerable.

He Yanxing knew when to stop. He bit Cai Gu's lip again. "I was wrong."

He apologized so quickly that Cai Gu didn't even have time to react. Cai Gu muttered quietly, "Don't be so naughty from now on."

"Alright, aren't we going to the hospital? Let's go now."

With Cai Gu by his side, even heading to the hospital felt less daunting. They sat together in the car, and He Yanxing raised the partition.

The enclosed space left only the two of them. Cai Gu instinctively covered his mouth, afraid He Yanxing might do something reckless.

He Yanxing adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses with a serious expression. "Don't worry, I won't do anything."

Cai Gu curled his finger and lightly tapped He Yanxing's forehead. "Naughty kid."

He Yanxing didn't argue but accepted the title matter-of-factly.

The hospital wasn't far from the villa, and the car soon stopped. He Yanxing opened the door and got out first, then took Cai Gu's hand to help him out.

Cai Gu looked at the hospital before them. Though they hadn't entered yet, the pure white building inexplicably filled him with anxiety and a strong sense of oppression.

He was clearly terrified, but he didn't say a word, afraid to affect He Yanxing's mood. Gripping He Yanxing's hand tightly, he said, "Let's go in."

"Yeah."

He Yanxing's mood had clearly darkened. As soon as they entered the hospital, a nurse came to lead them. "Young Master He, the patient's condition has improved recently. The doctor says there's a high chance of recovery."

He Yanxing ignored the nurse and walked straight to the ward.

His father's room was on the top floor. The nurse quickly opened the door and let them in.

The ward was filled with the smell of disinfectant. Cai Gu covered his nose in discomfort.

"Father."

Cai Gu curiously looked toward the bed. He widened his dark eyes in surprise, then glanced at He Yanxing beside him. The young man looked exactly like his father—the same blue hair, the same silver-rimmed glasses.

Father He put down his book. He was gentler than Cai Gu had imagined. "You're here?"

His gaze was drawn to Cai Gu. "Hmm? And this is..."

Cai Gu was about the same age as him and had a pregnant belly. He squinted and couldn't help but remark, "Father is still vigorous in his old age."

He Yanxing corrected him quietly. "This is Aunt."

Father He's smile stiffened. He couldn't help but raise his voice. "Huh? Huh!"

"This is A Jing's wife?"

He Yanxing, seeing his father's overly intense reaction and worried he might harm Cai Gu, lifted his chin and said coolly, "Calm down. Don't make a scene. That's not dignified."

"People might think you're dead."

Father He rubbed his temples in frustration. He looked at Cai Gu again. Though the other was indeed good-looking, the age gap between him and He Jing was enormous.

But this also piqued Father He's interest. He sized up Cai Gu, a strange light flickering in his eyes. He said nothing, just commanded He Yanxing, "Since you're here, take me outside for some sun. Being cooped up here is really uncomfortable."

Father He threw back the covers. The sight on the bed made Cai Gu's eyes widen—his hands and feet were bound in chains that clinked with every movement.

The chains were as thick as an arm, as if restraining a raving patient.

Cai Gu was both curious and frightened. He stared, mesmerized, until he looked up to find Father He staring directly at him with an eerie smile.

He waved his hand, and the chains clattered as well, as if threatening to lock Cai Gu onto the bed too.

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Author's note: Mama: Scared.