SC Chapter48

In the early morning, while Shen Guan was still asleep, Xiao Ning went home to check on the children. Old Zhou, having been single for many years, was more than competent at washing clothes and cooking. The two children had not suffered any hardship under his care. Xiao Niannian clung to Xiao Ning’s neck, burrowing his head into his father’s embrace.

“How is he?” Old Zhou asked, looking up while packing Xiao Yuan’s school bag.

Xiao Ning gently stroked Niannian’s face, remained silent for a moment, and then said, “He had another flare-up last night.”

Old Zhou didn’t speak. After watching the two children finish their breakfast and sending Xiao Yuan off to the academy, he came back and quietly advised, “It’s about time. You already have two children; how long are you going to keep this up?”

Xiao Ning scooped a bowl of congee and carefully placed it in a food box before closing the lid, saying, “We’ll talk about it when he’s well.” The outside was drizzling lightly. He didn’t take an umbrella and stepped into the rain with the food box.

Old Zhou sat on the recliner inside the doorway, sighed, pinched Niannian’s soft little face, and said, “If your father wasn’t so stubborn, you would probably have younger siblings by now.”

Xiao Ning had not yet reached the entrance of the medical hall when he saw Shen Guan staggering out of the door from afar while clutching the doorframe to keep himself upright. He looked as if he had just woken, his long hair tangled, clothes rumpled, and feet bare, his face worn and haggard.

Xiao Ning closed the distance in a few quick strides, seized Shen Guan’s wrist, and pulled him back inside, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

“Let go.” Shen Guan’s eyes were filled with cold severity, but his voice was very weak.

Xiao Ning let go as requested, watching Shen Guan slump weakly to the ground, and said coldly, “Where were you trying to go?”

Shen Guan tilted his head back but avoided looking at him, his thin lips forming a cold arc.

Xiao Ning set down the food box and looked down at Shen Guan’s bare feet, his slender ankles tinged blue. His clothes were thin and the floor cold, making him shiver slightly. A barely audible sigh escaped Xiao Ning. He bent down and lifted Shen Guan from the floor. The moment his fingers touched him, Shen Guan’s back stiffened, and a sudden murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Xiao Ning acted as if he didn’t notice, carried him back to the bed, and grasped his cold ankle, saying, “What is it? Did you remember what happened last night?”

The mention of last night immediately drained the color from Shen Guan’s face, and his fingertips dug hard into his palm.

Xiao Ning turned to fetch the food box, took out the warm congee, and sat beside Shen Guan, saying calmly, “You were the one who cried and begged me to take you. I even tied you up, and you still wouldn’t give up.”

Shen Guan closed his eyes, seemingly trying hard to suppress his murderous intent. After a long while, he said, “My mind is currently impaired, and I am poisoned with such a vile toxin. I have no intention of continuing to live. I just want to ask you one thing, are the words you spoke last night true?”

Xiao Ning blew on the congee in the spoon to cool it and said faintly, “You mean the child? Of course, it is true. He is now a handsome young boy, living in a corner of this small city, safe and sound.”

Shen Guan was moved, he slowly opened his eyes to meet Xiao Ning’s calm and composed gaze, and said with a bitter smile, “If so… I can rest assured. What is his name?”

“His given name is a single word, Yuan.”

A dull ache struck Shen Guan’s heart. He lowered his eyes and murmured to himself, “By the Yuan grows angelica, by the Li grows orchid; I think of the Young Master, yet dare not speak.”

Xiao Ning’s hand paused. After a moment of silence, he said, “So that’s what it is.” He slowly brought the congee to Shen Guan’s lips, but Shen Guan no longer cooperated, simply closing his eyes and turning his head away.

“You are satisfied, and now you refuse to live?” Xiao Ning gently pressed the spoon against Shen Guan’s pale lower lip, saying, “Do you want to know what you and his second child are called?”

Shen Guan suddenly opened his eyes, staring intently at Xiao Ning’s face.

Xiao Ning raised his sharp brows and slowly said, “Xie Yunyi died, but your Young Master is not dead.”

Shen Guan clutched Xiao Ning’s sleeve, his eyes glistening with tears, his lips trembling with a thousand unspoken questions in his gaze. Xiao Ning simply brought the spoon closer to his mouth again, saying, “Be obedient. Eat your meal.”