Chapter 90: The Little One Catches a Cold
As he passed the garden, Nan Yi instinctively glanced towards where he had last seen Nan Zhi, but there was no one there now.
Once he hurried back into the living room, he immediately set about boiling water, intending to give Nan Siyi the medicine.
The butler had returned and, noticing his distress, asked softly, "What happened to the young master?"
"The little one has caught a cold; I'm preparing warm water to administer his medicine." Nan Yi poured the already boiled water into a clean bottle.
"Sir, the child should drink formula milk before taking the medicine. Their digestive systems are delicate; giving medicine directly might irritate it."
The butler quickly took the bottle from Nan Yi's hand.
"I'll prepare the formula. Please hold the young master."
"Thank you for your help."
Trusting the butler, Nan Yi swiftly returned to the couch and cradled He Siyi in his arms.
The discomforted little omega, with a wrinkled face, seemed about to burst into tears. He whimpered but went silent upon seeing Nan Yi.
"Sweetie, I'm so sorry. It's all Daddy's fault."
Nan Yi was overwhelmed with guilt, blaming himself for He Siyi's cold.
He held the little one close, remorse evident on his face, and rocked him gently.
"Sir, the weather in early spring is naturally cold. Many children have caught colds recently; it's not your fault."
With a neutral tone, yet full of reassurance, the butler placed the prepared formula in front of Nan Yi.
"If I hadn't been so carefree, taking him out to enjoy the breeze, he wouldn't have caught a cold."
This time, the butler remained silent, standing by discreetly.
After handing over the warm water and preparing the medicine, they waited until Nan Yi had fed He Siyi and lulled him to sleep before quietly turning to their own affairs.
Holding He Siyi, Nan Yi kept glancing at the clock, anticipating He Yushen's return from work.
The moment the time came, he dialed He Yushen's number without a second's delay.
"Hello, can't wait any longer? We're already on our way back."
"He Yushen."
Nan Yi had barely uttered the name before his emotions welled up, tears shimmering in his eyes.
With a tremor in his omega voice, He Yushen's tone deepened, "What happened? Who upset you?"
"No one, it's just that the little one has caught a cold."
"Don't panic. I'll be right home, and we'll take him to the hospital."
"I've already taken him. The doctor said he's fine." Nan Yi's voice grew steadier, his emotions in check.
"You're amazing, love. Taking our little one to the hospital all by yourself. I'm on my way to be with you both."
The alpha's gentle, non-blaming tone reassured Nan Yi over the phone.
"Alright, come back soon."
"Understood, my little charmer. For now, do pacify our little one."
"Okay."
By the time He Yushen and Yun Luo entered the living room, the little omega had just woken up. After his nap, his forehead felt cooler.
"He Yushen, our baby's fever has subsided."
Holding the little Omega, Nan Yi cheerfully handed him over to He Yushen's embrace, his tone now lighter, devoid of the worry from their phone conversation.
Accepting He Siyi, He Yushen pressed a soft kiss onto Nan Yi's forehead.
"You've done well."
Receiving a kiss in front of Yun Luo, Nan Yi felt a mix of embarrassment and secret delight.
Surely, this means Yun Luo would give up on He Yushen.
Yun Luo is gentle and kind, but He Yushen belongs to him. Nan Yi hopes Yun Luo would soon move on, finding someone even better.
"However, I can't join you on business trips anymore. The baby is too young to be taken out. If I hadn't carried him out yesterday, he wouldn't have caught this cold."
Speaking, Nan Yi felt another pang of guilt. While He Yushen works every day to support them, he, staying at home with the baby, had inadvertently caused him to fall ill.
He felt utterly useless.
"Why think this way? It's common for infants to catch a mild cold; it's not your fault. Don't let yourself think that way," He Yushen asserted with a deep frown and a stern expression.
"If you can't come with me, stay home with the baby. I'll return in three days," He Yushen consoled him softly.
"Alright."
"Here, hold the little one." He Yushen handed He Siyi to Nan Yi.
Assuming He Yushen was leaving for his trip, Nan Yi reluctantly accepted the baby.
But as soon as he held the infant, He Yushen lifted him entirely off the ground.
"What are you doing?"
Nan Yi's face flushed with embarrassment, aware that Yun Luo was still present.
"Taking you to rest."
Carrying both the omegas, He Yushen ascended the stairs. In the living room, Yun Luo didn't look at the departing trio, but instead gazed outside into the courtyard.
Once in the bedroom, after Nan Yi was settled on the bed, the little one was placed gently in his crib.
As He Yushen's hand retracted from the baby, the little omega whimpered in protest.
Instead of soothing the infant, He Yushen approached Nan Yi and sealed his lips in a tender kiss.
After a lingering ten-minute embrace, he released a flushed and breathless Nan Yi.
"I might not have the time to call. Don't be mad at me. If you're bored, take the baby to visit his grandparents; Ling's father said he misses him."
Leaning in, He Yushen pressed another kiss on Nan Yi's flushed cheek.
"I must go," he murmured, cradling Nan Yi's face with a longing gaze.
"After all those kisses, it's only fair I get one in return."
The alpha swallowed, his voice husky, "There's not much time..."
"Just one kiss," Nan Yi interrupted, knowing He Yushen was in a hurry.
Smiling, He Yushen leaned in once more.
True to his word, Nan Yi granted just one kiss, but it was placed prominently on He Yushen's neck, resembling a small cupping mark.
"Don't cover it," commanded Nan Yi.
The mark rapidly turned into a dark blush, which might not fade even in three days.
Nan Yi admired his handiwork with satisfaction.
He Yushen was exasperated. As a top executive, to be seen in this state, he'd surely be the subject of gossip.
However, He Yushen was equally pleased with the little one's assertive claim on him.
"I'm not covering it up; I'm genuinely leaving now."
A cool touch brushed against Nan Yi's lips once more. The bedroom door opened and closed softly, and He Yushen descended the stairs.
Nan Yi didn't follow, fearing he'd find it too hard to part with the alpha going on a business trip.
Living Room:
Yun Luo gazed absentmindedly at the fog-enshrouded garden.
He didn't check the time, nor did he rush He Yushen.
He just waited silently, seemingly accustomed to waiting for a long time now.
Yun Luo vividly recalled the first time he met He Yushen. He was merely a child of five or six, and on his first visit to his uncle Yun Shan's home, it happened to be He Yushen's birthday. The entire house was filled with well-wishers, and gifts piled up in corners.
The boy in the little tuxedo resembled a tiny prince. However, he lacked the prince's chivalry and manners, glaring at Yun Shan with hostility.
He even tossed aside, in front of all the guests, the gift Yun Shan had given him.
Everyone was pointing and commenting on the boy, but Yun Luo was transfixed, finding the young boy strikingly beautiful.
At seven or eight years old, he didn't understand the nuances of affection; he simply found the boy attractive.
The first flutter of emotion came during another encounter in junior high.
Yun Luo had always regretted it. If, in his ninth-grade year, he had agreed to spend the night at Lin Qiuwu's house, perhaps he wouldn't have encountered He Yushen again.
Maybe then, he wouldn't harbor this doomed affection for He Yushen.
His wandering thoughts were reeled back in by the sound of footsteps. Glancing up, Yun Luo's gaze briefly lingered on a conspicuous mark on the alpha's neck before he averted his eyes, murmuring, "Are you leaving now?"
"Let's go."