Chapter 101: He Yu Shen Fakes Illness
The weather had been hot lately. The omega at home had lost some of his appetite. Before heading to Nan Yi's mother's house, He Yu Shen took the omega to a well-reviewed restaurant, specifically ordering appetizing dishes.
After their meal, they returned to He Yu Shen's former home.
They had arrived half an hour early, and from a distance, they saw Nan Zhi waiting alone at the entrance.
Despite finding shade on this stifling day, sweat still formed on his forehead.
"Why are you here so early?"
Nan Yi alighted from the car before He Yu Shen could even open it for him.
"I had nothing else to do, so I came early."
Since the incident at the hospital, Nan Zhi's attitude toward Nan Yi had completely changed, even if he still spoke in a calm tone.
He Yu Shen cast a cold glance at Nan Zhi, standing under the shade of the trees. His gaze then shifted to Nan Yi, murmuring, "Let's go in. I've called some people over. They'll discard anything we don't want."
Nan Yi turned back to see four or five betas dressed in black suits alighting from the car. No wonder that vehicle had been tailing them.
After such a long time away, returning to this place still brought back memories of those days for Nan Yi.
The once reclusive and self-deprecating version of himself was now a thing of the past.
The Nan Zhai Min family hadn't left many belongings, but Nan Yi instructed the betas to dispose of everything, save for the furniture.
This included his few old possessions; they weren't worth reminiscing over anyway.
Nan Yi had assumed Nan Zhi had returned for something, but once inside, he seemed to vanish.
Nan Yi didn't seek him out. He bore no grudge against Nan Zhi, but he recognized their childhood bond couldn't be revived.
"Madam, should we discard this?"
"Dispose of it."
Nan Yi sat in the living room, not even glancing at the item in the beta's hand.
Nothing in this villa was worth keeping.
He Yu Shen had also disappeared. Wasn't he just taking a brief bathroom break? How had he vanished so suddenly?
Confident that the alpha hadn't left the villa, Nan Yi didn't sit for long before rising again.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Nan Yi, Nan Zhi stood by the fishpond in the villa's backyard.
He Yu Shen approached Nan Zhi, who had been standing quietly beside the pond for some time, and stopped at a neither close nor distant spot.
In an even, detached tone, he remarked, "You took advantage of his kindness to gain his forgiveness. What's your game now?"
The previously dazed man snapped back to reality. His fingers twitched at the realization of what He Yu Shen had said. Forgiveness? Was someone like him even worthy of it?
He didn't deserve forgiveness.
"I have no ulterior motive."
Piercing, frosty eyes surveyed the frail figure before them as He Yu Shen gauged the veracity of Nan Zhi's statement.
With slight disdain, he said, "It's better if you appear less frequently before him. Considering the constant insults you've thrown at him, you should stay away."
"I know. Rest assured, I won't disturb him."
He Yu Shen coldly responded, "You'd better keep your word."
He Yu Shen then turned, intending to leave the backyard, not wanting to make a certain someone wait too long for his return.
"Wait." Nan Zhi called out, stopping He Yu Shen who was about to depart.
The alpha turned, his face betraying little emotion, but the impatience in his eyes didn't escape Nan Zhi.
"When he was young, he loved feeding the fish. He'd often sit by this pond, tearing off pieces of bread to feed them."
He Yu Shen, sensing where this was going, darkened in expression.
"You probably can guess without my saying it. This pond is where he nearly drowned."
He Yu Shen had never asked where Nan Yi had had his near-drowning incident; he didn't want to remind his omega of any unpleasant memories.
Nan Zhi continued, "So, if in the future, he encounters the down-and-out Nan Zhai Min family, don't let them off easily just because he's soft-hearted."
Nan Zhi's words further aggravated He Yu Shen's already short temper.
With a deadly glint in his eyes, he coldly retorted, "Anyone who's hurt him will not be spared. As for you, you have no right to feign concern for him," his tone dripping with iciness.
Not wanting to waste more time, He Yu Shen quickened his steps to leave.
After his departure, Nan Zhi slowly crouched down, extending his right hand to lightly graze the water's surface, sending the fish scattering.
Instead of being angered by He Yu Shen's words, a smile touched Nan Zhi's lips.
He remained crouched for a while, only rising slowly when he felt numbness in his legs.
As Nan Yi exited the living room, he was met by the returning alpha. He playfully punched him in the chest, frowning.
"Where did you go?"
"I'm back now, aren't I? Our little treasure must have missed us. Let's head back," He Yu Shen said, capturing the hand that had punched him.
Nan Yi looked around the now nearly empty house. Almost everything had been discarded.
"Let's go."
He Yu Shen wrapped an arm around him, guiding him out. But after a few steps, Nan Yi halted.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"Where's Nan Zhi? I need to ask him if he's leaving..."
"He's in the backyard watching the fish. Let's go ahead without him."
Nan Yi slightly furrowed his brows, "I really should go... Wait, what's wrong with you?!"
The alpha, who had been standing upright, suddenly doubled over, clutching his stomach tightly.
"I think... my stomach hurts a bit. Go find Nan Zhi; I'll wait here and head home later." He Yu Shen pressed even harder on his stomach.
"Is it stomach pain? It's been so long since the last episode. Do we need to go to the hospital? Should I call Hu Wen over? Let's... Let's get to the car first, and I'll massage it on the way back."
Supporting He Yu Shen's arm, Nan Yi's eyes were brimming with tears, distressed over his condition.
He was heartbroken for He Yu Shen.
Helping him out the door, they made their way to the car.
Once inside, the alpha, pretending to be in excruciating pain, couldn't bear to see the worried look on Nan Yi's face. He gently took the hand that was massaging his stomach and pressed it to his lips.
"It's not hurting anymore, don't worry."
Nan Yi urged, "How can it not? Xiao Wang, head straight to the hospital."
He Yu Shen reassured, "I genuinely feel better, we don't need the hospital."
Nan Yi: ".....................?"
"You lied to me!" Realizing he'd been duped, Nan Yi stared at He Yu Shen, clearly irritated.
Seeing the anger on Nan Yi's face, He Yu Shen, trying to save face, feigned innocence: "It did hurt a little, just now."
"I don't believe you! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
The upset omega turned away, ignoring He Yu Shen. Despite the alpha's soft and soothing tone, he failed to pacify him.
It wasn't about the lie for Nan Yi; he simply disliked He Yu Shen making light of his own health.
Having witnessed the alpha's debilitating stomach episodes, even the mere thought of such a strong alpha appearing so vulnerable terrified him.
His beloved, his family, such a wonderful alpha.
All Nan Yi wishes for him is good health and peace.
After Nan Yi said his farewells to He Yushen, Nan Zhi too gradually left the house where they grew up.
Upon exiting the gate, he didn't hail a cab. Instead, he walked leisurely along the road until he felt warm and his feet tired, only then did he flag down a taxi.
Just then, his phone rang. A flash of joy crossed his face, but upon seeing an unfamiliar caller ID, his spirits plunged.
An unknown number.
Not many people had his number – it was likely a telemarketer, so he hung up.
The caller, undeterred, rang again. Irritated, he reluctantly answered.
"Why did it take you so long to answer?"
A familiar voice tinged with reprimand reached him. His pupils dilated, joy evident in his eyes.
"I didn't know you changed your number," he responded with a gentle and cautious tone.
"Being sensitive? Come over."
The call was ruthlessly disconnected with a beep, and his bright eyes dimmed instantly.
He instructed the driver, and the taxi changed its course, heading in the opposite direction from before.