After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 10

“Alright, thank you for your hard work, Dr. Su.” Wen Xize hesitated before asking, “That person!”

Su Yue raised an eyebrow. “The confidentiality agreement you signed doesn’t include the right to know about this.”

Wen Xize’s expression stiffened, and he lowered his head in disappointment.

Watching the nearly two-meter-tall man hunch dejectedly on the small stool like a soaked dog, Su Yue found it amusing. After a moment’s thought, she changed the subject. “I’ll prescribe her stronger medication not synthetic pills, but raw herbal ingredients. They need to be brewed into a decoction with precise measurements.”

“One bowl after each meal will suffice, but this medicine will make her even sleepier.”

Wen Xize frowned worriedly. “But she’s starting school in a few days. If she’s too drowsy.”

“Hmm…” Su Yue pondered for a few seconds. “I’ll adjust the prescription to try to limit the drowsiness side effect to within two hours.”

Wen Xize sighed in relief. “Thank you, Dr. Su. I appreciate it.”

“Just doing my job.” Su Yue waved it off, then added, “If she successfully differentiates at twelve, it’s best to send her to an Omega academy.”

Wen Xize was puzzled. “Why?”

“She’s highly sensitive to scents, including pheromones. Compared to Omegas, Alpha pheromones will affect her more severely.”

“What?” Wen Xize glanced at Lin Li in surprise. “Can she already detect pheromones now?”

Su Yue blinked. “Did I not mention that?”

Wen Xize rubbed his temples. “No!”

“My bad.” Su Yue shrugged. “Well, now you know.”

Wen Xize: “…” It was hard to tell if this doctor was diligent or careless.

Su Yue chuckled. “Don’t take her to overly crowded places. Too many mixed scents will overwhelm her.”

Wen Xize nodded obediently. “Got it.”

“Let me think if there’s anything else.” Su Yue tapped her chin. “Ah, right, don’t let her sleep too long.”

“She sleeps in short bursts,” Wen Xize explained. “Usually just two or three hours at a time, wakes up to play a bit, then goes back to sleep.”

Su Yue wagged a finger. “That won’t do. She shouldn’t sleep more than ten hours a day.”

“If she sleeps too much, she might sleep forever.”

Wen Xize paled. “What do you mean by ‘sleep forever’?”

“Pass away in her sleep.” Su Yue’s tone turned grave. “Her body is in constant pain. Sleep is also an escape for her.” Seeing Wen Xize’s ashen face, she softened her voice reassuringly. “It’s not that serious. Just a possibility, a very slim one.”

Wen Xize’s hands trembled. “Constant pain? You never told us about this.”

Su Yue spread her hands. “Alright, seems I forgot again.”

Wen Xize’s thoughts were in turmoil. “I don’t understand!”

“No need to over-worry. It’s just a precaution.” Su Yue explained, “The human body is complex. Cellular activity is also influenced by emotions. If she uses sleep as an escape for too long, she might not want to wake up.”

“But like I said, it’s just a possibility.”

Wen Xize understood now, covering his face in anguish.

How could this be?

She’s only just turned ten!

Was she in pain all this time when sleeping, when waking up and smiling at them, when eating…

How could she not cry out in pain even once?

Wen Xize’s heart ached so much his lips turned pale. He stood by the bed, reaching out to embrace the frail figure before trembling and withdrawing his hand.

Would touching her make it hurt more?

“She’s not so fragile that she’ll break at a touch.” Su Yue walked over, bundling Lin Li into a down jacket before raising an eyebrow at Wen Xize. “Take her.”

“Okay.” Wen Xize’s voice was hoarse as he gathered Lin Li into his arms, his eyes burning at the sight of her sickly pale face.

“Don’t cry in my office,” Su Yue teased, gesturing at the corner of his eye. “The kid’s tougher than you.”

Wen Xize turned his head away, sulking in silence.

This doctor was completely unprofessional!

How could she forget to mention two such important things?

And her personality was downright awful.

About to cry over this? What a waste of that tall frame.

Su Yue chuckled. “I’ve already sent the prescription to the pharmacy. Just pick it up on the first floor.”

“Thanks.” Wen Xize muttered the word stiffly before carrying Lin Li out.

The drive home was silent. Wen Xihe, seeing her brother’s grim expression, assumed his romantic pursuit had failed and didn’t dare provoke him.

Back home, Wen Xize handed Lin Li to his sister and personally instructed the housekeeper on preparing the medicine. Returning to the living room, he panicked upon seeing Lin Li still asleep and rushed over. “Xiao You, wake up. Don’t sleep anymore.”

Wen Xihe frowned, adjusting Lin Li in her arms. “If she’s tired, let her sleep. Rest helps recovery.”

“No!” Wen Xize insisted, his face stern. “Xiao You, wake up now.”

Wen Xihe snapped. “What’s wrong with you? Just because you got rejected doesn’t mean you take it out on us! Let her sleep!”

Frustrated, Wen Xize retorted, “You, you don’t understand!”

“Then explain it!”

“Don’t fight.”

Lin Li stirred awake, drowsily wrapping her arms around Wen Xihe’s neck and nuzzling her cheek. “No fighting, okay?”

The siblings fell silent. Wen Xihe huffed and moved away, ignoring her brother.

Wen Xize exhaled sharply, rubbing his face before approaching softly. “I overreacted. I shouldn’t have yelled.”

Wen Xihe glared. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Maybe my rut’s coming.” He sighed, gently stroking Lin Li’s hair as he bent down. “Dr. Su said you can’t sleep more than ten hours a day, Xiao You. Remember that.”

Lin Li yawned behind her hand and nodded lazily. “Thank you, brother. I’ll remember.”

Watching her obedient expression, Wen Xize sighed and sat beside them. “Still sleepy? Want me to teach you how to draw?”

Wen Xihe eyed him suspiciously. “Since when do you teach her art? And why the ten-hour rule? It’s normal for her to sleep more when she’s unwell, that’s such a weird restriction.”

Wen Xize pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s what Dr. Su said. We should just follow the doctor’s orders.”

Wen Xihe huffed in frustration. “But I at least deserve to know the reason!”

“No fighting.” Lin Li, whose ears ached from their bickering, wrapped one arm around Wen Xihe’s neck while grabbing Wen Xize’s wrist with the other. Softly, she chided, “No arguments allowed.”

Wen Xihe puffed her cheeks and snorted, ignoring Wen Xize completely. Wen Xize, equally flustered, fell silent as well.

When Wen Jingzhi returned home that evening, only Lin Li was in the living room, curled up on the sofa. She then noticed Wen Xize and Wen Xihe coming downstairs one after another.

After studying them briefly, realization dawned on her.

They’d fought.

This was typical after their arguments, icy silence until one of them caved and apologized.

Wanting no part in their cold war, Wen Jingzhi greeted them briefly before carrying Lin Li up to the third floor.

By next morning, the standoff had ended with Wen Xize being the first to apologize.

During breakfast, Lin Li wasn’t given her usual medicinal diet but instead a bowl of puree with minced vegetables and meat.

Wen Jingzhi asked Wen Xize, “Big brother, how were Lin Li’s test results?”

Wen Xize tightened his grip on his chopsticks, feigning calm. “Good. She can have regular meals now, and her medication’s been adjusted no need for so many doses daily.”

Wen Jingzhi stared at him for a long moment before coolly responding with an “Mhm,” her gaze shifting away.

Something wasn’t right.

After the meal, the housekeeper brought the prepared medicine to the coffee table. Wen Xihe wrinkled her nose at the dark liquid. “Just the smell makes me think it’s bitter.”

The medicine had cooled to a drinkable temperature. Though Wen Xize intended to feed Lin Li himself, his younger sister beat him to it.

Kneeling before Lin Li, Wen Jingzhi carefully spoon-fed her the medicine.

Watching Lin Li drink it without so much as a frown, Wen Xihe grew curious. “Is it really not bitter?” She leaned in, tempted to try a sip, only for Wen Jingzhi to shoot her a warning look. “This is medicine, not juice.”

Wen Xihe pouted. “Fine.”

As Wen Xize observed Lin Li expressionlessly finishing the entire bowl, then smiling gently when Wen Xihe pinched her cheeks, Dr. Su’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind.

They played on loop, each repetition twisting his heart tighter.

What must she have endured to face pain without flinching?

What thoughts filled that small head of hers?

Didn’t it hurt? Wasn’t it agonizing?

Didn’t she find it, unbearable?

How had she persevered?

Wen Xize couldn’t imagine, couldn’t truly understand. All he could do was silently vow to treat her better, infinitely better.

With her sleep schedule now regulated, Lin Li could no longer nap whenever she pleased, especially during daytime when Wen Xize would inevitably appear from somewhere to wake her.

Even when disturbed, Lin Li never got angry, merely yawning sleepily before moving on.

Five days passed. February 20th school opening day.

Early that morning, Lin Li was plucked from bed, bundled in a thick sweater, and carried to the car by Wen Jingzhi.

The entire Wen family mobilized to escort Lin Li to school.

Though Wen Jingzhi wore sunglasses and a mask, her striking figure and presence stood out among the crowd of parents. This was doubly true for Wen Xize and his siblings, whose unshielded handsome features and towering heights drew immediate attention when they exited the vehicle.

Accustomed to such stares, the Wen family proceeded unperturbed, carrying Lin Li into the school and straight to the principal’s office.

After chatting for a while, everyone left Lin Li behind and reluctantly departed from the school.

As they stepped out of the school gate, Wen Xihe shed a few tears. “Will Xiao You be able to adjust? What if some brat bullies her?”

“Is the teacher reliable? What if they forget to heat up her medicine at lunch?”

Wen Jingzhi was also worried, pinching the bridge of his nose in silence.

Wen Xize and Wen Chende’s eyes were red too, especially Wen Chende, who sighed and said, “Back when your parents and I sent you off to school, we were the same so anxious we couldn’t even eat.”

The group boarded the car in silence, the atmosphere heavy.

It was the old man who spoke up first to comfort them. “It’ll be fine. Xiao You is so smart and well-behaved, she’ll adapt quickly.”

The three siblings nodded but remained quiet.

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