After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 2

“Knock knock.”

The door was rapped.

“Sir, the young miss seems unwell.”

It was the butler.

Wen Chende frowned and immediately went to open the door. “Is she running a fever?”

“She has a slight fever.”

“Should we call Dr. Xiao?”

“No need, I’ll handle it.”

Wen Chende followed the butler out of the study, their voices gradually fading into the distance.

Wen Xihe and Wen Jingzhi showed no reaction, but even the usually composed Wen Xize hurriedly stood up and followed them. Wen Xihe furrowed her brows. “Big brother is acting strange.”

Wen Jingzhi ignored her. After a few seconds of contemplation, she stood up and walked out. Wen Xihe sighed, covering her face. “So utterly unlovable.”

Wen Jingzhi followed the voices all the way up to the third floor, stopping outside the room next to hers.

The door was open. The old master and the butler were gathered around the bed, with a tall figure standing behind them her eldest brother, Wen Xize.

“A low-grade fever is normal. As long as it doesn’t spike, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Wen Jingzhi paused mid-step upon entering the room, her gaze landing on Wen Xize’s hand, where a phone lay. The voice was coming from the speaker.

“Little sister.” Wen Xize noticed Wen Jingzhi and greeted her, stepping aside. Wen Chende also turned, shifting his body to make space. Through the gaps between them, Wen Jingzhi caught sight of the sickly child.

She was dressed in a pure white sweater, one that seemed to have belonged to Wen Jingzhi in her childhood.

The oversized garment hung loosely on her frame, the shoulders slipping to reveal bony, slender collarbones. Her hands, resting on the blanket, were half-hidden by the overly long sleeves.

The child’s face was deathly pale, her lips colorless. Perhaps hearing the commotion, she turned her head. Her dark eyes lacked the lively sparkle typical of children, instead appearing dull and sluggish.

When her gaze landed on Wen Jingzhi’s face, those pitch-black pupils trembled faintly.

“Have her take the medicine first. Monitor her for a few hours, if the fever doesn’t rise, she’ll be fine.”

“Remember to bring her in for check-ups mid-month and at the end of each month.”

“Understood. Thank you, Dr. Su.” Wen Xize hung up after expressing his gratitude. Wen Jingzhi strode over to his side, her light-colored eyes settling on Lin Li’s face. “Which Dr. Su?”

“From Military District One Hospital. You probably haven’t met him, little sister.” Wen Xize wore that guilty expression again, forcing a laugh as he squeezed past to crouch by the bed. He pressed the back of his hand against Lin Li’s cheek, concern lacing his voice. “She feels a bit warm.”

“It’s alright. I’m not uncomfortable.”

The silent child suddenly spoke, her voice so frail it seemed a mere breeze could scatter it. She smiled weakly. “I’ve caused trouble for Grandpa Wen and my brothers.”

“From now on, we’re family. No need for such formalities.” Wen Xize smiled gently, ruffling Lin Li’s hair. “Just rest and settle in.”

Wen Jingzhi observed the tenderness on Wen Xize’s face and arched a brow, her thoughts unreadable.

Whatever. It had nothing to do with her.

She turned to leave, but the housemaid entered just then, carrying a tray of medicine and water. Wen Jingzhi halted, glancing at the small mountain of pills and capsules piled on the tray, her brows knitting together.

What kind of illness required so much medication?

“Why is she taking so many random drugs?” Wen Xihe slipped into the room behind the maid, shooting a look at Wen Jingzhi before bending over the bed to scrutinize Lin Li. She pinched the child’s cheek, only to find skin and bone. “Tsk. She’s way too thin.”

“Don’t squeeze randomly.” Wen Xize frowned disapprovingly. “Xiao You is still running a fever.”

Lin Li obediently narrowed her eyes and smiled weakly. “It’s alright, though my face probably doesn’t feel comfortable to squeeze right now.”

When healthy, Grandma had said her cheeks were pleasant to pinch.

The sickly child’s pale face resembled paper, her feeble yet sincere smile radiating docility. Wen Xihe momentarily lost her words, awkwardly withdrawing her hand. “It’s not uncomfortable.”

Wen Chende pointed at Wen Xihe and introduced to Lin Li: “This is your sister Wen Xihe.” Noticing Wen Jingzhi nearby, he beckoned her over. With an impassive expression, Wen Jingzhi approached. Patting her arm, Wen Chende continued, “And this is your sister Wen Jingzhi.”

Lin Li shifted her gaze to the exquisitely beautiful face and offered a sweet smile. “Sister is so pretty.”

Wen Jingzhi slightly curled her fingers, her expression remaining cool as she gave a faint nod.

“Wait a minute!” Wen Xihe looked confused. “She’s our generation?”

“Though I’m happy to be called sister, shouldn’t she call me aunt based on age?”

Wen Chende disagreed. “Junyan and I are peers. Since she’s Junyan’s granddaughter, she’s naturally your generation.”

“Well, that makes sense.” Still feeling something was off, Wen Xihe stared at Lin Li before suddenly bending down and scooping the girl up from under the blankets.

“Xihe!”

“Wen Xihe!”

Both Wen Chende and Wen Xize immediately scolded her reckless action. Holding the tiny figure, Wen Xihe belatedly realized her blunder. “Sorry.”

Lin Li maintained her gentle smile. “It’s okay.”

Hearing the child’s weak voice, Wen Xihe wanted to slap herself. What was she thinking, lifting her out like that?

“I’m a little hungry.”

Lin Li stretched out her thin arms and lightly embraced Wen Xihe’s neck, her soft words dissolving the awkwardness.

Wen Xihe observed the pale little face, feeling the soft knit sweater brush against her neck. The frail arms held no strength, merely resting there limply. Perhaps due to the fever, a faint warmth seeped through the fabric, making Wen Xihe’s heart tremble slightly.

“Let’s eat first, then take medicine, okay?” Flushing slightly, Wen Xihe straightened up with Lin Li in her arms, then paused.

So, light.

It felt like a few snowflakes could overwhelm this child.

Seeing them getting along, Wen Chende relaxed. “Let’s eat then. Xiao You must be starving.”

The housekeeper and maid acknowledged, taking away the medicine and water.

Wen Jingzhi eyed the obediently smiling child in Wen Xihe’s arms, sensing something oddly distant about that smile.

As they headed downstairs, Wen Xihe carried Lin Li to the dining table, setting her on the carpet. Noticing the girl only reached her hip level, she casually asked, “Has the little one had her differentiation test yet?”

Wen Chende nodded. “Ninety percent chance of presenting as an Omega.”

“Another precious Omega in our family.” Wen Xihe smiled. “For an Omega, this height at five or six years old seems about right.”

Lin Li’s sweet smile froze almost imperceptibly before she weakly corrected, “I’m nine this year.”

Wen Xihe: …!?

“Nine years old!?” Wen Xihe looked at her several times, covering her mouth in surprise.

That couldn’t be right. Even their youngest sibling wasn’t this short at nine years old.

The Wen family genes were universally acknowledged as exceptional. The eldest, Wen Xize, had striking features that could be described as divinely crafted, tall with broad shoulders at 190cm, voted by Omegas in their circle as the most desirable Alpha to marry.

The second child, Wen Xihe, possessed captivating fox-like eyes and full lips with deep-set features, a classic beauty whose nearly 180cm height was rare among female Alphas.

As for the only Omega among the younger Wens, Wen Jingzhi had delicate arched brows and light-colored eyes that appeared almost translucent in snow. With her tall nose bridge and an aura of cool elegance, she was considered the unattainable flower of their social circle her suitors could form a line stretching from Beijing overseas.

Wen Xihe studied Lin Li’s face. Though gaunt from illness, the bone structure was attractive noticeable downturned eyes (commonly called puppy eyes) that radiated warmth when smiling.

Good not ugly at least. While not bearing Wen family genes, anyone entering the Wen household couldn’t possibly be unattractive.

So what if she was short? Their youngest sibling’s 172cm was already considered tall among Omegas.

“I find your gaze rather impolite, Xihe,” Wen Xize said with a headache, lifting Lin Li onto a chair. “Go wash up for dinner.”

Wen Xihe chuckled awkwardly and disappeared into the kitchen.

Dinner was soon served. Wen Chende, seated at the head, took a bowl from the housekeeper and placed it before Lin Li. “Eat slowly, Xiao You. Be careful, it’s hot.”

Lin Li nodded. “Thank you, Grandpa Wen.”

Picking up her chopsticks, Wen Xihe asked, “Why do you and big brother call her Xiao You? Isn’t her name Lin Li?”

Lin Li obediently picked up a spoon. “Xiao You is my nickname.”

“Which ‘you’?” Wen Xihe asked.

“The ‘you’ from ‘carefree’,” Wen Xize answered, using serving chopsticks to place meat in Wen Xihe’s bowl. “Focus on your meal.”

Wen Jingzhi noticed the bowl of black paste before Lin Li. “What’s she eating?”

“Medicinal cuisine,” Wen Xize replied between bites. “Xiao You can’t eat regular food yet. She needs this for a while.”

Wen Jingzhi glanced at the obediently eating child and responded indifferently before ignoring her.

After dinner, Wen Chende carried Lin Li to the sofa. The housekeeper placed medicine on the coffee table. When Wen Chende reached for it, Lin Li stopped him with a hand on his wrist. “I’ll do it, Grandpa Wen.”

Passing by with water, Wen Jingzhi saw the frail child so thin a breeze might topple her extend bony fingers to toss seven or eight pills into her mouth without hesitation, swallowing them with water.

This repeated three times until the small mountain of medicine disappeared.

Taking a sip of water, Wen Jingzhi ascended the stairs.

What a peculiar little sickly thing.

Wen Xihe didn’t linger downstairs after dinner, returning to her room to work. Wen Jingzhi also retired early to study scripts.

Only Wen Xize stayed longer, monitoring Lin Li with Wen Chende for two hours until her temperature stabilized before taking her to her room.

Passing the adjacent room, the script-reader overheard snippets of their conversation:

“Shouldn’t we have the housekeeper watch over her?”

“Dr. Su said it should be fine, let Xiao You adjust and get used to it on her own.”

“Junyan saved both your grandmother and me. I must take good care of her child.”

“I understand.”

Their voices faded into the distance. Wen Jingzhi thought of that sweet, obedient smile, her long lashes fluttering slightly.

Grandfather and Eldest Brother are keeping something from us.

Her fingertips tapped lightly on the table.

What could it be?

The night deepened, and before she realized it, she had stayed up late. Wen Jingzhi glanced at the time past two in the morning. Setting down the script, she picked up her cup, opened the door, and headed downstairs.

When she reached the living room, the kitchen light was on.

At this hour?

Was Second Sister making a late-night snack because she was hungry?

Wen Jingzhi walked toward the kitchen. As she drew closer, she heard muffled, stifled coughs buried in fabric. Her brow arched slightly as she reached the kitchen doorway, then she froze.

A small figure was curled up in the corner of the kitchen, clutching the collar of a sweater over their mouth, coughing so hard their frail body trembled uncontrollably.

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