The Wealthy Old Man’s Palm-Sized Pet - Chapter 15

It had rained heavily outside the previous night. Song Zhiyuan had sweated a great deal by the window and had barely had any proper rest.

Upon arriving at the hospital and lying down on the bed, the dazed and groggy Song Zhiyuan fell asleep almost instantly. He was completely unaware of the commotion in the outside world. He didn’t know he was running a high fever, nor did he know that Fu Can had called Fu Xingnian just to get him admitted into a VIP ward.

Naturally, he was unaware that Fu Can had tried to steal a kiss from him, and he was even less aware that Fu Xingnian had walked in on that very scene.

On the hospital bed, Song Zhiyuan slept soundly for several hours, never waking once during that time.

This made Fu Can extremely anxious. He hurriedly called the doctor over to check on him, worried that Song Zhiyuan had passed out.

The doctor repeatedly assured both him and Fu Xingnian that the patient was simply asleep, not unconscious. Furthermore, the patient’s body temperature was gradually dropping. As the doctor spoke these words, he kept his eyes on Fu Xingnian, though Fu Can failed to notice this.

With the doctor’s guarantee, Fu Can finally felt at ease.

However, as he looked at Song Zhiyuan sleeping deeply on the bed, he couldn’t help but mutter to himself out of curiosity, “Song Zhiyuan, what have you been up to these past few days? How can you be this tired? It feels like you haven’t slept in ages.”

The person on the bed did not hear him; he remained in a deep slumber, his head tilted slightly, looking like a sleeping child.

Sitting on the sofa, Fu Xingnian’s thoughts drifted back to the previous night. He had tossed and turned with Song Zhiyuan until after four in the morning. When they woke up at dawn, he had demanded him once more. At that time, Song Zhiyuan had whispered in a small voice, “Mr. Fu, I’m so sleepy.”

When he left in the morning, Song Zhiyuan’s temperature had seemed a bit high, but he hadn’t taken it to heart at the time.

Fu Can suddenly remembered something: “Uncle, aren’t you busy this afternoon?”

His uncle was the head of the Fu Group. He knew his uncle was incredibly busy every day; even he rarely had the chance to see him. Yet today, his uncle had been staying at the hospital for an hour already.

Fu Xingnian replied, “It’s nothing. I just happened to be passing by.”

Fu Can gave an “Oh” in response. Still, after his uncle arrived, even the hospital director had personally come to check on Song Zhiyuan, so it was definitely better having his uncle there.

Thus, the uncle and nephew sat quietly in the hospital room.

Three hours later, Song Zhiyuan finally woke up. Having slept comfortably for several hours, his body no longer felt so heavy, though his head was still a bit dizzy.

Seeing him wake up, Fu Can was the first to rush to the bedside: “Song Zhiyuan, you’re finally awake! Are you still feeling unwell? Let me peel an apple for you.”

Because he was sick, his mouth tasted bitter, and Song Zhiyuan actually found himself craving an apple.

As Fu Can sat by the bed peeling the apple, Song Zhiyuan sat up and suddenly froze. There was someone else in the room besides Fu Can.

Fu Xingnian was sitting on the sofa in the back. When did he get here? Why was he here?

Song Zhiyuan abruptly straightened his posture: “Fu… Uncle Fu.”

Seeing him wake up, Fu Can had been too happy to remember to tell Song Zhiyuan that his uncle had come as well.

Fu Can briefly explained what happened after he fell asleep: “Song Zhiyuan, do you know you had a high fever? It was my uncle who helped arrange this room and got the best doctors to treat you. Uncle even came to see you personally.”

Song Zhiyuan said, “Thank you, Uncle Fu.”

From the sofa, Fu Xingnian gave a low “Mhm.” His gaze was unreadable as he watched Fu Can personally feed a slice of the peeled apple to Song Zhiyuan’s lips.

Fu Can added, “No need for thanks. Don’t mind that my uncle doesn’t like to smile; he’s actually a very good person.”

Song Zhiyuan wanted to take the apple and eat it himself, but Fu Can wouldn’t let him: “Don’t move. you just finished your IV drip and the back of your hand is still swollen. It’s best not to move around. Are you turning me down because you find me distasteful? I just washed my hands.”

Song Zhiyuan replied, “It’s not that.”

Fu Can said, “If it’s not that, then eat.”

Song Zhiyuan looked at Fu Xingnian, then back at Fu Can, and had no choice but to open his mouth and accept the apple.

The apple was sweet and crisp. The refreshing juice moistened his bitter mouth, and the fragrance of the fruit filled the room, washing away the scent of disinfectant.

Just as Song Zhiyuan swallowed the first piece, Fu Can already had another slice at his lips. Even though Song Zhiyuan insisted he could do it himself, Fu Can was adamant about feeding him.

On the sofa, Fu Xingnian watched their interactions with a faint, indifferent expression.

“Fu Can, aren’t you going home yet? Your parents said they are taking you to a banquet tonight.”

“That can’t be. My parents didn’t say anything about it at noon,” Fu Can argued. “Song Zhiyuan is sick; I want to stay here and take care of him.”

Song Zhiyuan said, “Fu Can, go home. I’m fine now. I can be discharged in a little while.”

How could Fu Can let Song Zhiyuan leave the hospital? “Song Zhiyuan, you are not allowed to be discharged today. You need to stay in the hospital for observation.”

Song Zhiyuan insisted, “I should be fine now. My head isn’t dizzy anymore. I should be able to go home.”

Since he was a child, he had always endured illnesses on his own.

When he was little, Song Tianlai didn’t care whether he lived or died; he was always either drinking with his disreputable friends or playing mahjong. When the young Song Zhiyuan felt sick and miserable, he would crawl up to find medicine himself. He would pick some that looked right, take a few pills, and go to sleep. By the time he woke up, he would be mostly recovered.

Of course, there were times when Song Zhiyuan truly fainted. When Song Tianlai returned and saw him sleeping on the bed, he would simply kick him awake.

Song Zhiyuan was used to being sick, so when he realized he felt unwell, his only thought was to take some medicine and get a good night’s sleep.

However, Fu Can insisted he stay hospitalized, claiming he was worried Song Zhiyuan’s fever would return at night. But Song Zhiyuan felt his body wasn’t that fragile.

While they were talking, Fu Can received a call from home. His father told him to come home so they could take him to an important banquet that evening.

Fu Can had no choice but to return, but he wasn’t at ease leaving Song Zhiyuan alone in the hospital.

When he saw Fu Xingnian on the sofa, Fu Can smiled. Wasn’t his uncle right here? His uncle and Song Zhiyuan had met so many times now that they could be considered acquaintances. Since his uncle was here, he could ask him to help look after Song Zhiyuan. His uncle probably wouldn’t refuse.

“Uncle,” Fu Can stepped forward. “Could I ask you for a favor? Can you help me look after Song Zhiyuan?”

Song Zhiyuan hurriedly said, “No need, no need.”

Fu Xingnian said, “Okay.”

The two voices spoke at the same time. Fu Can looked at Song Zhiyuan and then at his uncle.

Fu Can had been worried his uncle might not agree, so he was surprised when he did. Only then did he feel relieved enough to leave.

As he was leaving, Fu Can specifically urged Song Zhiyuan to stay in the hospital with peace of mind, saying he would come to the hospital early tomorrow.

Before walking out, Fu Can once again entreated his uncle to take good care of his friend.

Only two people remained in the ward. After Fu Can left, the room returned to silence.

Song Zhiyuan watched as Fu Xingnian walked over. Seeing that the man’s face had been dark and sullen earlier, he thought Fu Xingnian was about to lose his temper. Just as he was preparing what to say, he heard Fu Xingnian ask him: “Are you feeling better? Where does it hurt?”

Being suddenly shown concern by Fu Xingnian in a voice that was unexpectedly gentle, Song Zhiyuan didn’t react for a moment: “Huh?”

The person speaking was indeed Fu Xingnian.

Fu Xingnian asked again, “Where do you feel uncomfortable?”

As he spoke, his gaze drifted downward. Before coming to the room, the doctor had told Fu Xingnian that besides catching a cold, the reason Song Zhiyuan’s fever was so high was due to inflammation.

Fu Xingnian thought about how he had released inside Song Zhiyuan several times the previous night. Therefore, Song Zhiyuan’s fever today was more or less caused by his own doing.

Faced with Fu Xingnian’s rare gentleness and guilt, Song Zhiyuan tugged at his sleeve and whimpered, “Uncle Fu, actually it is a bit uncomfortable and a bit painful. Uncle Fu, I feel so miserable.”

Fu Xingnian said, “I’ll call the doctor.”

“No.” Song Zhiyuan tugged at his sleeve, lowering his eyes sheepishly. “It’s there… it’s still a bit uncomfortable.”

Fu Xingnian immediately called Chu Wei. Song Zhiyuan heard him tell Chu Wei to bring over some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving ointment.

Because of the IV fluids, Song Zhiyuan had a lot of water in his system and needed to relieve himself. Holding the IV bag, he moved to go to the bathroom.

He must have moved the wrong way, as blood began to back up into the IV tube near the needle.

Fu Xingnian took the IV bag from him. He was much taller than Song Zhiyuan, and by holding it high up, the backflow of blood stopped.

Fu Xingnian said, “Go ahead.”

Song Zhiyuan let out an “Ah?” and asked, “Go where?”

Fu Xingnian replied, “Don’t you need to use the bathroom?”

Song Zhiyuan pursed his lips. He did indeed need to use the bathroom—he was almost at his limit—but Fu Xingnian was standing right beside him holding the IV bag.

Fu Xingnian seemed to know what he was thinking: “What, are you shy now?”

Why be shy? Given their relationship, there was nothing to be shy about.

Song Zhiyuan unzipped his pants to take care of his business. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Fu Xingnian’s gaze was actually still on him. He turned his head, but Fu Xingnian showed no intention of looking away.

Under Fu Xingnian’s watchful eyes, Song Zhiyuan finished his business.

Having solved one physical need, another one arose: Song Zhiyuan was hungry. He hadn’t eaten almost all day and was starving.

Lying back on the bed, Song Zhiyuan’s stomach growled several times. When Fu Xingnian looked at him, Song Zhiyuan rubbed his stomach: “Uncle Fu, I’m hungry.”

Perhaps it was because he was sick, but the current Song Zhiyuan seemed a bit childish.

Fu Xingnian said, “Immediately.”

When Fu Xingnian said “immediately,” he truly meant it. In less than five minutes, Chu Wei arrived, bringing not only the ointment but also dinner.

Although the food was light, Song Zhiyuan ate it with great relish.

After dinner, the doctor came to take Song Zhiyuan’s temperature. The fever had completely broken, but the doctor knew this was a patient the Fu family valued highly, so he still suggested that Song Zhiyuan remain in the hospital for one more night of observation.

Fu Xingnian made the decision for Song Zhiyuan.

Song Zhiyuan had assumed Fu Xingnian would leave for the night, but to his surprise, the man stayed.

He even wanted to apply the ointment for him. Since the application site was in the back and they were in a hospital, Song Zhiyuan refused no matter what, saying he could do it himself.

Fu Xingnian looked at him and gave him two choices: “Either I apply the medicine for you, or the doctor does.”

Though there were two choices, Song Zhiyuan knew there was actually only one.

Lying prone on the bed, Song Zhiyuan still looked at the door uneasily: “Mr. Fu, no one will come in, right?”

Fu Xingnian replied, “Chu Wei is outside. No one dares to enter as they please.”

Only then did Song Zhiyuan unzip his pants. After the ointment was applied, the discomfort in his body lessened instantly. The effect of the ointment was surprisingly good.

Lying back on the bed, Song Zhiyuan asked, “Mr. Fu, are you really staying here tonight?”