Chapter 223: DON’T ENDURE IT BY YOURSELF
Liuxian’s thumb hovered over the familiar contact for only a brief moment before pressing the call button. The ringing lasted only a few seconds before the call connected, and a lazy voice carrying obvious amusement drifted through the speaker.
"Little Xian?"
Gu Yanchen chuckled softly before stretching lazily in his office chair.
"It’s barely dawn. Unless the sky is falling, I refuse to believe my workaholic cousin voluntarily decided to call me before breakfast."
Liuxian didn’t smile.
"We’re coming to the hospital."
The amusement on the other end immediately disappeared.
Yanchen straightened in his chair before reaching for the notebook lying beside him, his expression becoming noticeably more serious as soon as he heard the change in Liuxian’s voice.
"What happened?"
Liuxian turned toward Guiying before quietly answering.
"Guiying developed a fever during the night. His pheromones started changing before we went to bed, then he woke up complaining that every bone in his body hurt. The fever has eased this morning, but I don’t want to take any chances."
Yanchen remained silent until Liuxian finished speaking.
His pen quietly tapped against the notebook for several thoughtful seconds before he finally opened it and began writing down their names.
"Alright."
"Come in at nine."
"I’ll make room in my schedule."
Liuxian nodded instinctively.
"We’ll be there."
Yanchen smiled faintly before leaning back in his chair again.
"I haven’t seen Guiying in quite some time."
The person he remembered was still the timid young man who had quietly followed Liuxian into his consultation room a little while ago. Guiying had been painfully underweight back then, speaking so softly that Yanchen had needed to lean closer more than once just to hear him.
Even answering simple questions had seemed difficult.
Every few moments, Guiying had unconsciously looked toward Liuxian first, as though searching for reassurance before speaking. He had resembled a frightened little stray cat that had finally found someone safe enough to stand beside.
Now...
Just hearing Liuxian talk about him was enough for Yanchen to realize things had changed.
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
"I’ll see both of you at nine."
He paused briefly before the familiar teasing returned to his voice.
"And Little Xian..."
Liuxian sighed softly.
"What?"
Yanchen laughed.
"You really abandoned me, didn’t you?"
Liuxian raised an eyebrow even though Yanchen couldn’t see him.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"You absolutely do."
Yanchen clicked his tongue dramatically before letting out an exaggerated sigh.
"The moment you got married, both families stopped asking when you were finally going to settle down."
He rested his forehead against one hand before continuing.
"And instead every single one of those questions was directed at me."
Liuxian couldn’t help smiling.
"I’ll consider that my wedding gift to you."
Yanchen stared at the ceiling in mock disbelief.
"Heartless."
"You escaped with your husband while leaving me alone to deal with our parents."
Liuxian’s quiet chuckle finally escaped.
"I have faith in you."
"You’ll survive."
Yanchen groaned loudly enough for Liuxian to move the phone slightly away from his ear.
"I don’t need your faith."
"I need a spouse."
Liuxian’s smile deepened.
"I’ll keep an eye out for one."
Yanchen snorted.
"Forget it."
"I’ll see you both at nine. If he has any other complications, come earlier."
The call ended soon afterward.
Liuxian slowly lowered his phone before turning toward Guiying, who had quietly watched the entire conversation from the bed.
Their eyes met for a brief moment before Liuxian walked over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Guiying’s ear.
"Get ready."
His voice softened noticeably.
"We’re going to the hospital."
Liuxian slipped the phone back into his pocket before walking toward the bed once again. His eyes carefully swept over Guiying from head to toe, as though making sure the brief conversation hadn’t somehow changed his condition in the few moments he had looked away.
"Can you stand?"
His voice remained calm, though the concern behind it was impossible to miss.
"Can you walk properly, or are your legs still hurting?"
Guiying slowly shifted his legs over the side of the bed before planting both feet firmly against the floor. He remained seated for several seconds, giving his body enough time to adjust before carefully pushing himself upright.
He stood quietly for a moment.
The sharp pain that had tormented him throughout the night was gone, leaving behind nothing more than a lingering heaviness that made his limbs feel unusually sluggish. After taking two slow steps across the room, he turned back toward Liuxian with a small reassuring smile.
"I’m alright."
He lightly stretched his shoulders before rolling one of them to ease the remaining stiffness.
"I just feel a little lethargic. Other than that, I don’t think walking will be a problem."
Liuxian continued watching him for several more seconds.
Only after making sure Guiying wasn’t forcing himself to smile did he finally give a small nod.
"Alright."
He walked over and gently straightened the slightly wrinkled collar of Guiying’s sleep shirt before letting his hand rest briefly against his shoulder.
"Go and take a warm shower."
"I’ll ask Uncle Li to prepare something light for breakfast, then I’ll come back and check on you before we leave. If you need help, I’ll be right outside."
Guiying couldn’t help smiling.
He reached over and gently held Liuxian’s wrist before giving it a light squeeze.
"No, don’t worry."
His voice remained soft, carrying the same reassuring warmth that always seemed to calm the people around him.
"You should go and take a shower too."
He looked up at Liuxian, the smile on his face becoming gentler as his fingers slowly brushed across Liuxian’s wrist.
"You stayed awake all night."
"I can’t let you watch over me now too."
"You also need some rest."
Liuxian didn’t answer immediately.
He simply looked into Guiying’s eyes, searching them carefully before finally letting out a quiet sigh that sounded equal parts helpless and relieved.
"Call me the moment you feel uncomfortable."
He gently covered Guiying’s hand with his own before giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Don’t try to endure it by yourself."
Guiying smiled and nodded without hesitation.
"I promise."
Liuxian reluctantly released his hand before turning toward the bedroom door. Just as his fingers touched the handle, he paused for a brief moment, glanced back at Guiying one last time, then quietly walked out of the room.
The bedroom gradually fell silent again.
Guiying stood where he was for several seconds before slowly making his way toward the bathroom. His fingers had barely wrapped around the doorknob when an unfamiliar dizziness suddenly washed over him, causing his vision to blur for the briefest of moments.
His footsteps faltered.
He instinctively reached out to steady himself against the wall, his breathing becoming just a little heavier as a strange tightness spread through his chest.
"...What..."
Guiying frowned.
The feeling disappeared almost as quickly as it had come.
He slowly looked down at his trembling hand.
His pupils quietly narrowed.
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