Shen Yuqing went straight upstairs and arrived just as Song Wangzhuo returned from his check-up.
Seeing Shen Yuqing, Song Wangzhuo looked surprised. “You… Why are you here already?”
Shen Yuqing replied, “Oh, I came to change my bandages, so I thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing. How are you feeling today?”
Song Wangzhuo’s complexion was still pale, his lips lacking color. “Much better,” he said.
Just then, the system suddenly chimed in: [Nie Xiu will arrive at the hospital in sixteen minutes.]
Sixteen minutes—plenty of time.
Shen Yuqing glanced out the window and suggested, “The weather’s nice today. Want to go for a walk downstairs?”
Song Wangzhuo had probably not left his hospital room since being admitted.
Hearing Shen Yuqing’s words, Song Wangzhuo also turned to look outside. It really was a beautiful day.
The doctor had advised him to move around more even just soaking up some sun would help him recover faster.
But he hadn’t felt like it.
Now, though, with Shen Yuqing accompanying him, it didn’t seem so bad.
He nodded. “Alright.”
He slowly got up. Though his steps were slower than usual, he was doing much better than the previous days.
Shen Yuqing moved closer, ready to support him, but Song Wangzhuo caught a whiff of an alpha’s pheromones emanating from Shen Yuqing himself.
Alphas naturally repelled each other’s pheromones. The scent instinctively made Song Wangzhuo want to release his own, but he quickly caught himself there was no reason for him to do that.
He lowered his gaze. Shen Yuqing noticed his subdued mood and couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong?”
Only then did Song Wangzhuo speak. “You have an alpha’s pheromones on you.”
And the possessiveness and dependency in those pheromones were overwhelming.
Was this someone Shen Yuqing loved?
Song Wangzhuo vaguely recalled hearing that Shen Yuqing had a fiancé.
So, was this from his fiancé?
And his fiancé was in rut.
Song Wangzhuo didn’t know what to think. His lashes lowered.
Of course. Shen Yuqing came from a prominent family having a fiancé wasn’t surprising.
And someone as wonderful as him would naturally have many admirers.
Realizing his oversight, Shen Yuqing sniffed himself and said apologetically, “Sorry, I’ll call a nurse to help you.”
Before Song Wangzhuo could refuse, Shen Yuqing hurried out of the room. Soon after, a nurse came in.
“Take it slow,” the nurse said, supporting him.
As Song Wangzhuo stepped out, he saw Shen Yuqing standing in a corner, spraying pheromone-neutralizer.
Fine mist dispersed in the air, swiftly erasing the alpha’s scent clinging to him.
Shen Yuqing tossed the empty bottle into the trash he hadn’t expected this floor to have a vending machine for it.
Once done, he turned to Song Wangzhuo and waved. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.”
Song Wangzhuo moved toward him slowly, and together, they entered the elevator.
The hospital grounds were designed like a park, allowing patients to relax outdoors. It was already summer, and many flowers were in bloom especially gardenias.
The moment they stepped outside; the rich floral fragrance filled the air.
The nurse continued to support Song Wangzhuo, while the bodyguards hired for his protection lingered nearby.
For now, everything was safe.
Shen Yuqing found a spot and motioned for him to sit down a place where sunlight warmed his back pleasantly without being too hot.
More importantly, this spot offered a clear view of the parking lot entrance, so he could see Nie Xiu when she came out later.
And perhaps Nie Xiu might even get out of the car early.
Song Wangzhuo noticed him constantly glancing toward the parking lot and asked, “Are you about to leave?”
Shen Yuqing withdrew his gaze and let out a soft “Ah,” before replying, “No, I was just looking at a butterfly over there.”
Song Wangzhuo followed his line of sight and, sure enough, spotted a fluttering butterfly.
Shen Yuqing said, “After your daily check-ups, if the weather’s nice, you should come down for a walk. Get some fresh air.”
Song Wangzhuo’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he replied, “I’d just be a burden to them.”
With people actively trying to kill him, he was constantly shadowed by bodyguards and nurses wherever he went. It was easier to just stay in his hospital room, recover, and go home as soon as possible.
Shen Yuqing shook his head. “Don’t think like that. Come down whenever you feel like it.”
Song Wangzhuo continued watching the butterfly as it circled the flowerbed before trembling its wings and flying away.
Just then, Shen Yuqing heard the system speak: [Host, Nie Xiu’s car is about to enter.]
He lifted his gaze and, sure enough, a car slowly pulled into the entrance, pausing briefly before someone stepped out.
Shen Yuqing feigned a sigh. “Stay here. I see an elder I know I’ll go greet them.”
Song Wangzhuo nodded, watching as Shen Yuqing walked toward the parking lot. There was indeed a woman heading toward the hospital, though she was turned slightly, speaking to someone beside her, so he couldn’t make out her face clearly.
“Auntie Nie Xiu.”
Shen Yuqing called out to her.
Hearing the familiar voice, Nie Xiu turned, and her stern expression softened when she recognized him. “Yuqing? What are you doing here?”
Then she noticed the bandage on his left arm. “What happened to your hand?”
Shen Yuqing replied, “Just a little accident. Auntie, are you feeling unwell? Why are you back at the hospital?”
Nie Xiu shook her head. “No, I’ve been busy lately. Finally had some free time, so I came for a follow-up check. What about you? Here to get your wound treated?”
Shen Yuqing glanced down at his bandaged arm. “Actually, I came to visit my injured friend.”
After a brief pause, he added, “The one I mentioned before the friend whose eyes look like yours.”
At this, Nie Xiu’s interest was piqued. “Oh? Is he doing better now?”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Much better. I was just keeping him company outside when I saw you, so I thought I’d say hello.”
Nie Xiu reached out and patted his head affectionately. “Good boy.”
But now she was also curious about this friend of his. “Where is he?”
Shen Yuqing turned slightly, gesturing behind him.
At that moment, a nurse was speaking to Song Wangzhuo, who seemed to sense something and turned his gaze toward them again.
Nie Xiu froze.
They really did look alike.
Shen Yuqing raised a hand and waved at Song Wangzhuo, who politely nodded at Nie Xiu in greeting.
After the brief acknowledgment, he resumed his conversation with the nurse.
Shen Yuqing took in Nie Xiu’s reaction and said, “Auntie, you should go get checked up. My friend and I will continue our walk.”
Nie Xiu asked, “Yuqing, what’s your friend’s name?”
“Song Wangzhuo,” Shen Yuqing replied.
“He’s also surnamed Song,” Nie Xiu murmured to herself.
The resemblance was uncanny not just the eyes, but even his facial features seemed like a perfect blend of hers and her husband’s. Their own son, Song Lejin, didn’t resemble them this closely. Song Wangzhuo.
She silently repeated the name in her heart. For some reason, at first glance of Song Wangzhuo, she’d felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and an urge to approach him.
Was it because of the striking resemblance?
Nie Xiu found it all rather peculiar.
But Shen Yuqing didn’t give her more time to ponder. “Goodbye, Auntie. You should go attend to your matters now.”
Nie Xiu hummed in agreement, masking her thoughts well as she nodded gently. “Alright, take care on your way home.”
Shen Yuqing acknowledged before quickly returning to Song Wangzhuo’s side. He couldn’t resist glancing back Nie Xiu was still watching them.
Shen Yuqing raised his hand in a wave. Noticing this, Song Wangzhuo also looked toward Nie Xiu again and gave her a smile.
Nie Xiu nodded slowly in return before continuing her way into the hospital.
However, she soon added, “Have someone investigate that young man, Song Wangzhuo.”
The assistant responded, “Yes, Madam.”
Unable to resist, Nie Xiu turned back for another look, but by then the two figures had already disappeared from view.
She pressed her lips together. Though she knew many people in the world could bear resemblances, still…
She wanted to investigate, if only to resolve the doubts stirring in her heart.
