[Blackening Value: 68, Favorability: -25]
The system exclaimed excitedly: [Host!!! It dropped! The blackening values!! It dropped!]
Pei Yiyan’s blackening value had been stuck for a long time, stubbornly remaining at 70 without budging. Even when Shen Yuqing saved him, neither the blackening value nor the favorability showed any fluctuation.
Yet today, after just a few simple words from Su Geyue, it dropped by two points! Two points!
What did this mean?
This was a breakthrough!
Not only that, but even the aversion value toward him had decreased. Shen Yuqing couldn’t help but smirk inwardly, the corners of his lips curling up. He said, “Sister-in-law, just schedule it for him. After all, he’s just at home all day rehabbing and attending classes, it’s not like he has anything else to do.”
He lounged lazily on the sofa like a boneless creature. “The sooner we get this checked, the sooner it’s over with.”
Su Geyue glanced at Pei Yiyan again, as if still waiting for his own decision.
Shen Zhen said, “Let’s just go with Yuqing’s suggestion.”
As an alpha, he naturally had his own pride. Shen Zhen was sharp, he had been observing Pei Yiyan’s expression the whole time Su Geyue was speaking. It was clear he wanted to give it a try, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.
A damaged gland was a blow to anyone’s self-esteem, no matter who they were.
Thinking about it this way, Shen Yuqing had actually done the right thing settling the matter directly spared Pei Yiyan the awkwardness of backing out later for other reasons.
Pei Yiyan finally spoke up. “Then thank you, Sister Geyue.”
Su Geyue waved her hand dismissively. “We’re family no need for thanks. It just happened to work out.”
Just then, a servant came to call them for dinner.
Shen Yuqing walked at the back, while Pei Yiyan held his white cane, tapping it lightly on the ground as he followed toward the dining table.
At that moment, a toy car suddenly shot straight toward Pei Yiyan’s leg. Shen Yuqing was about to warn him when he saw Pei Yiyan slightly raise his cane and accurately block the toy car with it. With a small press of force, the car could no longer move forward.
His nephew hurried over and said, “Uncle Pei, I’m sorry! The remote control is broken.”
Pei Yiyan tilted his head slightly and moved his cane aside. Sure enough, the toy car immediately zoomed forward again, rolling right over the tip of Pei Yiyan’s shoe.
Pei Yiyan patted the boy’s head. “It’s fine. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone send you a new toy car.”
The nephew instantly beamed. “Really?! Thank you, Uncle Pei! You’re the best uncle ever!”
His niece overheard and ran over too. “Uncle! I want one too! A mecha model!”
Pei Yiyan also reached out to pat her head. “Alright, I’ll have them send one tomorrow. But for now, let’s go eat. Go sit properly.”
Su Geyue sighed. “Yiyan, don’t spoil them too much. Their toys are already filling up an entire room.”
Pei Yiyan just walked over slowly; his steps steady. “They’re just toys. It’s normal for kids to like new things. It’s not like it costs much anyway.”
Shen Yuqing hissed under his breath and couldn’t help but mutter to the system: [Why does it feel like they’re the real family, and I’m just the one who married in?]
The system agreed: [No kidding. Even your nephew and niece treat Pei Yiyan like their real uncle now.]
Shen Yuqing pursed his lips and glanced at the toy car that had been picked up and turned off by the maid. Strangely enough, when Pei Yiyan had acted earlier, he’d done so decisively without the slightest hesitation.
Had his hearing really become that sharp?
Shen Yuqing couldn’t shake off a strange feeling about it.
But soon, Shen Zhen interrupted his thoughts: “Standing there reflecting on your mistakes? Come over and eat already.”
Snapping out of it, Shen Yuqing pushed the matter aside: “Coming, coming. Can’t even wait for me now?”
The meal was thoroughly enjoyable.
Rubbing his full stomach, Shen Yuqing thought how delicious the home-cooked food was. Since they were visiting and Pei Yiyan needed nourishment, several medicinal dishes had been prepared, each exceptionally fragrant.
After resting for a while, he said, “We should get going. We have classes tomorrow.”
Shen Zhen didn’t press them to stay, only saying, “Tomorrow I’ll send the chef who made these medicinal dishes to your place to nourish you both.”
More importantly, to nourish Pei Yiyan.
Although discharged from the hospital, he still had bandages around his head. Having become a frequent visitor to hospitals recently, he’d noticeably lost weight.
Shen Yuqing’s gaze swept over Pei Yiyan before he nodded: “Fine by me. They’re quite tasty anyway.”
“Always thinking about food,” Shen Zhen sighed helplessly. “Hurry and get in the car. Go home and rest early, no running around with those good-for-nothing friends of yours again.”
Shen Yuqing pretended not to hear the last part, as that wasn’t something he could control.
Once in the car, Shen Yuqing yawned and curled up in his seat, closing his eyes for a quick nap.
Noticing this, Xiao Zhao raised the partition, creating a private space in the back.
Pei Yiyan opened his eyes and glanced sideways at Shen Yuqing, who was sleeping soundly with his head tilted. Just as he was about to close his eyes again, something hard was pressed into his palm.
Before he could look, he heard Shen Yuqing mumble, “Almost forgot. Lele and Huanhuan gave you these candies. Basically, means they’re looking forward to their new toys tomorrow and don’t want you to forget.”
Pei Yiyan’s fingers traced the objects indeed candies.
Shen Yuqing closed his eyes again and added, “At this point, it’s hard to tell who’s their real uncle.” His tone carried a hint of sourness.
Pei Yiyan couldn’t help but smile, feeling inexplicably happy inside.
Shen Yuqing didn’t notice, having already drifted back to sleep.
Day after day, how could anyone need so much sleep?
He’d even asked the system if the original host had some undisclosed illness. The conclusion was simply that he naturally required more sleep.
Shen Yuqing quickly justified it to himself after all, in his previous life he’d rarely slept soundly. It was only right he could sleep so much now.
System: “…”
Su Geyue worked quickly. As soon as her friend arrived, she arranged for Pei Yiyan’s gland examination. Shen Yuqing sat bored at his desk, gazing out the window, wondering if the results were ready yet.
He was quite concerned about when the gland would heal.
His distraction was interrupted by two taps on the desk. Looking up, Song Wangzhuo said, “Do your problems.”
Shen Yuqing looked down at the test paper, appearing thoroughly defeated: “Too hard. Can’t do it.”
These past couple of days, he’d clearly noticed the problems getting harder. Each attempt drained him mentally, yet still ended in mistakes. Shen Yuqing was frustrated.
Song Wangzhuo said, “I’ll teach you later. Keep working.”
With no choice, Shen Yuqing resumed writing. Outside, a light rain began to fall, droplets pattering softly against the tree branches.
He glanced again, tomorrow was Saturday.
Time to remind Song Wangzhuo.
“It’s supposed to rain both days this weekend,” he said. “Are you really going to your part-time job tomorrow and the day after?”
Song Wangzhuo gave an affirmative hum. “Yes.”
His gaze also drifted to the window. Rain did make things inconvenient, but bad weather also meant more delivery orders.
“Can’t you skip it?” Shen Yuqing pressed. “Stay home and tutor me instead. I’ll pay overtime rates.”
But Song Wangzhuo countered, “The recent material has been difficult. You need time to absorb it.”
In other words, he rejected the proposal.
Shen Yuqing persisted, “But the roads get slippery in the rain. What if you get hurt? I don’t want an injured tutor. I’m softhearted can’t bear to see that.” Softhearted?
Song Wangzhuo gave Shen Yuqing a long look. That was quite the bold claim to make.
