Chapter 42: Stomach Trouble Again?
The ointment was mentholated, and applying it to the abrasions on his body felt cooling and refreshing. It wasn’t too sticky, and when the fan blew over it, the effect was comparable to air conditioning.
Yu Deng wrinkled his small face in sorrow. “It hurts. You don’t even care about me.”
His voice was raspy, and one could still catch a tiny remnant of a sob. It was clear how badly he had been bullied earlier.
Yu Deng’s eyes were also stained with a moist red. He clearly had a pure and innocent look, yet his charm was alluring, with a bit of deliberately shown coquettishness.
The pleasant, soft voice made Zhou Yuejun’s heartstrings quiver.
“I don’t care about you? That wasn’t even all of it. You heartless little thing.”
Regardless, Yu Deng felt that Zhou Yuejun didn’t care about him.
Because he had to head out, Zhou Yuejun looked at Yu Deng with a lingering, burning gaze.
“I have to go. Call me if you feel uncomfortable.”
He had studied it before and knew that if he didn’t wash properly, it would make Yu Deng feel uncomfortable and sick, so he was always careful to clean up.
It was just that Yu Deng wouldn’t cooperate.
How could someone who had just been spared let Zhou Yuejun bully him again?
So Yu Deng whimpered and cried in various ways, shouting that he was sleepy, tired, and uncomfortable.
Zhou Yuejun stroked Yu Deng’s hair. The thick black hair had just been washed and still felt a bit soft and moist, and it smelled fragrant.
He didn’t want to leave. He squatted down and gave Yu Deng’s youthful cheek several kisses.
He really wanted to tuck the boy into his embrace and carry him wherever he went.
Even as males, the gap in physical strength between Yu Deng and Zhou Yuejun was immense.
When he received Yu Deng’s call, it wasn’t yet noon, but because the sun was scorching, the people at the construction site were all slacking off.
“Zhou Yuejun! Your brother is on the phone!”
Wu Da’s shout was powerful and full of energy; Zhou Yuejun could hear him from far away.
Zhou Yuejun signaled to the fellow workers beside him, put down his work, and climbed down from the steel frame.
He ran there, hearing two taunts from the people behind him.
“Bringing a brother along really is a burden. Not only does he have to eat and dress well, but you also have to worry about every little thing.”
“Who says it isn’t? For him, his brother even went to earn that ‘dirty’ money.”
There were some nasty rumors at the construction site, but that was nothing. Zhou Yuejun didn’t care; his only thought was to answer Yu Deng’s call quickly.
Wu Da stood on the upstairs corridor, gazing at the distant buildings under construction. He was also troubled, not knowing how much longer they would have to endure.
Seeing Zhou Yuejun run over, he shouted a couple more times.
“Don’t come up! The voice didn’t sound right—it was strained. Go back and check on him quickly.”
Zhou Yuejun was considered one of the most obedient and down-to-earth workers in this batch. Once summer hit, even workers who were used to hardship would often slack off.
Wu Da truly felt that Zhou Yuejun was a good man.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuejun felt deeply anxious. He responded with a “good,” wiped the sweat from his forehead with his fingers, and ran toward home.
When Zhou Yuejun reached the building, the shop lady was feeding Yu Deng salted water. The fan was blowing, and she was also using a handheld fan to fan him. She was very nervous.
“How is it? Any better? Is it heatstroke?”
“I said, how did you get heatstroke while having the electric fan on at home?”
After Yu Deng took two sips, he laid his head on the counter. He looked withered, his small face was no longer pink, his bangs were slightly damp, and he was listless.
Looking at that pale, almost transparent small face covered in sweat, the shop lady’s heart ached. “Do you want me to take you to the clinic?”
Yu Deng pursed his lips and hid his head in his arms. His round eyes were filled with a fragile, pitiful look as he gave a small shake of his head.
He didn’t know why he had suddenly collapsed while at home. His head was dizzy, and black and white shadows were spinning before his eyes.
He was so uncomfortable he didn’t want to move anymore. He wanted Zhou Yuejun to come and carry him.
Zhou Yuejun ran into the shop. His hand, still carrying a high temperature, covered Yu Deng’s forehead. It was so hot the boy shivered, and Zhou Yuejun quickly withdrew it.
“I’ll take him to the clinic first. I’ll come back and give you the money later.”
Yu Deng had drunk a bottle of Huoxiang liquid, and the shop lady had torn open a packet of salt to mix with water; Zhou Yuejun kept these debts in mind.
Yu Deng was picked up by Zhou Yuejun. The man’s muscular, powerful arms hooked around his waist and legs; there wasn’t the slightest sign of him slipping, which was very reassuring.
Still, Yu Deng hooked his arm around Zhou Yuejun’s neck, not minding his sweat or the sticky clothes from running back.
Yu Deng rubbed his face into the crook of Zhou Yuejun’s neck, like a lazy kitten.
“I… my head is dizzy. But I only ate one popsicle and didn’t go out. I don’t know why I’m uncomfortable~”
He looked miserable. Because he had no energy, his voice was even softer and more floating. Fearing that Zhou Yuejun would blame him, his moist, unfocused almond eyes trembled slightly.
Because of the previous incident with Qiao Fangyu, Yu Deng had been much better behaved lately, basically only going to the library every other day.
Zhou Yuejun was very patient and didn’t scold or grumble. “It’s fine. We’re going to see a doctor.”
“If you’re sick, it’s because I didn’t take good care of you.”
Zhou Yuejun suddenly thought of the words at the construction site just now, saying that Yu Deng was his burden.
He wasn’t.
He was perfectly willing.
He was his wife, so of course he had to provide for him and take care of him.
At the clinic, the doctor was about to eat lunch. He had just picked up his bowl when he saw someone being carried in and was no longer in a hurry to eat.
“What’s wrong? Stomach trouble again?”
“Quick, have a look. His head is dizzy—is it heatstroke or is he sick?”
The old doctor took out a thermometer and shook it a few times, telling Yu Deng to hold it tight.
From above, Zhou Yuejun pulled open Yu Deng’s collar, revealing skin as white and fine as jade.
His other hand reached in from below, finally securing the thermometer for Yu Deng.
The doctor put on his reading glasses and sat in his chair. “Put your hand here so I can take your pulse.”
He took the pulse and then told Yu Deng to stick out his tongue. Yu Deng cooperated with everything, but his head was dizzy and his body was soft, so he could only lean against Zhou Yuejun, relying on the man to stay upright.
After the doctor looked at the thermometer, he finally spoke: “A slight fever.”
“Loss of blood and energy, internal emptiness, the body is overworked. If he isn’t getting enough sleep, he needs to get more rest.”
“Look at this frame—his arms are so thin, like bamboo poles. He needs to eat well, no being picky. He should eat some good food, or he’ll easily become anemic.”
When speaking of Yu Deng’s arms, the old doctor even circled his two fingers around one.
Yu Deng immediately hid his face in Zhou Yuejun’s chest, acting timidly for fear of exposing his embarrassment.
Before leaving, the old doctor didn’t forget to remind them: “Eat more good food and grow your body a bit better.”
When Yu Deng came, he was carried in Zhou Yuejun’s arms; when he left, he leaned on Zhou Yuejun’s back.
Regardless, he couldn’t walk a single step.
He lay on Zhou Yuejun’s broad and powerful back, acting listless, his voice sounding like a mumble.
“Did you hear what the doctor said just now?”
His tone sounded a bit like he wanted to settle an account.
Zhou Yuejun paused for a moment before responding awkwardly: “I heard.”
“What does it mean?”
If Zhou Yuejun didn’t give him a straight answer, he wasn’t going to let his anger go.
“Depletion of vital essence.”
In short, kidney deficiency.
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