Chapter 7
The meaning of “Insomniac”, a person suffering from insomnia.
Bai He held the phone and looked at Qin Yao’s ID nickname, which was a doodle of a cat’s paw.
The sunlight was just right, and the wind carried a hint of floral fragrance. Bai He put down his phone and found Samoyed standing next to his right foot.
The Samoyed, with the title of “Angel Smile”, let out a few soft barks at Bai He, its agile tail wagging excitedly, like a child begging for candy.
Bai He stared blankly, slowly raising his hand, and the Samoyed lifted its head, its tail wagging even more joyfully.
He revealed a slight smile, gently placing his hand on the Samoyed’s head, stroking the soft, round fur.
The soft, fluffy “Angel Smile” let out a contented hum, its floppy ears swinging softly.
“Cuckoo! What are you doing?”
It was a woman’s voice. Bai He looked up and saw a lady in a cheongsam coming from a distance. She was wearing high heels, but ran with great agility and nimbleness.
The Samoyed was gently tapped on the face by the lady, and the big fluffy bun-like dog narrowed its eyes, showing no sense of guilt at all, and continued to wag its tail enthusiastically towards Bai He.
“You never listen to me! I told you to wait at the door for mom! Why did you run around?” The lady was getting anxious, but the fluffy bun-like dog didn’t listen, and kept nuzzling affectionately against Bai He.
“Hello…” Bai He felt a bit awkward.
The almost-exploding lady heard Bai He’s voice, and the angry look in her eyes paused for a moment, then she closed her eyes, reopened them, and revealed a graceful smile. She reached up to tidy the long hair draped over her shoulders, and politely said with a smile, “Hello, sorry, has my pup been bothering you?”
Bai He was momentarily surprised by the woman’s instantaneous change of facial expression. He gently shook his head, “No, it’s very obedient.”
“Cuckoo is a good child,” the lady smiled, but then looked troubled, “This child is just too enthusiastic and active. I only took my eyes off him for a moment and he disappeared. I just got so anxious just now, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Bai He shook his head, “No, it’s fine.”
The lady looked very elegant, her every expression and gesture full of propriety. Just now, her anxious demeanor showed that she truly cared deeply for this “Angel Smile” Samoyed as an important family member. Bai He was reminded of his own Ling Ling.
“You love it very much,” he looked at the Samoyed crouching next to him, unconsciously saying, “I have a pet too, so I can understand your feelings.”
The lady’s elegant brows raised slightly at his words, her expression unreadable, “You also… raise a pet?”
Bai He nodded, “A Maine Coon cat.”
This topic seemed to pique the lady’s interest. She restrained her smile and politely asked, “May I ask what breed it is?”
“A black tabby Maine Coon.” Bai He said, “I just adopted it not long ago.”
“Black tabby, ah, how coincidental…” The lady’s smile could no longer be contained, her graceful facade cracking a bit. But Bai He, with his head down looking at the Samoyed, didn’t notice.
Bai He raised his head at her words, “Coincidental?”
The lady recomposed her upturned mouth, smiling, “My cousin… he also raises a black tabby Maine Coon. Isn’t that just a coincidence? The black tabby breed is not very common, it’s not easy to even find one to raise.”
Bai He, who was very familiar with various Maine Coon breeds in his previous world, was somewhat surprised to hear this, “This breed is not common?”
The lady nodded.
Bai He was inwardly surprised, discovering another difference between this world and his previous one.
The Samoyed didn’t want to leave, and the lady, helpless, sat down on a nearby bench. She was quite talkative, while Bai He spoke less, but under her prompting, the two chatted for quite a while.
It wasn’t a serious discussion, just casual chit chat. Bai He’s phone in his hand suddenly vibrated. He picked it up, but before he could open the message, a voice reached his ears first.
“I thought you would message me first.” Qin Yao’s voice was pleasant, seemingly containing a light smile at all times. He appeared behind Bai He, gripping the wheelchair with one hand and placing a milk tea in Bai He’s lap, “It’s hot, I just randomly bought whatever since I didn’t know what you like.”
Bai He paused, holding the milk tea that felt like a warm treasure, his voice clear and light, “Thank you.”
“Don’t be so polite with me.” Qin Yao smiled, standing up straight. He noticed the dog next to Bai He and his eyebrows suddenly furrowed, ” Ao Yu? What are you doing here…”
“Ahem! Ahem!!”
The ear-splitting twin coughs made Qin Yao and Bai He turn to look at the lady sitting beside them. The lady had gracefully restored her dignified expression, smiling at the alpha standing behind Bai He, “Long time no see, little Yao.”
Qin Yao was surprised, “Cousin? What are you doing here too?”
“I brought your nephew to see a doctor.” Qiu Yao looked at Qin Yao with a slightly sly smile, “Is this your friend? I was just chatting with him about you.”
Qin Yao’s eyelid twitched, his smile strained, “Yes, this is Bai He, my friend.”
Qiu Yao pretended not to see the eye signal Qin Yao was giving her, smiling brightly at Bai He, “Hello Bai He, I’m Qiu Yao. Coincidentally, I was just talking to Bai He about how you also raise a black tabby Maine Coon.”
The last sentence was clearly aimed at Qin Yao.
Bai He followed Qiu Yao’s words and looked up at Qin Yao, a flash of light in his eyes, “You also raise a cat?”
Qin Yao’s smile froze, gritting his back teeth, “Yes, that’s right.”
There seemed to be more warmth in Bai He’s gaze towards him, which made Qin Yao somewhat uncomfortable. He cast a resentful glance at the nearby Qiu Yao, who had already forgotten about elegance and propriety, her face bearing a mysterious smile, glancing back and forth between Bai He and Qin Yao.
Qin Yao felt gloomy. He and this omega cousin of his had never gotten along since they were young. Their relationship wasn’t exactly bad, but they always enjoyed hurting each other, neither willing to acknowledge the other.
He guessed Qiu Yao had figured something out, and was displeased. Then he glanced down at the dog sitting next to Bai He, now with its front paws propped on Bai He’s leg. Qin Yao frowned, squatting down to push the dog away, “Don’t paw at his leg, he’s injured.”
Bai He explained, “The right leg is fine.”
Qin Yao helped Bai He adjust the position of the uninjured right leg as well, seriously saying, “Even if it’s fine, you still need to be more careful. This dog is so enthusiastic, be careful it doesn’t step on and hurt you.”
The pushed-aside Samoyed really wanted to snuggle up to Bai He, but it was afraid of Qin Yao. Glancing at Bai He, then at the alpha in front of Bai He, it returned to Qiu Yao’s side, lying down dejectedly.
Qiu Yao reached out and petted the dog, sighing, “Even getting jealous of his own nephew. How stingy.”
Qin Yao glanced at her, but Bai He didn’t understand her words. As it was approaching noon, Qiu Yao led the Samoyed and bid them farewell. Qin Yao pushed Bai He’s wheelchair to the hospital cafeteria.
“Are you really not busy?” Bai He didn’t like to trouble others, “You really don’t have to take me to the cafeteria.”
“I’m free anyway.” Qin Yao pushed Bai He into the hospital cafeteria, walking past the food counters. Seeing the menu, his brows furrowed deeper, “What kind of dishes are these? Can they be nutritious?”
Bai He didn’t think the food was bad, he had eaten worse things himself. When he was a boarding student, he had also eaten cafeteria food, so he had no particular requirements for food. He had planned to just eat here, but Qin Yao turned his wheelchair around and walked out with steady steps, the wheelchair wheels making a light, smooth sound.
Bai He: ?
He looked up, seeing Qin Yao’s chin, “Where are we going?”
Qin Yao looked down, meeting Bai He’s gaze, and smiled, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat something delicious.”
Not far from the central hospital of S City, there was a summer resort ancient town. Even at the tail end of summer, the lush flowers of the ancient town could still be seen.
Entering through the main gate, the stone-paved paths had criss-crossing tree leaves that shaded the scorching sun, the dappled light filtering in had a wavy, shimmering quality.
Along the way, there were flowers, their fragrance wafting. This place seemed to be in a different temperature from the outside, the cool breeze caressing one.
Qin Yao unhurriedly pushed Bai He further into the ancient town, finally stopping in front of an old-fashioned building. Bai He saw the sign on the door: Apricot Blossom Shadows.
There were not many customers, as the peak summer season had passed, and the ancient town now seemed much more peaceful.
Qin Yao seated Bai He at a two-person table, handing him a menu, then went to the distant window, soon returning with a plate of fried ice.
“Four flavors, give them a try.” Qin Yao pushed the fried ice in front of Bai He, propping his head on his hand, “The chef here is quite good. Choose what you like, I’m treating.”
Qin Yao still remembered that Bai He had once helped him, and he didn’t like owing favors to others, so this was the main purpose of his visit to the hospital today.
Of course, Bai He wouldn’t accept someone’s generosity without reason. He shook his head, “Let’s split the bill.”
The warmth in his eyes had disappeared, reverting to his aloof self, as if the slightly more approachable Bai He had never existed.
Qin Yao fell silent, then smiled, taking the menu from Bai He’s hand and handing him a new one, “Oh, I forgot to give you this one just now.”
Bai He’s gaze paused, carefully examining the new menu in his hand.
‘Omega Special Menu’
Bai He: “…”
He glanced at Qin Yao, who was popping a piece of fried ice into his mouth, smiling, “Your injury hasn’t healed yet, you need to eat more nourishing food. Shall I order for you?”
Qin Yao ignored Bai He’s AA suggestion, picking up the omega menu, “The black chicken soup here is quite good, it replenishes the body and boosts the immune system. Want some?”
Bai He looked up at the alpha in front of him, pondering for a moment, “Okay.”
Qin Yao’s lips curled up slightly, then he selected a few more dishes.
They actually ordered a bit too much. Bai He ate quietly, chewing slowly, until it took almost an hour to finish the meal. He usually didn’t take this long, but today the dishes were really delicious, and he felt a bit full.
Qin Yao had finished earlier, his head down looking at his phone. He only looked up when Bai He put down his chopsticks, “Done?”
Bai He nodded, “Mm.”
Qin Yao stood up to push Bai He’s wheelchair, “Let’s go, I’ll take you back.”
“You…” Bai He looked up, from this angle he could see the alpha’s neck, and unconsciously looked away, “How much was the bill?”
Qin Yao smiled, “I said I’m treating.”
Bai He shook his head, about to say something else, but Qin Yao pre-empted him, “Let me put it this way, you actually helped me with something, you just don’t know. Today I’m treating you to a meal as a thank you.”
His words made Bai He’s expression turn puzzled, “What did I help you with?”
Qin Yao lowered his head, smiling calmly at Bai He, “It’s a secret.”
“…”
Bai He glanced at him, saying no more.
Back in the ward, they found someone there – Xia Xiaomiao and Jiang Rong had just arrived. Xia Xiaomiao was anxious, and when he saw Bai He return, he quickly walked up, “Little Bai He, you’re back! I just messaged you but you didn’t reply!”
Bai He was taken aback, “Sorry, I didn’t see my phone.”
Xia Xiaomiao shook his head, “It’s fine, it’s fine, as long as you’re alright… “
The omega faltered a bit, not knowing how to continue. Jiang Rong, standing beside him, put a hand on his shoulder, “I’ll say it.”
Meeting Bai He’s gaze, he shook his head, “We just went back, but we couldn’t find the cat.”
Bai He’s eyes gradually widened.
“We’ve searched everywhere, but we still can’t find Ling Ling.” Xia Xiaomiao’s face was filled with anxiety, “We’re worried it might be a burglary, we’ve contacted the community property management already, Bai He, don’t worry…”
Bai He’s ears rang, his brain going blank.
His Ling Ling was missing.
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Black tabby is not a breed… it’s a color of coat pattern, an extremely common one seen in a wide variety of cat breeds. The breed is Maine Coon.