Chapter 43: You Better Ignore Me for a Lifetime
Ye Zhile leaned against the headboard without speaking. His face was pale and fragile, his thin body looking as if a gust of wind could knock him over. Feeling Ji Shuohan’s gaze constantly on him, he gave a light ‘hmph’ and ignored the man.
“Still angry?” Ji Shuohan saw Ye Zhile throwing a small tantrum and only found it cute. Being lively was always good; otherwise, the way he lay wilted in his arms yesterday had simply scared his soul away.
“Why shouldn’t I be angry…” Ye Zhile muttered. “Hmph, I don’t need you to take care of me. You better ignore me for a lifetime.”
The Omega was angry about his coldness over the past few days. Ji Shuohan knew he was in the wrong. He held Ye Zhile’s slender, fair hand. “I’m sorry.”
Ye Zhile glanced at him sideways. That arrogant little look tickled one’s heart. He asked, “Sorry for what?”
“You are my Omega. I shouldn’t have been hot and cold to you. Whatever happened, it was wrong of me.” Ji Shuohan always had a cold face, but when speaking to Ye Zhile, his voice carried tender affection.
Ji Shuohan thought, no matter what his feelings for Ye Zhile were, he shouldn’t treat him coldly. His original intention with Ye Zhile was to hope he would be happy and joyful by his side, receiving shelter for a lifetime.
Ye Zhile curled his lips, his little eyes dancing with joy. “Alright then, I’ll forgive you this once. The last time.”
Ji Shuohan laughed. “Then many thanks to the Little Master.”
Ye Zhile pouted. “You’re welcome.”
Their harmonious atmosphere didn’t last long before it was interrupted. Adjutant Wei called hurriedly and said something on the other end. Ji Shuohan frowned tightly. After hanging up, silence filled the ward.
“What’s wrong?” Ye Zhile asked. Seeing Ji Shuohan’s poor complexion, he couldn’t help but worry.
“It’s nothing.” Ji Shuohan stood up. “Something came up at the Supreme Leader’s Ministry. I have to go back. You stay obediently in the hospital, okay?”
Ye Zhile raised the corners of his mouth and smiled. “Okay.”
Ji Shuohan looked at the boy’s sensibility and obedience, couldn’t help kissing his forehead, then rubbed his head and left.
Ye Zhile leaned against the headboard. The suddenly quiet ward made him feel physically and mentally exhausted. Breakfast was delivered after eight o’clock. After eating, Ye Zhile started his IV drip.
When Xiao Yuanqing entered, he saw the lonely Omega staring at the back of his hand in a daze. He spoke up, “Feeling better?”
“Brother Yuanqing.” Ye Zhile looked up. Seeing an acquaintance, he smiled. “Much better.”
Seeing the boy’s forced smile, Xiao Yuanqing stroked his head gently. “Is it lonely with no one by your side?”
“Just a bit unaccustomed to it,” Ye Zhile said. In the past when he was sick, his parents and brothers were always by his side, so he never felt lonely or experienced this sudden emptiness of withdrawal. The contrast made him uncomfortable.
“It’s okay. If you’re bored, I can keep you company,” Xiao Yuanqing smiled warmly.
Ye Zhile smiled sweetly. “Brother Yuanqing, are you married?”
“Not yet, why?” Xiao Yuanqing asked him.
Ye Zhile said, “I think Brother Yuanqing is very gentle. Your future wife will definitely be very happy.”
Xiao Yuanqing scoffed. “Mouth is quite sweet.”
Ye Zhile gave a ‘hehe’ laugh.
Seeing Ye Zhile’s condition had improved, Xiao Yuanqing measured various data points. His temperature had returned to normal, as had his blood pressure. Finally, he instructed Ye Zhile to rest well. Just as he was about to leave, the ward door opened again, and two people froze.
Ye Zhijin stood at the door. He paused for a moment upon seeing Xiao Yuanqing, then nodded in greeting and walked in with Ye Zhichen.
“How did you get acute pneumonia?” Ye Zhijin walked to Ye Zhile’s bedside and touched his forehead. “Didn’t you say it was no different from your usual cough?”
“Ang!” Ye Zhile said righteously. “I thought it was just a normal cough. I even drank so much throat-soothing soup!”
“Didn’t you know if you had a fever?” Ye Zhichen scolded him. “We told you not to be careless. Don’t you know the condition of your own body?”
Ye Zhile huffed, turned his head away, and ignored the lectures from his two brothers.
“Can’t even say a word to you.” Ye Zhichen pinched his cheek.
Xiao Yuanqing explained for him, “His cough this time is a bacterial infection. According to Shuohan, he was likely infected by a classmate during the exam.”
Hearing this, Ye Zhijin met his eyes and nodded. “Thank you for your trouble, Dr. Xiao.”
“You’re welcome,” Xiao Yuanqing said. “Since you’re here, keep him company. A patient’s mood is important.”
Ye Zhile still had the IV needle in the back of his hand, which rested obediently on the quilt. After Xiao Yuanqing left, he turned his head and asked Ye Zhijin, “How did you know Brother Yuanqing’s surname is Xiao?”
“Brother Yuanqing?” Ye Zhijin found it amusing. “Listening to your tone, you’re quite familiar with him?”
“Mn!” Ye Zhile nodded. “I met him when My Lord took me to see his friends last time. Brother Yuanqing is so gentle and has great patience. He was keeping me company and chatting just now.”
Ye Zhichen laughed out loud. Seeing his silly brother looking clueless and innocent, he said, “He almost became your sister-in-law[1]. Of course he’d be gentle to you.”
“No way! Brother Yuanqing is truly gen… Huh?” Ye Zhile reacted with a start, looking at his eldest brother. “Sister-in-law??!”
Ye Zhijin glared at Ye Zhichen, who was enjoying the show, and instructed Ye Zhile, “Rest well and take care of your body. Don’t be so careless next time.”
“Aiya, don’t interrupt me. Is what Second Brother said true?” Ye Zhile’s face was full of curiosity. It wasn’t until Ye Zhijin gave a helpless “Yes” that he was satisfied.
Ye Zhile looked excited. “You dated Brother Yuanqing? Did you two meet in the army? One accompanying military doctor, one combat commander, hehe…”
Ye Zhile automatically filled in a romantic, wind-flower-snow-moon love story in his brain. But thinking about how he almost became his sister-in-law, he asked gossipily, “Broke up? Why?”
Ye Zhichen touched Ye Zhile’s forehead. “This child has burned his brain out; he’s delirious.”
“I’m just bored…” Ye Zhile lowered his head. “No one is keeping me company… I’m alone in the hospital, so pitiful…”
Ye Zhile was an expert at acting pitiful in front of his brothers. And Ye Zhijin and Ye Zhichen simply couldn’t bear to see their younger brother suffer grievance; they would want to pile every good thing in front of him.
So, Ye Zhile spent his IV drip time listening to the gossip about his eldest brother and Dr. Xiao.
Turns out these two really met in the army. Three years ago, Ye Zhijin led the First Legion to camp at the border, and Xiao Yuanqing went along as a military doctor. During a conflict with the alien species of Rhea Star at the border, a bullet pierced Ye Zhijin’s shoulder. The surgery that night was performed by Xiao Yuanqing. Xiao Yuanqing became his attending physician. During his recovery, they met often, and one thing led to another, and they caught feelings.
As for the breakup, Big Brother didn’t go into details, only saying that there is no result for two Alphas being together.
[Translator’s Note: In Chinese BL novels, “Sister-in-law” (嫂子/Saozi) is often used to refer to the partner of an older brother figure, regardless of gender. Here, it refers to Dr. Xiao, who is male.]
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