Part 3
The healer realized Professor Ning likely knew Mrs. Ning’s condition wasn’t caused by a simple fall.
If they went in now and couldn’t save her, this usually gentle and scholarly Professor might actually harbor thoughts of killing him.
The healer could only give a dry laugh. “…Professor Ning, take care.”
Professor Ning mocked, “Do you think I can ‘take care’ right now?”
The healer didn’t dare provoke him further. Fearing that stimulating him might cause him to go mad and reveal the palace’s secrets regardless of consequences, the healer knew he wouldn’t be able to handle the fallout.
Once the healer led the group away, Professor Ning slammed the door shut and hurried back inside. Lowering his voice, he asked, “How is Yunyi? Is he suffering? Is there anything we can do for him?”
Professor Ning didn’t have mental powers, but he had seen Yunyi exhaust a massive amount of healing power to save his wife; the boy’s face was completely white.
Big Brother Ning was also worried but shook his head. “Little Brother said he just needs to go back and rest. We don’t need to go to the rear building until tomorrow morning. He took the cub and the Big Cat with him.”
Professor Ning wanted to do something but felt powerless, clutching his head in defeat. “Zhanfeng, did I do something wrong? I used to think that as a researcher, I just had to do my job. But who knew…”
He was nominally a Professor, a high-ranking official of the Federal Research Institute. And the result?
When his eldest son had an accident, he couldn’t protect him; he even got dragged down himself.
Now his wife had an accident, and he still could do nothing.
Big Brother Ning patted Professor Ning’s shoulder. “Father, this isn’t your blame to take. It’s the person behind the scenes… they just want to exterminate the Ning family.”
On the other side, Ning Yunyi returned to the rear building. He left a few tubes of nutrient solution and the extra pastries made that morning, then patted the anxious little cub. “Father is fine, I just need to recover. I will definitely come out before dark. Can you and Big Cat make do for the next two meals?”
Ning Little Meow nodded immediately. Usually, he would pester his father to cultivate in the study together, but he could feel that his father needed to be alone. He obediently hugged the Big Cat’s neck. “Father, go rest. Me and Cat-Cat will wait obediently for you.”
Ning Yunyi kissed his forehead, then looked at the Big Cat. “Take care of him.”
Zong Hao sat up straight and nodded solemnly. He knew Ning Yunyi couldn’t worry about him right now; he needed to recover to save Mrs. Ning.
Zong Hao watched Ning Yunyi enter the study, but his suspended heart didn’t settle. It seemed that from his accident a year ago, to leaving the Capital Star, and now—though only a few months had passed—everything felt different from his memories.
Or perhaps, in those years he spent dedicating his life to campaigns and crises, he had never truly understood the so-called noble families and royalty of the Capital Star.
Ning Yunyi spent the next two days in the study, absorbing the jade to enhance his spiritual energy, and helping Mrs. Ning recover once a day.
When the final treatment ended on the third day, Ning Yunyi finally let go of his worry. “It’s done. Barring any accidents, Mother should wake up tomorrow afternoon.”
Big Brother Ning and Professor Ning exhaled softly. “Yunyi, you’ve worked hard these past two days. Go rest properly.” His face had noticeably thinned in just two days.
Ning Yunyi touched his face; he didn’t feel it much, but having consumed a vast amount of spiritual energy, he did need to replenish. He informed the two and returned to the rear building.
Big Brother Ning and Professor Ning, fearing palace visitors, had taken leave claiming family issues.
Ning Yunyi also took a rare leave of absence, skipping the livestream for three consecutive days and posting a notice on his Star Stream homepage.
He planned to rest today, return to District F tonight, and resume streaming tomorrow at noon.
By the time Ning Yunyi emerged from the study again, the sky was nearly dark. Having replenished a large amount of spiritual energy, his vitality was restored. He first went to the front to inform his brother and father so they wouldn’t worry.
He checked on Mrs. Ning again. Confirming there were no issues, he returned to his small building.
The atmosphere at home had been heavy for days, and the little meow cub had been very well-behaved. Seeing his father return with a relaxed expression, the cub let out a sigh like a little adult. “Father, is Grandmother going to get better?”
Ning Yunyi scooped up the little guy and bounced him. “Yes, she’ll wake up tomorrow and see our Cub. But why have you gotten thinner?”
Ning Little Meow touched his face. “Have I?”
Ning Yunyi kissed his forehead. “Naturally. I’ll make something nutritious for Cub later.”
Big Brother Ning and Professor Ning hadn’t dared to close their eyes much these past few days and had visibly lost weight too.
Ning Yunyi stewed a pot of highly nutritious ginseng soup—enough for the whole family. He kept half and sent the other half to the front yard.
When he returned, the little meow cub had already set the table and chopsticks, waiting obediently.
As for the Big Cat… he was hiding far away in the corner. Before him was an empty bowl, and beside it lay several tubes of nutrient solution.
Ning Yunyi glanced at him. The latter lowered his big head guiltily. It was late by a few days, but his judgment day was coming.
Ning Yunyi tapped the table lightly. “Why are you hiding so far away? There’s soup for you tonight.”
Zong Hao’s heart trembled at those words. Tonight? Does that mean there won’t be any in the future? Is this the Last Supper?
Zong Hao’s mood was complex, but under Ning Yunyi’s gaze, he could only obediently carry his bowl over. He placed it down gingerly, causing Ning Yunyi’s mouth to twitch. Am I that scary?
Because of Mrs. Ning’s situation, he hadn’t had time to deal with the Big Cat. After several days, his initial anger had largely dissipated. Besides, he had thought of something else, so he wouldn’t hold it against the Big Cat for now.
Zong Hao finally got a hot meal that night, but thinking it was his last, he cherished it, drinking in small, careful sips. He looked exceptionally… weak, innocent, and pitiful.
Even Ning Little Meow sensed something was wrong. After dinner, he squatted curiously beside him, stroking the Big Cat’s head. “Cat-Cat, are you not feeling well again? Why are you drinking so slowly? No appetite? Or are you going to shrink again?”
Hearing the word “shrink,” Zong Hao’s fur tightened. He instinctively slurped the rest down, afraid that if he didn’t finish, this last bite would be gone too.
He was genuinely afraid Ning Yunyi would get angry and kick over his bowl.
Ning Yunyi watched this scene and nearly laughed out loud. Am I that kind of person? Even if I kicked him out, I wouldn’t flip his food bowl.
Though, packing him up and throwing him out was a possibility.
Ning Yunyi stood up. “Big Cat, come with me to the study. Cub, play with the rattan ball for a bit, Father will take you to wash up later.”
Zong Hao’s tail drooped, and his big head hung low. Finally… it was time.
Ning Yunyi led the Big Cat to the study, sat down, and watched as the cat entered obediently, closed the door obediently, and finally sat obediently in front of him, head hanging, awaiting sentencing.
Looking at him, Ning Yunyi’s emotions were complicated. “Do you know you were wrong?”
A flicker of hope flashed in Zong Hao’s eyes. He looked up, his beast eyes shining. “Meow!” Wrong!
So, him asking means there’s a chance to stay?
Ning Yunyi stared into those beast eyes without speaking. He didn’t even pet the fluff he usually loved, nor did he pinch the pointed ears. It was as if the cat had lost all appeal to him.
Zong Hao’s ear tip twitched, and he lowered his eyes in disappointment.
The next moment, Ning Yunyi spoke again. “I’ll give you two choices.”
Zong Hao’s head snapped up.
Ning Yunyi watched, amused. If he had been this obedient and let him pet him freely before, maybe he would have pretended not to know—after all, the fur really felt good.
Now that he was about to be kicked out, he knew how to admit his mistakes and act like he could be touched anywhere?
Hearing “two choices,” Zong Hao didn’t dare show hope like before, fearing disappointment. But he still anticipated… maybe there was a sliver of a chance?
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thank you for the chapter!