BDBE 85

Chapter 85 Fear

The next day, Qi Xiao’s clinic. 

Shen Wanchao sat in a chair, looking perfectly normal, with a smile on his lips. He looked at Zhou Hui to tell him not to worry. 

Zhou Hui went to the water dispenser to get a glass of warm water and handed it to Shen Wanchao without saying a word, but his furrowed brows betrayed his anxiety. 

Qi Xiao carefully reviewed the test results, then looked up and asked, “You suddenly felt dizzy and had difficulty breathing last night, right? What were you doing before that?” 

Shen Wanchao paused, and his cheeks went red. 

Before he could speak, Zhou Hui interjected, “It might be because my pheromones are too strong.” 

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiao immediately understood. He raised an eyebrow at Shen Wanchao. 

“You’re an old married couple, yet still so passionate,” Qi Xiao teased. 

Shen Wanchao felt relieved, judging by Qi Xiao’s demeanor, there was nothing seriously wrong. 

Qi Xiao immediately adopted a professional demeanor; he wrote medical records on the computer while saying, “The test results are good. It’s probably just an visit our sitediscomfort caused by suddenly receiving too much Alpha pheromone. Try taking a symptom reliever for a couple of days.” 

Zhou Hui hesitated for a moment, then asked, “We’ve already temporarily marked each other, so there shouldn’t be any discomfort. Is there something wrong?” 

“Hmm…” Qi Xiao paused typing and pondered for a moment, “What you said makes sense, but in fact, even newly permanently marked AO partners can experience pheromone discomfort. If you’re really worried, let’s do a more comprehensive checkup, but the results won’t be available for another week.” 

Shen Wanchao overheard their conversation. He thought that Zhou Hui was worrying too much. 

Apart from the discomfort last night, he hadn’t experienced any other abnormalities, so it shouldn’t be a big problem. 

Shen Wanchao tugged at Zhou Hui’s sleeve, and he smiled as he said, “You’re too nervous. I’m really fine. Even when my glands were damaged before, I’d have minor aches and pains from time to time, but I’m still okay.” 

“It’s because…” Zhou Hui trailed off, “Never mind, let’s go get checked out.” 

Shen Wanchao found it a bit troublesome.

Zhou Hui reached out and pinched his lips together. He almost pleaded, “Don’t make me worry.” 

Okay, it’s just a checkup. 

Shen Wanchao got up, greeted Qi Xiao, and followed Zhou Hui to get checked out. 

Most pheromone-related tests take a long time. While Shen Wanchao was inside for his examination, Zhou Hui returned to Qi ​unauthorized copy​Xiao’s office alone. 

Qi Xiao hadn’t expected him to return so quickly. He jokingly asked, “Mr. Zhou, is there anything else you need?” 

Zhou Hui pursed his lips, composed himself, and then said, “I heard that if the physical differences between an Alpha and an Omega are too great, it can lead to pheromone rejection. Besides genes, age difference is another factor influencing these differences.” 

“Heh.” Qi Xiao immediately understood the implication and chuckled. “Where did you hear that?” 

“Just tell me if that’s a possible reason.” 

Zhou Hui wasn’t in the mood for jokes or beating around the bush. 

Qi Xiao scratched his head with an exasperated expression. “Research on pheromones is extremely complex. Strictly speaking… this possibility can’t be ruled out, but other factors can also cause pheromone rejection. If you insist on a deeper explanation, I can’t give you an answer.” 

Zhou Hui stopped talking. He placed his hand on the doorknob, and prepared to leave. 

Qi Xiao stood up and earnestly reminded him, “Even pheromone rejection can be resolved with medication. When did you start caring about this kind of thing? I advise you not to overthink it.” 

“Thanks for today, I’ll treat you to drinks next time.” 

With that, Zhou Hui pushed open the door and left. 

After leaving the hospital, Zhou Hui drove Shen Wanchao home first, and then went to Wutong Garden himself. 

Shen Wanchao had intended to go with him, but Zhou Hui firmly refused, telling him to go home and rest. 

As soon as he entered the yard, Zhou Hui saw Zhou Ruolin wearing a straw hat while tending to his crops in the garden. 

Since retiring, Zhou Ruolin, who used to always maintain a neat and tidy appearance, and who never wore the same clothes for more than two days even during his most impoverished times, had suddenly started growing flowers and plants, perhaps influenced by someone. 

At first, he simply grew some easy-to-care-for ornamental plants, but later he developed his own vegetable garden. He had set aside a plot of land in the yard as his nursery. He often wore clothes that were durable and easy to move in, and he would work in the soil, completely unconcerned about getting dirty. He had even tried using farmyard manure, but gave up because the smell was too strong. 

Zhou Hui walked towards the nursery. Zhou Ruolin was so focused on his work that he didn’t notice anyone approaching until Zhou Hui called him. He turned around, his face lighting up with a surprised smile: “Why are you here? Have you eaten?” 

“No, I came to see you.” Zhou Hui reached out to help Zhou Ruolin to his feet. 

After standing up, Zhou Ruolin rubbed his back and said, “You’ve come at just the right time. I just picked a basket of tomatoes and was going to ask the auntie to cook them for us.” 

Zhou Hui looked in the direction Zhou Ruolin was pointing and saw a basket on the ground, filled with plump, bright red tomatoes. He picked up the basket, and the two walked into the house. 

On the way, Zhou Hui relayed the children’s situation to Zhou Ruolin, telling him not to dwell on what happened last night. 

Zhou Ruolin still felt guilty about it. 

Zhou Hui greeted Tan Jinshan and stayed to have lunch with the elderly couple. Just as he [visit our site]was about to leave, Zhou Ruolin called him to the balcony. 

Zhou Hui leaned against the glass door, arms crossed as he watched Zhou Ruolin water his plants. He waited for him to speak first. 

Zhou Ruolin, unhurried, cleared weeds from the bushes as he said, “You came all this way, surely not just to have dinner with us? You haven’t even said what you wanted to say, why are you leaving already?” 

“Couldn’t I have just come to keep you company?” Zhou Hui chuckled softly. 

“Don’t give me that.” Zhou Ruolin turned and glared at him, then changed the subject, “Speaking of which, you and Xiao Wan should be completely back together now, right?” 

A warm breeze blew, causing Zhou Hui’s clothes to move. 

Zhou Ruolin looked at Zhou Hui, who had lowered his head. His gaze was unfocused, lost in thought. 

He always thought he knew his son very well, but he found himself unable to decipher the expression on Zhou Hui’s face at this moment. 

The only thing he was certain of was that it was definitely not the joy of reconciling with his lover. 

Zhou Ruolin frowned, put down the watering can, and asked seriously, “Is something wrong?” 

Zhou Hui knew that his emotional changes couldn’t be hidden from Zhou Ruolin. 

Just as Zhou Ruolin had said, he hadn’t come here today specifically to have a meal with his two fathers.

But he didn’t really intend to confide too much in Zhou Ruolin. He was already this age; how could he run home to his dad for every little thing? 

He was just a little confused, and without thinking too much, he followed his heart and returned to Wutong Garden. 

After waiting a long while without receiving an answer, Zhou Ruolin sighed inwardly. He sat down on the sofa, and then gestured to Zhou Hui, “Sit down and let’s talk.” 

Zhou Hui hesitated for a moment, but finally sat down next to Zhou Ruolin. 

“Last time at Guanlan Pavilion, when I opened the door for you two, you marked him temporarily, right?” Zhou Ruolin said. 

“Xiao Wan is shy; don’t say that in front of him,” Zhou Hui chuckled. 

Zhou Ruolin waved his hand: “It’s too late. I’ve already spoken to his mother. Anyway, I don’t know what problems you still have. Xiao Wan hasn’t gone to work for so long, staying home with you and the child. Isn’t this a good opportunity for you and him to mend your relationship? The previous misunderstandings have been cleared up, and Xiao Wan’s glands are healed. It seems like life will return to its former course, a peaceful and happy future, so why are you trapping yourself in this?” 

Hearing Zhou Ruolin’s words, Zhou Hui turned to look at the courtyard outside. 

The courtyard was clean and tidy. All the shrubs grew in their proper places, without any straying or sprawling. The flowers were in full bloom, and the fruits in the nursery shimmered with the colors of harvest under the sunlight. 

All of this was thanks to Zhou Ruolin’s meticulous care of every plant and tree in the courtyard. 

Although it was a hobby he had only developed in recent years, Zhou Hui believed that Zhou Ruolin always possessed this magic: planting a seed, watering, fertilizing, visit our site and pruning it at the right time, and always yielding sweet fruit in the end. 

This might explain why he always went to Zhou Ruolin when he felt lost. 

Zhou Hui finally broke free from the constraints of trying to appear mature, rational, and omnipotent. He said, “I really can’t help but worry. There’s such a huge age gap between me and Xiao Wan now. At first, we might be the same as before, but what about ten or twenty years from now?” 

“When I’m old, and he’s still young, will he still love me like before?” 

When he dies, leaving him alone, will he be heartbroken? 

Zhou Hui sat up straight, his hands clasped together in front of his stomach. He looked tense and uneasy. A closer look revealed the sadness and confusion in his eyes. 

In front of his dad, he no longer pretended to be calm; he had become a lost and anxious child again. 

He had let Shen Wanchao down. 

These past few days together had made him feel Shen Wanchao’s love for him again, and his determination to continue being with him. 

But he himself had become a coward who retreated at the last minute, afraid to give Shen Wanchao much of a response. 

Not only that, he was also a selfish person. 

He had previously made a hypocritical statement to Qi Xiao, saying he was worried about holding Shen ​stolen content​Wanchao back, but that wasn’t really the case. 

He simply didn’t want to appear awkward in front of Shen Wanchao, didn’t want to face the possibility that Shen Wanchao no longer loved him. He couldn’t imagine what he would become if Shen Wanchao really stopped loving him and left him. 

Moreover, what happened last night was like a heavy blow. It made him realize that he had now become someone who could cause Shen Wanchao pain. 

Zhou Ruolin had actually already guessed what Zhou Hui was worried about. 

After a moment of silence, Zhou Ruolin didn’t choose to comfort Zhou Hui, but instead asked with a reproachful tone, “You’re feeling bad, but have you thought about how Xiao Wan is feeling right now?” 

Stunned, Zhou Hui slowly looked up at Zhou Ruolin. 

“The problem between you two isn’t just about you; Xiao Wan faces the same issue,” Zhou Ruolin said. “If you leave him in this world, won’t he be sad? All you know is to worry that he won’t love you anymore when you get old. It’s like you’re accusing Xiao Wan of being heartless.”

“I…that’s not what I meant.” A pained expression appeared on Zhou Hui’s face.

Zhou Ruolin’s tone softened, and he continued, “I know you’re stuck in a rut, confused for a moment. That’s why I’m scolding you to wake you up.” 

“You should talk to Xiao Wan about these worries,” Zhou Ruolin gently stroked Zhou Hui’s hair, “Then ask him about his concerns, and face them together. That’s the meaning of a spouse.” 

“Go talk to him; perhaps you’ll find that everything you’re worried about isn’t a problem.” 

Zhou Hui fell into a long, long silence. 

Perhaps several minutes passed before he finally showed a smile. 

“I must have looked foolish just now.” he laughed self-deprecatingly. 

Zhou Ruolin tossed him a freshly harvested tomato: “Get some vitamins.” 

Zhou Hui left Wutong Garden and went directly home. 

In the afternoon, the house was quiet since both children were in their rooms. Zhou Hui went to the master bedroom and opened the door. 

A small gap in the curtains allowed sunlight to peek in, leaving a golden streak on the dark blue bed. 

Shen Wanchao lay on his side, the blanket pulled up to his chin because of the low temperature. The marks on the blanket showed he was curled up, perhaps from the cold, or perhaps from a lack of security. His breathing was calm, he was sleeping peacefully. 

Zhou Hui went over and reached out to check if Shen Wanchao’s skin was too cold. 

His hand had barely touched Shen Wanchao’s cheek when the sleeping man slowly woke up. 

Seeing it was Zhou Hui, Shen Wanchao gave a lazy smile, then turned over. He stretched his arm out from under the blanket, asking for a hug. 

“Sleep with me for a while.” 

Zhou Hui chuckled softly. He no longer hesitated, and hugged his lover tightly.