Perhaps it had been so long in silence that Shen Kuangye was beginning to forget what his original personality was like. Was he really this soft, obedient type who would call someone "brother"?
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you call everyone 'brother'?"
Lu Xiangyang froze for a moment at the question. He shook his head quickly and said sincerely, "…I've only ever called you that." Saying this made him feel even more guilty, Shen Kuangye's question made him feel like a hypocrite.
Shen Kuangye was satisfied.
He thought: Looks like I wasn't always this casual before.
They quickly arrived at the People's Hospital.
After getting out of the car, Lu Xiangyang only realized once they reached the lobby, "How did you know it was the People's Hospital?"
Shen Kuangye's expression remained unchanged as he lied casually: "I heard it."
Lu Xiangyang felt a flicker of doubt.
He shouldn't have said it out loud… or maybe his memory was off?
But given his 100% trust in Shen Kuangye, and considering how unsettled he had been when he received the news, it was entirely possible he had let it slip. He accepted Shen Kuangye's explanation—after all, Shen Kuangye had a face that didn't look like it could lie.
Lu Xiangyang felt both unfamiliar and fearful in the hospital. His father had passed away here when he was a child. He was very young, and seeing his father—who used to call his name gently and pinch his cheeks to make him laugh—lying on the bed, pale and motionless, while his mother sobbed uncontrollably, had left him terrified of this place.
Lu Xiangyang found the reception desk and inquired about Lu Ning's condition. The receptionist informed him that the patient was currently in surgery. His hands trembled; he forced himself to calm down and softly asked what he should do next. The nurse mentioned a lot of things he didn't understand. While Lu Xiangyang was at a loss, Shen Kuangye said, "I'll handle it."
Perhaps it was because Shen Kuangye was there, or maybe because of his calm expression and familiarity with hospital procedures, Lu Xiangyang felt he had found an anchor and followed Shen Kuangye. By the time he realized it, Shen Kuangye had already completed all the paperwork for him.
After paying, Lu Xiangyang was led by the doctor to the operating room entrance.
Just as they arrived, Lu Ning was pushed out. Her once-gentle, kind mother now lay pale, tubes sticking out all over her body, and her face slowly overlapped in Lu Xiangyang's mind with the image of his father's.
Lu Xiangyang's eyes immediately reddened. After all, he was just an eighteen-year-old kid. He was genuinely scared in this situation. He called out, "Mom!" and rushed forward.
Lu Ning barely opened her eyes and, with all her strength, patted his hand reassuringly.
Lu Xiangyang bit his lip, and tears still slid down the corners of his eyes.
He was just too scared. If Lu Ning ended up like his father, he truly wouldn't know what to do.
Shen Kuangye quietly stood a short distance away, blinking his eyes, looking elsewhere to avoid showing his own emotions.
Lu Xiangyang followed the doctor into the ward. Before entering, he turned back to Shen Kuangye: "Kuangye-ge, you should come in too."
Shen Kuangye shook his head, his voice calm: "I won't disturb you."
After all, at this moment, he was just a stranger to Lu Ning.
Lu Xiangyang wanted to say something more, but seeing the hesitation between Shen Kuangye and Lu Ning, he forcibly pulled Shen Kuangye inside.
His strength was stronger than usual, and Shen Kuangye didn't resist.
Once inside the ward, the doctor called them aside, giving them instructions and presenting several treatment options to choose from. Lu Ning's current condition wasn't too serious, but Lu Xiangyang couldn't bear the cost. He wanted to choose the conservative plan, but Shen Kuangye made the decision for him: "The most expensive one."
After the doctor left, Lu Xiangyang brought Shen Kuangye to Lu Ning's bedside. "Mom, this is Shen Kuangye, a friend I met at the training camp. He's the one who lent me the money earlier."
Lu Ning's weak eyes shifted to Shen Kuangye. It had been a long time since Shen Kuangye had seen Lu Ning like this. Though pale, she could still open her eyes, look at him, and speak—unlike before when she was constantly unconscious and under emergency care.
He clenched his hands and tried to sound normal: "Hello, auntie."
He had long hoped to speak to Lu Ning again. Now he finally could—but this time, they were strangers.
Shen Kuangye couldn't even bring himself to call her "Mom" properly.
Lu Ning opened her mouth and weakly said, "Thank you, child."
Facing her eyes, Shen Kuangye turned his head, avoiding her gaze. "No need to thank me, auntie."
To avoid revealing his abnormality, he lowered his head, took out his phone, and said to Lu Xiangyang, "Sorry, I have a call to take." Then he turned and left.
Lu Xiangyang quickly explained to Lu Ning, "He's busy; he has calls all day."
Lu Ning nodded and furrowed her brow. "Yangyang, did you cry?"
Lu Xiangyang smiled. "No, mom. Your son is mentally strong. Just focus on recovering; I'll handle the rest. You know, today so many teams wanted me and Shen Kuangye…"
Outside the ward, Shen Kuangye leaned against the wall, quietly listening to the conversation between mother and son, head lowered, expression unreadable.
But when he raised his eyes again, the corners of his eyes were red.
——
Lu Ning had just finished surgery and had little energy. After chatting with Lu Xiangyang briefly, the medicine took effect and she quickly fell asleep.
While she rested, Lu Xiangyang quietly left the ward and saw Shen Kuangye sitting in a nearby chair, head down, focused on ranked matches.
Only then did he realize it was probably ranked match time. Having played Identity V for so many years, he never missed ranked matches.
Lu Xiangyang was already first on the hunter leaderboard, over 20 stars ahead of second place. Even if he didn't play for a night, no one could catch up.
Moreover, he had no mood to play tonight, so he sat next to Shen Kuangye and watched.
Shen Kuangye's hands were beautiful, long and fair—moving steadily across the screen.
And indeed, his skills were impeccable; he almost won every match with a score of 1694.
Lu Xiangyang couldn't help but marvel at Shen Kuangye's solid fundamentals and strategic thinking.
Watching the survivors struggle against the hunter, he empathized deeply.
Pain… it hurts so much.
Shen Kuangye was completely focused while playing. By the time ranked matches ended, it was already 9 PM. As he lifted his hand, he felt the weight on his shoulder.
Turning his head, he saw Lu Xiangyang asleep beside him.
The boy's breathing was even; thick, delicate eyelashes lay on his fair face, making him look obedient yet exhausted. After everything that had happened today, fatigue was inevitable.
Shen Kuangye watched for a while, then checked his phone. Seeing that it was past 10 PM, he patted Lu Xiangyang's shoulder: "Wake up."
Lu Xiangyang didn't stir. Shen Kuangye tried a little harder, but just then, a girl lying on a nearby cot complained in a dreamy voice: "I told you not to save Bao Ping, why didn't you listen? Mercenary, and you still got hit by a big shock…"
"Chicken nuggets got caught four times… whatever, let's play the imitator later, heart for heart…"
Those around her laughed hysterically, some even recording: "Record this and show her when she wakes up, let her be embarrassed. Even in anesthesia dreams, she loves hanging out with the Fifth."
The word "Fifth" jolted Lu Xiangyang awake. He was confused and momentarily forgot where he was: "Fifth? Is it ranked match time?"
Shen Kuangye: "..."
Had he really been this poisoned before?
"Not yet," he said expressionlessly. "Dinner time has passed."
Lu Xiangyang: "..."
"Aren't you hungry?" Shen Kuangye asked.
He touched his nose and sheepishly replied, "I guess a little."
Could he not be? He hadn't eaten since noon. Silly boy.
Shen Kuangye silently criticized him in his mind.
He got up and said to Lu Xiangyang, "Let's go."
Lu Xiangyang blinked. "Where?"
Shen Kuangye instinctively smoothed the stray tuft of hair sticking up on Lu Xiangyang's head. "Eat."
He added, "Auntie just had surgery. She can't eat for eight hours. We'll bring her something back later."
Lu Xiangyang nodded.
He wasn't usually obedient, but for some reason, he felt unusually relaxed around Shen Kuangye. Otherwise, he wouldn't have leaned against his shoulder and fallen asleep earlier.
Being near Shen Kuangye made him feel safe.
Lu Xiangyang was easy to care for.
Perhaps growing up with his mother, seeing her work so hard, had made him considerate. When it came to meals, he was not picky; even plain rice would make him happy.
Shen Kuangye didn't ask what he wanted to eat; he just walked ahead.
He led Lu Xiangyang to a small, inconspicuous restaurant filled with savory aromas.
Looking inside, Lu Xiangyang couldn't help but swallow.
The place served various stewed meats, all tender and flavorful.
Lu Xiangyang loved stewed meat, but due to his limited funds, he had always restrained himself.
He glanced at Shen Kuangye, checked his phone balance, and bit his lip. "Kuangye-ge, you can order whatever you want—I'll pay."
He couldn't repay the loan yet, but he could manage this small expense.
Shen Kuangye didn't respond, just ordered and led Lu Xiangyang to a seat.
He spoke calmly: "No rush. There will be plenty of time later."
He handed Lu Xiangyang a bottle of Wangzai milk from a nearby fridge.
Lu Xiangyang pursed his lips but said nothing.
He suddenly felt a pang of envy for Shen Kuangye's brother.
Having such a reliable older brother must be wonderful.
When the dishes arrived, Lu Xiangyang realized they were all his favorites.
He was a little surprised and noticed the Wangzai milk beside him…
Almost no one knew he liked that. Shen Kuangye had chosen it for him.
Shen Kuangye looked up and asked, "Spacing out?"
Lu Xiangyang snapped out of it. "Oh, nothing… just…"
He wasn't good at lying, so he blurted: "I just remembered yesterday's ranked match. I felt I didn't play well and reviewed it."
Shen Kuangye didn't find it strange, it was in line with Lu Xiangyang's personality.
He nodded. "Eat."
Lu Xiangyang had never enjoyed a meal so much; by the end, he was almost full.
Taking advantage of Shen Kuangye drinking water, he went to the front desk to pay.
Shen Kuangye saw it but didn't stop him.
He had already guessed Lu Xiangyang would do that.
Shen Kuangye knew that eating meat late at night might be hard to digest, but seeing Lu Xiangyang's delicate wrist, he had instinctively brought him here.
The bill came to 150.85.
Paying it made Lu Xiangyang's heart ache.
While feeling that pain, a sudden thought popped into his head:
He must treat Shen Kuangye well from now on.
Once he earned money, he would give it all to Shen Kuangye and do his best for him.
After dinner, they went to a congee shop to get plain congee for Lu Ning.
Back in the ward, Lu Xiangyang lowered his voice: "Mom, let me feed you some congee."
Lu Ning's hands still lacked strength; she could only weakly lean on the bed to be fed.
Lu Xiangyang had no experience and almost spilled the congee, feeling a bit guilty.
Lu Xiangyang, how clumsy you are…
Shen Kuangye patted his shoulder calmly: "I'll do it."
Lu Xiangyang instinctively stepped aside and handed the bowl to him.
Shen Kuangye took the bowl and pulled a chair to sit in front of Lu Ning.
In the previous life, Lu Ning's illness always relapsed, leaving her frail and powerless.
Shen Kuangye had fed her many times.
Seeing her now sitting steadily in front of him was something he never even dared to dream of.
Lu Ning felt a little embarrassed: "Sorry to trouble you."
Her voice was so weak it was barely audible.
Shen Kuangye smiled faintly, his voice unusually gentle: "It's fine, auntie."
Even so, he could feel Lu Ning's discomfort around him.
She looked at him for a long time and instinctively asked: "Xiaoye, have I met you somewhere before?"
Shen Kuangye paused mid-scoop. After a long while, he replied calmly: "I don't think so."