PCMWF Chapter 122

As if sensing everyone’s gaze, the little guy opened his eyes. He didn’t like lying flat, so he was on his side, his soft cheek pressed against the little pillow. His eyes were moist, and his long eyelashes clung together with a hint of tears. When he saw his friends had all come to see him, he was still a bit dazed. His first instinct was to look for his father. Shen Minyan was standing. The moment the little guy’s gaze landed on him, he walked over quickly and patted his back through the blanket.

“Dad.” The little guy’s voice was a bit weak. He blinked his big eyes at his father.

He seemed to sense that he was sick. Last night, Dad had been so worried, carrying him around the room all night. He could see the exhaustion and worry in his father’s eyes. He immediately reached his little arms out from under the blanket.

Shen Minyan pulled the little guy’s sleeves down a bit and asked gently, “Youyou, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Tell Dad.”

The little guy shook his head and reached out both arms, wanting to be held. With so many people in the room, Shen Minyan lifted him, blanket and all, and carefully tucked the edges around the little guy. Su Youli felt like a cocoon, wrapped up so tightly he could barely move. He was amused by his own imagination, showing off his baby teeth as he looked at Shen Minyan.

Shen Minyan tapped his forehead. “Still laughing. I was so worried.”

Now that the fever had broken, the little guy was more alert in his father’s arms. He asked a bit shyly, “Dad, was Youyou sick?”

Shen Minyan said, “Mm.” “Dad didn’t take good care of Youyou.”

He lowered his head in front of his son, full of guilt.

“Brother Shen, kids getting sick is normal. It’s not your fault.”

A sudden male voice chimed in. Shen Minyan looked up and saw Du Ze standing behind Mi Huan, having slipped in at some point. Seeing Shen Minyan looking at him, Du Ze assumed he’d been heard and used himself as an example:

“Niu Niu gets sick all the time too, always coughing and catching colds. Kids just love to play. Adults can’t watch them every second, right? Youyou seems to have plenty of energy now. Don’t blame yourself too much.”

Niu Niu, standing beside Hua Zhao, pouted. She was a bit unhappy that her dad had said she loved to play too much. She wanted to tell her dad that she didn’t play too much and didn’t get sick that often. Besides, it was the nanny who took care of her when she was sick. Dad only came to check on her occasionally. Shen Minyan had little reaction. He looked at Du Ze with a cold, steady gaze. How had such a fool been invited on this show? If he couldn’t speak properly, he should just sew his mouth shut. It was normal for young children to get sick, but that didn’t mean it was their fault for being playful. Mi Huan could tell that if it weren’t for the fact that Shen Minyan was holding his son, Du Ze would have been “escorted” out by now.

“It’s great that Youyou is okay. I think I saw the task card in the living room. Teacher Du, let’s go check it out together.”

Mi Huan used this excuse to get Du Ze out of the room. Du Ze didn’t really want to leave, but he could sense the difference between Shen Minyan and Shen Yan. Shen Yan was young and had just won a Best Actor award. Even if he was cold by nature, he would still give a few smiles for the cameras. Shen Minyan was different. It was likely he hadn’t known how to be anything but direct since he was twenty-five. In any situation, he could do whatever he wanted without considering anyone else’s feelings.

That was the confidence and arrogance that came with real power. Once the two men had left, the room felt much more spacious. Hua Zhao brought breakfast for the Shen father and son. After thanking her, Shen Minyan carried the little guy to the table. Hua Zhao wanted to take the three children downstairs so they could eat in peace and rest. The three little ones followed Hua Zhao obediently, but they kept turning back every few steps.

Hua Zhao smiled, crouched down, and explained patiently: “Youyou is sick and still recovering. We can’t disturb him while he rests.”

Mi Le gathered his courage and raised his hand. “Aunt Hua Zhao, I promise I won’t disturb Youyou. I want to stay with him.”

The other two little ones nodded in sync, their eyes watery and full of hope.

“It’s fine. Let them stay and keep Youyou company. Thank you for your trouble.”

Chairman Shen nodded in agreement. Hua Zhao didn’t say anything more, but before she left, she specifically told the three little ones not to disturb Youyou’s rest. Held in his father’s arms, the little guy saw that his three friends were staying to keep him company. His little feet kicked excitedly under the blanket, his eyes sparkling as he looked at them. The three little ones obediently climbed onto the small sofa and sat down, watching Youyou without blinking. Shen Minyan was about to feed the little guy when he felt a bit overwhelmed by the three pairs of clear eyes watching him.

“Have you eaten?” Shen Minyan asked.

The three little ones nodded in unison. “We have.”

They kept their word about not disturbing, sitting quietly and not making a sound, their attention focused on the soft, adorable little one who had just broken his fever. Although the little guy’s fever had broken, and his sweaty clothes had been changed, and Shen Minyan had wiped him clean, he was still a bit low on energy and didn’t have much strength. He leaned softly against his father.

Shen Minyan scooped up some mashed potatoes and brought the spoon to his mouth, coaxing him to eat a little. The little guy shook his head. Dad looked different today. He wasn’t wearing a suit or neat clothes. His hair was messy, his eyes were red, and he looked very tired. Shen Minyan had sharp, deep-set features, a fierce and commanding face. When he was expressionless, he was quite intimidating. With the passage of time, he looked even more unapproachable.

That was partly why the little guy had initially thought he was scary and didn’t want to get close. He vaguely remembered that last night, when he felt terrible, his father had carried him around the room and told him stories to soothe him. His father had been taking care of him all along.

The little guy blinked, took the spoon that was offered to his mouth, and pushed it up with as much strength as he could. “Dad, you eat.”

Dad had been looking after him all night. He must be so tired. The little guy’s strength was nothing compared to Shen Minyan’s. The spoon didn’t even move, and the mashed potatoes stayed perfectly in place. But Shen Minyan felt it. That soft, weak little hand had used all its strength to push the food toward him. That “powerful” force felt like it was pushing right into his heart. His nose tingled. Shen Minyan tightened his arms, holding his youngest son close.

The fear, the helplessness, the guilt from the night before- all those emotions mixed together, and it was only at this moment that he finally relaxed. Youyou was okay. His Youyou was a strong child. Even when sick, he was well-behaved and didn’t cause any trouble for the adults. But that just made him worry and feel even more guilty.

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