Don’t Ignite It chapter 38

Little Kid

Time flew by, and it was already Friday. Xu Ping acted particularly fast. In just three days, she informed Xia Yu and Xu Zhan to come over and meet the two-year-old child.

This baby was named Xu Shaoshao, a little boy. Because he was so young, he couldn’t quite understand the unexpected loss of his parents. Currently, he was staying with another pair of relatives in the Xu family.

These relatives were both in their fifties, and their own children were working outside, so they had the time to take care of the child.

Xu Shaoshao was well taken care of. He didn’t cry when he saw strangers. His face was soft and rosy, dressed in a pea-green outfit with little socks. He had a pacifier in his mouth and blinked as he looked at Xia Yu and Xu Zhan.

He could only speak a few simple words, wobbling his little feet while held by adults, smiling good-naturedly at everyone.

Xu Zhan had originally just wanted to come and take a look. He truly felt that his current situation wasn’t suitable for adopting a child. But when he actually saw this baby, his heart softened.

He took the child from the relatives, and Xu Shaoshao lay on his shoulder, curiously looking at him.

“Um.”

Xu Shaoshao spit out his pacifier, looking silly. The pacifier fell onto Xu Zhan’s shirt, but he didn’t mind getting his shirt dirty. He gently rocked the baby.

He had a natural, gentle, and reserved demeanor. Holding the child in his arms, he appeared to be a seasoned father, someone you could rely on with confidence, even though he hadn’t been a father before.

Even the couple taking care of Xu Shaoshao smiled and said, “Shaoshao seems to have a connection with you, Xiao Zhan.”

Xia Yu still acted like a child, not daring to touch or hold the baby. He actually preferred having a daughter. Xu Shaoshao was cute, but he had always envisioned having a little princess, someone like his niece. Now, seeing how much Xu Zhan liked the child, he began to sense something.

But in front of everyone, he remained silent, nibbling on snacks while occasionally teasing Xu Shaoshao with the snacks. When Xu Shaoshao reached out, he would playfully snatch it away and eat it with a mischievous grin.

Xu Shaoshao just looked at him, baffled.

Xu Zhan gently nudged Xia Yu. “Don’t tease the child.”

Xia Yu smiled mischievously and handed Xu Shaoshao something he could eat.

They spent the afternoon at the relatives’ house. Originally, they had planned to leave after a short visit, but Xu Zhan ended up playing with the child for the whole afternoon.

The little baby wasn’t very steady on his feet yet and wobbled on the floor, falling into Xu Zhan’s arms.

When it was time to leave, the child held onto Xu Zhan’s clothes and wouldn’t let go. He wasn’t much of a crier, but his grape-like eyes stared at Xu Zhan, making it hard to leave.

Xu Zhan kept turning back reluctantly.

Watching Xu Zhan, Xia Yu couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholic. However, when he saw Xu Zhan looking even more conflicted, he smiled.

He intentionally said, “I forgot to mention that I might have a date with my partner in a few days. Don’t let your sister bother us with anything else.”

Xu Zhan was momentarily stunned. “Ah… okay.”

He had been so focused on the matter at hand that he nearly forgot about Xia Yu’s other partner. Still, he couldn’t help but admit that when he thought of that person, his heart relaxed a bit.

Back at home, Xia Yu and Xu Zhan still slept in separate bedrooms. Over the years, no matter whose parents came to visit, they rarely set foot in their small villa. So, the secret of them sleeping in separate rooms was known to almost no one.

…….

Lying in bed, Xia Yu thought about the day. In the afternoon, he had also held Xu Shaoshao for a while. Children were always so tender. They might look chubby, but they felt light when you held them. They would lean on your shoulder, their eyes bright. Even though it was their first meeting, it felt like they trusted you completely.

Xia Yu had to admit he was a bit swayed at that moment, thinking that maybe upgrading to fatherhood a few years earlier wouldn’t be so bad.

But in the next moment, his mind vaguely painted a different picture.

He was still holding a child in his arms, but it wasn’t Xu Shaoshao; it was a beautiful little girl. He would teach this child pinyin, teach her to build with blocks, and Lu Zhao would be nearby, trying to join in but constantly getting pushed aside.

That scene was quite heartwarming.

However, Xia Yu was suddenly startled by the fantasy in his mind.

Up until now, Xia Yu couldn’t explain why this scene had popped into his mind.

He had never discussed adopting a child with Lu Zhao, neither in the past nor in the present. Xia Yu couldn’t fathom having a child sleeping in Lu Zhao’s arms; it seemed like an unfortunate idea because Lu Zhao didn’t strike him as someone who would make a good father. Furthermore, he had no intention of forming a family with Lu Zhao.

Why he envisioned such a scene was beyond him.

Xia Yu felt a slight disgust towards himself for even thinking about Lu Zhao. He decided to shake off these thoughts, checked his phone for a moment, and went to sleep.

The next day, because he didn’t set an alarm, Xia Yu slept in quite late. It was a phone call that eventually woke him up.

Reluctantly, Xia Yu peeked out from his blanket and checked his phone. “Hello?”

His voice carried a hint of sleepiness, making it obvious that he had just woken up.

The person on the other end seemed somewhat speechless and stayed silent for a while.

“You’re still not up?” Lu Yuan exclaimed in disbelief. “Aren’t you supposed to be busy too?”

It took Xia Yu a few seconds to recognize Lu Yuan’s voice.

He was somewhat puzzled and looked at his phone. It indeed was Lu Yuan.

“Why are you calling me?” Xia Yu didn’t quite understand.

Since their last unpleasant encounter at the bar, Xia Yu and Lu Yuan hadn’t been in contact.

Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment and then asked, “Do you have time today?”

His tone had softened.

Xia Yu turned over in bed, his drowsiness fading. He stared at the ceiling for a moment and thought, “I’m busy with an exhibition today. In the afternoon, I have a meeting with an artist, and I have an engagement in the evening. Why do you ask?”

In short, he had no free time.

Technically, he could squeeze in some time, but he wasn’t particularly inclined to do anything for Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan seemed a bit anxious. “Could you spare a little time, just an hour or two? Come to the hospital.”

“The hospital?” Xia Yu’s displeasure was evident, and he furrowed his brow. “Why do you want me to go to the hospital?”

“My brother is sick and has been hospitalized the past few days,” Lu Yuan sighed. “He’s been ill for over a week, and it’s not getting better. He refused to tell you, but can you come and keep him company for a while?”

Xia Yu didn’t say anything for a moment.

“Is it serious?” he asked.

Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment and told the truth, “It depends on how you define it. Compared to cancer, of course, it’s not serious. He had a high fever initially, but he continued to work while sick. Just when he was almost recovered, he must have caught a cold or something because he had a fever again. Add to that his pre-existing stomach issues and the recent stress he’s been under, and he started bleeding from the stomach. He hasn’t been sick in years, but this time, it’s likely more serious than usual.”

Xia Yu assessed the seriousness of the situation and felt that it wasn’t too bad.

He said to Lu Yuan, “When someone is sick, they should see a doctor. Why call me? Besides, if he’s been bleeding from the stomach for over a week and he still isn’t in critical condition, he should be getting better soon. Lu Zhao didn’t tell me because he probably didn’t want me to go. Why are you so concerned?”

Lu Yuan was somewhat exasperated.

It wasn’t that Xia Yu’s presence was needed, but it was Xia Yu’s nonchalant attitude that bothered him. Xia Yu acted as if he were taking care of a pet cat or dog. When he saw them fall ill, he’d show a bit of sympathy, but Xia Yu seemed completely indifferent.

“My brother didn’t want you to come because he thought you didn’t want to see him and wouldn’t care about his well-being. But even in his dreams, he calls your name.”

Lu Yuan’s frustration made him want to scold Xia Yu, but he held back. He softened his tone.

“My brother is actually in a bad state. Besides me, his secretary is the only one around. Even when he’s hospitalized, he’s still busy with work and keeps checking his phone, afraid of missing your messages. I’m not asking you to do anything, just consider it a good deed and come to see him for a while, okay?”

Xia Yu found it rather odd that Lu Yuan, who had always been somewhat aloof, was suddenly so humble.

If he didn’t know that these two were brothers, he might have suspected that Lu Yuan had a secret crush on Lu Zhao.

Xia Yu told Lu Yuan, “I’ll think about it. If I have time, I’ll come.”

Lu Yuan sounded like he wanted to swear but held back. Instead, he said, “Alright, if you do decide to come, give me a call.”

“Okay.”