682: My Good Child

My Good Child

Fortunately, before Lu Yizhou could rise himself to the challenge – because he was damn sure he could endure a little pain in exchange for more kisses – the hover car swiveled sharply into one of the houses outside the heart of the city before coming to an abrupt stop.2

Dr. Feng and Dr. Xiao did not waste even one second as they jumped down from the car.

"Please wait here for a while!" Dr. Xiao told Zachary as she rushed first into the house to start the medical cabin, leaving Dr. Feng with the arduous task to carry Lu Yizhou inside. Zeke pursed his lips and watched anxiously as Lu Yizhou's bloodied back gradually disappeared into the building. He did not need to wait long for Dr. Xiao to come out again and help him inside.

The house did not look any different from others from outside. But once inside, Zeke could immediately tell that every inch of the space was filled with medical tools. The house was completely barren of ordinary furniture except for a long couch and table in the middle of the living room.

As they were walking, Dr. Xiao swiftly gave him a brief tour. "The house has two floors, two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. The medical cabin is in one of the rooms upstairs and the Head Administrator has gone up to put Lu Yizhou inside. Don't worry, he will be fine once the cabin is working to promote his cell growth. As for you, what do you think of the room downstairs?" 

Dr. Xiao was being very considerate as she recalled that Zeke was still unable to walk on his own. There was no way he would be comfortable with climbing the stairs right now. Thus, she chose the bedroom downstairs to settle him down. As she spoke, she was already supporting Zeke there when the latter suddenly braked and shook his head.

"No, I want to stay with Lu Yizhou." Zeke pressed his lips tight, his brows knitting in determination. "...Please," he added as an afterthought.

Dr. Xiao was helpless. Somehow, she had already seen this coming. She knew that Zeke would definitely be worried about Lu Yizhou and wanted to stick to him at all times, but… he just had not seen what he looked like. His complexion was uncannily pale and it was unknown whether it was due to the fright or cold, his lips had gained a bluish tinge. He looked even worse than when he was still in a coma. And because he had been exposed to the freezing weather for too long, his immune system had weakened considerably. Dr. Xiao could sense that the hand she was holding right now was extremely hot.

As such, no matter how soft-hearted she was, she still forced herself to reject Zeke's request outright. "No." She half-carried and half-dragged Zeke to the bedroom across the living room, her tone brooking no arguments. "If you keep this up, then you will collapse soon."

"Xiao—"

"Listen to me." Dr. Xiao's voice was firm and Zeke was stunned to find that the former royal doctor's eyes were brimming in tears. "In one day, I almost lost both of you…" her voice shook when she recalled everything that had happened for the past hour. Giving her head a little shake, she took a deep inhale to keep her emotions in check and said seriously, "Listen, Zachary. You need to take better care of your body. I am sure that if Lu Yizhou is here, that will be what he wants you to do too…"

How unfair of you to use Lu Yizhou's name like that, Zeke thought wryly. When Dr. Xiao put it like this, how could he continue to protest? For some reason, he could already envision that this would not be the only time Dr. Xiao would use Lu Yizhou's name to coax him…

Dr. Xiao pushed open the door to reveal a neat and clean bedroom. It was evident that someone had come regularly to clean it up. She carefully supported Zeke to the bed and scanned him anxiously. "You have to change out of your wet clothes first lest your fever will get higher. How are you feeling now?"

"I'm fine…" Zeke's voice was scratchy and rough. It was not until the situation settled down and he could finally sit on a soft and comfortable surface that all the exhaustion came crashing down on him. His joints felt very sore when he moved them, and his throat was so dry like it was catching fire. No sooner than he replied, his body swayed and his vision turned hazy as if everything in front of him was shrouded in thick white mist.

"Zachary!" Dr. Xiao was shocked when Zachary suddenly fell sideways. Fortunately, he was on the bed right now. She quickly moved him to a more comfortable position and rummaged through the cabinet for a thermometer. When the result showed on the panel, she hissed in surprise. "Oh God, 39.3 degrees Celsius…" 

How could he still say that he was fine?!

Zeke's mind was already foggy by now. He could tell that someone was standing beside his bed. However, no matter how hard he squinted his eyes, he just could not see who it was. He parted his chapped lips and groaned, "Water…"

Dr. Xiao needed not to be told twice. Taking care of a sick person was already second nature to her. She swiftly ran out of the room to grab a jar of water, some medical tools before hurrying back to Zeke's side and feeding him some water.

Amidst his blurred consciousness, Zeke perceived that someone was carefully changing his clothes and wiping his body down. Then there was a pinprick of pain when a needle entered his veins. He let out a hiss, more of shock than pain. Perhaps thinking that he was suffering, a soft female voice said in a soothing tone. "It's okay. I am just giving you a nutrient injection. Take a good rest, Zachary…"

That person's movement was very gentle and careful, and she emitted a very tranquil aura which worked wonders to calm him down. Zeke could feel himself sinking deeper and deeper into the sleep, then he blurted out in a soft murmur, "...Mother?"

Dr. Xiao's hands shook, almost stabbing herself with the syringe. Her pupils trembled in disbelief. W–What did she just hear…?

She thought that she had heard wrongly, but then Zeke said again, this time a little louder, yet still just as soft. "Mother…"

Dr. Xiao's eyes suddenly reddened. Certainly, when Zachary had first come to exist, she had treated him like how she would treat her own son. But after that, they were separated for twenty long years. The adorable baby in her memory had suddenly become a dashing and handsome young man. Without a doubt, she was utterly caught off guard and needed more time to digest the fact so that she could treat Zachary like how she used to.

Yet after hearing this… an indescribable feeling welled up inside her heart. It was sore, painful, yet kinda sweet at the same time. She had no idea how the Queen had treated Zachary. Had she been a good mother to him? Had she stayed by his side when he was sick? Dr. Xiao did not know. But if it was her… 

She tugged Zachary's blanket to his neck and gazed at his sleeping face gently. Then, she opened her mouth and started to sing the lullaby she had sung to the baby Zachary two decades ago.

Good child. My good, good, child…

Sleep well because Mother is here…

***

Zeke had no idea how long he had slept. When he woke up, the sky outside the window was completely dark with only a faint ray of moonlight spilling in, barely illuminating the room. The snow had started to fall again, softly and gently, encasing the world in its chilling yet breathtaking embrace.

However, Zeke did not feel cold at all.

On the contrary, he felt very warm and comfortable as he was held in a familiar and protective embrace. Slowly, he cracked his eyes open and Lu Yizhou's gorgeous sleeping face immediately welcomed his sight, filling every inch of his soul with delight and bliss.

He instantly fell into a trance. For a while, he could not remember where they were and what they were doing before this. His brain was lagging from how cozy it was to be held in Lu Yizhou's powerful arms. And then, the memories prior to this swiftly crashed back to him with the force of a sweeping tsunami, causing his eyes to widen in shock. The explosion on the rooftop, the appearance of his 'brother' and then, Lu Yizhou's severe condition—

Oh God, Lu Yizhou…!

Zeke stared at the sleeping man in utter disbelief. What the hell?! How could this man be here right now instead of the medical cabin where he should have been?!

pqdm.com