Chapter 23
[I heard there’s a new hot pot restaurant near the university with good reviews. Want to try it together?]
[Are you busy? Or are you asleep?]
[Missed call.]
Jiang Yuebai frowned, looking at the chat log.
Xiaoqiu hadn’t replied to his messages for a long time. He remembered Xiaoqiu didn’t have class today. Was he sleeping in the dorm? That’s why he hadn’t replied.
This felt like a few months ago, when Yan Weiqiu was at the tea plantation.
He would wait for Yan Weiqiu’s messages every day.
They had been fine before, but things had changed since he took Xiaoqiu to the basketball club’s dinner gathering.
This sudden coldness had been troubling Jiang Yuebai for a long time.
He had replayed the events of that day countless times in his mind. Had he done something wrong?
Or had he missed some detail?
The whistle blew, and the club president came over, patting his shoulder. “Xiaobai, the game is starting.”
“Okay, coming.” Jiang Yuebai responded casually and sent Yan Weiqiu another message before putting his phone away: “Are you angry because I’ve been busy lately and haven’t been having meals with you?”
The basketball game was intense, but Yan Weiqiu hadn’t been to the gymnasium again.
As soon as the game ended, Jiang Yuebai rushed back to the resting area to check his phone.
Seeing the unread message notification, his expression softened.
Yan Weiqiu: I’ve been eating too many snacks lately, feeling a bit heated, not in the mood for hot pot.
Yan Weiqiu: I’m not angry, don’t overthink it.
Seeing Yan Weiqiu’s messages, Jiang Yuebai pursed his lips, his frown deepening.
He could feel Xiaoqiu avoiding him.
Jiang Yuebai: Want to have dinner together tonight? We haven’t eaten together in a while.
Yan Weiqiu: Next time. I’m going out today and won’t be back until late.
Jiang Yuebai: Okay.
Jiang Yuebai really wanted to ask who he was going out with and why he hadn’t invited him.
Had he made new friends? Or was he going out with his roommates?
He ended the conversation with an “okay.”
He knew Yan Weiqiu wouldn’t take the initiative to message him again.
…
…
Yan Weiqiu was sitting on a bench in the hospital corridor, waiting for his turn to see the doctor.
He had a slight fever, and his pheromones were leaking uncontrollably.
He had taken a pill and put on a blocker before coming to the hospital.
His skin was fair, and after the blood test, a large bruise was left on the back of his hand.
The needle prick was a little painful.
He had worn a jacket when he left, but he still felt cold, huddled on the chair.
Because of his illness, he felt sleepy, but he didn’t dare to fall asleep, having to keep an eye on the IV drip.
He looked at the couple sitting next to him.
The petite Omega was sleeping peacefully in the Alpha’s arms.
He vaguely remembered that whenever he was sick as a child, Jiang Yuebai would always be by his side.
Just like that couple, Jiang Yuebai would hold him in his arms and take care of him.
He couldn’t help but think how nice it would be if Jiang Yuebai was here with him now.
But it was impossible.
His pheromone disorder had worsened.
Yan Weiqiu looked at the bottle of pills in his hand and couldn’t help but ask, “Can I get a refill for this medication?”
The doctor refused sternly. “The doctor who prescribed this medication should have told you the dosage and usage instructions. You didn’t follow the doctor’s orders. It’s precisely because you’ve been taking it too frequently that your pheromones are disordered. Your glands are mature, and you could go into heat at any time.”
Yan Weiqiu’s face was filled with anxiety. He said nervously, “But doctor, I need this medication…”
The doctor interrupted him gravely. “I can’t prescribe this medication for you. If you continue taking it, your condition will only worsen. What you need now is to regulate your body, which will take at least a month. Come back for a follow-up appointment then, and I’ll prescribe something less harmful to your body.”
Yan Weiqiu had no choice but to return to the university, his body exhausted.
He only had a few pills left, and a month was a long time to wait.
But this kind of medication was only available at large hospitals; small clinics and pharmacies didn’t carry it.
He didn’t know how long these few pills would last.
He also didn’t know how to explain to Jiang Yuebai why they couldn’t see each other recently.
One lie led to another.
He felt so tired.
He finally made it back to the dorm, only to see Jiang Yuebai downstairs.
He instinctively reached for the pills in his bag, but then he remembered the doctor’s words and hesitated for a few seconds before putting them back.
Jiang Yuebai also noticed him and walked towards him.
“Xiaoqiu.”
Yan Weiqiu sighed softly. “Why are you here?”
Jiang Yuebai said softly, “I just wanted to see you.”
“Then why didn’t you call me?” The words slipped out of Yan Weiqiu’s mouth. Meeting Jiang Yuebai’s gaze, he remembered the unanswered calls and bit his lip awkwardly.
Right, he hadn’t been answering his calls.
How else could Jiang Yuebai contact him?
So he could only wait here for him.
Jiang Yuebai reached out and held his hand, gently rubbing the back of his hand, his voice husky. “Your hand is so cold.”
“Hiss.” The needle prick on the back of his hand was still a little sore, and Yan Weiqiu instinctively tried to pull his hand back.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yuebai immediately became anxious, tightening his grip on his hand. Under the streetlight, he saw the bruise on the back of his hand, his eyes filled with worry, his heart clenching. “Did you go to the hospital? Are you sick? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you let me go with you?”
Yan Weiqiu tried to pull his hand back but couldn’t, so he just let him hold it. “Maybe it’s because the weather is getting colder. I have a slight fever, nothing serious.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you let me go with you?”
Jiang Yuebai’s voice was hoarse and low, filled with sadness, his eyes slightly red, his gaze filled with heartache and restraint.
Yan Weiqiu’s heart trembled.
He couldn’t tell if his avoidance was protecting Jiang Yuebai or punishing him.
Yan Weiqiu lowered his head, a lump forming in his throat, and choked out, “Aren’t you preparing for the tournament? I didn’t want to disturb your practice.”
Jiang Yuebai pulled his arm, pulling him into his arms.
“Why would you think the tournament is more important than you?”
“You’re always my priority.”
“Nothing, and no one, can change that.”
Yan Weiqiu leaned against his shoulder, tears welling up in his eyes.
He suppressed his emotions and mumbled, “You’re joking again.”
“I’m not joking, and I never joke about this kind of thing.” Jiang Yuebai held him tightly, sadness spreading through his heart.
“Did I say something wrong at the basketball club’s dinner gathering?”
“I drank too much that day; I might have said something I shouldn’t have.”
“Xiaoqiu, don’t be angry with me.”
Yan Weiqiu froze, was silent for a few seconds, then denied, “I’m not.”
“We’ve known each other for so many years. I can tell if you’re angry or not.” Jiang Yuebai held him tightly, bending down slightly, his chin resting on his shoulder, as if holding him close could dispel the unease in his heart. “Xiaoqiu, don’t think I’m so smart. I’m actually very stupid. I often can’t guess what you’re thinking, and I might have done something you don’t like because I misunderstood.”
“You can tell me directly if there’s anything wrong.”
“I’ll try my best to make you happy.”
Tears silently slid down Yan Weiqiu’s cheeks as he reached out and gently hugged Jiang Yuebai’s waist.
“Xiaobai, give me some time.”
