Shen Yuan had been in a deep sleep for half a day, and their little baby had been napping quietly in the crib.
Hailou glanced between the two of them, and even in slumber, the resemblance between father and son was faintly visible.
While Shen Yuan rested, Hailou had no time to relax—there were a thousand little tasks to manage—but he felt a strange sense of fulfillment, busily occupied yet content. Previously, he worked hard to satisfy his own career ambitions, but now, though further progress was possible, the fluctuation of numbers on a balance sheet no longer thrilled him.
The arrival of this tiny life had given him a brand-new sense of responsibility.
Though small and delicate, this was a major long-term project—a project requiring sustained care, patience, and meticulous attention, lasting at least eighteen years before any results could truly be seen. Fail to guide it properly, and it could end up like Prince Qin, bringing trouble to the entire family.
The team of professors who had assisted was equally thrilled. They conducted a series of thorough examinations, all confirming that the baby was healthy.
Professor Haywood exclaimed, “This truly is a miracle!”
A younger female postdoc on the team, more emotional, wiped tears from her eyes. “I feel like half his mother. It’s incredible that he’s come into the world safely.”
Others chimed in agreement. Most of them were still single and childless, pouring their parental affection into this baby with no blood relation. They even spent their own money on gifts for him. Hailou told them the baby’s nickname was “Little Peanut,” and so they all affectionately called him “Peanut.”
Hailou thanked them countless times. These past months had not been without crisis; without the careful, conscientious efforts of the professors and their team, the baby might not have safely entered the world.
Professor Haywood shyly asked, “May I continue to observe the baby’s growth? Perhaps you could bring him in every six months to a year for checkups, so we can record developmental data. Of course, we’ll cover the costs of these visits. If you’d rather not, I’ll respect your decision.”
Hailou hesitated. “…Let me check with my husband when he wakes. Once we agree, we’ll let you know.”
Hailou worked tirelessly with no complaint. Even Li Lin’s father, Li Chen, couldn’t fault him now, seeing the dark circles under his eyes and his exhausted expression. “You haven’t slept since yesterday. Go rest—you have me and Aunt Lin here to watch over things.”
Hailou, rarely hearing such concern, felt a twinge of disbelief. “I’m fine. I’ve been busier before. I’ll rest after Shen Yuan wakes—I can’t relax until he’s okay. No matter how tired I am, I can’t compare to him; he’s the one who truly suffered.”
Aunt Lin looked at Hailou anew. Who would have imagined the former playboy could be tamed like this? Shen Yuan had endured the world’s blame and risked his life to be with him and bear their child. Everyone sacrifices for love, but only if it’s acknowledged—not taken for granted. A simple word of concern was enough.
Hailou insisted on staying awake, and no one could force him to sleep.
When Shen Yuan stirred, still groggy, he murmured, “Hailou…”
His voice was so soft it almost seemed imagined. Li Chen and Aunt Lin didn’t react immediately—until they saw Hailou drop what he was doing and rush to the bedside in a flash.
Even a dog wouldn’t run that fast at the call of its owner.
Hailou reached the bed first, holding Shen Yuan’s hand. “I’m here. What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Shen Yuan turned his head slightly, shaking it. “Is the baby out?”
“Yes, and he’s very healthy. Are you in pain now?” Hailou asked.
Shen Yuan nodded and shook his head at the same time. “The surgery didn’t hurt much, but now… it does a little.”
After all, his abdomen had been cut open.
“Hungry? There’s chicken soup and porridge, warm,” Hailou offered.
Shen Yuan didn’t feel like eating yet, but drank a few sips of water.
Exhaustion weighed down his eyelids like lead. He intended to rest a bit more, but when he opened his eyes, he saw moisture in Hailou’s eyes and teased, “Hey, I was the one cut open, and I barely felt anything. Why are you crying? Embarrassing, isn’t it? A grown man your age crying like this?”
Hailou couldn’t argue; he would have laughed at himself a year ago, but now he was too worried to joke. “I’m scared. As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.”
He kissed Shen Yuan’s fingers. “Sleep some more.”
For the first time, Hailou realized how powerless he was in the face of life. Whenever Shen Yuan was in danger, all he could do was worry and wait; money meant nothing.
This battle had finally reached a lull—they could relax a little.
Shen Yuan nodded and closed his eyes, frowning lightly.
Hailou gently stroked his eyebrows, massaging acupoints on his head. Gradually, the tension melted away, and Shen Yuan sank back into sleep.
Hailou exhaled, ready to rest himself.
Then Shen Yuan stirred again. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, “Can I start rehab tomorrow? Will I be able to leave the hospital when the baby turns one month? I finally gave birth… I want to make it back for the new semester. If I wait, I’ll have to wait until spring.”
Hailou didn’t know what to say. Was this a little workaholic or a study fanatic? Half a day after giving birth, he was already thinking about returning to school.
Hailou worried about his recovery. “Don’t rush. Rest and regain your strength first.”
Shen Yuan, anxious yet determined, insisted, “A month or so should be enough, right? We’ve already delayed six months. You promised I could go back to school after the baby… Are you lying? Trying to keep me home to take care of the baby?”
Only someone young could recover from major surgery so quickly and still argue with such vigor. Hailou sighed. “I’m not lying. You quit your job so you could focus on studying. I just worry your body isn’t ready. If the doctor clears you for discharge, I’ll accompany you back to school. If not, you stay until fully recovered. Once you’re ready, you can resume your studies. Okay?”
Shen Yuan reluctantly agreed. “Okay…”
From his angle, he couldn’t see the two people in the room.
Li Chen and Aunt Lin were stunned, exchanging glances. Hailou really let himself be scolded and bossed around without complaint.
Seeing their surprised expressions, Hailou felt a bit embarrassed, but what could he do? A man’s pride was meaningless here. Spoiling one’s wife, coaxing her, obeying her—there was nothing wrong.
Absolutely nothing.
Right and proper! Justified!
Hailou cleared his throat. “Could you watch over him for a couple of hours? I’ll sleep for two.”
Li Chen: “Okay…”
After just over two hours of sleep, Hailou was back on his feet, running between Shen Yuan’s room and the nursery.
He found himself unusually anxious, worrying even that the hospital might mix up the babies. Their hard-earned baby had to be safe. Thankfully, it was a foreign hospital, with babies of all skin tones—it was unlikely—but he still meticulously recorded every little detail: birthmarks, moles, nail shape, toe length, hair whorls, direction of growth.
He even pondered which traits the baby inherited—like the hair whorl, clearly from Shen Yuan. In the future, the child would likely have Shen Yuan’s beautiful, soft black hair.
During the long holiday, Li Chen was abroad on business, giving Li Lin the chance he had long desired. Originally, his father would never have allowed him to fly overseas to see his brother.
Student travel visas were easy to arrange. Li Lin used his savings, booked a plane ticket, packed the gift he had prepared for his brother, and boarded the flight.
Fearless and determined, Li Lin navigated the foreign city with careful planning. An old middle school classmate studying abroad met him, helping him locate Shen Yuan’s training site.
After much effort, he found the location—but the staff told him Shen Yuan wasn’t there.
“No, you must be wrong. Check the name again,” Li Lin insisted.
They replied, “We have a Shen Yuan on the roster, but he didn’t attend training. He’s not here.”
Li Lin was stunned. Where was his brother?
Frantically, he tried calling several times—no answer. His heart sank.
A friend asked, “What’s wrong? You didn’t find him?”
Li Lin took a deep breath and called his father. This time, the line connected.
“Hello? Li Lin?” Li Chen answered.
Li Lin, panicked, confessed, “Dad, I’m in the capital of E country. I came to see my brother, but he’s not at his training company. I can’t reach him by phone. I’m worried… did something happen?”
Li Chen didn’t answer immediately. He covered the phone’s microphone and glanced at Shen Yuan, who was sitting up in bed, holding the baby.
Hailou was adjusting Shen Yuan’s posture. “Your hand goes like this… yes, supporting his neck. Perfect.”
Shen Yuan looked up, smiling brightly.
Li Lin’s voice came from the other end. “Dad? Dad? What should I do?”
“He’s fine. I know where he is. Find a place to stay and send me the hotel name and address. I’ll contact you shortly.”