Chapter 66
His voice was so faint that Huo Youqiao wouldn’t have heard it if the surroundings weren’t so quiet.
No one is a fool; deliberate avoidance is something one can sense, especially since Huo Youqiao’s attitude was so clear, like he wanted to cut off all ties.
He had noticed Ye Zhi’s reactions—this timid and self-conscious beta was initially at a loss, always trying cautiously to get closer. After several failed attempts, he finally gave up and started to avoid him proactively.
Even though things went as he had wished, Huo Youqiao was not happy.
Ye Zhi was still talking, his voice so light it was almost indistinguishable, “I never expected anything in return. I treated Ranran well simply because I like her, not to curry favor with you two or to gain some benefit, or to ask for your help… When my mom told me about that, I disagreed and didn’t want to do it. I know you’re not that kind of person…” He spoke each word with difficulty, “I never had bad intentions, never…”
Huo Youqiao listened to every word, each syllable hitting him like a heavy hammer, shattering all his restraint and rationality. After a long time, he finally spoke, “Do you think that’s why I distanced myself from you?”
Ye Zhi looked at him, his cheeks flushed with fever, his eyes glazed with a sheen of tears, making him seem more alive even though he was delirious from the fever.
Huo Youqiao stared at him, enunciating each word, “That was just an excuse to avoid losing control.”
Realizing his feelings and knowing it wasn’t the right path, he tried to steer himself away. But he harbored lingering affection, deceiving himself into wanting to carry on like this until Ye Wan appeared, providing the perfect excuse.
Though it was hard and he knew it hurt Ye Zhi, he had to harden his heart.
However, he still couldn’t avoid it. The runaway train was out of control, and even someone as strong as him couldn’t stop the growing tumult within.
The doctor arrived quickly, initially thinking Huo Ran was ill, only to find it was Ye Zhi again.
“I’ve already taken his temperature. It’s nearly 40 degrees,” Huo Youqiao said, his brow furrowed, his tone steady but full of concern.
The doctor promptly said, “I’ll give him an antipyretic injection first, and then we’ll start an IV drip.” He was very professional, a top-notch attending physician who usually dealt with severe illnesses. Only the Huo family could call on him for something like a fever or suturing wounds.
Ye Zhi was almost unconscious, his cheeks a feverish red. He didn’t react even to the injection, seemingly oblivious to pain. Huo Youqiao was not afraid of needles, but watching the needle pierce Ye Zhi’s skin, he felt the same discomfort he had when seeing his daughtSecond Brothert vaccinated, and couldn’t help but look away.
“Is one IV drip enough?”
The doctor carefully examined Ye Zhi’s condition, feeling his pulse, and said, “He’ll need it for three days. It looks like he’ll be bedridden for a while.”
Huo Youqiao frowned, “Is it that serious?”
“Yes, it seems like an acute cold from the rain, but the illness has been brewing in his body for a long time and just needed a trigger to erupt.” The doctor, familiar with the Huo family for over thirty years, couldn’t help but comment, “Ah Cheng has been too harsh on him. If they’re married, why not cherish him? Leaving him to live cautiously on his own, it’s no wonder he’s so sensitive and easily upset.”
Though the doctor wasn’t directly addressing Huo Youqiao, his eyes darkened.
The doctor continued, “He also seems malnourished, lacking vital energy. I’ll bring some medicine tomorrow for him to take.”
Huo Youqiao’s eyelids twitched, “Malnourished?”
“Yes, he probably hasn’t been eating well recently. His pulse is weaker than last time,” the doctor said, well-versed in traditional medicine and able to diagnose much just by looking at and feeling the patient.
“This illness is severe but also an opportunity. It’s good the sickness is coming out; otherwise, it could lead to more significant issues later. But he needs to keep a positive mindset. Ah Qiao, try to persuade Ah Cheng to stop mistreating him. He’ll regret it someday.”
Huo Youqiao, who had some nursing knowledge, stayed after the doctor set up the IV drip. For over two hours, he sat by the bed, watching the IV fluid drip, never looking away from Ye Zhi.
The more he watched, the more he noticed Ye Zhi’s frailty. His wrist, where the needle was inserted, was so thin it seemed it could break with a squeeze. His hands were emaciated, the veins and bones protruding.
He hadn’t been eating well recently.
