Chapter 88 "Going Home?"
The afternoon's work went on as planned, and Lin Che forced himself to focus all his energy on the patient. The only sounds in the clinic were the whirring of instruments, his gentle inquiries, and the rustling of medical records being written.
He deliberately ignored the occasional hesitant or evasive glances from some of his colleagues when they passed by the door.
He knew that the scene in the cafeteria must have quickly fermented and become the biggest topic of conversation in the hospital today.
But so what?
Why should Lin Che explain his actions to irrelevant people?
He only cared about Lu Yu's opinion, and Lu Yu... Thinking of that man, Lin Che's tense heartstrings relaxed a little.
Lu Yu'an seemed to be settling in well in the nursery class. Teacher Wang had sent a message saying that the little guy was calm after his nap and was listening to stories with other children. This made Lin Che breathe a sigh of relief. At least An'an wasn't being disturbed too much.
The sky outside the window darkened earlier than usual, and gray clouds pressed down low, brewing a snowstorm.
After Lin Che finished processing the last medical record, he rubbed his sore neck, glanced at the time, and prepared to pick up An An from get off work.
He packed his things, put on his coat, and just as he opened the door of the clinic, he suddenly stopped.
In the corridor outside the clinic, Lu Yu's tall figure was standing there quietly. He was wearing a well-tailored dark grey coat that made his shoulders broad and his legs long. He brought with him the crisp chill from outside, but it did not detract from his calm and imposing aura.
He seemed to have just arrived and was about to knock on the door when his deep gaze fell on Lin Che's face, with a barely perceptible trace of concern and understanding.
"Why are you here?" Lin Che was really surprised. He walked forward quickly and a smile appeared on his face without him even noticing. "Didn't you say you were very busy today?" He naturally stretched out his hand, wanting to touch Lu Yu's hand to see if it was cold.
Lu Yu was a step faster than him. He didn't answer Lin Che's question, but instead reached out and wrapped his warm, broad palm around Lin Che's slightly cool hand, gently squeezing it to check its temperature. Then, he took the bag containing Lin Che's personal belongings with perfect ease, his movements as if they'd been practiced a thousand times.
"It's going to snow soon," Lu Yu's voice rang out in a low voice. His eyes swept across the gloomy sky outside the window, and finally fell back on Lin Che's face. "I'm worried if I don't pick you up."
When the snowstorm was about to come, he came to take him home, that was all.
Lin Che felt relieved, a genuine smile spreading across her eyes. She then held Lu Yu's hand tightly, "An An is in the nursery class. Let's go pick him up."
"Okay." Lu Yu took his hand and turned to walk towards the childcare center with steady and powerful steps.
Occasionally, someone passed by in the corridor and saw the two people walking side by side. Especially Lu Yu's iconic cold face and powerful presence, they subconsciously slowed down their steps, glanced at them quickly and then looked away.
All the unbearable noise seemed to be completely isolated, leaving only the silent understanding and warmth between the two people.
When Lu Yu'an was picked up, the little guy saw Lu Yu and happily rushed over to call him "Uncle". Lu Yu leaned over and easily picked up the little guy, weighed him and asked in a deep voice: "Have you been obedient today?" An An did not answer, but just giggled and hugged his neck.
When I walked out of the hospital building, fine snowflakes had already begun to fall from the lead-gray sky, quickly covering the ground with a thin layer of silver.
Lu Yu held An An in one hand and opened a large black umbrella with the other, which firmly covered Lin Che and his own head while he was holding An An.
In the cold wind, the space under the umbrella becomes a warm world in itself.
Lu Yu'an watched the falling snowflakes excitedly, reaching out his little hand to catch them. Lin Che leaned against Lu Yu's side, feeling the steadying strength of his arms. She looked at the carefree child in her arms and the world outside the umbrella gradually becoming covered in white. The filth and chaos she had experienced that afternoon now seemed as distant as if it were a lifetime ago.
Lu Yu tilted his head slightly, his chin almost brushing against Lin Che's hair. His deep voice was especially clear amidst the sound of falling snow, "Go home?"
"Yeah." Lin Che looked up at him, the tiny snowflakes and Lu Yu's deep eyes reflected in her eyes. "Go home."
————
The car drove steadily on the road that was gradually covered with snow. The heater was on high, isolating the cold outside the window.
The car was completely silent, with only the faint sound of tires rolling over the light snow.
The nerves that had been tense for a whole day finally relaxed completely, and the sense of security next to Lu Yu was like the warmest cocoon.
Lin Che held Lu Yu'an, who had already fallen asleep, in his arms. His consciousness also fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, and his breathing was even and long.
The car stopped in the courtyard of the old house, the engine turned off. Lu Yu turned his head and looked over. In the passenger seat, a large and a small child were snuggling together, fast asleep.
Lin Che's head tilted slightly toward the car window, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath his eyes. His cheeks flushed slightly from the warmth. His arms, still holding An An, maintained a protective posture. An An's face was buried in his chest, her mouth slightly open in sleep.
Lu Yu's eyes softened, and he didn't wake them up immediately. He watched them quietly for a while before unbuckling his seat belt and getting out of the car very quietly.
The heavy carved door of the old house was open. Song Wanzhi was standing under the porch, wrapped in a thick cashmere shawl. Aunt Qu stood beside her with a large umbrella, shielding her from the falling snow. Seeing Lu Yu get out of the car, Song Wanzhi immediately cast a concerned look inside the car.
"Are they all asleep?" Song Wanzhi lowered her voice, filled with deep heartache and doting, her eyes lingering on the two figures cuddling in the car.
Lu Yu nodded without saying anything, walked to the passenger door and gently opened it.
A chilly breeze, swirling with tiny snowflakes, drifted in through the open door, but was quickly blocked by Lu Yu's tall figure and the remaining warmth inside the car. He didn't try to wake Lin Che, but instead carefully leaned in.
He first gently supported Lu Yu'an's little head and back with his warm big hands, and then very slowly and steadily moved the little guy out of Lin Che's arms.
An An wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction and hummed in her sleep, but surrounded by her uncle's familiar scent, she soon fell asleep again, with her little head resting softly on Lu Yu's broad shoulders.
Lu Yu carefully withdrew with An An in his arms, turned around and placed his sleeping nephew steadily in Song Wanzhi's arms. Song Wanzhi skillfully adjusted the position so that An An could rest comfortably on her shoulder, and Aunt Qu immediately covered the little ball with the umbrella.
After settling the little one down, Lu Yu's gaze returned to the passenger seat. Lin Che was still sound asleep, oblivious to the surroundings. He subconsciously curled up, his brow furrowed slightly, feeling the emptiness in his arms.
Lu Yu didn't hesitate at all. He quickly took off his dark grey coat which still had body temperature, and carefully covered Lin Che with it, wrapping him from shoulders to calves, to ensure that Lin Che would not be affected by the cold when he was carried out.
He bent down, and his powerful arms carefully passed through Lin Che's knees and back. His movements were remarkably steady, and Lin Che's body felt the support and warmth in his sleep. His slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and he even unconsciously pressed his cheek closer to Lu Yu's warm chest, letting out a very soft, contented sigh.
Lu Yu steadily carried Lin Che out, using his body to shield him from the wind and snow. With steady and resolute steps, he ascended the snow-covered stone steps toward his mother, who was waiting under the porch.
"It's cold outside, let's go inside." Lu Yu said to his mother in a very low voice.
Song Wanzhi watched as her son walked closer, holding the sleeping Lin Che in his arms. The tall and steady son was holding another slender figure who seemed particularly dependent at this moment. This silent scene was worth a thousand words.
Her eyes were filled with love and relief. She nodded gently, holding An An and turning around to signal Aunt Qu to open the door.
————
Lu Yu tiptoed out of the bedroom on the second floor, closed the door and walked down the wide spiral staircase.
Song Wanzhi was standing at the stairs, holding Lu Yu'an, who had just woken up and was still a little dazed. The little guy rubbed his eyes, his head resting on his grandmother's shoulder. When he saw Lu Yu coming down, he softly called out "Uncle".
"Still sleeping?" Song Wanzhi looked up at her son, her voice soft and her eyes full of concern.
Lu Yu nodded, walked down the last few steps, reached out naturally to take the still dazed Lu Yu'an, and let him lean on his arms, "Yeah, you're sleeping very soundly." He looked down at An An, the little guy closed his eyes again, his little hands unconsciously tugging at the front of his shirt, obviously not fully awake yet.
"This child..." Song Wanzhi sighed softly, with undisguised heartache in her eyes, "It's really not easy to go to work, and be so tired."
Lu Yu didn't answer, but just hugged An An and patted his back gently. Aunt Qu brought hot tea and placed it on the coffee table. The hot steam and the fragrance of tea spread out.
Lu Yu'an regained consciousness in his uncle's secure embrace, twisting his body to get out. Lu Yu placed him on the thick carpeted floor, and the little guy's attention was immediately drawn to an exquisite ceramic pony figurine on a nearby low table. He staggered over and began to curiously fiddle with it.
Lu Yu then sat down on the sofa opposite his mother, picked up the teacup but did not drink it immediately, "Mom, has Jinshu contacted you these days?"
The kindness on Song Wanzhi's face faded slightly, a look of worry taking over. She picked up her teacup, her fingertips caressing the warm walls. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke, "She called yesterday afternoon." Her voice dropped even lower, and she subconsciously glanced at An An, who was concentrating on playing with her pony, to make sure the child wasn't listening. "She simply said she's here with you, and she has some things to take care of for a few days."
Lu Yu's brows furrowed slightly. This was consistent with Jinshu's personality: to report safety but never to bring up the core of her pain. "How's she doing? Listen on the phone."
"Holding on." Song Wanzhi's brows knitted together, her voice filled with heartache. "That child has always been strong-willed. She was smiling on the phone, saying everything was fine and asking me not to worry. But that laughter... just made me feel sore and weak. Before she hung up, I thought she sniffed..."
Lu Yu tapped his knuckles lightly on the armrest of the sofa, a habit he made when thinking. For a moment, the only sounds in the living room were the gentle knocking sounds of An An fiddling with the pony and the whistling of the growing wind and snow outside the window.
"It's Jiang Tingyun." Lu Yu's voice was low and certain, not a question.
Song Wanzhi's eyes shot up, a flicker of surprise flashing before being replaced by realization and even deeper worry. "How...how did you know? Did Jinshu tell you?" She subconsciously glanced at An An again. The little guy seemed to have lost interest in the pony and was trying to climb onto the sofa.
Lu Yu did not directly answer his mother's question. His eyes fell on An An, watching Lin Che's little nephew trying clumsily but hard to climb up. He reached out and gently supported the little guy's butt, then carried him steadily to sit on the sofa next to him.
An An immediately seemed to have found a supporter. She leaned her little body against her uncle's strong arms, and her little hands habitually grabbed Lu Yu's sleeves.
"She came home that day with her eyes swollen like peaches, and she entrusted An An to us." Lu Yu's voice was calm, but every word carried weight. "I asked her if it was Jiang Tingyun. She acquiesced."
Song Wanzhi gasped, her well-maintained hands tightly gripping the edge of her shawl. "That bastard...what is he doing back here? What else does he want to do?!" Her voice trembled slightly with anger and worry.
"The specific purpose is still unclear." Lu Yu's eyes became sharp. "Jinshu only said that she had an appointment with a lawyer. She should have met with him this morning."
"Lawyer?" Song Wanzhi's heart was in her throat. "He...he might be trying to snatch An An away from her, right?" This was her deepest fear. An An was Jinshu's life.
"It's very likely." Lu Yu's voice turned cold, "Otherwise Jinshu wouldn't be like this, and wouldn't have specially sent An An to us." He lowered his head to glance at the little guy snuggling up to him. An An was looking up at the serious expressions of his uncle and grandmother with his little face tilted up, and seemed to feel a hint of uneasiness, and his little mouth pursed slightly.
Lu Yu was just about to say a few more words to comfort Song Wanzhi, when he looked up and saw Lin Che standing on the spiral staircase, rubbing his eyes with a confused look on his face.
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