Doctor Lu Always Wants To Steal My Baby! Chapter 21
byChapter 21 Returning to Star Capital
“No need to thank me. Just study hard. I genuinely care about Leyan.”
Chu Yunqi said, ignoring He Chen’s “fiery” gaze, and placed a large piece of tender steak onto He Leyan’s plate. “Leyan, eat up quickly. You must have been starving these past few days. Your dad has nothing good here.”
“I wasn’t starving,” He Leyan said solemnly, though his little mouth didn’t stop chewing for a moment.
He Chen temporarily put aside the topic of the “exam” and busied himself cutting the steak into small cubes for his son. His hands moved so fast the knife seemed to dance, yet he still barely kept up with Leyan’s eating pace.
The mess hall usually had meat, but he had never seen the little guy eat with such relish… So, was their food really that bad?
He Chen felt a pang of discomfort.
He looked up, scanning the dazzling array of food on the serving line and his subordinates who were wolfing down their meals. The discomfort in his heart intensified…
“Does he always give you the cold shoulder too?” Chu Yunqi suddenly spoke.
He Chen snapped back to attention and followed his gaze.
He saw Ning Tian.
Sensing their eyes on him, the fellow’s face grew even colder. He deliberately turned around, presenting his back to their table.
He Chen twitched his mouth, looked back at Chu Yunqi, and said loudly, “Your Highness might not know, but some people are made of ice. They’ve had a cold face since childhood. Other people need air conditioning in the summer, but his family doesn’t. Just plant him on the floor, and the whole room cools down.”
The comment didn’t name anyone, but everyone stifled their laughter and looked toward Ning Tian.
Only He Leyan didn’t laugh—he was too focused on eating meat to notice what the adults were saying.
After eating for a while, however, he noticed He Chen’s plate was still empty. Realizing this, he used his small fork to pick up a piece of crispy roll that looked pretty and delicious, placing it on He Chen’s plate. His small face was slightly flushed. “You eat too.”
He Chen didn’t need to eat; he was already full of sweetness and felt like he was floating.
He took a bite of the crispy roll, savoring the flavor distractedly.
“The surname Ning is quite rare. Which family does he come from? Why haven’t I heard of them?” Chu Yunqi chewed on something, looking in Ning Tian’s direction, seemingly asking casually.
“He doesn’t come from anywhere. He comes from his own family,” He Chen glanced at Chu Yunqi. Why was this guy fixated on someone and refusing to let go?
This meant— “A commoner?”
Chu Yunqi raised an eyebrow. A commoner dared to cut off his communication? Twice!
Chu Yunqi was annoyed, and his voice was a little loud. People nearby who were chatting and laughing looked over—their expressions were strange.
Chu Yunqi couldn’t quite decipher the meaning of those looks, but he felt very uncomfortable being stared at, extremely uncomfortable.
And just then, he suddenly realized a problem: Which noble scion would be willing to come to a dangerous, unprofitable place like the Han River Base?
So— “Did all those ridiculously expensive battle armors I upgraded go to a bunch of commoner cannon fodder?”
He Chen paused. “‘Commoner’ is correct. Why ‘cannon fodder’?”
“Ahem, you know what I mean,” Chu Yunqi lowered his voice. Although this was something everyone tacitly agreed upon, it sounded bad when stated openly. He Chen was right to be concerned.
“Don’t worry, I’ve given the battle armors, and I won’t take them back,” Chu Yunqi said reassuringly, observing He Chen’s expression.
He believed He Chen only cared about the battle armors. The better the armor, the more effectively his cannon fodder subordinates could perform, and the more merit they could accumulate for him. A general’s success is built on ten thousand corpses. He Chen was skilled at playing this game, but he was good at pretending.
“But Cousin, take it easy. Don’t repeat what happened three years ago. Too many deaths don’t look good.”
“Three years ago, what happened?” He Chen had already dropped his smile, his eyes darkening.
“What happened?” Chu Yunqi smiled, lowering his voice even further. “Causing a mine disaster while trying to clear out a pirate nest, which then triggered a landslide, resulting in so many deaths. Cousin, don’t tell me you were completely innocent.”
“Speaking of which, which family encircles space pirates on a star mine? Cousin, were you really fighting pirates, or was your He family having an internal conflict over dividing the spoils with the pirates?”
He finished speaking right next to He Chen’s ear, watching He Chen’s face turn grim, feeling a bit smug. They were all foxes; did He Chen think he could play games with him?
“Your Highness is exceptionally clever.” He Chen let go of the spoon he had squeezed into a distorted shape, suddenly stood up, picked up He Leyan, grabbed He Leyan’s plate, and turned to look for another empty spot—
The restaurant was surprisingly full. The only two connected empty seats were next to Xiang Heng—two sharp-eyed officers had given them up for him.
He Chen hesitated for half a second, then strode over.
“What are you doing? This looks bad.” Seeing He Chen’s poor expression and the way he had abandoned Chu Yunqi, Xiang Heng knew something was wrong. He whispered a warning to He Chen while signaling the officer sitting on the outside to go sit with Chu Yunqi.
“I’d like to see who dares to move.” He Chen dropped the phrase, neither too loud nor too soft.
The atmosphere seemed to freeze. No one dared to move.
Even He Leyan sensed the tension. He frowned slightly, looking at everyone, then at He Chen. He hadn’t heard what He Chen and Chu Yunqi were saying, but he keenly felt that He Chen was in a bad mood. He had been a warm, glowing ball of light, but now he had turned cold and icy.
Xiang Heng patted He Leyan reassuringly, coaxing him to continue eating, then lowered his head to message He Chen: [You endured it for so many days, why throw a tantrum now?]
[Even if you don’t fear him, you need to consider your brothers.]
[If he holds a grudge against Han River, a simple trip-up could potentially ruin one of our brothers’ lives.]
Xiang Heng typed quickly. He knew what He Chen cared about most, sending three messages in a row, hoping to urge He Chen to act cautiously, just as he had reminded the impulsive He Chen countless times in the past.
He Chen pressed his lips together, finally replying with one message:
[Brothers? Do I still have brothers?]
Xiang Heng froze, his fingers tightening. He put down his terminal and calmly answered a question an officer across from him was asking.
He Chen suddenly stood up. “Deng Tie, watch Leyan.”
With that, he picked up a bottle of liquor and strode back to Chu Yunqi. “I’ve put the little one down, Your Highness. I’ll keep you company and have a few good drinks.”
*
No one knew exactly how He Chen managed it, but after the drinking session, Third Prince Chu Yunqi was in high spirits. His face flushed with alcohol, he draped his arm around He Chen’s neck and called him ‘Brother.’
He Chen ordered someone to escort him back to his quarters. Chu Yunqi was still rambling, “I’ll find you a good place to go, with mountains and water, arrange a good school for Leyan, and hire him a few friends so he’ll be happy every day…”
He Chen just wanted to send him away. He felt there was something strange about those words, but he had drunk too fast, and his head was throbbing. He didn’t want to think anymore.
He walked out alone and was stopped at the door by Old Wang the cook. “Commander, have a bowl of tea. It’s for sobering up.”
He Chen glanced at the teacup, turned to scan the now-empty mess hall, and then looked back. “Who told you to brew this?”
“No one,” Old Wang chuckled. “I just have good sense.”
He Chen didn’t ask further, took the bowl, and drank it in one gulp.
By the time He Chen returned to his quarters, the smell of alcohol was gone. He had showered in the training room, brushed his teeth, and gargled half a bottle of mouthwash—he instinctively felt it was wrong to see the child smelling of liquor.
Back in the quarters, He Leyan was still awake, playing with Deng Tie. He Chen stood at the door for a moment and smiled—he realized something: this child was actually greedy for food and play.
That was fine. That was more like his cub.
He Chen dismissed Deng Tie and told He Leyan to lie face down on the bed. “You trained today, so you need a massage, or you’ll be sore all over tomorrow.”
As he stretched the child’s limbs, he asked, “How was training? Are you tired?”
“Not tired,” He Leyan replied, wincing slightly.
He Chen laughed—a genuinely relaxed laugh. “I can tell you’re not tired. You still had the energy to play with a knife.”
Just now, He Leyan had been sparring with Deng Tie using a small wooden knife, only hiding it when he saw He Chen return.
He Leyan blushed slightly. He felt playing with a knife was undignified, and Dad never played with knives… “That’s because I ate too much. Daddy said I needed to move around to help digest the food.”
He paused, then suddenly asked, “Are you in a better mood now?”
He Chen was taken aback. “I wasn’t in a bad mood.”
“You were.” He Leyan flipped over and sat up, his small face serious. “I’m a Healer. I can sense it.”
Right, a three-year-old Healer. He Chen thought, but wisely kept silent.
“Your, your spiritual power is fluctuating. You shouldn’t get angry or anxious,” He Leyan added.
Then he tacked on, “Daddy said so.”
Your Daddy has great authority.
He Chen wanted to say that, but when he met the cub’s clear, concerned eyes, he couldn’t say anything.
His heart just softened.
“Thank you, little Healer.” He laid the cub down, attempting to continue the massage, but the cub reached out a warm little hand and placed it on his wrist, then—
Then nothing happened.
He Leyan’s small face turned red, and he quickly pulled his hand back.
He could occasionally link up successfully and soothe others!
He Chen was stunned for a moment before realizing what the child had been trying to do.
“Thank you, little Doctor He.” He said each word seriously. “I feel much better, truly.”
He Leyan’s face grew redder. He knew he hadn’t done anything…
“Lying is wrong,” he murmured.
“Yes, I was wrong,” He Chen readily admitted.
“And—” He Leyan recalled his Daddy’s original words. “You need to, to pour out the unhappy things so you can fit more happy things inside.”
“Pour it out, all of it,” He Chen said, lowering his head, squeezing He Leyan’s soft hand. When he looked up, his gaze was firm and clear. “Are you really stuffed?”
He touched He Leyan’s little belly: it was round and indeed a bit bloated.
He placed his warm left hand on He Leyan’s stomach, using light pressure to massage it in circles. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t as careful as your Daddy.”
He hadn’t paid special attention to how much the cub could or should eat. He just thought the child’s appetite wasn’t big enough.
His tummy felt warm. He Leyan, who had been closing his eyes like a little fat cat, opened them again when he heard the comment and whispered, “But Daddy never lets me eat too much…”
“So, I have something I’m better at than him?” He Chen chuckled.
He Leyan fell silent, quietly hugging the plush little wolf on the bed.
“Missing him?” He Chen asked.
The cub slept with this plush toy every night. He Chen guessed it was a vessel for his longing.
He Chen knew what it felt like to leave the place you grew up in. He missed his own shabby little house, let alone He Leyan leaving such a wonderful Medical Academy, where so many people cared deeply for him.
He Chen continued to rub the cub’s tummy in circles, simultaneously deciding on a schedule. “Wait until Saturday. Daddy will take you back on Saturday.”
“Really?” He Leyan’s stomach tensed, and he immediately sat up.
“Really.” He Chen gently laid him back down and continued massaging his tummy. “Tomorrow, Daddy will take you to visit the nearby Hanxiao Star to buy specialties and gifts for your Daddy and Doctor Wen. The day after, we’ll pack, and the day after that, we can leave.”
He spoke plainly, but He Leyan listened intently and happily. When He Chen asked, “What does Daddy like?” the cub struggled to think, finally shaking his head. “Daddy doesn’t lack anything.”
Are pediatric doctors paid that well? Poor He Chen paused. “But he must have something he likes, right?”
“Yes.” He Leyan thought again and nodded. “Daddy likes me.”
…He Chen was silent for a moment. “Confidence is a good quality.”
“But Daddy can’t give you to him. Think again. What kind of thing does he like? A ‘thing.’”
Alright. He Leyan thought seriously again. “Flowers. Daddy likes to grow flowers.”
“Growing flowers?” A very tranquil hobby.
“Yes. Daddy says all things have spirits, and every life has its own value and meaning,” He Leyan said with a solemn little face.
Did he memorize every word his Daddy ever said?
“I see.” He Chen sourly noted down the hobby. After a moment of silence, he asked, “What about Doctor Wen?”
“Doctor Wen likes listening to records.” This time, He Leyan didn’t hesitate.
He Chen noted that down too and asked He Leyan, “What do you think of Doctor Wen? Is he good to you?”
“Doctor Wen is very good. He is very kind to me,” He Leyan answered seriously, puffing out his little belly. There was no hesitation at all.
Then there was a chance. He Chen pondered.
In the short term, he still had to play along with the He family and Chu Yunqi, unable to completely break ties. But he absolutely couldn’t allow any of their people to become Leyan’s godfather.
Leyan had high talent, and the risks on his growth path were also high. He Chen wanted to find someone who genuinely liked him and could truly help him to be his godfather.
Wen Yi, who had served as Leyan’s Healer, was He Chen’s top candidate. He had been observing him during their meeting a few days ago and had an excellent impression of the patient, gentle, and upright Doctor Wen.
However, accepting would mean being drawn into the vortex of those people vying for Leyan. He didn’t know if Doctor Wen would be willing. He needed to observe a little longer…
*
“Doctor Wen, is it true? Leyan is coming back right away?!”
“It’s true,” Wen Yi replied, his face beaming with joy as he hurried toward the elevator. “Leyan just called. They’ll be here soon.”
“You’re going to meet Leyan? Let’s go, I’ll join you!” The colleague dropped the work they were handing over and quickly caught up with Wen Yi. “Oh, I’ve missed him so much—”
As the colleague spoke, the elevator door opened with a beep. “Aiya!” The Healer shouted excitedly. “Leyan!”
“Daddy Qin!” He Leyan was also excited, rushing to hug “Daddy Qin’s” leg. Before “Daddy Qin” could react, he was already turning to the next person— “Daddy Wen!”
“Good boy, Leyan.” Wen Yi bent down and stroked the familiar, milk-scented little head. Just as he was about to hug the good cub, he was noisily pushed aside:
“Leyan! Leyan is back!” Almost all the doctors and nurses on the floor had come out, surrounding He Leyan in a tight circle.
Wen Yi was squeezed to the side. He smiled helplessly and looked toward… a tall, long-legged plant that had been ignored since exiting the elevator.
“Commander He?” Wen Yi asked uncertainly, gazing at the pair of long legs that weren’t wearing a military uniform.
“Hello, Doctor Wen.” He Chen revealed half his face from behind the potted plant, greeting Wen Yi in a friendly yet dignified manner.
“Hello. You must be tired from the journey. What is this—” Wen Yi glanced at the half-person-tall potted plant He Chen was holding with both hands. “Please put it down first.”
Wen Yi led He Chen into a spacious conference room next to the elevator, asked He Chen to put the plant down, and shook his hand.
A Healer excitedly walked into the conference room to get water for He Leyan, unconsciously glanced at He Chen, and walked past him.
After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped, looked back at He Chen’s hand, then followed his arm up to his face, inhaling sharply—
“Hello.” He Chen was completely unfazed by the direct stare. He extended his hand politely and gracefully. “I am Leyan’s father, He Chen.”
“Ah, hello!” The Healer snapped back to attention and shook He Chen’s hand, looking somewhat perplexed. “You are Leyan’s father?”
“Yes.” He Chen straightened his back, casting a long, mournful look at the cub, who was surrounded by the crowd and had already forgotten about him.
He really wanted to loudly declare his ownership.
Wen Yi seemed to notice something and curved his lips. “Leyan, aren’t you going to introduce your father to us?”
Huh? The crowd surrounding Leyan parted slightly, everyone looking toward the conference room.
Good heavens, that potted plant was actually a person…
A person with a sharp aura, outstanding features, so outstanding that anyone with eyes couldn’t ignore him.
Only He Leyan, sensing something, completely ignored his own outstanding father and looked in the opposite direction, toward the elevator. His voice was trembling with excitement: “Daddy!!”
Author’s Note:
———————-
They’re going to meet!!
The next chapter will be the VIP chapter, delayed by one hour to update at 0:00 on Wednesday. Thank you sincerely for your support, darlings! [Dog head holding a rose] [Dog head holding a rose] [Dog head holding a rose]
Also, a quick ad for the next novel’s pre-order about raising cubs. Click to collect so you don’t get lost!
—The synopsis for After Hatching Seven Cubs, I Surrendered to My Arch-Enemy is below—
The continent’s number one Demon Dragon, Ye Nanxing, was exceptionally talented and invincible. He could collapse mountains and crack the earth just by bumping into them.
He was lawless and carefree for many years. When he ran out of food, he raided the human race. When he wanted treasures, he borrowed from the human race. When he was bored, he went to his arch-enemy’s palace to cause trouble and watch him seriously organize a dragon-hunting team.
Until one day, the nest of dragon eggs at home hatched one after another, and Ye Nanxing’s carefree days came to an end.
Dragon Egg Number One was a Fire Dragon and needed to drink 380-degree lava.
Number Two was Ice-elemental and needed to sleep on a small bed made of cold ice.
The third cub was weak and timid and couldn’t sleep without hugging a luminous pearl.
…
Ye Nanxing stole lava in the morning, carved ice caves in the afternoon, and had to make a trip to his arch-enemy’s palace to steal jewels at night.
Due to exhaustion, Ye Nanxing fell asleep for a brief moment in his arch-enemy’s palace after stealing the treasure.
He woke up captured.
The walls of his prison were inlaid with luminous pearls, and hot lava rolled beneath the floor. His arch-enemy stared at him coldly, radiating frost.
If he remembered correctly, the Human Emperor Xiao Ji was Ice-elemental, and his bedroom had a large ice bed.
Excellent!
Ye Nanxing looked at the Human Emperor Xiao Ji, tears of joy in his eyes: There are still a few remnants of my evil brood at home. Bring them over too! They’re half yours anyway!