Doctor Lu Always Wants To Steal My Baby! Chapter 27
byChapter 27: Senior Brother, Want to Spar?
Knowing that Dad-bi could come along, He Leyan’s lips curled up in a happy smile that didn’t drop the entire way.
Since Lu Changqing had a drink and couldn’t drive, He Chen drove his hovercar to take him back. All the way, he heard the two mouths, big and small, chatting non-stop—mostly He Leyan talking, with Lu Changqing listening, responding, and guiding.
He Chen had never realized how much He Leyan could babble. He could spot an advertisement billboard and ask a thousand whys about it.
When could he become that familiar and natural with him?
He Chen was multitasking: driving, secretly learning how Lu Changqing patiently chatted with He Leyan, and also… secretly touching Lu Changqing’s very high-end and rare hovercar.
Unfortunately, the journey was too short, and he arrived before he could finish touching it.
After parking the hovercar and walking into Lu Changqing’s house, He Chen and He Leyan had another disagreement.
He Chen wanted to go back to their own house to sleep; the new apartment was fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy. However, He Leyan dragged his feet, first saying his small blanket was here, then saying he needed to read a book and take a fragrant bath here first…
He Chen and Lu Changqing, being adults, could clearly see what he was up to.
“The new house hasn’t been thoroughly ventilated. Should Leyan sleep here?” Lu Changqing offered proactively.
He Leyan immediately lifted his small head, his large eyes sparkling, like a fake porcelain doll casting a spell on He Chen.
The air in the new apartment was indeed not great. However, He Chen hesitated for a long time but still didn’t give in.
No other reason—he just didn’t want the cub out of his sight. Since the cub reunited with him, they hadn’t been apart for an entire night.
Lu Changqing noticed this. “If you’re worried, you can stay and sleep with him.”
“Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?” He Chen immediately asked.
“Not at all. I sleep in the master bedroom; we won’t interfere with each other.”
“Then I apologize for the imposition.” He Chen shamelessly stayed.
His toiletries happened to be there. After He Chen helped the cub wash up, he went in to take a shower himself, taking the opportunity to practice a set of punches in the spacious bathroom. He was accustomed to an extremely high daily exercise volume; this set of punches was barely scratching an itch, but scratching it was still better than not scratching it.
After practicing his punches and working up a sweat, he rinsed off and changed into his pajamas before coming out.
Lu Changqing was reading a picture book to He Leyan. He was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, and He Leyan was sitting in the crook of his leg, his head resting against his chest. Hearing something Lu Changqing read, his eyes curved into a smile, and his fine, soft hair trembled against Lu Changqing’s shirt.
He Chen unconsciously stopped at the doorway, waiting for them to finish the last two pages before walking in.
“All done washing?” Lu Changqing asked, glancing at the collar of He Chen’s pajamas before looking away and lifting He Leyan off his lap. “We’re going out tomorrow, so sleep early. Good night.”
“Good night, Dad-bi,” He Leyan replied obediently, reaching up to hug Lu Changqing’s neck. Lu Changqing kissed his hair, and he returned the gesture with a kiss on Lu Changqing’s cheek.
So this was the fixed bedtime ritual?
He Chen tapped his fingers.
“Good night.” Lu Changqing walked past He Chen, who nodded absently.
After Lu Changqing left, He Chen watched He Leyan put the picture book back on the shelf and climb into bed to pull up his small blanket. He hesitated, then sat down on the floor by the head of the bed—a spot where the cub wouldn’t have to strain to reach him for a kiss.
“Good night.”
“Good night.” He Leyan looked at him strangely. “Why are you sitting on the floor?”
“…No reason.” He Chen stood up sheepishly, then sat back down. “I’ll give you a massage.”
“I’m not bloated today.”
“Massage anyway.”
Alright. He Leyan skillfully lifted his small blanket, exposing his little belly, and scooted further into the bed. “Come up and sit.”
Big dummy, hadn’t anyone taught him that sitting on the floor would give him a stomach ache?
He Leyan felt relieved watching He Chen sit on the bed, then closed his eyes comfortably, waiting for the large hand to reach over.
Perhaps he didn’t realize it yet, but he had already grown fond of the silly dad’s… massage.
In just a few minutes, the child, who was satisfied both physically and mentally, fell asleep amidst the warm, comfortable massage.
He Chen continued massaging for a while longer. Only when the child’s breathing became completely even did he stop.
He oddly admired the little thing’s rising and falling belly for two seconds, poked his round, tender little toes, then covered the child with the blanket. He then tiptoed up and walked out.
He was thirsty and wanted to find a bottle of water.
But when he reached the dining area, he stopped.
Lu Changqing was also in the dining area.
He must have just finished showering, wearing a dark blue pajama set that was still impeccably tailored. He was facing away from He Chen, looking at something.
“Senior Brother is still awake?” He Chen asked.
“Just about to sleep.” Lu Changqing paused for a moment, then turned around calmly. “Did you make this?”
Only then did He Chen see that Lu Changqing was holding the butterfly he had made for He Leyan.
“Just showing off a little,” He Chen said, walking closer. “Thank you for the materials, Senior Brother. I didn’t know you liked these things before.”
In the morning, he had seen Lu Changqing’s workshop open, asked for permission, and gone in to use his tools and materials.
“I genuinely didn’t like them originally. One year, I received an exquisite toy and only then became interested.”
Ah, He Chen remembered. One year, he really had nothing else to give, so he made a small trinket to make up the numbers…
So, he was half of Lu Changqing’s guide into this hobby?
Perhaps due to being too influenced by gossip, Lu Changqing had always seemed like a distant, otherworldly figure to He Chen. Of course, after more interaction, this impression had changed somewhat, but Lu Changqing still gave He Chen a feeling of omnipotence.
Discovering that this person shared a small hobby with him, and that he was the one who “taught” him, gave He Chen a strange sense of pride.
“What about you? When did you start playing with these? I didn’t see you liking them when we were studying,” Lu Changqing asked.
“I wasn’t ‘playing.’ This was a tool for making a living when I was little. When I was studying, I barely had time to keep up with my schoolwork, let alone play with this,” He Chen replied, looking at Lu Changqing with a hint of resentment.
The greatest academic hardship he had ever endured was thanks to Lu Changqing. Things like the 108 methods of constructing a stepped mental domain—they made his head spin, and they weren’t even on the exam!
“You were very diligent in your studies.” Lu Changqing either didn’t understand or pretended not to, giving a strangely objective assessment. He looked at He Chen, his voice calm and gentle. “When you were little, you supported yourself?”
“Mhm.” He Chen didn’t want to dwell on his childhood. He turned around and opened the refrigerator door to get water.
Lu Changqing watched his back for a moment, then changed the subject. “Are you preparing for an exam?”
Huh? He Chen turned back, awkwardly noticing another item next to Lu Changqing’s hand—the textbook on Child Educational Psychology that Chu Yunqi had “kindly” given him.
He had taken it out and flipped through a few pages during the day and forgotten to put it away…
“Do you need tutoring?” Lu Changqing asked.
“No need!” He Chen answered instantly.
After answering, he asked somewhat strangely, “Senior Brother studied this too?”
“I studied some. Psychological therapy and mental soothing sometimes complement each other.”
“Senior Brother is truly knowledgeable.”
“Not really,” Lu Changqing replied mildly.
He was indeed knowledgeable, and his mind was certainly not dull, but there were still some things he didn’t understand or wasn’t good at.
For example, he didn’t know why He Chen had blocked him.
Lu Changqing watched impassively as He Chen put away the textbook with a few pages of notes, set down the butterfly that was so delicate it looked like it might fly away if startled, and then looked up at He Chen. “You can use the workshop anytime. There’s also a training room downstairs you can use.”
He could tell He Chen had been exercising earlier.
“Thank you.” He Chen wanted the training room, and he also wanted—
He glanced at the faint outline of Lu Changqing’s body beneath his pajamas, his gaze growing a little fervent. “Senior Brother, want to spar?”
He had improved a lot!
Lu Changqing’s eyes deepened slightly. He also glanced at He Chen, tapping his finger lightly on the table. “Alright.”
Twenty minutes later, He Chen returned to He Leyan’s room, carrying a layer of moisture and deep satisfaction.
Although it was still a draw, this time he had tied based on pure skill!
And it had been a long time since he had fought so exhilaratingly! It was a pity that Lu Changqing reminded him that prolonged combat was ill-advised during the Riot Period and didn’t continue fighting with him.
It must be because Lu Changqing, as a Therapist, had poor stamina!
He Chen thought confidently, confidently lay down next to He Leyan, and confidently hugged the cub who had snuggled over, drifting off to sleep.
The next day, He Chen’s mood was visibly excellent on the way to the camping trip.
The “park” Lu Changqing chose was indeed suitable. After passing one campsite clustered with campers, they didn’t encounter any more people, only natural scenery.
“This place isn’t private property too, is it?” Stepping out of the hovercar and looking at the calm, vast, yet silent lake and meadow before them, He Chen asked casually.
Unexpectedly, Lu Changqing nodded.
He Chen was silent for a moment, speechless. Something stirred in his mental domain. He hesitated, looking at He Leyan. “Leyan, can I let the big wolf out? Far away from you?”
He Leyan was secretly watching He Moyan, dressed in black, setting up the tent. Hearing this, he turned his head, paused for a moment, and nodded seriously. “You can.”
“If you’re scared, I won’t,” He Chen bent down to confirm with him.
“I’m not scared,” He Leyan said, leaning against Lu Changqing’s thigh.
Lu Changqing took his hand and looked at He Chen. “It’s fine. Don’t underestimate Leyan’s courage.”
He wasn’t underestimating it; he was afraid of overestimating it.
But with his “Dad-bi” to bolster his courage, maybe it would be okay?
Seizing the rare opportunity, He Chen gritted his teeth and released the restraint. Space subtly warped for a moment, and a tall, strong, snow-white giant wolf appeared… at least a mile away, beneath a large tree.
He didn’t know what kind of tree it was, but its canopy was white, dense, and heavy, like an inverted sky. The white snow wolf standing beneath its vigorous trunk complemented the scene beautifully and was exceptionally pleasing to the eye—if the snow wolf’s expression hadn’t been so nervous and cautious.
Lu Changqing squatted down and looked at He Leyan. “Shall we try letting it come over?”
He Leyan hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded again.
Lu Changqing looked at He Chen.
He Chen still wasn’t entirely sure, so he controlled the big wolf to approach slowly.
It was so slow it tested one’s patience.
When the big wolf finally reached them, taking one step and stopping for two, Lu Changqing couldn’t help but pick up He Leyan and take a step closer to it. This step seemed to startle the big wolf. It instantly retreated, watching Lu Changqing and He Leyan’s movements warily.
Who was afraid of whom, exactly?
Lu Changqing’s chest vibrated with a soft laugh. He Leyan blushed: Silly Dad’s silly big wolf.
Also—perhaps because Dad-bi was holding him, when he looked at the big wolf, he didn’t feel its size was so overwhelming or scary. Its fluffy white fur was so beautiful, and its sky-blue eyes were also lovely…
He Leyan was staring intently when his finger felt an itch.
He looked down and saw Dad-bi guiding his hand to stroke the big wolf’s back.
The texture of the long fur was like this—a little rougher than a plush doll, but not too rough. It tickled his palm, making him want to stroke it more.
“This is the softest part.” Dad-bi guided his hand over the big wolf’s neck and back, then went to stroke its chin.
Dad-bi seemed experienced. He was absolutely right; the chin was indeed the softest part. But as soon as he scratched it, the big wolf suddenly let out a soft “woof” and its massive body sank to the ground.
Was it angry? He Leyan jumped in surprise and withdrew his finger.
Naturally, it wasn’t angry. The big wolf simply had its own “weak spot,” and being touched there made it tickle.
He Chen felt the tickle vicariously and curled his fingers to hold back.
“It’s just ticklish,” Lu Changqing explained, pulling He Leyan’s hand back. “Follow Dad-bi’s senses.”
He Leyan felt his familiar and reassuring mental fluctuation and instinctively calmed down. Then, he sank into a vast, peaceful world—He Leyan knew it wasn’t a real world, but a corner of Dad-bi’s mental domain.
Dad-bi had linked with him.
But he hadn’t just linked with him.
In the peaceful world, besides the projections of him and Dad-bi, there was an extra ball of white energy—the Snow Wolf.
“Calm down and feel carefully,” Dad-bi said, lifting his small hand and placing it on that ball of energy.
The snow wolf’s actual body temperature was low, feeling cool to the touch, but this ball of energy was very warm.
Warm and gently pulsating.
He Leyan closed his eyes, yet it felt as if he had opened his true “eyes.” Ice fields, snow mountains, cities, space, running, jumping, playing, fighting, getting hurt, worrying, happiness… countless scattered images and surging emotions flashed quickly before his “eyes.”
That was the big wolf’s perspective, the big wolf’s emotions.
This was a special kind of “co-sensing.”
He Leyan had heard Dad-bi explain that only Warriors could co-sense with their Mental Constructs, but there was a special circumstance: whether it was a person or a Mental Construct, when he/it trusted the person linking with them implicitly and opened up unconditionally, the other party could glimpse his/its mind.
He Leyan hadn’t experienced it, but experiencing it for the first time, he understood immediately without needing a reminder.
He was still too young, though. Most of the big wolf’s memories and emotions flowed past him like a great river, completely impossible to capture, except for what the big wolf intentionally conveyed to him.
That was… an embrace. It was the big wolf hugging him and rolling down a flower-covered hillside. It was love, protection, and lots and lots of affection.
The river water receded, and time stood still. He Leyan still hadn’t opened his eyes, but he “saw” the ball of energy condense into the shape of the big wolf, lowering its head and pressing its brow against his palm.
He Leyan’s mind stirred. He gently grasped with his small hand. The big wolf opened its eyes, and he opened his eyes, and then, they both returned to reality.
The big wolf in reality was also looking at him. After a moment, it tentatively lowered its large head and rubbed against his chest.
It tickled.
He Leyan laughed.
He Chen quietly let out a breath.
This smile gave the big wolf immense encouragement. It couldn’t help but change its angle and rub again. Unfortunately, it used too much force and rubbed itself over…
The big wolf froze, and He Chen also froze. He was about to reach out and recall the big wolf when Lu Changqing stopped him as if he had foreseen it.
Lu Changqing prevented him from stepping forward. The two stood far away, watching He Leyan climb up from the ground and proactively hug the big wolf, rubbing his small head against its face.
Ah… He Chen’s face suddenly flushed.
Lu Changqing glanced at him. “You activated co-sensing?”
“What?” He Chen was startled, defending himself as if his tail had been stepped on. “No, I didn’t activate it! At this close distance, I’m co-sensing with it naturally!”
“…I see.” Lu Changqing’s lips twitched slightly. He changed the subject. “You are sometimes overly cautious with Leyan. There’s no need for it. He could have interacted with the big wolf long ago.”
“He can perceive good and bad. He’s not as fragile as you think, and he can’t afford to be that fragile.”
“Can’t?” He Chen looked at Lu Changqing, confused.
“His talent dictates that he will see more things. The future awaiting him is not a simple world. He needs not only a stronger body but also a stronger nervous system,” Lu Changqing explained.
He Chen pondered for a moment and frowned. “I can’t guarantee the future, but at least for now, I want to give him a simple, safe world. Is that… not allowed?”
It wasn’t a rebuttal; he was genuinely asking.
“It’s allowed,” Lu Changqing looked at He Chen for a moment. “Appropriate safety.”
He said this, then turned around to help He Moyan, who was silently and diligently setting up the tent.
He Chen remained where he was, contemplating Lu Changqing’s words while watching the big wolf curl its tail around He Leyan, place him on its back, and start running around happily.
Not so fast, bro, don’t take such big steps! He Chen couldn’t help but transmit his thoughts to the big wolf.
The big wolf transmitted back a reply: Bro is happy!
Happy my big head! He Chen stood still, his expression somewhat strange, as if staring into the void, yet not looking anywhere—at this moment, he was the one who had intentionally activated co-sensing.
For no other reason than he was afraid the big wolf would get too excited and drop Leyan.
Soon, he shared the big wolf’s vision and senses. He galloped across the wilderness with it, the wind of freedom rushing past his ears, and He Leyan’s gasps and laughter on his back!
Damn it, being a wolf is great.
He Chen was somewhat intoxicated by this feeling until he suddenly caught, through the big wolf’s ears, a roar that sounded like both a human and a beast.
“Stop, come back!” He Chen commanded, his body moving simultaneously, shooting toward the big wolf and He Leyan like an arrow released from a bow.