The Flower Of The High Mountain Is Pregnant With The Son Of The Sand Sculpture Ceo Chapter 61
byChapter 61 Arranging the Surgery
Lu Shangyan regretted his words immediately after saying them. He turned to look at Jian Guo and Zhao Jian beside him, forcing a smile. “I’ve been overthinking things lately. Don’t pay any attention to it.”
Jian Guo stood up. “Are you serious?”
The way he asked proved he didn’t believe it at all.
Zhao Jian also stood up. “When did you find out? Why didn’t you tell us directly?”
Lu Shangyan shook his head. “I didn’t find out. Didn’t I just say? I’ve been particularly prone to overthinking things recently.”
Zhao Jian moved closer to him. “Something’s not right. What exactly is going on?”
Jian Guo added, “What right does he have to monitor you? You haven’t done anything wrong!”
Lu Shangyan sat on the bed, his expression stiffening slightly, but he tried his best to appear relaxed. “Seriously, nothing is going on. I just didn’t get to eat the grapes, and I started overthinking again.”
“The doctor said this is normal for me. Sometimes I can’t control my sadness. The other day, I was standing on the balcony watering flowers and suddenly started crying. I didn’t even know what was wrong with myself.”
“I’m really fine. Can you just pretend you didn’t hear what I said? If something was really wrong, I would tell you.”
Jian Guo wanted to press further but was grabbed by the arm by Zhao Jian. “Alright, since you’re fine, we won’t ask.”
Jian Guo glared at him. “If you won’t ask, I will. You might not treat Lu Shangyan as a friend, but I do!”
“What Pei Yumin is doing is wrong. If there’s no basic trust, why even get married!”
Lu Shangyan’s expression changed instantly. “No, he trusts me very much. I was just talking nonsense.”
“I came back to the hospital today, and I didn’t sleep well this morning. I want to rest for a bit.”
Zhao Jian wanted to rush over and cover his mouth, but in the end, he just forcefully pulled Jian Guo out. “You must be tired after a whole day of running around. Rest up. We’ll come see you when we have time tomorrow.”
Jian Guo was still struggling, desperately trying to stay and get all the facts straight, but Zhao Jian, despite looking gentle, had surprising strength. He dragged Jian Guo all the way to the elevator before letting go.
Jian Guo immediately became angry. “So what if Pei Yumin is powerful? What does that have to do with us! You can’t be afraid of him just because he’s powerful. Lu Shangyan is our friend. He has no parents and is all alone. If we don’t stand up for him now, who will!”
Zhao Jian sighed, uncharacteristically not arguing with him directly. “Your intentions are good, but didn’t you see Lu Shangyan’s expression just now?”
“He clearly doesn’t want us to know about this. If you keep asking, you’ll only embarrass him.”
Jian Guo watched the elevator descend floor by floor. “That’s just how he is—he’s extremely tolerant. That’s why we should help him even more, or he’ll definitely be bullied even more!”
He found the elevator too slow. Once they reached the first floor, he tried to shake off Zhao Jian and rush back up to find Lu Shangyan. This time, he was determined to point his finger at Pei Yumin and give him a good scolding!
Zhao Jian said, “This is ultimately their private matter. They are married now, and they even have a child—something that seemed impossible. What good would it do Lu Shangyan to blow this up now?”
“Think about it. Given Lu Shangyan’s condition, if Pei Yumin wasn’t helping him find reliable doctors and keeping him in the hospital, would it even be possible for him to carry a child? Have you considered the risks?”
Jian Guo clenched his fists. “But that’s no reason for Pei Yumin to bully him! That child isn’t Lu Shangyan’s alone!”
Zhao Jian took a deep breath. “I usually think you’re a smart kid, so why are you so confused at a critical moment?”
“Lu Shangyan clearly knew about this a long time ago, but he never said anything, which means he accepts Pei Yumin ‘monitoring’ him this way. The only reason he brought it up in front of us today is exactly what he said—his emotions got the better of him, and he couldn’t hold it in.”
“That means the couple hasn’t discussed or resolved this privately yet. You think you’re Lu Shangyan’s friend, but tell me, which is more important: a friend, or his husband and the father of his child?”
“Pei Yumin has done so much for Lu Shangyan and helped him so much. Didn’t you hear Lu Shangyan say before that if it weren’t for Pei Yumin in Chong County, he wouldn’t have made it back!”
Jian Guo was speechless for a long time after this barrage of words. Seeing that his emotions had finally stabilized, Zhao Jian softened his voice. “Even if we want to interfere, it has to be when Lu Shangyan wants us to.”
“After everything he’s been through, he’s not a child anymore. He can handle many things himself. Besides, do you know what their relationship dynamic is like, or what kind of life they prefer? What if they’re both willing participants?”
“If you suddenly run up there and stir things up, it might not be a good thing for Lu Shangyan!”
Jian Guo finally calmed down and stopped trying to rush upstairs. Only when they walked out of the hospital entrance did he stomp his foot in frustration. “Why?! How can you see so much so clearly!”
Why couldn’t he see any of it!
Zhao Jian adopted the posture of an elder, standing at the door and lighting a cigarette. “How many years have you been eating? I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten white rice.”
“Besides, how many years have I been in a relationship? What would a little kid like you know about this?”
Jian Guo scoffed. “Just you wait. Next time, I definitely won’t lose to you.”
—
The nurse aide upstairs introduced herself to Lu Shangyan. She had been personally hired by Pei Yumin, but Lu Shangyan felt that her identity was not as simple as just a hospital aide.
Lu Shangyan watched her wrap the grapes in paper and place them on a nearby table. “Mr. Pei will check them when he returns. I’ll throw them away after he’s seen them.”
She maintained a smiling expression, seemingly unfazed by what had just happened.
Lu Shangyan lay down and tossed and turned several times before sitting up irritably and looking at her. “Don’t tell Pei Yumin what I just said.”
The nurse aide smiled at him but didn’t say yes or no.
Lu Shangyan sighed and tugged at the hair on his forehead, wondering how to resolve this matter later.
Zhao Jian and Jian Guo had been gone for a while, and there was no movement in the group chat. He still needed to figure out how to explain things to them later.
He had been a bit impulsive today, all because of a few grapes he didn’t get to eat…
He draped his arm over his eyes, his mind a mess. His nose stung, and he felt like crying again.
The aide saw his state and poured him a glass of water. “Madam Yuan said she steamed some crabs for you and asked how many you’d like to eat.”
Lu Shangyan blinked his red eyes. “Ask Pei Yumin about that from now on.”
He was still upset.
He was now hoping the aide would tell Pei Yumin, and also hoping she wouldn’t.
But mostly, he hoped Pei Yumin wouldn’t pretend not to know after finding out and would proactively give him an explanation.
Just as he was thinking this, the aide’s phone rang. She stepped out to take the call, and when she returned, she washed all the grapes on the table again. When she brought them back, Lu Shangyan felt they barely looked like grapes anymore.
The aide selected three decent-looking grapes and placed them in his palm. “Young Master Pei said you can eat them now.”
Lu Shangyan didn’t move. He just looked up and scanned the room. “Where is the camera?”
The aide simply gestured for him to eat the grapes. Lu Shangyan initially wanted to throw them away but couldn’t bring himself to. He stuffed them all into his mouth, finished them, and then flopped heavily back onto the bed, startling the aide, who quickly reached out. “Oh, be careful.”
Lu Shangyan tossed and turned heavily a few more times, determined to torment himself. After a short while, his phone rang. It was Pei Yumin. He deliberately ignored it and continued to thrash around.
Pei Yumin called three times, but Lu Shangyan didn’t even look at them.
So Pei Yumin switched to texting:
[M: I was wrong. Answer the phone, and I’ll talk to you now.]
Lu Shangyan glanced at it and answered this time. The moment the call connected, Lu Shangyan heard the sound of wind on Pei Yumin’s end. It was so loud that even Lu Shangyan, hidden inside the room, felt the chill.
Pei Yumin said, “I’m sorry. I really couldn’t help but watch over you.”
Lu Shangyan bit his tongue. “Tell me where the camera is right now, and I’ll listen to your explanation.”
Pei Yumin was silent for a few seconds. “There’s a small shark doll on the TV cabinet. It’s holding a pufferfish. That pufferfish is plastic. You can open it; it’s inside.”
Lu Shangyan hung up immediately after hearing this, not giving Pei Yumin a chance to say another word.
He then put on his slippers, got out of bed, and quickly walked over to the doll. He took apart the small pufferfish and saw the small, red-flashing object inside.
He held it in his palm and looked at it for a long time. Then, he placed it, along with the doll, on the bedside table, facing his bed, and lay back down.
After all that commotion, he was genuinely tired. He fell asleep shortly after lying down and didn’t even know when Pei Yumin returned.
Perhaps Pei Yumin didn’t know how to face him right now, so he deliberately kept his movements quiet, which was why he hadn’t woken him up.
His nap wasn’t long; he woke up in less than half an hour. When he woke up, Yuan Qingyu was sitting beside his bed.
Yuan Qingyu smiled when she saw him wake up. “I was thinking of letting you sleep for five more minutes. If you weren’t awake by then, I was going to wake you up.”
She opened the two thermos containers she had brought. “Three dishes and one bowl of soup.”
After speaking, she leaned closer to Lu Shangyan and whispered, “I also secretly brought you an extra crab. Pei Yumin only wanted you to have one.”
He sat down at the dining table. The nurse aide only started tidying up after he woke up, and several boxes were still unpacked.
Lu Shangyan looked around and asked Yuan Qingyu, “Where is he?”
Mentioning him made Yuan Qingyu roll her eyes. “Who knows what madness suddenly struck him? He said there was an urgent company matter to handle and went back to the office.”
Then she thought it might be better that he left. “It’s good that he went. That way, I can let you eat one more crab.”
“When I was pregnant with him, everything was exactly the same as usual. Now, seeing him manage you like this, I feel indignant for you. You have to eat your favorite foods according to strict schedules and quantities.”
“It’s hard enough carrying a child. If you can’t eat what you crave, isn’t that even more miserable?”
Lu Shangyan picked up his phone and sent a message to Pei Yumin.
[S: You said you’d buy me grapes. Where are my grapes?]
[M: I bought them. They’re in the fridge. Ask Aunt Liu to wash them for you.]
[M: The blanket you wanted is also bought. The aide should have put it in the cabinet. Remember to take it with you when you go out for a walk after dinner.]
He replied quickly. He didn’t seem busy working overtime at the company at all.
[S: Come back and wash them for me yourself.]
This time, Lu Shangyan waited a long time, but Pei Yumin didn’t reply. However, it kept showing “is typing…” Lu Shangyan never found out what he ended up typing.
Yuan Qingyu was still watching him, so he couldn’t show too much emotion. Seeing that Pei Yumin wasn’t replying, he put down his phone and ate obediently. He ate everything cleanly, which instantly boosted Yuan Qingyu’s confidence.
After Lu Shangyan finished eating, Yuan Qingyu accompanied him for a walk outside. When they sat down on a bench to sunbathe, she touched the small blanket covering him and asked, “Did Yumin buy this for you?”
Lu Shangyan nodded. The blanket was goose-yellow and green. It looked expensive, and touching it confirmed it was even more so.
Yuan Qingyu touched it a few more times and said, “Your father and I want to find a psychologist for Yumin.”
Lu Shangyan froze. After a long time, he turned to look at her. “Is it that serious?”
Yuan Qingyu said, “You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you? Yumin’s condition hasn’t been good lately. Although he tries his best to act normal and talks to us with a smile every day—he even argued with Tang Suichen this morning—his eyes don’t lie. His eyes look very sad.”
She shook her head. “It’s not exactly sadness. Your father and I both feel something is very wrong. He always seems tense.”
Lu Shangyan nodded. “It must be because of me. He’s worried something might happen to me.”
Yuan Qingyu reached under the blanket and held his hand resting on his stomach. “Your father and I thought maybe we just needed to get through this period until Tun Tun is born, but his condition is really too severe now. I’m worried something might happen to him.”
“He’s never taken anything to heart since he was little, so this is the first time he’s been like this, and your father and I are at a loss about how to fix it.”
“Shangyan, I hope you can talk to him more, okay? Even though you should be the one being taken care of right now. But at least, talk to him more, alright?”
Lu Shangyan avoided her eyes and softly agreed.
Yuan Qingyu chuckled softly. “Mom isn’t saying this to blame you. It’s right for him to worry about you. After all, Tun Tun is his child too, and you’re a boy going through so much hardship for him. It’s understandable that he’s distressed.”
“I’m afraid if he keeps getting stuck in this rut, he might…” She sniffled, stopping short. “Never mind. That brat has good fortune and a long life. Nothing will happen to him.”
A cold breeze blew past. Yuan Qingyu wrapped the blanket tighter around him and stood up. “The wind is picking up. Let’s go back. If you catch a chill, he’ll call non-stop.”
Lu Shangyan stood up. After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped. “Mom, take me to his company to see him.”
Yuan Qingyu wanted to agree but was worried about his comfort. “Can you manage right now? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Lu Shangyan said, “No, I just had a nap. I’m not tired at all.”
Yuan Qingyu was still hesitant, so Lu Shangyan added, “I’ll go bring him back and make him stay with me at the hospital. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Only then did Yuan Qingyu nod. Lu Shangyan was probably more useful to Pei Yumin than any psychologist.
On the way, Lu Shangyan remained wrapped in the small blanket. He watched the scenery flashing past the window, silently clenching his jaw.
He had noticed Pei Yumin was acting strangely a long time ago. Pei Yumin had become more controlling, even to the point of paranoia.
In the beginning, Pei Yumin would try his best to satisfy whatever he wanted to eat. Even when he controlled his intake, it wouldn’t be precise down to a gram, a single piece, or a single grain…
However, he was busy with exams at the time and didn’t think too much about it. But last night, after his exam, he finally had the peace of mind to reflect on everything that had happened recently.
Pei Yumin had woken up many times that night. Lu Shangyan often got up to use the restroom at night, and every time, Pei Yumin would wake up even earlier than him. If Lu Shangyan moved even slightly, Pei Yumin would immediately grab his hand and quietly ask, “What’s wrong?” By the time Lu Shangyan woke up fully, Pei Yumin was already too anxious to speak a complete sentence.
When he went to the bathroom, Pei Yumin followed him the entire time. When he washed his hands, cold water used to be enough, but Pei Yumin would grab his hand with a serious expression and insist on running hot water.
The room had heating, so Lu Shangyan didn’t feel the water was cold at all, but Pei Yumin would adjust the temperature repeatedly before letting him wash his hands. It was the same when he washed up this morning.
During the period he was studying for exams, he was exhausted every day. Even when Pei Yumin made these demands, he didn’t argue, only wanting to finish quickly and go back to sleep or study.
Now it seemed that Pei Yumin had actually become ill without him realizing it.
Lu Shangyan took a deep breath. “Mom, did Uncle Wu say anything to him privately?”
Yuan Qingyu thought for a moment. “Every time you go to the hospital, he goes with you. Did he go see Uncle Wu again when you weren’t paying attention?”
Lu Shangyan thought about it and shook his head. “No.”
Because Pei Yumin used to ask some strange “private” questions at first, Lu Shangyan later prevented Pei Yumin from going to ask behind his back to avoid embarrassing questions. Even if Pei Yumin found a chance to sneak off and ask, Lu Shangyan would notice immediately and eavesdrop by the door.
But those questions were all normal and shouldn’t have caused Pei Yumin to worry this much.
They were almost at the company entrance when Yuan Qingyu spoke again. “However, about a month ago, for three or four days, he was always one to two hours late getting to the company after dropping you off at school.”
“One time, he didn’t even go until the afternoon. Qi Min was urgently trying to find him to sign a contract and couldn’t reach him, so he contacted me, worried something had happened.”
“But at the time, your father and I didn’t think much of it. We thought he was standing outside your school, keeping you company, because he would do that whenever he had free time during that period.”
Lu Shangyan nodded. “Don’t tell Pei Yumin about this yet. I’ll ask Uncle Wu privately.”
Yuan Qingyu’s eyes were red, and her breathing was shaky.
After getting out of the car, she checked her expression in the rearview mirror. “Mom won’t go up. You go up and talk to him. Have Dai Qin come down to meet you.”
Lu Shangyan said, “You can go back first. I’ll go see him, and I’ll have him take me back to the hospital later.”
Yuan Qingyu didn’t refuse again. Lu Shangyan was probably more effective for Pei Yumin than a psychologist.
On the way, Lu Shangyan remained covered in the small blanket. He watched the scenery outside the window, silently clenching his teeth.
He had noticed Pei Yumin was acting strangely a long time ago. Pei Yumin was more controlling than before, even to the point of obsession.
At first, whatever he wanted to eat, Pei Yumin would try his best to satisfy, and even when he controlled his intake, it wouldn’t be precise down to a gram, a single piece, or a single grain…
However, he was busy with exams at the time and didn’t think too much about it. But last night, after his exam, he finally had the peace of mind to reflect on everything that had happened recently.
Pei Yumin had woken up many times that night. Lu Shangyan often got up to use the restroom at night, and every time, Pei Yumin would wake up even earlier than him. If Lu Shangyan moved even slightly, Pei Yumin would immediately grab his hand and quietly ask, “What’s wrong?” By the time Lu Shangyan woke up fully, Pei Yumin was already too anxious to speak a complete sentence.
When he went to the bathroom, Pei Yumin followed him the entire time. When he washed his hands, cold water used to be enough, but Pei Yumin would grab his hand with a serious expression and insist on running hot water.
The room had heating, so Lu Shangyan didn’t feel the water was cold at all, but Pei Yumin would adjust the temperature repeatedly before letting him wash his hands. It was the same when he washed up this morning.
During the period he was studying for exams, he was exhausted every day. Even when Pei Yumin made these demands, he didn’t argue, only wanting to finish quickly and go back to sleep or study.
Now it seemed that Pei Yumin had actually become ill without him realizing it.
Lu Shangyan took a deep breath. “Mom, did Uncle Wu say anything to him privately?”
Yuan Qingyu thought for a moment. “Every time you go to the hospital, he goes with you. Did he go see Uncle Wu again when you weren’t paying attention?”
Lu Shangyan thought about it and shook his head. “No.”
Because Pei Yumin used to ask some strange “private” questions at first, Lu Shangyan later prevented Pei Yumin from going to ask behind his back to avoid embarrassing questions. Even if Pei Yumin found a chance to sneak off and ask, Lu Shangyan would notice immediately and eavesdrop by the door.
But those questions were all normal and shouldn’t have caused Pei Yumin to worry this much.
They were almost at the company entrance when Yuan Qingyu spoke again. “However, about a month ago, for three or four days, he was always one to two hours late getting to the company after dropping you off at school.”
“One time, he didn’t even go until the afternoon. Qi Min was urgently trying to find him to sign a contract and couldn’t reach him, so he contacted me, worried something had happened.”
“But at the time, your father and I didn’t think much of it. We thought he was standing outside your school, keeping you company, because he would do that whenever he had free time during that period.”
Lu Shangyan nodded. “Don’t tell Pei Yumin about this yet. I’ll ask Uncle Wu privately.”
Yuan Qingyu’s eyes were red, and her breathing was shaky.
After getting out of the car, she checked her expression in the rearview mirror. “Mom won’t go up. You go up and talk to him. Have Dai Qin come down to meet you.”
Lu Shangyan said, “You can go back first. I’ll go see him, and I’ll have him take me back to the hospital later.”
Yuan Qingyu didn’t refuse again. Lu Shangyan was probably more effective for Pei Yumin than a psychologist.
The moment Pei Yumin heard Lu Shangyan was coming, he went into full defense mode. He first went to wash his face and tidy himself up before rushing downstairs like a flash.
Lu Shangyan was still heavily bundled up, but the area around his waist was noticeably rounder, though not enough to arouse suspicion.
Pei Yumin stopped in front of him, not even daring to reach out and touch him. “Why did you come here?”
Lu Shangyan stared straight at him. “You didn’t want to wash my grapes, so you hid at the company?”
Pei Yumin shook his head. “No. Do you really want to eat them? I’ll wash them for you right now.”
Lu Shangyan narrowed his eyes and stood still. “I feel unwell.”
Pei Yumin’s legs instantly went weak. He fumbled to support him, but his hands couldn’t exert any strength. His eyes were red with panic, tears welling up. He turned to call for help, but Lu Shangyan covered his mouth first. “I feel unwell in my heart because you’re not with me.”
Pei Yumin’s mind was a chaotic mess, and for a moment, he even forgot to breathe. It wasn’t until Lu Shangyan grabbed his hand and, taking advantage of the lack of people around, kissed the corner of his mouth that he gradually calmed down.
Lu Shangyan said, “Are you afraid I’ll leave you?”
Pei Yumin lowered his head and rested his forehead on Lu Shangyan’s shoulder. “Extremely afraid. Afraid every minute of every second.”
Lu Shangyan hooked his index finger around Pei Yumin’s. “Is that why you installed the surveillance too?”
Pei Yumin nodded again. He still didn’t know how to face this.
Lu Shangyan said, “Actually, you weren’t subtle at all. I noticed you were monitoring me a long time ago.”
Pei Yumin thought of the small flower pot in the rental house.
Lu Shangyan’s voice came slowly. “It started last month, didn’t it?”
Pei Yumin closed his eyes again and nodded.
After getting confirmation, Lu Shangyan asked him, “Did Uncle Wu tell you that I might die?”
This question seemed to hit Pei Yumin’s trigger point. He suddenly looked up, his face contorted, but his eyes were heartbreaking.
After a long while, he managed to squeeze out, “Impossible. You won’t have any problems.”
Lu Shangyan cupped his face and said firmly, “Exactly. With you by my side, I absolutely won’t have any problems.”
“I know you installed surveillance around me. What I’m angry about is that you wouldn’t tell me.”
“If you had told me, you could put cameras all over me, and I wouldn’t mind. I know you only did this because you’re worried about me.”
Pei Yumin’s tears fell onto the back of Lu Shangyan’s hand. Lu Shangyan wiped away the remaining tears for him. “Didn’t you see? I put the little shark in a more obvious spot.”
Pei Yumin mumbled, “I thought you were angry. I was afraid that appearing in front of you now would make you angrier, and you can’t get too emotional, so I hid and didn’t dare to see you. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to wash your grapes.”
Lu Shangyan said softly, “You did it for my own good. How could I blame you?”
Pei Yumin nodded. After a long time, he spoke with a sense of finality. “Uncle Wu told me about your current physical condition…” His voice began to choke up again, making it almost impossible to complete a sentence. “Shangyan, let’s arrange the surgery as soon as possible. I don’t want to drag this out anymore.”