Chapter 5
“His blood glucose is significantly below 2.8, and his hemoglobin is significantly below 120. He has both hypoglycemia and anemia. His stomach is weak, and his cardiopulmonary function is poor. His pleural cavity didn’t develop properly at birth, resulting in congenital pneumothorax. Whenever he becomes anxious, he easily starts hyperventilating and has trouble breathing… Then there’s the night blindness, fear of heights, and everything else you mentioned. Basically, his entire body is riddled with problems, both major and minor. Of course, the most serious issue is still his tendency toward severe allergic reactions.”
Changsun Yong handed Yan Zhimo a sheet of paper. “This is the list of allergens that were previously identified. However, there may be others we haven’t discovered. If you notice any new ones in the future, remember to update the list.”
Before awakening, Yan Zhimo had known this list existed, but he had never examined it carefully. He had merely given it to Auntie Wang so that she could take care of Jian Anmian’s daily needs. Now that he was looking at it closely, his usually calm and restrained gaze revealed a rare look of utter disbelief.
Seafood such as crabs, crayfish, scallops, and squid.
Fruits such as mangoes, peaches, lemons, and kiwifruit.
Foods such as milk, peanuts, nuts, and soybeans.
There were also dust mites, wood shavings, latex, certain metals, and even down jackets!
How had this child managed to survive?!
Changsun Yong sighed. “That little friend of yours… is in terrible health.”
Yan Zhimo: “…‘Terrible’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
The fact that he had survived at all was a miracle!
Changsun Yong suddenly said, “I heard you’re getting divorced.”
Yan Zhimo paused. “Old Fu told you?”
Changsun Yong chuckled. “Did you mute our group chat? He announced it directly in the group, so we’ve all known for ages, idiot.”
Yan Zhimo: “…”
Yan Zhimo immediately took out his phone, opened the group chat, casually skimmed through it, and began typing expressionlessly.
[Domineering CEO] Yan Zhimo: I’ve decided not to get divorced.
[Domineering CEO] Yan Zhimo: ?
[Domineering CEO] Yan Zhimo: What kind of ridiculous nickname is this? Whoever did it, step forward.
[Long-Suffering Doctor] Changsun Yong: I did. What are you going to do about it? I’m the group owner, so I make the rules. Hit me if you’ve got the nerve. Nyah, nyah, nyah.
Yan Zhimo raised his hand and punched Changsun Yong beside him.
[Long-Suffering Doctor] Changsun Yong: Holy shit, you actually hit me!
[Long-Suffering Doctor] Changsun Yong: [I’m So Angry, but I Still Have to Keep Smiling.jpg]
[Private Investigator] Xiao Hanzhou: Understood.
[Long-Suffering Doctor] Changsun Yong: Tsk, tsk. Old Xiao is still as aloof as ever.
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: Old Yan, Yongzi, are you two together right now?
[Long-Suffering Doctor] Changsun Yong: Yeah. That dog Yan’s little wife got sick, so he brought him to me.
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: @Yan Zhimo
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: Why did you suddenly decide not to divorce him?
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: Hurry up and tell us what changed your mind!
[Domineering CEO] Yan Zhimo: There’s no reason. Stop asking.
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: Hahahahahaha! You obviously can’t bear to let him go. Isn’t it obvious?
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: Keep stubbornly denying it all you want.
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: [A Man’s Heart Is as Unfathomable as the Ocean.jpg]
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: [Let Me See Your True Face—I Knew It!.jpg]
[Private Investigator] Xiao Hanzhou: …
[Private Investigator] Xiao Hanzhou: Old Fu, you’re noisy.
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: ?
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: ?????
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: You insulted me!
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: Xiao Hanzhou, you expressionless block of ice, you actually insulted me! Boohoohoo, I don’t want to live anymore!
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: [Bursts Into Tears.jpg]
[Private Investigator] Xiao Hanzhou: …
[Private Investigator] Xiao Hanzhou: [100-Yuan Red Packet] Shut up.
[Tool Lawyer] Old Fu: [Thank You, Boss. Kowtows.jpg]
[Domineering CEO] Yan Zhimo: …
What kind of people were these? A bunch of lunatics.
Yan Zhimo put down his phone in disgust. After saying goodbye to Changsun Yong, he left with Jian Anmian’s examination report. Yuwen Chi, who was waiting outside, immediately stood.
Yan Zhimo glanced at the neighboring door and asked, “How is Jian Anmian?”
Yuwen Chi replied, “He underwent several examinations earlier. He may have exhausted himself, so he fell asleep in bed.”
Asleep again?
Yan Zhimo’s temple twitched. Then he looked down at the medical report in his hand and felt considerably more understanding.
Jian Anmian truly was in poor health, so there was nothing wrong with sleeping more. But if he was going to sleep, he should return home. The hospital beds were so uncomfortable.
Yan Zhimo thought that after several unsuccessful attempts to divorce, perhaps even heaven didn’t want them to separate.
There was nothing difficult about supporting such a little thing. It only meant placing one more pair of chopsticks at the table. He had plenty of money and could easily afford it.
Besides, the little fellow was in such poor health that if Yan Zhimo divorced him, he might not survive at all.
Saving one life was more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. Yan Zhimo might as well keep him and care for him himself.
As Yan Zhimo thought this, he gently pushed open the door and entered.
The curtains inside the room had been drawn. Jian Anmian lay on his side with his back facing the door. The blanket formed a small mound around him, and judging by its shape, he seemed to be curled into a ball.
Yan Zhimo’s fingers twitched as he suddenly recalled how Jian Anmian had felt in his arms earlier.
He had been so small and light, like a feather that could be blown away with the gentlest breath.
He looked even smaller while asleep.
Yan Zhimo’s gaze unconsciously softened. Just as he was about to walk over and gently wake the child in bed, the door behind him suddenly slammed open.
“Oh, right, dog Yan! There’s something else I forgot to tell you earlier—”
Yan Zhimo drew a deep breath, turned around, and gritted his teeth. “…Changsun Yong!”
Changsun Yong looked bewildered. “What?”
At that moment, the blanket on the bed shifted twice. Jian Anmian, whose hair had become messy from sleep, was awakened by the noise and sat up with a confused expression. He looked at Yan Zhimo, then at Changsun Yong, and slowly became more alert. He asked nervously, “Do you… need to discuss something? I’m sorry. I’ll leave immediately…”
As he spoke, he braced himself against the bed and prepared to get up.
Yan Zhimo ordered in a deep voice, “Stay in bed and don’t move!”
Jian Anmian immediately retreated beneath the blanket. His large, helpless eyes stared timidly at Yan Zhimo.
Changsun Yong froze, then realized that he had interrupted Yan Zhimo. He hurriedly apologized. “Sorry, I disturbed your wife’s sleep. I didn’t mean to…”
Yan Zhimo irritably interrupted him. “Enough. What did you want to say?”
“Uh.” Changsun Yong gave Jian Anmian a meaningful glance, silently asking whether Yan Zhimo was certain Jian Anmian should hear this.
Jian Anmian blinked and looked at Yan Zhimo.
Meeting Jian Anmian’s gaze, Yan Zhimo hesitated for only a second before saying, “It’s fine. Since it concerns you, you should listen as well.”
Changsun Yong looked at Jian Anmian. “Then I’ll be direct. Your cardiopulmonary function is poor. Once you experience an allergic reaction, it can easily trigger asthma and shock. You absolutely must stay away from your allergens. I’m telling you, it could kill you if you aren’t careful.”
Yan Zhimo and Jian Anmian both froze.
Because at the end of the novel, the protagonist shou died from anaphylactic shock.
Jian Anmian was stunned for only a moment before quickly returning to normal.
As the protagonist shou, he was destined to die sooner or later. He had been prepared for that since the moment he transmigrated into the book. However, when reading the novel, he genuinely hadn’t noticed that the foreshadowing for the protagonist shou’s death had been planted this early.
Yan Zhimo, however, became distracted. It took him a long time before he finally said in a heavy voice, “…I understand.”
…
Changsun Yong’s words had a tremendous impact on Yan Zhimo. Even after getting into the car, he remained somewhat dazed.
—Jian Anmian would eventually die.
For some inexplicable reason, whenever that thought surfaced in Yan Zhimo’s mind, his chest became unbearably constricted, as though it had been filled with cement, leaving him unable to breathe.
From the back seat, Yuwen Chi couldn’t resist reminding him, “President Yan, there are countless roads, but safety comes first. Drive improperly…” He glanced at Jian Anmian and added darkly, “and your wife becomes a widow.”
Yan Zhimo: “…”
Jian Anmian: “…”
He was completely innocent!
Yan Zhimo drew a deep breath, started the engine, and shifted into gear.
It was fine. Yan Zhimo was here. He wouldn’t allow himself to die, and naturally, he wouldn’t allow Jian Anmian to die either.
Both he and Jian Anmian would live safely and peacefully.
As Yan Zhimo drove, his phone suddenly began ringing.
He answered through his Bluetooth earpiece. To his surprise, the caller was his scumbag father, Yan Zuyi.
“Hello. Come home for dinner this weekend. Look at how long it’s been since you came home. What kind of behavior is this?”
Yan Zhimo became irritated the moment he heard Yan Zuyi’s voice. This was the man who had caused his mother’s death. Yan Zhimo would never forgive him for the rest of his life. However, out of consideration for his grandfather, he had to maintain superficial civility. He could only agree coldly before asking, “Is there anything else?”
Yan Zhimo had no idea how that sentence managed to strike such a sensitive nerve, but Yan Zuyi instantly exploded. “What kind of tone is that? Am I, your father, not even allowed to speak to you? How did I raise such an ungrateful wretch, such an unfilial son… Is this how you treat your own father?”
Yan Zuyi was so loud that even Jian Anmian, who was sitting beside Yan Zhimo, could hear him. Jian Anmian was immediately astonished.
Hadn’t Yan Zhimo… only said one sentence? How had that earned him so much abuse?
On the other end, Yan Zuyi recklessly shouted, “Is this how your mother taught you when you were young? Huh?!”
An explosion seemed to go off inside Yan Zhimo’s head, and an indescribable rage surged upward. He slammed his fist against the horn, startling Jian Anmian so badly that his entire body jerked and his heart rate instantly accelerated.
Yan Zhimo said with terrifying gloom, “Yan Zuyi, mention my mother one more time and, believe me, you’ll never set foot in this city again for the rest of your life—”
Yuwen Chi was frightened half to death. Terrified that Yan Zhimo might become so agitated that he killed everyone in the car, he frantically whispered, “President Yan, your wife will become a widow. Your wife will become a widow. Your wife will become a widow…”
Yan Zhimo: “…”
Ignoring the furious shouting on the other end, Yan Zhimo directly ended the call. He took several deep breaths before barely managing to calm down.
He glanced sideways at the child beside him. Jian Anmian was clutching his chest and staring at him in terror, as though he would faint on the spot if Yan Zhimo raised his voice even slightly.
Yan Zhimo: “…”
Yan Zhimo exhaled heavily. He wanted to rub the space between his brows, but remembering that he was driving, he lowered his hand again. “I’m sorry. I lost control of myself just now and frightened you.”
“It’s… it’s all right.” Jian Anmian returned to his senses and swallowed. He said quietly, “You weren’t wrong. Your father was the one who did something wrong. Mr. Yan, you don’t need to apologize.”
Yan Zhimo paused, then suddenly smiled. “You don’t know anything about what happened, yet you dare say I wasn’t wrong?”
Jian Anmian felt deeply troubled. He couldn’t exactly say, I read the novel. I even know that you’re eighteen centimeters down there, so what could I possibly not know? He could only lower his head guiltily and mumble, “In any case, Mr. Yan could never be wrong.”
Yan Zhimo froze. After a long while, he gave a low laugh and sincerely thanked him. “Thank you… for trusting me so much, little Jian Anmian.”
In return, I’ll protect your life no matter what.
Jian Anmian still didn’t know that a certain domineering CEO had secretly taken responsibility for keeping him alive. He merely sighed inwardly.
Come to think of it, the protagonist gong truly was rather pitiful. His scumbag father first had another son, the protagonist gong’s older brother. However, his older brother lacked talent, so the scumbag father was dissatisfied and forced his sickly wife to give birth to the protagonist gong.
The moment the protagonist gong was born, his mother became completely bedridden. Yet his scumbag father went out and took a mistress, fathered an illegitimate child, and even brought the mistress and illegitimate son into their home. His wife was literally angered to death. The mistress then successfully rose in status with her son and became the protagonist gong’s stepmother.
With such a turbulent background, it was no wonder the protagonist gong grew into a temperamental, cold, domineering scumbag gong. He had also developed several peculiar kinks, such as being excessively possessive and enjoying BDSM.
At least becoming a scumbag gong meant he only tormented the shou. If he had developed antisocial personality disorder instead, the entire world would have suffered.
From that perspective, perhaps the protagonist shou’s suffering was actually worthwhile?
Jian Anmian amused himself with his own ridiculous thoughts. It wasn’t until they arrived home that he remembered—hadn’t he gone to the protagonist gong’s company so they could get divorced?
But then Jian Anmian had suddenly fallen ill and gone to the hospital, so they had failed to divorce again.
So were they… getting divorced or not?
Although Jian Anmian was confused, there was no chance he would voluntarily ask Yan Zhimo. He casually pushed the matter to the back of his mind, turned over, and went straight to sleep.
If the protagonist gong still wanted a divorce, he would summon Jian Anmian again.
Jian Anmian couldn’t be bothered to worry about it.
…
In the end, Yan Zhimo still had to return to the Yan family home, and he couldn’t go alone. He also had to bring Jian Anmian.
Jian Anmian knew perfectly well that the protagonist gong’s dreadful relatives were about to make their appearance. His official journey of torment was about to begin.
The day of their departure soon arrived. Jian Anmian had assumed they would go directly to the Yan residence, but the car stopped near a nursing home instead.
The nursing home’s director personally came outside to welcome them and led the two of them inside.
The nursing home had a pleasant environment. Lush green grass stretched everywhere, and the trees were thick and flourishing. Gardens and ponds were scattered throughout the grounds, while clear birdsong continuously filled the air.
The elderly residents looked relaxed and carefree. Some were napping in rocking chairs beneath the shade, while others sat around stone tables in a grove, playing chess.
Jian Anmian’s gaze moved across them one by one as he recalled the details of the novel’s original plot.
He remembered now. The protagonist gong’s grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, lived in this nursing home.
Grandmother’s part of the plot wasn’t supposed to happen this early. Why had the protagonist gong suddenly brought him here?
While Jian Anmian was contemplating this, the director had already led them to the entrance of a room, then quietly left.
Jian Anmian suddenly felt nervous. It wasn’t only because he was about to meet a stranger. He also experienced the strange feeling of a wife meeting her husband’s family for the first time.
Yan Zhimo took Jian Anmian’s hand and said softly, “Once we go inside, address her however I do. Understand?”
Jian Anmian nodded and took a deep breath as he watched Yan Zhimo slowly push open the door.
“Grandma, Zhimo has come to visit you.” Holding Jian Anmian’s hand, Yan Zhimo walked onto the balcony and called out with a smile to the elderly woman sitting in a wicker chair.
Jian Anmian hurriedly followed his lead. “Grandma!”
Yao Xiandie raised her head. After staring at Yan Zhimo’s face for a long time, she revealed a shy, girlish smile. “You’re so handsome.”
Jian Anmian pursed his lips. He thought so too.
Yan Zhimo crouched in front of Yao Xiandie and gently took her hand. Helplessly, he said, “Grandma, I’m Zhimo. I’m your grandson, Yan Zhimo. Do you remember me?”
Blushing, Yao Xiandie smacked him. “Oh my, what an indecent handsome man! You started touching a lady’s hand the moment you arrived. How embarrassing!”
Yan Zhimo: “…”
Jian Anmian could barely hold himself back. Yan Zhimo’s expression had completely collapsed. It was far too funny. Jian Anmian had never seen the protagonist gong look so aggrieved.
Although Yan Zhimo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, he remained patient and tried to reason with his grandmother for a long time.
Jian Anmian found it fascinating. The man before him seemed to be displaying an entirely different side of himself.
He was no longer the character summarized in the novel with the simple description “temperamental, cold, and domineering.” Instead, he had become a more complex and vivid figure, just like a real person.
Only at this moment did Jian Anmian finally feel that this was a genuine world and not merely a novel written in a one-dimensional fictional realm.
Even the minor supporting characters whom the novel mentioned only briefly possessed their own distinct personalities and lives within this real world.
No one’s life could be summarized by cold, lifeless words.
One moment, Yao Xiandie called Yan Zhimo by his father’s name. The next, she called him by his grandfather’s.
To her, they were the two most important men from the happiest period of her past.
Her husband and her son.
After a long while, clarity gradually returned to Yao Xiandie’s eyes. She finally recognized Yan Zhimo and beamed happily. “Zhimo, you’re here.”
“Grandma, I came to visit you.” Yan Zhimo quickly pulled Jian Anmian forward. “I also brought your grandson-in-law.”
Jian Anmian blushed at the form of address. Both nervous and shy, he called, “Grandma.”
Yao Xiandie immediately responded with a smile and praised Jian Anmian repeatedly. Then she asked in confusion, “What a beautiful young lady. Why are you so thin? Do you eat properly? You’re so fair and lovely, but why is this young lady’s hair so short?”
Jian Anmian froze and immediately looked helplessly at Yan Zhimo.
Same-sex marriage hadn’t been legal for very long. Most people from Grandmother’s generation still couldn’t accept it. Jian Anmian had no idea how they were supposed to explain it to her…
Before Jian Anmian could think of a solution, he heard Yan Zhimo say directly, “Grandma, he’s a boy.”
Jian Anmian was stunned!
Wasn’t he afraid of upsetting her?!
He reflexively tightened his grip on Yan Zhimo’s hand. Yan Zhimo patted him reassuringly. “It’s fine.”
Grandmother froze. She looked at Jian Anmian’s youthful, blushing face, then at their clasped hands. She gave a small “Oh” and murmured, “So you’re a boy. I’m sorry, little one. Grandma made a mistake just now. Boys are good too. Boys are so adorable… My little grandson actually married a male wife, and such a young one too. Oh my, this really is…”
Really perverted? Jian Anmian silently completed her sentence. Grandma, that isn’t what you were about to say, was it?!
“Ahem. Grandma, this is called being fashionable.” Yan Zhimo spouted nonsense with a perfectly serious expression. “Older, wealthy, eligible bachelors like me are supposed to find young and beautiful boys…”
“Mr. Yan!” Jian Anmian’s face instantly turned bright red.
How could he say something like that in front of his grandmother? Did he have no shame?!
Yao Xiandie began hitting and scolding Yan Zhimo. “Yan Zhimo! Mianmian is still young! How can you say such things in front of a child? Have you no shame?”
Watching the harmonious, cheerful scene between grandmother and grandson, Jian Anmian finally sighed in relief.
The protagonist gong was far too daring. He had nearly scared Jian Anmian to death!
Fortunately, Grandmother was open-minded. Otherwise, Jian Anmian truly wouldn’t have known how to apologize to her.
But… why did the protagonist gong’s behavior seem so much like he was bringing Jian Anmian home to meet his family?
Were they getting divorced or not?
At that moment, a gentle female voice that nevertheless sounded extremely unpleasant suddenly came from behind them.
“Oh my, isn’t this Zhimo? What a coincidence. Zhimo, you came to visit Grandma today too?”
The warm scene was instantly shattered.
Yan Zhimo turned around coldly and saw his stepmother, Bai Murou, approaching with his younger brother and sister.
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