Chapter 57

Li Yan was completely stunned on the spot.

What was going on?

Wasn’t his uncle the one who was supposed to be hospitalized? Then why was his uncle sitting in the chair beside the hospital bed, while someone else was lying in the bed instead?

He tried to get a clear look at the person’s face, but the person was turned away from him, curled up under the blanket with only a head of dark hair visible.

A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

He clenched his fists tightly, unable to suppress the excitement rising in his chest.

Mi Zhao had classes this morning, so he should be at school right now. That meant the person in the hospital bed wasn’t Mi Zhao.

Then who could it be?

His uncle was a clean freak—he would never let just anyone touch his bed, let alone sleep in it while he was hospitalized.

For someone to be allowed to take over his uncle’s hospital bed, their relationship had to be very close. Maybe they had already shared the same bed for a long time.

He just knew that someone of his uncle’s status couldn’t possibly have only Mi Zhao. Even if his uncle never actively pursued anyone, men and women alike would constantly try to find ways to climb into his bed.

Li Yan bit down hard on his lip to keep from grinning. He was itching to call Mi Zhao right away and make him see his little uncle’s true colors.

What man doesn’t cheat?

Back then, when Mi Zhao caught him with Lin Qiuzu, he made such a big deal about breaking up. Now look—his new man was no different.

Li Yan took a step closer, wanting to get a better look, but his line of sight was immediately blocked by Li Sipei’s body.

His uncle had a cast on his leg and couldn’t bend his knee, so he had to stretch his entire leg out in front of him.

Yet despite this, Li Sipei still managed to look elegant and at ease as he leaned back in his chair, scrolling through his phone. In contrast, Li Yan, who had rushed over in a hurry, looked somewhat disheveled.

Putting his phone down on the bed, Li Sipei turned to ask, “Did your mom tell you I was hospitalized?”

“Yeah, she called me.” Knowing there was no point in lying, Li Yan answered honestly. “Uncle, is your leg okay?”

“It’s nothing serious. Sorry to trouble you to come all this way.”

“Uncle, what are you saying? It’s no trouble at all.”

Li Yan had stopped by a supermarket on his way and bought a basket of imported fruits. Standing there awkwardly, he hesitated before asking, “Uncle, where should I put this?”

Li Sipei gestured toward the coffee table. “Put it there.”

“Okay.”

The coffee table was directly opposite the foot of the bed. As Li Yan moved toward it, he deliberately veered a little closer to the bed.

The person on the bed had their head exposed. If he positioned himself just right, he’d be able to see their face.

Not that he had to see it—but if he could, it would make stirring up trouble between Mi Zhao and his uncle all the easier.

If they broke up, he’d have a chance again.

His uncle had been in a wheelchair before and had only recently started walking. With his mobility still limited, he and Mi Zhao probably hadn’t done much beyond a few kisses.

That was something Li Yan could tolerate.

If Mi Zhao came back to him, he could convince himself to accept that his ex had been intimate with his uncle.

Li Yan was just about to sneak a glance at the person on the bed when—

Suddenly, Li Sipei pushed himself up from the armrest, standing up. But he couldn’t balance on one leg for long, so the next second, he shifted and sat down on the bed instead.

The sudden movement startled Li Yan, making him feel guilty. He quickly looked away and placed the fruit basket on the coffee table.

After that, he turned back to speak. “Uncle—”

The rest of his words got stuck in his throat.

He watched in disbelief as his usually cold and aloof little uncle leaned down over the blanket, patting it gently like he was coaxing a child. “Time to wake up.”

The person in the bed remained still, as if they were still asleep.

“Mi Zhao.” Li Sipei patiently called out. “It’s already noon.”

The name hit Li Yan like a thunderbolt. His entire body stiffened as his gaze snapped toward the hospital bed.

Mi Zhao?

The person in the bed was actually Mi Zhao?!

But wasn’t Mi Zhao supposed to be in class?!!

The shock was so overwhelming that Li Yan stumbled forward a few steps, then caught sight of a familiar side profile.

It was unmistakably Mi Zhao.

His eyes were tightly shut, his lashes trembling slightly. The tips of his ears were red, and a rosy flush had spread up his neck, quickly coloring his cheeks.

It was clear that Mi Zhao wasn’t actually asleep.

He really wasn’t. In fact, he had woken up the moment the doctor knocked and entered the room. But he felt too embarrassed to face anyone, so he decided to just pretend to sleep.

Originally, he had planned to get up as soon as the doctor left. But just as the doctor walked out, Li Yan walked in.

And so, he ended up lying there, listening to the entire conversation between the two.

He thought he could just wait for Li Yan to leave before getting up. But then, that petty, grudge-holding man—Li Sipei—actually went and called him awake right in front of Li Yan.

Li Sipei’s voice grew louder, and the hand patting the blanket gradually moved up to his cheek, giving it a light squeeze. Then it pinched his ear.

At that, Mi Zhao couldn’t keep up the act anymore. He opened his eyes and glared at Li Sipei.

Sitting sideways on the bed, leaning down to look at him, Li Sipei met his gaze and smiled warmly. “You haven’t even had breakfast. Aren’t you hungry?”

Mi Zhao could tell he was doing this on purpose. Huffing, he grumbled, “No.”

“Even if you’re not hungry, you should eat something.”

Reaching into the blanket, Li Sipei found his arm and pulled him up into a sitting position against the headboard.

Even though Mi Zhao hadn’t looked at Li Yan once, he could still feel the man’s eyes practically glued to him.

He was still wearing his thermal shirt and pants, so he didn’t want to get out of bed directly. Instead, he wrapped himself tightly in the blanket, only exposing his head.

Li Sipei looked at Li Yan, who was frozen in place without moving an inch, and politely said, “Xiao Yan, can you help him get his clothes?”

Li Yan snapped out of his daze. “Huh?”

Li Sipei smiled at him. “The white coat on the sofa.”

“Oh, okay.” Li Yan’s lips were dry, and he struggled to force out the words from his throat. His legs felt as heavy as lead, and he had to summon all his strength just to move toward the sofa.

On the sofa lay a white cashmere coat, a lightweight knit sweater, a pair of light-colored jeans, and a plaid scarf—all clothes Mi Zhao had taken off.

Just now, when his little uncle pulled Mi Zhao up, Li Yan clearly saw that underneath, Mi Zhao was only wearing a red thermal shirt.

He reached out and picked up the white coat.

His gaze landed on the coat, burning so intensely it seemed like it could set the fabric ablaze. He recognized this coat. Last December, when he and Mi Zhao were still in an ambiguous relationship, he had spent a fortune to buy Mi Zhao a Christmas gift—this very coat.

And now, a year later, Mi Zhao had worn this coat to see his uncle and even taken it off to sleep in his uncle’s bed.

For the first time, Li Yan found life so absurd. Not even the moment he learned about Mi Zhao and his uncle’s relationship had hit him as hard as this.

His body swayed slightly, nearly losing his balance.

“Xiao Yan?” Li Sipei’s voice called from behind.

Li Yan barely pulled himself together and, with heavy steps, walked to the bedside, his hands trembling as he handed the coat to Li Sipei.

“Thank you.” Li Sipei took the coat and draped it over Mi Zhao before saying, “Help me set up the table too.”

Li Yan, still in a daze, moved the table to the bedside and placed the lunch that Ruan Xin had sent over. The meal was packed in several insulated containers, and he carefully removed the lids, letting the rising steam curl into the air before neatly arranging two sets of utensils.

Looking up, he found himself staring at Mi Zhao’s face through the mist.

Mi Zhao seemed unwilling to look at him, keeping his gaze lowered the entire time.

With his uncle right there, Li Yan didn’t dare to stare for too long. He was about to avert his gaze when he suddenly noticed something. His brows furrowed, and his eyes locked onto the right side of Mi Zhao’s face.

There was a distinct bite mark.

In an instant, something exploded in Li Yan’s mind. His ears buzzed violently, and his brain went completely blank.

Noticing his gaze, Li Sipei reached out and gently touched Mi Zhao’s face. “Does it still hurt?”

Mi Zhao knew exactly what little tricks Li Sipei was playing. Though speechless, he still cooperated and shook his head. “It stopped hurting a long time ago.”

“Mm.” Li Sipei said, “I won’t bite next time.”

Mi Zhao wanted to roll his eyes.

Liar.

—

Less than five minutes later, Li Yan fled as if he had suffered a fatal blow.

Mi Zhao paused mid-bite and glanced at Li Sipei, who was still intertwining their fingers even while eating. “Enough already? He’s gone. Stop acting.”

Li Sipei was in a good mood, but he still didn’t let go. “Do you have class this afternoon?”

“Yeah.” Seeing that Li Sipei wasn’t budging, Mi Zhao just let him be. “I have to leave after eating. I can’t skip today’s class.”

Li Sipei was silent for a moment before giving a low “Mm.”

Mi Zhao stared at him for a while, then suddenly put down his chopsticks, leaned in, and kissed him on the lips. “Can I text you anytime?”

The gloom on Li Sipei’s face instantly cleared up. The corners of his lips lifted slightly before he restrained himself and pressed them down again. “Your lips are greasy.”

Mi Zhao: “…”

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

By the time Mi Zhao finally left, it was already 2:30 PM. He put on his coat and took the elevator down to the lobby.

The biggest difference between private and public hospitals was that private hospitals were quieter and less crowded. Even in the main lobby, there were few people around. The reception desk was nearly deserted.

Because of this, he immediately spotted Li Yan sitting in the lobby chairs, his hood pulled up.

Li Yan had been waiting for him to come down. He wasn’t even looking at his phone, and the moment he saw Mi Zhao, he hurriedly got up and walked toward him.

Mi Zhao’s face darkened instantly, and he quickened his pace toward the hospital entrance.

He walked fast, practically taking two steps at a time, but Li Yan was taller with longer legs. Jogging, he caught up on the stairs outside the hospital.

“Mi Zhao.” Li Yan grabbed his wrist from behind. “I want to talk to you.”

Mi Zhao reacted as if he had been touched by something filthy, violently shaking off his hand. “Get lost.”

Then he turned to leave.

But this time, Li Yan was determined to talk. He grabbed Mi Zhao’s wrist again and refused to let go no matter how much he struggled.

Mi Zhao was so furious his face turned pale. He glared at Li Yan with burning rage. “There’s nothing to talk about. If you don’t want me to tell your uncle about this, let go of me.”

Seeing the disgust, loathing, and desperate desire to stay away from him on Mi Zhao’s face, Li Yan’s heart turned completely cold. His hands trembled again, and his gaze fixated on the bite mark on Mi Zhao’s cheek.

“My uncle, my uncle—he’s all you talk about now.” Li Yan curled his lips in a mocking smile, his frustration boiling over. Without thinking, he blurted out, “You’re so eager… looks like you’ve already slept with my uncle, huh?”