The construction site of the building was no different from usual: a group of workers in uniforms bustled in and out, completely unaware that one worker was missing.
However, the basement in a remote corner was quite different.
The basement no longer carried any hint of darkness. Under the warm glow of the lights, it even exuded a cozy feeling.
On the bed in the basement sat a young boy, reclining in the arms of a man behind him, allowing the man to massage his head.
Meanwhile, another man in front of him matched the boy's pace, feeding him food. The boy obediently ate whatever was offered to him.
One was carefully massaging, the other gently feeding—this did not look like a kidnapping scene at all. The two men did not resemble kidnappers who had abducted the boy but rather servants dutifully attending to him.
And the kind of servants who worked tirelessly and without complaint.
Yan Lulin thought these two were a bit crazy and were blatantly violating the agreement not to approach the young master. Yet, when his gaze fell on the boy’s pitiful and aggrieved expression, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a single cold word.
The boy clearly didn’t like the food, but under Duan Ming’s threat, he reluctantly and pitifully bit into it.
He looked like a bullied little kitten—clearly unhappy but too scared to say anything, weakly and helplessly accepting everything.
This appearance of the boy was so endearing, stirring a protective instinct in anyone who saw him. It made one instinctively want to pamper him and ensure he wouldn’t suffer even the slightest grievance.
Unfortunately, they were kidnappers, and this was a basement used to hide a hostage. They couldn’t afford many luxuries to pamper the boy.
Even just getting food that the boy liked was difficult for them.
After all, a worker eating in a corner was normal, but going out during work hours to specifically buy food and bring it back would undoubtedly attract attention.
In the end, Yan Lulin said nothing. With a serious face, he averted his gaze and pretended he hadn’t seen anything.
Ruan Qing ate slowly, but Duan Ming showed no sign of impatience. However, his gaze resting on Ruan Qing’s lips grew darker and more intense.
With his eyes half-lowered, others couldn’t see the expression on his face. Moreover, his hand feeding the boy remained steady, so no one noticed this detail.
After eating about one-fifth of the meal, Ruan Qing turned his head and buried it in Xu He’s chest, clearly unwilling to take another bite.
This time, even the fear of angering Duan Ming didn’t compel him to lift his head again.
Because Ruan Qing had buried his head in Xu He’s chest, Xu He couldn’t continue massaging him. He looked at the small head nestled in his arms, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. Gently and affectionately, he rubbed Ruan Qing’s head and used a napkin to wipe the corners of the boy’s mouth.
Duan Ming frowned as he looked at the bowl of food, which was still mostly untouched. The portion was far too little—nowhere near what an adult man should be eating.
He glanced at the person who was clearly unwilling to eat any more. Eventually, he set down the food and picked up the medicine on the table nearby.
The medication for Moyamoya disease wasn’t a one-time fix; it had to be taken three times a day, usually after meals.
The hot water had already been prepared earlier when administering the previous dose. Duan Ming quickly mixed the powdered medicine.
However, since the water was boiling, it was still a bit too hot. Duan Ming placed the mixture to the side to cool slightly and handed a round white pill to Ruan Qing along with a cup of warm water.
But Ruan Qing didn’t take it. He remained nestled in Xu He’s arms, refusing to come out.
It wasn’t that Ruan Qing hadn’t noticed. He had briefly looked up in curiosity when Duan Ming was getting the medicine, but after realizing the medicine was for him, he buried his face back in Xu He’s embrace.
Clearly, he had no intention of obediently taking his medicine.
While other matters could be left to the boy’s whims, taking medication was non-negotiable. The earlier incident had been bad enough, and Xu He wasn’t sure he could stay calm if it happened again.
Looking at the person in his arms, Xu He gently coaxed him out. “Let’s take the medicine first, okay?”
Ruan Qing hesitated for a moment before softly asking, “…What is this medicine for?”
Patiently, Xu He explained, “It’s for your headache. If you take it, it won’t hurt anymore.”
Confusion flickered in Ruan Qing’s eyes. He looked at Xu He and asked in a puzzled tone, “Am I sick?”
“Yes,” Xu He nodded slightly. “That’s why you need to take your medicine to get better.”
Ruan Qing let out a soft “Oh” and obediently took the medicine Duan Ming handed to him, placing it in his mouth.
Just as he was about to take the water from Duan Ming to swallow the pill, he suddenly spat it out.
It was too bitter—a sharp bitterness with a hint of something nauseating. The taste was so unpleasant that Ruan Qing’s delicate face scrunched up tightly.
Duan Ming silently stared at the pill on the floor for several seconds before taking a deep breath and handing over another one.
But this time, no matter what they said, Ruan Qing refused to take it. Usually so well-behaved, he was now entirely uncooperative, even throwing a little tantrum.
“It’s too bitter. I don’t want it.”
Even when he was unconscious, administering medicine to him had been a struggle—it was clear he didn’t like anything bitter. But no one had expected it to be just as challenging now that he was awake.
Even with Duan Ming's cold and stern expression this time, it had no effect.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t bother to intervene, or might even resort to forceful means to make the person "cooperate willingly."
But this frail young master had just fallen ill and was still very weak, his face pale. Clearly, he couldn't handle much stimulation or endure any form of coercion.
Moreover, seeing his almost translucent pale complexion, none of them could bring themselves to use harsh methods. They could only try to coax him with gentle words.
However, gentle persuasion was of no use to the boy. Xu He patiently tried for a long time but couldn’t get the boy to agree to take his medicine.
The boy seemed to know that they would indulge him, acting even more willful than before, adamantly refusing to take the medicine no matter what.
Not taking the medicine was absolutely not an option. Just as Xu He was about to persuade him again, Zhou Jinchen lost his patience. He directly snatched the medicine from Duan Ming's hand, grabbed Ruan Qing's chin, and forcefully pried his mouth open, shoving the medicine inside.
Ruan Qing's eyes widened, his delicate face full of panic and fear, and a layer of tears quickly welled up in his eyes.
Clearly, he had been frightened by Zhou Jinchen.
Feeling the pain from his chin, Ruan Qing instinctively tried to break free from Zhou Jinchen’s grip. However, Zhou Jinchen's strength was so overpowering that he couldn’t move at all, let alone escape.
Ruan Qing used both his hands but couldn’t budge Zhou Jinchen in the slightest. His tear-filled eyes became even more pitiful, making him appear even more fragile and helpless.
This time, however, no one helped him. Even Xu He turned his head, as if he hadn’t seen Ruan Qing’s fear and distress.
After feeding him the medicine, Zhou Jinchen released Ruan Qing’s chin. Then, looking down at him with a dangerous tone, he said, “Try spitting it out and see what happens.”
My poor mc QAQ
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