Become the Sickly Villain in the Novel - Chapter 40

The silence was soon broken.

He Yan adjusted his glasses and said to Qin Xu, who had been silent the entire time, “What I said just now applies to you as well.”

“So this fire has reached me too?” Qin Xu walked to the bedside and looked down at the sleeping Li Nuo. “I’ll decline the advice as well.”

“It’s not advice, it’s a warning. Speaking of your interests, can anyone even tolerate them? Unlike Mo Chuan, you haven’t even had someone close to you, have you? Are you capable of being good to others?”

He Yan looked disdainful.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Qin Xu said calmly.

“Seriously, can’t you two just let people live peacefully? Aren’t you busy with the overseas branch?”

“How do you know about that? Do you have a spy planted in the company?”

“I just know,” He Yan glanced at the time. He had other patients to attend to and couldn’t linger any longer. These two…

After thinking for a moment, he decided it was probably fine and said, “Alright, if you two want to stay, just stay. If the machine gives off any alarm sounds, notify me immediately.”

With that, he waved and left.

The ward was left with two people asleep and two awake.

Qin Xu dragged over a chair and sat by the bedside.

Mo Chuan looked at him with surprise and questioning eyes.

“You heard him, right? If you’re not serious, don’t get involved.”

“What about you?”

Mo Chuan replied with an air of self-assurance, “I consider myself to be quite sincere.”

“Who wouldn’t agree?”

“…Are you serious?” Mo Chuan was full of doubt.

Qin Xu didn’t answer. He gently pinched Li Nuo’s arm, “So soft.”

“Of course, without any muscle, that’s how it feels. Hey, don’t change the subject. Are you serious? I thought you were interested in Secretary Li.”

“The amnesia is real.”

“Still dodging the question, huh? Why bring this up now? It’s been over a month, hasn’t it?” Mo Chuan asked suspiciously.

Unlike Mo Chuan, who had believed in Li Nuo’s sincerity from the time of the allergy incident, Qin Xu had been observing for a long time. No one knew when the illness might improve. If the person in question didn’t say anything, it could be continued as a disguise.

However, recalling those encounters, those crescent-shaped, clear, laughing eyes often unknowingly brought a smile to his own face.

“Tsk, tsk. What are you thinking about? Even your expression has changed.”

“My expression changed?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s your face. When I saw that suit and sunglasses at your place, I thought you’d lost your mind. You even altered the size.”

Now, that suit still hung in the most prominent spot in the wardrobe, alongside a collection of custom suits. The sunglasses were neatly kept in a storage box.

God knows how shocked I was when I saw it.

My jaw almost dropped to the ground.

“Is that so…”

Recalling the scene when Li Nuo had picked out those items for him, Qin Xu’s gaze softened.

Mo Chuan widened his eyes as if the sky were falling.

“Are you for real…”

……………

Li Nuo recovered quickly, thanks to taking his medicine on time. Li Yan also frequently brought nourishing soups and broths.

Once his body recovered, Li Nuo visited the psychiatry department to meet with Dr. Zhou.

“No problems recently?”

“No, thanks to you, doctor.”

“That’s good. Have you remembered anything lately?”

Li Nuo hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “No.”

“Do you have any of your previous belongings, like a diary or photos?”

After thinking for a while, Li Nuo realized he hadn’t seen such things at home—perhaps they were left at his old residence? But now, returning there didn’t seem possible.

No matter how rushed you are, it’s impossible not to bring a single photo, right?

I’ll ask Li Yan about it later.

Dr. Zhou asked many memory-related questions but eventually stopped, perhaps finding it unproductive.

“Let’s talk about something else. Judging by that worried look on your face, what’s troubling you?” Zhou Ming took a sip of water and looked at his young patient in front of him.

Li Nuo smiled awkwardly, then hesitated before saying, “My hospitalization seems to have made Li Yan feel very guilty. But it wasn’t his fault at all. I was the one who insisted on working overtime that day. So…”

When Li Nuo had fully regained consciousness and saw his brother with sunken eyes, deep dark circles, and pale lips, he was overwhelmed with guilt. How could he make up for causing such worry through his own mistake?

“So you want to comfort him but don’t know how?”

Dr. Zhou chuckled. “Let me tell you. Just…”

After their conversation, Li Nuo returned to his room.

Li Yan, who was tidying up, greeted him, “Brother, you’re back from your walk?”

Closing the door behind him, Li Nuo approached Li Yan and opened his slender arms.

Li Yan looked puzzled. “…Brother?”

Li Nuo wrapped his arms around him tightly. “I’m really grateful to have you by my side.”

Though he couldn’t see Li Yan’s expression, he felt his body stiffen momentarily.

“I got sick, and I’m sorry for worrying you. Also…”

Li Nuo let go, raised a hand to caress Li Yan’s cheek, and smiled brightly.

“My brother is truly amazing, so handsome. I’ll always be proud of you.”

Genuine gratitude and compliments, straightforwardly expressing one’s feelings. This is how a family should interact.

Li Yan was so shocked that he couldn’t utter a word. He stood there motionless, showing no reaction at all.

“Why aren’t you responding? I followed exactly what the doctor said,” Li Nuo muttered. He used a little more strength and tugged at Li Yan’s cheeks. “Not even one word?”

As Li Nuo loosened his grip and tried to pull his hand back, Li Yan quickly covered it with his own trembling hands.

Although he didn’t know what the doctor had said to his brother, he found himself liking this sudden openness in his brother.

“Still… haven’t remembered anything?”

“No, not even a little.” Li Nuo was still mindful of the dream he had while in a coma, but since it didn’t seem related to anything in the novels, he decided not to bring it up.

I am not the Li Nuo from before. The memories will never return.

“Do you mind? Didn’t you say before that it didn’t matter if the memories didn’t come back?”

They had already discussed this back home once.

Li Yan shook his head. “Just wanted to confirm again. Don’t worry about the memories anymore. The past doesn’t matter. Brother, just live the way you like.”

Li Yan sat on the bed and pulled Li Nuo closer, resting his ear against Li Nuo’s chest.

Thump, thump, thump.

The sound of the heartbeat was so reassuring. “Hearing this sound is enough for me.”

Other people’s heartbeats didn’t matter—fast or slow. But this was Li Nuo’s heartbeat. That thought alone grounded him.

As long as he could live healthily, that was enough.

Li Nuo stroked his hair. “I’ll be extra, extra careful from now on.”

Pushing Li Yan slightly, Li Nuo raised his face. “So, my test results are already fine. The one who has issues is you, little brother. You really need proper rest. Are you planning to end up in the hospital with me?”

Li Yan smiled awkwardly. “I must look awful right now.”

“No, it’s more like a kind of rugged handsomeness,” Li Nuo teased, playfully kneading Li Yan’s cheeks. “Though your cheeks are sunken in. You need proper nutrition.”

“Brother, you’re not in a position to talk about me.”

As they joked, Li Yan paused and carefully asked, “Brother, do you still need to stay in the hospital?”

“No,” Li Nuo replied firmly.

“But your body is worse now than a month ago. The surgery has already been postponed twice. If you miss the optimal time for surgery, it’ll be troublesome.”

Li Yan tried to persuade him. If he went back to work and had another accident, what then?

“Wouldn’t staying in the hospital be better? It’s a private room here, very clean, and with good soundproofing.”

At home, they could vaguely hear conversations from next door.

“The hospital ward is noisy too, with people coming and going. Plus, the hospital food is awful,” Li Nuo countered.

Although it was hot at home, it wasn’t unbearable. At night, they would turn on the air conditioning, and the peak summer heat was already over.

He Yan had also asked the same thing earlier, whether he would stay in the hospital until the surgery. Li Nuo had also refused at that time.

“…Alright. If you really don’t want to, I won’t force you to stay.”

“You want me to stay in the hospital, don’t you?”

“Well, yes. After all, you’ve been hospitalized three times in the past two months.”

Li Yan felt it wasn’t right for his brother to keep standing. He got up, turned Li Nuo around, and had him sit on the hospital bed while he took the chair beside him.

Bending down, Li Yan rested his head on Li Nuo’s lap and let out a heavy sigh.

Seeing his childlike behavior, Li Nuo stroked his hair and said, “If I stay in the hospital, you’ll have to stay here too, worrying all the time. That would be uncomfortable. The hospital beds for companions are so small. Let’s go home instead.”

“Then we’ll need to clean up the house,” Li Yan murmured.

“Oh, right! I’ll help too. I can wear a mask while dusting.”

Li Yan moved his hand and grabbed Li Nuo’s to play with it. “No, your lungs aren’t in great shape either. I’ll go ahead and clean up first.”

“Alright, that works. Good thing my part-time job at the café is over. Otherwise, I’d be skipping work now.”

The two enjoyed a rare moment of peace, though it was clear this wouldn’t last long.

Sure enough, troublemakers arrived.

“…What are you two doing?”

Without knocking, Mo Chuan entered the room with raised eyebrows, followed by Qin Xu.

Since Li Nuo had woken up, this was the first time the two had visited. The company had been busy with the overseas branch, leaving no time for them to visit, especially for those in positions of power.

“Get up.”

Mo Chuan’s long legs brought him to the bedside in just a few strides, and he addressed Li Yan.

However, Li Yan neither reacted to their presence nor responded to his words. Instead, he remained resting his head on Li Nuo’s lap and closed his eyes, seemingly at ease.

Li Nuo didn’t ask him to get up either. Instead, he smiled warmly to greet the two newcomers.

“Hello, and thank you, Director Mo, for saving me that night.”

“Oh, now that’s something I like to hear,” Mo Chuan said with a satisfied grin. He looked Li Nuo up and down. A few days ago, he’d still been lying in bed, but now he was sitting up, though his face was still as pale as paper, making his rosy lips all the more striking.

Mo Chuan stared at him for a moment and asked, “Are you sure you’re alright sitting up now?”

“I’m fine. I even went for a walk outside.”

“Do you realize… never mind. How long are you going to sit there? Get up.”

Mo Chuan impatiently nudged Li Yan’s chair with his foot.

Li Nuo immediately stopped him. “What if he falls?”

“He’s not falling.” Mo Chuan nudged the chair again with his foot.

“Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other? Speaking of which, the first time I met you, you were wearing this same patient outfit.”

Li Nuo was momentarily caught off guard by the change in topic and reflexively glanced at his clothes.

Patient attire. He couldn’t count how many times he’d worn it since childhood.

He was utterly sick of them.