CHAPTER 30

Days passed in the same steady rhythm and Gaotu slowly got used to the new routine. Busy days blended into one another, with no problems at work or at home.

At the company, people treated him well. After seeing how calm and easygoing he was, more employees began to approach him. Even though he wasn't very talkative, they felt comfortable around him. Sometimes they came to share work updates, other times it was just light gossip. Gaotu mostly listened, adding a few words here and there.

Before long, the atmosphere around him grew relaxed and friendly and the work environment felt harmonious.

Even though everything was going smoothly, Gaotu found himself growing more and more fatigued. He didn't think he was doing much, mostly walking around, delivering documents. But sometimes it felt as exhausting as if he had just finished a shift at a construction site. Because of that, he often ended up in Wenlang's office, dozing off on the couch without meaning to.

Wenlang asked him more than once if he wanted to take a break, but Gaotu always refused, saying he needed to get used to it. Knowing how stubborn he was, Wenlang eventually stopped pushing and let him be.

The fatigue didn't stop, even on their days off. Simple chores at home left Gaotu feeling dizzy. Sometimes he had to grab onto furniture and stand still until the spinning passed.

On this particular weekend, Wenlang had gone out for a casual meeting, leaving Gaotu at home with Auntie Liu. After eating some fruits, Gaotu stood up to take the empty bowl to the kitchen. The moment he rose, his vision went dark. He collapsed to the floor.

Auntie Liu, who was nearby, heard the heavy thud and rushed over. Her face went pale when she saw Gaotu lying unconscious on the floor.

"Gaotu? Gaotu!" she called, shaking him gently. There was no response. Panic set in.

She quickly called for an ambulance. After confirming help was on the way, she tried calling Wenlang. The phone rang again and again, but no one answered.

Putting the phone aside, she focused on Gaotu, loosening his clothes and fanning him anxiously.

Before long, the ambulance arrived. Auntie Liu let the paramedics in at once. They checked Gaotu's vitals, then carefully lifted him onto a stretcher. Auntie Liu climbed into the ambulance with him as they headed straight for the hospital.

It was only after they reached the hospital that Wenlang finally returned the call. The moment his voice came through, it sounded tense, as if he already knew something was wrong. Probably because he had never gotten so many calls from Auntie Liu before.

"Is something wrong?" he asked right away.

Auntie Liu, who had been pacing in front of the emergency room, sat onto a bench.

"It's Gaotu," she said, trying to stay calm. "He suddenly fainted."

There was a brief silence on the line, then Wenlang's breath hitched.

"Where are you right now?" he asked. Auntie Liu quickly told him the name and location of the hospital. "They're running tests now. He hasn't woken up yet."

"I'm on my way," Wenlang said immediately. He didn't wait for a reply before hanging up.

Auntie Liu clutched her phone and looked toward the closed emergency room doors. Every second felt too long. She pressed her hands together, quietly said a silent prayer in her heart.

Not long after, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. Wenlang appeared, his tie loosened, hair slightly out of place. His eyes went straight to the emergency room sign. And just as he reached in front of the door, it opened and a doctor stepped out holding a clipboard.

Wenlang spoke first without hesitation. "How is he?."

The doctor looked at him calmly but firmly. "He's stable now. He fainted from exhaustion and low blood sugar. We've started IV fluids and some tests to make sure nothing else is wrong."

Wenlang's shoulders loosened slightly, but his eyes stayed sharp. "Can I see him?"

"Of course. But allow him to rest."

Wenlang nodded and stepped inside the room. There, Gaotu lay on the hospital bed, pale but breathing steadily with a drip fixed to his hand. Wenlang's heart ached at the sight.

He moved to the side of the bed and gently took Gaotu's hand in his. "You scared me," he murmured, his voice low.

As Wenlang sat there, watching Gaotu sleep and keeping an eye on the IV drip, the doctor from earlier returned. Their eyes met naturally, and he began speaking.

"The results from the tests we ran earlier are back," the doctor said. Wenlang leaned forward, waiting.

The doctor flipped a page on his clipboard. "Overall, everything is fine. His health is normal. But the tests also revealed something else."

"And what's that?" Wenlang's voice tightened.

"We found a high level of HCG in his blood," the doctor explained, closing the clipboard. "The patient is pregnant."

Wenlang's eyes widened. "Pregnant?" he repeated. The doctor nodded.

"That would explain the sudden fainting," the doctor continued. "The body undergoes hormonal and metabolic changes that can cause blood sugar to drop."

Wenlang simply nodded, processing the news. After giving all the necessary details, the doctor excused himself and left the room.

By the time Gaotu finally stirred awake fully, Wenlang was right there. Gaotu blinked up at him, groggy and confused. "Wha... what happened?" he asked, his voice rough.

"You fainted," Wenlang explained gently, taking his hand. "But the doctor said it's nothing serious. You're fine... mostly."

Gaotu frowned, trying to focus through the haze. "Mostly...?"

Wenlang took a deep breath, holding Gaotu's gaze steadily. Just then, Auntie Liu walked in carrying a lunch box. Her face brightened as she saw Gaotu awake.

"You're up! You must be hungry," she said, opening the box to set it on the table. She had been in the room earlier when the doctor shared the news with Wenlang and had quickly gone to prepare something light for him to eat.

"Not really..." Gaotu replied, and Auntie Liu froze, caught off guard. She glanced between him and Wenlang.

"Just eat a little," Wenlang said, "The doctor said you need to eat more."

Gaotu looked down at the bowl of porridge in front of him, feeling unmotivated. He opened his mouth to make another excuse, but Wenlang spoke first.

"You have to eat, Gaotu. You're pregnant," he said, more firmly this time.

Gaotu blinked, staring at him as if he hadn't heard a word he said.

"Huh?"

"You're pregnant," Wenlang repeated, his voice steady. Gaotu's eyes flicked up at Wenlang finally understanding the meaning of those words.

He went silent.

Auntie Liu cleared her throat softly, "You just need to take it easy and eat something, okay?" she said gently. "Everything will be fine."

Gaotu swallowed, his chest feeling tight. "I... I don't know..." The words barely came out. His thoughts tangled and overwhelmed.

Wenlang saw it right away. He stood up and pulled Gaotu into his arms without saying a word.

Gaotu leaned into him instantly, burying his face against Wenlang's chest, fingers clutching his shirt as if afraid to let go.

The tears came before he could stop them. His shoulders shook as he sobbed quietly, all the fear and confusion spilling out.

Wenlang held him firmly, one hand resting at his back, the other cradling his head. 

~~~

Author's Note: Hey loves 💕 Sorry for disappearing for a bit. I had hospital visits that kept me busy. I'm back now and updates are finally happening again. Thank you so much for waiting 🫶