"What's wrong??" she asked in a distressed tone.
Staring back at the woman with a tear-stricken face who was completely soaked from head to toe and looking at him in panic, he didn't have the heart to stress her more.
"Don't worry, I'm here. We just have to get his temperature down." Han Zhixin reassured her, but she still felt unsettled.
"I'll make a trip to the pharmacy. Stay here with him," he instructed before walking away.
Tang Li Mei hurriedly pulled his hand away and stopped him. He glanced at the slim hand that caught him before looking at her with a questioning gaze.
"What's wrong??" he asked quietly.
"You stay here; I'll get the medicines," she replied.
"Xiao Mei, the rain has gotten worse. It's not good for you to drive in this weather," he advised.
"Listen, Xun'er needs you here more than he needs me, so please stay. It won't take long. If he needs anything, you'll be here, and I can be at ease. Please!!!" She requested it in a pleading voice.
Han Zhixin stared at her for some time, and she stared back, her gaze full of determination. His woman sure was stubborn; nevertheless, he didn't have the heart to send her out in this weather. He sighed.
"Xiao Mei you ... Fine!!.... Give me your phone??" he grunted. She quickly pulled out her phone and gave it to him.
"If you don't come back in half an hour, I'm coming for you!!" He grimly pointed it out as he gave her the medicine list. He was agitated at her behaviour but he also understood her temperament. Tang Li Mei nodded and hurriedly left the room.
Han Zhixin sat beside the little one and rubbed his palms.
"Excuse me?? Can you get me a tub of warm water and a fresh towel??" he asked Aunt Lan.
"Yes, right away!" she replied and got to work. Han Zhixin looked at the little boy, who was struggling to open his eyes.
"Mama..." he called out in a hoarse voice.
"It's okay, little one. Your mama will be back in no time," he replied, lightly squeezing the little boy's hand. Aunt Lan came back with a small tub and towel.
"Thank you, uh....."
"You can call me Aunt Lan just like Young Miss," she said as a small smile graced her chubby face. Han Zhixin gave her a curt nod while squeezing out the excess water from the towel and giving the little bun a sponge bath.
Aunt Lan passed him a new set of clothes for the little one. He carefully changed the little boy out of his old clothes. Aunt Lan, on the other hand, changed the sheets as they were soaked in sweat.
Han Zhixin held the little boy in his arms and sat down on the chair. The little one slowly opened his eyes and saw a blurry figure holding him.
"Mama??" he called out.
Looking at the little bun, who looked pale and tired in his arms, Han Zhixin felt his heart squeeze.
Soon the little one's sight cleared, and when he saw the person holding him, his eyes filled with tears.
Han Zhixin felt his heart wrench in pain seeing him like this, so he quietly wiped away the little boy's tears and stroked his head fondly.
"Papa!!" the little one called out as he hugged him tightly. The other two people in the room froze when they heard him. Han Zhixin was completely petrified.
"Little master, he is not..." Aunt Lan struggled to explain it to the little one. She stared at Han Zhixin, unable to come up with an excuse, but she missed the barely noticeable smile that graced his lips. Somewhere in the corner of his heart, he felt warm when the little bun called him so fondly.
The little boy quickly snuggled into his arms and held the young man tightly.
"Papa, do you hate Xun'er??" He asked in a tired voice. Han Zhixin had no clue how to respond to the question; he felt completely vexed. He calmed himself before replying to the little bun.
"No!! That's not true, little one. Papa loves you a lot." he replied, patting his back.
"Then why did Papa not come to visit me and Mama for so many years??" He questioned him as tears filled his eyes. Han Zhixin felt his heart twist in pain when he heard the little one's question. His hold on him tightened as his gaze grew grim.
'Now he really wanted to meet the little one's real father and give him a good punch in the face for leaving them like that!!!'
"Papa, stay with Xun'er, okay?" He pleaded hoarsely. Han Zhixin wanted to tell him the truth, but looking at that honest and expectant gaze, he gave up on that idea.
"Okay, papa will stay. Now be a good boy and rest till Mama comes back. Okay," he whispered. He didn't know how Tang Li Mei would react when she heard this, but it felt right in his heart.
The little one nodded his head as his tired eyes sparkled with happiness.
'His papa will stay with them!! Mama would be so happy!!'
He tiredly yawned while leaning on his 'father's' shoulders and dozing away.
Aunt Lan listened to the 'father and son's interaction and was completely bewildered.
Han Zhixin laid the sleeping boy on the bed, covered him with his comforter, and placed a small white towel on his forehead. He examined the little one's temperature from time to time, simultaneously glancing at his watch with a worried look.
"Can you help me with Xiao Mei's phone number??" he asked the old woman politely.
Aunt Lan nodded and helped him with the number. She stared at him for a while with a conflicted expression.
"Aunt Lan, is there something you would like to ask??" He questioned her when he noticed her hesitation.
"Young master, do you like our young miss??" She asked him hesitantly.
Han Zhixin stiffened, but he soon relaxed and nodded. Aunt Lan smiled at him.
"Young master, forgive me for the words I'm going to say, but when I saw you with Young Miss, it really surprised me. Our young miss is not someone who wears her heart on her sleeve; instead, she is stubborn and unyielding. But she has a very gentle heart, so if you are looking for someone temporary, then I would suggest you look for someone else." She explained with a sharp gaze.
Aunt Lan knew her behaviour was out of line, but she couldn't let the poor girl fall into a trap. The old master had clearly asked her to take care of this granddaughter and great-grandson. So she would do all she could to help her get a good young man.
Han Zhixin smiled and nodded at her. He did not feel offended by her words; instead, he felt happy that his woman was surrounded by people like her. It put him at ease.
"She is someone with whom I see myself growing old, happily surrounded by our children. That is, if she accepts me." He replied, making his intentions very clear. Aunt Lan felt her eyes moisten when she heard it. She smiled and nodded at him; she was happy for their young miss.