A Premeditated Abandonment

Yu An frowned and shook his head. "Can't eat it."

He Li'an watched him quietly, his tone unhurried. "Why can't you eat it?"

"It's unhealthy." Yu An stared at the dishes. "It's bad for your body."

His gaze was wary, as though he feared the food on the plate might attack him.

He Li'an recalled Yu An's conflicted, troubled expression in the car earlier, when he had suggested eating out that night.

The fact that Yu An had hesitated meant he had wanted to do it.

It was just that this desire had been suppressed.

He Li'an did not immediately deny what he had said. "Compared to what you usually eat, it really isn't as healthy."

That sense of agreement eased Yu An's anxiety a little.

He slowly raised his head and met He Li'an's gentle gaze.

He Li'an observed his expression and, only after confirming that Yu An could take in what he was about to say, continued:

"Appetite is a human instinct. There are so many foods with different flavors in this world. No one can spend their entire life eating only absolutely healthy food."

Yu An's views on food were not exactly wrong.

It was just that such beliefs limited how he experienced life.

He Li'an believed that, as long as a person could accept it, life could hold more experiences.

"Then..." Yu An thought for a moment before objecting, "What if you eat yourself to death?"

"..."

Fortunately, He Li'an had grown used to his startling remarks.

At first glance, it sounded like something amusing a child might say.

But after thinking about it slightly more, He Li'an's heart sank. "Did you get food poisoning before?"

"Mm." Yu An's already pale face grew several shades whiter.

Yet there was no ripple in either his expression or tone, as though he no longer cared about it at all.

But in reality, the opposite was true.

He Li'an straightened slightly in his seat. "Was it serious at the time?"

Yu An had not thought about his childhood for a long time.

He was somewhat reluctant to answer these questions, but the person before him was He Li'an, someone who made him feel safe and secure, so he slowly answered, "Mm."

It had been the fifteenth day after his parents left with his younger sister.

As usual, he had taken something from the refrigerator to eat. Two hours after finishing it, his stomach began to hurt badly.

His instinct to survive made him realize that something was wrong with his body. He had barely managed to make it outside before the pain caused him to fall down the stairs.

By the time he woke up, three days had passed. A kind neighbor had sent him to the hospital.

He had overheard the doctors talking in private, saying that if he had been brought in any later, he would have died.

The hospital had contacted his family, but they never appeared, not even by the time he was discharged and returned home.

Later, he found a large amount of cash hidden beneath his bedding, along with a note that said, "Sorry."

Only then did he vaguely realize that he had suffered a premeditated abandonment.

They had left behind a lot of cash, so Yu An had not been particularly angry about being abandoned. What stayed deeply with him was the food poisoning.

From then on, he had extremely strict standards when it came to food.

He bought many books on children's nutrition and followed them carefully, earnestly and diligently raising himself in a safe and healthy way.

He Li'an saw his resistance and thoughtfully did not press any further. He only suggested, "We can go home and eat."

"But it would be such a waste." Yu An pressed his lips together, as though making up his mind. "Let's finish eating before we go home."

He Li'an had already withdrawn the arm resting on the table, prepared to leave at any moment. "You don't need to force yourself."

Without thinking, Yu An said, "If you eat with me, I won't feel like I'm forcing myself."

He had only survived until now because of someone else's kindness.

Kind people were all worthy of trust.

And He Li'an was a kind person.

That unreadable, unnatural expression appeared on He Li'an's face again. "Then let's eat while it's hot."

After that, Yu An silently tried every dish.

He Li'an looked very nice when he ate.

Just as people on the campus forum had said, he was an elegant young nobleman.

Yu An also picked up his chopsticks and cautiously brought some food to his mouth.

The next second, his eyes lit up.

Delicious.

This was delicious.

That was delicious too!

When they returned home, Zhu Wen was waiting for them at the entrance with a wheelchair.

The moment Yu An got out of the car, Zhu Wen pushed the wheelchair over. "Young Master Yu An, please sit."

Yu An's foot was still recovering. Zhu Wen guessed that after being active all day, he must be exhausted.

Yu An had eaten a delicious yet unhealthy couple's set meal today, had not gotten poisoned, and was in a very good mood. He also happened to not feel much like walking. Zhu Wen had brought him a wheelchair, which made him even happier, and he sat down in it cheerfully. "Thank you."

Zhu Wen raised an eyebrow slightly and pushed him inside.

He Li'an took a phone call and had to head back to the study first, leaving only Yu An and Zhu Wen on the path.

Several servants followed from a distance behind them, while the patrolling security guards had just walked away.

No one else could hear their conversation.

"Young Master Yu An..."

"Zhu Wen..."

The two spoke almost at the same time.

Yu An turned his head and looked at Zhu Wen with a surprised expression.

Zhu Wen said respectfully, "Young Master Yu An, you first."

He still looked as respectful and steady as usual, but there was a strange gleam in his eyes, making him look like a cunning old fox.

But he was also the person who knew He Li'an best...

Yu An could only set aside his concerns and ask the question in his heart. "Today, I tricked He Li'an into going to a couple's restaurant with me. He wasn't angry, but his reaction was strange. I can't figure out what he's thinking. Do you think I still have a chance?"

Zhu Wen had previously misunderstood that he liked He Li'an, and Yu An had not been able to explain it. Now, it came in handy, allowing him to naturally ask Zhu Wen this sort of question.

"Of course you do!"

The wheelchair stopped. Zhu Wen's eyes instantly lit up as though they could glow.

He had originally wanted to ask about the progress between Yu An and his young master. Yu An's question was exactly what he had hoped for.

"You went to a couple's restaurant, and the young master didn't refuse?" Zhu Wen looked a little excited.

Yu An said, "He didn't."

Zhu Wen spun around on the spot in excitement. "If he didn't refuse, then you have a chance!"

Yu An was not so optimistic. "He usually doesn't refuse people much."

Zhu Wen smiled at that, looking somewhat inscrutable. "Young Master Yu An, surely you don't think our young master is the sort of person who is so good-tempered that he has no opinions of his own?"

"...Isn't he?"

Zhu Wen did not like hearing that.

"Completely wrong." His expression returned to its usual calm seriousness. "Our young master is actually a very decisive person, especially when it comes to relationships. The reason he is still single is because he rejects every pursuer thoroughly!"

"And you!" Zhu Wen suddenly pointed at Yu An.

Yu An did not even blink, staring straight at Zhu Wen. "What about me?"

"You are different to the young master." Zhu Wen withdrew his hand. "Keep it up, Young Master Yu An!"

Inspired by his impassioned mood, Yu An felt like he could do this again and nodded firmly. "Okay."

Zhu Wen continued pushing his wheelchair.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Yu An. I pointed at you just now."

"It's fine, Zhu Wen. I won't question your professional integrity because of that."

"Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Yu An."