As Tao Fengche expected, the head nurse led the junior nurses to deliver bottles of water to them one by one. Tao Fengche reached out to take his, casually placing it on the nearby bench without any intention of drinking it.

The head nurse was perceptive enough to leave with the junior nurses after distributing the water, not saying a single unnecessary word. In contrast, the junior nurse was evidently more curious, her eyes frequently glancing at his waist.

Tao Fengche knew what she was looking at—a purely black Magnum Baby Eagle holstered there.

According to the laws of Jingpu, citizens aged eighteen and older could apply for a gun license, though the requirements for a handgun license were very strict. Tao Fengche was still underage and had not yet produced pheromones. The junior nurse’s eyes had widened when she got close, probably realizing this.

But Tao Fengche didn’t care. Even if she decided to report him for illegal gun possession… After all, he was a Tao.

Two elevators stopped on this floor almost simultaneously. The descending one was empty, and two nurses stepped inside; the ascending one was full. As the elevator doors slowly opened, the hospital directors, all of them, stepped out.

Several of the directors had old connections with the Tao family. Normally, Tao Fengche would have had to engage in small talk with them, but he wasn’t in the mood. He played listlessly with the gun in his hand, occasionally responding with a few words. Xu Song noticed his impatience and took over the task of socializing.

Fortunately, the directors were here just to show their support. After a few polite exchanges, they found seats nearby, quietly waiting for a result along with Tao Fengche.

At 3:10, Zhao Jiayang finally arrived.

Though over forty, he looked barely over thirty. Even now, with hickeys on his neck and a somewhat disheveled shirt, his handsomeness remained undiminished.

“Xiao Che.” He hurried over, without an entourage, and ruffled Tao Fengche’s hair as soon as they met.

Probably due to just having experienced an intense session, Zhao Jiayang’s scent was very mixed. Besides his own and his lover’s pheromones, Tao Fengche also recognized the scent of his usual shower gel.

It seemed he had just taken a bath.

Tao Fengche exhaled, letting Zhao Jiayang fuss over him. As he looked up, he accidentally caught sight of a pinprick on Zhao Jiayang’s wrist—a tiny one, hidden under the watch strap, revealed only by his movement.

In a flash, Tao Fengche understood why Zhao Jiayang looked so satisfied—he had taken alpha nerve stimulant again.

This was a drug produced by a research institute under the Tao family, containing a special pheromone similar to that produced during an omega’s heat, which could greatly stimulate an alpha’s central nervous system. However, prolonged use could lead to organ damage and even severe mental issues; it was a banned substance only circulated on the black market.

The stimulants supplied to Zhao Jiayang by the institute were naturally different from the low-grade ones on the black market, with significantly reduced side effects, though they were not non-existent.

More importantly, these stimulants could shorten one’s lifespan.

This wasn’t just a personal lifestyle issue; it was about disregarding one’s own life. Chu Yin, who had no children of his own, had truly treated Tao Fengche as a son. For his sake alone, Tao Fengche couldn’t stand by and watch Zhao Jiayang ruin his body.

Just as he was about to speak out, the door to the operating room opened.

The department heads who had been urgently called back to perform the surgery walked out one by one, all looking exhausted. The leading one slowly shook his head, and several directors immediately closed their eyes in frustration.

Tao Fengche sprang up.

He almost lost his balance, appearing unsteady. Fortunately, Zhao Jiayang caught him just in time, preventing him from collapsing to the ground.

His legs felt weak, as if treading in a swamp. He slowly walked to the surgery bed that had been wheeled out, trembling as he lifted the white sheet to take a look.

The old man wasn’t actually that old.

Tao Zhixing was forty-five, in his prime, with only a few fine lines around his eyes betraying his true age. Much of Tao Fengche’s much-admired looks came from him. Except for the slightly drooping eyes inherited from his mother, father and son looked almost identical.

However, his old-fashioned and stubborn nature had led Tao Fengche to call him “old man” behind his back. Tao Zhixing knew about this but didn’t get too angry. This legendary figure always had more patience for his beloved son.

It was precisely because of this that Tao Fengche found it particularly hard to accept this harsh reality.

Yesterday, they had been arguing vehemently about college applications, his father’s voice strong and full of vigor. How could he be gone so suddenly?

“Dad.” He called out softly, not expecting a response. He opened his hand, as if to grasp something, but caught only a handful of air.

Xu Song turned away, unable to look any longer. Zhao Jiayang clenched his fists tightly, then let them fall slack. Finally, he reached out and tucked Tao Zhixing’s bedsheet.

“Uncle, I don’t have a father anymore.” Tao Fengche said in a daze, as if talking to himself, yet seeking confirmation.

“You still have your uncle, your uncle is still here.” Zhao Jiayang’s eyes reddened as he pulled the boy who had lost his father into his arms. “Cry, it’s okay to cry.”

Tao Fengche’s tears finally burst forth.

He cried miserably, the tears flowing like an unstoppable faucet. Zhao Jiayang reached out and patted his shoulder.

Zhao Jiayang knew him well; Tao Fengche had always been prone to tears. This sudden catastrophe would surely bring a long bout of crying. But to his surprise, after just five minutes, Tao Fengche’s sobs began to subside.

Without his father’s protection, he was no longer the child who could cry and be willful without restraint.

He was forced to grow up quickly.

Tao Fengche took the handkerchief Xu Song handed him and wiped away his tears. Then, mimicking Zhao Jiayang’s earlier actions, he tightened Tao Zhixing’s bedsheet.

Having never taken care of anyone before, his movements were clumsy. Because of his awkwardness, Tao Zhixing’s right hand slipped off the bed. Tao Fengche quickly grabbed it and placed it back on the bed.

In that instant, his pupils dilated rapidly—Tao Zhixing’s right thumb was bare.

Where was the ring?