By the time Chen Yiran got home, Azalea wasn't crying anymore, but the soft, pitiful whimpers were somehow even worse. Her tiny body was burning up and Chen Yiran could feel the stress tightening around her like a vice.
The butler came curious to what had happened as they left while okay and now coming back the young mistress seemed distressed. Myles explained to him what had happened.
"Young Master will deal with you. You are dismissed." Butler Lu told him.
Myles left with a bow. But some part of him didn't want to as he wanted to know how the young mistress was doing.
Chen Yiran tried breastfeeding, Azalea refused. Tried changing her diaper, No difference. Nothing was working. Her fever was only getting worse.
Chen Yiran's hands trembled as she gave her a fever reducer, but even after that, Azalea still squirmed in discomfort. Panic clawed at her. What else can she do?
Then the nanny walked in, took a look at them and suggested, "Try ice on her leg. The injected site."
"Will it work?" Chen Yiran doubted.
"It reduces the pain and the swelling."
After hearing that, Chen Yiran didn't hesitate. She grabbed an ice cube, wrapped it in a cloth and gently pressed it on Aza's thigh.
At first, Aza jerked, a tiny whimper escaping her lips, but the, as if by magic, her breathing slowed. The tension in her body eased. And before Chen Yiran knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Chen Yiran let out a slow, shaky breath, brushing a hand over Aza's soft curls. She sat beside Azalea for a while, making sure she was comfortable before finally standing up to carry her to the bedroom.
Just as she was about to leave the room, Butler Lu approached her.
"Miss Chen," he called out, "Miss Mo was here earlier."
Chen Yiran's brows furrowed, "Mo Yeji?"
"Yes, Miss Chen. She came to visit, but when she found out you were at the hospital, she left soon after."
Chen Yiran scoffed, 'Of course, she did.'
She had no doubt Mo Yeji was involved in today's mess. Who else would leak her whereabouts to the reporters? The timing was too convenient. But proving her involvement was another matter. She would deal with her- just not right now.
She sighed and continue walking as she got inside the elevator, stroking Azalea's little hand, "What do you think, Aza? Was it her?" she murmured.
Azalea whimpered softly, shifting in her sleep.
Chen Yiran exhaled, "Yeah, I thought so too."
Chen Yiran entered the bedroom and laid Azalea on her crib. She stayed by Aza's side, time slipping away unnoticed. Then the butler came in to check on them as he brought some fruits for Chen Yiran to munch on so when Azalea would wake up at least she won't be so empty.
Then, just as they thought Azalea was finally resting peacefully, Azalea suddenly stirred, then vomited.
Chen Yiran panicked, "Meiyue?" she quickly grabbed her daughter so she wouldn't choke and grabbed a cloth, wiping her up as fast as she could.
The butler rushed forward, "Should I call the doctor?"
Chen Yiran hesitated, "Let's wait a bit. She's been through enough today."
Azalea whimpered again but soon drifted back to sleep.
Chen Yiran leaned back, exhausted. The stress was unbearable, her body felt drained and she hadn't eaten all day. But right now, food was the last thing on her mind.
All she cared about was making sure Aza would be okay.
At around 6 PM, Wang Zichen finally arrived from his two weeks business trip. He stepped out of the car expecting the usual welcome from Butler Lu but instead he was nowhere to be seen. He was greeted by a few bodyguards and some passing maids. Something felt off.
Without stopping, he headed straight to his bedroom floor. Just as he reached the hallway, he ran into Butler Lu and a maid.
"Welcome back, Master Wang." Butler Lu greeted.
Wang Zichen frowned, he noticed something off, "What is it?"
Butler Lu hesitated but answered briefly, "Miss Chen and the young mistress were harassed by reporters earlier."
Wang Zichen's expression darkened, Before he could ask or say anything, Butler Lu excused himself, "Miss Chen asked me to call the doctor," he bowed then hurriedly left.
Wang Zichen's pace quickened without him knowing, he pushed open the bedroom door. Inside, Chen Yiran was sitting on the bed with Azalea in her arms. His daughter was undressed, her tiny body flushed with heat.
His brows furrowed, "It's cold. Why is she like that?"
Chen Yiran looked up at him, her face exhausted and vulnerable. Her eyes, red from stress, locked onto his, he knew something was very wrong.
"She has a fever," she said softly.
He took a step closer, "Why haven't you taken her to the hospital?"
"Tell me you're joking right now?" She looked at him as if he were crazy. She clutched Azalea as she stood up, her whole body trembling, "You weren't there," she started, "If you had been there for your daughter's first check up, I wouldn't have been swarmed by those damn reporters!"
Her voice cracked, "You don't get to walk in here and act like you care now and question me, " tears welled up, threatening to spill down her face, "The only time your daughter needed you. You were not around."
Wang Zichen stood there, stunned as Chen Yiran broke down in front of him.
Then suddenly, Azalea's tiny body jerked violently in Chen Yiran's arms.
Chen Yiran's breath hitched. For a second, she thought she had imagined it, until it happened again. Her limbs stiffened, her little chest heaving as her body trembled uncontrollably.
There was no way a doctor didn't know what was happening to the little girl, more or less her, Chen Yiran. Azalea was convulsing from the high fever.
Chen Yiran's entire world stopped.
Her arms went rigid, her mind blank. She couldn't move, couldn't breath, couldn't think.
"Aza?" Her voice barely came out, more of a whisper then a call.
Azalea obviously didn't respond.
Chen Yiran's heart pounded, a sharp panic seizing her chest. 'No. no no-'
Wang Zichen, who had been standing motionless, finally realized what was happening. His stomach dropped. With an impulse or reflex, he pried Azalea from the frozen Chen Yiran's trembling arms and bolted out of the room.
"Get the helicopter ready! NOW!" He barked at the bodyguards in the hallway.