The Unattainable Flower Pulled Down from the Pedestal by Universal Dislike – CH61

Chapter 61

Lin Song’an explained that his initial plan had been to undergo surgery right after returning to Ningjiang, endure the half-month isolation period, recover, and then surprise Tan Ning by showing up in the UK, full of life and energy.

He’d intended to keep Tan Ning in the dark, using work as a reason to explain his absence and subtly preparing him by bringing up news stories on gland removal surgery, hoping that by the time Tan Ning learned the truth, he’d feel less guilt.

Tan Ning, furious, wanted to punch Lin Song’an, but he couldn’t bear to. He couldn’t bite him, and though his anger made him want to lash out, he lacked the heart to do so. In the end, he simply collapsed beside him, both of them exhausted, staring silently at the unfamiliar room.

It was a cozy, split-level apartment facing south, with a staircase that led to a nook shaped like an archway beneath it. The warm decor alternated between cream white and soft brown. Lin Song’an had chosen this apartment instantly, feeling it had a homely vibe, something comforting for a “little cat” who needed security.

“Ning Ning, let me go back alone. I don’t want you to come with me.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to feel hurt.”

Tan Ning let out a cold laugh. “Like I wouldn’t worry from thousands of miles away?”

“I don’t want you to see me go into surgery, waiting outside for hours, then facing weeks of isolation where we’d be staring helplessly through a glass window. And for this surgery on my neck, they might even shave a bit of my hair—it’ll look pretty awful,” Lin Song’an rested his head on Tan Ning’s shoulder, a boyish tone slipping into his voice. “I don’t want that. I can do this alone.”

“Lin Song’an, you’re so selfish.”

Lin Song’an shamelessly laughed, “It’s surprising to me too—I didn’t know I could be this selfish.”

Tears welled in Tan Ning’s eyes.

Lin Song’an gently wiped them away with his fingertips. “When did you become such a crybaby, Little Cat Tan ?”

Tan Ning’s emotions finally overflowed as he pushed Lin Song’an’s hand away, curling up with his knees hugged close and his face buried in his arms. “Lin Song’an, you really are selfish! I… I’ll carry this guilt for the rest of my life!”

Lin Song’an’s gaze softened.

“You don’t want to feel guilty, so you’re passing that guilt onto me instead.”

Lin Song’an sighed, reaching to pull Tan Ning into his chest. “Why paint me as such a villain?”

“You are, and I hate you.”

“Don’t lie, Little Cat Tan. That really hurts.”

“I hate you.”

Then, as if contradicting his own words, Tan Ning climbed onto Lin Song’an’s lap, clutching his face with his fingers brushing frantically over his jaw and cheeks. With desperation, he cried, “I’m begging you, Lin Song’an. Please don’t go through with this surgery.”

He was still trying to change Lin Song’an’s mind, clinging to a shred of hope.

“Let’s wait—one year, two years, however long it takes. Don’t worry about your rut periods; I can handle them. You were right before—I do like it when you’re more forceful. I said it hurt just to make you worry, but it wasn’t that bad.”

Putting on the softest expression, one that was entirely unlike himself, he pleaded, “Just two more years?”

Frantically, he rubbed Lin Song’an’s shoulders as though soothing him, filled with panic and seeking comfort. At this moment, his whole world was Lin Song’an. Lin Song’an had anticipated anger or an outburst but never imagined Tan Ning would beg like this, even denying his own pain during rut.

Lin Song’an felt a pang in his heart.

He cupped Tan Ning’s face, his voice soft yet unyielding.

“No.”

Tan Ning’s gaze shattered.

“Ning Ning, let’s get through this year. After that, we’ll have a lifetime of happiness with no burdens. Doesn’t that excite you?”

Tan Ning wiped his tears. “Easy for you to say.”

“It’s not that hard, darling.” Lin Song’an playfully pinched Tan Ning’s cheek.

Tan Ning cried until he was too exhausted to continue, and Lin Song’an pulled him into his embrace, stroking his back gently.

“I know the surgery will have some side effects—gland removal will disrupt my hormones, and I might feel tired more often. I won’t have an alpha’s endless energy, but I think I can manage. And if I falter, Ning Ning, you’ll keep me in line.”

Unable to bear hearing more, Tan Ning buried his face into Lin Song’an’s shoulder.

“It’s not that difficult, Ning Ning. If we could endure those nights of hellish rut, a little surgery is nothing. Think of Ye Ling’s ordeal, or that time I was triggered with Yan Zhiyu. Think of my father.”

“After this surgery, we won’t have to face any of these uncontrollable risks.”

After a long silence, Tan Ning relented. “Then I’ll go back with you.”

“What about your studies? You’ve worked so hard to get here. Are you planning to take a leave of absence at the start of the semester?”

Tan Ning nodded but then hesitated. “But…”

“My parents will be with me throughout the surgery. I’m not going through this alone, and I’m not trying to be a hero. Every day, my mom will keep you updated.”

Lin Song’an’s expression grew serious, his tone authoritative, carrying an innate alpha command. “Ning Ning, just this once—listen to me, alright?”

Lin Song’an often said “alright” with a teasing lilt at the end. It was usually a request, but now it felt like an order, leaving Tan Ning speechless.

“Ning Ning, wait here for me. One day at the end of the month, you’ll come home after class, open the door, and find me right there.”

Lin Song’an kissed him on the lips. “I’ll come back safe and sound to your world.”

*

Tan Ning settled into his life abroad.

Every morning at 8:30, he would leave his apartment, cross the street, pass the gallery and coffee shop, and head into the university. The first class usually began at nine, with a daily schedule of four one-hour classes.

Following Lin Song’an’s advice, he actively embraced his new environment, no longer sitting alone in the front row.

He even made a few friends, though they weren’t particularly close.

One alumnus from the university enthusiastically showed him around, and after visiting the British Museum, Tan Ning treated them to a meal. Halfway through, his phone vibrated, and his expression changed as he put down his drink to check his messages.

Fang Jin had sent him an update.

[Day three of isolation. He’s doing alright—his blood pressure is stable.]

[He felt a bit nauseous yesterday, but it’s better today.]

[Photo]

[Photo]

[Photo]

[He insisted on trying to make a peace sign for you, but I stopped him.]

[He couldn’t eat for the first couple of days, but he managed some liquid food today. The doctor said he’s doing better than expected.]

[His father and I are taking turns staying with him, so don’t worry and focus on your studies.]

Tan Ning looked over the photos repeatedly. Lin Song’an lay in a single hospital bed in the isolation room, his neck still in a brace, his face pale as paper.

The urge to hold him overwhelmed Tan Ning, and his eyes stung as tears began to fall.

The friend asked, “Is everything alright?”

Tan Ning nodded, smiling. “I just got some good news from home.”

“Oh? What’s the good news?”

“My fiancé will be here at the end of the month.”

The friend’s eyes widened. “You’re engaged?”

Tan Ning thought, Something like that. It’s for life, after all. Maybe we’ll skip the engagement and go straight to marriage.

Back at his apartment, Tan Ning often found himself going over the photos Fang Jin sent him, as well as the voice messages Lin Song’an had recorded before his surgery.

“Dear Little Cat Tan, I’m about to go into surgery. Okay, I’ll admit, I’m a little bit nervous, but only a little. My mom and dad are outside talking to the doctor. Even though I’m twenty-four now, I can still be a kid with them. Despite their own mistakes and struggles, they both love me deeply, and so do you. I’m so lucky.”

“Dear Little Cat Tan, when I visit at the end of the month, I won’t need to worry about my rut period, or struggle between hurting you and taking sedatives. I feel so relieved now.”

“Dear Little Cat Tan, if you’re worried, just give yourself ten minutes of worry before bed, then go to sleep. When I arrive, you’ll need all the energy to take care of me. Take care of yourself now, too.”

“Dear Little Cat Tan, I love you very much.”

Tan Ning saved each message, replaying them whenever he was alone, whether cooking, cleaning, or studying. He wanted Lin Song’an’s voice to fill the silence.

On the sixth day, Fang Jin updated him again.

[His pheromone concentration has dropped to 40%, and his overall health indicators are improving.]

[Lab Report]

[Photo]

[Photo]

[Photo]

[He’s able to get out of bed. The doctor said it’s fortunate he’s always kept fit—his physical condition is aiding his recovery.

But because of his high pheromone levels before, we can’t drop them to zero without impacting his health.]

[We’ll observe a bit longer, aiming for 20%, just enough to retain some alpha traits. It won’t matter since he won’t sense other people’s pheromones anymore, but it will support his overall health. Ning Ning, do you think that’s alright?]

Tan Ning replied, [Yes, whatever’s best for his health.]

And then he returned to his routine—classes, library visits, exploring the streets under the constant British rain.

He got up as usual the next day to attend class and went to the library. On the way, he met a Japanese boy who also had long hair. He raised his finger and pointed at Tan Ning’s hair, smiling and said, “I like your hairstyle very much. The color is also very beautiful.

Everyone here can accept his long hair.

Tan Ning smiled at the boy politely.

The boy followed Tan Ning for a short distance and stopped him in front of the library entrance, “Can I add your contact information?”

Tan Ning said: “I’m sorry, I’m already engaged.”

The boy scratched his head in embarrassment and turned away.

Tan Ning stood on the steps, thinking: Lin Songan, why haven’t you come to propose yet? I told everyone that I was engaged, but in fact I haven’t even seen the shadow of a ring.

He began to prepare for Lin Songan’s arrival by purchasing and learning nursing knowledge. He also borrowed a large stack of books related to gland removal surgery from the library. He would sleep with the books in his arms every night and would feel dazed when he woke up the next day. For a moment, he forgot whether he was studying medicine or law.

He went to class right after breakfast, and he still raised his hand during the Q&A session.

When he finished answering and sat down, he subconsciously glanced to the right. He felt that the surroundings were still the law and business classroom of A University. Lin Songan was sitting on the far right of the first row. When he saw him raise his hand, he couldn’t help but sneer and laughed at him for being too obedient.

It has been raining a lot in the UK recently and the air is humid. Tan Ning is walking through the streets with an umbrella. In the open-air restaurants on the roadside are some middle-aged people who are obviously drenched in the rain but are still elegantly tasting wine.

Tan Ning did not have such leisure time. He secretly prayed that the rainy season would stop before Lin Songan came, as Lin Songan needed to recuperate in a sunny environment.

He bought some small accessories and decorated his house. He hung many small banners on the back wall of the living room and bought small colored lights, and placed a heart in the middle. Tan Ning took a look and felt very satisfied, but when he came back after cleaning, he hid “I love you” in the corner again.

Fang Jin messaged him.

[The isolation period has ended. We’ve brought him home.]

[He’s recovering even better than expected.]

[Photo]

[Photo]

“His appetite is growing. Today, the nanny made him chicken soup, and he had two bowls with rice.”

“He’s in good spirits, but he hasn’t taken the brace off yet or washed his hair in days. He’s adamant about not video-calling you—too embarrassed to let you see him in this state.”

Tan Ning chuckled, saving each photo.

He replied, [He looks so silly.]

[Yes, silly enough that I worry about his capability to manage Tianhe.]

Tan Ning laughed out loud.

Lin Song’an’s arrival was now a countdown, filling Tan Ning with anticipation.

On his way home from class one day, he stopped to pick up a carton of milk. As he opened his front door, he paused, his eyelid twitching. Was it good luck or bad? He couldn’t remember.

Then, his heart seized with the sight before him.

By the shoe rack were two suitcases—one black, one brown, both with a sleek, powerful look, as distinguished as Lin Song’an’s Range Rover. It was so unmistakably Lin Song’an’s style.

Hardly breathing, he looked up at the bedroom door on the second floor—it was closed.

Silently, Tan Ning shut the front door, setting down the milk and his coat before slowly walking up the stairs. He reached for the door handle, holding back tears as he told himself, Don’t get too excited.

But he couldn’t stop himself this time. He opened the door to see Lin Song’an asleep on the bed, and any pretense of nonchalance shattered. He dashed to Lin Song’an, burying himself in his arms, hugging him tightly.

Lin Song’an stirred, then laughed softly into his ear.

“So clingy, my little cat Tan.”