A week after Yichen returned to Tianjin, Zong called Zhan into the sitting room one evening. Zhan sat on the rug carpet in front of him and said, "I'm here, Papa."
Zong looked at him and asked, "I've been quiet, but I haven't heard you mention going back home with your husband. What's going on?"
Zhan smiled slightly and replied, "It's Nainai."
"What about her?" Zong asked.
Zhan hesitated for a moment and finally said, "She said I'm not allowed to leave with him."
Zong frowned. "Why?"
Zhan just gave a small smile and didn't answer. After a moment, Zong nodded and said, "Alright, you can go." Zhan stood and quietly left the sitting room.
Meanwhile, Nainai stood at the doorway of her own living room, not quite inside and not quite outside, watching Yibo. He was lying on the couch, eyes fixed on the TV, refusing to look at her.
Nainai spoke sharply. "Today I've seen enough. This disrespectful boy...why would you take my meat and give it to someone else, and he didn't even eat it? Who even is Zhan? I'm tired. I suffered raising that boy, and now everything I have gets taken away and handed to others."
Yibo didn't respond.
Nainai kept going. "Imagine that! Pretending to show love to a man like it's some big achievement. As if you even know what a man is! No shame, no fear of consequences...you sneak meat from my pot to give to someone who doesn't even eat it. Yibo, do you really think life ends well for people who act like this?"
Zong entered the room, and Nainai fell silent. Yibo quickly sat up and greeted him. Zong responded, glanced at Nainai, and sat down across from her. She laid a mat down stiffly and sat, her face hard. "Good evening, AYi. How's work?"
"All is well," she replied.
Yibo greeted him again before standing and quietly going to his room. Nainai shot a glare after him and scoffed. Zong simply watched her, saying nothing.
Nainai muttered, "Quentin called me earlier. We spoke. I told him I hope he finds peace and stays safe from both people and evil. May luck be with him always."
Zong nodded. "That's good to hear."
Nainai stood to leave. "Let me sweep a bit and come back."
Zong stopped her. "It's already late, AYi. Besides, I actually come so we could talk."
She sat back down. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine. I just think it's time Zhan goes back home with his husband. Thankfully, there's no more conflict now.... "
But Nainai cut him off, her eyes narrowing, shaking her head. "Zhan didn't create that boy for me, so who is he to take Yibo away? Who even is Zhan? You all need to have some fear of consequences. Zong, the woman you've married... tell me, were you ever sent without proper marriage gifts? Even Quentin gave gifts when he married Yuting. So why is it only Yibo who's being sent off to Zhan with nothing, just because you all think Zhan is his cousin and brother?"
"People these days have no conscience, not even a drop!" she snapped.
Zong chuckled lightly. "AYi, he never said he wouldn't give marriage gifts. He will. He has to."
Nainai grumbled. "Let's see about that. I counted at least four gold watches among the gifts Sen Wen gave him. Everything else was expensive too. What could possibly be more meaningful than that? Honestly, Zong, you all better be careful. Yibo isn't a fool. If I find this marriage turning into a farce over a lack of proper gifts, I'll cancel the whole thing myself. No one told me to just accept whatever happens. That boy took my grandson and left with nothing.... He humiliated him!"
"And don't let anyone try to twist this into some nonsense about marrying for love. You all seem to have that phrase stuck in your heads, thinking love is enough. Well, I want to see exactly twelve trunks of proper wedding gifts before Yibo steps out of this house. If not, I'll just mind my business and keep him with me to continue watching. I'm a woman of truth... I say things as they are."
With that, she stood and stormed out of the sitting room, muttering, "People better learn to act right, no matter how hard things get. Just because you're Zhan's father doesn't mean I'll spare you the truth. You sneak in here trying to sweet-talk me so you can rob my grandson of his dignity. My late mother used to pray blessings over me for a reason…"
Zong just smiled quietly, then stood and left the sitting room, shaking his head.
▪️🔹🔸▫️
It was nine in the evening when Zhan stepped into the sitting room, greeting Nainai politely. He saw her seated on a rug, dozing lightly. He paused for a moment, watching her, then smiled and tiptoed silently toward her bedroom door. As he gently opened it, Nainai opened one eye slowly, watching him slip into the room.
Just as he entered, Yibo walked out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. His eyes widened in shock when he saw Zhan. Panicking slightly, he quickly sat on the edge of the bed, looking both flustered and on the verge of tears.
"Gege!" he exclaimed, "You came in without knocking? I'm not even dressed! And what if Nainai sees you like this? Please, just leave!"
Zhan turned around to close the door behind him—only to find Nainai standing right there, staring at him. Even though he tried to hold it in, a small laugh escaped him as he lowered his head in embarrassment.
With a stern expression, she grabbed him and snapped, "Does my room look like a hotel to you, Zhan? Since when did you become so shameless? No shame, no sense of decency—you barge into a boy's room while he's half-naked, fresh out of the shower?"
"What's the meaning of this? Why are you walking in on him when he's like that?" she demanded.
Zhan blinked innocently and replied, "So I'm not allowed to visit my husband now, Nainai?"
"Husband?" she barked. "You'd better ask for forgiveness from the heavens. How exactly is he your husband? Did you fulfill any of the duties of a real marriage, Zhan? The groom price is still sitting in my drawer... should I hand it to you now so you can get out of my sight with your nonsense? Isn't that what you're so proud of?"
Zhan scratched his head and chuckled, "Well, Yimei has already started preparing his boxes, so why don't you just hand him over to me already?"
Nainai squinted at him. "Yimei? You'd better find someone else to help you prepare your stuff. Don't touch my grandson. I don't trust Yuting and Zihan's taste at all. Since when did they become so wise? Just look at the things they got Seth... not even worth mentioning. Looks like they were picked from a village market."
Zhan kept laughing, clearly unbothered, even as she gripped his arm and dragged him toward the door.
"Let me go, Nainai," he said, trying not to laugh.
She ignored him until they left the room, and Zhan turned back to see Yibo sticking his tongue out at him, teasing. Zhan smiled and shook his head as Nainai locked her bedroom door behind them. She sat down and asked, "How many boxes will she prefers?"
He answered, "You'll see when she's done."
She scoffed. "If it were up to me, I'd get him proper clothes from a high-end store, even the undergarments. Nothing cheap."
Zhan didn't respond. About ten minutes later, Yibo walked out of the room, smelling fresh and wearing something clean. Zhan couldn't take his eyes off him until he sat down beside him.
Nainai asked, "Should I serve you food or not?"
Yibo nodded, and Nainai stood up with a sigh. "Like I'd ever let you go hungry in my house. So that Quentin will even thought I stopped feeding you."
With that, she went into the kitchen. Zhan watched her go, then stood up. When Yibo saw him move, he try to stand up, Zhan quickly reached out and pulled him back down.
"Don't! Nainai's coming back any second now…" Yibo whispered, his voice nearly trembling.
Zhan ignored him, pulling him close and resting his forehead against Yibo's. He stared at his lips and murmured, "Weren't you the one who told her I should prepare your wedding gifts?"
Yibo's eyes widened, and he tried to pull away, but Zhan wouldn't let go.
"No," Yibo muttered. "She's the one who said it…"
Zhan chuckled and hugged him tightly. Yibo tried to hide his face against Zhan's chest, refusing to meet his gaze.
Just then, Nainai stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of food...only to freeze, her mouth hanging open at the sight before her.
She dropped the plate on the floor and gasped, "Zhan! So now your shamelessness has reached my sitting room?! You just grabbed the boy and clung to him like that, with no shame at all?!"
Before he could respond, she stormed to the door and yanked it open. "Get out before Zong throws you out himself! What kind of nonsense is this, dragging someone's child into your filth in my own sitting room?! What is wrong with you?"
Yibo had already pulled away, looking like he was about to cry. Nainai turned on him furiously.
"And you! You let him touch you like that? What's wrong with you? Can't you see what kind of man he is? You're such a foolish boy! What do you think he'll do... He will just have fun with you and left without proper wedding gifts? Everyone knows how reckless he is. I can't believe what I just saw with my own eyes...in my own part!"
She glared at Zhan and snapped, "Are you going to leave or should I go call your father myself? You clearly have no fear of consequences! And as for Yibo....what has he done to deserve you manhandling him like that on my couch? I swear, I've never seen anything like this since the day I was born!"
Zhan stood up and said coldly, "You should've stayed quiet and watched what I was going to do to him." He made his way past her to exit the room, she smacked him from behind and snapped, "Fine, I'm done. Go on then. A man who never acted indecent before wouldn't start now."
Zhan smiled faintly, not saying another word, and left without turning back.
The next morning
Yibo went to greet his mother from Nainai's side of the house. But before he left, Nainai reminded him strictly not to spend more than five minutes there. She didn't trust anyone in that house and feared them all.
In the bedroom, Yibo found Yuting sitting on the bed. He knelt slightly near the edge and looked at her gently, "Good morning, Mu Qin."
Yuting smiled, "Morning. Did you sleep well?"
Yibo nodded. "Yes, I did. I was in the shower earlier when you arrived."
"Oh, alright. Have you had breakfast?"
Yibo nodded again.
Yuting paused, then asked, "What did Zhan say about you both moving back?"
Yibo lowered his gaze. "Nainai said no."
Yuting frowned slightly, "Didn't Zihan already start preparing your things?"
Yibo stayed silent.
Yuting added, "You need to stop listening toher, stop following her and follow your husband. Move in with him. Your father also spoke about this yesterday."
Yibo only nodded silently.
Yuting said, "Go to the kitchen and grab some food. If you want tea, go make some. Or should I fry you an egg?"
"I already had breakfast, Mu Qin," Yibo replied softly.
"Alright then."
A moment of silence passed.
Yuting said again, "Are you listening to me?"
Yibo looked up and answered, "Yes, Mu Qin, I'm listening."
She sighed, "I don't want you to keep holding on to everything that happened. No matter what, you must respect your mother-in-law. Whether she likes you or not, always be kind to her for the sake of the man you married. Treat his siblings with respect too... whether they care for you or not. Forget the past. I know you're not someone who holds grudges. From time to time, ask Zhan to take you to greet her in Tianjin. Just be very careful. Never get tired of being kind…"
"And treat your husband with the respect he deserves. I don't need to lecture you about marriage...you're educated, Yibo. You know what to do. Just continue to be the way you are at home: clean, presentable, and graceful. Sometimes you do love pampering yourself a bit too much, but that's fine as long as you don't overdo it. Do your share of work, nothing too strenuous. You've seen how I always keep this home tidy and neat. Try to keep your home the same...fresh and clean at all times. I know you try, but put in even more effort, son. May Heaven bless your marriage with peace and mutual understanding."
Yibo lowered his head as tears silently rolled down his cheeks.
The door suddenly creaked open. Yuting looked up and saw Nainai standing at the door. She stepped off the bed and greeted, "Hello, mother."
Nainai replied curtly, "What have you been telling him all this time, Yuting?"
Yuting gave a small smile. "Just advising him, mother."
Nainai scoffed, "As if I don't advise him every day. He's heard it all before. Unless you're just gossiping about something. Get up!" she snapped at Yibo. "Let's go. If it's not gossip, then what? I've already told you everything you need to know since you came back. Let's go."
Yibo glanced at Yuting quietly.
Switching to English, Yuting gently told him, "Get up and go."
Nainai stared at her with open contempt. Yibo stood up reluctantly and followed her out of the room.
Once outside the apartment, Nainai turned to him, "So? What exactly did she say to you?"
Yibo pouted, "And how is that any of your business?"
Later that afternoon
Nainai kept eyeing Yibo with suspicion. He was dressed neatly in a matching shirt and trousers, smelling fresh and looking composed. After a long silence and realizing he hadn't come out of her room, Nainai stood up and quietly followed him.
She peeked into the room and found him crunching by the bed, talking on the phone. Her gaze softened slightly.
Yibo quickly ended the call and put the phone aside. "It was Fu Qin I was calling," he said.
Nainai walked over and picked up the phone, looking at it as if she might cry. "If you used my phone to call Zhan… you and whatever happens, I don't want any part of it."
Yibo stood up and left the room, replying, "Well, you didn't recharge the line.... Fu Qin did. I just used what he gave."
Just then, Meiling entered the sitting room and looked at Yibo. "Bobo's calling you, Yibo."
Nainai asked, "He's back?"
Meiling nodded. "Yes, he just got back now."
Nainai grumbled, "And what about those good-for-nothings who went to escort that grown-up Yichen? They're not back yet?"
"They might stay there for a whole week," Meiling replied.
Nainai waved her hand, clearly annoyed. "They better return soon. Yichen has no manners to raise children. I don't want my grandkids growing up under her. Heaven help me…"
Yibo followed Meiling out of the sitting room.
In the living room, Zong sat holding a remote. Yibo entered and knelt before him quietly, lowering his head. "Good evening, Bobo."
Zong looked up. "Evening, son."
"How's work?" Yibo asked.
"Going well."
The door opened. Zhan stepped in. The moment their eyes met, Yibo lowered his gaze again and began fiddling with his fingers.
Zhan knelt slowly beside them. "Welcome back, Papa."
Zong smiled. "Good to see you. How's work?"
"Going fine, thanks."
"That's great," Zong nodded. "Listen, Zhan. Take your husband and head home now. May your marriage be blessed… I trust you'll treat Yibo properly. I know the way I raised you, so I don't need to say too much. Just protect him and be patient. Now go say goodbye to Yuting and Zihan, and leave. No need to stop by Nainai's place."
Zhan looked at Yibo, who was now hiding his face, tears falling silently. He smiled softly and whispered, "Thank you, Papa. May Heaven increase your wisdom."
Zong replied, "Thanks. May you both be blessed with peace."
Zhan responded with a quiet "Amen," then stood up, still watching Yibo, who hadn't moved.
Zong chuckled gently. "Come on, son. Time to go."
Yibo stood slowly, wiping away his tears, and followed Zhan out of the living room.
They inter Zihan bedroom first and see her sitting on the bed, Zhan sat beside her and said, "Yimei, we're going now."
She smiled warmly and said, "Alright then. May your marriage be filled with peace and happiness, and may it be blessed with wonderful children."
Zhan smiled and stood up. Yibo was kneeling quietly on the floor. Zihan pointed beside her and said gently, "Come sit here, my dear."
Wiping his tears, Yibo got up and sat close to her. Zihan looked at Zhan and said, "Could you give us a moment, please?"
Zhan nodded, smiling as he stepped out of the room.
Zihan then began speaking to Yibo, giving heartfelt advice about marriage, sharing wisdom and thoughts meant to guide and comfort him. Yibo kept his face buried against her as tears streamed from his eyes. In the end, she gently lifted his chin and looked into his teary eyes, smiling softly.
"May your marriage be blessed, my son. May you bring us twins very soon," she said with a chuckle.
Yibo looked down again, tears falling. Zihan stood up and helped him to his feet. "Come now, he's waiting outside," she said, holding his hand as they stepped out together.
Meiling, who was in the sitting room, stood and embraced Yibo gently. "Once Suyue gets back, we'll come visit you, alright, brother?"
Yibo nodded silently, tears still flowing. With Zihan holding his hand, they approached the door. She said softly, "All your things have been taken to the house. Always take care of your appearance.... you've always been good at that. And remember to take care of both your things and your husband's, understand?"
Yibo just nodded, unable to speak.
Seeing Zhan standing near the flowerbed outside, Zihan added, "Here's my dear boy, Zhan. I know I don't need to worry... you'll take care of him the way he deserves. Just be patient with each other. I wish you both a peaceful and happy life together."
Zhan lowered his gaze and said softly, "Thank you, Yimei. I'll do my best."
Zihan nodded. "Go say goodbye to Yuting, will you?"
He replied, "Yes, we will."
"Alright then, I'll wait here," she said.
Zhan walked ahead, Yibo following slowly behind until they reached Yuting's part of the house. He entered the sitting room first; Yibo came in right after, walking timidly.
Zhan turned and gently held his hand when he noticed Yibo hesitating at the doorway, but Yibo quickly pulled his hand back.
As the door opened, Zhan moved toward a chair and sat down with his head bowed. Yuting came out of her bedroom, watching them quietly.
"Good afternoon," Zhan said.
"Good afternoon, Zhan. How's work?" she asked.
"Work is going well, thank you."
Yibo remained standing, his face hidden, his eyes red.
In a low voice, Zhan said, "We're about to leave now, Mother."
"Alright. Safe travels," Yuting replied.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Zhan looked at Yibo again, who was still sobbing quietly, then stood up and said, "We'll be going now."
Yuting responded, "May your journey bring only good things. May your marriage be filled with joy…"
Yibo walked over to her, tears still falling. She smiled and said, "Oh, my silly child…"
Yibo embraced her tightly and burst into tears. Yuting was speechless for a moment, unable to say anything.
Zhan quietly turned and walked out of the sitting room. Yuting raised his head to look at him and suddenly felt her heart sink.
"Be obedient to your husband, Yibo," she said gently. "May your marriage be blessed, may your family flourish. I know you won't disappoint me."
Yibo couldn't reply. He just kept crying.
Yuting held his hand and walked him to the door. "Stay safe," she whispered before letting go. Yibo stepped out, still wiping his tears.
Zhan was already by the car in the parking space, arms crossed and eyes steady on him. Yibo paused, not walking further. Zhan opened the car door and walked over to take his hand, guiding him into the front seat and closing the door.
He then got into the driver's seat, honked, and waited for the guard to open the gate. Once it opened, he drove them out of the compound.
As they hit the main road, Zhan reached out and gently held Yibo's hand. In a calm voice, he said, "Please stop crying like this. You're with your brother now."
That only seemed to make Yibo want to cry more, but he held it in.
Zhan stopped at a roadside fruit stall and bought some fruit before returning to the car. Yibo still hadn't shown his face.
Zhan continued driving in silence. After about ten minutes, Yibo slowly lowered his hands from his face and stared ahead at the road.
Yibo quickly glanced at him, wiping his own eyes. "So, where are we going next, Gege?" he asked gently.
Zhan looked at him and quietly said, "We're going to Tianjin."
Yibo kept staring at him, unblinking.
Zhan gently took his hand again and said, "We're going to visit my Mom."
Yibo didn't reply. The rest of the ride continued in complete silence until they reached Tianjin.
Zhan honked at the gate. The new guard came out and opened it. He drove in and parked the car.
Yibo's heart was pounding as Zhan parked the car and turned off the engine. He stepped out quietly, and Yibo also opened the passenger door, stepping down slowly while eyeing the house.
Just then, Mengxi came out of the sitting room. The moment she saw them, her face lit up with joy and she hurried over, exclaiming, "Welcome, Gege!"
Zhan smiled and replied, "Thank you."
After that, Mengxi didn't glance at Yibo. Instead, she took the bag from her brother's hand and went inside. Yibo closed the car door and looked at Zhan. "Shall we go in?" Zhan asked gently.
Yibo lowered his gaze and didn't reply. Zhan took his hand, and they headed toward the entrance of the sitting room. Even without anyone saying it aloud, Zhan could tell Yibo was nervous.....terrified, even. He himself was only managing to stay composed by sheer will. He kept a calm front until they stepped inside.
He guided Yibo to sit on one of the sofas and sat beside him. Yibo's heart was racing uncontrollably. Zhan, noticing this, leaned in slightly and said in a low, comforting voice, "Relax, please, Yibo…"
Yibo gave him a faint, forced smile, silently repeating comforting thoughts to himself.
Just then, Xinyi peeked from the kitchen with a cheerful smile and said, "Welcome, Gege!"
"Thank you," Zhan responded. "Where's Mom?"
"She's upstairs," Xinyi replied.
Before she could finish speaking, Yichen descended the stairs and entered the sitting room. The moment Yibo looked up and met her gaze, he immediately dropped his head again.
Yichen walked in and sat down.
Yibo quietly slipped off the couch and knelt politely on the floor without making eye contact. In a soft voice, he said, "Good afternoon, Shengjie."
Yichen didn't look at him. "afternoon," she said curtly.
Zhan kept his head lowered. "Good afternoon, Mom," he added.
"I'm fine. How's home?" she asked.
"We're doing fine, Mom."
"And work?"
"It's going well too."
"Good," she nodded, then turned to Xinyi. "Have you finished cooking?"
"Almost done," Xinyi replied, heading back into the kitchen.
Zhan turned to Yichen. "Did Aunt Shisi go back already?"
"She just went to the market. She'll be back soon," Yichen replied.
"Oh, alright," Zhan nodded.
Xinyi soon returned, holding a tray with a bottle of water, a can of Coke, and a cup. She placed it beside Zhan. He watched her silently as she stood up to leave.
Yichen frowned. "Is there only one bottle of water left in the house?"
Xinyi didn't reply. She simply pouted and went back into the kitchen, then returned with another bottle and placed it on the tray next to Zhan before walking out again.
"How are Meiling and the others?" Yichen asked.
"They're doing fine," Zhan answered.
"Seth stopped by earlier. He didn't stay long. He came the day before yesterday too," she added.
Zhan stood up. "Alright, I'll step out for a bit, Mom. I'll be back."
Zhan's words made Yibo tense. He looked visibly worried at the idea of being left alone. He stared after Zhan, not saying a word.
Yichen asked, "Alright, you can go. But what about him?"
Zhan turned to Yibo. "Is it a problem for you to stay here while I go out and come back?"
Yibo quickly shook his head, even though he clearly was uncomfortable.
"Then let him go upstairs," Yichen said.
Yibo stood and made his way slowly toward the stairs, heart thumping. Zhan watched him until he disappeared from view, then turned back to Yichen. "I'll be back, Mom," he said.
"Alright, take care," she replied.
He stepped out of the sitting room.
Yibo entered one of the rooms upstairs. His chest tightened when he saw Yichen's bags inside.... it meant he had walked into her room by mistake. Just as he was thinking of leaving, the door opened. Yichen entered the room.
Yibo froze.
Yichen glanced at him once, picked up her phone from in front of the mirror, and left without a word.
Yibo let out a heavy breath. His heart was still pounding. He noticed a carpet on the floor and sat on it, quietly whispering calming thoughts to himself. He remained there for over ten minutes until the door opened again.
This time, it was Shisi, Yichen's younger sister. She entered with a bright smile, looking at Yibo. "So the groom is in the house today, huh? Welcome!"
Yibo forced a small smile. "Good afternoon, Aunty."
"Good afternoon, Yibo. How's everyone at home?" she asked warmly.
"They're doing well, thank you."
"May your marriage be filled with blessings, and may you have beautiful children," she said kindly.
Yibo bowed his head again without replying. Shisi placed her handbag down and left the room.
Yibo remained upstairs until just before six in the evening. Eventually, Mengxi opened the door and said, "You've been called to come eat."
With slow steps, Yibo walked out of the room and headed downstairs. In the sitting room, Zhan was sitting beside Yichen, who was scooping food onto a plate for him. Shisi sat nearby, chatting on a call.
Yibo entered the sitting room quietly and sat on the floor beside the couch, eyes lowered. Zhan glanced at him.
Yichen set a plate of food next to Zhan, then scooped some onto another plate and looked at Yibo. Before she could speak, Zhan said, "Here's your food," without looking directly at him.
Yibo got up, bowed slightly to Yichen, and took the food. "Thank you," he said softly before returning to sit. He wasn't even hungry, but he accepted the meal anyway.
Zhan was still chatting casually with Shisi, though he kept glancing at Yichen, who had gone quiet and withdrawn.
Shisi eventually said, "Would you prefer to eat at the dining table, Yibo?"
Yibo gave a small smile and looked toward the dining area.
"Go on then, sit there and eat properly," she encouraged.
Yibo stood and carried the plate.....filled with meat....and headed to the dining table. He sat and picked slowly at the food.
Zhan stayed behind chatting with Shisi, but his attention was constantly on Yichen, who had gone silent and seemed lost in thought. Eventually, she stood and headed upstairs. Zhan followed her with his eyes.
Because Yibo had stayed seated at the dining table for so long, he suddenly felt a slight grip on his leg. He remained still, trying not to react as Zhan left the house again for the second time, leaving him alone. Yibo forced himself to his feet and went upstairs. He opened a different room and entered the bathroom.
When he came out, he sat at the edge of the bed. About five minutes later, the door opened and Shisi walked in.
"Yibo, Zhan's waiting for you. You two are about to leave," she said.
Yibo nodded slowly. "Alright," he replied as he stood up.
Shisi added, "Please take care of each other. Wishing you both peace and harmony."
Yibo didn't reply, unable to say anything, especially seeing the way he was limping.
"What's wrong with your leg?" Shisi asked, concerned.
Almost on the verge of tears, Yibo said, "It just started hurting."
"Oh dear, sorry. Did you bring your medicine?" she asked.
Yibo shook his head. Shisi took his hand and helped him out of the room. As they descended the stairs, Zhan and Yichen were already watching them.
"He's having some pain in his leg," Shisi informed Zhan. "Will you get him some medicine on the way, or do you have some at home?"
Zhan glanced at Yibo. "We'll get it on the way," he said.
Then, approaching him, Zhan asked, "When did the pain start?"
"Just a while ago," Yibo replied.
"Hope it eases soon," Zhan said gently.
He then knelt before Yichen. "We're heading back to Beijing, Mom. I'll come visit again the day after tomorrow."
"Safe travels, my son. May everything go well for you," Yichen replied.
"Thank you, Mom," Zhan said, smiling as they all walked them to the car.
Shisi opened the front passenger door and helped Yibo in. "Good night, Shengjie," Yibo said politely.
"Sleep well," Yichen replied as Shisi shut the door.
Yichen turned to Zhan. "Should I bring you some heating cream for him?"
Zhan nodded. "Sure, Mom."
She returned shortly with a bottle of warming ointment and handed it to him. "Thank you. Good night," Zhan said as he took it.
He got into the car, and the guard opened the gate. As the car pulled out, Zhan's sisters waved and wished him a safe trip.
After driving a little distance from the neighborhood, Zhan pulled over and looked at Yibo.
"Is the leg really hurting that badly?"
Yibo nodded. "Yeah, it does."
Zhan opened the cream and said, "Let me apply some before we reach Beijing. I'll get you the proper one later."
Yibo didn't say anything. He quietly lifted his pants and turned toward Zhan, raising his leg. As Zhan applied the cream to his leg, Yibo winced and clung to his hand, making small whimpering noises.
Zhan just smiled and didn't say a word until he finished. Then he gently placed his leg back down and said, "Sorry, hubby."
Yibo frowned. "More like little bro."
Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
"Yeah," Yibo said stubbornly.
Zhan chuckled. "Fair enough. Come closer. I'll rub the rest on your body."
Without waiting, he pulled Yibo toward him, slid his hand under his shirt, and started gently rubbing both hands on his warm stomach in slow, circular motions.
Yibo's eyes widened, his body tensed, and he instinctively tried to move away. But Zhan didn't let go, watching his face closely for a reaction.
Eventually, Yibo grabbed Zhan's hands and, with a pout, almost tearful, said, "I don't like this, Gege. Please stop."
Zhan didn't respond immediately but eventually pulled his hands back with a small smile.
Yibo turned his face away, heart pounding, still feeling the ghost of Zhan's touch.
Zhan resumed driving, stealing glances at Yibo, still smiling softly.
Yibo fell asleep not long after they left Tianjin. By the time they reached Beijing, he was still out cold. Zhan parked in front of a large pharmacy. Seeing Yibo sleeping peacefully, he quietly adjusted the seat for more comfort, got out, locked the car, and went inside.
He bought all of Yibo's medications, including some pain relief ointment, paid, and returned to find Yibo still sleeping.
After getting back into the car, Zhan shut the door, which finally stirred Yibo awake.
Yibo looked around, disoriented. "Where are we now?" he asked, adjusting his seat.
"Beijing," Zhan replied, smiling. "Looks like you had your full night's sleep already, huh? Guess you're skipping tonight's."
Yibo rolled his eyes and sat properly.
Zhan drove a little further and pulled over near a street vendor.
"Do you want some roast chicken?" he asked.
"What's that?" Yibo asked.
Zhan laughed. "You forgot? Your favorite... grilled chicken."
Yibo shrugged. "I'm full."
"No way! Have you ever seen a groom go to bed without eating grilled chicken?"
Yibo scowled. "I'm not a groom."
"Oh, you'll find out you are," Zhan teased as he got out.
Yibo watched him curiously as he bought one piece of roast chicken and a bottle of chilled fresh milk.
Back in the car, Zhan handed them to Yibo, who refused to take them, pouting stubbornly.
Zhan placed the items aside, smiling without a word, and drove off.
Yibo kept his face turned away, arms crossed, expression locked in a pout all the way home.
When they reached the gate, the guard opened it after Zhan honked. He parked and turned to Yibo...only to see tears hanging in the corners of his eyes.
Zhan quickly got out, went around to open the passenger door, and gently took his hand.
As Yibo stepped out, one tear finally rolled down his cheek.
Zhan gently pulled him into his arms. "What's wrong, Yibo?, it's me your Gege" he whispered.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛