Zhan sat on the edge of the bed beside Yibo, who was still asleep. He reached out and placed a hand on his forehead, observing him closely. Slowly, Yibo opened his eyes. As Zhan leaned in slightly to speak, Ning Li suddenly barged into the room as if someone had pushed her in. She stood with her hands on her hips, staring at them.
Though Zhan was surprised to see her, he didn't show it and simply looked away. Yibo struggled to sit up, his expression stiff. In a low voice, Zhan asked, "What medicine did you take?"
Yibo pointed at the bag of medicine that Sen Wen had brought earlier. Zhan picked it up, took out the pills, and examined them. "Who gave these to you?" he asked.
Yibo remained silent, refusing to answer. Zhan's face darkened. "I'm asking you," he said firmly.
Pouting, Yibo lay back down without responding. Meanwhile, Ning Li stood there, arms crossed, watching them intently.
Just then, Nainai entered the room, glanced at Ning Li, and said, "Ning Li, step out to the sitting room and give them some privacy. You know Zhan is the only one who knows everything about Yibo. Seeing you here might make him too embarrassed to tell him what's really wrong, including his stomach pain. Please, just wait outside."
Ning Li said nothing but forced a small smile and lowered her gaze.
Nainai continued, "It's nothing new. Zhan knows everything about Yibo. He's practically been acting like his husband even before things got to this point."
Ning Li turned and left the room, with Nainai following her. As she exited, she glanced back at Yibo and said, "Just don't ruin my bedsheets, alright? I have no one else to wash them for me right now since Zhan isn't staying here."
Zhan chuckled as Nainai left. Then, his face turned serious as he looked at Yibo. "So, you called your boyfriend and told him you were sick, huh?"
Yibo looked like he was about to cry. "I didn't call him, Zhan-ge."
"Then who did?"
"Nainai."
"And who called him for her?"
Yibo pouted. "I don't know. I was in the room."
Zhan's frown deepened. "And you told him you were on your period?"
Yibo's eyes widened. "I swear I didn't! Nainai said it. I was embarrassed too, you know," he grumbled, still pouting.
Zhan crossed his arms. "And who gave you the injection?"
Yibo fell silent.
Zhan's voice turned sharp. "Answer me now."
Yibo hesitated, then mumbled, "Nainai."
Then, as if realizing something, he quickly covered his face with a pillow and started laughing quietly.
Zhan stared at him, his expression unreadable, but his temper was simmering. Slowly, Yibo peeked out from behind the pillow, only to see Zhan's stern face. Immediately, he straightened up.
Zhan's voice was cold. "So he had to pull down your clothes to give you the injection while looking at you, right?"
Yibo found the question oddly amusing, but he held back his laughter and slowly inched away. "I told him to do it on my thigh," he explained quickly. "And that's where he did it! Here, I'll show you."
As he spoke, he carefully lifted his pant, exposing a spot on his thigh.
Zhan's gaze dropped to the smooth skin of Yibo's lap. Instantly, his anger flared. His chest tightened with jealousy.
Yibo smiled as he covered his leg again. "See? Nothing to worry about."
Zhan's expression remained cold. "When do your exams start?"
Yibo blinked. "In about four weeks."
"Good. As soon as they're over, you follow Nainai to my house."
Yibo's eyes widened. "Why?"
Zhan's tone turned sharp. "I'm giving you instructions, not asking for your opinion."
With that, he stood up, turned on his heel, and left the room, his frustration evident.
Yibo watched him go, then muttered under his breath, "Tch. Who's coming to your house? Not me."
Zhan found Nainai sitting on the carpet, one leg crossed over the other, telling Ning Li about the struggles she faced raising him from the day he was born. Nainai studied Ning Li for a moment and then said, "You've never seen a baby so demanding, have you?"
At first, Ning Li wasn't interested in the story, her mind was on the bedroom, wondering why Zhan hadn't come out yet. But she didn't realize when she burst into laughter, even sliding down from her seat to the floor as she looked at Nainai.
Nainai frowned. "Ning Li, this is no laughing matter. That boy drained his mother dry. It's a wonder she survived! You should've seen how spoiled he was." She shook her head. "Honestly, Yichen's milk was that good to begin with."
Ning Li kept laughing, unable to stop, while Nainai huffed and said, "Well, it's not my concern anymore."
Meanwhile, Zhan stood frozen at the bedroom doorway, unable to step into the sitting room.
Nainai continued, "When he came back to me at three years old, I...."
But Zhan cut her off with a serious expression, turning to Ning Li. "Let's go."
Ning Li was still laughing, and Nainai sighed. "What's the rush? I'm in the middle of telling her your history, Zhan."
Zhan replied flatly, "Then wait for when you become the history story taller."
Nainai scoffed. "What did I do now, Zhan? She's your fiancée, after all. Should we just sit here staring at each other like my co-wife?"
Ning Li stood up, still chuckling. "Alright, Nainai, I'll come back alone next time so you can finish the story."
Pleased, Nainai grinned. "Good. Now, before you go, go say goodbye to Yibo and wish him well."
The amusement faded from Ning Li's face instantly. She said nothing but walked into the bedroom.
She stopped at the doorway, staring at Yibo, who was sitting stiffly on the bed. His expression was cold and distant. Ning Li rolled her eyes, scoffed, and left the room.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Nainai got up quickly and called out, "Come in, Sen Wen! It's just Zhan and his fiancée here."
Sen Wen stepped into the sitting room with a warm smile, extending a hand toward Zhan, who was still standing by the doorway. Zhan shook it but kept staring at him with a guarded expression.
Nainai, beaming, gestured for him to sit. "Make yourself comfortable, Sen Wen."
Sen Wen settled onto the plush rug. Nainai then turned to Ning Li. "That's Yibo's suitor, Ning Li. When Yibo finish high school in a month or two, and after that, we'll start discussing their marriage. Isn't he a good young man? Well-mannered and responsible."
Ning Li studied Sen Wen and said, "Welcome."
Sen Wen nodded in appreciation, still smiling. Ning Li then walked toward the door, glanced at Zhan, and then at Nainai. "Alright, Nainai, we'll be going now. I'll be back later."
Zhan bid farewell to Nainai and stepped out, Ning Li following behind him. As they walked a short distance, he suddenly stopped.
"Go wait for me at our place. I forgot....I need to discuss something with Grandma."
Ning Li looked at him in confusion. "Then let's just go back together."
His expression darkened. "It's private. Just do as I say."
Not waiting for her response, he turned around and walked back into the Nainai part. She watched him go, her confusion deepening.
Inside, Nainai was serving Sen Wen food, piling his plate generously with meat. She was about to fetch him a drink when Zhan reentered, looking troubled.
She frowned. "What now? I thought you'd left. What brought you back? I already made dinner just for him."
Sen Wen chuckled, while Zhan frowned at her.
"I don't care anymore," she muttered. "Why did you come back after saying your goodbyes? You should've just left."
Zhan stepped further into the sitting room and sat down. Nainai placed two bottles of water in front of Sen Wen and sighed. "I really don't know what to do with you, Zhan."
Sen Wen smiled. "Grandma, the food is too much for... let's eat together with him."
Nainai scowled at Zhan. "See? He doesn't have to finish it all himself. You're just sitting there like a statue."
Still smiling, Sen Wen turned to Zhan. "Come on, Dr. Xiao, eat with me."
Zhan shook his head. "I'm fine."
Nainai nodded approvingly. "Good, good. Now, Sen Wen, focus on your meal. Once you leave, Zhan will be back to bothering me again."
Sen Wen chuckled, taking a bite of his food.
Nainai sighed. "I even set aside a little for Yibo... it's covered in the kitchen. Honestly, if I had known they were coming, I would've cooked for them too. It's no trouble to share a meal. But when I saw them earlier, standing there like a prince and his lady, I just kept quiet and gave them space. That's why I hid some food for you in the kitchen... didn't want them to think I was stingy."
Sen Wen laughed again, shaking his head as he continued eating.
Zhan didn't respond, and after a while, she gave up and fell silent. He remained seated as Sen Wen finished his meal. Once Nainai was sure he was truly full, she turned to Zhan and said, "Please, just eat the rest. You saw how calmly he ate like a gentleman."
Sen Wen chuckled but avoided looking at Zhan, who was staring blankly at Nainai. Seeing that Zhan didn't say anything, Nainai sighed, picked up her plate, and took it to the kitchen. When she returned, she glanced at the bedroom door and called out, "Yibo, come out already."
Only after she spoke again did Yibo step out. Sen Wen stared at him as he leaned against a chair. Softly, he said, "Good evening."
Sen Wen smiled. "goddess evening. How are you feeling now?"
"I feel better," Yibo replied.
"That's good. Have you eaten?"
Yibo nodded. Nainai watched them with a knowing smile. Yibo stole a glance at Zhan, who was glaring at him, his face unreadable. Quickly, Yibo averted his gaze.
Sen Wen said, "Alright, Grandma, I've kept my promise. I came back, I ate, now I should get going."
Nainai beamed. "I'm glad, Sen Wen. May you always be blessed. Yibo, walk him out."
Sen Wen reached into his pocket and placed some money on the carpet where he had been sitting. "Grandma, this is a token for the meal. I really enjoyed it, and I appreciate it."
Nainai sighed and rested her chin on her palm. "You never change, Sen Wen. Do you really have to give a token for the food? But thank you, dear. I won't argue with you like a child."
He smiled and headed toward the door. Nainai turned to Yibo with a scolding look. "You're just standing there like a statue. Walk him out."
With a pout, Yibo stood up and followed him. Nainai turned to Zhan and said, "This is how he always is. Every time, he leaves a pile of money before he goes, and now I don't even know what to do with it all. He is worth more to me than many people in this world because he understands kindness. You should all learn from him."
Zhan stood up and left the sitting room without a word.
Outside, he found Yibo and Sen Wen standing near the flowerbed. Yibo had his head down, while Sen Wen studied him as if seeing him for the first time.
In a hushed voice, Sen Wen said, "Please, look at me, dear. Let me feel at ease. I've missed you so much, but keeping my distance and just hearing your voice is better for me."
Yibo didn't lift his head. Gently, Sen Wen took his hand. Yibo's eyes widened as he finally met his gaze. Sen Wen smiled, his voice smooth and soft. "I love you, Yibo. I always dream of having you by my side as my husband. If only you knew how much I long for you to be mine… I just can't…" His voice trailed off as he closed his eyes.
Yibo froze when he noticed Zhan standing nearby, watching them. Panicked, he quickly pulled his hand away. Zhan averted his gaze and walked away at a slow, deliberate pace.
Sen Wen didn't turn, but he knew it was Zhan. He had purposely avoided looking at him. Only after Zhan had walked far enough did Sen Wen glance at him, then smirk slightly.
Yibo muttered, "I'm going to bed. I'm tired."
Sen Wen nodded. "Sure, dear. Have the cramps gotten better?"
Yibo's eyes widened before he quickly covered his face in embarrassment. Sen Wen chuckled, watching him fondly. He leaned in and whispered near his ear, "One day, you'll realize that shyness won't save you."
Yibo pouted but refused to meet his gaze.
Softly, Sen Wen said, "I just have one favor to ask… and please don't refuse me."
Yibo hesitated. "What is it?"
Smiling, Sen Wen said, "I'll text you once I'm in the car. Because right now, I'm not ready to dig you out from the ground."
Yibo widened his eyes, staring at him. Sen Wen frowned and said, "And if you deny me, I won't be happy, Yibo." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away. "Expect my text now. I might come by in the evening tomorrow," he added before disappearing.
Yibo watched him go, then turned back with a heavy heart and headed toward Nainai's part of the house.
▫️🔹🔸
That night, Yibo was sitting in Nainai's room, having finished getting ready for bed. Just as he was about to lie down, he remembered his phone and the text Sen Wen had promised to send earlier that day. He quickly got up and walked to the sitting room, knowing that Sen Wen had probably been calling him.
Nainai was sitting there, eating, and when she saw Yibo heading for the door, she clicked her tongue. "Make sure you didn't forget anything in my room, Yibo?"
"I'm just stepping out for a bit. I left my phone in my room," Yibo replied.
Concerned, Nainai frowned. "What do you need to come back for? You've been here all day, let my bed to rest."
Yibo ignored her and stepped outside. From a distance, he saw someone approaching... at first, he thought it was Seth ge, but it also looked like Zhan ge. He knew Seth ge had stopped coming to Nainai's place unless he was with Bobo.
Yibo hesitated until the person stepped into the light, revealing it was Zhan. Pouting slightly, he quickly turned back and walked into Nainai's part again.
Nainai, who had abandoned her food to clean her room, looked up at him. "I see trouble… You're already back?"
Yibo slipped past her and ran into the room, muttering, "It's Gege and I know he come back for me."
Nainai shook her head, continuing to clean. "Well, then, you'd better tidy my bed properly. I don't leave my room messy. I don't sleep in filth."
She straightened up when she noticed Zhan watching her from the doorway. "This is becoming a problem. Even though you've moved back to your house, we can't catch a break, Zhan. You're always patrolling here. You were just here this afternoon... why are you back now? Did you leave something in my part that you forgot to take with you?"
Zhan ignored her and walked straight to her room. She stared after him, mouth open.
Yibo scooted to the far end of the bed as if about to cry, watching Zhan with wide eyes. Zhan's face darkened as he said, "You'd better keep running away from me because, I swear, if I get hold of you, I won't go easy on you. I'll deal with you properly."
Nainai snapped, "Enough is enough! Zhan, please, have mercy on us! That boy was really sick earlier, what has he done to you that you're throwing insults at him like this? Sen Wen already gave him an injection and medicine earlier, and he was feeling better! Now you're back here, yelling at him, pointing fingers, saying such cruel things? Let me ask you... what is Yibo to you, your husband? Is that why you're so obsessed with him?"
"Listen, I don't care anymore. Just leave! Go and give us some peace. I have never seen a man move back to his own house and keep running back here like he left something behind. I'm tired of you, Zhan. Stop coming here. Now that you've moved, stay in your house and leave my grandson alone!"
Before she could say more, Zhan stormed into the room. Nainai screamed and called for Zong at the top of her lungs.
Yibo, panicked, tried to run to the bathroom, but Zhan grabbed him. A sharp slap landed across Yibo's face, making him clutch his cheek in shock. Seeing this, Nainai ran outside, shouting for Zong.
Zhan glared at Yibo, his eyes dark with rage. In English, he growled, "Is that man your husband? The one you let hold your hand? So this is the kind of nonsense you two do together? He was standing so close to you, almost inside your skin, and you enjoyed it, didn't you? Well, I swear, I'm going straight to your father to tell him everything." Zhan raise his hand again to slap him.
Panicked, Yibo grabbed onto him, pleading, "Gege, I didn't ask him to hold my hand! Please, forgive me! I won't let it happen again, I swear! Please, Zhan-ge, I'm so sorry, don't hit me again!"
Zhan's anger burned as he stared at him. Tears streamed down Yibo's face as he pressed his hands together in desperation. "Please, forgive me! I swear I won't let it happen again!"
As he said this, he buried his face against Zhan's chest, crying. Zhan felt the tremble in Yibo's body, and before he knew it, tears start rolling down his cheeks too, he pulled him close, his voice softer now. "That's very wrong, Yibo. I've told you so many times… That guy is only here to ruin your life, to break your heart. He's only after your body… He is..."
He trailed off, overwhelmed with frustration.
Yibo continued sobbing quietly, not arguing, but deep down, he didn't believe Zhan's words. He knew Sen Wen loved him....just as much as he likes Sen Wen.
Zhan lifted Yibo's face, looking straight into his tear-filled eyes. His voice dropped to a near whisper. "For my sake, will you leave him, Yibo?"
Yibo broke down completely, his voice shaking. "But.. but.. I like him too, Zhan-ge… And he wants to marry me, i want the both of you."
Zhan stared at him, unblinking, his heart pounding.
Yibo whispered, "Please, forgive me, Gege. Yes i like him. But… I won't let him hold my hands again."
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛