Yibo smiled softly, hiding his face against Li Na's shoulder as he whispered, "No, of course we have did something, Shi Jie."
Li Na kept staring at him for a moment before she replied, "Well then, if you keep being shy like this, Ning Li will snatch your husband right before your eyes."
Yibo lifted his head to look at her. Li Na added firmly, "Exactly. What are you shy about now? You two are already one, aren't you?"
Looking like he was about to cry, Yibo said, "Shi Jie… it's not just shyness. I'm scared. I don't even know what to do."
Li Na chuckled, but then straightened her face and said, "Scared? Shy? After he already spent the night in your room?"
Yibo shook his head quickly. "No… he never spent the night in my room."
Li Na raised a brow. "How many nights have you been staying together now?"
Yibo's eyes widened. "Shi Jie, we just arrived in this city yesterday!"
Li Na went quiet for a moment before asking, "And he didn't spend the night in your room?"
Softly, Yibo replied, "Yeah… I think he slept in his girlfriend's room last night. This morning, she barged in and said she's never seen a man spend his wedding night in someone else's room... And he's already belong to her. She even told me I married someone else's man, and that he's just a temporary to me."
Li Na stared at him in surprise. Then she asked, "So why didn't he sleep in your room?"
Yibo bit his lip and said, "I think he's angry with me, you remember when we bumped into you at the mall yesterday? I told you I was here on vacation with him and his wife. So last night when he came in, he said he was heading to his wife. I didn't stop him… I just let him go."
Li Na smiled faintly. "Then focus, Yibo. If you don't, you'll regret it. I don't know that girl, but she seems manipulative. The Zhan I know would never sleep in her room....he knows she's not his. Zhan is kind, patient, and deliberate in everything he does.....unless he's changed since I last saw him. Now listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you. If you ignore it, you'll only have yourself to blame. And honestly… Zhan loved you first.....long before that woman even showed up. That is, if he even loves her at all."
"Yibo… tell me honestly, has anything happened between you and Zhan yet?"
Yibo lowered his head and said nothing. He didn't want to lie any more...especially about something like that. Li Na gave a knowing smile and said, "Alright, then listen closely to what I'm about to say…"
Li Na didn't come out of her bedroom until almost noon, and even then, only because Yibo had said he was hungry and hadn't had breakfast yet. At the time, Zhan was still in the sitting room with Dr. Wuxia, who never tired of chatting. Zhan, however, was clearly distracted...he was only thinking about Yibo and the fact he still hadn't eaten.
Li Na smiled as she looked at them and said, "You two are really enjoying the yourselves, huh?"
Zhan glanced at her and said, "You please tell Yibo it's already past twelve."
Li Na laughed, "Oh come on, it's not like you're leaving before 2 p.m. anyway, Doctor. I haven't gotten enough time with my brother yet. You just go wherever you're going....we'll dropped him home later."
Dr. Wuxia looked at Zhan and teased, "Weren't you supposed to be here till evening, Dr. Zhan?"
Zhan smiled, "We have guests arriving from Beijing. They're actually on their way now."
Li Na didn't comment—she simply went into the kitchen. She fried eggs for Yibo, made black tea with ginger, added some pepper soup she had made in the morning, and set some bread on a tray. Then she brought the tray out.
The moment Zhan saw the tray in Li Na's hands, he visibly relaxed. That had been his biggest concern...that Yibo hadn't eaten. She brought the food to Yibo's in her room and placed it on the carpet.
Yibo came downstairs. Li Na said, "Let me go make some white rice. I made stew earlier this morning."
Yibo nodded. "Okay." Li Na left the room.
Yibo sipped his tea slowly, thinking about everything Li Na had told him. Sometimes he smiled to himself, sometimes he pouted, and other times he whispered to himself in disbelief. When he remembered that Ning Li could actually take Zhan from him, his expression darkened. In the end, he only finished the tea...he didn't touch the rest of the food. Then he stood up, picked up the tray, and carried it to the kitchen.
Zhan had been watching him since he came out. When their eyes met, Yibo quickly looked away and walked into the kitchen to drop off the tray. Li Na, who was washing dishes, glanced at the tray and said, "You didn't eat much of the egg, Yibo."
Yibo replied softly, "Shi Jie, I'm full."
Li Na said, "Well, I know Zhan's going to say it's time to go soon. Pack up everything I gave you earlier. You brought a bag, right?"
Yibo shook his head.
"Oh, okay. Go to back to the room room—I'll be right there," Li Na said.
As Yibo stepped into the sitting room again, his eyes met Zhan's once more. Zhan had just stood up, getting ready to head out briefly with Li Na's husband. Looking at Yibo, he said, "We'll leave when I get back."
Yibo didn't look at him. He simply replied, "Okay," and went back inside.
Not long after, Li Na entered the room. She grabbed one of her new bridal bags and packed everything she had prepared for Yibo earlier. As she zipped it up, she asked, "Hope you remember everything I told you?"
Yibo nodded shyly.
Li Na said, "Maybe I'll come to your place the day after tomorrow, alright?"
Yibo pouted slightly, "Shi Jie, why not come tomorrow instead?"
Li Na smiled, "No, the day after tomorrow is better. I'll come, little brother."
Yibo replied, "Alright, may we live to see the day, Shi Jie. Please… do you have any comfortable nightwear? I didn't ask Gege to buy me one because I felt too shy."
Li Na chuckled, got up, opened one of her suitcases, and pulled out a new nightwear set... top and pant...in a small bag. "Well, it's women's nightwear and it's pink. Are you sure you want this, Yibo?"
Yibo smiled softly. "Thank you, Shi Jie..."
He just wanted a woman's nightwear. He knew Zhan would ask questions if he asked to buy him one during their shopping trip, so he kept quiet then.
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It was already 1 PM by the time Yibo and Zhan left Li Na's house. Li Na and her husband had walked them to the car. Yibo placed the food warmer—Li Na had insisted he take it with him—on the back seat, then got into the front. Zhan said a final goodbye to Dr. Wuxia before driving off.
Yibo waved goodbye to Li Na through the window. After they got onto the main road, Zhan glanced at the bag in Yibo's hand. "What's in that bag?"
Yibo puffed out his cheeks and replied, "It's a gift. She noticed I didn't bring a bag, so she gave me one."
Zhan smiled but didn't say anything. A few minutes later, he asked, "So once you've finished giving me my five children, should I get you your wedding gifts?"
Yibo didn't even look at him. He simply held the bag tightly against his chest....Li Na had warned him not to let Zhan see what was inside. But in his mind... He already imagining the set of six version of him, and it's frightening to even think of it.
As they neared home, Zhan said, "Aunty Yuting is home, by the way. She came over."
Yibo turned to him, eyes wide. "Mu Qin? Seriously, Gege?"
"Yeah."
Yibo suddenly lit up with excitement like a child. But when he noticed Zhan smiling, he quickly toned it down and pouted. "Please, Gege, swear you're not lying. I won't believe it unless you swear. Maybe you're just teasing me."
Zhan only smiled, not saying a word.
Yibo's face turned serious. "Mu Qin won't come to see me"
Zhan asked, "Why do you say that?"
Yibo replied, "I just know she won't."
"And if she does?"
Yibo gave a small smile. "If I see her when we get home, I'll give you ten thousand yuan."
Zhan raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "And if we don't see her?"
Yibo puffed out his cheeks again. "Then you'll buy me a new phone."
Zhan widened his eyes. "Huh?!"
"Yes."
He laughed. "Ten thousand yuan seems too little."
Yibo asked, "Then what do you want instead?"
Zhan brushed his hair back, grinning. "Ten thousand yuan... plus a kiss and a hug."
Yibo's eyes went wide, and he quickly covered his face, whispering, "Fine."
Zhan chuckled, "Did I hear a yes?"
Quietly, Yibo nodded. "Yes."
Still smiling, Zhan said, "If we see any family members, that counts, right?"
Yibo shook his head quickly. "No! I specifically said Mu Qin."
They parked at the gate. Zhan turned off the engine and stepped out. Yibo followed, carrying his bag. He opened the backseat, picked up the food warmer, and ignored the takeout Zhan had gotten that morning. He headed straight toward the gate.
Zhan gathered the rest of the bags, locked the car, and followed behind.
Yibo paused when he saw a familiar car parked inside the compound. He turned around and looked at Zhan, who was walking up with a grin. Instantly, Yibo hurried toward the house and opened the front door.... only to stop suddenly at the sight of Beiting and Nainai sitting in the sitting room.
Zhan opened the door and walked in as well. Yibo placed the food warmer down and rushed into Beiting's arms with a wide smile, exclaiming happily, "Aunty! When did you get here?"
Beiting embraced him warmly and asked, "Where are you coming from?"
Beaming, Yibo replied, "We went out, Aunty. Gege took me to Li Na's place. Do you remember her?"
Beiting nodded. "The one who's Zhan's ex?"
Yibo nodded back, still smiling. "Yes, that's her."
Beiting said, "That's wonderful, but are you eating properly? You look like you've lost weight."
Yibo shyly lowered his head with a small smile.
Meanwhile, Nainai sat in the sitting room, her face stern as she stared at the TV. Zhan walked in, smiling, dropped the bags he was holding, and sat beside her. He gave her a side hug and said, "I knew you came to see me, right Nainai?"
Nainai replied, "Who else would I be here for, if not you, Zhan? There's roasted meat for you in the cooler."
Zhan chuckled while looking at her. Yibo, still curled up against Beiting, looked up at them. Je stood up and went to her, smiling.
Suddenly, Nainai snapped, "Please, child, don't come near me! I am not here for you but my grandson Zhan..."
Beiting turned her head, laughing. Yibo pouted and tried to leave, but Zhan pulled him back with a laugh and said, "Nainai, it's Yibo. Didn't you recognize him?"
Nainai squinted. "Who's Yibo??"
Beiting and Zhan both burst out laughing. Yibo tried to walk away again, but Zhan held him down beside him. Yibo hid his face in Zhan's shoulder and suddenly started to cry. Zhan glanced at Beiting, who was still laughing, then whispered to Nainai, "So you come here just to make my husband to cry? You both can leave now. Thanks for coming."
Nainai pretended not to hear, her face still stern. Beiting asked, "Is there no one else home? I thought you said Ning Li was here?"
Zhan looked up. "She is. Didn't she come out?"
Nainai replied, "Oh, so you mean she's upstairs? And yet she stay hidden? This woman Beiting stopped me from going up, saying it's someone else's house. And now you say she's home? What's she even doing here?"
Zhan got up and headed upstairs. Yibo followed him with his eyes. Nainai turned to look at Yibo that's looking at Zhan climbing the stairs and said, "Is there no food in Zhan's house? Why does you look so thin?"
Yibo frowned and looked away, refusing to respond. Beiting said calmly, "Get some water from the kitchen so I can wash Nainai's garden eggs."
Yibo stood up, picked the bag of garden eggs near the large trolley filled with his clothes Beiting brought, and went into the kitchen. As he left, Nainai turned to Beiting and said, "He's lost so much weight. See what I've been worried about? How could they give such a big man such a small child? I'm staying out of this."
Beiting replied, "It's stress and anxiety, AYi. But it seems like he's starting to come around."
Nainai scoffed. "I'm still staying out of it."
Yibo soon returned with the washed garden eggs in a bowl, but Zhan hadn't come back downstairs. Yibo kept glancing at the staircase, clearly wondering what was going on between Zhan and Ning Li.
Nainai muttered, "Not even a drink in this house. We came all the way from Beijing."
Beiting gave her a quick look but said nothing.
Zhan stood in Ning Li's room. She was lying on the bed, face stiff and chewing gum. One look at her eyes and it was obvious she had cried...not lightly, but deeply. He looked at her and said, "You're seriously looking me in the face and telling me you won't come downstairs and greet my family, Ning Li?"
With fury, she sat up and snapped, "Yes. What are you going to do about it, Zhan? Leave me alone and get out. All I know is, anyone who crosses me in this house... something terrible will happen to them. And believe me, the step I'm about to take will shake everyone. You're talking about greeting your family like I'm supposed to be impressed? When have you ever greet mine?"
Zhan stared at her in disbelief, struggling to control his temper. Then, without a word, he turned and walked out. She followed him with a glare, still snapping her gum.
As he came downstairs, Yibo sat in the sitting room, arms folded, eating the garden eggs Nainai had brought out. Nainai was watching him and said, "Ning Li isn't here, is she?"
Yibo jumped in, "She's in the room."
Nainai's eyes widened. "She's upstairs? All the knocking and shouting I did and she ignored me?" She got up angrily and started heading upstairs. Beiting called out, "Please AYi, let it go and sit back down. This isn't necessary."
But Nainai didn't even acknowledge her. Zhan just watched her go up, as did Yibo...though with a quiet, satisfied look on his face.
Nainai flung open the first door she saw and there was Ning Li, lying on the bed, phone pressed to her ear. She quickly ended the call as soon as she saw Nainai enter. Nainai's mouth dropped open.
"You're unbelievable, Ning Li! So you were inside all this time and heard the family of the man you claim you want to marry walk in, and you stayed locked in this room like a witch? I bathed Zhan's father myself, and Beiting is his aunt.... and you have the nerve to ignore us? You're nothing but a fool. You think this is how you earn respect in your future husband's home? We'll see how that marriage goes. If you've done anything sneaky in this house, trust me, I'll find out."
Ning Li glanced at her once, then looked away and resumed chewing her gum. Beiting had now reached the room. Nainai turned to her. "Beiting, I swear, she's been ignoring me this whole time, chewing that disgusting gum like some street girl. Is this even someone ready for marriage? And the worst part.... she hasn't even given Zhan a single child, not even a miscarriage to speak of. Meanwhile, I know Yibo will fill this house with children soon, just wait and see..."
Ning Li suddenly stopped chewing. She looked up, finally processing the words about children.... something she had never thought seriously about with Zhan until now. She gave a sarcastic smile.
"And the son of a barring woman is going to fill this house with children? He should thank heaven he was even born with a womb. But don't expect him to father anything....his womb is useless."
Beiting snapped, "Watch your mouth, you disrespectful brat! Don't push me or I'll give you something to think about. You've crossed the line. If you can talk to us this way, I hate to imagine how you treat your own mother."
Ning Li just gave another mocking smile and slipped into the bathroom, saying, "Well, I've become the lid to this pot... no one can cover me. Like it or not, I was the first woman in Zhan's life. That will never change."
She locked the bathroom door behind her. Nainai stormed out, shouting Zhan's name as she went.
Zhan had just been sitting next to Yibo, who was pouting a little. Zhan turned to him with a smile and said, "Our deal…"
Yibo tried to get up, but Zhan stopped him and instead pulled him into a hug, kissing him tenderly. To Zhan's surprise, Yibo didn't resist. Instead, he felt his heart pounding.
Then, they heard Nainai's voice calling out.... and Zhan quickly released Yibo and moved away.
Beiting came downstairs moments later, her face stormy. She said, "So we're just going to let that rude girl treat us like trash, Zhan?"
Zhan couldn't find the words to speak.
Nainai sat down slowly. "She even insulted me directly. And I stayed quiet."
Zhan said quietly, "I'm sorry, Aunty…"
Beiting cut in, "There's no way I'll let this go. That girl is going to regret everything. But here's what matters: Yibo and Ning Li cannot live under the same roof. It's impossible. Start planning to separate them immediately...before it gets worse."
Nainai added, "Exactly. My grandson won't live with a witch like Ning Li. That girl's a disgrace.... chewing gum and ranting at me like I'm nothing? Well, that worthless mother of yours might tolerate that, but I won't."
Zhan remained silent, but inside, he was furious with Ning Li's behavior.
Beiting sat down too, still visibly upset. She shook her head and muttered, "Your mother truly failed you, Zhan. That girl is not wife material....not even close."
Nainai added, "Good thing you see it now. If it were me saying this, you'd all call me a liar and won't believe me. But the truth always comes out....just wait. And I'll tell you one thing: if anyone dares to hurt my grandson, I swear, that day will be the end of them. I won't let it slide."
Beiting didn't respond. She just stayed quiet, lips pursed, eyes dark with thought.
Beiting finally stood up and looked at Yibo. "Let's go upstairs. I'm not staying here long…"
Yibo stood slowly and followed her. Zhan watched them go. When they reached the stairs, Yibo turned back briefly to glance at him. Zhan lowered his head slightly. Yibo shrugged and continued after Beiting.
They entered the room. Beiting looked around and asked, "Is this your room?"
Yibo replied, "Yes. I've been staying here since we arrived."
Beiting sat at the edge of the bed, eyeing him. "Is everything alright?"
Yibo didn't respond. Beiting said gently, "You can talk to me, don't keep it in. What's bothering you? We're not staying long anyway."
Yibo sit quietly beside her and said, "Aunty… it's just that… Ning Li has been provoking me non-stop. Just this morning she barged into my room, insulting me."
Beiting's eyes widened. "What? She entered your room and insulted you? For what reason?"
Yibo explained, "She claims I stole her husband, and says he never sleeps in my room... only hers."
Beiting's gaze hardened. "And what's wrong with Zhan? Why hasn't he been sleeping in your room?"
Yibo gave a small, uncertain smile as if he wasn't going to say anything, then softly answered, "I was the one who said I didn't want him to."
Beiting snapped, "So you're a fool, and I didn't realize it. I thought you were smart, Yibo, but clearly, I was wrong."
Yibo lowered his head and said nothing. Beiting went on with her lecture.....most of it echoing what Li Na had already said earlier. Yibo remained quiet, head bowed.
Beiting sighed. "If you're going to keep living in fear, that's on you. But I'm telling you now... fear changes nothing. What's done is done. You're not carrying a baby that you can sipped in water, are you? If not, then stop sulking and feeling sorry for yourself. Don't let that useless girl and your mother-in-law sniff out what's going on between you two, they wiil use it against you."
Yibo wiped away a tear slowly and said, "Okay, Aunty."
Beiting's voice softened as she gave him some advice and words of encouragement. Yibo looked at her quietly and asked, "Aunty, when is my mom coming?"
Beiting paused. "You know she's not coming. But within a month, I'll make sure you go home."
Yibo nodded. "Alright."
Beiting opened her bag and took out the things Nainai had brought for him. She explained what they were, then stood up and said, "Keep them safe. Come down to the sitting room when you're ready."
With that, she left the room.
Yibo stood up, packed the items into the bag Li Na had given him, then exited the room. On his way downstairs, he shot a glare at Ning Li's door before continuing down.
Nainai was sitting on the carpet, spread out as she ate rice and stew that Li Na had prepared for Yibo. Beiting joined her and asked, "Where's Zhan?"
Nainai replied, "He went to get food for you. I found something else in the meantime."
She turned to Yibo and said, "If you ever let Ning Li walk all over you like this without fighting back, then I've been completely cheated. The way I handled Hanba's mother and that daughter of hers Yong Dan, it was no joke. Everything in the house went the way I said it would. Hey! You'd better sharpen your tongue and grow some fire…"
She pointed to her own mouth. "See this mouth? It got me through my youth. I never tolerated nonsense. If you throw it at me, I'll throw it back with interest."
Yibo chuckled. Beiting just smiled and watched the old woman fondly.
Nainai went on eating and said, "Who even is this Ning Li that you can't take Zhan away from her in just a few minutes? Zhan has been in love with you for a long time....believe me, this isn't new. I used to get scared watching how obsessed he was with you. Always hovering, always watching, touching your body like he had no shame… Turns out, you were the one he really wanted to marry. Look at you now, living in his house, sleeping under the same roof."
Yibo covered his face with the cushion, smiling shyly. Beiting laughed, watching Nainai, who scoffed and said, "I'm staying out of it. But I guess this was bound to happen. Zhan really is your husband, after all. What can we do? He's my grandson, and no one knows him better than I do."
Zhan's entrance silenced Nainai, who resumed eating. Beiting kept her smile while watching him. He dropped the bag in his hand, glancing at Yibo, who stubbornly refused to lift his head. Nainai gave Zhan a side-eye and clicked her tongue. He sat down and said to Beiting, "Here's the food I got you, Aunty."
Beiting replied, "Thank you."
Nainai stood and looked at Yibo. "Let's go. I want to see your room." Yibo stood and led the way upstairs, Nainai following. Zhan watched them leave.
Inside the room, Nainai looked around before saying, "You realize Zhan still hasn't given you proper wedding gifts, right? And even the groom price came from Zong because he's so irresponsible. I'm warning you...don't let him just take you and leave you. He better give you the kind of proper gifts that man Sen Wen gave. You're not a charity case."
Yibo laughed softly but didn't respond. Nainai continued, "And don't let him into your room just to leave again. If he comes in, he better mean it." Yibo kept smiling. Nainai sat down on the bed and added, "And as for Ning Li, don't you dare go easy on her. Whatever she does to you, give it right back. Don't let her lay a finger on you. If she tries, quit your tongue and walk away—you know you can't overpower her physically. Me? I fought Hanba's mother a hundred times. The last time, I split her forehead open. She died with the scar still there. May she rest in peace, poor woman, she turned out to be a good person and we've a peaceful life together."
Zhan entered the room just then, and Nainai fell silent. She stood and said to Yibo, "Let's go." Yibo followed, smiling, and they all went back to the sitting room.
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Around a quarter to five, Beiting said, "AYi, we should get going now."
Nainai cut her off, "Beiting, you want us to hit the road at this hour? The world isn't safe anymore...kidnappers, robbers, chaos everywhere!"
Beiting replied, "It's just about an eighty-minute drive. Is that really so late?"
Nainai said, "When I was still living with my husband, I made it a rule....once it's past 4 PM, I don't take the main roads."
Yibo just smiled. Beiting added, "They'll be coming back to Beijing in a few days anyway, AYi."
Clearly annoyed, Nainai snapped, "What do you mean by that? You think I want to sit here? If not for the late hour, what would I even still be doing here, Beiting?"
Beiting got up and picked up her handbag. Looking at Yibo, she said, "Go tell Zhan I'm leaving." Just then, Zhan came down to the sitting room.
"You're really going, Aunty?" he asked.
Beiting replied, "Yes, I'm heading out. You'll have to excuse me."
Zhan glanced quickly at Nainai, who was frowning at the TV, then turned to Beiting. "Is she staying here?"
Beiting said, "Please, just escort me out first." She headed for the door. Zhan cast another look at Nainai before following her out.
Yibo leaned close to Nainai and said quietly, "Please don't leave. Stay with me."
Nainai scoffed. "Now she's going to run and tell her brothers what I said and try to trap me. Maybe because I didn't give birth to both of you, they think they can treat me like I'm nothing. Let me leave before they push me too far. But don't you forget anything I told you... they'll help you. In a couple of days, I'm coming back. I won't even bother discussing it with Zong. They'll just come home and find me gone. Let's go. Walk me out."
Yibo stood, on the verge of tears, and followed her out. Nainai climbed into the backseat of the car, face stern. Beiting didn't say a word. Zhan let out a quiet, hidden sigh. Tears rolled down Yibo's cheeks. Beiting looked at him and said, "What is this now? Don't start being dramatic."
He turned and went back inside, wiping his tears as he went.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛