Zhan returned to the sitting room after Beiting and the others had left. He picked up the trolley they had brought for Yibo and wheeled it into his room. Yibo was sitting on the bed with his head resting against the wall, tears streaming down his face. Zhan quietly placed the bag down and walked over, sitting beside him, watching silently.
Yibo buried his face in his knees, crying softly. Zhan gently lifted his head and said, "Alright, I'm taking you home next week. Okay?"
Yibo looked up at him, his voice barely above a whisper. "Really?"
Zhan smiled, scratch his nose, and said, "Of course. Has your Gege ever lied to you?"
Yibo wiped his eyes. "Then… I hope we make it."
Zhan replied, "You haven't eaten lunch, have you?"
Yibo said, "I had something at Li Na Jie's house. I'm not hungry."
Zhan stood up. "Let me go get something from outside."
He didn't wait for a response. He walked to the door, unlocked it, stepped out, and locked it from the outside.
Yibo pouted and stood up. He placed the bag Zhan had left for him on the bed and unzipped it. Inside were his neatly folded clothes.... about ten different outfits.... along with undergarments, cologne, and lotions. He carefully zipped the bag back up, placed it aside, and sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Around five in the evening, Zhan opened the door and peeked in. "Come downstairs," he called from the doorway. After he left, Yibo stood and followed, pausing briefly to glance at Ning Li's room before heading down.
Zhan was already in the sitting room, a plate of sliced pineapple on the table, watching a movie on TV. Yibo quietly approached and sat near him.
Zhan asked, "You're not going to have some pineapple?"
Yibo glanced at the plate but looked away. Zhan picked it up and moved closer to him, settling beside him again. Slowly, Yibo picked a slice and put it in his mouth.
Zhan smiled, watching his eyes.
Yibo frowned. "Can you stop staring at me?"
Zhan chuckled and pulled him into a light hug. "Okay, okay, I'll stop, but my baby husband is so cute."
They sat together like that, watching the movie until around six o'clock.
Footsteps echoed from the staircase, and both of them turned. Ning Li was coming down, her expression stiff and unreadable. Their eyes met briefly. Slowly, Yibo leaned his head on Zhan's shoulder. Ning Li didn't look at them again as she passed, heading straight to the kitchen.
Zhan didn't spare her another glance, but Yibo shot her a cold look. Zhan noticed and smiled, lowering his voice as he kissed Yibo's cheek.
"What did she do to you?" he asked.
Yibo scowled and looked away. Zhan widened his eyes playfully and hugged him again. "Alright, I'm sorry."
Yibo relaxed into him.
About five minutes later, Ning Li walked out of the kitchen. Clearly, she had gone there out of hunger. She exchanged another brief glance with Yibo, who quickly looked away, then she rushed upstairs like she was escaping.
Zhan said nothing, then stood. "What do you want to eat? I can bring something back when I return."
Yibo replied, "We still have food we bought earlier."
Zhan shook his head. "It's probably cold by now."
Yibo gave a small smile. "Trying to waste money again?"
Zhan looked at him silently. Yibo said, "Just bring whatever. I'll wait."
Zhan nodded and Yibo headed upstairs.
Before leaving, he called out softly, "Yibo."
Yibo turned to look.
"Make sure you lock the door when you go in."
Yibo nodded and went upstairs while Zhan left.
Later, as Yibo sat near the bed, he heard the doorknob turning. He walked to the door quietly and called out, "Who is it?"
It was Ning Li's voice. "If you're not a coward, then why do you keep locking your door, huh? Useless, pathetic little whore..."
Yibo smiled faintly and replied, "Because I don't have time to entertain ignorance or drag myself into sin. That's why I lock my door. When I do have time for you, I'll leave it open. Until then, keep struggling."
Ning Li kept banging on the door with full force, shouting insults.
"If you were truly born of your mother, open this door now and see what'll happen! I'll beat you senseless and see who dares to stop me!"
Yibo chuckled softly and said, "May you find peace. If you dare lay a finger on me, you'll be shocked to see my husband stand by me. Your mates are strong, proud boxers....maybe you should go and joint them if you are feeling energetic instead of humiliating yourself in front of your younger brother's mate....and who told you because I'm fragile I can't beat you back? Please come to your sense no matter how fragile I look... Still I am a man."
Ning Li let out a furious scream and hurled another insult. "Open this damn door if you're not a coward!"
Yibo replied casually, "Well, there are two cowards here, then. Shameless woman."
With that, he moved to sit by the bed, smiling to himself. Ning Li continued banging the door like she was trying to tear it down, but Yibo didn't react again until she finally walked off, still cursing loudly.
🔸▪️🔹▫️
It was nearly 7:30 p.m. when Zhan returned. He knocked on Yibo's door.
Yibo stood and went over. When he didn't open immediately, Zhan called out, "Yibo?"
Yibo opened the door and met Zhan's concerned eyes. "Are you okay?" Zhan asked.
Yibo didn't respond. He simply turned around, sat on the bed, and burst into tears.
Shocked, Zhan quickly walked over. "What happened??"
Through trembling lips, Yibo muttered, "It was Ning Li… she came here, yelling and banging on the door… said she'd beat me… she even called me a whore…"
His voice cracked as he sobbed again.... this time more intense, though his tears remained dry.
Zhan stood abruptly and stormed out of the room.
Yibo watched him go with a pout and smirk, wondering what he'd do next.
Zhan reached Ning Li's room and found her sitting on the bed, a phone pressed to her ear as tears streamed down her face. She quickly ended the call when she saw him.
His voice raised slightly as he said coldly, "Let me make this clear, Ning Li. Even by accident, if you so much as glare at Yibo again, let alone speak to him disrespectfully....I swear I'll show you the side of me you don't want to see. I may let a lot of things slide, but not when it comes to him. Try anything stupid again, and I'll make sure you regret it."
She smirked bitterly. "Well then, let's see who wins."
Without another word, she disappeared into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind her.
Yibo felt genuine satisfaction hearing how Zhan stood up for him. The door had been left ajar, so he'd heard every word. Zhan then went downstairs to heat up some food, his mood visibly lighter.
At 10 p.m., Yibo sat in front of the mirror, applying cream to his hair. The bedroom door opened behind him. He turned quickly....seeing it was Zhan, he smiled softly and continued what he was doing.
Zhan approached and handed him a phone.
Yibo took it and looked at the screen, then held it to his ear as Zhan left the room.
Still smiling, Yibo said, "Hello, Aunty how are you doing?."
On the other end, Zihan replied, "I'm doing fine, Yibo. How are you all doing?"
"We're alright," Yibo said softly. "Aunty, when are Meiling and the others coming?"
"They'll visit once you're back in Beijing, son."
"Okay, Aunty…"
"Just relax, Yibo. What happened… may be painful now, but it's for the best. And don't bother about Ning Li."
Yibo didn't say anything.
"Alright then," Zihan added gently, "Goodnight."
"Thank you, Aunty," he whispered before ending the call and setting the phone aside, quietly resuming his routine.
Eventually, he climbed onto the bed and lay down. Zhan entered shortly after, picked up his own phone from the table, and sat next to Yibo.
"Aren't you going to eat the fruits?" he asked.
Yibo shook his head.
"Should I call your mom?"
Yibo sat up quickly. "Yes, please."
Zhan dialed the number and handed him the phone before heading into the bathroom.
Yibo's heart warmed when he heard Yuting's voice. "Hello," she greeted softly.
"Good evening, Mu Qin," he replied, his voice equally gentle.
"How are you, Yibo?"
"I'm okay… Mu Qin, where's Fu Qin?"
"He's in Shanghai," she said.
Yibo fell silent.
Yuting added, "Be patient, Yibo. Sometimes the universe gives us what we need, not what we want. I believe this is ultimately for your good. Please, be calm."
Yibo smiled faintly. "I am, Mu Qin."
"That's good…"
"Why didn't you come with Aunt Beiting?" he asked softly.
"To do what exactly?" she replied.
He chuckled lightly. "I just miss you."
"You'll see me when you come home," she said.
"Okay, Mu Qin."
"And one more thing...stay away from Ning Li. Don't respond to anything she says or does. Just ignore her."
"Alright, Mu Qin."
"Goodnight."
As she ended the call, Yibo looked toward the bathroom, then slowly placed the phone down and lay back. A few minutes later, Zhan came out, ready for bed, and sat beside him.
He picked up his phone, glanced at Yibo's face, and said softly, "Time to take your meds."
Yibo slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. Zhan stood up, brought him his medication, and placed it beside him before heading downstairs to get some water. By the time he came back, Yibo had already opened the packet. Zhan handed him a glass of water, and Yibo quietly took the medicine. Zhan then left with the empty glass. Yibo lay back down, but his chest felt tight with unease for no clear reason.
Zhan returned, turned off the lights, and laid down on his side of the bed. "Did you shower before going to bed?" he asked.
Yibo didn't answer and simply turned his back to him.
After about ten minutes, Zhan slowly shifted closer to Yibo. Surprised, Yibo turned to look at him and softly whispered, "Gege…"
Hearing the way his heart was beating, Zhan gently asked, "Are you okay?"
Yibo shook his head, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Zhan stared at him through the darkness. Yibo slowly closed his eyes and rested his head on Zhan's chest, whispering, "I just want to sleep."
Zhan smiled faintly and wrapped his arms around him. With a lowered voice, he said, "Sleep, I'm here. Don't be afraid."
Yibo didn't say anything, but he relaxed in Zhan's arms. Zhan could still feel Yibo's heart pounding until it finally slowed with sleep. After a while, Zhan gently pressed a kiss to Yibo's forehead and softly whispered, "I… I love you."
Yibo's eyes flew open in surprise.
Zhan held him tighter and said, "I said sleep, little one."
Yibo didn't even realize he was smiling as he closed his eyes again and rested his head against Zhan's chest.
🔹▫️▪️🔸
The next morning at exactly 10 a.m., Zhan stood by the kitchen door after they had finished breakfast. Yibo was washing the dishes. Not even for a minute did Zhan leave Yibo alone. Whether inside or outside the room, he stayed by his side. Since dawn, Ning Li hadn't come downstairs, and Zhan didn't go to her room either.
As if on cue, he turned and saw Ning Li coming down the stairs, heading straight for the door. He watched her quietly.
"Where are you going?" he asked calmly.
She didn't even look at him and simply walked out of the house. Yibo just clicked his tongue and continued with the dishes.
Around noon, Zhan left to buy a medicated cream for Yibo, who had been complaining of leg pain since morning. Before leaving, he told Yibo to lock the bedroom door from the inside.
Meanwhile, Ning Li was sitting in the sitting room, talking to her family who had just arrived in Tianjin, giving them directions to the house. When the doorbell rang, she stood up, a smile of satisfaction on her face, and walked over to open it.
"I was wondering if you'd even get close...." she began.
But standing at the door was Yichen.
Ning Li stared at her from head to toe, then scoffed and said curtly, "Where are you coming from, and who exactly are you looking for?"
Yichen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who am I looking for, Ning Li?"
With exaggerated sarcasm, Ning Li replied, "Listen, I've been tolerating this long enough. I've kept things civil. But you need to pack up your little secrets and leave this house, Yichen."
Yichen cut in sharply, her voice laced with fury. "Wow, you're truly shameless, Ning Li. You dare to talk to me like that in my own son's house? Me?!"
Ning Li let out a mocking laugh. "Your son? Did you just say your son? Well, you're mistaken, and you're about to learn just how wrong you are. Maybe once, long ago, Zhan was your son, someone you had control over. But not anymore. Let me tell you what you clearly don't know....whatever bond you once had with Zhan is dead and buried. We're not the kind of family that runs to fake shaman or blood-drinking cults for help. So while I'm still being polite, turn around, wrap up your filthy life, and get out of my house. You wicked woman!"
With a furious expression, Yichen struck her hard across the face. Then, without hesitation, she slapped her again. Ning Li grabbed her cheek, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Did you just slap me, Yichen?! Did you really slap me?"
Yichen pointed a trembling finger at her, her voice shaking with rage. "I slapped you yes. You ungrateful....."
Before she could finish, Ning Li retaliated with two swift and stinging slaps of her own. Yichen staggered back, clutching her cheek, stunned. "You hit me?! Ning Li, you dared to hit me?!"
"I hit you, Yichen. Yes, I did. What are you going to do about it?" Ning Li shouted. "I slapped the queen of dark magic, the priestess of liars in all of Beijing! What's the big deal?"
The shouting and slapping had drawn Yibo's attention. He stood frozen on the staircase, watching in disbelief as the two women lashed out at each other.
Suddenly, Yichen lunged at Ning Li, gripping her by the collar with rage in her eyes. "Today, either you die, or I do," she hissed. "Today, your mother will gives birth to another daughter!"
Ning Li grabbed her back, and the fight escalated. They clashed violently at the doorway, screaming and hitting each other without holding back. Ning Li managed to pin Yichen to the ground and began striking her with all her strength, her face contorted in fury. "I'm going to make you unrecognizable today! You ruined my life with your jealousy, your bitterness, your evil schemes! You destroyed my relationship with the man I love, dragged me through hell with your black magic and lies until my engagement was broken and Zhan was forced into marrying someone else. You deceived me! You betrayed me! And I swear.... whatever happens today, I will make you pay!"
Yibo didn't move at first. He was still frozen in place, stuck on the stairs, stunned by the scene unfolding below him. But when he realized this wasn't just a petty scuffle....that Ning Li was actually hurting Yichen....he ran down quickly and rushed toward them.
Seeing him approach, Ning Li was distracted for a moment. That gave Yichen....blood trickling from her nose and lips.....the chance to shove her off. Yichen then grabbed Ning Li by the neck in a tight grip.
Yibo pulled Ning Li away forcefully, then turned to slap her hard across the face. Gripping her hair tightly, he shouted, "You've completely lost your mind! You're a disgrace. An absolute lunatic!"
Ning Li let out a loud, shrill scream and made a move to strike Yibo back, but Yichen pinned her to the ground again. The two of them rained blows on her as she screamed. Yibo had never known he had this much strength in him....he beat her as if he'd been sent by hell itself.
Just then, Ning Li's aunt Yezhen, her mother Sun Yue, and a family friend came rushing in.
Panicked, Ning Li's mother stumbled backward, letting out a horrified gasp at the sight of her daughter bleeding from the mouth. Yibo, realizing what this looked like, quickly stood off Ning Li and helped Yichen up. The two of them backed away from the scene.
Ning Li's mother dropped to her knees, sobbing and screaming, her voice cracking, "What am I seeing?! What happened to my daughter?!"
Her aunt Yezhen let out a wail like a wounded animal and charged at Yichen, who was already making her way upstairs with Yibo, leaving the chaos behind...
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛