As promised. 😂
Just as he sat alone in his grand living room, the news of the Queen's arrival reached Yibo. He looked up at the clock...it was already ten past ten at night. That surprised him. For her to come at such an hour, something serious had to be on her mind.
He rose quietly and went into his bedroom, changing into a luxurious gold robe with long sleeves, smooth and elegant, catching the light in just the right way. Then he returned to the living room.
When he got back, she was already standing there in the center of the room, arms folded, her eyes fixed on the door to his bedroom. One look at her face told him everything...her expression was a storm. She was angry, furious even, and there was no attempt to hide it.
Yibo walked toward her calmly and respectfully bowed a little before speaking.
"Good evening…" he began, but she immediately raised her hand to silence him. Then, in a sharp, cutting tone, she spoke.
"I carried you in pain and struggle for nine full months...every single day a test, a burden. I didn't get rest until the very last days. I crouched and gave birth to you without knowing if I would live or die. I was the one who nursed you, cleaned you, healed you. When you smiled, I smiled. When you cried, I cried. When you needed anything, I gave until I had nothing left. I gave up everything you disliked and embraced everything you wanted. I've never stopped caring for you, never stopped protecting you, even from things you didn't know were dangerous. I've done it all… until today, when you're now twenty-one years old."
Her voice rose, trembling with anger.
"But today… I, Zhaiye, your mother, gave you an instruction...and you dare defy me? What exactly do you see in that boy that you can't find in any other person? What is it about him that makes you unable to erase him from your life, even when I, your own mother, have demanded it?!"
She shouted now, a level of anger Yibo couldn't remember ever seeing from her. He lowered his head, overwhelmed by a wave of helplessness. His chest tightened as her voice echoed across the room, heavy with emotion.
"Everything I've ever done has been for you. You may never understand that until much later. I brought that boy into your life when you weren't expecting him, when you didn't even know you needed someone like him. And now, I want him gone. I don't want to see him near you again. Are you really ready to challenge me, Yibo?"
She threw the question at him with such force it was like a slap. Yibo dropped to his knees before her, the pain in her voice cutting into his very blood. He could hear her heartbreak echoing in every word. In a soft voice, he finally said, "Mom… the rumors you've heard... they're true. What they told you about him… it's all...."
"Enough!" she snapped, silencing him again. "That's not why I came here. I buried everything about him long ago. I buried it all. The only thing left is your decision. If your problem is marriage, then prepare to marry Qiantang soon. And know this... whether you like it or not, you will pursue your studies. You will rise to the position I expect of you. You will forget someone named Zhan ever existed in your life. If you still want to carry the name Zhaiye and be known as the son of the Queen of Tianjin, then obey me. Otherwise... if you're ready to abandon my blood...then continue on the path you're on. Let's see who breaks first, Yibo. But if that's the path you choose, be prepared to find yourself a new mother...because it won't be me!"
With that, she turned and walked out without looking back, without waiting to hear another word from him. Her steps were quick, driven by anger and a seething hatred for Zhan. That boy was threatening to become the chain at her ankle...the wall between her and her dreams for her only son. Why hadn't she separated them long ago, back when she still had the chance to prevent this bond?
What did that boy even have? Apart from a pretty face, she saw nothing else that could possibly tie Yibo to him. She asked herself again and again...but there was no answer.
Yibo hadn't moved from where he knelt. It felt like someone had poured ice water over him, from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. There was no one in his life like his mother. And truly, there is nothing in the world quite like a mother's love. Across all living beings....humans, animals, birds, even plants...the one who truly loves you from the very beginning is the one who carried you before you were born.
But where was that love now? Where was the compassion between mother and son? She had thrown it all away with one command. What was he supposed to do now? Obey her and destroy everything he held dear? Or defy her....and prepare for the consequences?
The thought paralyzed him. He lost track of how long he stayed there, curled on the floor. It wasn't until his body began to radiate heat that he realized his temperature had spiked. With effort, he gripped a nearby armrest and pulled himself up slowly, like a man who hadn't stood in days. Somehow, he dragged himself to his bedroom.
But he didn't care about how he felt, didn't take any medicine. He spent the rest of the night reaching a final decision. And by early morning, he was already at the Queen's residence.
He had chosen between the two options she gave him...and he was there to deliver his answer.
This marks the second part of the story, dear readers. Stay with me as we head into part three.
✨✨✨
EIGHT YEARS LATER
With calm composure, a sleek, impeccably designed luxury car glided smoothly through the private grounds of an exclusive hospital nestled in Washington D.C., USA. There was something about the vehicle...its quiet elegance, its commanding presence...that made heads turn as it passed. People strolling through the hospital grounds or seated in designated outdoor relaxation areas found their attention unconsciously drawn toward it. The hospital's environment, filled with manicured greenery, fresh air, and beautifully arranged benches, only added to the serene ambiance.
The car continued its silent, graceful path until it reached a designated VIP parking area. The parking maneuver was smooth and precise...clearly the work of a seasoned driver who knew exactly what he was doing.
A few moments passed...at least three minutes...before the car door opened gently, in perfect sync with a subtle burst of a soothing fragrance and a soft rush of cool air escaping from the air conditioning.
And then, there he was.
Seated in the driver's seat, the man emerged slowly...an image of quiet authority and striking poise. Every detail about him, from his tailored attire to the calm set of his features, spoke of refinement. He wore a fine, high-quality outfit, simple in style but elegant in execution. His face bore no trace of makeup, aside from a hint of lip balm that gave his lips a healthy sheen. His presence was further enhanced by a subtle, expensive cologne that lingered in the air around him.
A single, tasteful ring adorned one finger, and a diamond-studded watch shimmered on his wrist. He reached forward, retrieved the car keys, and then turned to gather his belongings from the passenger Seat...documents organized in folders, a small leather bag, smartphone, and a white lab coat neatly hanging over the seatback.
Just as he was about to step out, his eyes fell on a small lunchbox tucked discreetly under the seat. For a moment, he paused, gaze fixed on the container. Then, reaching for it slowly, he brought it onto his lap and opened it.
Everything was still inside...untouched. Only the drinks and some chocolates and biscuits had been taken out.
A soft, involuntary smile played at the corner of his lips. He pressed two fingers gently to them and shook his head. "Jianghu... Jianghu, you never change," he murmured.
He was about to put the box away again but changed his mind. Instead, he gathered everything...folders, phone, coat, and the lunchbox...and stepped out of the car, his polished shoes touching the ground with silent elegance.
And with that, Dr. Xiao Zhan emerged....no longer just a young, promising man, but someone refined by time. His features had matured, sharpened slightly by age and experience, softened only by peace of mind and fulfillment. Education had sculpted him, discipline had refined him, and life had mellowed him.
After locking the car, he walked toward the pathway leading directly to his office. As he walked, he adjusted his expression, dimming the warmth of the smile he'd worn just moments ago into something more neutral and professional.
The respectful greetings he received from staff made it clear....this was not an ordinary man. In just three years of joining the hospital, he had risen to a prominent position, a place many would take a decade or more to reach. His brilliance, dedication, and innate talent had set him apart.
He had completed every course, every clinical rotation, every requirement faster than anyone before him. Among all the medical institutions he'd passed through, none had seen someone with a mind like his.
Zhan was extraordinary. Gifted. A miracle in motion. Someone who made the impossible seem effortless.
He responded to each greeting with polite warmth and respect as he made his way down the hallway to the row of offices. Near the end of the corridor, he tapped his access card to the reader. After a quick scan, the door clicked open. He stepped inside swiftly.
As he turned to close the door behind him, his eyes caught the office directly opposite his. The nameplate glinted under the light, boldly displaying the title and name of the hospital's owner. Dr. Wang Adrian.
Dr. Zhan quickly shut his door before it could be opened from the other side, muttering under his breath, silently hoping he wouldn't be summoned. He sighed in mild annoyance, placing his belongings down to prevent anyone from offering to help him...he didn't like the attention his position brought.
Despite the prestige and authority he now held, he had never sought such a spotlight. He wasn't sure why Dr. Wang Adrian had placed him on this pedestal. The man was persistent, relentless even. And more than anything, he seemed emotionally impervious. Zhan was sure that if it had been anyone else, they would've walked away from the whole situation long ago. But Dr. Adrian? He acted as if nothing could faze him...always calm, always advancing, ignoring every unspoken boundary Zhan had set.
Once Zhan had organized everything on his desk, he turned on his devices...his phone, his computer...and began reviewing the day's schedule. He reached out to his assistant for updates on the office's agenda.
There were children he had treated the day before and needed to check in on today, as well as new pediatric cases that had just been added to the list...some unexpectedly. Though it wasn't required for him to personally see all of them, the children's parents had insisted on him specifically. It happened often, and he'd learned not to be surprised anymore.
As he gathered the materials he'd need for his rounds, he waited for the nurses under his supervision to arrive. They would accompany him through the pediatric ward.
Just then, his office door opened. Without looking up, Zhan already knew who it was.
Only Dr. Wang Adrian ever entered without permission.
Zhan didn't lift his head, simply continued with his work.
Tall and fair-skinned, Dr Adrian had the kind of complexion that immediately stood out... clear, pale, and refined. Despite being just thirty-two, his height gave him an older, more commanding presence. At first glance, anyone would know he was of mixed heritage. As expected, his mother was American, and his father Chinese. Yet Adrian had spent his entire life in the U.S., only visiting China once to connect with his paternal relatives.
He was a fully qualified physician whose dual heritage and birthplace had granted him access to numerous opportunities. He was also a legal citizen with the right to own property... and eventually, to open his own hospital. His facility was now one of the most prestigious private institutions in the city, known especially for its outstanding care in women's and children's health.
This was the very hospital where Zhan now worked, under the pediatric department.
Dr. Wang Adrian had fallen for Zhan long before the younger man had even completed his studies. Once Zhan graduated, Dr Adrian quietly arranged for him to be hired...without Zhan ever knowing he had been pulled in behind the scenes. Not long after Zhan started, Adrian made his feelings clear.
But Zhan had never seen love as anything meaningful. To him, it was an empty word...one he had no interest in, no curiosity about. In fact, Zhan considered it a damaging concept, one that brought more harm than good to anyone who dared get too close to it.
No matter how indifferent or cold Zhan tried to be with his subtle rejection of Dr. Adrian, hoping to keep things professional and peaceful between them, Dr Adrian simply ignored it. At first, Dr Adrian thought Zhan simply didn't return his feelings. But when Zhan bluntly told him he had never fallen in love with anyone before, Dr Adrian stopped taking Zhan's actions personally and doubled down on his efforts. He quietly vowed to win Zhan over, determined to make him his husband one day.
In all his life, Dr. Adrian had never met anyone who struck such a deep chord with him... no one had ever occupied his thoughts the way Zhan did. Zhan was everything he had envisioned in a life partner, even the kind of person he never believed he could desire. Dr Adrian had never even considered being attracted to the same gender until he met Zhan. He was willing to embrace that side of himself for him. His feelings ran so deep they were like part of his very bloodstream. Even his mother was aware of how strongly he felt about Zhan.
He had made a silent promise: he wouldn't give up until Zhan was his.
Adrian let out a deep sigh, a soft smile on his lips, arms folded across his chest as he watched Zhan from across the room. Zhan was seated at his desk, flipping through some files, carefully sorting them without once glancing up...pretending not to notice Dr Adrian's presence since he walked in. But Dr Adrian knew better. He was certain Zhan had seen him; the pretense was just part of the game. Still, he appreciated that Zhan hadn't immediately shut him out. It was something.
Taking the hint, Dr Adrian strolled over to the desk and pulled out a chair. He sat down smoothly and said in English:
"Whatever you do, it suits you. And whatever you try, you're more than capable of pulling it off."
"Good morning, sir," Zhan replied flatly, eyes still on his paperwork.
Dr. Adrian pressed a hand lightly to his lips and said with a teasing tone,
"Apologies, I got distracted… your handsome face does that to me. Good morning, my love."
Zhan gave a barely audible scoff, replying under his breath. Dr Adrian, for all his foreign upbringing, had a generally good character. But people often said that the society one grows up in deeply shapes one's behaviors and habits. Most of Dr Adrian's habits were Western...many of which, by traditional Chinese standards, were considered inappropriate or even embarrassing. Yet where Dr Adrian came from, such things were ordinary. He'd been born and raised in the West, and still lived by those norms.
Zhan often corrected him on certain behaviors that clashed with Chinese values. And to his credit, Dr Adrian listened. He tried to change. He rarely repeated a mistake once Zhan corrected him...proof of how seriously he took Zhan's opinions, and how deeply he loved him.
Before Dr Adrian could say anything else, Zhan stood up, holding a single file in his hand. He looked at Dr Adrian and said curtly:
"Sir, if you're done... or if it's not urgent... please lock the office when you leave. I'm going on rounds."
With a calm face, Dr Adrian replied,
"What use is an office without you in it? You're the reason I came. Can't I at least get five minutes?"
Zhan adjusted the papers in his hands and replied dryly, "Are we abandoning work to sit and chat now, sir?"
"If you agreed, that would make me the happiest man alive, my love."
Zhan rolled his eyes slightly, which somehow made him look even more attractive to Adrian.
"Sir, you of all people know I didn't come here for that. And let me remind you...any recklessness or mistakes made in this hospital are your responsibility. If anything goes wrong, your country won't look the other way...they will hold you accountable. And weren't you the one always saying you Westerners follow rules better than anyone else?"
Dr Adrian laughed so genuinely that Zhan paused to look at him.
Then Dr Adrian replied,
"You're not exactly right. You're forgetting...I'm half Chinese. Practically every day, you're the one reminding me of that, aren't you?"
Ever since Dr Adrian fell for Zhan, he had started to lean more into his Chinese identity. He had realized how deeply Zhan loved his country and spoke of it often, with a desire to return one day. Dr Adrian, on the other hand, had never cared much about labels...whether someone called him Chinese or American didn't matter to him. But he started adapting, for Zhan.
"I don't see a problem. As far as I'm concerned, I know you as a European man. And don't forget...you only use your Chinese surname."
Just then, the sound from the door panel alerted them that people were waiting outside... it was the nurses, clearly ready for rounds.
Without saying another word, Dr. Zhan walked out. He didn't want to give Dr Adrian another chance to hold him back.
NB
Happy Eid El-Fitr.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛