Ruofei's POV:
Mum gives us a questioning look. "So... What is the thing Wenli mentioned you wanted to tell us?"
I take a deep breath and say the words that will either make them happy or make them go on a killing spree.
"I am pregnant."
I look at them and my hope instantly drops. That's the thing about hope. It exists to be crushed.
The first one to react is my dad. He shakes his head, as if not believing what he just heard.
"Y-you are pregnant?" I nod, trying to stop the nausea in my throat. But hey, they still didn't ask anything about the father so that's a good thing, I think...
"How?" Mum asks, her voice low. I press my eyes shut, trying to hold back my tears. My head starts spinning and I grab Wenli's hand for balance.
I hear his voice somewhere in the background but I don't pay attention to it. I squeeze his hand tighter and he snaps his gaze back to me.
Everyone is looking at us, saying all sorts of things. Wenli's face turns pale and he raises his hand, making everyone stop in their guessing game.
"Soulmate..." his voice rings in the silence.
I shake my head. He immediately understands the gesture and leans in.
"I... I don't think I can speak about this in front of them." I whisper, my voice barely audible.
"Do you.... what me to tell them?" He asks, visibly trying to help as much as possible.
"Could you? I get nauseous just thinking about it." I ask, hearing the hopefulness in my voice.
"Of course I could. Best friends need to help each other." He whispers back and then turns around to the rest of my family.
"Someone drugged him and Qingyue took advantage of that. He practically raped him, made him pregnant and..." He looks at me, his eyes full of sadness. "...marked him."
My eyes widen at his last words. He... marked me? Why? Why would he do that if he has no feelings for me?
I touch my nape and feel it start to burn. There is no way I let him do that. But if he really marked me... there's no escape.
I look at my parents, vision blurry with tears. My brother just stands there, processing what he just heard.
My dad walks towards me and hugs me so tightly, I am surprised I can still breathe. My mum hugs us both and I feel my father's tears joining mine on the fabric of my clothes.
"I am sorry, sweetie. I was blinded by the illusion of him as the perfect son-in-law that I didn't even notice his dark side. I should've protected you." My mum says and strokes my hair gently.
"I can't believe I let that monster get near you, Ruofei. Please, forgive us, son." My dad joins.
"There is nothing to forgive. You never hurt me and you never will. He did. And I will make sure he pays for what he did to me..."
I look at my brother and see him crying silently. My brother. As if the man I never saw crying in my life. And the first time I do, it's because of me.
That's when I remember one thing. Qingyue is his close friend. They got even closer after he married his twin sister, Qingxue.
I know I shouldn't feel this way but I still do. Pity. I pity my own brother because he got betrayed by his friend and didn't know about it.
"Wenlan? Is everything al-...." "I am sorry, little brother. I thought Qing-... he would never betray me." He says and chuckles.
"I guess I was wrong. I am sorry this happened and I will do everything in my power to help you and to protect you from him."
"So will we." My parents reply at the same time, making me smile.
I then turn to Wenli. "I can't believe you are even asking, soulmate. Of course, I will."
"Thank you, all of you," I say quietly as Wenlan and Wenli join the hug.
We hug for a long time until I smile and ask then. "Mind letting me go now? I am afraid I will faint due to the air loss."
Wenli chuckles as they stop hugging me, letting me breathe again.
"There is one more thing I need to tell you..." I say as the happy mood withers away.
"Wenli's returning to Korea soon and... I would like to leave with him."
My brother raises one eyebrow and my dad takes my hands in his.
"You can go, Ruofei. Just promise me you will stay safe."
"I think it's a good idea to go." My mother adds. "He knows we have connections in Korea and won't dare to do anything, even if he managed to find you.
"Also..." My father winks. "Don't forget to give us updates about the child, alright?"
"Will do, Dad." I hug him quickly.
"Take care of yourself, little brother. And if anyone tries to hurt you, don't be shy and reach out for me."
"Do you want to play a game of mahjong with me before leaving, Ruofei?" My father asks.
"Sure... if Wenli doesn't mind waiting?" "Just enjoy, soulmate." He replies but then starts talking to my mum again.
"Let's get out of here, son," Dad whispers and we quietly leave the room. As we close the door, he turns around and stares at me.
"Do I have something on my face?" I ask, knowing very well that my dad is not the type of person who would stare at someone without a reason.
"Be really careful, son. I know you are not as chaotic as your brother but I don't want to see you hurt. Also, I know it might be hard but try to forget about Qingyue and start a new life in Korea."
He turns towards the door of the library and sighs. "I know you love him, I can see it in your eyes. But even you know that you should be with someone who hurt you that much, right?"
I nod but my head gets filled with thousands of thoughts. Dad starts walking down the hall and I follow him. We reach the kitchen and I send him a questioning glance.
"Someone wasn't feeling good a few minutes ago so I wanted to give them a glass of water." He replies as he rolls his eyes.
He then passes me the glass and I take it with a smile on my lips. "Thanks, Dad."
"No need to thank me, son. Now let's go before your mother finds us here. I am not in the mood to explain anything to her."
I smile. Ever since my mum marked him as hers, she can sense his scent from miles. It is helpful and problematic at once.
I put the glass on the dining table and smile. "Please, lead the way." My dad just grins. "You are acting like you have never been here before, sir."
I giggle. I love spending time with my parents but since I am going to leave soon, I want to remember their smiles clearly.
We walk towards the entrance only to find my mum, Wenli and Wenlan already waiting there for us.
My parents hug both me and Wenli. "Have a safe ride back, sweethearts. Visit us as soon as possible."
I give them our goodbyes and as we turn around I hear my mum saying, "You didn't play mahjong, right honey?"
I smile but my smile slowly withers away as we enter the car. This might be the last time I see them before leaving. And I don't know how long I will have to stay in Korea to get away from him.
I just hope not for too long because I will really miss them...
I open our family group chat and send one single message.
"I love you, and I am really grateful that you guys are my family."