Zhan quickly turned his head away before the man could notice him. His heart pounded as he stepped away, moving to another section of the mall. Standing a short distance away was one of his former lecturers, Dr. Nanju... a very close friend of Dr Kexing. Back in the day, they were the only two young lecturers in their department.
When Dr Kexing first developed feelings for Zhan, he had confided in Dr. Nanju. Often, Dr. Nanju would call Zhan to his office under the pretense of asking questions or sending him a PDF of a handout. But when Zhan arrived, Dr Kexing would be there, simply watching him without saying much.
In fact, Dr Kexing would sometimes get Dr. Nanju to call Zhan to his office just so he could see him. That was two years ago.....Dr. Nanju had since left their department and was now working at the University of Guangzhou.
Zhan felt unsettled. He began thinking about how to quietly return the items in his small shopping cart; he didn't want to risk bumping into Dr. Nanju at the checkout. If he had known, he would have worn a face mask. Carefully, he peeked toward the section where Dr. Nanju was and saw him heading over.
In a panic, Zhan turned sharply...and collided with a woman holding a baby. He stared at her in surprise, noting she looked Chinese. "Sorry," he blurted out.
The woman smiled warmly. "It's fine."
Before she could even finish speaking, Zhan spotted Dr. Jing just behind her, holding another baby who looked very much like the first... likely twins. Dr. Jing squinted slightly, as though trying to remember his name.
"How are you?" Dr. Jing asked.
The woman turned to look at him, but Zhan was too distracted, hoping Dr. Nanju wouldn't suddenly appear. "I'm fine," he said quickly.
Dr. Jing continued, "I hope you're feeling much better now?"
Zhan nodded. Dr. Jing glanced at his wife. "He's one of my patients. We discharged him from the hospital earlier today."
His wife gave Zhan a sympathetic look. "I hope you get well soon."
Zhan forced a small smile. "Thank you."
Dr. Jing clearly noticed how tense Zhan was..... unable to stand still, as though itching to leave. His wife smiled again. "Well, see you around."
Zhan nodded quickly and walked away. Dr. Jing and his wife continued on, while Zhan spotted Dr. Nanju at the mall's entrance, talking on the phone with empty hands...maybe he had decided not to shop after all.
The sight made Zhan feel even more uncomfortable about staying. He considered abandoning his shopping and heading back to his hotel but then remembered he needed to buy some cream for the next day, along with a few snacks since he didn't always feel like eating full meals.
Zhan moved cautiously through the aisles, changing direction whenever he thought he might cross paths with Dr. Jing and his wife. Eventually, he finished picking the few things he needed and headed for the checkout.....but seeing them at the counter, he quickly switched to the next one.
As Dr. Jing finished paying for his own items, Zhan stepped up to the cashier. He was about to pull out his ATM card when Dr. Jing handed his own card to the cashier and said in English, "Put it on mine."
Zhan quickly looked up. "No, Doctor, that's not necessary. I'll pay."
"I already gave him my card," Dr. Jing said calmly.
Zhan glanced at his wife, who offered him an encouraging smile. Zhan returned the smile politely. "Thank you very much. I appreciate it."
Once his items were bagged, Zhan thanked the couple again, then headed out. Dr. Jing didn't left earlier since he and his wife still had more items to be packed.
Watching Zhan walk away, Zhe smirked. "It seems every other person we meet is your patient, Doctor."
He chuckled. "Maybe… but it's not like the young male patients linger in your mind more than the others, right?"
She raised a brow playfully. "Not at all. I know you well enough.....and I trust you."
"Double that trust, girlfriend," he said with a grin. She laughed softly, adjusting the sleeping baby in her arms.
***
The next morning, at about ten minutes to ten, Zhan stepped out of his hotel room. After exchanging greetings with some staff, he hailed a taxi and asked the driver to take him to the bus station.
"Which station?" the driver asked.
Zhan hesitated.....he didn't even know the name of the station where he had been dropped off two days earlier. "Any one will do," he said at last.
While stuck in traffic, he bought a face mask from a street vendor and put it on..... no risks today. Luckily, the driver ended up dropping him at the exact same station as before.
Zhan paid the fare and walked into a small shop he had visited previously. The shopkeeper recognized him instantly.
"I was starting to think you'd found a place to stay since I hadn't seen you again," the man said with a smile.
Zhan gave a faint smile and sat down on the chair. "No, I haven't found one yet. Yesterday I wasn't feeling well, that's why you didn't see me," he said.
The man replied, "I see. I hope you feel better soon. By the way Zhan continue, did you check the houses I told you about?"
"Yes, I did," the man said. "We've inspected two already. You can choose whichever suits you best."
Zhan nodded. "Alright, no problem. How much is it, so I can transfer the money?"
The man leaned back slightly. "Well, sir, you know how things are nowadays..... people aren't always honest. Even though you met me here where I work for my living, you shouldn't just trust me blindly with your money. I think it's better if we go together to Foshan. You can check the houses yourself, pick the one you like, pay directly, and get the keys."
Zhan shook his head. "No need for me to go. Just choose the better one for me, but please make sure it has both running water and electricity in the area."
The man chuckled. "Don't worry, sir. I won't take you to a rough neighborhood.....you don't look like someone used to hardship. There'll be more than enough electricity, and the water supply is fine. We checked good houses in a decent area for you."
Zhan asked, "So, how much is the rent?"
"That depends," the man replied. "Do you want a partitioned apartment for rent, or a small self-contained unit just for yourself?"
"Just for me," Zhan said quickly. "I don't want to share with others."
"In that case," the man explained, "a one-bedroom is going for 50,000 yuan including the agreement. If you want two bedrooms, it's 150,000, or 200,000 if you want everything fully settled. The compound is nice.....enough space to park one car comfortably."
Zhan thought for a moment. "Either one is fine, whichever you find first."
"Honestly, sir," the man added, "the two-bedroom is a good deal. If you can afford it, just take it.....it's in a good neighborhood with friendly people."
"Alright then," Zhan agreed. "Where should I send the money?"
"Transfer it to my account," the man said. "I'll pay them in cash to avoid unnecessary delays."
Zhan handed over his ATM card, knowing there was about 1.3 million yuan in the account. He rarely touched the money, Qiren sent something for a specific need, as Yibo and Hai Kuan usually took care of his expenses.
The shop owner took the card, and after Zhan gave him the PIN, he added, "Withdraw 230,000? keep 30,000 for yourself. Thank you so much."
"Sure," the shop owner replied.
The man thanked him warmly. "Sir, you should have come so everything could be done in front of you..... payment, paperwork, everything."
Zhan smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Handle it as if it were for yourself. By the way, where can I get a SIM card?"
"I sell them here," the man said.
Zhan paused for a moment, already knowing they registered the lines themselves. "Alright, give me one."
After withdrawing the money and returning the ATM card, the man handed him a new SIM card.
"How much is it?" Zhan asked.
"It's fine, no charge."
"Thanks. Also, is it possible to get a bed in that town, even if it's not a big one?"
"A bed? You mean like a student mattress?"
"Yes," Zhan confirmed.
"It's more expensive there. Better to buy it here and take it along," the man advised.
"Alright. I'll be heading off now. Give me your number so I can call you later once I activate the line."
The man wrote down his number, Zhan thanked him, and left the shop. On his way back, he stopped at a small eatery for a snack, then returned to his hotel.
After eating a meat pie, Zhan took his medication and lay down to rest. He didn't wake until late afternoon. Once up, he inserted the new SIM card into his phone and waited for it to activate.
Near evening, he called the shop owner. After exchanging greetings, the man confirmed that the house payment had been made.
"Alright, thanks," Zhan said.
"You could even move in tomorrow," the man offered. "As long as you have your belongings, there's no problem.....it's a new place, no repairs needed."
"Good, I'll come tomorrow," Zhan replied.
***
Yibo was sitting in Lan Yi's sitting room, having bought her some food for dinner and waiting for her to start eating. He'd even brought her medicine because earlier that morning she had told him she wasn't feeling well. The medicine included one for digestion and another to help her sleep....she looked like she hadn't had proper rest in a long time. She had also grown noticeably thinner, even before leaving Granny Fang Yu's house.
It had been almost an hour and Lan Yi still hadn't touched the food. Yibo leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
"Mama, please eat at least a little so you can take your medicine. I know you haven't had anything since morning."
Lan Yi looked at him and said softly, "But Yibo, do you really think Zhan will be gone for good? No one knows where he is, and he didn't tell anyone where he was going. Should we make an announcement on the radio or post about it online?"
Inwardly, Yibo thought, When you told him to leave, you didn't consider all this. Out loud, he simply let out a quiet sigh and replied gently,
"Wherever he is, he's fine, Mama. All we can do is keep hoping he changes his mind and comes back home. Since he left on his own, I'm sure he's cut off any way for us to reach him. Hai Kuan ge mentioned that his ATM card is still with him.....if he withdraws money, we'll at least know where he is. He hasn't gone missing in a dangerous way, so if we start searching, it might just draw unnecessary attention. People will interpret it in different ways. It's better to wait and see if he slips up by using the card."
Lan Yi wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek, not saying anything.
Just then, the sitting room door opened and Granny Ai walked in, holding a plate of noodles and a cup of tea. Yibo looked up at her and pointed toward the food he'd bought for Lan Yi and her.
"Granny Ai, aren't you going to eat this instead?"
She shook her head. "Why? I'll eat later in the night when I wake up. I only cooked one small packet of noodles because I haven't eaten anything since I arrived. All I had earlier was a piece of bread and some tea that Hai Kuan left in the kitchen."
She sat down and began eating. Yibo felt relieved that Granny Ai had come, since the house was otherwise empty.....just Lan Yi and Hai Kuan, who only stayed over to keep Lan Yi company but left for work every morning. Yibo had even been considering calling Granny Ai to come over, and here she was, arriving unexpectedly, just as she had when he came by earlier to check on Lan Yi.
Yibo was lost in thought when Granny Ai suddenly leaned closer and said quietly, "Meet me in the sitting room downstairs, Yibo."
He glanced at Lan Yi, who still hadn't touched her food, then stood up and followed Granny Ai downstairs. She pointed to a chair.
"Sit. I'll be right back."
She went into the kitchen and returned carrying a dustpan, placing it in front of him. Yibo frowned in confusion.
"What's this?"
Granny Ai smirked and said, "I found it under your mother's bed...stuck there. It's still moving. When I got here earlier, I didn't even rest; I went straight to cleaning her room. And look at what I found under her bed, Yibo. She's already worried and distressed, so I didn't show her. But people have been saying her in-law planted something bad in her room…"
Yibo cut her off, his tone firm. "Who told you that?"
Granny Ai lowered her voice. "From the… specialist I went to for help. Haven't you noticed all the strange things happening around here? Even before your father remarried, I was told..."
Yibo shook his head. "So you've been going to these so-called specialists again."
Granny Ai's eyes widened as she sat down. "Don't go around telling people that, Yibo. Do you want to ruin my reputation? What kind of specialist? How can you think like that?"
Yibo said flatly, "You're still wasting money on people who lie to you? No one has the power to harm you unless you let them. You're just paying frauds who prey on your fears."
Granny Ai stared at him, then snapped, "Don't ever call me foolish again, Yibo. You're young and know nothing about the world. I shouldn't even be talking about this with you. But I know for certain that awful woman planted this thing in Lan Yi's room.....that's why everything has been falling apart lately."
Yibo reached out to pick up the charm, but Granny Ai quickly snatched the small parcel away.
"Don't touch it," she said sharply. "I know exactly where I'll take it, and I won't let your hands near it."
After a moment, Yibo asked, "Then what's the point of hiding that charm under Mama's bed?"
Granny Ai lowered her voice. "It's meant to make her dislike Zhan.... hate him, even.... and to break up her home so she comes back here in ruin. Now tell me, which one hasn't already happened? Hasn't she been separated from Zhan? Or had her home destroyed? By the way, where's Qiren? I wanted to ask Lan Yi earlier, but she said she didn't know."
Yibo sighed. "He's gone to another house he built with his wife."
Granny Ai's eyes widened, and she clasped her head. "What? Another house he built? I bet that woman's a manipulative schemer. She's only just arrived and already taken control, separating him from Lan Yi. People like that… there are far too many in this world. Have you told Lan Yi they're living in a new place together?"
Quietly, Yibo replied, "No, I haven't told her."
"Good," Granny Ai whispered. "Don't you dare say a word. You've seen how upset she is over Zhan's disappearance.....it's shaken her badly. Don't add fuel to the fire."
She pulled a phone from a small scarf tucked under her headwrap and handed it to Yibo. "Call Qiren for me."
Yibo just looked at her.
"Call him," she repeated firmly.
He took the phone, dialed Qiren's number, and handed it back. She pressed it to her ear. As soon as it rang, Qiren picked up.
"It's Granny Ai," she said briskly.
They exchanged greetings before she continued, "I want to see you today.....I've just arrived in town."
"Alright," he said. "We can meet tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Granny Ai shook her head. "No, I want to see you today, Qiren."
"Then I'll have Yibo bring you to me," Qiren offered.
"No," she said flatly. "You get in your car and come here. I'm sitting in your house right now, in the sitting room, alone."
Qiren hesitated, then said, "Alright, I'm on my way."
"Good. I'll be waiting." She ended the call, then looked at Yibo. "See? I'm no fool who'll go chasing after him to some new home, not after he's abandoned my niece."
Yibo stayed silent.
About forty minutes after Yibo left the house, Qiren arrived..... around nine-thirty in the night. Granny Ai was still in the sitting room, having finished the food Yibo brought earlier.
Qiren greeted her politely and took a seat. "How was your trip, Aunt Ai?"
She looked at him steadily. "Qiren, are you really going to carry on like this.....acting unfairly in a marriage that's still unresolved in all our minds? Are you really turning Lan Yi into nothing now? She's done nothing but stand by you since the days when you had nothing. And now, just because you've lost patience over one mistake, you've changed completely?"
Her voice trembled. "Has she ever done you any real harm? In all your years together?"
Qiren asked, "Did she tell you I've done something to her?"
"You have," Granny Ai shot back. "Why else would you take another woman you married and set her up in a brand-new home, leaving Lan Yi behind?"
"I didn't even know she was still living here," Qiren said.
Granny Ai shook her head. "Don't make excuses, Qiren. I'm telling you.....whatever's happened between you two, don't treat her like this. Yes, she made mistakes. But she's still a good woman, and you know it. Right now, she's already in a terrible state over Zhan disappearing. Do you want to add a rival wife into the mix? That would crush her."
Qiren was quiet for a long moment.
Gently, Granny Ai said, "I know you can be patient when you choose to be. Go upstairs, check on her, and speak to her kindly. Let her feel safe again. We can't change fate, but we can soften its blows."
Finally, Qiren nodded. "Alright, Aunt. I'll go see her."
"That's better," she said with a small smile. "That's how a man should handle things. Now go upstairs...I'll be in the kitchen finding something to eat before I starve."
Qiren stood and headed upstairs toward Lan Yi's room.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛