Zhan adjusted the nose mask in his face, paired it with his dark shades, and headed toward the door to leave.
Yibo, who had been quietly watching him, called out, "Baby."
Zhan turned but didn't look directly at him.
"Where are you going with the face mask and glasses?"
He paused for a moment, then said softly, "I just felt like wearing them."
Yibo frowned slightly. "You haven't worn them in a long time. So why today?"
Zhan hesitated, then replied quietly, "I just want to wear them today."
Yibo didn't say anything else. He turned off the air conditioner and the TV, then headed for the door as well.
By the time Zhan reached the parking space, Yibo locked up the sitting room and followed behind. He watched Zhan the entire way, his gaze steady, as if seeing him for the first time. Zhan leaned against the car, waiting patiently.
Yibo walked slowly toward him, and after unlocking the car, Zhan slipped inside and locked the door. Yibo still couldn't take his eyes off him. It was only now that he truly noticed how perfect Zhan looked....how strikingly beautiful he was. Maybe it was the bond of marriage that made him notice these things now, things he'd overlooked before. Everything about Zhan seemed different lately....radiant, mesmerizing.
Yibo got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove out of the gate.
After a while, he glanced at Zhan, whose eyes were fixed on the window, quietly admiring the beauty of Guangzhou passing by. Gently, Yibo reached out and took his hand.
Zhan turned quickly but didn't look at him, trying to pull his hand away. Yibo held on, eyes still on the road, his thumb brushing softly over Zhan's fingers. Zhan turned his face back toward the window, refusing to respond.
After a few minutes, Yibo said quietly, "Don't tell me you're planning to stay there tonight."
Zhan didn't answer.
"Oh," Yibo said with a faint smile, "so you are planning to stay, huh?"
Zhan finally muttered, "Yes."
Yibo just smiled again and didn't say anything more. Eventually, Zhan managed to slip his hand free.
The rest of the drive passed in complete silence.
When they arrived, Yibo parked outside and turned to look at Zhan. Zhan opened the door first and headed toward the gate. Yibo followed after locking the car. The security guards greeted them politely as they entered the compound.
When they reached the house entrance, Zhan stopped, unable to open the sitting room door. He stepped aside just as Yibo arrived.
"Take off the shade and mask, Baby," Yibo said calmly.
Zhan frowned and shook his head stubbornly. Before he could protest, Yibo reached forward and pulled them off himself.
Zhan's face flushed immediately...embarrassment written all over him. He couldn't meet Yibo's eyes.
Yibo stepped closer, his voice dropping low. "You're giving them hints that you're not...a virgin anymore."
Zhan froze, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow him whole.
Yibo turned his back to him, sighing softly, clearly not expecting that reaction. Then, after a pause, he said, "I'll let you have them back...on one condition."
Zhan bit his lip and didn't answer.
Yibo opened the sitting room door and walked inside. Zhan hurried after him, voice trembling, "Please, Gege, I said I can't go in like this."
"I said on one condition," Yibo replied evenly.
Zhan, close to tears now, stomped his foot. "Then tell me what it is!"
Yibo just stared at him for a long moment, silent. When Zhan reached out for the mask in his hand, Yibo quickly pulled it behind his back.
"You're not ready," Yibo murmured and walked inside.
Zhan followed him into the sitting room....and froze.
Min was there, sitting on the carpet with her heavily pregnant belly before her. She looked exhausted, her skin dull and her body frail, as though the pregnancy had drained every last bit of strength from her.
"Good evening," she said softly, looking up at them.
Yibo didn't reply. His face was cold and expressionless as he turned toward the stairs and walked past her without a second glance.
Zhan lowered his gaze and followed quietly, not looking at her either. When they reached the upper floor, Zhan saw Yibo turning toward Lan Yi's living room. He walked slowly, then entered his own room and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the window in silence. His mood had shifted completely.
Yibo entered the sitting room and found Lan Yi seated with Hai Kuan. He greeted them politely and took a seat. They exchanged brief words, but Yibo avoided looking Lan Yi in the eyes. He hadn't been to the house since last Friday, after leaving with Zhan, though he spoke with her on the phone often.
After a quiet moment, Lan Yi asked softly, "How is Baby?"
"He's downstairs," Yibo replied.
Lan Yi nodded, watching him carefully. She could sense something was off....his mood was heavy, and she suspected it had to do with the call she made to him earlier.
After a pause, she sighed and said, "I think your father's sudden change of heart isn't as simple as it seems. Since he wasn't the one who got poisoned, maybe that's why he agreed to clear that girl's name. She was granted bail yesterday, and now he's even insisting that she come here. He claims her mother kicked her out in Beijing and banned her from visiting her relatives, so now he wants her to stay with me. But honestly, what am I supposed to do with her?"
Lan Yi ended her words angrily.
Yibo, who had been watching her quietly, finally spoke up. "All I know is that there's no marriage between me and her. So bringing up such a topic doesn't even make sense. Imagine....her own relatives, who are supposed to protect her, have disowned her and thrown her out. If they can't take her in, why should we? I don't think she's supposed to be here at all. The barrister should have already discussed this with Baba. I know Baba wouldn't have allowed her to come to this house without his knowledge."
Lan Yi folded her arms tightly and said, "Out of frustration, I haven't even stepped into the sitting room, let alone seen her face. The moment Bing came in and told me that that girl had arrived, I immediately called your father. And he said, yes, he was the one who told her to come here until he returns and decides what to do next.
If that's the case, why didn't he send her to his mistress in Beijing? Isn't that his house too? He could have taken her there to stay. Because honestly, if that girl is going to sleep in this house tonight, then I'll be the one leaving. I won't spend a single night under the same roof with her.
Anyone who could poison another person's food...hoping they'd die....there's nothing evil left that such a person wouldn't do in this life. Her heart is already hardened; she's capable of anything. So if she doesn't leave this house today, then I will."
Hai Kuan, who had been listening quietly, finally lifted his head to look at her. "Baba didn't say she'll be staying here permanently," he said calmly. "We wouldn't agree to that either. He's only being considerate because of her pregnancy....and she only has about six weeks left before giving birth."
Lan Yi snapped, "And who said she must give birth under our roof? If her mother threw her out, then she should go to her father's family! Honestly, I'm shocked at both you and your father. Do you really think the decision you've made between yourselves is right? What about the rest of us? Do we not deserve to have a say? You've made the decision already, haven't you?"
Hai Kuan just gave a faint smile.
Lan Yi stood up sharply. "Fine. I'll wait until your father returns and hear exactly what he has to say." With that, she stormed out of the sitting room, clearly upset.
- - - -
By 7 p.m., Zhan was sitting in Lan Yi's sitting room, eating slowly from a plate placed before him. Even now, he couldn't relax....he looked like a stranger in his own house.
Lan Yi had even gone to his room earlier, trying to get him to come out; he had pretended to be asleep until she left. When Zhan finally went to greet Qiren in his section of the house, he didn't stay long...unlike before. Soon after, he came back to Lan Yi's side and sat quietly, and she couldn't help but find his behavior a little amusing.
When Zhan finished eating, he stood up with his plate to leave.
Lan Yi asked, "Are you done?"
He nodded. Just then, Bing entered and took the plate from Zhan, gathering the rest of the dishes before heading out.
Around 8 p.m., Qiren was seated in Lan Yi's sitting room. Min sat on the carpet, head bowed low. Beside Lan Yi sat Zhan, while Yibo and Hai Kuan occupied the other seats.
Lan Yi's face was unreadable...neither warm nor cold. She didn't even look at Min, and when Min greeted her, she gave only a brief reply, without raising her head.
Every time she remembered the pain Zhan had endured from the poison, she felt even more distant from Min. She didn't want to have anything to do with her...not even the child she carried. Deep down, she prayed the baby wouldn't be Yibo's, because she couldn't stand the thought of their families being linked by blood. For all her patience and composure, Lan Yi couldn't bring herself to show Min even the smallest kindness. The resentment she felt had taken deep root.
Qiren cleared his throat and began to speak calmly.
"First of all," he said, "I had her case withdrawn....not for any personal reason, but because of the child she's carrying. Everyone makes mistakes, and though we've all done wrong in one way or another, we must learn to forgive and move forward.
Even aside from that, her parents are respectable people. They could have easily hired a lawyer to defend her during the trial, but they didn't. They never supported what she did. She stay in jail like someone without hope.
Anyway, putting all that aside, I didn't have the case withdrawn because I wanted her back in our lives. No. I only want us to be considerate of her condition. Yibo, you are expected to take responsibility for her until she gives birth.
If she chooses to nurse the child herself, that's her decision. If she decides not to, that's fine too."
Lan Yi, who had been silently watching Qiren, finally spoke, her voice trembling with frustration.
"So now, what exactly are you saying will happen?"
Qiren looked at her calmly. Yibo, who sat with his head bowed, could barely process what he was hearing. He had never once gone against his parents' commands....but this time, he felt he couldn't obey. He wanted nothing to do with Min; even seeing her filled him with deep resentment.
Qiren broke his thoughts with a composed voice. "What will happen is simple. Until she gives birth, Yibo will provide her a place to stay here in the city... even if it's just a single self-contained apartment. He'll take full responsibility for her needs...food, medication, and all her daily expenses."
Min sat with her head lowered, tears silently falling down her face.
Lan Yi spoke briefly, her tone cold. "All these responsibilities you're talking about can be fulfilled anywhere. She doesn't have to stay here in Guangzhou. Doesn't she have relatives? She can go to them. Why must she stay here before anyone helps her?"
Qiren didn't respond, simply watching her. Min finally broke down, her voice shaking.
"Please, mother… forgive me. I swear I have nowhere else to go. My mother threw me out and forbade me from going to any of my relatives. My father's family wants nothing to do with me. I'm in pain; I can't travel far… please, have mercy and let me stay here, just for a while…"
She burst into uncontrollable sobs.
Qiren turned to Yibo and said evenly, "Find her a self-contained apartment. I'll send you the money."
Then he stood up to leave. Lan Yi followed him with an expression full of restrained anger. Just as he reached the door, he turned again.
"Before you find her an apartment, get her a hotel room for at least three days. On your way home, take her with you and make sure she settles there."
He opened the sitting room door and walked out.
Lan Yi's temper finally gave way. She stood up and went straight to her room without another word.
Zhan, whose entire mood had darkened, slowly lifted his head. Then he quietly stood and left the sitting room. Yibo watched him leave, then Hai Kuan also stood up and followed.
Min, still crying, clasped her hands together and looked toward Yibo. Her voice trembled.
"Please, Yibo, forgive me. I truly regret everything I did. It was foolishness and selfish desire that led me astray. I beg you....for the sake of the child I carry....please forgive me, so I can find some peace."
She wept harder, her sobs echoing through the room. Yibo didn't even glance at her. He stood, walked out, and went straight to Lan Yi's room.
Lan Yi sat at the edge of her bed, visibly upset. Yibo sank into the chair across from her and spoke softly.
"Mama, I'm sorry, but this time… I'll do something I've never done before. I'll go against Baba's order. I can't do what he asked. I can't stand the sight of her."
Lan Yi looked at him, lowering her tone.
"You'll just have to endure it, Yibo. Right now, if you refuse, your father will think I'm the one who influenced you...especially after how I reacted earlier in the sitting room. So please, just bear with it and do as he said. You've always been obedient and sensible; that's why you'll never go wrong. She'll give birth in about six weeks anyway. When she does, we'll do the DNA test you mentioned."
Yibo said nothing, though inside, his hatred for Min burned even stronger.
Lan Yi broke his thoughts again. "It's late. Aren't you going home tonight?"
In a low voice, he said, "We'll spend the night here." He decided that because he couldn't bear the idea of having Min in his car.
Lan Yi looked at him silently before saying, "Yibo, I'm honestly afraid of that girl. We don't know what she's capable of. Anyone who could poison someone's food isn't someone to trust. Her heart holds no goodness. It's safer to send her to a hotel."
Yibo replied, "Nothing will happen, Mama. Tomorrow morning, I'll find her a hotel and make sure she's settled there."
Lan Yi sighed. "Then at least get her to a chalet for the night. I still don't feel at ease with her here."
Yibo didn't respond. The room fell into silence. Lan Yi's thoughts wandered back to the pain Zhan had endured in the hospital, and a wave of bitterness toward Min washed over her again.
Finally, Yibo stood and walked toward the door. Lan Yi watched him quietly until he stepped out and locked the door behind him.
Yibo didn't see Min in the living room, which meant she must have gone downstairs. Walking slowly, he headed toward Zhan's room. Gently, he opened the door and saw him lying on the bed. He stepped inside, closed the door quietly behind him, and sat down beside him, watching him closely.
Zhan refused to look at him. Yibo reached for his hand and said softly, "Are you okay, baby?"
Zhan said nothing.
"Baby," Yibo called again.
Zhan lifted his wide eyes toward him, and their gazes met. His heart skipped a beat....it had been so long since he'd dared to look Yibo in the eyes. Yibo rested his forehead lightly against Zhan's, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Should we spend the night here, or should we go home?" he asked quietly.
Zhan began to sit up, but Yibo helped him, letting his legs drop off the edge of the bed.
"I want to take a bath," Zhan murmured.
Yibo watched him as he stood and walked toward the bathroom. When Zhan entered, he locked the door and leaned against the wall, tears quietly falling down his face....even he didn't understand why he was crying.
Yibo sat there for more than ten minutes before finally standing and walking out of the room. He went downstairs slowly.
Bing was standing near Min, relaying Lan Yi's message....that she should go and sleep in the chalet. Bing added, "You know all the rooms here are already occupied. You'll be more comfortable over there."
In a quiet tone, Min replied, "Alright. But my back hurts; I can't move just yet. My legs feel heavy after climbing the stairs. Give me the key....I'll go later when I can."
"Okay," Bing said, handing her the keys.
Yibo didn't look in their direction at all. He just walked past them and went straight to his room.
Around ten o'clock, Zhan came downstairs, wearing a long coat that reached his ankles....becouse underneath it, it's clearly sleepwear. Bing was still in the living room, waiting for Min to leave so she could lock the door, just as Lan Yi had instructed.
The faint scent of Zhan filled the room the moment he entered. Without looking at anyone, he headed for the kitchen.
He hadn't been there long before Yibo came out of his room. He glanced around the living room, as if searching for something, then walked toward the kitchen. Min, who had been quietly breathing through her pain, watched him go, unaware that Yibo and Zhan were married.
Zhan turned when he heard the kitchen door open. Seeing Yibo, he quickly turned back to what he was doing. Yibo walked up behind him and stopped close....so close that Zhan could feel the warmth of his breath.
Leaning lightly against him, Yibo whispered near his ear, "Will you make the tea for me too?"
Zhan nodded quickly, nervous that someone might walk in and see them like that.
"Then bring mine to my room when it's ready," Yibo murmured again.
Zhan nodded once more. Yibo wrapped an arm around him from behind, pressed a light kiss to the side of his neck, then turned and left the kitchen.
Zhan letout a shaky sigh, his knees weak, and leaned against the kitchen cabinet to steady himself.
After bringing Lan Yi her tea, Zhan took Yibo's cup and went upstairs to deliver it. Bing was still in the living room, waiting for Min to finally leave. Min silently watched Zhan as he walked toward Yibo's room.
Zhan didn't lock the door. He walked inside and set the teacup down. But before he could step away, Yibo got up, walked to the door, locked it....even turned the key.
Zhan's eyes widened, his heartbeat quickening. "Wait...Mama's expecting me; she asked me to help her with something...."
Yibo smirked faintly. "What I need you to do is far more important than whatever she wants right now."
Zhan gave him a helpless look, stepping back slowly…
But it turned out, in the end, Yibo wasn't really interested in the tea.... because the entire cup ended up spilled across the tiled floor.
Around two in the morning, Zhan blinked his heavy eyes open. He was exhausted but hadn't slept deeply. Carefully, he pulled away from Yibo's body and sat up. After finding his pajamas on the bed, he slipped it on. Then he put on his long robe and headed for the door, his eyes still heavy with sleep.
Quietly, he opened the door and stepped out....only to come face-to-face with Lan Yi, who was just coming downstairs.
Zhan froze, wishing the ground would swallow him whole. In an instant, sleep vanished from his eyes.
Min was awake too, sitting in the living room, her eyes wide and watchful....she hadn't been able to sleep all night. Bing, however, had dozed off on the couch.
Lan Yi glanced at Zhan once before looking away.
"Baby, you're not asleep yet?" she asked lightly.
Avoiding her gaze, Zhan stammered, "No, Mama… I just came downstairs. I was watching something on my laptop."
Without waiting for her reply, he quickly walked past her and headed upstairs.
Once inside the bathroom, Zhan showered and then slipped under his duvet. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sleep. He kept turning from side to side, unable to shake the memory of what had happened between him and Yibo earlier that night.
Finally, he pulled the blanket over his head, curled up next to the second pillow, and drifted off at last.
***
The next morning at dawn, Zhan went to Lan Yi's side to greet her. Lan Yi simply watched him quietly as he entered. Zhan sat with his head lowered and said softly, "Good morning, Mama."
Lan Yi replied, "Good morning, Baby. How was your night?"
He said, "It was fine."
Lan Yi smiled faintly. After that, Zhan didn't say anything else. Barely five minutes later, Yibo came into the room. He sat down and greeted, "Good morning."
Lan Yi nodded. "Good morning, did you sleep well?"
Yibo answered, "Yes, I did."
Zhan lifted his head, their eyes met briefly before he looked down again. "Good morning," he said quietly.
Yibo replied, "Good morning."
Zhan didn't speak again, while Lan Yi looked from one to the other and asked, "Should we call a doctor to check on Min, or will you take her to the hospital yourself?"
Yibo didn't respond immediately. After a pause, he said, "The driver is around, Mama. Let your housekeeper go with her to the hospital instead. I'll give them my number so they can call me if anything comes up."
Lan Yi stayed quiet for a moment, observing him, while Zhan listened silently with his head still bowed. Finally, Lan Yi said, "Alright, it's better they go early."
Zhan stood up. Lan Yi looked at him and asked, "Are you going back to rest, Baby?"
He smiled faintly. "Yes."
Lan Yi said, "Then rest here in my room."
Zhan shook his head. "I'll go to my own room."
Lan Yi nodded. "Alright then, go ahead."
As he walked toward the door, Yibo glanced at him from the corner of his eye until he left.
Soon after, Lan Yi went downstairs to tell Bing to get ready to accompany Min to the hospital. Min had been suffering from stomach pain since around three in the morning and hadn't slept at all. When Lan Yi looked at her now asleep on the sofa in the sitting room, she sighed softly and headed to the kitchen.
Bing, who was working in the kitchen, turned respectfully to greet her. Lan Yi returned the greeting and asked, "When did she finally fall asleep?"
Bing replied, "Not long after he gave her the medicine....she dozed off soon after."
Lan Yi nodded. "Alright, when she wakes up, the driver will take you both to the hospital. I'll give you Yibo's number....call him if there's any issue."
Bing said, "Alright, ma'am." Lan Yi turned and left, while Bing continued her work.
By the time morning fully broke, Zhan was still lying in bed, unable to fall back asleep. He couldn't even tell why. Eventually, he got up, realizing it was almost nine, and went into the bathroom to shower.
When he came out, dressed and adjusting his shirt, Lan Yi opened the door and looked at him.
"Baby, have you had breakfast?" she asked.
Zhan shook his head. "Not yet."
"Then go prepare some, and make a portion for Yibo too. Take it to him," she instructed gently.
Zhan nodded. "Okay."
Lan Yi left the room, and Zhan finished dressing before heading downstairs. Min was sitting quietly in the sitting room, a cup of tea before her, leaning back against the chair. She looked deep in thought and didn't even notice Zhan walking past.
Zhan went straight to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast for Yibo. When he was done, he carried the tray out and headed toward Yibo's room. Even then, Min remained lost in thought, unaware of him passing by.
About ten minutes later, Bing came into the sitting room from her quarters and said, "Aunty, you haven't finished your tea yet? The driver is waiting outside."
Min let out a soft sigh. "The stomach pain has eased now, Bing. Just pour me some hot black tea; I couldn't finish this one."
Bing went back to the kitchen, poured some hot water from the flask, and returned with it. Min took a small sip, then picked up the medicine Yibo had given her the previous day and studied it carefully.
"How many did he say I should take again?" she asked.
"Two," Bing replied.
"Hmm, are you sure? There are three left here. Maybe I should ask him to be certain," Min murmured.
Bing said nothing, only watching her. With some effort, Min stood up, her legs heavy and slightly swollen, and slowly made her way toward Yibo's room. Bing followed her with her eyes but said nothing and went back to her chores.
When Min reached the door, she saw it was already open. She paused, startled, when she saw Zhan coming out. He glanced at her briefly from head to toe before leaving without a word.
Min turned to look inside the room just as Yibo's expression hardened at the sight of her.
"Do you have any sense at all?" he snapped. "Or have you completely lost it? You barged into my room this morning too...what's wrong with you?"
Min bowed her head in silence, not daring to answer. After a few seconds, she turned quietly and walked away from the door.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛