After finishing breakfast, Zhan went to take a shower in Lan Yi's bathroom. Yibo carried the tray downstairs to the kitchen.
When Zhan came out, he found Lan Yi had already placed clean clothes for him on the bed. After dressing, he walked to the sitting room where Shu lay alone on a sofa.
Zhan quietly approached, knelt beside her, and asked softly, "How are you feeling?"
Shu only nodded. Zhan remained silent, watching her with eyes that welled with tears. Memories of everything that had happened...and why....flooded his mind. Quickly, he wiped his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away.
In a gentle voice, he asked, "You've eaten breakfast, right?"
Shu nodded again while staring at him. A wave of sympathy swept through him....he could hardly believe this fragile woman was the same Shu he once knew.
Just then, Lan Yi entered. Standing at the doorway, she said, "Come with me, Baby. Your father is here."
Zhan rose, discreetly brushing away his tears, and followed her. Together they went downstairs.
The moment Zhan's eyes met Qiren's, who sat waiting, his whole body tensed. For the first time, guilt weighed heavily on him. For the first time, he realized the depth of the wrong he had done. His eyes brimmed with tears as he rushed forward, clung to Qiren, and broke down in sobs.
"I'm sorry, Baba... please forgive me," he cried. "I don't know what came over me. I was..." His voice faltered, his words drowned by sobs.
Qiren gently patted his back without speaking.
Zhan wept until his strength gave out. Kneeling before his father, his voice trembling, he pleaded, "Please forgive me, Baba." Still unable to meet his Baba's eyes.
Qiren finally sat back in his chair and spoke. "It's okay, my son. I'm glad you're home, safe and well. That was our greatest hope." Resting a hand on Zhan's head, he added softly, "Enough tears now."
Zhan nodded, wiping his face, then sat beside his father and leaned against him.
Looking around the sitting room, he noticed Granny Ai, lips pursed and glaring at him. Meanwhile, Xuxui was smiling warmly at him... her joy at his return unmistakable.
Qiren nudged him. "Go greet her."
Zhan stood, glancing briefly toward the dining room where he spotted Hai Kuan watching him. Then he approached Xuxui, bowed respectfully, and greeted her. She pulled him close, sat him at her side, and returned his greeting with delight.
Lan Yi, standing silently at the stairs, kept her eyes fixed on Zhan.
Granny Ai, displeased, remarked sharply, "And you Lan Yi, your maid hasn't brought our guest a proper meal. Is she too stingy to serve anyone?"
Lan Yi ignored her. Xuxui chuckled and said, "No need, Mama. We already had breakfast."
But Granny Ai insisted, "Nonsense, I'll fetch something myself." She hurried to the kitchen. Lan Yi quietly turned and walked back upstairs, and Qiren's eyes followed her.
Zhan wanted to follow too, but sitting beside Xuxui made him restless. Soon, Qiren excused himself and went upstairs to speak with Lan Yi.
- - - -
By noon, Qiren and Xuxui had left the house, but Lan Yi never came back down. Xuxui stopped by her part to say goodbye, while Granny Ai kept her company until then, entertaining her with endless stories. Meanwhile, Hai Kuan stayed at the dining table, focused on his laptop.
Later, Zhan entered Lan Yi's room and found her lying down. Sitting beside her, he asked gently, "Mama, are you feeling unwell?"
She smiled faintly. "No, just resting."
"Shall I bring you anything?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine," she replied.
Zhan sat quietly, reflecting on Shu. Since his return, he had barely left her side. Earlier, Lan Yi had asked Shu to return back to her own room, but before that Zhan often sat with her, simply watching her.
Even when Granny Ai scolded him for "clinging" to Shu and warned he might catch her misfortune, he said nothing. He simply stayed. He couldn't shake the deep sympathy he felt for her.
Lan Yi told him, "Come back later, I'll massage your hair for you."
"Yes, Mama," he replied, before leaving for Shu's room.
When he entered, she looked up weakly and asked, "Are the guests gone? I want to sit in the living room.... I'm tired of being here."
"Yes, they've left," Zhan answered.
For once, Shu seemed at ease. Since his return, he had even fetched water for her so she could bathe....a small kindness no one else offered. Lan Yi left her food when convenient, but little more. Yibo only came by to drop off medicine before leaving again. As for Granny Ai, Shu only saw her when receiving cruel words that drove her to tears.
But today, Zhan's presence changed everything.
"Come downstairs," he encouraged her softly. "The sitting room is empty now."
With effort, she followed him downstairs and lay on the carpet.
A young maid approached Zhan timidly and whispered, "Madam asked that she will not stay here, since guests may come."
Zhan replied calmly, "She won't be here long."
As they spoke, Min peeked in, checking whether Granny Ai was present or not. Seeing the coast clear, she slipped inside to fetch food from the kitchen. But as soon as her eyes fell on Shu, she began singing a mocking tune under her breath, chewing gum loudly.
She sneered about "a woman who fell into disgrace and now hides behind pity."
Catching sight of Zhan's sharp stare, she turned away and marched to the kitchen....but her taunts kept flowing, each word stabbing at Shu.
Shu, used to this treatment, didn't even glance in Min's direction.
***
The next morning, around ten o'clock, Zhan woke from a long, peaceful sleep. It had been ages since he had rested so well. After taking a shower and getting dressed, he tidied Lan Yi's room before stepping into the sitting room.
There he saw Yibo, sitting alone. Zhan walked over, sat down on the flush carpet beside him, and said,
"Gege, good morning."
Yibo looked at him and asked, "How was your night?"
"It was good," Zhan replied with a small smile.
"Is your head still hurting?"
Zhan opened his eyes wider, removed his cap, and his little long hair, grown out over the past month, tumbled down. "It doesn't hurt anymore," he said. Since Lan Yi had massage and cared for his hair the day before, he had been complaining of a headache....probably because it had been so long since anyone touched it. That had made him sleep early last night. Now, waking up refreshed and pain-free, he felt relieved.
Yibo studied his hair and nodded. "It looks nice."
Zhan smiled. "Thank you, Gege. But... what about my results?"
The moment he asked, his chest tightened. He couldn't imagine him spilling. Yibo went quiet, watching him. Suddenly, Zhan's eyes filled with tears. These days, tears came to him too quickly. With a trembling voice he asked, "Did I fail?"
Yibo frowned slightly. "I'm sure your ex told you already."
Zhan's heart skipped. "No, Gege. There's no way he could have reach out to tell me my results."
Yibo tilted his head. "I thought you'd seen them yourself by now."
Zhan shook his head desperately. Yibo sighed. "Alright, let me show you. But..."
"But what, Gege?" Zhan asked, anxious.
"Promise me you'll stay calm no matter what you see."
Tears welled again in Zhan's eyes. Yibo added gently, "That's the only condition."
Quickly wiping his face, Zhan nodded. "I'll be calm. Please, just show me."
"Good. Come sit here."
Zhan stood and moved close, sitting right where Yibo pointed, their shoulders touching. He grew restless under Yibo's calm gaze. Yibo opened his WhatsApp, scrolling to the chat where Ji Li had sent the results. Zhan, too nervous to look, covered his face with the armrest of the sofa.
"Here..." Yibo said, showing the screen.
Zhan refused to raise his head. "Just tell me, please."
Yibo chuckled softly. "Alright." He placed the phone down and handed it carefully to Zhan.
Zhan snatched it quickly, eyes darting over the screen. A sharp scream escaped him when he saw the word PASS. His gaze dropped straight to his CGPA... And, he had graduated with First Class honors.
Without thinking, he leaped into Yibo's labs, hugging him tightly in pure joy.
Yibo's eyes widened. "Hey....are you crazy? Why are you screaming like that?"
Zhan was too happy to care. He buried his face in the crook of Yibo's neck, whispering, "Thank you, Gege..."
Yibo shook his head. "This is how you should be....celebrating instead of worrying."
Zhan hadn't felt this much happiness in a very long time. Deep down, though, part of him wondered...he knew exactly what he had written in those exams. How had he ended up with a First Class? Still, whatever the reason, joy overwhelmed him.
Settling back down beside Yibo, he asked softly, "Gege... what about Shu's result?"
Yibo's expression darkened. "She was expelled."
Zhan's chest went cold. He lowered his gaze, stunned into silence. Yibo also stayed quiet, just watching him. Finally, Yibo said in a low voice, "Go get your breakfast."
Zhan stood and left the sitting room, while Yibo's eyes followed him.
~**~
Four days later, in the afternoon, Zhan was lying in Lan Yi's room when his phone vibrated. It was Dr. Jing calling. Since Zhan's return, he had called only once, and now again.
Zhan picked up. "Hello, Dr. Jing."
"How are you? How's home?" Dr. Jing asked warmly.
"I'm fine. How are the twins?" Zhan smiled.
"They're doing well. But it seems you've forgotten about everyone here."
Zhan chuckled. "No, I haven't forgotten you."
"Really? You don't even say hello anymore."
"It's just... because of the twins' mother, I didn't want to disturb you," Zhan admitted.
"I understand. How's your mom?"
"She's fine."
Dr. Jing's voice brightened. "Actually, your brother Hai Kuan let me speak with your mother the other day. We spoke briefly."
"Really?" Zhan asked, surprised.
Before Dr. Jing could answer, his office door opened. Someone entered. He lowered his voice. "I'll call you back." He hung up and set the phone aside.
The man who entered... the MD... dropped a pile of files on his desk. "I'll be flying to Sizhou later. Handle these and submit them before evening."
"Alright, sir," Dr. Jing said. "Are you going to see your family?"
The MD didn't answer, flipping instead through a thick textbook on the table. Dr. Jing only watched him.
Finally, the MD raised his head. "So finally... you gave your boyfriend a job at another hospital. But I was surprised you didn't resign to follow him there."
Dr. Jing feigned ignorance. "Who are you talking about?"
The MD narrowed his eyes. "You know better than I do."
Dr. Jing burst into laughter. "Wait...are you asking about him in disguise?"
The MD scowled, but before he could reply, Dr. Jing said quickly, "He's very sick. Too sick to even answer calls. As our boss, shouldn't you visit him? Or at least send a doctor or nurse? He's been taken back to Beijing to stay with his parents..."
The MD turned without a word and walked out of the office. Dr. Jing watched him leave, smiling cheekly.
After seven o'clock, Zhan went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare tea for Lan Yi, just as he usually did. While he was busy with the tea, adding in all the spices he wanted, the kitchen door opened suddenly. He turned quickly and saw Hai Kuan entering. Their eyes met.
"Good evening," Zhan said politely.
"Evening," Hai Kuan replied shortly, avoiding eye contact.
It was the first time Zhan had seen him since yesterday morning. He watched as Hai Kuan picked up a plate to take some food. Noticing his sharp scent, Zhan teased, "Gege, where's Ma-Liyana?"
"Who's that?" Hai Kuan asked flatly, still not looking at him.
"Ma-Liyana, don't you know her?" Zhan widened his eyes.
"Remind me," Hai Kuan said without interest.
Zhan burst into laughter, enough to make Hai Kuan turn and glance at him. Even after he stopped laughing, Hai Kuan kept his eyes on him.
"I'm sure you just came from her place," Zhan continued, grinning, "with the way you smell. You're just pretending."
Hai Kuan smirked. "Not at all."
"I'm sure," Zhan pushed, laughing again.
"Unless you want to come along now," Hai Kuan said.
Zhan leaned in quickly. "Really? Then let's go. Let me finish making tea for Mama first, then I'll join you."
Hai Kuan set down the food he had started to serve. "I'll eat when we get back."
Zhan blinked. "At least eat a little."
Hai Kuan shook his head in silence.
"Fine then, let me pour some of Mama's tea for you," Zhan offered. He carefully poured the tea into a small cup and saucer, then handed it over slowly. "Here."
Hai Kuan didn't take it right away....he just kept staring at him.
"Gege," Zhan repeated softly.
Finally, Hai Kuan reached out and accepted the cup.
"You look distracted," Zhan said, watching him. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing. I'll wait outside when you're done," Hai Kuan replied and walked out of the kitchen.
Zhan followed him with his eyes, then prepared another mug of tea for Lan Yi. After tidying the kitchen, he carried the tea to her room.
"Mama, I'm done," he said gently.
Lan Yi smiled faintly. "Thank you."
Zhan returned the smile. "I'll go with Hai Kuan to see one of his friends now."
Lan Yi glanced at the clock. "A friend? Fine, but don't stay too long."
Zhan nodded, took his phone, and quickly sprayed himself with a special cologne he hadn't used since before his broken engagement. He bid farewell to Lan Yi, checked briefly on Shu who was asleep upstairs, then went down.
Hai Kuan was waiting in the living room, half his tea untouched.
"You didn't like it?" Zhan asked, pointing to the cup.
"It's fine," Hai Kuan said.
"Then why didn't you finish?"
"It's enough."
Zhan took the cup, drank the rest in the kitchen, washed it, and came back. "Let's go," he said with a smile.
They left the house and drove out of the neighborhood.
After some time, Hai Kuan said firmly, "Don't wear that cologne again."
Zhan turned, surprised. "Why not, Gege?"
"No reason. Just don't," Hai Kuan replied, eyes on the road.
Zhan went quiet, still curious. He noticed that instead of heading toward Ma-Liyana's area, they drove further away into a wealthy district. His confusion grew until the car pulled up at an elegant gate. A guard opened it immediately for Hai Kuan.
"Gege, aren't you going to call her first?" Zhan asked as they walked up.
"I already did," Hai Kuan replied.
Zhan followed, only to be shocked when the door opened... not to Ma-Liyana, but to Xuxui, greeting them warmly. Zhan lowered his head, not happy. If he'd known Hai Kuan was bringing him here, he never would have agreed.
Xuxui led them in with a smile, asking about Lan Yi. "She's fine," Zhan answered quietly.
She then turned to Hai Kuan. "It's been a while, Barrister. Ah, Qiren told me you were in Tianjin. How's work?"
"All good," Hai Kuan said with a small nod before excusing himself briefly.
Xuxui looked at Zhan. "Come upstairs and greet your father. He's waiting."
Reluctantly, Zhan followed. Qiren was delighted to see him, secretly pleased that Hai Kuan had brought him. He had been wishing Lan Yi would allow Zhan to visit more often. They shared a meal together, though Zhan barely ate.
Later, Zhan excused himself, saying he was full.
"Come, let's chat a bit," Xuxui suggested, leading him to her private sitting area.
Meanwhile, Hai Kuan remained with Qiren.
"Are you satisfied?" Qiren asked.
"Yes, Baba," Hai Kuan said, eyes lowered. After a pause, he added, "There's something I want to tell you."
Qiren leaned forward, curious. "Go ahead, Barrister. What is it?"
Hai Kuan hesitated, then finally looked up.
"Baba, I want to marry Zhan."
Qiren kept quiet, staring at Hai Kuan. After a while, he smiled faintly and asked,
"Did you tell anyone about this? I mean, did you discuss it with anybody?"
Hai Kuan shook his head without meeting his eyes. Qiren exhaled softly, then after a few seconds asked,
"Not even him?"
Hai Kuan replied, "No."
Qiren nodded slowly, looking pleased. "Honestly, I'm very happy about this matter, Hai Kuan. This is what I wished for months ago, but…"
Hai Kuan raised his head to look at him. Calmly, Qiren continued,
"I want you to make your intentions known to him before anything else."
Hai Kuan quickly shook his head. "Baba, I don't think I need to do that, it's just that…" He trailed off.
Qiren insisted, "You have to, Hai Kuan. Back then, I wasn't willing to give him an alternative because I thought this was the only solution for all of us. And I understood your refusal then. But now, I won't do anything without his consent. Tell him how you feel. Start a courtship with him."
Hai Kuan just stared at Qiren without blinking. Qiren gave him a firm nod, reassuring him,
"Even if it's just within a week, as long as you have his consent, you have my full support, son."
Hai Kuan lowered his head, unable to speak. Qiren kept looking at him. Just then, the sitting room door opened and Zhan walked in. Only Qiren looked at him; Hai Kuan didn't lift his head.
Zhan went over and sat beside Hai Kuan. Looking at him, he said,
"Gege, I'm done. Let's go home."
Qiren raised a brow. "Isn't this place also your home?"
Zhan gave him a small forced smile. "But Baba, I didn't tell Mama we'd be spending the night, that's why."
Qiren nodded thoughtfully. "Alright then. Tell her you'll come here for the weekend."
Zhan didn't reply, just stood and turned to Hai Kuan.
"Gege, Mama said we shouldn't stay too late."
Only then did Hai Kuan lift his head and respond, "I'm not leaving yet."
Zhan pouted, looking at him.
Qiren glanced at the time and stood up. "It's not even nine yet, Baby, so there's still time. I'll step out for a bit."
He left the sitting room.
Zhan sat back down beside Hai Kuan, his eyes glassy as if about to cry.
"Gege, please, Mama doesn't even know we came here, and you told me we'd be going to see Ma-liyana. Please, let's go home," he begged softly.
Hai Kuan ignored him, frowning.
"Did you hear me, Gege?"
Hai Kuan finally turned to him. "Does this place look like a forest to you?"
Zhan pouted again, leaning back against the chair with a sulky expression. For the next fifteen minutes, neither of them spoke. From time to time Zhan pushed out his lips in annoyance, and Hai Kuan noticed every time. Eventually, Hai Kuan stood up.
Zhan instantly rose too.
"You're spending the night here," Hai Kuan said firmly.
"No way, I won't!" Zhan protested immediately.
As Zhan headed toward the door, Hai Kuan warned, "Don't you dare step out."
Zhan hesitated, almost crying. He went back and sat down, then Hai Kuan asked quietly,
"Now tell me, why don't you want to spend the night here?"
Sitting on the rug by his side, Zhan whispered, "Because I want to be with Mama."
Hai Kuan stayed silent. Zhan raised his head until their eyes met. "Please, Gege, let's go home."
"Not until you give me the homecoming hug you've denied me.... the same hug you gave everyone else after you returned from Guangzhou, except me," Hai Kuan said, his eyes fixed on him.
Zhan froze in surprise, staring at him before breaking into a small, guilty smile.
"I'm sorry, Gege. I was scared you'd hit me, that's why."
He quickly hugged Hai Kuan tightly for a few seconds, then pulled back with a grin.
"Alright, let's go home then, Gege."
Just then, Xuxui entered, glancing at the untouched food.
"Barrister, did you eat?"
"Yes, I did. We're heading home now," Hai Kuan answered.
"I thought Zhan would be spending the night here," she said.
"He didn't come prepared for that," Hai Kuan replied.
Xuxui nodded. "Alright then, but at least make sure he comes over for the weekend."
Zhan let out a sigh of relief as they finally left the house.
After they had driven a good distance, he turned to Hai Kuan.
"Gege, shouldn't we buy Mama some apples and watermelon?"
Hai Kuan asked, "Are you buying them for her?"
Zhan giggled. "I don't have my ATM card with me, lend me some hundred?"
"How much do you need?" Hai Kuan asked.
"Like… 500 yuan," Zhan replied sheepishly.
"Alright." Hai Kuan pulled over at a fruit stand, got out, and returned minutes later with a bag. He placed it on Zhan's lap.
"800 yuan. When will you pay me back?"
Zhan laughed. "Once we reach home!"
"Alright."
When they finally got home, Hai Kuan parked the car. Zhan jumped out first, waiting for him. Hai Kuan closed the car door, leaned against it with folded arms, and said,
"We've arrived home."
Zhan burst out laughing. "Gege, we haven't even entered inside yet!"
"Then let's go," Hai Kuan said as he headed in. Zhan followed behind, still smiling.
Inside the sitting room, Yibo was seated, scrolling on his phone. Hai Kuan glanced at him once and went upstairs.
Zhan went over and sat on the carpet by Yibo's feet, placing the fruit bag down. Smiling at him, he said,
"How are you, my Gege?"
Yibo asked, "Where did you two go?"
Zhan widened his eyes dramatically. "Gege told me he was going to see his girlfriend, so he dropped me at Miller Road. But actually, he went to see Baba."
Yibo looked back at his phone. "I see."
Zhan leaned forward. "Gege, can you lend me 800 yuan cash, please?"
Yibo glanced at him. "What do you need 800 yuan for?"
"Just lend me, please," Zhan said with a sheepish grin.
"When will you return it?" Yibo pressed.
Zhan chuckled. "Tomorrow morning."
"Alright, let's go, I'll give it to you," Yibo said, standing.
But Zhan quickly grabbed his arm. "No, Gege, just bring it here, please."
Yibo turned to him. "Why?"
Zhan hesitated, silent.
Yibo stepped closer, still watching him. "Why?"
Zhan sighed. "Because I don't want to go there… because of your wife."
Yibo's face darkened. "Don't call her my wife again, Baby. Min is not my wife anymore."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛