Granny Ai had just finished crying when she lay down, muttering bitterly,
"So now I'm supposed to look like some old, useless woman trailing after you all to Guangzhou? As if I don't know what I'm doing. I have my wits about me...I'm no fool. What pains me is that Qiren could insult me so deeply by saying I should take Shu with me to Yantai. For what reason? What wrong have I ever done that he should lump me together with Shu? That is the real insult that broke me down in tears....nothing else."
Lan Yi, sitting quietly in the sitting room, only sighed without answering.
Granny Ai went on:
"And let me be clear...I have never in my life been humiliated this way since the day my mother gave birth to me. To tell me to go to Yantai with Shu? What does he think, that I gave birth to her myself? Lan Yi, you had better warn Qiren to leave me out of anything to do with Shu. We share nothing, not even dust. She may be my older sister's granddaughter, but even in the afterlife I wouldn't want to see her face. The only thing I might say is that may life repay both Shu and Qiren for insulting me like this."
She turned her face away, pushing aside fresh tears.
"If Yibo were here, he would take me straight to the station tomorrow. I can't sit here looking like a beggar in this house."
Lan Yi tried to calm her. "Please, Aunt Ai, don't take it too..."
"Shut your mouth!" Granny Ai snapped, sitting upright. "You heard him say I should go to Yantai, and you kept silent? So I deserve to be cast aside by Qiren? If not for me, he would never even have had a home to return to! People forget kindness so easily. Every day I get calls from Yantai asking when I'll come back, waiting for me with open arms. Before you all even move to Guangzhou, I'll be gone at dawn tomorrow. And make sure you return that cursed money he gave me...I don't want it. I lack nothing in Yantai."
She lay down again, wiping away more tears.
Lan Yi finally stood and retreated to her bedroom. Granny Ai had been weeping and complaining for over an hour, and all Lan Yi could do was try to soothe her. Around half past eleven, Lan Yi stepped out again holding her phone. She found Granny Ai still awake in the sitting room, lying there with her eyes closed. She had gone to bed earlier around 9:30 after eating heavily.
Lan Yi said nothing and left the room, heading downstairs. Yibo was stretched out across the three-seater, eyes closed. She walked over and tapped him gently.
"Yibo."
He opened his eyes and sat up.
"Why are you sleeping here instead of your bed?" she asked softly.
He glanced at the clock, then sat up straighter. Lan Yi sat beside him.
"Did you even eat?"
"Yes, I did," he replied. Then he stood, murmured a goodnight, and left through the door. She watched him go before dialing Aunty Marquis's number, knowing her husband was out of town. The moment it rang, Aunty Marquis answered.
"You're still awake, Lan Yi Jie?"
"Yes," she sighed.
"How is the house? How's Zhan?"
"All is well," Lan Yi replied.
Aunty Marquis fell silent, waiting. She knew Lan Yi wouldn't call so late unless something serious had happened. Finally, Lan Yi exhaled and told her everything.
Aunty Marquis rejoiced at Zhan's new job and the move to Guangzhou. "That's wonderful! But what about Aunt Ai?"
Lan Yi corrected her. "Aunt Ai? You should be asking what to do with Shu. Aunt Ai has her place, but Qiren has made it clear Shu cannot stay with us. I'm confused...I don't know what to do."
There was a long pause. Then Aunty Marquis sighed. "But wasn't the first decision to send Shu back to Yantai?"
"Yes, but listen," Lan Yi explained. "I already called her father's elder brother, but he told me they've left Yantai for a few days. I called their youngest daughter too, and she said she's with her husband in Hong Kong, her children with their grandmother. So they've all conveniently made themselves unavailable. Honestly, I don't blame them. No one wants to take Shu in. That's why I didn't even tell Aunt Ai the details. If she knew the family in Yantai refused her, she would never stop crying. Now, with my husband insisting Shu cannot stay here, I feel trapped. First, he said Aunt Ai should just return to her own home with Shu, but Aunt Ai broke down, crying that we had wronged her by linking her with Shu."
Aunty Marquis thought a moment. "Here's what you'll do, Lan Yi Jie. Our mother is already feeling better....just yesterday I went to see Aunt Yisue and checked on her myself. Pack Shu's things, put her in a car, and send her back to mother in Tianjin. She knows the house, she can go straight there. Don't tell anyone....just let them see her. Then switch off your phone. I won't take her in either, because you know the condition of this house. Even my husband would never allow Shu under our roof. The only one who could possibly endure her is Aunt Ai. And even If you tie Shu to Aunt Ai's leg, she'll never drag her along."
Lan Yi fell quiet, thinking.
"That's the only way out," Aunty Marquis insisted. "If not for Qiren, I swear no man would tolerate this. Even my husband would never. So let Yibo take her to the station tomorrow, put her on the Tianjin bus. That's the end of it."
Lan Yi finally said softly, "Alright. That's what we'll do."
"When are you leaving for Guangzhou?" Aunty Marquis asked.
"The day after tomorrow."
"Wonderful. I'm so happy for you, Lan Yi Jie. Patience always pays off. But... about Yibo's wife. Is he really staying with her? After everything she's done? Using charms, dark tricks, even right in your house?"
Lan Yi sighed. "Marquis, the girl is pregnant."
Aunty Marquis bolted upright. "Pregnant?!"
"Three months already. Yibo says he didn't know about it. Qiren insisted we wait until the child is born and do a DNA test. That's why we haven't let him divorce her yet. They're under the same roof, but not together in truth. You know Yibo listens to me, but his heart isn't in it. For now, we must wait. Once the baby comes, we'll know."
Aunty Marquis felt her chest tighten. Inwardly, she prayed Yibo had nothing to do with the child. Out loud, she muttered, "But are you sure, Lan Yi Jie? Has a scan even been done? That girl is cunning...she could forge a pregnancy if she wanted."
Lan Yi shook her head. "Don't forget, Yibo is a doctor. A scan was done. That's why I said she's over three months along."
Aunty Marquis clicked her tongue. "Well then. But what if the DNA proves she lied, after you kept her for seven months?"
"Then she ruined herself, not us," Lan Yi answered firmly.
Aunty Marquis shook her head slowly. "I just hope Yibo's bloodline is never tied to someone like Min."
"Goodnight, Marquis," Lan Yi murmured.
They ended the call. Lan Yi headed upstairs to her rooms. Granny Ai was still awake, staring at the ceiling.
"You haven't slept, Aunt Ai?" Lan Yi asked, surprised.
Granny Ai gave her no answer, turning her face away. Lan Yi only sighed and went inside her bedroom.
- - - -
The next morning, very early, Lan Yi called Yibo and told him about her discussion with Aunty Marquis. She explained that he should take Shu to the station. Yibo remained silent, only watching her. She asked, "What do you think, Yibo?"
Yibo replied, "What else can we do? Since her father's relatives are denying her, and we can't really blame them, this seems like the only solution."
Lan Yi nodded. "Exactly, I don't blame them either."
Yibo said nothing more. Lowering her voice, Lan Yi added, "If you can, please help today. It's Saturday. You could drop her in Tianjin, considering her situation."
Yibo sighed. "But I still have work today, Mama. I'll only be back a little earlier than usual."
Lan Yi fell quiet, then simply said, "Alright then."
Yibo added, "Unless you want to ask Hai Kuan-ge instead, since he's around?"
Lan Yi frowned. "Which Hai Kuan?"
Yibo answered, "Of course, Hai Kuan-ge. He goes to Tianjin so often, it's like going downtown for him."
Lan Yi only pressed her lips together and smiled faintly, without replying. Yibo stood up. "I'll go talk to him now."
Lan Yi reminded him, "You know, if it's Shu's matter, whatever you tell him, as long as it involves her, he won't agree."
Just then, Hai Kuan came downstairs, heading to the kitchen to make tea. Lan Yi followed him with her eyes. He greeted her, she responded, then he turned to Yibo. "Bonjour."
"Morning," Yibo replied.
As Hai Kuan was about to head into the kitchen, Lan Yi asked, "Hai Kuan, are you going to Tianjin today?"
He turned back to her. "Yes."
"When exactly?" she asked.
"Around ten," he said casually.
Lowering her voice, Lan Yi said, "Would you please drop Shu at Aunty Yisue's place?"
Hai Kuan studied her for a moment before answering, "I haven't completely finalized my trip yet."
Lan Yi glanced at Yibo, who smiled quietly. She nodded. "Alright then."
Hai Kuan walked into the kitchen. Yibo told Lan Yi, "I'll ask for permission at work and take her instead."
Softly, Lan Yi said, "Bless you, son. Go with Zhan as well, so he can keep you company. Leave early, and you'll both be back by evening."
At nine o'clock, Yibo was ready and went to Lan Yi's room. She had already informed Zhan about the trip to Tianjin. Hearing the news, Zhan's heart sank; he deeply pitied Shu. Lan Yi asked him to pack her belongings into a suitcase.
While Zhan was folding Shu's clothes, she kept staring at him. "Why are you packing my things, Zhan?"
He couldn't look at her. She asked again, more firmly. Without meeting her eyes, Zhan muttered, "We're going to Tianjin."
Shu sat up slowly, shocked. "Tianjin? To whom?"
"I don't know either," Zhan said. "Yibo ge is taking us."
Shu fell silent, but uneasiness gripped her. "What about Aunty? Is she coming?"
Zhan shook his head. "No."
He quickly stood, left the room, and leaned against the door outside, wiping the tears clinging to his eyes.
Just then, Hai Kuan stepped out of his room. Zhan glanced at him briefly before lowering his gaze. Hai Kuan walked closer, his eyes never leaving him. When Zhan finally raised his head, Hai Kuan asked gently, "Why are you crying?"
At that, Zhan broke down in tears. Concern flickered across Hai Kuan's face as he stepped closer and held Zhan's hand. "What happened, Baby?"
Through sobs, Zhan explained, "They're taking Shu to Tianjin. Gege, if she goes there, no one will care for her. She needs attention in her condition. This is her fate, but we shouldn't abandon her..."
"Is that why you're crying?" Hai Kuan asked.
Zhan nodded.
Hai Kuan's tone sharpened. "Did anyone help you carry your own burdens? Did anyone stand by you through what you went through these past months?"
Zhan just looked at him, tears streaming.
"So," Hai Kuan continued, wiping the tears from Zhan's face with his fingertips, "she should bear her own as well."
Zhan stared at him, not sure if he was shocked or confused by Hai Kuan's unexpected tenderness. Hai Kuan's gaze stayed locked on his, steady and unwavering, as he brushed away the tears.
Just then, Lan Yi emerged from her room. She glanced at them once from afar, then deliberately looked away. Startled, Zhan quickly stepped back from Hai Kuan.
Lan Yi asked, "Have you finished packing, Zhan?"
"Yes," he answered quietly.
Lan Yi looked at Hai Kuan. "Have you had breakfast?"
Without turning back, he replied, "Yes."
She turned again to Zhan. "Take the suitcase to your brother's car. He's waiting outside."
Zhan obeyed. As he carried the case downstairs, Hai Kuan asked, "Where are you taking it?"
"To Yibo's ge car. Mama said he's taking us," Zhan explained.
Hai Kuan simply nodded and Zhan pulled the suitcase himself, carrying it to the yard. Yibo was leaning against his car. When he saw them, he walked over and took the suitcase.
"Morning, Gege," Zhan greeted warmly.
"Morning. How was your night?" Yibo asked back.
"Good," Yibo smiled, then stowed the suitcase in the trunk.
"She's inside," Zhan said softly, meaning Shu.
Yibo nodded and headed back into the house. From the upstairs window, Min had been secretly watching everything. She smiled faintly to herself and turned away.
Lan Yi went into Shu's room and found her sitting there, anxiety written all over her face. Lan Yi said briefly, "Yibo will take you to Tianjin. We are traveling with Qiren. The house will be empty...Aunt Ai is leaving for Yantai, my house help is returning to her hometown, and Zhan has a new job in Guangzhou. He'll be traveling soon as well."
At that, Shu burst into tears. "Aunty, please, let me stay! Even if I'm alone, I'll manage. Don't send me away, I beg you."
Lan Yi's tone was firm. "The house will be locked. You must go to Tianjin until we return."
Still crying, Shu asked, "But with whom will I stay in Tianjin?"
"You'll see when you arrive," Lan Yi answered shortly. "Now come, time is running out."
Shu had no choice but to follow, weeping bitterly. Lan Yi gave her five thousand yuan as they descended the stairs.
In the sitting room, Hai Kuan was still there. Lan Yi accompanied Shu to the car. Zhan watched her with pity until she got into the vehicle. He shut the door, then went to the front seat where Yibo was waiting. Without delay, the car pulled out of the compound.
On the road, Zhan kept chatting with Yibo, though Shu, sitting silently in the back, was lost in heavy thoughts. Her world felt unbearably cruel.
After about an hour, Zhan sighed and said, "It feels like I'm the only one talking here."
Yibo smiled. "No, I'm listening, Baby. What were you saying again?"
Zhan pouted and turned toward the window without replying. Yibo chuckled. "So, you'll be collecting your result statement on Monday before heading to Guangzhou? Since your interview is on Tuesday..."
Zhan nodded.
"C'mon Baby, I'm sorry," Yibo said softly.
Zhan pushed his lips out again in mock annoyance.
"Don't be upset," Yibo said.
"I'm just worried for this interview. That MD has a terrible temper, he's arrogant, loud, and frankly unbearable."
Zhan continue, "My few days at that hospital were horrible. I hate even remembering it. He's rude, Gege."
Yibo nodded thoughtfully. "But I trust you. You'll impress him so much he won't know what to say. Do you realize how extraordinary your intelligence is, little brother? You graduated top of your class in Nursing Science. Even that MD probably didn't graduate with a first class himself. Trust me, he'll be amazed."
Zhan kept smiling at every compliment his Gege gave him. Before they even reached Tianjin, Shu had vomited more times than he could count. By the time they arrived at Aunty Yisue's house, Shu broke down in tears, weak and exhausted.
Yibo stepped out of the car and pulled out her suitcase. Zhan's chest tightened; he couldn't bring himself to step out. His eyes brimmed with tears.
Yibo opened the car door for Shu and said calmly, "Come down."
She got out, crying uncontrollably. "Gege, please, I beg you. Help me... I have no one..."
Yibo cut her short. "Didn't Mama tell you they're traveling? Once you go inside, explain to them. When she returns, you can come back to Beijing."
With that, he locked the car, circled around to the driver's seat, and started the engine. Zhan sat there silently, tears spilling as Shu cried at the gate. Yibo drove away without another word.
It was nearly four in the afternoon when they returned to Beijing from Tianjin. Zhan looked at Yibo and said softly, "Thank goodness for safe travels."
Yibo only nodded.
"What should I cook for you when we get home?" Zhan asked. "You haven't eaten, and you only bought food for me on the way."
Yibo glanced at him. "Aren't you tired?"
Zhan laughed. "I wasn't the one driving, Gege. I slept the whole way."
If not for the fact that he had missed Zhan's cooking, Yibo would have told him to rest instead. But the thought of his food made him crave it even more. When Zhan noticed Yibo didn't reply, he asked, "Or... you don't want me to cook?"
Yibo finally said, "I just don't want you stressing yourself after such a long trip. You should bathe and rest once we're home."
Zhan only smiled faintly, keeping quiet. When Yibo noticed the silence, he turned to him again. "Isn't that right, Baby?"
Zhan gave him a knowing look. "Gege, I feel like you've been avoiding me lately. You don't like talking to me as much anymore. We weren't like this before."
Yibo widened his eyes. The words reminded him of three months ago....when Zhan had tried avoiding him after they discovered they weren't blood-related. Yibo smiled to cover the thought. "Avoiding my little brother? That's impossible."
Zhan frowned. "If you're not avoiding me, then you must be worried about something you're not telling me. Gege, I know you too well. You used to share everything with me. But now, you're keeping something from me."
Yibo gave a small smile. "You caught me. There is something on my mind. I'll tell you, little brother. But right now, I really need to rest...I'm exhausted."
"Alright," Zhan said softly. "But, Gege, why don't you request a transfer to Guangzhou? Your hospital has a branch there, right?"
Yibo shook his head. "Don't forget, I already transferred from Guangzhou back to Beijing. It won't be easy to apply for another one."
Zhan's voice lowered. "Try, Gege. We'll miss you when we move. And Hai Kuan-Gege already works more in Guangzhou and Tianjin. I'm sure he's heading back to Guangzhou too."
Yibo smiled faintly. "I'll try."
The rest of the ride home was quiet.
When they finally arrived, Zhan said, "Once I shower, I'll cook your favorite."
"Thank you, Baby," Yibo replied warmly.
Zhan smiled and slipped out of the car, heading into the house.
Inside the sitting room, Lan Yi was with Granny Ai, who lay under a blanket. Zhan bent close to her in concern. "Granny Ai, are you unwell?"
Her voice was weak. "Since morning, my legs have refused to carry me. Something is wrong."
"Oh no," Zhan murmured gently. "Have you taken any medicine?"
"Who would give me?" Granny Ai sighed. "I've been lying here all day like this."
"I'll go buy you something later, after I shower," Zhan promised, before heading to Lan Yi's room.
She was busy packing clothes into suitcases. "How was the journey, Baby?" she asked.
"Good. How are you, Mama?"
"I'm fine. Where's your brother?"
"He just came in."
"Alright. There's food in the kitchen... check it."
"Okay, Mama."
"And don't forget," she added, "pack your things from your wardrobe and put them on the bed. I'll arrange them in a suitcase for you. But eat first, then rest."
"Yes, Mama."
Zhan left, showered, and came back downstairs. He checked the food in the kitchen, then stepped out to get his phone. Settling in the sitting room, he dialed Yibo's number.
Yibo, half-lying on his bed, sat up when the phone rang. "Baby."
"Gege, what do you want to eat?"
"Anything you cook, I'll eat," Yibo answered simply.
"Alright," Zhan said, hanging up.
Min, who was in the chalet kitchen scooping food for Yibo, overheard the call. A small smile tugged at her lips. Quietly, she returned the food to the warmer and went to her room. The food wasn't hers anyway... it was Lan Yi's cooking she had taken.
Meanwhile, Zhan stayed in the kitchen, preparing Yibo's favorite dish. Around five, the kitchen door opened. Zhan turned, meeting Hai Kuan's eyes.
"Good evening, Gege," Zhan said.
"Evening," Hai Kuan replied.
Hai Kuan entered the kitchen. "No food here?"
"There is," Zhan said. "I'm cooking for Yibo-ge."
Hai Kuan nodded, took a plate, and began serving himself.
Zhan offered, "Do you want some of this instead? I can add a bit for you."
Hai Kuan shook his head. "No, I'll take this one."
Zhan chuckled. "I could've added you some anyway."
Hai Kuan ignored him, carried his plate, and left.
Lan Yi entered the kitchen just then, preparing tea for Granny Ai. She looked at Zhan. "Baby, you don't want the food?"
"I'm cooking Gege's favorite, Mama," Zhan replied with a smile.
Lan Yi raised her brows. "So what I cooked wasn't good enough, hm?"
Zhan laughed. "No, Mama! He hasn't even tasted it yet. I just wanted to make his favorite, since I know he's tired."
Lan Yi only smiled knowingly, finished the tea, and left the kitchen.
When Zhan finished, he carried his phone and saw Hai Kuan sitting in the living room, working on his laptop. He called Yibo again.
"I'm done," Zhan said.
"Bring it to me in the chalet, Baby," Yibo answered.
Zhan opened his eyes slightly and said, "Chalet again? Gege, can't you just come down and take it?"
Yibo replied, "I'm just tired."
Zhan kept quiet for a moment, then Yibo added, "Leave it in the kitchen, I'll pick it up when I come down."
Zhan said softly, "No, let me bring it to you, Gege."
He hung up and headed to the kitchen. Hai Kuan watched him as he passed by. Zhan took the food and returned to the sitting room, then asked Hai Kuan, "Gege, you're sure you don't want any?"
Hai Kuan shook his head. "No."
Zhan carried the food out to the chalet. When he knocked, Yibo's voice came from inside, "Come in." Zhan pushed the door open and went in, walking over to where Yibo was lying down. Since Min had heard him talking to Zhan earlier and realized he was bringing food, she had left the kitchen and was now sitting in the living room. Zhan deliberately avoided glancing in her direction, acting as if he didn't even notice she was there. He set the food down and said quietly, "Here's your food, Gege."
"Thank you, baby," Yibo said warmly.
Zhan smiled, turned, and left. Min followed him with her eyes.
When Zhan went back upstairs, he found Lan Yi still busy packing his clothes neatly into a set of suitcases. "Mama, let me finish it up," Zhan offered.
Lan Yi shook her head. "No, leave it. I'm almost done."
Zhan nodded and slipped into the bathroom.
- - - - -
That night, Lan Yi was in her room with Zhan, while Granny Ai remained lying under a thick blanket in the sitting room. Yibo came in, greeted her respectfully, and sat down.
"Granny Ai, are you feeling unwell?" he asked gently.
She nodded slowly. "Since this morning, my body has been trembling. I know something isn't right. My strength is fading."
Yibo frowned. "Have you taken any medicine?"
Granny Ai sighed. "Zhan brought me something earlier to swallow, but it hasn't helped much."
"Before you sleep tonight, take another dose around eleven," Yibo advised. "You'll feel better."
He stood, walked to Lan Yi's room, and knocked. When she answered, he entered.
"Was the journey tiring?" she asked.
He sat down. "I managed. I'm fine." He handed her his phone. "Aunty Marquis wants to speak with you."
Lan Yi's heart skipped. She had kept her phone switched off since he Zhan left Beijing to dropped Shu that morning, not wanting to deal with any calls. Earlier, when Qiren needed to be reached, he had called Hai Kuan instead.
Lan Yi accepted the phone. "Dial her," Yibo said quietly, then left the room.
She pressed the number. It rang once before Aunty Marquis picked up.
"Lan Yi Jie," she greeted, her voice tense. Then, after a deep breath, she added, "Did you know Mother is at my house right now."
Lan Yi fell silent, already dreading where this conversation was going.
Aunty Marquis continued, "Where exactly does she expect Shu to go? We all know she can't stay on her own in this condition. Even when Shu stayed at Yisue's, it wasn't easy. And let's be honest... every time we tried to discipline Shu, who was the one shielding her? Mother. Instead of allowing us to guide her properly, she insisted we were being unfair. She filled Shu's ears with pity until the girl grew stubborn and reckless. Now Mother claims she has no one she distrusts more than Shu? That's impossible. Shu should be cared for right under her eyes, not abandoned elsewhere."
Lan Yi let out a heavy sigh. "I don't even know what to say anymore, Marquis. That's why I kept my phone off...I'm exhausted."
Aunty Marquis pressed on. "But you know Aunty Yisue won't accept having Shu forced on her. She can barely manage herself, let alone take on Shu again, especially with Mother moving back here. I promise you, if Yisue is the one I know, she will drag Shu by the hand and deliver her back to this house tomorrow. And Lan Yi Jie, you are the elder. You should be the one to tell Mother the truth: that she herself is the cause of Shu's troubles. If she had allowed us to discipline her properly, none of this would have happened. But no... she pampered her, made her feel like a victim, and now look where we are."
Lan Yi rubbed her forehead. "Please, Marquis, you're the one with her. Just explain it directly. Don't hide anything from her."
"Do you know what she's been saying?" Aunty Marquis asked bitterly. "She accused us of sending Shu to Yisue's house to finish her off! She even said if we're not careful, She will run off all the way to Thailand, to her so-called sister Bing. Can you believe that? Honestly, I'm thinking of calling Uncle Dan yi to inform him of everything. Mother should just accept the reality and take Shu with her to Tianjin. Let them stay there quietly until the baby is born."
Lan Yi sighed again. "Then call him. Tell him everything."
With that, Aunty Marquis ended the call.
***
The next morning, Zhan got ready early to head to school and collect his statement of result. Their flight was at four in the afternoon, and since he wasn't sure how long the clearance process would take, he decided to leave on time.
When he entered the sitting room, he found Hai Kuan seated, watching Granny Ai as she swallowed some paracetamol. Zhan walked over, knelt a little in front of her, and greeted, "Good morning, Granny Ai."
She shook her head lightly. "I don't feel like talking much."
"Sorry to hear that," Zhan said softly, then turned to Hai Kuan. "Morning, Gege."
"Where are you going?" Hai Kuan asked.
"I need to do clearance at school before they release my statement of result. Can you drop me off?"
"Let's go," Hai Kuan replied, standing up.
"Let me tell Mama first," Zhan said, heading toward Lan Yi's room, while Hai Kuan went outside.
When Hai Kuan dropped him at school, he said, "Call me when you're done."
"Okay," Zhan nodded.
Around noon, Zhan collected his result and called. It didn't take long before Hai Kuan came back to pick him up, and they returned home.
Yibo was already in the sitting room by two, waiting for Lan Yi, who soon came downstairs. She sat across from him. "Yibo, what am I supposed to do about that old woman?" she asked, clearly frustrated.
Yibo chuckled. "She's still wrapped up in her blanket?"
"She's doing nothing but covering herself more and more," Lan Yi sighed.
"Don't worry," Yibo said calmly. "Just get ready. By three I'll drive you all to the airport. I'll handle her."
Lan Yi nodded and went upstairs.
By two-thirty, Yibo came over to Lan Yi's section of the house. Granny Ai was still lying under her blanket. "How are you feeling, Granny Ai?" he asked gently.
She only nodded.
"Shall we move you to the other side? They'll be leaving for the airport soon," he suggested.
She ignored him.
Yibo tried again. "If you prefer to stay here, then..."
Granny Ai snapped, "Leave me alone with my sickness! Of course you wouldn't understand...you're not the one in pain."
Yibo sighed. "That's why I told Mama you wouldn't manage a flight to Guangzhou. You're not well enough. Sitting through it would only make you worse."
"Yibo, do you really think I'd trick you about my health?" she said sharply.
"No, but airlines don't let sick people travel," he explained patiently.
Granny Ai sat up. "It's only a headache! My body feels fine now."
"Well," Yibo said, "then if I'm going, you should come with me. But you know how hard it is to get tickets... it takes weeks. Baba had to work for two weeks to secure just two seats this time."
Granny Ai lay back down again. Yibo headed into Lan Yi's room, where she had been listening. He smiled lightly. "I'll go load the suitcases."
Lan Yi said nothing, still surprised. All this time Granny Ai had been reluctant, and suddenly she wanted to follow them to Guangzhou. If she had waited just a couple of days, it would have made more sense, but now it was nothing short of unreasonable. She'd been staying in their house since Yibo's wedding, and here she was again making trouble.
By the time Yibo finished loading the car, Granny Ai was still curled under her blanket. Lan Yi came out of her room as three o'clock drew near, sat down, and said, "Aunty Ai, we're leaving now. If Yibo travels again, you can go with him then. Qiren only secured two seats."
"That's fine," Granny Ai said flatly. "If my body hadn't been troubling me, I would have left for Yantai yesterday. It's fate, I suppose. I never thought I'd still be here."
"Yes, that's true," Lan Yi said, rising. "We'll see you again soon. I'd better go... we can't miss our flight."
Granny Ai didn't respond.
Yibo drove them to the airport with Zhan. It took effort for Zhan to let go of him...he clung tightly, tears in his eyes...before he and Lan Yi went into the departure hall. Yibo returned home alone.
At five o'clock, their plane landed in Guangzhou. Qiren had arranged a new driver to pick them up from the airport.
Lan Yi had never imagined the kind of house Qiren had bought here. It was a mansion in a beautiful neighborhood, with two security guards, a driver, a gardener, and a cleaner for the huge compound. The only thing missing was a swimming pool, which they wouldn't have used anyway. Overwhelmed with joy, Lan Yi even shed tears when she saw her private section.
Zhan's bedroom was nearly double to the one he had in Beijing....large rooms with a massive bathrooms. The entire house was filled with spacious rooms upstairs and down. Around six, Qiren returned from town.
Lan Yi sat quietly in her bedroom, doing nothing but watching Zhan arrange his clothes neatly into the wardrobe.
As Qiren entered, he glanced at her. "What happened to your phone?"
Softly, she replied, "I left it on flight mode."
Zhan greeted him respectfully.
"I tried calling you too," Qiren told him.
"My phone's still in my bag," Zhan admitted.
"Oh, alright," Qiren nodded.
Zhan smiled. "Baba, this house is beautiful. I can't thank you enough. You've given us so much."
Qiren rested a hand on his head with a proud smile. "I'm glad you like it, son. Are you prepared for your interview tomorrow?"
Zhan nodded quietly.
"That's good. I know you'll do well," Qiren said warmly. "Congratulations in advance."
Zhan left the room, and as soon as he was gone, he eyes filled with tears. Alone in his room, he broke down crying. He knew he could never repay any of this...the sacrifices, the love, the decision to uproot their lives and move back to Guangzhou just for him and his work.
When Zhan vanished from the sight, Qiren turned to Lan Yi, who was still lost in thought. "So," he asked with a teasing smile, "does the house suit you, or should I change it, my lady?"
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛