Today again, just like yesterday, the CEO didn't allow Zhan to attend the conference. She told him to stay home because of the cold. Zhan couldn't understand the point of coming all the way to this country with all the flight expenses only to be told to remain indoors.
He was sitting alone in the living room around a quarter to five, reading a book he had found on the center table. The room was warm enough that he didn't feel cold, even though he still had his jacket on. A little earlier, the CEO's housemaid had left after finishing her chores.
The living room door opened. Zhan looked up, saw who it was, and then lowered his gaze back to his book, pretending not to notice. MD walked in, smartly dressed in a blue suit with a crisp white shirt. He placed the documents in his hand down and went straight to the CEO's study to pick up some envelopes. At that moment, the CEO entered the living room with a foreign woman who looked like her friend.
Zhan set his book aside, stood politely, and greeted them.
The CEO looked at him with concern and asked,
"Did you eat?"
"Yes, I did," Zhan replied.
"Good. You'll be going shopping now with Shen Yi. Buy everything you need. Your flight is tonight, not tomorrow, because I have to leave for the US at dawn."
Softly, Zhan said, "Thank you, Ma."
She smiled at him warmly.
MD came back into the living room. The CEO turned to him.
"Hope you're okay now?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Good. Please don't waste time shopping so that he can get back, arrange his things, and be ready before heading to the airport."
MD sat down. The CEO looked directly at him and added,
"When you return to China, take a three-week break. You look stressed. You need rest. Dr. Ajay will take over in the meantime."
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you," he replied.
She then turned to Zhan.
"Get ready."
Zhan went into his room, pulled on a simple muffler over his jacket, grabbed his small backpack, and came back to the living room.
"You'll meet him outside," the CEO told him.
Only then did Zhan realize MD had already left.
"Okay, Ma," he said, before stepping out.
He wished he could tell her that he didn't want to go shopping with MD, but he couldn't refuse. What worried him more was the possibility of running into Hai Kuan-ge at the mall. What would he do then?
Zhan was avoiding MD and didn't want any sort of encounter. Still, how would they get through shopping together peacefully? Zhan was certain MD would find a way to display his usual cold behavior.
When he reached the car, MD was already inside. His expression was stiff as he sat in the driver's seat, Zhan enter the passenger seat and locked the car. After a few minutes, MD nodded slightly, started the engine, and drove off. Zhan stole a glance at him, already knowing that even if he greeted him, he wouldn't respond, so he kept quiet.
When they arrived at the mall, MD parked, got out, and walked inside. Zhan followed. MD grabbed a cart; Zhan took one as well and trailed behind. MD went directly to the perfumes section. Zhan watched him, then turned away to look for chocolates he could buy for Yibo. He mostly picked up chocolates and snacks. At the end, he also chose perfumes for Yibo, Lan Yi, and Qiren.
Just as he was about to leave the perfume aisle, he frowned, turned back, and picked one more bottle for Hai Kuan. That was all he bought.
They spent no more than twenty minutes in the mall. MD paid with the CEO's card. Zhan was surprised the whole time....MD didn't cause a scene, didn't speak to him, didn't even glance at him. Zhan had expected cold remarks or sharp looks, but instead MD behaved as though he didn't exist.
Outside, MD opened the back seat, placed the shopping bags inside, and closed it without offering the trunk. He returned to the driver's seat, his face expressionless. Zhan did the same, both of them sitting in silence while MD drove, glancing only at his wristwatch from time to time.
In front of an apartment, Zhan noticed MD finally parked. He turned, looking at him in confusion. All the houses in the area looked the same, each with parking in front and gardens at the back.
MD stepped out of the car. Zhan didn't move or open the door. MD looked straight at him and asked,
"Do you want me to come pull you out myself?"
Zhan glanced again at the apartment and the neighborhood, then asked, "Where is this?"
"You're asking me? Go inside and ask the person who told me to bring you here. She's waiting...she'll explain," MD replied.
Zhan kept staring at him, silent. MD frowned.
"You're wasting my time."
Slowly, Zhan opened the door and stepped out, still watching him. MD locked the car and started walking toward the entrance. Zhan scowled and muttered,
"I didn't even bring the bag of things I was supposed to show her."
MD ignored him completely and kept walking. Zhan glared at his back before following. MD pushed the door open and entered, leaving it open for him.
Seeing Zhan hesitate at the doorway, MD frowned.
"Are you okay?"
Zhan lowered his gaze, then finally stepped into the sitting room, scanning the place carefully. MD shut the door behind them.
Without sparing him another glance, MD sat down and gestured toward one of the rooms.
"Go in there and meet her."
Zhan couldn't stop looking at him. MD stood up, giving him a sharp look.
"Didn't you hear me? Or did she not tell you that from here we head straight to the airport?"
Zhan lowered his head and slowly walked toward the room he had pointed out, glancing back at him nervously. MD was busy scrolling through his phone. Zhan raised his hand and knocked softly on the door.
MD looked up.
"Open it and go in."
Zhan shook his head without realizing, his chest tightening.
"There's no one here. You didn't bring me to meet anyone."
MD slid his phone into his pocket and walked toward him.
"So you know already. Good. Now you'll explain why you dared to disrespect me, why you thought you could make yourself the boss while reducing me to a staff member."
Zhan's eyes widened. His voice trembled as he pleaded,
"Please, I'm sorry. I won't do it again, I swear. Just forgive me this once."
Seeing MD advance, Zhan rushed into the room, trying to lock the door, only to realize there was no lock. His heart pounded wildly. When MD stepped inside, Zhan fell to his knees, panicked, his face drawn.
"Sir, please, I'm sorry, it was the devil work. Forgive me. I promise I'll be obedient from now on."
MD closed the door firmly.
"Oh, so it was the devil that made you disrespect me? That's your excuse?"
Zhan's fear grew, but he tried not to show it. He pressed his back against the wall, sweating despite the cold.
"I never insulted you! Why would I insult you? You're older than me, and you're my boss."
MD took a step closer, his face stern.
"Careful. I can shout, you know." Zhan said.
"Oh really?" MD's eyes widened mockingly. "Then go on, shout. Let's see if it helps."
Zhan pouted, crossing his arms.
"Alright, fine. I'll stop everything I've been doing. Just forgive me."
He moved toward the bed, sat down, and gestured for MD to sit at a distance.
"Let's settle this amicably."
MD stared at him, saying nothing.
Zhan started counting on his fingers.
"First....starting today, I'll always greet you wherever I see you. And you must respond; no more ignoring me. Second...you'll treat me the same way you treat other staff, because I've noticed you only target me with your temper. Third...you'll stop asking me to clean your office. That's not my job; there are cleaners for that. And lastly...you should apologize for mocking my first-class degree as a Botany first class, just as I will apologize for calling a qualified Medical Doctor a QUACK."
Zhan spoke with confidence, meeting MD's eyes directly. Then he tilted his chin with both hands and rolled his eyes playfully.
"I'm waiting for your feedback now, sir," he said.
MD couldn't hold his gaze any longer...he quickly looked away. Something stirred in his chest. The sight of those slim fingers, the way Zhan rolled his eyes… it made an unexpected urge rise in him.
Zhan stood up.
"If you're done deciding, I'll be in the sitting room waiting for your feedback."
He walked toward the door, heart racing. His boldness was only a mask....he knew it. Still, he had seen how MD was looking at his hands and at him. MD followed his figure with his eyes until Zhan disappeared out the door. Sitting heavily on the bed, MD rubbed his head before grabbing his ringing phone. Seeing CEO's name on the screen, his eyes widened. He hurried out of the room only to find the sitting room empty.
Surprised, he stepped outside and spotted Zhan standing by the car. Zhan turned his head away, refusing to look at him. Zhan knew for sure...he wasn't leaving that house in peace if not for his smartness.
Locking the house, MD walked toward the parking lot. His voice was sharp:
"You think you're clever? You'll find out soon enough."
Zhan lowered his tone softly.
"But I was waiting for your feedback, sir."
Without answering, MD got into the car. Zhan slipped into the front seat. MD started the engine and called CEO to tell her they were on their way.
Within minutes, they arrived at her house. CEO's eyes fell on the small shopping bag in Zhan's hand.
"I told you to shop. What's this little thing you brought back?" she asked.
Zhan smiled politely.
"This is enough for me, Ma."
She turned to MD.
"What exactly did he buy?"
MD replied calmly, "I asked him the same. He said he didn't need anything, just chocolate."
Zhan shot him a quick look.
"Alright then," CEO said. "Go and get ready in your room."
Zhan left with his bag.
- - - -
By 7:30 p.m., they headed to the airport. CEO herself drove them there. When they arrived, she helped them with their luggage. She gave Zhan a gentle side hug.
"Take care of yourself, dear. Give my regards to your parents."
Zhan's chest tightened. He looked up at her quietly.
"Ma… when will you come to China?"
CEO smiled.
"In two months."
MD stood silently, watching them.
"Safe travels. Thank you so much, Ma. I appreciate everything," Zhan said softly.
"You're welcome," she replied with warmth, waving at MD before getting back into her car.
Zhan's eyes followed her vehicle until it disappeared. Then he turned and saw MD already walking into the airport, leaving him behind.
CEO had booked business class for them, but MD knowing he wasn't feeling well after the conference, he upgraded both tickets to first class.
They boarded first. For Zhan, it was his first time flying first class....he had only experienced business before. At 8:30 p.m., the plane took off. MD declined all service from the flight attendants, requesting not to be disturbed. He soon lay down under a duvet.
Two hours later, Zhan drifted into sleep.
About an hour after, he woke up. MD was still lying down, his eyes closed, a damp towel pressed to his forehead. Concerned, Zhan rose and walked toward him quietly. The slight noise made MD's eyes snap open. Zhan stepped back nervously.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
Just then, a flight attendant arrived with pain relievers. Zhan watched as she handed MD the pills and poured water into a glass cup. MD ignored the glass, picking up a bottled water instead, taking a long sip before swallowing the medicine.
As the attendant turned to draw the curtains around his seat, Zhan said quickly,
"We're together."
She smiled politely.
"Of course, sir."
She left them alone.
Zhan picked up the damp towel and felt it...already warm. He replaced it with a freshly wet one from the restroom, then leaned in to place it on MD's forehead. But MD grabbed it out of his hand.
"Don't worry," he murmured. "Go back to your sleep."
Zhan frowned slightly and said, "But I'm a nurse."
The MD looked him up and down and replied, "A nurse with no license and no work experience. Please, go back to your seat and sleep, Mister."
Zhan snatched the towel back and said firmly, "I don't care what you say, but I'm sticking to the ethical obligations of a nurse toward a patient." Then he began gently wiping the MD's hot forehead with the towel. The MD just stared at him, and when Zhan pulled the duvet off his body, he added, "You're running a temperature, so there's no point covering yourself with a duvet."
Within ten minutes, the MD drifted back to sleep.
By the time they landed in China at around 2:30 a.m., he felt much better thanks to the painkillers he had taken during the flight. After collecting his luggage, Zhan glanced toward him, sitting back in the chair with his eyes half-shut. He hadn't brought any luggage of his own.
Zhan walked over and said, "I'll call my brother to pick me up. You can leave me here."
The MD's eyes snapped open. "You're lying...that man isn't your brother."
Zhan smirked. "Fine. Not my brother then."
The MD shot him a sharp look and stood up, pretending to be fine though clearly still sick. Zhan followed him outside until they both caught a taxi.
On the ride, the MD asked, "Should I tell the driver your address, or will you?"
Zhan replied casually, "You already know my house. You once followed Dr Jing there."
The MD turned sharply to look at him. Zhan kept his gaze fixed on the driver as he gave him the directions.
"So Jing told you I followed him?" the MD pressed.
Without meeting his eyes, Zhan said, "He didn't need to tell me. I saw it myself."
The MD said nothing further...he didn't have the strength. About ten minutes later, he dozed off in the taxi. Zhan quietly shifted, leaning just enough to give the MD space to rest his head on his shoulder. The MD stayed asleep until they reached the house.
Zhan glanced at him and softly whispered, "I'm home."
The MD stirred, blinked, and quickly straightened himself. Zhan gave a faint smile, opened the door, and stepped out. "Goodnight," he said before walking off toward the gate. The MD kept watching him until the taxi driver pulled his luggage out of the trunk. Zhan waved briefly, then turned away and entered the gate, leaving the MD staring after him.
Inside the compound, Zhan sat down on a bench, pulled out his phone, and dialed Yibo. The call rang until Yibo finally picked up, his voice groggy. "Baby?"
"Sorry for waking you," Zhan said softly.
Yibo sat up quickly. "What happened? I hope it's not your stomach again?"
Zhan chuckled. "No, that hasn't bothered me since the injection. I'm back, Gege."
Yibo bolted upright. "What? Really?"
"Yes," Zhan grinned.
"When?"
"Just now."
"Should I come to the airport to pick you up?"
Zhan laughed. "Yes, hurry."
"Right away," Yibo said before hanging up.
Zhan tucked his phone back into his bag, slung it over his suitcase, and hurried toward the chalet, hiding himself near the staircase so Yibo wouldn't see him until he came down.
After about seven minutes, Yibo appeared, dressed in a light shirt. As he descended the stairs, Zhan suddenly let out a playful yell right in front of his face. Yibo jumped, spinning around in shock.
Zhan burst into laughter. "I knew I'd scare you, Gege."
Meanwhile, Min, who had woken when she heard Yibo's door open earlier, peeked from her window. She hadn't seen him in the sitting room, so when she heard Zhan's voice outside, she crept closer to watch.
From head to toe, Yibo eyed Zhan in disbelief. "Who dropped you off?"
Still smiling, Zhan said, "The MD. We took a taxi from the airport."
Yibo squinted at him. "You've even grown brighter after your trip to the UK. Are you sure we're not to relocate there?"
Zhan laughed. "Brighter? It was freezing there... I even caught a cold. Honestly, I don't like that country because of the cold."
Yibo smiled. "Where's your luggage then?"
Zhan pointed to the spot. "Over there. And Gege, I brought you so many chocolates....the kind you love."
"Really?" Yibo's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Zhan said with a grin, following him toward the suitcase.
From the window, Min continued watching intently, listening to every word they exchanged.
Zhan followed Yibo, who was carrying his suitcase, into the main building. Yibo switched on the lights in the sitting room....the place was completely dark. He turned to Zhan and said, "I'm sure you slept on the plane."
Taking off his jacket, Zhan replied, "Yes, I did, but not that much. Honestly, I'm not sleepy now."
Yibo checked the clock....it was almost 3:30 a.m. "Are you hungry?" he asked.
Zhan widened his eyes playfully. "Gege, we were in first class! Do you know how much I ate?"
"First class?" Yibo asked in surprise. "With who? Did the hospital pay for first class?"
Zhan chuckled and sat down. "The group I traveled with for the conference...we came back together."
Yibo sat across from him. "So, how was the conference?"
Zhan leaned his head to the side. "I didn't attend at all, Gege."
"You didn't go?" Yibo frowned.
Zhan shook his head. "I just stayed at her house for the two days."
Yibo went silent, though deep down he wondered what the point of bringing Zhan along had been. After a pause, he asked, "How many of you went?"
"I think four," Zhan answered. "Gege, is Baba around?"
Yibo shook his head. "He's in Beijing."
Zhan leaned closer, pressing his thigh against Yibo's and resting his head on his shoulder. "Oh Gege… I don't even want to remember the cold over there."
Yibo smiled while looking down at him. They chatted in the sitting room for hours. Even though Yibo was drowsy....he had gone to bed around 2 a.m.....but he stayed awake, listening to Zhan's stories. By dawn, Zhan was almost lying entirely against him, curled up as if they were cuddling.
Then they heard someone coming downstairs. Yibo glanced at the clock...it was nearly 5:30. Zhan quickly sat upright when he caught the familiar scent of Hai Kuan's cologne.
When Hai Kuan entered the sitting room, Zhan gave him only one glance before turning back to his conversation with Yibo. Hai Kuan, too, gave them a brief look before heading to the door. Just before leaving, Zhan muttered under his breath while looking at Yibo, "Gege, when did he return?"
"Yesterday afternoon," Yibo replied.
As soon as Hai Kuan shut the door behind him, Zhan frowned. "Gege, do you know what he did to me in the UK?"
"What did he do?" Yibo asked.
"I don't even want to think about him anymore. It's just that...."
Before Zhan could finish, Hai Kuan suddenly came back inside. He had been standing near the door all along. The moment Zhan saw him heading closer, he bolted upstairs and rushed straight to Lan Yi's part. Hai Kuan left quietly again, while Yibo just watched him.
Inside, Lan Yi had just stepped out of the bathroom when she heard the door open. She looked up in surprise. "Zhan?"
Laughing, Zhan ran over and hugged her tightly. "Mama, I'm back!"
"When did you arrive?" she asked.
"Just around three o'clock."
"And who brought you home?"
"Our MD," Zhan replied casually.
Lan Yi smiled warmly. "Welcome back, son."
Zhan refused to leave Lan Yi's part afterward... he didn't want to risk running into Hai Kuan again.
Around six, she prepared him tea and breakfast, bringing it to him. He had already dozed off in a chair, head tilted to the side. She shook him gently. "Wake up, drink this, then take a bath and sleep properly."
Half-awake, Zhan murmured, "Mama, my suitcase is still downstairs."
"There's nothing downstairs," Lan Yi said. "Maybe Yibo took it to your room."
"I'll brush my teeth and bathe first, then I'll drink the tea," Zhan said, rising quickly and locking himself inside his room.
At around eight, after finishing breakfast in Lan Yi's sitting room, Hai Kuan came in. Zhan, sitting there too, refused to raise his head to look at him. Lan Yi responded politely to his greeting.
"I'm heading to Tianjin, Mama," Hai Kuan said.
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"Yes."
"Alright, drive safely then. Will you be back today?"
"No, not until Monday."
"Okay. Safe journey."
He nodded, then left.
Afterward, Lan Yi turned to Zhan. "Did you two greet each other?"
Zhan nodded. "Yes, earlier when I arrived."
Later, Zhan picked up some chocolates and perfume he had brought from abroad and headed for Hai Kuan's room, his heart pounding. He knocked softly before pushing the door open. Hai Kuan was closing a small box.
Without meeting his eyes, Zhan said quietly, "Gege, please forgive me. I'm so sorry about what happened."
Hai Kuan looked up calmly. "What happened?"
Zhan gave a small smile. "I know you're still angry at me. But please, I'm really sorry. Here, I brought you something." He placed the chocolates into Hai Kuan's open bag and set the perfume carefully among his things.
Hai Kuan lowered his gaze, saying nothing. Zhan stepped closer. "Please, forgive me, Gege?"
Hai Kuan finally said, "I'll think about it."
Zhan smiled, eyes soft. Then, slowly, he reached out and hugged him. After a moment, Hai Kuan hugged him back, quietly releasing a deep breath he had been holding.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛