In the evening, Yibo was sitting in Lan Yi's sitting room, with Zhan there as well. Lan Yi shook her head, unconvinced by what Yibo was saying.
"What I want to know is why they insist on taking him along when he wasn't even allowed to attend the conference abroad. This doesn't sound right, Yibo. I still don't feel settled about this job."
Yibo glanced at Zhan, who was quietly watching Lan Yi. She shook her head again.
"To be honest with you both, I don't even trust this CEO. How is it possible that a boy who hasn't even worked for two months is suddenly being pushed to travel abroad, when there are senior staff in the hospital? And since Hai Kuan came back and told me she even made Zhan stay at her house, I haven't had peace of mind. Has such a thing ever been done before?"
Softly, Zhan said, "But Mama, she is so kind…"
Lan Yi stood up, cutting him off. "I don't trust her so-called kindness when it comes to you. You are not the only worker in that hospital, so why is she being kind only to you?" With that, she walked away into her room. Zhan followed her with his eyes, then turned to Yibo and asked quietly, "Mama is going to tell me to quit the hospital job, isn't she?"
Yibo lowered his voice. "No, don't worry. I'll talk to her."
Zhan rose from his seat and quietly left the sitting room for his own room.
- - - -
The following evening, which was Saturday, Zhan had finished arranging his freshly pressed clothes. As he came out of his room and was about to head downstairs, he spotted Yibo sitting alone in the sitting room, scrolling through his phone. Zhan froze by the staircase railing, leaning against it as though watching a television. He stayed there for about six minutes admiring his Gege before Yibo suddenly looked up. In a panic, Zhan quickly pressed himself against the wall, wide-eyed, trying not to be seen....but Yibo had already spotted him.
Yibo stood and began walking toward the stairs. Startled, Zhan turned and bolted in the direction of Lan Yi's living room. Finding the place empty, Yibo sighed, descended back downstairs, and resumed his seat.
Later that night, Zhan came out of Lan Yi's sitting room, heading for his room to sleep. He was already drowsy when he met Yibo in the hallway, on his way to see Lan Yi. Yibo stared at him. When Zhan tried to avoid his gaze and walk past after greeting him, Yibo called his name.
"Zhan."
Zhan rubbed his eyes lazily and replied, "Gege, I'm really sleepy."
Yibo caught his hand gently. "I know… is there something you want to say to me?"
Still refusing to meet his eyes, Zhan mumbled, "Something? Like what?" Then he finally glanced at Yibo, who was watching him intently. Zhan gave a faint smile and whispered, "Not at all, Gege. I was only staring because you seemed so tired earlier."
Yibo widened his eyes slightly, caught off guard. Before he could respond, Zhan pouted and said, "If I stay here much longer, I'll fall asleep standing."
"Then go ahead and start," Yibo murmured softly.
Leaning against the wall, Zhan closed his eyes slowly. Yibo kept staring at him without blinking. A few seconds later, Zhan peeked back at him, their gazes meeting. Just then, the sound of a door opening startled him. Zhan quickly withdrew his hand from Yibo's grasp. Yibo turned and headed downstairs while Zhan followed him with his eyes.
Lan Yi appeared, looking at Zhan with surprise. "What are you doing here? Didn't you go to sleep?"
Zhan stammered but quickly excused himself, rushing to his room and locking the door.
When Zhan reached his room, he lay down, closing his eyes. But no matter how he tried, sleep refused to come. He tossed and turned until finally drifting off around half past eleven.
The next morning, Zhan was in the kitchen making tea and breakfast for Lan Yi when Yibo walked in. As soon as Zhan realized it was him, he kept his head down, focusing on what he was doing. Calmly, Yibo said, "Good morning, Baby."
Without looking up, Zhan replied, "Good morning, Gege."
Yibo placed his cup on the counter and quietly walked out. Only then did Zhan raise his head, watching him leave before returning to his task.
Later, around eleven, Yibo's phone vibrated. It was Dr. Jing. Zhan answered; since he returned, this was only the second time Dr. Jing had called. After the greetings, Dr. Jing asked, "Have you had enough rest?"
Zhan, who was nearby, smiled and answered, "Sure."
Dr. Jing continued, "MD said you should bring your account details today, and you'll also receive your ID card."
Zhan frowned. "But I already wrote down my account details the other day. As for the ID card, I can collect it tomorrow since it's Monday."
Dr. Jing chuckled lightly. "I know, but he insists you come today. He normally doesn't come in on Sundays....actually, he hasn't been feeling well since you all returned. I even had to put him on a drip. But since he's around today, just come, even if it's by one o'clock. The driver will drop you up, and I'm sure you won't stay longer than thirty minutes. The driver can wait for you."
Zhan's mood shifted immediately; he didn't want to go out. Still, he answered softly, "Okay." After ending the call, he went to the sitting room to inform Lan Yi.
When she heard, Lan Yi sighed. "Baby, I really think you should give up this job."
Zhan looked straight at her, eyes steady, saying nothing. Lan Yi exhaled deeply. "I still can't find peace. I've been so restless these past few days without knowing why. I feel like something bad is about to happen to you."
Her words chilled Zhan. He stayed quiet for a while, then lowered his head and whispered, "But Mama, why should I stop working? All my brothers are working....even Lee Gege, who's pursuing his PhD. Or it's becouse I am the only one who…" His voice trailed off.
Lan Yi stood and came closer, pulling him into her arms. Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them so he wouldn't notice. "I don't know why I'm so afraid, son. Please don't ever think that way again. Lately I've been having strange dreams I don't understand, and it feels as though something is trying to take you away from me."
Summoning courage, Zhan said, "If you're truly uncomfortable with it, Mama, then I'll quit the job."
Lan Yi held him tightly, her eyes brimming again.
- - - -
By 2 a.m., Zhan was still lying awake in his room when his phone began to vibrate. Sitting up, he immediately thought it could only be Dr. Jing. But what could he possibly say to him? He couldn't just tell him directly that his Mama had asked him to quit the job. He hesitated, staring at the screen while trying to decide what excuse to give.
But then he noticed the number... special digits, not Dr. Jing's line at all. Zhan froze, staring without blinking. Only one person came to mind: Dr. Kexing. His body went cold as he realized it must be him. Only Dr. Jing and family members had his number.
Heart racing, Zhan answered before it cut off and quickly put it on speaker, bracing himself.
"Didn't Dr. Jing pass my message to you?"
Zhan stayed silent. He wasn't surprised that the MD had gotten his number; that was easy enough. After a few seconds, he lowered his head and muttered, "My mother told me to go tomorrow since everyone knows I don't work today."
When Zhan got no response, he pressed, "Hello?"
Then sharply MD said, "Don't worry, I'll wait for you to finish your rudeness."
Zhan frowned slightly. "I'm only telling you what my mother told me at home. That's not rudeness."
"You'll see," the MD snapped, and cut the call.
Zhan placed the phone down carefully and lay back on his bed. Lan Yi's words replayed in his mind, and his eyes stung with tears.
Later in the evening, Zhan carried a bowl of fruit salad to Lan Yi. When he entered the sitting room, he saw Yibo watching TV. He hadn't seen him all day. After greeting him, Zhan continued to the kitchen, but Yibo's eyes followed him. Moments later, Zhan returned and sat in the chair facing him.
"Should I make you dinner, Gege?" Zhan asked.
Yibo widened his eyes slightly. "If it's not too much trouble, Baby."
Zhan smiled, stood up, and went back into the kitchen.
By six, he had prepared Yibo's favorite meal. By seven, when Yibo still hadn't come inside, Zhan called him.
"Baby," Yibo answered softly.
"Gege, I've finished cooking, but I didn't see you."
"I have a headache, Baby. Can you bring it to me here?"
Concern flooded Zhan's voice. "Of course, Gege. I'll bring it right away." He ended the call, went downstairs, collected the food, and carried it over to Yibo's chalet. Kneeling, he placed the dish in front of him. "Eat a little and then take your medicine, Gege."
"Yes, dear," Yibo murmured.
Zhan rose and left the sitting room.
Min, who had been standing quietly in the kitchen since Zhan's call, suddenly let out a sharp scream as soon as he left. Yibo, startled, pushed himself up and hurried over despite his condition. He found her on the floor, breathing heavily and clutching her chest.
"What happened?" he asked reluctantly.
"It hurts," Min gasped, tears spilling down her face as she shook her head.
Suppressing his disgust, Yibo bent down and helped her up, though every part of him loathed touching her. She leaned on him, insisting she couldn't stay in the sitting room and needed to go to her room.
Once inside, she cried out dramatically, tossing on the bed. "I'm dying....it hurts so much," she whimpered.
He stood there, watching with suspicion, almost as though trying to diagnose her. Her voice trembled. "Maybe it's ulcer. I left the medicine in the main building kitchen earlier."
After a while, Yibo simply turned and walked out. She listened closely...he opened the sitting room door, then shut it. Thinking he had left, she hurried to her bed, pulled a small bag from beneath it, and ran to the dish Zhan had prepared. With trembling hands, she opened the soup and poured the entire contents of a small bottle into it, stirring it quickly with her fingers before covering it back. She shoved the bottle and bag under her bed again, washed her hands, wiped them dry, and returned to bed with a sly smile despite her racing heart.
She thought bitterly: It's better for everyone to lose Yibo than for her to live and watch him marry Zhan..or any woman.
Meanwhile, Yibo, exhausted, lay back in the sitting room without touching the food. Feverish and weak, he drifted off to sleep.
Min stayed in her room, refusing to come out. She knew he often let food cool before eating it, and this time she was counting on it.
Much later, Yibo stirred awake when his phone rang. It was Zhan.
"Baby," he answered faintly.
"Gege, did you take your medicine?"
"I will," Yibo murmured.
"When?" Zhan pressed gently, hearing the strain in his voice.
"Soon, Baby. I'm not feeling well. Could you bring me some tea?"
"I'll bring it now," Zhan said quickly, climbing out of bed.
From her room, Min overheard the entire call through the open door. A wicked smile spread across her lips as she quietly locked herself in. So he was already feeling it...today would be his last day alive.
After about fifteen minutes, Zhan returned with the tea. He set it down, then checked the food. Seeing it untouched, he sat at Yibo's side, pressing his palm to his forehead. His skin was burning.
"Gege, you have a fever. Eat at least a little so I can give you an injection."
"Let me take the tea first," Yibo said, sitting up.
Zhan handed it to him. He sipped a little, but soon set it aside.
"Please," he said weakly, "go to my bedroom and bring the medicine from the bedside drawer. The one I took earlier."
Zhan asked, "Which one is your bedroom?"
Yibo pointed in the direction, stood up, and went inside. Zhan picked up the bag of medicine, returned to the sitting room, opened it, and handed it to him. Yibo took it, swallowed the medicine, and lay back down. Watching him, Zhan asked softly, "So since when you've been unwell, Gege?"
"I was feeling feverish since morning," Yibo replied.
"Do you want me to serve you a little food?" Zhan offered.
Yibo shook his head. "I can't eat, Baby. Sorry."
Zhan kept quiet, studying him. Whenever Yibo was sick, no matter how mild, he never managed to eat.... only drinking tea. After a moment, Zhan said gently, "Alright then, I'll just take it back."
"Hope you're not upset, Baby?" Yibo asked, looking worried.
Zhan smiled. "Of course not, Gege. I know you won't be able to eat even if I leave it here. But please, at least drink some more tea."
Yibo sat up, and Zhan handed him a cup of tea. He drank about half, then set it down and lay back. "Thank you," he murmured.
"Would you rather go to your room to rest?" Zhan suggested.
"No, sometimes I just sleep here," Yibo replied.
Concerned, Zhan frowned. "Maybe it's a mosquito bite that gave you malaria." Yibo only smiled faintly and closed his eyes.
"I'll call later to check if you're feeling better. If not, I'll ask the driver to take me to the pharmacy to get injections for you," Zhan said.
"Ok, Baby," Yibo mumbled.
Zhan got up, picked up the food and the cup, and left the sitting room. Yibo watched him walk out, then shut his eyes.
Back inside, Zhan carried the food into the kitchen. After rinsing the cup Yibo had used, he opened the dish, scooped a little rice with some side dishes... leaving the chicken untouched...and set aside the rest. He took the plate upstairs to his room, placed it down, and plugged in his phone to charge. That's when he noticed a missed call.
It was from the same number that had called earlier. Shocked, he sat at the edge of his bed staring at it. Why would the MD call him again?
Could it be a mistake? He told himself it must have been a mistake....there was no way the MD meant to call him. He glanced at the phone clock: 9:05 p.m. Putting the phone aside, he picked up the plate of food and started eating.
After just three spoonfuls, Zhan felt something strange climbing from his throat down to his stomach. Suddenly, his stomach clenched tight, his throat felt as if it were being cut open, and he struggled to breathe. His eyes widened in panic. He tried to scream but no sound came out. With trembling hands, he grabbed his phone and, using the last of his strength, managed to tap on the call log and dial the last number he had touched.
His voice was weak, barely audible, like he's being strangled, repeating only one thing: "I'm dying… I'm dying…"
On the other end, the MD heard Zhan's faint, broken voice. Alarmed, he said, "Hello? Hello?" But Zhan's only response was the same desperate phrase, over and over.
The MD hung up quickly and tried calling back. The phone rang out with no answer. He tried again...nothing. Four times he dialed, but still no response. The words "I'm dying" kept echoing in his mind, and the sound of it chilled him...it really did sound like Zhan was being strangled.
Panicking, the MD immediately dialed Dr. Jing's number, but the call also went unanswered. He checked the time again: 9:15 p.m. Restless and unable to sit still, he changed out of his pajamas into sweatpants and a shirt, grabbed his car keys, and left the house.
The security guard opened the gate, and as he drove out, he kept redialing Zhan's line with no response. He also tried Dr. Jing's number again, knowing the doctor was probably still in surgery at the hospital, but still....no answer.
In just fifteen minutes, the MD arrived at Zhan's family house after speeding the whole way. He parked quickly at the gate, about to rush in, when it hit him...what excuse was he even going to give for showing up here? He didn't look at the security guard's face when the man opened the gate for him.
"Who are you here to see?" the guard asked, blocking his way.
The MD shot him a sharp look. "Haven't you seen my car parked outside this house before?"
Without waiting for a response, he brushed past him and strode quickly inside. His eyes first scanned the large chalet in the compound before heading straight toward the main building. Standing at the entrance, he knocked, then stepped back, wondering if he was making a fool of himself.
The door opened. It was Lan Yi's housemaid, who politely greeted him. For a moment, he tried to recall the right name, then said, "Zhan… call him for me."
With respect, she replied, "Sir, he already went upstairs to rest."
"Go upstairs and call him now," he ordered.
The maid turned and went up. She knocked on Zhan's door....once, twice, up to five times. Silence. No response. She turned back downstairs to tell the MD, but just then, Lan Yi came out of her own room, having heard the knocking. Not seeing anyone in the corridor, she headed for Zhan's room herself. She usually never disturbed him at night, but it was almost ten o'clock, and curiosity made her open the door.
Inside, she froze....Zhan was sprawled on the floor.
"Why are you lying down there, Baby?" she asked, stepping closer.
But when she saw foam at the corners of his mouth, her heart lurched. A scream tore from her throat before she realized it. She dropped to her knees beside him, shaking him desperately, calling his name over and over with trembling hands. In a panic, she released him, bolted out of the room, and screamed again, louder, her whole body shaking in terror.
The maid, who had just returned to inform the MD that Zhan hadn't opened the door and might be asleep, froze at the sound of Lan Yi's cry. Her eyes widened as she turned back. At that same moment, the MD, already inside the sitting room, heard Lan Yi's piercing scream and started forward. The house was so big he didn't know which way to turn, so he grabbed the maid.
"Where is his room?!" he demanded.
She pointed toward the staircase with trembling hands. He dashed that way, already pressing the emergency hospital line on his phone to request an ambulance.
The maid followed behind him nervously, nearly stumbling, her body shaking with fear. Lan Yi's cries still echoed through the house, her panic filling every corner. Soon, she felt her strength drain away completely. Dizzy, she clutched the stair railing and collapsed to her knees, struggling for breath.
By then, the MD had raced upstairs, the maid trailing after him. He spared only one quick glance at Lan Yi...pale, barely holding herself together....before pushing into the room that stood open.
The maid peeked in, took one look at Zhan's body on the floor, and let out a shriek before staggering back in shock.
Lan Yi, still gasping for breath by the stairs, tried to force words out. Her lips trembled. "Yibo…"
Hearing that, the maid bolted down the stairs in panic, running toward the chalet.
Inside the room, the MD threw his phone aside and knelt at Zhan's side, lifting him quickly. The food plate nearby, the symptoms...the picture came together instantly in his mind. Poisoning.
He checked for a pulse. None.
For a split second, panic nearly swallowed him, but he forced himself into control. Laying Zhan flat, he began CPR, pressing on his chest with all his strength. He had no idea how long Zhan's pulse had stopped, but he wasn't going to give up.
Just then, Yibo burst into the room after sprinting all the way from the chalet, his heart pounding wildly. He dropped to his knees beside them, clutching his head in horror.
"BABY…" His voice broke.
The MD pressed harder, trying everything to bring Zhan back.
NB
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Yibo's baby please don't die. 🙏🙏🙏
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛