Dr Kexing was leaning against his mother's shoulder when he quickly opened his eyes but couldn't lift his head after hearing what his uncle had just said. From Qiren to Lan Yi, all eyes were on Xiao Rong...none of them spoke a word.
Zhan, who was resting in Granny Ryu's arms, slowly opened his eyes too after hearing what his grandfather said.
The living room was silent for a while. After a few minutes, the CEO, who had been staring directly at Xiao Rong, shook her head, looked him straight in the eye, and said calmly:
"Decisions aren't made just like that. There might be changes you don't know about. This is something that happened months ago, not days, so you should have asked his rightful parents first. What if they had already chosen someone else for him before you made this decision? What if he was already engaged to another? You need to have reason, sir."
Granny Ryu sighed gently, stroking Zhan's head in her arms. "She's right. You should have asked first. We don't know what's truly in his parents' hearts, or even in his own. They might already have a different plan for him."
Xiao Rong nodded, sighing deeply, looking tired. "That thought didn't cross my mind. You're right. Even though there was already talk of Dr Kexing and Teng, I only acted because I wanted to mend the damage of the past. It wasn't to show authority or force anyone's hand. As for Dr Kexing's matter with Teng, that's something I could easily set aside, considering what happened before.
"But…" he turned to Qiren, "forgive me. I acted without asking for your counsel or your opinion. So now, is there anything you want to say about my decision? They're uncle and nephew now, but if they still love each other and want to marry, we should allow them…"
Qiren let out a sigh but said nothing. Then he turned to Lan Yi, who lowered her gaze. Quietly he asked, "Mrs. Wang, is there anything you'd like to say?"
Lan Yi glanced at Yibo, then shook her head. "It's Zhan who should be asked. Whatever he wants for his life, that's what should be done."
Xiao Rong turned toward Zhan. Calmly he called, "Zhan."
Zhan lifted his head from Granny Ryu's arms and looked at him. Xiao Rong motioned to his side and said gently, "Come over here, my dear."
Zhan stood up. His eyes briefly met MD's before he lowered his head and walked toward his grandfather, sitting where Xiao Rong had pointed.
Everyone in the living room was watching Zhan...include his father, who couldn't take his eyes off him.
Xiao Rong looked at Zhan, about to speak, when the CEO quickly cut him off. "I think he needs time. He just recovered from an illness. Let him regain his peace of mind before any decision is expected from him, Mr. Xiao."
Lan Yi nodded quickly. "That's true. He's not fully well yet. We were just discharged from the hospital not long ago." Her voice trembled, tears filling her eyes.
Xiao Rong gently gave Zhan a side hug, lowering his voice. "Take your time. No matter what, next week we will all go to Guangzhou together."
Still, Dr Kexing hadn't raised his head. Wu kept looking at the CEO, and so did MD.
Granny Ryu then stood and went to her husband's side. She lifted Zhan, who was sitting close to him, and turned to Lan Yi and the CEO. "Come, let's go to my part. You haven't even had water yet."
Wu and Aunty Jin also stood, leaving the living room with Lan Yi.
Though Granny Ryu was holding Zhan, his attention remained fixed on his mother Lan Yi, making sure she was following them.
As Xiao Rong had said earlier, once Lan Yi and the others left the living room, Zhan's mother Aaria was remarried to Zhan's father with a dowry of two hundred thousand, which Xiao Rong himself provided. Qiren stood as the witness for Aaria.
Various dishes were served to Lan Yi and the others in Granny Ryu's part of the house. Xiao Rong's mansion was vast, with even Granny Ryu having two large living rooms of her own.
Zhan sat close to Lan Yi, quietly eating from his plate. Aaria kept her eyes fixed on him without blinking, and Granny Ryu too couldn't stop watching him.
Zhan, however, didn't even notice. After a while, he lowered his voice and asked Lan Yi, "Mama, have they taken food to my Gege's?"
At that moment, Zhan looked up and found everyone in the room watching him...even Wu. Embarrassed, he quickly hid his face against Lan Yi, smiling shyly, while she smiled as well.
Granny Ryu shook her head, smiling. "Oh, Zhan, you've already called Lan Yi 'Mama' ten times now. You won't even let her eat her food."
Aaria lowered her gaze, slowly pushing the food around her plate. The CEO calmly ate the snacks in front of her, refusing to touch the meal.
-----
Wu stepped out from Granny Ryu's side, quietly closing the door of a bedroom behind her. Inside, she found Shen Yi seated, absentmindedly stirring his coffee with a spoon. He glanced at her once, then went back to what he was doing.
She walked fully into the room, locking the door behind her, and asked, "Shen Yi, where's Kexing?"
"I left him outside," Shen Yi replied.
Wu was about to continue when the door opened again. Both turned their heads...Dr Kexing had entered. Wu's eyes followed him as he came in.
"Did you eat?" she asked softly.
He stretched out on the couch and said quietly, "I'm okay."
Wu sat down on the edge of the couch, looking at him with a calm voice. "What do you think we should do now, Kexing?"
Shen Yi looked up. "Do about what?"
Wu lowered her voice, glancing at him. "Your aunt in Chengdu said she wants to arrange him with Teng. Didn't you know?"
Shen Yi looked surprised. "Teng? No, she didn't tell me. Maybe she considered it, but we spoke on the phone this morning."
Wu said, "I assumed she would tell you, that's why I didn't bring it up. Everything was already arranged between her and Jianmen. I even planned to come here to Tianjin to inform your uncle, but then he fell sick. Just earlier I tried mentioning it to him. He said once he's fully better, by next week, the bride money will be prepared and the wedding can be held the following week."
Shen Yi looked at Dr Kexing, who was quietly fiddling with his phone, then back at Wu. "But since the talk about Zhan has returned, why don't you tell our aunt in Chengdu what's happening? I know if she hears the truth, she'll back away from Teng."
Wu just stared at him, at a loss for words.
Shen Yi continued, "But if Kexing feels he can handle both, he could marry them both. That's not so bad either."
Wu widened her eyes at him, speechless. Teng was her sister's daughter, and Shen Yi had practically been raised in that household since childhood. He was closer to that aunt than to Wu herself, which explained the lack of closeness between him and Dr Kexing.
Finally, Wu lowered her gaze and said, "I'll explain to my sister. If she chooses to withdraw, then so be it. Kexing's happiness is what matters to me. I know he accepted the marriage only because he felt he had no choice. Teng lacks nothing, but…"
Shen Yi smirked. "You're just being sentimental."
Wu shot him a glare, then turned to Dr Kexing. "Don't worry. I'll call your aunt later, maybe even tonight."
Dr Kexing finally sat up, his voice calm but steady as he looked at Wu. "You know what, Mom?"
Both Wu and Shen Yi stared at him. Dr Kexing gave a faint smile. "They won't give me Zhan, even if we're not related. It's awkward for us to marry each other....I'm confused and don't know what to do."
Wu asked softly, "Why do you say that?"
He lowered his gaze. "They'll change his mind. That's why his mother quickly supported giving him time to think. They won't hand him over to me. And honestly… I don't even know what I'm feeling anymore."
Shen Yi just kept watching him. Wu's whole body felt cold; she couldn't say a word. Deep down she knew he was right, but she didn't want to upset him further. Still, hearing the CEO and Lan Yi speak earlier had cut her to the bone.
Slowly, Dr Kexing said, "So I've given up on Zhan. Everything happens for a reason. Besides, how could we see each other as married couple...and still uncle and nephew?"
With that, he lay back down, turning his face away.
Wu sat frozen, her hands propping up her chin, her chest heavy with sorrow. Shen Yi set down his coffee cup, stood, and left the room. He had never felt such pity for his younger brother.
Wu moved closer to the couch and looked down at Dr Kexing. The tears shining in his eyes broke her completely.
As Shen Yi walked away, his mind churned with conflicting thoughts. Then, from a distance, he saw Zhan approaching, carrying a tray with drinks and water.
The moment Zhan noticed him, his steps slowed. Shen Yi moved toward him.
Zhan froze, lowering his head, clearly nervous. Shen Yi glanced around to be sure no one was nearby, then reached Zhan. Without a word, he took the tray from him and set it aside.
"I want to speak with you," Shen Yi said curtly.
Zhan blinked in surprise, but before he could reply, Shen Yi grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. Zhan followed, eyes wide, glancing back and forth to check if anyone saw.
Shen Yi pushed open the door to a separate wing, drew Zhan inside, and locked it.
Zhan stood stiff, staring at him in confusion.
Stepping close, Shen Yi looked him dead in the eye. "Do you know what heartbreak means?"
Zhan shifted uneasily, still confused.
Shen Yi's voice dropped, sharp and deliberate. "Don't break my brother's heart. He's your first love. If you refuse to marry him now, after everything he's been through, you'll be betraying him. Through all the planning, through everything that happened when your wedding was first arranged, he never abandoned you. He never turned against you. He was always there."
"If you reject him now, you betray his love. I don't care about the change in our relationship."
Zhan's eyes filled with tears as he whispered, "Do I look like someone who doesn't love him? I would never say that. I still love him, just as he loves me. He will always be my first love... nothing can change that."
MD, who had been watching him, nodded. "Better."
With that, he headed toward the door. Zhan followed him with his eyes until he left. Slowly, he sank into a chair in the living room, wiping away the tears streaming down his face.
-----
At half past two, Qiren told Xiao Rong that they would be returning to Beijing after spending a long time chatting in his living room.
Xiao Rong asked, "But you'll leave your wife and son here, at least until tomorrow, right? Should I book their tickets separately?"
Qiren nodded. "Yes. My wife mentioned she'd be visiting somewhere in town, so I know they'll still be around tomorrow."
Xiao Rong leaned forward. "Good. My second point...perhaps you should ask Aaria's elder sister how long they'll be staying with her younger sister. Whether it's Tianjin, Guangzhou, or even Beijing, I'm sure Shan will be fine...his business runs across all those cities."
(I think now Xiao Rong is afraid of the CEO. 😂😂😂)
Qiren said, "Then I'll speak to her right away."
Downstairs in the living room, the CEO sat with Qiren after being called in. Once Qiren explained the reason for summoning her, she smiled faintly. "That will have to wait until we return to Guangzhou. We'll decide with her then. It isn't urgent. Besides, I'm sorry to say...both of them need to undergo some medical tests at my hospital in Guangzhou."
Qiren leaned forward. "That's fine. But do you know what I'd like from you?"
The CEO raised her brows. "What?"
He said earnestly, "Please...whatever is planned, don't let it drag on longer than two weeks."
She went quiet for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, Mr. Wang."
"Thank you," Qiren said with relief. "I'll head back to Guangzhou now with Yibo and Hai Kuan. Our tickets are already secured."
"Fine," the CEO agreed. "If tickets are still available, I'll have Shen Yi purchase for me and Aaria too. I doubt we'll leave today. But what about your wife and son?"
"They have visits to make within the city. They'll return to Guangzhou tomorrow," Qiren replied.
By three-thirty, the CEO, her younger sister, Qiren, Hai Kuan and Yibo left together. Xiao Rong's drivers escorted them to the train station for their journey to Guangzhou. Shan, eager to at least say goodbye to Aaria, wasn't given the chance....the CEO firmly guided her sister into the car and joined her.
(Xiao Shan, not a chance with your newly bride. 😆)
Meanwhile, Zhan stood beside Lan Yi, waving at them with a smile as their cars pulled out. Their own driver would later take them to the hospital where Shu was admitted. Even Xiao Rong stepped outside to see them off, though reluctantly. From the car window, Aaria kept glancing back at Zhan, who clung quietly to Lan Yi's side.
(Zhan-ge, at least talk and hug your mother to say good bye to her. 🙄Poor woman)
After the cars departed, Granny Ryu opened the car door for Lan Yi and Zhan. "You'll return here for the night, right?"
Lan Yi smiled. "I'll stop at my cousin sister's after the hospital, but we'll be back in the morning to say goodbye."
"Alright," Granny Ryu said warmly. "Please greet her for us...and send our regards to Shu."
Lan Yi nodded.
Then Granny Ryu turned to Zhan. "You didn't bring the takeaway, did you?"
Lan Yi chuckled. "I knew he'd forget...typical of Zhan."
Smiling sheepishly, Zhan turned back to fetch it.
From the balcony, Dr. Kexing sat quietly after Qiren's car pulled away. After the farewell, he slipped back inside. Zhan, heading up for the takeaway, spotted him seated there. Dr. Kexing hadn't noticed him until he drew closer. Their eyes met...Dr. Kexing immediately rose, turned away, and disappeared into the house.
Zhan quickened his pace, following him into the living room, but the space was empty. He glanced around the vast house, searching for where he might have gone, but found nothing. A sudden chill swept through him. Slowly, he climbed upstairs, collected the takeaway Granny Ryu had prepared, then came back down, eyes still darting about for a glimpse of Dr. Kexing. He didn't know why his eyes stung with tears, but he wiped them away quickly and headed outside.
Back at the parking area, Zhan and Lan Yi entered their car. As the gates opened and the car rolled forward, Zhan remained unusually quiet.
Lan Yi, noticing, pulled him closer with a gentle hand. "What's wrong, son? Why so quiet?"
Zhan forced a smile. "I'm just tired, Mama."
Lan Yi replied, "We're heading to Nanxin's house now since we won't be going to the hospital until six o'clock. Marquis called earlier...she said she spoke with Mother, and she and Aunt Yisue are already there. I thought it would be better if we stopped at Nanxin's house first, so we don't overcrowd the hospital room."
Nanxin was Lan Yi's cousin. As planned, they stayed there until around six before going to the hospital where Shu was admitted. But even then, Granny Fang Yu and Aunt Yisue were still there.
After greetings, Granny Fang Yu turned her eyes on Zhan. "How are you feeling, Zhan?"
Zhan smiled politely. "I'm better, Granny Fang Yu. How's Sister Shu doing?"
Granny Fang Yu lowered her gaze. "She's recovering well."
Yet her demeanor showed clear discomfort around Zhan, as if she couldn't quite relax in his presence. Lan Yi stood by Shu's bedside, offering words of comfort. She then turned to Aunt Yisue. "So how is everything, Aunt?"
Aunt Yisue answered bluntly, "The baby didn't survive...it passed yesterday. Now the doctors say we should wait for her body to begin labor naturally. If that doesn't happen, they'll induce it with hospital procedures. Personally, I'd rather wait. They say it shouldn't take more than two days."
Lan Yi fell silent, taking in the news. Aunt Yisue continued, "You see the situation. The pregnancy is no longer viable. Don't imagine she did something reckless...I doubt she even made it to the bathroom when it happened. These things just happen. Anyway, the child isn't alive, that's the truth."
Lan Yi exhaled deeply. "Let's just hope she recovers well, and that this turns out to be for the best...for her and for all of us."
Aunt Yisue nodded. "Exactly. It's better this way...the God's spared us further suffering."
Zhan, though secretly relieved by the news, stepped closer to Shu's bed. "Rest well, Sister Shu."
Shu only gave a weak nod. Aunt Yisue then said, "We'll head back to my place now and leave Granny Fang Yu to stay with her."
Lan Yi added, "Actually, we just came from Nanxin's house, Aunt."
Aunt Yisue frowned. "You stayed at her place? She hasn't even visited Shu here at the hospital. I told Marquis long ago to stop involving herself with Nanxin, but she wouldn't listen. And you...why would you go there instead of my house? Just because Nanxin has a big courtyard and cooks with gas?"
Keeping her voice calm, Lan Yi explained, "It wasn't like that, Aunt. We saw you were already here at the hospital. And we're leaving for Guangzhou tomorrow morning. Besides, Nanxin has been struggling with her sick daughter...she hasn't been well, which is why you didn't see her here."
Aunt Yisue pursed her lips and said nothing more. Around nine o'clock, Lan Yi and Zhan left the hospital.
***
The next morning, just as Lan Yi had said, they went to Xiao Rong's house to bid farewell. Their train tickets had already been purchased, since no flights were available. Lan Yi insisted they wouldn't wait until evening. Zhan kept looking around, hoping to spot Dr. Kexing, but he never appeared. Only MD was there, and even Wu was nowhere to be seen.
Finally, MD and his father Xiao Shan drove them to the station. Before leaving, Granny Ryu served them refreshments and reminded them that everyone would be visiting Guangzhou next week. Xiao Rong himself gifted Lan Yi some money as a parting gesture.
At the station, Lan Yi said her goodbyes to MD and Shan. Zhan had almost forgotten who Xiao Shan was until Lan Yi reminded him, at which point he greeted him quickly. Xiao Shan, however, couldn't take his eyes off Zhan.
With courtesy, Shan said to Lan Yi, "Next week, we'll come to Guangzhou with Father."
Lan Yi smiled. "We'll be expecting you."
They parted ways at the train station.
When they arrived in Guangzhou, Yibo was already waiting at the platform. The moment Zhan spotted him, he lit up with joy...running straight into his arms and clinging to him like a koala.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛