When Yibo parked the car and they arrived home, Lan Yi opened the door, and she and Zhan got out. Zhan carried the takeaway bag they'd bought along the way, glancing at Yibo.
"Gege, will you eat too?" he asked.
Yibo shook his head. "No, I've already eaten."
He followed behind Lan Yi into the house. Zhan carried the food into the kitchen before joining them in the downstairs living room where Granny Ai and Aunt Marquis sat. After greeting them politely, Zhan was about to leave. Granny Ai watched him walk out, then frowned and said to Lan Yi, "That boy has been different ever since that poisoning incident. He's changed... acting with a new kind of arrogance. Before, whenever Zhan entered, he would greet everyone properly, sit quietly, show respect, even ask if there was anything he could do to help. But now? He rushes out right after saying hello, as if he's being chased. Is that what poison does to people?"
Aunt Marquis smiled lightly. "It's probably just travel fatigue, Aunt Ai. They've been on the move a lot."
Granny Ai clicked her tongue. "No, no. The Zhan I know wasn't like this. He used to be calm and gentle. Now he's picking up habits that aren't his." She paused, then gave Lan Yi a sharp look, clearly holding back words. Instead, she turned to Aunt Marquis. "I'm sure Yisue has been gossiping about me in Tianjin. That shameless woman...her house is like a beggar's hut. Even I, living in Yantai, bought a proper home long ago, but she can't even manage that. And you...don't tell me you think she's blameless."
Lan Yi's face darkened. "Aunt…"
But Granny Ai cut her off quickly. "Don't 'Aunt' me. You didn't know her as well as I do...she's isn't your sister. She's been envious of me since childhood. Even now, because Qiren respects me and listens to me, she's eaten up with jealousy. She hates that he values my advice. Honestly, if not for that pile of grandchildren of hers, Qiren would've sent her away already. She makes his house look like a marketplace, always hanging around. Meanwhile, when I visit, it's for a reason...not just loitering. Without this boy's poisoning, I wouldn't even be here in two years! And when people go to Tianjin, she insists they must stay in her crumbling house, breathing the same stale air together. What kind of nonsense is that? She doesn't even clean, but demands everyone lodge there!"
Lan Yi stood abruptly and left the room. Aunt Marquis sighed, then followed after her. Granny Ai shook her head, muttering as she tore pieces of bread. "People just can't stand the truth."
Zhan stirred awake when he felt someone gently tapping the pillow beside him. Opening his sleepy eyes, he found Yibo watching him.
"You didn't eat yet, baby," Yibo said softly.
Zhan closed his eyes again, turning his face to the other side. "Later."
"Are you not hungry?" Yibo asked.
Zhan stayed quiet, eyes shut. Yibo leaned closer. "Baby…"
Zhan turned with a pout. "Gege, I'm sleepy. I already told Mama I'll eat later."
"Oh, okay," Yibo murmured, standing to leave. Zhan peeked at him and called out, "Will you eat?"
Yibo turned back. "No. I just thought... it's almost 3 p.m. and you haven't eaten. Granny Ai has been in and out of the kitchen, asking whose food that was. She might end up finishing it."
Zhan chuckled faintly, eyes half-shut. "If she eats it, you can just buy me another one."
Yibo smiled. "Alright then." He started toward the door, but Zhan called again, "Or… you could just bring it here for me, please, Gege."
Yibo gave him a look but said nothing. He left the room quietly, closing the door behind him.
-----
Lan Yi sat with Aunt Marquis, recounting everything that had happened over the past two days. Aunt Marquis was overjoyed...so much so that she shed tears. She was genuinely happy for Zhan, though in her heart, she pitied her sister. Lan Yi had poured all the love of a birth mother into Zhan, but now she would have to begin letting go, preparing herself for the reality that Zhan was not hers alone anymore.
After some time, Aunt Marquis turned to her and asked gently, "So… will he go spend a few days with his real mother now?"
Lan Yi lifted her head and stared back silently.
Lowering her voice, Aunt Marquis continued, "He should, Lan Yi Jie. You said yourself how broken his mother has been since being separated from her son. It's time to accept that Zhan isn't ours alone. His parents are alive, and their marriage has been restored. They'll naturally want their son close. His grandparents too...they'll want to know him, bond with him. We can't deny Zhan the chance to create ties with his family."
Tears welled up in Lan Yi's eyes. Aunty Marquis felt her chest tighten because she knew if anyone was going to face Lan Yi with the truth, it had to be her. Shaking her head, she said softly,
"Please don't be upset, Lan Yi Jie. But I need you to understand...Zhan is no longer a child. He knows right from wrong. He knows your place in his life, and he knows exactly who you are. So don't let this weigh too heavily on you. The only thing that could push him away forever is…"
Lan Yi looked up at her, tears streaming. Aunty Marquis quickly handed her a tissue, then added in a calm voice,
"If Zhan marries that Dr, I know for certain he'll be taken from us. That's just reality. Because once he's married, he'll automatically be absorbed into his father's family, and we'll have no control over it. After that, whether or not he comes here will depend entirely on his husband's consent. Maybe they won't even live in the same city. They might move to Tianjin. Then there are his grandparents, his parents...he'll have to be close to them too. Unless Zhan marries here in this house, this is what's bound to happen."
Lan Yi lowered her head, wiping at the tears that refused to stop. After a few seconds she shook her head, her voice trembling.
"Zhan loves Dr. Kexing. And I truly believe Dr. Kexing loves him deeply too. I can't stop him from accepting that marriage just because of my own feelings. I won't hold him back. His happiness is all I care about...his happiness is my first priority. After everything he's been through, he deserves nothing less than pure happiness. Even though I had other plans for him before… those plans are meaningless now, considering how things have unfolded in just these past two days. I believe fate gave Zhan to me when the time was right, and now fate has chosen to take him away so others can fulfill their role in his life."
With that, she stood and walked toward the door. Aunty Marquis watched her with pity. Just as Lan Yi reached for the handle, Hai Kuan opened the door from the other side. She brushed past him silently, her tears still falling. Hai Kuan stared after her in surprise, then turned back to Aunty Marquis.
He hurried inside and sat facing her, concern etched on his face.
"Aunty, what happened? Why is Mama crying?"
Aunty Marquis let out a long breath.
"Hai Kuan, tell me...what do you honestly think about Zhan marrying that young man? I want to hear your full opinion."
"But why was Mama crying, Aunty? I need to know that first," he pressed.
"She's crying because of how things have turned out," Aunty Marquis explained quietly. "If Zhan marries Dr. Kexing, he'll become part of his father's family. He'll be away from her, and she'll only see him when he's allowed to visit."
Hai Kuan sighed deeply. "Is that the reason she's so worried?"
"Of course," Aunty Marquis said. "If she didn't love Zhan, she wouldn't be in pain. You more than anyone know the kind of motherly love she has given him. She feels like she's losing him forever."
Hai Kuan remained silent for a while, then finally said,
"I don't even know what to say, Aunty. I've never heard of a nephew marrying his own uncle before. But everyone's talking about the marriage as if it's perfectly normal. Both Zhan and Dr. Kexing are so blinded by love they don't see what's right or wrong. And the elders don't want to upset Zhan, since he's their long-lost son."
The room went quiet again. For nearly five minutes, Aunty Marquis said nothing while Hai Kuan sat deep in thought.
----
Later that evening, around 8 o'clock, Zhan sat in Qiren's living room with Lan Yi, Yibo, and Hai Kuan. Qiren had called them all together. He looked at Lan Yi, who seemed lost in thought, and said,
"Madam…"
She looked up quickly.
"You know what needs to be done, don't you?" he asked.
Lan Yi only stared at him.
Qiren nodded. "Zhan should go to CEO's house for at least three days. On Thursday, Mr. Xiao said he and his family will be coming here to hear our decision about the marriage. Today is Saturday. That means by Wednesday evening, either Yibo or Hai Kuan should go and bring him back. If neither of them is free, his driver can fetch him. Though, I'm sure the CEO herself will arrange his return if it comes to that."
Zhan's heart sank after hearing what Qiren said, his eyes fixed on him. Lan Yi kept her head lowered, saying nothing.
"Do you understand what I mean, Madam?" Qiren asked.
Lan Yi slowly raised her head and replied, "I understand."
"That's how it should be," Qiren said. "So tomorrow afternoon, Hai Kuan or Yibo can drop him off."
Lan Yi didn't say anything further.
"That's all I wanted to say," Qiren concluded.
That same night, Zhan was in the kitchen making tea for Lan Yi, since she hadn't eaten. The kitchen door opened, and Yibo walked in. He approached and asked,
"Are you making tea for Mama?"
Zhan nodded.
"Okay, take your time…" Yibo turned to leave, but Zhan looked after him and asked, "What are you doing, Gege?"
"I want to make coffee," he replied.
"Then let me make it for you," Zhan offered.
"Thank you…" Yibo said softly.
Zhan began preparing the coffee while Yibo just stood there watching him. After a moment, Zhan glanced back at him. Yibo opened his eyes a little wider and said,
"Looks like you didn't eat your food. Granny Ai probably ate it."
Zhan frowned. "Didn't I tell you to bring it to my room? But you didn't."
Yibo chuckled, brushing his hair back. "After the scolding you gave me for waking you up from sleep?"
Zhan's mouth fell open, staring at him. Yibo moved closer, turned off the stove where Zhan was boiling water for Lan Yi's tea.
"When did I ever scold you, Gege?" Zhan demanded.
Without turning back, Yibo replied, "In your dream. You even smirked at me."
Then he walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind him.
Zhan carried on...pouring the tea into a small flask for Lan Yi, and finishing the coffee for Yibo. As he was leaving, Hai Kuan entered.
Zhan held out the flask carefully. "Gege, please help me take this upstairs to Mama."
Hai Kuan glanced at the mug in Zhan's other hand. "And what about that one?"
"It's for Gege," Zhan replied.
Hai Kuan raised an eyebrow. "You don't even differentiate your 'Gege's.' Which Gege?"
Zhan smiled. "Didn't you just say you don't drink coffee? So obviously, it's not for you."
Hai Kuan squinted. "So you mean the Doctor, right? Just say it clearly. Yibo or not, I can figure it out."
He took the flask and went upstairs to Lan Yi's room, while Zhan headed off toward Yibo's.
At Yibo's door, Zhan knocked softly before entering. Yibo was already in his pajamas, about to go to bed. Zhan walked over and set the mug down.
"Here, Gege," he said.
"Oh, thank you," Yibo replied.
Zhan lingered close beside him. When Yibo looked up, Zhan's face softened, his lips pressing into a pout.
"Gege… when did I ever smirked at you?"
Yibo put his phone aside. "Did you give Mama her tea?"
"That's none of your business," Zhan muttered, pouting even more.
Yibo chuckled. "Since you said that, I'll go check myself then."
He got up and walked to the door. Zhan watched him leave, standing frozen. A moment later, he grabbed the coffee he had left for Yibo, carried it back to the kitchen, poured it down the sink, washed the mug, and set it upside down before heading upstairs.
On the staircase, he ran into Yibo coming down. Zhan averted his eyes, trying to pass by. Yibo glanced at him, then softly called,
"Baby."
Zhan ignored him, not turning around. That made Yibo reach out and catch his hand.
"Are you angry?" he asked.
Zhan suddenly burst into tears, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"Baby, what happened now?" Yibo asked, shocked, pulling him closer. Zhan just cried harder. Yibo scanned the stairwell, then gently placed Zhan's head against his chest.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry…" Yibo whispered and plant a kiss on Zhan's hair.
Through his sobs, Zhan's voice trembled. "When did I scold you, Gege? When did I smirked at you?"
Yibo stroked his hair. "In your room earlier. And just now, in mine, too."
Zhan lifted his tear-streaked face to look at him. Yibo laughed softly, pinching his long nose.
"You don't even realize when you do it, do you?"
Zhan lowered his gaze, thinking, but tears still spilled over. "Then tell me exactly what I said...remind me."
Yibo hugged him tighter. "Forget it. It's nothing."
Just then, Hai Kuan's voice cut through the air. Both of them whipped their heads around. Zhan quickly stepped back from Yibo.
Leaning against the stair rail, Hai Kuan asked, "Mama's shawl or Aunty Marquis's shawl?"
Yibo, looking confused, asked, "Shawl?"
Hai Kuan replied, "Yes, just wrap it around him in your back so he'll feel soothed. He doesn't do anything but cry anyway."
Zhan pouted, staring at him as if he might burst into tears. Yibo only gave a faint smile before heading downstairs.
"Silly boy," Hai Kuan muttered, then turned and walked away.
Zhan followed Yibo with his eyes, then quickly ran after him downstairs. "Gege, I drink your coffee… let me make you another one."
Yibo turned, glancing back. "You just wasted it, Baby."
Zhan's eyes widened, he quickly said, "Never mind. I'll make you another one...two minutes, okay?"
Still walking, Yibo waved his hand. "Since you spilled it, just go rest. Don't bother."
Zhan whined softly, "Please, let me make another one for you."
But Yibo didn't turn around. "I'm going to lie down. Just forget it."
Zhan froze, watching until Yibo disappeared into his room and locked the door. Slowly, he turned back upstairs, his chest tight with regret for spilling the coffee.
***
The next morning, around half past ten, Lan Yi entered Zhan's room. Sitting on the edge of his bed, she said gently, "Baby, pack your things. When you're done, come to me so I can fix your hair."
Zhan lowered his head, saying nothing. Lan Yi stood. "Be careful not to forget anything." With that, she left.
Zhan's eyes brimmed with tears as he watched her go. Only after half an hour did he begin folding clothes into his suitcase. When he finished, he left his room and walked slowly toward Lan Yi's. By one o'clock, she was done oiling his hair.
Looking at him in the mirror, she said, "Go eat something, then take a shower and get ready."
"Yes, Mama," Zhan murmured, standing up and heading for the door.
At that moment, Hai Kuan walked in. Lan Yi turned to him and asked softly, "Who will take him?"
"I'll drop him off," Hai Kuan said.
"Alright. Leave by three."
He nodded. "Okay."
As planned, at three o'clock, Hai Kuan and Zhan left the house together. Lan Yi didn't even come out to say a proper goodbye; she shut herself in her room instead crying.
Zhan had been crying since they left. From time to time, Hai Kuan glanced at him while driving. Then he chuckled softly. "When you're leaving to get married and join your Dad's family, and you're already crying?"
Zhan's eyes were red. He had never thought there would come a day when someone would say "His Dad" instead of just "Qiren."
Lowering his voice, Hai Kuan said, "Baby, you're getting married. You'll be far from Mama and from all of us. Maybe only once in a while will we get to see you."
Zhan just stared at him in silence.
Calmly, Hai Kuan continued, "Gradually, our bond will fade. One day it'll only be a memory… that beautiful bond of twenty-two years. Slowly, you'll drift away from us. No more little brother for us to lean on. Mama will have no youngest son to show the world anymore."
Tears rolled down Zhan's face, but he forced a smile. "You really think so, Gege?"
Hai Kuan didn't answer.
Zhan shook his head with determination, fighting not to cry. "No matter what happens, I know in my heart that no family could ever mean more to me than you all. I grew up with you, I saw myself in you. Nothing can change that. You'll always be my true family. Any other family will only feel… counterfeit."
Hai Kuan looked at him, voice lowering. "I need a favor from you, Baby. You know I've never asked you for anything before...it's always been you asking me, right?"
Zhan turned to him, feeling uneasy without knowing why. His chest tightened.
"So… I won't get this favor?" Hai Kuan asked quietly.
Zhan swallowed hard. "You will."
"Good," Hai Kuan said, pulling into the lot of a nice ice cream shop. "Let's sit inside first."
Zhan didn't reply. His heart thudded as they got out of the car and walked in. Hai Kuan led them to a quiet corner, away from everyone else. After ordering ice cream... though he didn't even like it... he finally turned to Zhan.
"Baby," he said gently.
Zhan raised his head slowly, mustering courage. "Yes, Gege?"
Hai Kuan leaned in slightly. "Tell me a little about your Yibo Gege."
Zhan froze, confused. "I… I don't understand."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛